Where to Eat This Weekend: Outside

It’s very nearly October and somehow the temperature this weekend is still hovering around 80 degrees. Fortunately, the humidity has abated (mostly) and that’s made dining outdoors, which we love to do all summer long, still an option. Here are our picks for lovely places to eat alfresco over the weekend.

Bistrot La Minette
French La Minette (pictured) has two options for dining like a Parisian, on their  front porch or in their back-bricked garden courtyard. Through the end of the month, they’re also offering a “Restaurant Month” prix-fixe menu with three courses for $30; add wine pairings for$42 (view it here). The deal is offered Sunday through Friday. And make sure you don’t miss the Best of Philly-winning desserts.
Bistrot La Minette, 623 South 6th Street, 215-925-8000

Parc
Yes, the baguettes and onion soup are justly praised, but it’s the open-air approach to dining at Parc that makes this Rittenhouse Square bistro feel so authentically French. Nab one of the rattan seats lining the 18th Street sidewalk — or just one of the tables closest to the windows looking out on the park — order a carafe of the house red wine, and commence lingering.
Parc, 227 South 18th Street, 215-545-2262

Sampan
Sampan specializes in dressed-up Pan Asian street fare, like rabbit dumplings and bao bun “Philly Cheesesteaks.” Nosh on satay and sushi in two different outdoor seating areas — at the sidewalk café in front of the restaurant, and in the backyard Graffiti Bar. The backyard spot’s best — it’s a private open-air patio surrounded by street art.
Sampan, 124 South 13th Street, 215-732-3501

Le Virtù
This Italian trattoria boasts a menu of homemade pastas that transport you from East Passyunk to Abruzzo. If lamb ragù sounds too heavy for summer, sample the $10 grilled specialties offered in the garden dining area all summer long.
Le Virtu, 1927 East Passyunk Avenue, 215-271-5626

Gullifty’s
There’s no mistaking the casual summer vibe at Gullifty’s outdoor offshoot, the Gaarden. On the walled-in, umbrella-ed patio, waitresses wear tank tops and jean shorts, and the affordable menu consists of some delicious grilled-only eats — like a $9 grilled pizza with bourbon BBQ sauce, prosciutto and pineapple, and a Mexican burger topped with cheddar jack cheese and salsa for the same price. In fact, all the cooking is done outside, on the patio — that’s the Gaarden’s grill back there behind the bar. Which means that minutes after you order that burger, you’ll smell it hit the grill.
Gullifty’s, 1149 Lancaster Avenue, Rosemont, 610-525-1851

Iron Hill Brewery
It doesn’t really matter that this expansive spot in Media accommodates upwards of 300 people. The best and most sought-after seats are the nine tables on the small, tree-lined patio along busy State Street, because the brewery’s seasonal beers (try the Belgian Witbier, with refreshing citrus tones) and the something-for-everyone menu of pizza, salads and burgers are perfect for out-of-doors. Oh, and the people-watching ain’t bad, either.
Iron Hill Brewery, 30 East State Street, Media, 610-627-9000

Looking for more places to eat outside? Find even more restaurants in our outdoor dining guide.