Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2020. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Guides
    • Flight Deals
    • Travel Deals
    • Ways to Save
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Disney Vacations
    • Festivals + Events
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Buses + Trains
    • Ground Transportation
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Food and Drink
  3. Restaurants
  4. America's Best Outdoor Restaurants

America's Best Outdoor Restaurants

By Kate Parham
August 08, 2013
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Jackie Baisa
“A great outdoor restaurant is more than patio tables and umbrellas; it must thoughtfully create a sense of personality and character,” says celebrity chef Tim Love, who recently opened Woodshed Smokehouse along the Trinity River in Fort Worth, TX. 

Fortunately, there’s a great alfresco dining experience to fit every personality, from the romantic wraparound terrace at fine-dining destination Auberge du Soleil in Napa, CA, to the laid-back waterfront patio of the Crab Claw in St. Michaels, MD, where you can watch local fishermen land their daily catch. 

At Linger in Denver, you walk through the neon Olinger Mortuaries sign (from the restaurant’s past life) onto a rooftop patio where you’re treated to skyline views, refreshing cocktails served from a retro RV, and the first-ever rooftop food truck. It’s a winning combination of atmosphere, intoxicating food and drinks, and, as chef and owner Justin Cucci puts it, “an element of fun.”

While Linger plays up its urban location, other outdoor restaurants make a point of being in tune with nature. Tabard Inn, a favorite D.C. brunch spot, has an ivy-clad brick garden with café tables out back that feels like a retreat from the capital’s hustle and bustle.

Read on for more of our favorite outdoor restaurants across the U.S. And in between bites, swing by the best outdoor bars and beer gardens.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Auberge du Soleil, Napa, CA

Credit: Courtesy of Auberge du Soleil

The wraparound terrace at award-winning chef Robert Curry’s Bistro & Bar serves up panoramic views of Napa Valley vineyards and locally sourced cuisine in an effortlessly romantic setting (more casual than the dining room). Whether you want to watch the sun rise with a cup of coffee and a pastry, or sip some bubbly before lamb and potato gnocchi, the outdoor terrace can oblige; the full menu is available all day long. aubergedusoleil.com

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Parc, Philadelphia

Credit: Courtesy of Starr Restaurant Group

Part of restaurateur Stephen Starr’s ever-expanding empire, Parc pays tribute to France’s café culture with its sprawling sidewalk seating in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square. Some diners wax poetic about the made-in-house baguettes and classics like coq au vin; others are here for the towers of fresh shellfish and perfectly shucked oysters. parc-restaurant.com

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Big Star, Chicago

Credit: Cassie Stadnicki

Come springtime, after nearly nine months of hibernation, Chicagoans practically sprint to this trendy taqueria in Wicker Park. With $30 pitchers of margaritas and an epic patio outfitted with sleek metal tables and sunshine yellow chairs, Big Star is where you come to while away a weekend afternoon with friends. Don’t be surprised if you see the same diners at both lunch and dinner. Once you’re here, it’s hard to leave the party. bigstarchicago.com

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Miami

Credit: Courtesy of SUGARCANE

Escape Miami’s midtown district by retreating to Sugarcane’s 850-square-foot outdoor oasis, complete with vintage garden gates, star-shaped light canopies, and 52 seats. The restaurant has three distinct kitchens—a robata, a hot grill, and a raw bar—all of which deliver Latin-inspired food to the terrace. One order to start: shrimp ceviche and a caipirinha or two. sugarcanerawbargrill.com

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Linger, Denver

Credit: Courtesy of Linger

Walking out onto the 100-seat rooftop at Linger engages your senses: aromas of sweet sesame BBQ tacos from a food truck fill the air, while ahead lies an unadulterated view of the Denver skyline, with the Rockies in the distance. A line of thirsty hipsters forms at the walk-up window of a futuristic RV; they want a taste of the $5 happy-hour cocktails. It’s no wonder the rooftop is packed. lingerdenver.com

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove, Orange County, CA

Credit: The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove

It takes effort to reach the Beachcomber Café—you must park along the Pacific Coast Highway and take a shuttle through a tunnel to get to the open-air restaurant in historic Crystal Cove—but it is worth it. Start your morning with a plate of decadent beignets right on the beach, or meet friends for grilled artichokes and cocktails. The café actually raises a martini flag at five o’clock sharp. Cheers to that. thebeachcombercafe.com

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

TWO Urban Licks, Atlanta

Credit: Our Labor of Love

This revamped warehouse dishing out innovative small plates broke new ground with the installation of the city’s first restaurant bocce court in 2004. The courtyard, which also supports an herb and vegetable garden, is full of trendy locals vying for a view of the downtown skyline. The nearby paved bike trails created as part of the city’s ongoing BeltLine project have brought in so many new customers that TWO Urban Licks added Sunday brunch to the repertoire. Don’t miss the 26-foot wine-on-tap wall, which features 72 stainless barrels of wine, or the live music Tuesday through Saturday. twourbanlicks.com

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mama’s Fish House, Paia, HI

Credit: Courtesy of Mama's Fish House

Imagine sitting on the beach with the sun on your shoulders, the ocean breeze at your back, and a plate of tender ahi tuna poke presented before you. At Mama’s Fish House—an open-air restaurant in the coconut grove of a secluded beach—this fantasy is known as lunch. Fresh local catch is offered year-round at the converted beach house, which pays homage to old Polynesia with the décor and menu items like lobster-and-crab-stuffed mahimahi baked in a macadamia crust. It’s been a mainstay of the island of Maui since 1973.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Tabard Inn, Washington, D.C.

