One of the hottest restaurants of the past year, Tanta has opened its indoor/outdoor second floor Pisco lounge and rooftop. It features a bar along with booth and table seating surrounding a skylight looking down on the first floor. The rooftop menu offers Pisco-focused cocktails and Peruvian street food-focused small bites.

With one of the most spectacular views of the shoreline and downtown, J. Parker is the perfect spot for a nice spring day. Enjoy the sights from one of the 140 outdoor seats while sipping on the expertly crafted cocktails. An upgraded heating system will ensure guests stay warm even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The outdoor patio at Nico is a great spot for people watching in the Gold Coast while enjoying the food at one of the city’s hottest spots. Erling Wu-Bower’s Italian fare is complimented by Matty Eggleston’s cocktail menu, which has changed to include warm weather drinks.

The Dawson’s 150-seat patio features a stone fireplace, communal tables, and new cocktails including margaritas, frozen mai tais and drinks in canteens. Look for it to be one of the year’s hottest outdoor spots.

Celeste’s rooftop patio, "The Garden," is set to open as soon as weather permits. Overlooking the madness on Hubbard Street, the English garden-inspired space will feel like a hidden oasis and offer vintage punch bowls and Victorian-style seating arrangements.

Mike Sheerin’s Italian restaurant has received endless praise and its massive 100-seat sidewalk café opening this month will offer even more diners a chance to see what the buzz is about.

Snow cone versions of CH Distillery’s cocktails made with house-distilled liquor? Sign us up. Look for the 20-seat patio to open in mid-May.

The Terrace at Trump is set to reopen for the season. Located 16 floors above downtown Chicago, the spot is one of the city’s hottest summertime destinations featuring an unparalleled view of Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River. The menu offers innovative cocktails and inspired summer fare.

Chuck’s will open its kitchen patio this spring, featuring a stunning view of downtown Chicago centered between the Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park. The restaurant offers classic American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and new items include Chef Kerry Simon’s signature Sangria to sip on in the springtime.

Mercadito is again opening its glass, garage-style retractable front door to reveal a 35-seat patio. Sip on some margaritas while trying Patricio Sandoval’s ceviches, guacamoles, tacos and more.

Sportsman’s Club is opening a rear patio this month featuring a fire pit, communal tables and a satellite bar. Look for earlier weekend hours, afternoon DJ sessions and of course lots of cocktails.

Enjoy Korean barbecue from bellyQ or slurp up some ramen from Urban Belly on the 50-seat patio, or cozy up at the fire pit in the back. Come summertime, Bill Kim will also host cooking demos in the outdoor space.

The restaurant will open its backyard patio for its third summer season, featuring fresh, seasonal BBQ-inspired dishes, summer cocktails, outdoor ping pong and more.

River North’s bustling and chic Barcito features 60 outdoor seats for sipping, sharing and soaking up the sun. Enjoy the bar’s kegged cocktails, wines, beer and sangria as well as menu offering a range of tapas and housemade sodas.

Michelin dining goes outdoors at Acadia’s new street-side dining patio opening this spring. 12 to 16 guests can enjoy the acclaimed bar menu from Ryan McCaskey, with options such as Stonington lobster roll and the popular Acadia burger.

Revamped Japonais by Morimoto has a new look and menu to go along with riverside seating in the rear. The raw fish offerings are some of the best in town, while the sea urchin carbonara is flavorful decadence.

Tre Soldi has been getting the attention of Streeterville residents and visitors alike with its rustic, Roman dishes. And on a warm day, it's hard to beat a glass of wine outside to go along with the hand-tossed pizzas and hearty pastas.

Right along Michigan Avenue and across from Grant Park, Mercat a la Planxa brings Catalan dining outside with its 60-seat patio. Guests can soak in the sun while enjoying tapas dishes, charcuterie, cheeses, fresh seafood, steaks, sangrias and more.

The menu keeps things simple but sometimes all you want is a good burger, and Parts and Labor has you covered. Add a root beer float on the large front patio and it's like being a little kid again.

Lakeview’s neighborhood brewery has added a 16-seat sidewalk patio/beer garden for the spring. So now’s your chance to try some craft brews alongside refined pub fare including fish tacos, poutine, bone-in pork chop, buttermilk fried chicken and more.

The new Ravenswood spot celebrating international cuisine will offer al fresco dining come warm weather. The street-side patio will seat 80 and offer guests an array of dishes spanning the globe, from beef bulgogi bao buns to foie gras torchon.

Evanston favorite Found features a Parisian-inspired sidewalk café offering patrons a view of downtown. The rustic new American menu showcases local produce and ingredients, with a spotlight on vegetables alongside select cuts of meat. Dishes include lamb meat balls, kale and swiss chard salad, roasted squash and brussel sprouts, and more.

Set to open May 22, the rooftop garden atop Parliament will accommodate 150 guests and offer private seating areas, specially crafted libations and a panoramic skyline view.

Chop Shop's "secret garden" upstairs patio seats over 60 and is enclosed by four walls. Complementing the al fresco dining are new cocktails and punches as well as seasonal menu items.

Homestead will feature 80 seats on its revamped outdoor patio that is adjacent to the restaurant’s 1,000 square foot organic rooftop garden. New spring food and beverage menus will also debut along with the opening of the patio.

Last year's patio of the year is poised to defend its title. The massive outdoor space now features bocce along with tons of tables, ping pong, negroni slushies, sand and music.