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An inside view of Kirby Ice House - the Woodlands’ outdoor patio, which features a 300-inch jumbo screen, multiple picnic tables, and fans.
Patio season in Houston is here.
Michael Anthony

24 Houston Patios Perfect for Dining and Drinking Alfresco

Soak in the sun and cooler temps at these outdoor dining destinations

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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Patio season in Houston is here.
| Michael Anthony
by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated

Houston’s weather may be unpredictable, but there is no denying that the city boasts a pretty solid patio season when the climate is pleasantly cool and less humid. Though the weather will only cooperate for so long (hint: the time is now!), sitting outside with snacks and a cocktail can still be enjoyable.

Luckily, Houston’s patios in different pockets of the city offer a vibe for everyone, and Eater Houston is doing its best to keep track of the best.

So, whether in search of skyline views or a no-frills hideaway to drink beer and eat barbecue at a picnic table, here are 21 options for perfect Houston patios to dine or drink alfresco.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

d'Alba

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A beloved spot within the GOOF neighborhood, d’alba boasts a charming backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs, Adirondack chairs encircling a community fire pit, and a children’s play area. In addition to craft cocktails, wine, and beer, the menu features provisions like Gulf oysters, seafood campechana, and 12-inch wood-fired pies. 

3715 Alba Rd, Houston, TX 77018
(346) 319-5790
(346) 319-5790

Also featured in:

Monkey's Tail

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Since opening in 2019, this Lindale Park hangout has jazzed up its dog-friendly space, adding an enclosed, gravel-filled patio and an outdoor bar. Find frozen libations rimmed with tajin, buckets of beer, and chilled cocktail pouches to pair with Korean barbecue wings and pastor tacos. Looking for a game-day destination? This patio is fitted with oversized fans and flatscreen TVs.

5802 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 842-7188
(713) 842-7188

Also featured in:

La Lucha

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Ford Fry’s Gulf seafood and fried chicken destination boasts a large enclosed patio peppered with casual seating and picnic tables meant for lingering around for a long while. With its hanging lanterns, the large oak tree, makes for a charming backdrop as you enjoy dishes like its raw or wood-roasted Gulf oysters, its chicken dinner, or crispy shrimp tacos.

1801 N Shepherd Dr #A, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 955-4765
(713) 955-4765

Also featured in:

Heights Bier Garten

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With nearly 100 beers, meads, and ciders on tap, plus a host of cocktails located at its full bar, this Heights biergarten is the perfect option for basking in Houston’s tolerable weather with the option of both covered and uncovered areas. Indulge in “pub grub” like cheesy burgers, sandwiches, and salads while chilling out in the hammocks, warming up by the fire pits, or playing a game of cornhole.

1433 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

Also featured in:

Casa Nomad

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M-K-T Heights’ Yucatan restaurant brings Tulum-inspired vibes to Houston with its dining area and bar housed entirely on a covered patio. Bedecked with an overhead rope canopy and lined with lush tropical vegetation, the restaurant serves as the ideal backdrop for dining on coastal Mexican plates like fried yucca or lobster tacos and bone-in short rib served over cheesy polenta. With only 28 seats in total, Casa Nomad is one of the hottest patio tickets in town.

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

Coltivare

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When it comes to dining outdoors, Coltivare’s quaint backyard garden is a classic option with a true neighborhood feel. Down its iconic version of black pepper spaghetti, meatballs, and a wood-fired pizza on the gravel patio, and take in the scents of the plots of herbs while downing a glass of wine.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890

Also featured in:

Mutiny Wine Room

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After sampling wine in the tasting room, opt for a seat on one of Mutiny’s spacious patios for dinner or a nightcap. This upscale Heights concept draws inspiration from the tasting rooms of Napa Valley, and the patio is made up of loungy corners and dining tables — an ideal setting in which to nerd out on wine, bubbly, and charcuterie. On a 70-degree day, it feels just like being in the world-famous wine region.

1124 Usener St, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 618-1233
(832) 618-1233

Also featured in:

Daily Gather

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Quality people-watching, cocktails, and heartwarming dishes abound at this CITYCENTRE restaurant. Daily Gather’s patio, which is equipped with heaters in the cooler months, overlooks the development’s courtyard and green space, which means diners get a front-row seat to its calendar of outdoor festivities, including live music in the plaza.

