25 Best Restaurant Patios for Outdoor Dining
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It doesn’t get much better than dining with a view. While restaurants transform their interiors into inviting spaces filled with unique, cozy touches, nothing quite beats outdoor dining in the sunshine or under the stars. Crashing waves, gently swaying trees, babbling creeks and wildlife passing by are all idyllic backdrops for enjoying fresh, local cuisine.
We’ve ranked 25 of the best restaurant patios in the country to try on your next al fresco feasting experience.
25. La Mar by Gaston Acurio
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Location: Miami, Florida
Food type: Peruvian & Fusion
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental
Why La Mar by Gaston Acurio Is Worth a Visit
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Located within the Mandarin Oriental, La Mar by Gaston Acurio offers Peruvian gastronomy in a contemporary setting. Its best attribute is the idyllic setting overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline.
Peruvian ceviches are made to order, featuring the freshest catch with a leche de tigre citrus-based marinade of lime and ají peppers.
24. Coast, Oceanfront Dining
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Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Food type: Seafood
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: The Sea Pines Resort
Why Coast, Oceanfront Dining Is Worth a Visit
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A dreamy picturesque setting and succulent seafood awaits at Coast. The restaurant is located at the world-class Sea Pines Beach Club, offering a mesmerizing front seat to the ocean while you dine.
For a more laid-back approach, head to the beach bar for oceanfront views while enjoying a variety of drinks and outdoor entertainment.
23. Contessa
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Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Food type: Italian
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: The Newbury Boston
Why Contessa Is Worth a Visit
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Located within the recently opened Newbury Boston, Contessa offers a beautifully decorated patio that will have you snapping photo after photo. The swanky rooftop restaurant delivers Northern Italian fare amid sweeping views of Back Bay and the Boston Public Garden.
Dishes range from imported, rich salumi and melt-in-your-mouth homemade fresh pasta to dry-aged Chianina beef.
22. RPM Seafood
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Location: Chicago, Illinois
Food type: Seafood
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: The Peninsula Chicago
Why RPM Seafood Is Worth a Visit
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The latest venture from celeb couple and partners, Giuliana and Bill Rancic and Lettuce Entertain You, this multi-level restaurant overlooking the Chicago River impresses both in atmosphere and food.
Order up an over-the-top seafood tower and take in the scene on the 100-plus seat patio.
Why Talavera Is Worth a Visit
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Breathtaking views of the high Sonoran desert create the perfect backdrop to a savory Spanish meal on the patio of Talavera at Four Seasons.
The restaurant specializes in traditional Latin ingredients with dishes like paella, dry-aged steak, fresh seafood and tapas galore.
20. 49th State Brewing Company
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Food type: American
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Hotel Captain Cook
Why 49th State Brewing Company Is Worth a Visit
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The lively rooftop patio of this brew-centric eatery offers fabulous views of the Alaska Range and Cook Inlet.
Kick back with one of the in-house beers, and fill up on fresh, local favorites like the Alaskan-raised Yak burger or the king salmon blackened BLT.
19. The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove
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Location: Newport Coast, California
Food type: California Cuisine
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Crystal Cove Beach Cottages
Why The Beachcomber Is Worth a Visit
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Located in the Historic District of Crystal Cove State Park, The Beachcomber is a slice of heaven just steps from the beach. The converted cottage is a quaint, seaside staple in the area. The hotel’s outdoor patio and tropical bar, called The Bootlegger, offers prime views of the Newport Coastline and Catalina Island.
Brunch wouldn’t be complete without an infamous “Big Bad Bloody Mary” at brunch. If you come for sunset, don’t pass up the blue crab stuffed salmon or the frutti di mare.
18. Nobu Malibu
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Location: Malibu, California
Food type: Japanese
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: Nobu Ryokan
Why Nobu Malibu Is Worth a Visit
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Combine the glittering waters of the Pacific with pristine pieces of fish in a setting filled with beautiful people, and you get the Nobu Malibu. The melt-in-your-mouth miso black cod is the perfect follow up to plates of citrusy sashimi.
The patio spills out from the restaurant with the same minimalist design, putting the spotlight on the vast, all-encompassing ocean and cream-colored sandy beach below.
Why Mama’s Fish House Is Worth a Visit
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Family owned since 1973, Mama’s Fish House is a staple on Maui. The open-air restaurant is a converted beach house located in a coconut grove of a secluded beach.
