Driving through the Fan, down West Main Street and turning on Robinson, there are a couple of things that are immediately noticeable.

Bad parking jobs, terrible visibility at intersections and an abundance of restaurants are a few of them, but my favorite is the fantastic selection of patio dining options.

Richmond is filled with restaurant patios. From the one with retractable windows at 3 Monkey's and the covered patio at Starlite to the fenced off collection of bistro tables at Can Can, there are plenty of patio options all over town.

But this time of year, the challenge isn't finding a patio to sit on; it's finding a vacant seat. In nice weather, Richmond's restaurant patios fill up fast. By the looks of things on my daily commute, by 5 p.m. on any given weekday, the patios of the Fan are completely full.

According to the staff of some of Richmond's hottest patios, there are two "rushes" for the seats. One is the happy hour rush just before, or exactly at, 5 p.m. The other is the dinner rush just before, or exactly at, 7 p.m. So if you want to be sure to get a table, you should avoid the rushes, or beat them by 20 minutes or so.

But where are the best spots for Richmond patio dining? What are the rules and regulations of each patio and can you reserve a table? Richmond.com has you covered, we'll tell you where the patios are, what to expect when you get there, whether or not you can reserve a table and, since this is Richmond, whether or not you can smoke when you get there.

Richmond Patios:

3 Monkeys: 3 Monkeys was the first patio in Richmond to go from outdoor dining to year-round, non-weather contingent patio dining. This may explain why it's seemingly impossible to get a table out there. 3 Monkeys' patio is heated, cooled and covered - in short, it's fabulous. There is full table service and a host will seat you. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted after 10 p.m. 2525 W. Main St., 804-204-2525

Amici Ristorante: Amici is home to one of Carytown's best patios for people-watching. Since Amici can partially enclose the patio, it's open year round. So if you want to sit out there, just ask. Full table service is available once a hostess seats you. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted. 3343 W. Cary St., 804-353-4700

Babe's: This Carytown spot is probably best known for its "diverse" clientele, but in my opinion they have one of the best patios in the city - because in addition to a lovely little seating area it has its own sand volleyball court. The patio is tucked behind the restaurant and is open whenever the restaurant is open. You seat yourself outside, but grab your drinks from the bar on the way out. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted. 3166 W. Cary St., 804-355-9330

Baja Bean Company: Baja's patio is fabulous. It's expansive with an all-out cabana theme and its own bar. The patio is open in nice weather and you should see a host to be seated. You will be served at your table until 9 p.m. when the "bar scene" sets in. Then you can seat yourself and grab your drinks from the outdoor cabana bar. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted. 1520 W. Main St., 804-257-5445

Baker's Crust: There seems to be something about Carytown and hiding patios because this place does it as well. The patio is always open, if you want to sit out there, and a host will seat you. And since the patio is tucked away, it's relatively unknown, making securing a table a lot easier. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted. 3553 W. Cary St., 804-213-0800

Beauregard's Thai Room: The Thai Room's patio is arguably the most beautiful in the city. Gas streetlights, fountains and flowers make this courtyard a little piece of paradise downtown. Reservations are accepted, a hostess will seat you and there is full table service. The courtyard is open April through October, weather permitting. And you can smoke, too. Paradise indeed. 103 E. Cary St., 804-644-2328

Bin 22 @ Betsy's: This casual Carytown patio is the perfect place to sip wine and people watch. It's open in nice weather and, after 5 p.m., it's staffed by a server and one is sat by a host. Even better though, patio reservations are accepted. Smoking is permitted. 3200 W. Cary St., 804-358-4501

Black Finn: The urban, laid-back patio at Black Finn is the perfect place to grab a drink or grub with friends. The patio is open for lunch and dinner whenever you want to sit out there. A host seats you, server serves you and smoking is permitted. Patio reservations are accepted. 1001 Haxall Point, 804-643-3466 Added 4/10

The Bleu Bistro: The West End's hip, fun patio is open in nice weather and fully staffed by a host and a server. Patio reservations are accepted and smoking is permitted. 8982 Quioccasin Road, 804-750-1120 Added 4/10

