1 New Heights

With a 360-degree view of Pudong, the Huangpu River and the Bund, this sexy, upscale restaurant takes top honors for outdoor dining—all other porches pale in comparison. Take a date when in the evening to get lost in Shanghai's lights, or head over for brunch and watch the city wake up.

2 Baan Thai

This renovated three-story villa is a delight in it of itself, but come summertime, the finest place to enjoy spicy Thai classics is in this restaurant's outdoor pagoda—complete with a moat and romantic glowing lights. Try the excellent Tom Yum soup to heat things up when the sun goes down.

3 Element Fresh (Shanghai Center)

Quietly removed from the hustle and bustle of Nanjing Lu, the outdoor veranda at this health-nut paradise is the perfect place to unwind while you're still in the middle of everything. Shady green trees complement the enormous salads, while fresh fruit smoothies come made-to-order.

4 A FuturePerfect

With a chic-yet-affordable fusion menu featuring everything from curry chicken to grilled salmon, this Jing'an-area restaurant's outdoor terrace bar provides harried young professionals a place to chill. Your best bet is to snag a spot early and people-watch as the place fills up.

5 Mesa / Manifesto

Famous for weekend brunches, solid dinner offerings and an open kitchen, this contempo-cool restaurant is connected via spiral staircase to the hip rooftop bar Manifesto. When the meal's over, grab a drink downstairs and bring your glass up to the balcony for a bit of fresh air.