Along with the incredible views, the restaurant is known for its fresh fish, which their fishermen catch daily. The fish is processed and served within 24 hours, and the menu lists the name of the fisherman and where they caught their fish.
Why The Pony Room Is Worth a Visit
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The expansive patio of The Pony Room is the perfect place to watch the birds dance through the tranquil oasis of palm trees, citrus groves, bright bouganvillia and lush gardens that surround the Rancho Valencia Resort.
Come for sunset and watch the golden glow retreat from the Mediterranean tiles that line the steps, peel away from the croquet lawn and eventually dip into the sea in the distance. Oh, and don’t forget to order a cadillac margarita.
15. Bridgewater Bistro
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Location: Astoria, Oregon
Food type: American
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Cannery Pier Hotel
Why Bridgewater Bistro Is Worth a Visit
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Situated in a restored 1896 building on a pier overlooking the Columbia River, Bridgewater Bistro is a crowd pleaser. The menu is full of creative and comforting dishes, like the dungeness crab cheesecake and clam and mussel chowder.
A seat on the patio puts you up close and personal to the river and bridge to Washington.
14. Bistro 1828 at Pepperrell Cove
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Location: Kittery Point, Maine
Food type: Seafood
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Great Island Inn
Why Bistro 1828 Is Worth a Visit
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Southern Maine comes alive in the summer. In recent years, the coastline has taken advantage of its prime location, tucking rustic-chic restaurants into nooks and crannies with views for days.
Such is the case for Bistro 1828 at Pepperrell Cove, where a patio entices with commanding views of two lighthouses, Wood Island, a refurbished life-saving station, two military forts, and a town pier with fishermen, boaters and kayakers immersed in the salt life.
Why Lago Is Worth a Visit
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The Fountains of Bellagio are an iconic sight of Las Vegas. For the best view in town, sit on the open-air patio at Julian Serrano’s Lago.
As spurts of water reach the sky, nosh on an array of rich small plates, including crudo di pesce and the lobster-filled ravioli.
12. Mama Shelter
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Location: Hollywood, California
Food type: American
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Mama Shelter
Why Mama Shelter Is Worth a Visit
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The wildly popular rooftop at Mama Shelter offers that highly sought after glimpse of the Hollywood sign. In the other direction, the downtown skyline entices. The patio itself is everything you want in Los Angeles: modern, chic and trendy.
The cocktails, like the “Mama Got Fired,” featuring a base of Arette Tequila and Bozal mezcal, truly hit the spot. The food doesn’t disappoint either. Try the cacio e pepe arancini and ceviche on the rooftop, or head to the restaurant for roasted fish with coconut curry.
11. Cress on Oak Creek
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Location: Sedona, Arizona
Food type: American, French
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: L'Auberge de Sedona
Why Cress on Oak Creek Is Worth a Visit
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Open only to guests of L’Auberge, Cress on Oak Creek is hard to compete with when it comes to an immersive dining experience amidst nature. After all, it’s tucked within a wooded bank of a meandering creek.
There’s a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a fine dining experience, which consists of a prix fixe dinner menu featuring dishes from the southern regions of Spain, Italy and France.
10. Boat House Waterfront Dining
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Location: Tiverton, Rhode Island
Food type: Seafood
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: Castle Hill Inn
Why Boat House Waterfront Dining Is Worth a Visit
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Just outside of the glitz of Newport, Rhode Island, the town of Tiverton hosts one of the most gorgeous restaurants in the country for outdoor dining.
Perched on a bluff overlooking Mt. Hope Bay, guests can slurp down a dozen oysters while taking in the panoramic views.
9. Rick’s Cafe Boatyard
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Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Food type: Seafood
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Le Meridien Indianapolis
Why Rick’s Cafe Boatyard Is Worth a Visit
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Residing on the waterfront of Eagle Creek Reservoir, Rick’s Cafe is an Indianapolis icon with its prime real estate and top-notch food and drink. Nearly every seat within and outside the restaurant offers a waterfront view.
The space also boasts several decks, including an extended deck with retractable siding, an awning on the side of the restaurant and a large bar where nightly live music is played.
