Our Favorite Hidden Restaurant Patios

Bottlehouse
The thoughtful cheese plate is an especially good choice when you’ve got a tawny port in hand and a starry sky to gaze up at. >> Madrona, 1416 34th Ave.; 206.708.7164; bottlehouseseattle.com

Hard Rock Cafe
Pass right on through the touristy main space and head directly up to the rooftop, where the panoramic views of the city and the Sound are truly stunning. We recommend coming here to drink in the vista and a cold brew on the low-slung couches warmed by gas fireplaces, then hit one of the countless excellent restaurants nearby (Matt’s in the Market, Le Pichet, Place Pigalle, Etta’s), where dinner is a better bet. >> Downtown, 116 Pike St.; 206.204.2233; hardrock.com

St. Clouds
We won’t tell if, once you’re sitting at one of the six tables on the secret back patio (some regulars still don’t know it exists!), you slip your shoes off. Why wouldn’t you? Glass-topped metal tables are set up as if for an impromptu dinner party. Strings of white lights sweep from fence to fence, and the “locals only” vibe keeps things warm and sweet. You’ll probably want to sip that rosé and nibble those smoked ribs a little slower than usual so that you can stay awhile. >> Madrona, 1131 34th Ave.; 206.726.1522; stclouds.com

Maximilien
It’s hard to believe a view this brilliant and this unobstructed can still be such a well-kept secret. But we’ve lucked into tables on the large but largely undiscovered deck—perched high above Elliott Bay and framed by the Olympic Mountains with ferries pushing through the Sound—without even having to wait. Try escargot and soup du jour at sunset. >> Pike Place Market, 81A Pike St.; 206.682.7270; maximilienrestaurant.com

The Pink Door
This sun-dappled Post Alley patio is at the top of our summer checklist. With colorful floral tablecloths and hanging flowerpots, it’s always, always bustling on summer days and warm night, and the view of Elliott Bay is matched only by the good vibes. To eat: antipasti, Bloody Marys and simple pastas made with fresh-from-the-market produce...perfection! >> Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley; 206.443.3241; thepinkdoor.net

Ponti Seafood Grill
Situated just above the ship canal and strung with white lights at night, this longtime favorite patio with linen-clothed tables is romantic and secluded. During the day, watch boaters pass by while you catch some rays and nosh on pan-Asian dishes—ahi tuna poke, five-spice-cured black cod—just right for hot weather. >> Queen Anne, 3014 Third Ave. N; 206.284.3000; pontiseafoodgrill.com

Le Grand Bistro Américain
Offering a view well worth paying the 520 tolls for, the two decks of this French bistro are set above Kirkland’s Carillon Point, where white yachts bob next to docks on sparkling Lake Washington. At sunset, the Seattle city skyline glimmers. And to boot: the best niçoise salad in the city. >> Kirkland, 2220 Carillon Point; 425.828.7778; bistrolegrand.com

La Rustica
A true gem, this humble, lovely Italian spot has a flower-lined patio strewn with ivy and terra cotta pots that will transport you far, far away. You can gaze out for miles over Puget Sound at wooded islands and the snow-capped peaks of the Olympics as you twirl linguine di mare (mixed seafood pasta) onto your fork (all the pastas are tasty here). In authentic Italian fashion, you can taste the love. >> West Seattle, 4100 Beach Drive SW; 206.932.3020; larusticarestaurant.com

Madison Park Conservatory
When blue skies and warm evenings stretch out before us, Madison Park always comes to mind. The restaurant has a roomy patio with tree-filtered views of Lake Washington, but the real appeal is the unmatched people watching: beach-going hipsters in flip-flops, locals in their linen suits and everything in between. Don’t miss the hamachi crudo with blood oranges and olives, octopus with chiles and preserved lemons (served seasonally). >> Madison Park, 1927 43rd Ave. E; 206.324.9701; madisonparkconservatory.com

Oddfellows Cafe
The only view from this secret sliver of open space at the rear of Oddfellows Cafe is of the 10–12 other people seated at bistro tables—because its literally surrounded by brick walls. But the view is still pretty good, considering, since there’s rarely a style slouch in the bunch. To eat: homemade coffee cake early, cured-meat plates and Bibb lettuce salads later, with a chilled bottle of rosé, of course. >> Capitol Hill, 1525 10th Ave.; 206.325.0807; oddfellowscafe.com

Walrus and the Carpenter
Tacked onto the side of this bustling Ballard oyster house (which is tucked behind Staple & Fancy Mercantile) and with just four picnic tables, it’s a supremely casual spot to sip a beer and slurp some cold oysters on the half-shell. But don’t forget the fried ones, and save room for dessert: The simple cakes and cobblers here are divine. >> Ballard, 4743 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.395.9227; thewalrusbar.com

Poppy
Summer savory herbs and edible flowers destined for the menu gently scent the air on Poppy’s back patio, where a subtle fence surrounds the poppy-orange tables and chairs. >> Capitol Hill, 622 Broadway E; 206.324.1108; poppyseattle.com

Boat Street Cafe
There’s something magical about Boat Street’s sweet urban hideaway, down an unlikely ramp and tucked into the courtyard of an urban warehouse. Lit with strings of white lights and fragrant from pots of herbs—who can resist lingering over champagne and appetizers? >> Belltown, 3131 Western Ave.; 206.632.4602; boatstreetcafe.com

Serafina
Snug behind this Eastlake eatery is one of the lushest patios in the city. We like it best at brunch, when brioche French toast arrives under a cloud of vanilla whipped mascarpone. >> Eastlake, 2043 Eastlake Ave. E; 206.323.0807; serafinaseattle.com

Ray’s Cafe
Sitting at the wooden tables, nestled under a fleece blanket (provided to guests on breezy evenings), sipping chilled white wine, and snacking on calamari and steamed clams as the Olympic Mountains put on a sensational sunset show over Puget Sound: It’s a quintessential, jaw-dropping summer experience. >> Ballard, 6049 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.782.0094; rays.com

Little Water Cantina
Tucked away at the base of an Eastlake apartment complex, Little Water Cantina’s perfect deck is flush with glittering views of Lake Union and the muscled crew teams rowing away. Park yourself at a picnic table, order some guac and tortilla chips, and you might end up witnessing a post happy-hour jam session—local bands such as Minus the Bear and Squirrel Butter have been known to plug in and play. >> Eastlake, 2865 Eastlake Ave. E; 206.397.4940; littlewatercantina.com

The Yard
The first hot day of the year calls for three things: good, cold beer, warm tacos and a patio on which to enjoy them. In Greenwood, that holy trinity comes together at the neighborly Yard, where owners Jamie Butler and Kristen Gannon and chef/owner Andy Walls keep a dozen excellent beers on tap: It’s one of the few bars pouring cult California beer Pliny the Elder (when they can get it). Tortilla chips fried-to-order come with just-smashed guacamole, and there’s fresh, wild black cod, too. When the mountain’s out and the sun is shining, scoring a spot at one of the tables in “the yard” feels like winning the lottery. >> Greenwood, 8313 Greenwood Ave N; 206.588.1746; theyardcafe.com