The Boathouse Restaurant: This former Sunday's Restaurant is home to one of the best patios around. The outdoor eating area is open when the weather is nice and features its own bar and a gorgeous view of Swift Creek Lake. The Boathouse takes reservations, seats you via host, serves you at your table and smoking is permitted. 4602 Millridge Parkway, 804-744-2545

Bottega Bistro: This Southside bistro's patio is open year-round, weather permitting. But if that weren't enough, Bottega takes reservations for its covered patio. Full table service is available once a host has seated you. Smoking is permitted. 11400 W. Huguenot Road, 804-379-9899

Buddy's: Robinson Street is of the most popular destinations for patio dining and Buddy's kicks off the strip. Or ends it, depending on how you look at it. There isn't a formal seating policy, but check-in with someone who works there before you sit down. When the weather is nice the patio is open and staffed by a waitress. Sorry, no patio reservations. Smoking is permitted. 325 N. Robinson St., 804-355-3701

Cafe Gutenberg: This Shockoe Bottom spot is one of my favorites. Its patio is open in nice weather and staffed by a host and server. Patio reservations are accepted and smoking is permitted. 1700 E. Main St., 804-497-5000 Added 4/10

Can Can Brasserie: Can Can's patio is one of the newest in town. It's open whenever the weather is nice, offers full table service (and plenty of Carytown views) and a hostess will seat you. Best of all though, patio reservations are available. Smoking is permitted. 3120 W. Cary St. 804-358-7274

Capital Ale House: Innsbrook's favorite patio destination offers full table service and will have a host seat you. The patio is open when the weather is nice. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 4024-A Cox Road, 804-780-2537

Capital Ale House Downtown: Technically Capital Ale House calls its patio a beer garden. You can seat yourself out there depending on business. And a server will serve you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 623 E. Main St., 804-643-2537 Added 4/10

Cary Street Café: Cary Street's patio is often overlooked even though it's just off the popular Robinson strip. This makes it a perfect choice since it usually means you can get a table. The patio is always open and always staffed, regardless of the weather. Feel free to seat yourself, but do the staff a favor and let them know you're out there. They're not psychic and don't intuitively know when someone has chosen to arrange themselves at a table. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2631 W. Cary St., 804-353-7445

Cha Cha's Cantina: Cha Cha's Shockoe Bottom patio is open in nice weather and the staff will seat and serve you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 1419 E. Cary St., 804-726-6296

Cielito Lindo: This lovely little Westover Hills Mexican spot has a fantastic patio that is always packed. It's open, weather permitting, whenever the restaurant is and the patio is always staffed by a server. You seat yourself for lunch, but reserve the honor for a host at dinner. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 4702 Forest Hill Ave., 804-233-3022

Curbside Café: Curbside's patio is open when the restaurant is, but due to city ordinance, closes down at 11 p.m. And I'm going to say this the way I'm sure the staff wants to: SEE A WAITRESS BEFORE SEATING YOURSELF. There's even a sign that tells you to do it, but apparently it's become a problem - so stop it. There's even a waitress whose entire job for the night is to work the patio. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2525 Hanover Ave., 804-355-7008

Double T's Real Smoked Barbeque: This Carytown spot's patio is open whenever someone wants to sit out there. A server will serve you and a host will seat you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2907 W. Cary St., 804-353-4304

Easy Street: This popular Fan patio spot takes reservations for parties of eight or more, provided that you're willing to get there before the dinner rush, around 7 p.m. If you didn't make a reservation and you spot a table that's not reserved, feel free to seat yourself and a waitress will serve you. The patio is open when weather permits and smoking is permitted. 2401 W. Main St., 804-355-1198

Ginger: A server serves you and a host seats you at this Carytown Thai spot. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 3145 W. Cary St., 804-254-7373 Added 4/10

GlobeHopper Coffeehouse & Lounge: Shockoe Bottom's newest coffeehouse and lounge has a patio that seats 15. You seat yourself once your order your delicious coffee, wine or beer from the counter. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2100 E. Main St., 804-523-8083 Added 4/10 

Hard Shell: This lovely Shockoe Slip seafood spot has a fantastic brick patio and allows for some views of the neighborhood as well. It's open when the weather is nice and offers hostess seating and table service. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 1411 E. Cary St., 804-643-2333