800 Sorella Ct #940, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 429-0451
(713) 429-0451
Daily Gather’s patio, which is outfitted with a variety of seating and tables.
Daily Gather.
Claudia Casbarian

Also featured in:

Patterson Park Patio Bar

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Billed an urban “treehouse,” this newly-opened, multi-level watering hole is a spacious getaway befitted with multiple TVs perfect for game day, Ranch Water on tap, fans to keep guests cool, and creative cocktails like a spicy Fantasma, made with Ghost tequila, cassis, lime, and ginger beer. Best of all, visitors get multiple views. Bask in the downtown skyline, best seen from the rooftop deck; people-watch and gawk at the colorful mural in the indoor lounge area, or gaze at the lush greenery that lines the nearby White Oak Bayou Trail.

2205 Patterson St, Houston, TX 77007

Also featured in:

Memorial Trail Ice House

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This neighborhood spot masters a cozy patio drinking atmosphere, with plenty tables, fire pits, warm string lights for moody evenings, and rotating food trucks. Drinks are also plentiful here, with a variety of cocktails, creative frozens, including its cereal-inspired Frosie Rosie, which is mixed with Fruit Loop vodka and topped with Fruity Pebbles. The ice house is already readying itself for cooler weather, with its menu of hot drinks, with hot toddys, holiday hot teas, and spiked hot chocolates.

6202 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 497-5500
(713) 497-5500

Also featured in:

B.B. Lemon

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On pretty patio weather days, the manicured lawn with open-air seating at B.B. Lemon offers a pristine backdrop for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Rattan chairs and a few coveted outdoor bar seats allow guests to sneak glances at all of the action inside.

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 554-1809
(713) 554-1809

Also featured in:

Bludorn

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The back patio at Bludorn is just as festive and cozy as the restaurant’s main dining room and bar. The covered space is fitted with banquet seating, string lighting, and plenty of lush greenery, plus the area boasts permanent fans and heaters to accommodate guests in Houston’s unpredictable climate.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Also featured in:

Backstreet Cafe

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A Houston institution both for its diverse menu by Hugo Ortega and its unique dining space inside a 1930s-era home, Backstreet Café offers the quintessential outdoor patio. A sunken courtyard boasts picturesque views at every turn with tables peppered across two levels. On excellent weather days, a table in the courtyard is highly sought after — luckily, the restaurant offers a number of tables on the front patio, too.

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239

Also featured in:

The Annie Cafe & Bar

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The Annie’s dual-level patio perched high above Post Oak Boulevard is a welcoming extension of the swanky restaurant. Oversized green umbrellas offer solace from the sun, and walls of ivy surround the large space, creating a cozy atmosphere.

1800 Post Oak Blvd Suite 6170, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 804-1800
(713) 804-1800

Also featured in:

J-Bar-M Barbecue

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Here at this EaDo joint, barbecue and brews can be enjoyed with sweeping views of the Downtown skyline, which is especially beautiful after sunset. Tuesday through Friday, catch their happy hour, hosted from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., plus live music by local artists on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

2201 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 534-1024
(713) 534-1024

Also featured in:

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Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

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Located in the heart of River Oaks District, Toulouse’s endearing patio is reminiscent of the alfresco dining and drinking options you’ll find in Europe. With seating spilling into the main courtyard, diners can take in all of the ritzy retail center action from the table while sipping wine and snacking on butter-drenched escargot. Live music on weekends is the icing on the cake.

4444 Westheimer Rd Ste E 100, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 871-0768
(713) 871-0768

Tiny Boxwoods

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With its lush grounds filled with flowers and rustic décor, this West U standout is home to one of the best outdoor dining spaces in the city. People-watch from a table or comfy couch lounger on the patio while dining on salads, sandwiches, and Tiny’s famed chocolate chip cookies. 

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
(713) 622-4224

Also featured in:

Bistro Menil

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Steps from the famed Menil Collection, the minimalistic patio at Bistro Menil allows the sweeping views of the surrounding Menil Park to take center stage. Walk the grounds before settling in on the patio with a bottle of vino and a charcuterie board. 