8. Betula
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Location: Aspen, Colorado
Food type: French Pan-American
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: Hotel Jerome
Why Betula Is Worth a Visit
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The chic and airy interior of Betula spills out onto the back patio at this second-story restaurant. Views of Ajax Mountain create an idyllic setting, while the decor offers the experience of sitting in someone’s home, with linen upholstery, scattered pillows and plants everywhere.
Ordering a cocktail is a spectacle, like the Yellow Paloma served in a glass shaped like a bird.
7. Earth at Hidden Pond
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Location: Kennebunkport, Maine
Food type: American
Cost: $$$$
Where to stay: Hidden Pond Resort
Why Earth at Hidden Pond Is Worth a Visit
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Nestled amongst balsam trees and birch forest, this farm-to-fork oasis is as beautiful inside as it is out. The walls were built from trees cut to clear the site, and round wood “pickles” cover the walls, making for a woodsy experience.
Outside, the onsite garden and pond, along with the towering encapsulation of trees kissing the sky, create a breathtaking natural patio where scattered tables create a surreal experience for elevated dining.
6. White Limozeen
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Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Food type: French, American
Cost: $$
Where to stay: Graduate Hotel
Why White Limozeen Is Worth a Visit
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Make your way to the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel, and you’ll be met with both commanding views of Nashville as well as a sensory overload of pinks and gold. After all, the open-air patio pays homage to the great Dolly Parton.
Sip on cool cocktails, and nosh on delicious cuisine with a massive pink chicken-wire Dolly Parton sculpture in the backdrop.
5. Sunset Terrace
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Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Food type: Steaks, Chops, Seafood
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: The Omni Grove Park Inn
Why Sunset Terrace Is Worth a Visit
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For the most beautiful scenery in all of Asheville, come to Sunset Terrace. The restaurant boastsbreathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, while rolling hills, a perfectly manicured Grove Park Country Club and a skyline view of downtown Asheville also entice.
The restaurant is known for a delicious array of seafood, steaks and chops, and don’t forget to order wine. Sunset Terrace has earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence on 10 separate occasions.
4. Mizumi
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Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Food type: Japanese
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: Wynn Las Vegas
Why Mizumi Is Worth a Visit
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Indulge inSupreme sushi, sashimi and modern Japanese cuisine at Mizumi. The atmosphere is just as impressive, offering views of private Japanese gardens surrounded by koi ponds and a 90-foot waterfall.
You can even reserve a private dining experience in which you’ll make your way through a private path of lush gardens to reach a floating pagoda table.
3. Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
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Location: Corona Del Mar, California
Food type: American
Cost: $$
Where to stay: The Resort atPelican Hill
Why Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens Is Worth a Visit
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This farm-to-fork restaurant is situated onthe stunning 7-acre Roger’s Gardens. The restaurant is entirely outside, lit up at night by a canopy of fairy lights. From leafy greens to pungent herbs, food bursts out of raised garden beds around every corner and even tableside.
The craft cocktails are not to be missed, including the Capsicum Annum made with tequila, bell pepper shrub, egg white and lime. The food is also fresh yet creative, like the grilled dijon soy rubbed pork tenderloin with an apple cider molasses glaze and grilled peach vinaigrette.
2. Tavern on the Green
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Location: New York, New York
Food type: American
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: 1 Hotel Central Park
Why Tavern on the Green Is Worth a Visit
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Picnicking in the middle of Central Park, even on the simplest slice of grass, is a pleasure. But when you get to enjoy garden seating at a swanky restaurant, it’s an exceptional experience.
The restaurant was originally built in 1870 to house the sheep that grazed in Central Park's Sheep Meadow. Today, it’s an iconic hotspot for enjoying hearty, rustic fare paired with a wine from the extensive list of worldly options.
1. Driftwood
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Location: Laguna Beach, California
Food type: American
Cost: $$$
Where to stay: Hotel Joaquin
Why Driftwood Is Worth a Visit
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With a tagline like “Any Closer and You Would Have to Swim,” you can bet this al fresco dining experience ranked high on our list. Laguna Beach is home to some of the most jaw-dropping views of the Pacific in all of California.
Helmed by Executive Chef Rainer Schwarz, expect Instagram-worthy plates like the Seafood Tower stacked with Maine lobster tail, king crab leg, poached jumbo mexican shrimp, oysters on the half shell, Spanish octopus ceviche and tuna tartare. Creative mains impress as well, like the Chilean sea bass with king crab gratin and creamy risotto cake.
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