Credit: Hotel Tabard Inn

One of D.C.’s favorite brunch spots is especially glorious in warm weather, when you can eat alfresco in the ivy-clad brick sanctuary out back. The global-inspired, yet regionally sourced menu will leave you satisfied, whether you opt for oysters from the Chesapeake or a dozen of the homemade donuts. Show up early and prepare to build an appetite—the patio doesn’t take reservations. tabardinn.com

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Woodshed Smokehouse, Fort Worth, TX

Credit: Ron McQueen

Given the steamy Texas heat, celebrity chef Tim Love made a strategic choice to locate this backyard restaurant along the Trinity River. He uses a variety of wood (from mesquite and pecan to hickory and oak) to lend unique flavors to crispy artichokes, pulled pork sandwiches, and bulgogi beef tacos. It’s enough to qualify Woodshed Smokehouse as one of America’s best new BBQ restaurants. So grab your friends and even your dog—there’s an entirely separate menu for Fido. woodshedsmokehouse.com

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria, OR

Credit: Bridgewater Bistro

Seafood items like Pacific Bay oyster shooters and Scandinavian-style pickled herring reign supreme at Bridgewater Bistro, a former cannery along the Columbia River. From the deck seating at the edge of the harbor, you can see Washington across the way while enjoying one of nearly 30 wines by the glass. When the weather gets chilly, there’s no need to head indoors—just request one of the complimentary lap blankets. bridgewaterbistro.com

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Good Fork, Brooklyn, NY

Credit: Ben Schneider

Hurricane Sandy couldn’t keep the resilient Good Fork shuttered for too long. Korean-born chef Sohui Kim is back at this Red Hook restaurant serving Asian-inspired dishes like steak and eggs with kimchi rice. Her plump pork and chive dumplings beat out Bobby Flay’s version on an episode of Throwdown. The 25-seat garden out back charms diners with bamboo chandeliers hanging from the trees and tables built by Kim’s carpenter-actor husband.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Crab Claw, St. Michaels, MD

Credit: Linger

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a stop at this 250-seat waterfront deck, where buckets of steamed blue crabs with spicy Old Bay seasoning are delivered to newspaper-covered picnic tables overlooking Navy Point marina. The Crab Claw, which has been owned by the same family since 1965, is a quintessential seafood shack; kick back with a bucket of beers as you watch the watermen land their daily catch.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Noble Rot, Portland, OR

Credit: John Q. Porter, JQP Design

For one of the best views of Portland’s iconic White Stag sign, head to Noble Rot’s fourth-story patio, one of the only restaurants with a skyline view—let alone one that faces the sunset every night. The LEED Platinum building has its own 3,000-square-foot rooftop garden, whose ingredients find their way into dishes like the Roof Salad, which tosses seasonal produce in a pickled rhubarb vinaigrette. Pair it with one of the restaurant’s 40-plus wines by the glass. noblerotpdx.com

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ray’s Café, Seattle

Credit: Jackie Baisa

At the end of a dock overlooking the Puget Sound, Ray’s Café offers front-row seating for the parade of Alaskan cruises, ferries, and small fishing boats that sail in and out of the locks all day long—with the backdrop of barrier islands and the snowcapped Olympic Mountains. A steaming bowl of clam chowder or plate of fresh steamers nicely complements a glass of Pinot and the impending sunset. rays.com/cafe

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Kate Parham

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 15 Auberge du Soleil, Napa, CA
2 of 15 Parc, Philadelphia
3 of 15 Big Star, Chicago
4 of 15 Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Miami
5 of 15 Linger, Denver
6 of 15 The Beachcomber at Crystal Cove, Orange County, CA
7 of 15 TWO Urban Licks, Atlanta
8 of 15 Mama’s Fish House, Paia, HI
9 of 15 Tabard Inn, Washington, D.C.
10 of 15 Woodshed Smokehouse, Fort Worth, TX
11 of 15 Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria, OR
12 of 15 The Good Fork, Brooklyn, NY
13 of 15 The Crab Claw, St. Michaels, MD
14 of 15 Noble Rot, Portland, OR
15 of 15 Ray’s Café, Seattle

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

America's Best Outdoor Restaurants
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.