One of our favorite things about Paris is how much Parisians love an outdoor terrasse. As soon as the skies are blue and a few rays of sunshine appear you will see tout le monde sitting outside on the Paris terraces to enjoy an apero, lunch, or tea break in sun-drenched outdoor spaces. The Paris terraces we like the most are deep in greenery, surrounded by cobblestones, and sometimes with an umbrella or two. Les terrasses bring a (subtle) smile to Parisians, who are used to be stuck in an office or under the grey skies of winter.

Bambou

A bit of Bangkok brought to Paris. The terrace courtyard has jungle touches like patio lanterns, bamboo, and colony-inspired outdoor lounging sofas, chairs and tables. The Thai kitchen turns out a variety of spicy coconut-based curries, spring rolls, and pad Thai noodle dishes. On rainy days, take refuge in the lower level bar and speakeasy.

• 23 Rue des Jeuneurs
• 2nd Arrondissement
• Website…

Marcello

Slightly below street level is Marcello, an Italian restaurant that serves tasty tapas such as Sicilian arancini, small tramezzini, (triangles of bread filled with tuna and slivers of artichoke), homemade pasta, and antipasta platters. The terrace is bigger than average for Paris with enough room for seventy sun lovers. As you might expect in an Italian village, the terrace is made of cobblestones and its creamy white stone building matches the famous church nearby — St-Germain-des-Prés.

• 8 Rue Mabillon
• 6th Arrondissement
• Website…

Flora Danica

Here's is a little Paris Insiders Secret, not listed in many travel guides. Just a stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, this modern brasserie is housed in the Maison du Danemark and celebrates Scandinavian culture and cuisine. During summer an exceptional collection of outdoor terraces become the perfect place for a quiet lunch or Scandinavian dinner. Although we love the terrasses, there are about three dining area options — the terrace, the winter garden, and the large dining room furnished with cozy sofas.

• 42 Ave des Champs-Élysées
• 8th Arrondissement
• Website…

Grand Marché Stalingrad

This is a part of Paris you're not going to bump into on the tourist trail. But it is worth a journey to the 19th Arrondissement to visit this very expansive, playful outdoor terrace. At the foot of the Bassin de la Villette and next to the raised track of Metro Line 2, Italian chefs are behind the stoves in an indoor kitchen turning out authentic thin-crust pizzas, lasagnes and grilled vegetables. Meanwhile, outside on the terrace is a modern kiosk where you can try upscale Mediterranean food like plump-stuffed pitas and kebabs.

• 6-8 Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad
• 19th Arrondissement
• Website…

Bacioni

At this quaint neighborhood place in the Aligre neighborhood (12th Arrondissement), locals gather to dine on freshly turned out pizzas and other casual eating options. The interior is pleasant enough, but its real charm is the patio; plants and wooden garden furniture turn it into a veritable oasis. In addition to speciality items like burrata from Puglia (aged for 18 months), the menu offers classic pizzas.

• 11 bis Rue de Cotte
• 12th Arrondissement
• Information…

Maison Plisson

A little bit Whole Foods, a little Dean and Deluca, Maison Plisson is the newest darling of the Paris food scene. Paris bistro chef Yves Camdeborde consulted on the space, and chef Bruno Doucet helped to design the menu. The trendy market/cafe is a sprawling place (for Paris) and serves casual French food like cold tomato soup with Basque country peppers and meatballs on a bed of bulgur with rice pudding for dessert. Grab some grub and sit in the sunshine on the outdoor front terrace. On the edge of the Marais.

• 93 Boulevard Beaumarchais
• 3rd Arrondissement
• Website…

Palais Royal Restaurant

Another hidden Paris treasure, this upscale restaurant located beneath the arcade in the leafy gardens of the Palais Royal, has earned two Michelin stars under the whisk of young chef Philip Chronopoulos. He was yet 30 years old when he earned his first star here. Yes, the terrace is seasonal and yes, it is small, but the setting is magical. From your terrace table, you overlook the former royal residence and the beautiful gardens. And the food? Expect classically-prepared, elegant dishes worthy of a Michelin star.

• 110 Galerie de Valois
• 1st Arrondissement
• Website…

Les Petites Mains

Open only in the warm months and enjoying an unrivaled view of the Eiffel Tower is Chef Justine Piluso's summertime secret terrace restaurant, Les Petites Mains. Located at Palais Galliera, which houses the Fashion Museum of the City of Paris, Les Petites Mains offers up refreshing summertime dished and drinks, in a menu Piluso tells us is baignée de Méditerranée, saupoudrée d'Italie — bathed in the Mediterranean, sprinkled with Italy. (In the summer the terrace is covered by patio umbrellas.)

• 10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie
• 1st 16th Arrondissement
• Website…

Cafe Suedois

This is a real pärla — that's "gem" to you and me, "perle" to Parisians! Formerly set in the Swedish Cultural Institute in the Marais it's now relocated to the 7th Arrondissement, near the Swedish embassy. Spend a sunny afternoon in the quiet paved courtyard dining on delicious Swedish delicacies. If it's not terrace weather, there is a nice interior room. 2017.

• 20 Rue de Martignac
• 7th Arrondissement

Moncoeur Belleville

Now for something completely different. Let's head to the far reaches of Paris to Belleville in the 20th Arrondissement, to what maybe the finest patio in the city. You may not believe it, but the terrace here has an exceptional view of the Eiffel Tower, even at this distance. The sprawling terrace spills over a cobblestone square and is completely car free. After your lunch or apero take a stroll across the street to Parc de Belleville.

• 1 Rue des Envierges
• 20th Arrondissement
• Website…