1513 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 904-3537
(713) 904-3537

Kirby Ice House

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This Houston drinking institution now boasts two outposts in Houston and its largest location in the Woodlands, with a record-breaking bar that reaches 141 feet. Its 18,000-square-foot patio is also something to behold, with plenty of picnic tables, a 300-inch jumbo screen, perfect for watching your favorite team, and a 30-foot oak tree providing a picturesque shade.

3333 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 524-2752
(713) 524-2752

Also featured in:

Axelrad Beer Garden

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With a beer selection that changes daily, a rotation of food trucks, and a full calendar of events, Axelrad is a no-brainer when partaking in patio season. Patio-goers can also grab a slice of pizza from Luigis next door, and chill out in the grove of hammocks, where tunes are bound to be playing.

1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 597-8800
(713) 597-8800

Also featured in:

Goode Company Armadillo Palace

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This restaurant and live music destination is as much a good time on an off night in part because of its large, fully enclosed patio. Aside from the larger-than-life metal armadillo that greets guests at the main entrance, there are plenty of places to get in a photo op — and Tex-Mex eats like the campechana and carne asada are photogenic, too.

5015 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-9700
(713) 526-9700

Also featured in:

Lucille's

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This Museum District gem offers a semi-covered patio with spacious seating via picnic tables and high-tops, and is equipped with both heaters and misting fans to accommodate Houston’s unpredictable weather. Visit on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. or during weekend brunch starting to enjoy live music by the Vanguard Group starting at 11:30 a.m.

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 568-2505
(713) 568-2505

Also featured in:

Gratify

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Rice Village is home to patio restaurants galore, and Gratify is a standout among them. This trendy eating and drinking place from restaurateur Grant Cooper boasts a covered wraparound patio with dining tables and comfortable lounge seating overlooking a community green space.

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7865
(713) 524-7865

Also featured in:

Hungry's

Copy Link

This decades-old restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous, family-friendly patio that’s equipped with heaters, fans, and large tables so to enjoy the views of the shopping district. Weekend brunch finds pops of color at various tables with mimosa flights featuring fresh OJ, raspberry, strawberry, or grapefruit juices, while evenings reel in the crowds for long, wine-fueled dinners.

2356 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 523-8652
(713) 523-8652

Also featured in:

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d'Alba

3715 Alba Rd, Houston, TX 77018

A beloved spot within the GOOF neighborhood, d’alba boasts a charming backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs, Adirondack chairs encircling a community fire pit, and a children’s play area. In addition to craft cocktails, wine, and beer, the menu features provisions like Gulf oysters, seafood campechana, and 12-inch wood-fired pies. 

3715 Alba Rd, Houston, TX 77018
(346) 319-5790
(346) 319-5790

Monkey's Tail

5802 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009

Since opening in 2019, this Lindale Park hangout has jazzed up its dog-friendly space, adding an enclosed, gravel-filled patio and an outdoor bar. Find frozen libations rimmed with tajin, buckets of beer, and chilled cocktail pouches to pair with Korean barbecue wings and pastor tacos. Looking for a game-day destination? This patio is fitted with oversized fans and flatscreen TVs.

5802 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 842-7188
(713) 842-7188

La Lucha

1801 N Shepherd Dr #A, Houston, TX 77008

Ford Fry’s Gulf seafood and fried chicken destination boasts a large enclosed patio peppered with casual seating and picnic tables meant for lingering around for a long while. With its hanging lanterns, the large oak tree, makes for a charming backdrop as you enjoy dishes like its raw or wood-roasted Gulf oysters, its chicken dinner, or crispy shrimp tacos.

1801 N Shepherd Dr #A, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 955-4765
(713) 955-4765

Heights Bier Garten

1433 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

With nearly 100 beers, meads, and ciders on tap, plus a host of cocktails located at its full bar, this Heights biergarten is the perfect option for basking in Houston’s tolerable weather with the option of both covered and uncovered areas. Indulge in “pub grub” like cheesy burgers, sandwiches, and salads while chilling out in the hammocks, warming up by the fire pits, or playing a game of cornhole.

