June is here, the lake flies have come and gone and temperatures are regularly climbing into the 70s and beyond.

That means its the start of the wonderful time of year where the bars, restaurants and coffee shops around the Fox Cities take the patio furniture out of hibernation. For many businesses, the next few months are the most important of the year — the landscaping's perfected, the taplines are flowing as steady as Fox River and the patio patrons are having a blast.

Speaking of the river, a waterfront view is one way for an outdoor dining or lounging experience to go from so-so to exceptional. Tyler Lonadier, who runs Tempest Coffee Collective in Appleton's RiverHeath development, said the allure of taking in sunshine and great views of the river are a big reason why his business will have some extra buzz now through September.

Along with beautiful scenery, there's a lot of wildlife to take in. Lonadier said customers often see eagles, pelicans, ducks, geese, cranes, turtles and more.

"We had the doors open the other day because it was really nice out," he said. "We had a baby duck walk right up to the register."

While there's no guarantee a cuddly critter will show up, there are five Fox Cities patios with riverfront views that'll be a hit this summer.

Pullmans at Trolley Square

619 S. Olde Oneida St., Appleton

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

If there's an eatery to claim its the premiere spot for riverside dining, Pullmans at Trolley Square is probably it. When seen from above on the Oneida Street bridge, it just looks like a cool place to be.

There's a thin tree line, but the water's edge is just a few feet away from the concrete patio and its more than two dozen tables — and that's without counting the outside seating under the cover of an awning or the more lounge-like wicker seating on the west side, known as the cocktail patio.

Tim Lemon, Pullmans' general manager since the restaurant opened in 2006, said having the patio on the river is critical to their success.

"We're a busy restaurant year-round," he said, "but we're an unbelievably popular and busy restaurant during the summer."

There is live music Tuesday nights throughout the season. Dogs are not allowed on the patio and smoking is OK on the cocktail patio but not the dining patio.

More info: pullmansrestaurant.com, 920-830-7855

Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant

501 W. Water St., Appleton

It's not the most spacious outdoor dining area, but those lucky enough to be seated at one of the dozen or so tables on the red brick patio get a view of a dam and likely some wildlife. (On a recent Friday morning, ducks and white pelicans were tooling around near the water's edge.)

Fox River Brewing Co.'s Blu Bobber blueberry ale, served from the tap with a handful of blueberries, is pretty much made to be consumed on a sunny patio. And while the Fratellos menu has plenty of belly-stuffing entrees like artisan pizzas, steak and pasta, there's some lighter fare (fish tacos for the win!) to pair with the heat and humidity.

Because the patio is part of the city's Vulcan Heritage Park, smoking is allowed but dogs are not.

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

More info: fratelloswaterfront.com, 920-993-9087

Tempest Coffee Collective

181 S. Riverheath Way, Appleton

When it comes to a patio hang, a lot of Wisconsinites' go-to beverage is probably a cold beer or an icy cocktail. But let's not forget that patios are a great place to kick back with a morning coffee or for an afternoon caffeine refuel.

Tempest Coffee Collective, open since late 2016 in the new(ish) RiverHeath development, has a patio a stone's throw from the river with about a dozen different tables or spots to sit. For the warmer days, there's some shade, and for the cooler times there are stand-up heaters and a propane fire table. The menu has cold drinks, including nitro cold brew, smoothies and iced tea, to soothe you on a hot summer day.

The Tempest patio also is dog friendly (as long as the dog is friendly) and smoking is not allowed.

Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

More info: tempestcoffeecollective.com, 920-939-2153

Mr. Brews Taphouse

201 S. Riverheath Way, Appleton

A short stroll from Tempest is Mr. Brews Taphouse with a similar northwest-facing patio a few strides from the waterline. Mr. Brews, part of a Madison-based chain, is found in the ground floor of the RiverHeath's Evergreen building, a little closer to the College Avenue bridge.

There are about 10 or so tables and the menu's big on burgers and includes adventurous options like jalapeno popper burger and Mr. Brews Peanut Buster (featuring peanut butter, bacon and habanero jack cheese).

Dogs can't be inside the patio fence, but are OK to be tied up just outside. Smoking is not allowed.

Hours: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. Kitchen closes an hour before close.

More info: mrbrewstaphouse.com/locations/appleton-wi, 920-815-3516

Waverly Beach Bar & Grille

N8770 Fire Lane 1, Harrison

I know, I know. Waverly Beach is on the northern shore of Lake Winnebago and not the Fox River. But it's too ideal a waterfront location to exclude and, heck, it's less than two miles from the Menasha channel, so it's close enough.

Much like Fratellos, Waverly Beach Bar & Grille leans into its location and is all the better for it. Owner Chuck Storino said the vast outdoor patio — complete with a full tiki bar, 40-plus tables, lounge chairs and lawn games — is "super important" to its year-round success.

So after downing one of the many burger options, a broasted chicken dinner or a Friday fish fry, bean bags, Jenga or Connect Four can keep things rolling. There's also live music on Sundays, occasional kids days with face painting and balloon animals and weekly giveaways.

Smoking is OK on the patio. Dogs are not.

Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

More info: waverlybeach.com, 920-733-9721

Contact Shane Nyman at 920-996-7223 or snyman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @shanenyman.