Come summertime, “al fresco” is the best way to dine. In Italian it means “in the open air,” but it’s much more stylish than that phrase implies.

Dining outdoors isn’t about messy picnic tables with so-so food and mosquitoes, or wearing sloppy shorts. Done right, it’s about creating a luxurious eating experience outside — about embracing the ease of the outdoors, and adding beautiful silverware and china under shady umbrellas (by day) or next to flickering candlelight (by night). It’s about dressing to impress in a gorgeous space, eating well, and being social all at once.

New Englanders have gotten into the scene in a big way. Here are a few of the most stylish and spirited outdoor dining scenes around. Check them out; your summer will certainly thank you.

A Peer at the Pier

Woods Hill Pier 4 (www.woodshillpier4.com) in Boston

The space: An out-and-out stunning patio perched on an historic spot in The Seaport.

The vibe: Take owner Kristin Canty’s love of New England farms and sustainable foods, add Chef Charlie Foster’s creativity, and throw in some serious style — starting with the epic mural at the front entrance and ending with the drop-dead gorgeous Boston Harbor views.

Your dress code: Cool and cosmopolitan.

A Roar by the Shore

The space: The patio at Lucky Cheetah (luckycheetahmaine.com), Portland, ME

The vibe: Sleek deck seating on a cobblestoned street, sandwiched between Old Port’s harbor and buzzy Fore Street.

Think Maine is only about seafood shacks? Think again. The cool and glam Asian menu here (spicy lobster lo mein with an add-on caviar tower, anyone?) is the epitome of low-key luxury.

Your dress code: Chic, savvy, and slinky.

Decked Out

C.K. Pearl (ckpearl.com) in Essex

The space: The partially covered deck overlooks the North Shore’s sparkling Essex River.

The vibe: A gargantuan smoker is the heart of the place (don’t miss the house chopped brisket), but the friendly, big energy flows through it all.

Your dress code: Easygoing elegance

Schmoozing and Cruising

The space: The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill (castlehillinn.com) in Newport, RI.

The vibe: A sprawling patio set off from the historic mansion, on a hill with sweeping views of Narragansett Bay — and all of the boats that float by.

Historically one of high society’s favorite gathering spots going back to the Gilded Age, this idyllic point is a magnet for anyone looking for highbrow hobnobbing.

Your dress code: Understated but refined is the name of this game.

Island Time

The space: Topper’s at The Wauwinet (wauwinet.com) on Nantucket.

The vibe: An awning-covered, breezy deck overlooking an emerald-green lawn and Nantucket Harbor. Natural beauty met with award-winning fine dining and a spectacular coastal setting, particularly at sunset.

Your dress code: Relaxed but fancy.