Meals fit for the stars.

While most urbanites don’t get the luxury of having an enormous backyard (or a backyard period), the lucky few get beautiful patios and the even luckier a rooftop—with the cityscape and mountains as their backdrop. To make the most of your outdoor sanctuary, we came up with a few excuses to get out there in the form of delicious summer recipes.

locus-westernliving-halloumi-2-web1. Grilled Halloumi Crostini

`WL0416_Page&Paper_WesternLiving-Summer-01852. Lemon and Garlic Marinated Shrimp

el caminos taco3. El Camino’s Chorizo Tacos

panzanella-recipe4. Cornbread Panzanella Salad

17corn-on-the-cob-chili-lime-butter-817x4005. Corn on the Cob with Chili Lime Butter

11salsa-verde-817x4006. Salsa Verde

DirtyChips30407. Dirty Chips (a.k.a. Nachos with a Saucy Twist)

Want more patio party recipe ideas? Check out WL‘s Recipe Finder!