Impossible as it may seem amidst the chilly coastline and freezing temps, you don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy outdoor dining and a table with a view on Cape Cod. Just when you had plans to ride out winter from your couch and hibernate until spring, the Cape’s creative restaurant owners have masterfully prepared al fresco seating options to keep you warm and fed all winter long.

The Frost Bar at Ocean Edge Resort, Brewster
Head to the Cape’s coolest winter dining destination at The Frost Bar (pictured above), tucked away behind the mansion at Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster. From outdoor fire pits to the state-of-the-art bar, the seating (and menu) options seem endless! Want to dine privately? Embrace the season from your very own heated igloo, where you can reserve a daytime or evening dining package spotlighting hearty, warming fare. Fondue anyone? German Sausage Board? Reinvent date night, get cozy in an igloo for two, and heat things up with a Jack Frost cocktail or Hot Cocoa Martini. Feel like dancing? Igloos are fully-equipped with Bluetooth speakers! Have kids? Bring their frozen fantasies to life and top off this magical experience with a S’mores Skillet from the Little Penguins menu.

Scargo Café, Dennis
Stay warm on the twinkling outdoor terrace at Scargo Cafe in Dennis. The open-air, awning-covered deck is equipped with electric radiant heaters over each table. If you need even more reason to celebrate, choose one of Scargo’s 20+ wines by the glass to complement the local seafood and distinctive Cape cuisine. Don’t forget to ask about the VIP program if you are one of the lucky year-round residents!

The Canteen, Provincetown
Make time for a casual seaside lunch or dinner overlooking Cape Cod Bay at this well-loved Provincetown eatery known for its dynamic flavors, scratch cooking…and outdoor seating. In keeping with the spirit of winter, and never wanting to leave a customer hanging, the owners offer a seasonal, heated tent as an option for lunch and dinner. Don’t need cover from the elements? Embrace the Cape’s milder days from the signature backyard garden and beach tables and enjoy a plein air picnic with a winter view. Online ordering and prepared food is also available every day for pick-up.

Cape Cod Coffee, Mashpee (Route 130 location)
Catch a buzz at the Mashpee roasting facility serving coffee and in-house pastries, along with craft beer, cocktails and a savory, inspired menu. The massive outdoor space includes picnic tables and Adirondack chairs with heat lamps and fire pits. Order your food & drink at the inside bar and they’ll bring it right to your seat!  We recommend the Espresso Martini, made with their own Cape Cod Coffee vodka, along with the house-made beer cheese nachos. Live musicians, musical bingo, kids' pizza parties and such events as "Burgers & Brews" add to the fun winter vibes.

Bad Martha Farmer’s Brewery, East Falmouth
Brush up on your craft beer terms while sipping the flagship brew on Bad Martha’s outdoor patio, outfitted with eight natural gas overhead heaters and wind-blocking sides so you can stay toasty all night long! The illuminated, covered front porch offers your party another place to build your own artisan pizza, contemplate a cauliflower crust, and discuss the difference between a growler and a crowler before you leave. Stock up on Bad Martha beer for Sunday Funday, and don’t leave your dog behind. They are always welcome!

Naukabout Beer Company, Mashpee
Prep yourself to get back on the Cape Cod Brewery Trail at Naukabout’s outdoor beer garden in Mashpee and enjoy some suds with a tasty meal inside a domed igloo built for six, or a table for two under the Naukabout tent. Fun winter events at the brewery include local bands and comedy nights.

Winter sunsets on Cape Cod are not to be missed, and the view from Rooftop at Pelham House Resort in Dennis is second to none. Infrared heating lamps warm each table at the oceanfront rooftop restaurant, with window panels that slide open and a fully retractable roof. The restaurant just debuted its Asian-inspired winter menu, so raise a toast to winter with some sushi, a craft cocktail and sweeping views of Nantucket Sound.