Whether it's a date night under string lights or an alfresco outing – no Austin experience is complete without enjoying the city’s many outdoor dining options. On a nice day, it's not unusual to see visitors choosing outdoor seating over indoor. Take advantage of Austin's moderate, sunny weather and enjoy your next meal on one of these picturesque Austin restaurants with patios.
Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Grab a bite early morning through late night at Better Half and dine at pink picnic tables under shady oak trees on their large outdoor patio. Start your day with a chagachino (mocha drink made with wild foraged mushrooms, cinnamon and Madagascar vanilla) and waffle iron-griddled hash browns topped with a perfect fried egg. At night, choose between a number of craft cocktails, including four frozen options and menu items like steak loaded queso.
Cherrywood Coffee House
This local coffee house in Central East Austin is family-friendly and has a great patio for hanging out. Order breakfast all day at Cherrywood with a number of breakfast plates and breakfast tacos, or opt for a juicy burger for your meal (including veggie burgers for our vegan friends!).
Comedor
The patio of downtown’s modern Mexican restaurant Comedor is actually a courtyard nestled between the sleek restaurant and the neighboring building. Dig into dishes like the yellowfin tuna in a spicy Texas citrus and watermelon aguachile, and the IG-worthy bone marrow tacos with a Comedor margarita.
Flo's Wine Bar & Bottle Shop
Before stopping enjoying views at Mount Bonnell or roaming peacocks at Mayfield Park, grab a bite and a drink at Flo's Wine Bar. Onsite AllDay Pizza has monster pies, salads and soft serve, ready to be enjoyed with a glass of wine.
Fresa’s South First
Fresa’s South First is a favorite for its shady, spacious patio, sneaky margaritas and modern take on wood-grilled Mexican food. Grab a table under the towering oaks with Fresa’s loaded queso and signature wood-grilled chicken, served family-style with all the fixings.
Lenoir
With its string lights, hanging lanterns and majestic 500-year-old oak tree providing canopy, it’s fair to say that Lenoir’s wine garden is pretty dreamy. The always-changing menu of small and large plates is designed around “hot weather food”; think acidic, citrusy, brothy, spicy and light on butter, cream and gluten. Ask for a wine recommendation from the knowledgeable staff!
Nightcap
Hanging out at Nightcap feels like you’re at a friend’s house and that friend not only went to culinary school but stirs up a mean Old Fashioned. Grab a seat at a picnic table or along the bungalow’s wrap-around porch before ordering the aforementioned mean Old Fashioned and food from Nightcap’s always-changing menu of New American favorites.
Nixta Taqueria
At Nixta you'll get a taste of traditional and new-age flavors. Think homemade heirloom masa tortillas stuffed with duck confit carnitas. Drooling yet? Helmed by Chef Edgar Rico, (a James Beard Award winner and TIME100 recipient) you'll experience some of the best Mexican-American cuisine in the city on this colorful patio.
Olive & June
Olive & June has multiple levels and, at the heart, a courtyard designed around the ancient resident oak tree that provides respite from the sun during the day and an illuminated canopy at night. Olive & June is known for refined takes on rustic dishes like linguini with clams and chicken saltimbocca served with Italian wine, of course.
Sour Duck Market
Are you looking for a casual (kid-, dog- and flip-flop-friendly) restaurant patio? Look no further than Sour Duck Market, the open-air bakery/restaurant/bar with plenty of picnic tables. Grab fresh pastries and bread, sandwiches, coffee, even cocktails - all scratch-made from local ingredients.
Contributed by Anastacia Uriegas.
Anastacia Uriegas is an Austin-based freelance writer, designer, and photographer and serves on the board of directors for the Austin Dames d’Escoffier. When she’s not exploring natural wines and rare mezcals, she hanging out with her dog babies, Peanut and Olive, who bear a striking resemblance to Ewoks.