People-watching patios in Boston

It finally happened: The cold lifted and the sun warmed brittle Bostonian bods, and chairs and tables sprouted mushroomlike on bar, cafe and restaurant patios around town. More places will join the al fresco season fun, including these new patios debuting this season.

In the heart of the South End, Banyan Bar + Refuge took over the Hamersley’s Bistro spot and inherited its amazing patio overlooking Tremont Street. Plans are to open up the outdoor space for the season on May 1 for both dinner and a recently added weekend brunch. (553 Tremont St., Boston. 617-556-4211. www.banyanboston.com).

Another top patio spot is the Outlook Kitchen and Bar in the Seaport District, near Fort Point Channel. Tucked behind the Envoy Hotel on a dead-end street, there’s no car traffic: It’s a quiet spot to relax over dinner or drinks, like the Go Go Bordello made with Berkshire Mountain Ethereal Gin, lemon, hibiscus and Champagne. (70 Sleeper St., Boston. 617-530-1559. www.theenvoyhotel.com.)

For an urban experience, Coppersmith in South Boston is housed in a former a copper foundry, the Dahlquist Manufacturing Co., and marks its first spring and summer with extensive outdoor space. In addition to a street-level patio, there’s a rooftop deck with a vintage airstream trailer converted into a bar. The so-called AirDeck has a special bar menu of wings, ribs and tacos. (40 W. 3rd St., Boston. 617-658-3452. www.coppersmithboston.com)

At the corner of Columbus and Massachusetts avenues, SRV has a secluded and serene courtyard space located to the rear of the restaurant. Enjoy tasty small plates like a classic mozzarella en carrozza — mozzarella in a carriage — with preserved tomato and bonito flakes. (569 Columbus Ave., Boston 617-536-9500. www.srvboston.com.)

When it comes to leafy, Doretta Taverna’s Park Plaza patio takes some beating. It’s the old Via Matta space, on the brick-paved sidewalk off Arlington, with Italian dishes swapped for Greek. You’ll find a raw bar and zesty small plates like bulgur with charred broccoli, golden raisins and pistachios, or crispy zucchini chips with spiced tzatziki. (79 Park Plaza, Boston 617-422-0008. www.dorettaboston.com)