Havana '59: Everyone's favorite Shockoe Bottom Cuban restaurant has not one, but two outdoor spaces -- a fantastic third floor rooftop deck and a second floor patio. Both are open on the weekends and, best of all, patio reservations are accepted. Smoking is permitted. 16 N. 17th St., 804-780-2822 Added 4/10

Home Team Grill: This Main Street sports bar has a fantastic little patio. A host seats you and a server serves you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 1630 W. Main St., 254-7360 Added 4/10

Karsen's: Carytown's newest upscale dining option has a pretty happening patio, too. Its patio is open weather permitting and offers full hostess and waitress service. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted after 10 p.m. 3411 W. Cary St. 804-353-5277

Kitchen 64: The Northside's favorite patio is open year-around, thanks to a tent. There is full table service and a host will seat you. There are limited patio reservations for parties of 15 or more, but be warned, Richmond. They won't seat you until your full party is there and, if it ends up being fewer than 15, you lose the table. So don't fudge the numbers in order to secure a table. Smoking is permitted after 10 p.m. 3336 North Boulevard, 804-358-0064

Legend Brewing Company: Legend's deck may well be the biggest in Richmond and it is certainly one of the most popular. Of course, it's open when the weather is nice and the staff will both seat and serve you at your table. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 321 W. Seventh St., 804-232-3446

Millie's: You may have thought that Millie's patio was only used for waiting during brunch. It's not. During lunch, Millie's will seat and serve you out there. But no such luck for after-work drinks. Seat yourself, grab your drinks at the bar and sit back and enjoy the scenery. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2603 E. Main St., 804-643-5512

Mom's Siam: A host seats you and a server serves you at Catytown's other fabulous patioed Thai place. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2811 W. Cary St., 804-359-7606 Added 4/10

Mulligan's Sports Grille: Mulligan's is home to the city's only rooftop deck, I believe. It's fully equipped with table service, a bar and a couple of big-screen TVs. It's open whenever the weather is nice. You can seat yourself and smoking is permitted. 1323 W. Main St., 804-353-8686

Nacho Mama's: Nacho Mama's patio is probably the best known in Carytown. When the weather is nice, a hostess will seat you and a server will serve you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 3449 W. Cary St., 804-358-6262

Northside Grill: This beloved Northside spot recently added a patio. It's open weather-permitting. A host seats you and a server serves you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 1215 Bellevue Ave., 804-266-4403 Added 4/10

Patina Grill: This Short Pump favorite is better known for its delicious food then its outdoor dining, but sampling the menu in the open air just adds to the experience. The patio is full-service, takes reservations and smoking is permitted. 3416 Lauderdale Dr., 804-360-8217

Philip's Continental Lounge: One of the best experiences in Richmond is sipping a vodka limeade on Philip's patio after a movie at the Westhampton - to me anyway. The patio is open in good weather, you can seat yourself and smoking is permitted. Sorry, no reservations. 5704 Grove Ave., 804-288-8687

Poe's Pub: Poe's location makes its patio a great after-work destination. The patio is open in nice weather and although you seat yourself, a waitress will serve you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 2706 E. Main St., 804-648-2120

Relish: This great little breakfast and lunch spot has a quaint little patio that's open whenever anyone wants to sit on it and you just seat yourself. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 101 S. 15th St., 804-648-2233 Added 4/10

Rowland Fine Dining: This Main Street spot specializing in upscale Southern cuisine has a fanatic little patio that's open when the weather is nice. There is full table service and a host will seat you. Best the best part is, reservations are accepted. Smoking is permitted. 2132 W. Main St., 804-257-9885

Ruth's Chris: Who doesn't love the delicious steak, fine dining and plantation setting of Ruth's Chris? The patio is open weather-permitting and host seats you and a server serves you. Best of all, patio reservations are accepted. Smoking is permitted. 11500 W. Huguenot Road, 804-378-0600 Added 4/10

Sette: This quaint Shockoe Bottom spot is one of the neighborhood's best kept secrets. Its patio is open in nice weather. A host seats you and a server will serve you. Sorry, no reservations. Smoking is permitted. 7 N. 23rd St., 804-788-7077 Added 4/10