Atlanta Al Fresco

 _{George's in Virginia-Highland is a great place for a burgers and people watching. (Photo by Rob Felt)}

_{It’s summer in the city, and that means restaurant patios are full to overflowing. We’ve put together a few of our favorite outside eateries the usual suspects and a few serendipitous hideaways and what we like best to order. Let us know your favorites, too. E-mail them to collin@atlantaintownpaper.com.}

_{Babette’s Cafe. 573 N. Highland Ave. N.E. Small, but intimate covered patio with crisp white tablecloths. Since 1992, most consistently good food in town. (404) 523-9121.}

_{Einsteins’s. 1077 Juniper St. N.E. Midtown favorite with possibly the biggest patio in the city. Great views, lots of eye-candy on the street, big salads and strong drinks. (404) 876-7925.}

_{Enoteca/Baronda. 710 Peachtree St. N.E. Sister Italian restaurants with small patios on Peachtree. Enjoyable to watch the foot traffic for the Fox Theatre and Georgian Terrace. Nice wine list and good nibbles at both places. (404) 879-9962.}

_{Fellini’s. 909 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. This pizza joint has numerous locations yincluding Buckhead and Decatur), but the original on Ponce has a great patio for people-watching, a bubbling fountain and giant roll-up doors that turn the inside out in good weather. (404) 873-3088.}

_{George’s. 1041 N. Highland Ave. N.E. Nice place for Virginia-Highland people and traffic watching from a sidewalk patio. Solid burgers. (404) 892-3648.}

_{Fritti. 309 N. Highland Ave. N.E. More than half the restaurant is under a covered patio, and there’s also outside dining. Great pizzas, good wine list, busy brunch on the weekends. Easy walk to Little Five Points. (404) 880-9559.}

_{Krog Bar. 112 Krog St. Connected to Rathbun’s in the Stoveworks building. Very small but nice if you get a seat. Wonderful place for a glass of dessert wine, cheese and chocolate-covered almonds. (404) 524-1618.}

_{Las Palmeras. 368 5th St. N.E. Cute little neighborhood hideout tucked into a Midtown residential street, with excellent Cuban food and fabulous chicken. Go early because it runs out. (404) 872-0846.}

_{Lobby at Twelve. 361 17th St. in Atlantic Station. It may be faux urban in that Disney-esque "town" but relaxing and refreshing nevertheless. Don’t miss the roasted turkey sandwich with bacon, avocado, sprouts and cranberry-apple compote. (404) 961-7370}

_{MidCity Cuisine. 1545 Peachtree St. N.E. Chef Nicolas Boaur ywho replaced founder Shaun Doty last year) has left, so the menu is up in the air, but the patio is still wonderful. (404) 888-8700.}

_{Osteria 832. 832 N. Highland Ave. Hand-tossed pizzas, a big wine selection and a sun-drenched patio overlooking North Highland keeps the locals coming back. (404) 897-1414.}

_{Six Feet Under. 415 Memorial Drive. The rooftop deck offers views of Downtown and Oakland Cemetery, while you dine on what Atlanta INtown’s Blue Ribbon Burger team still calls the best hamburgers in Atlanta. Oh, they also have seafood. (404) 523-6664.}

_{The Spotted Dog. 30 North Ave. The former fire station has an expansive and busy patio facing North Avenue in the shadow of the Bank of America tower. Try the fish and chips for a British experience.(404) 347-7337}

_{Universal Joint. 906 Oakview Road, Oakhurst. This funky former filling station serves up pub grub and a wide selection of beers to go with your burgers and other favorites. The patio is a favorite hangout for the Oakhurst residents on weekends. (404) 373-6260.}