1433 N Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77008

Casa Nomad

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

M-K-T Heights’ Yucatan restaurant brings Tulum-inspired vibes to Houston with its dining area and bar housed entirely on a covered patio. Bedecked with an overhead rope canopy and lined with lush tropical vegetation, the restaurant serves as the ideal backdrop for dining on coastal Mexican plates like fried yucca or lobster tacos and bone-in short rib served over cheesy polenta. With only 28 seats in total, Casa Nomad is one of the hottest patio tickets in town.

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

Coltivare

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007

When it comes to dining outdoors, Coltivare’s quaint backyard garden is a classic option with a true neighborhood feel. Down its iconic version of black pepper spaghetti, meatballs, and a wood-fired pizza on the gravel patio, and take in the scents of the plots of herbs while downing a glass of wine.

3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 203-7890
(832) 203-7890

Mutiny Wine Room

1124 Usener St, Houston, TX 77009

After sampling wine in the tasting room, opt for a seat on one of Mutiny’s spacious patios for dinner or a nightcap. This upscale Heights concept draws inspiration from the tasting rooms of Napa Valley, and the patio is made up of loungy corners and dining tables — an ideal setting in which to nerd out on wine, bubbly, and charcuterie. On a 70-degree day, it feels just like being in the world-famous wine region.

1124 Usener St, Houston, TX 77009
(832) 618-1233
(832) 618-1233

Daily Gather

800 Sorella Ct #940, Houston, TX 77024

Quality people-watching, cocktails, and heartwarming dishes abound at this CITYCENTRE restaurant. Daily Gather’s patio, which is equipped with heaters in the cooler months, overlooks the development’s courtyard and green space, which means diners get a front-row seat to its calendar of outdoor festivities, including live music in the plaza.

800 Sorella Ct #940, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 429-0451
(713) 429-0451
Daily Gather’s patio, which is outfitted with a variety of seating and tables.
Daily Gather.
Claudia Casbarian

Patterson Park Patio Bar

2205 Patterson St, Houston, TX 77007

Billed an urban “treehouse,” this newly-opened, multi-level watering hole is a spacious getaway befitted with multiple TVs perfect for game day, Ranch Water on tap, fans to keep guests cool, and creative cocktails like a spicy Fantasma, made with Ghost tequila, cassis, lime, and ginger beer. Best of all, visitors get multiple views. Bask in the downtown skyline, best seen from the rooftop deck; people-watch and gawk at the colorful mural in the indoor lounge area, or gaze at the lush greenery that lines the nearby White Oak Bayou Trail.

2205 Patterson St, Houston, TX 77007

Memorial Trail Ice House

6202 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

This neighborhood spot masters a cozy patio drinking atmosphere, with plenty tables, fire pits, warm string lights for moody evenings, and rotating food trucks. Drinks are also plentiful here, with a variety of cocktails, creative frozens, including its cereal-inspired Frosie Rosie, which is mixed with Fruit Loop vodka and topped with Fruity Pebbles. The ice house is already readying itself for cooler weather, with its menu of hot drinks, with hot toddys, holiday hot teas, and spiked hot chocolates.

6202 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 497-5500
(713) 497-5500

B.B. Lemon

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

On pretty patio weather days, the manicured lawn with open-air seating at B.B. Lemon offers a pristine backdrop for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. Rattan chairs and a few coveted outdoor bar seats allow guests to sneak glances at all of the action inside.

1809 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 554-1809
(713) 554-1809

Bludorn

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019

The back patio at Bludorn is just as festive and cozy as the restaurant’s main dining room and bar. The covered space is fitted with banquet seating, string lighting, and plenty of lush greenery, plus the area boasts permanent fans and heaters to accommodate guests in Houston’s unpredictable climate.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 999-0146
(713) 999-0146

Backstreet Cafe

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

A Houston institution both for its diverse menu by Hugo Ortega and its unique dining space inside a 1930s-era home, Backstreet Café offers the quintessential outdoor patio. A sunken courtyard boasts picturesque views at every turn with tables peppered across two levels. On excellent weather days, a table in the courtyard is highly sought after — luckily, the restaurant offers a number of tables on the front patio, too.

