To help lure customers, both old and new businesses are adding options, and they're not all on the menu.
Just a year ago, dining al fresco was a rare sight in downtown Flint.
Dining in the fresh air in the Vehicle City is now commonplace.
When the sun shines, dinner outside is always sweeter.
Just in time for summer, more restaurant owners are taking their business outside.
"There are a lot more restaurants and a lot more outdoor seating," said outdoor diner Jennifer McDonald. "With downtown expanding as it is, everybody just really wants to be outside."
Hoping to satisfy more taste buds, several downtown restaurants are offering outdoor seating. Just this week 501 Bar and Grill and Churchill's were approved for outdoor dining permits.
People like Cathy Gurin see other diners and want to join in. "Look at the weather. It's beautiful."
When she spotted the crowd at Blackstone's, a kind of craving kicked in. "I was looking down at the outdoor seating yesterday and there were a lot of people out here, and I'm thinking I want to do that. And so I was really happy that we ended up here."
The outdoor dining permit for city of Flint restaurants that serve alcohol does allow them to serve drinks outside as well.