By Kelli Nakagama, The Utah Review -- When the greatest snow on earth finally melts in Utah, everyone emerges from hibernation anxious to feel the warmth of the sun. Salt Lake City comes alive with people doing everything and anything outside. Eating is no exception.

 

Dining outside is one of the best parts of summer in Salt Lake City. Nothing beats eating with friends in the fresh air with a front row seat as the sun sets into one of Utah’s notoriously gorgeous sunsets. Here are the best restaurant patios in Salt Lake City to help you get the best of al fresco dining before we have to return to hibernation in a few months.

 

Fresco Italian Café: One of the best patios in Salt Lake City is Fresco‘s quaint, cozy, ivy-lined patio that feels more like a good friend’s backyard than a restaurant. But as soon as the incredible Italian dishes emerge from the kitchen, there’s no denying you’re at an amazing restaurant. Open nightly for dinner.

 

Aristo’s: In typical Greek fashion, the patio at Aristo’s is a welcoming space that’s often filled with lively tables of laughing friends. Perched on 1300 East near the University of Utah, the patio always feels a few degrees cooler than downtown, making it a perfect place to share a few plates of delicious Greek dishes with friends. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday and dinner seven nights a week.

 

Caffé Molise: Tucked among downtown Salt Lake City’s buildings is Caffé Molise‘s hidden gem of a patio. The spacious patio has an ivy-lined brick wall, a gently trickling fountain and dainty lights strung overhead, creating one of the most beautiful, relaxing and peaceful patios in the whole city. Add their incredible Italian food and the combination equals perfection. Open daily for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch. 

 

These are just a few on The Utah Review's list. For the complete list of Salt Lake City's best restaurant patios, go here.