This Mediterranean outdoor cafe in St. Louis, Missouri, will whisk you away from the Midwest with its stellar patio. The outdoor dining area has a courtyard ambiance flanked by tall arborvitae trees on one side, picturesque flowering plants, and a fountain. You’ll begin to feel transported when you savor menu favorites like classic Spanakopita, with its flaky pastry and creamy spinach filling, or the decadent tiramisu. Plan to spend some time here; this is not a rushed spot. Don’t worry -  as you sip on a glass of their perfectly chilled sangria, you'll find yourself reluctant to leave Cafe Nova.

This is the perfect place to enjoy a warm afternoon in St. Louis. The restaurant is situated in the bustling St. Louis Hills Neighborhood, but you lose sense of that when you enter the outdoor area at Cafe Nova.

Near downtown St. Louis, you’ll find many buildings in old neighborhoods constructed with quintessential red brick buildings. At the turn of the 20th century, St. Louis was considered the world's largest brick-making city. Cafe Nova sits in a neighborhood like this, but the thoughtful plantings camouflage the traditional aesthetic of the city, allowing you to feel transported. When I ate there, I kept thinking, “I don't feel like I’m in the city!”

I recommend you start with the hummus or salmon bruschetta. The warm, freshly made pita bread and perfectly seasoned hummus make for a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer. You can request to add raw veggies for dipping - we did. For the bruschetta, finely chopped smoked salmon tops toasted Italian bread smothered with cream cheese, capers, and red onions, and is served with seasonal grapes. Yum!

They change their umbrella styles periodically, but whoever is in charge of the interior/exterior design always gets it right. Their sophisticated design adds to the ambiance while providing much-needed shade in the open courtyard.

If you’re in a large party, you may wish to make a reservation to sit under the pergola. The large dining table resembles family-style dining tables common in Mediterranean cultures. Have your server recommend wine pairings to share amongst your group. They also have a fun cocktail menu and espresso coffee drinks.

This spot is at the top of my list for dates, especially in the evening. Overhead, string lights cast a warm, inviting glow, creating a romantic atmosphere.

The menu has strong Italian and Greek influences. You’ll find plenty of classics, like this Spanakopita - pastry layers filled with feta and spinach served with a mixed greens salad. But you’ll also find other Mediterranean dishes like gyros, falafel, samosa, saganaki (fried cheese!), salads, panini, baklava, and so much more!

Are you into unique dining spots like Cafe Nova? What of your favorite outdoor dining spots make you feel “transported?” If it rains the day you decide to go, they do have a cozy indoor area and offer a takeout menu. When traveling to the St. Louis area, consider a gastronomy or a historical walking tour to take in all that red brick!