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 521-2239
(713) 521-2239

The Annie Cafe & Bar

1800 Post Oak Blvd Suite 6170, Houston, TX 77056

The Annie’s dual-level patio perched high above Post Oak Boulevard is a welcoming extension of the swanky restaurant. Oversized green umbrellas offer solace from the sun, and walls of ivy surround the large space, creating a cozy atmosphere.

1800 Post Oak Blvd Suite 6170, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 804-1800
(713) 804-1800

J-Bar-M Barbecue

2201 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003

Here at this EaDo joint, barbecue and brews can be enjoyed with sweeping views of the Downtown skyline, which is especially beautiful after sunset. Tuesday through Friday, catch their happy hour, hosted from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., plus live music by local artists on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

2201 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003
(713) 534-1024
(713) 534-1024

Related Maps

Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

4444 Westheimer Rd Ste E 100, Houston, TX 77027

Located in the heart of River Oaks District, Toulouse’s endearing patio is reminiscent of the alfresco dining and drinking options you’ll find in Europe. With seating spilling into the main courtyard, diners can take in all of the ritzy retail center action from the table while sipping wine and snacking on butter-drenched escargot. Live music on weekends is the icing on the cake.

4444 Westheimer Rd Ste E 100, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 871-0768
(713) 871-0768

Tiny Boxwoods

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027

With its lush grounds filled with flowers and rustic décor, this West U standout is home to one of the best outdoor dining spaces in the city. People-watch from a table or comfy couch lounger on the patio while dining on salads, sandwiches, and Tiny’s famed chocolate chip cookies. 

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-4224
(713) 622-4224

Bistro Menil

1513 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006

Steps from the famed Menil Collection, the minimalistic patio at Bistro Menil allows the sweeping views of the surrounding Menil Park to take center stage. Walk the grounds before settling in on the patio with a bottle of vino and a charcuterie board. 

1513 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 904-3537
(713) 904-3537

Kirby Ice House

3333 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098

This Houston drinking institution now boasts two outposts in Houston and its largest location in the Woodlands, with a record-breaking bar that reaches 141 feet. Its 18,000-square-foot patio is also something to behold, with plenty of picnic tables, a 300-inch jumbo screen, perfect for watching your favorite team, and a 30-foot oak tree providing a picturesque shade.

3333 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 524-2752
(713) 524-2752

Axelrad Beer Garden

1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004

With a beer selection that changes daily, a rotation of food trucks, and a full calendar of events, Axelrad is a no-brainer when partaking in patio season. Patio-goers can also grab a slice of pizza from Luigis next door, and chill out in the grove of hammocks, where tunes are bound to be playing.

1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 597-8800
(713) 597-8800

Goode Company Armadillo Palace

5015 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

This restaurant and live music destination is as much a good time on an off night in part because of its large, fully enclosed patio. Aside from the larger-than-life metal armadillo that greets guests at the main entrance, there are plenty of places to get in a photo op — and Tex-Mex eats like the campechana and carne asada are photogenic, too.

5015 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-9700
(713) 526-9700

Lucille's

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004

This Museum District gem offers a semi-covered patio with spacious seating via picnic tables and high-tops, and is equipped with both heaters and misting fans to accommodate Houston’s unpredictable weather. Visit on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. or during weekend brunch starting to enjoy live music by the Vanguard Group starting at 11:30 a.m.

5512 La Branch St, Houston, TX 77004
(713) 568-2505
(713) 568-2505

Gratify

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005

Rice Village is home to patio restaurants galore, and Gratify is a standout among them. This trendy eating and drinking place from restaurateur Grant Cooper boasts a covered wraparound patio with dining tables and comfortable lounge seating overlooking a community green space.

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7865
(713) 524-7865

Hungry's

2356 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005

This decades-old restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous, family-friendly patio that’s equipped with heaters, fans, and large tables so to enjoy the views of the shopping district. Weekend brunch finds pops of color at various tables with mimosa flights featuring fresh OJ, raspberry, strawberry, or grapefruit juices, while evenings reel in the crowds for long, wine-fueled dinners.

2356 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005
(713) 523-8652
(713) 523-8652

Related Maps