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Casa Nomad’s patio, decorated with a hanging canopy, wooden chairs, and green plants.
Casa Nomad features a Tulum-esque patio
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21 Houston Patios Perfect for Dining and Drinking Al Fresco

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

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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Casa Nomad features a Tulum-esque patio
| Public Content
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. In our latest update, Pondicheri has been removed to make way for vibrant patios at Patterson Park and J-Bar-M Barbecue.

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 al fresco.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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:

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:

Backstreet Cafe

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A Houston institution both for its diverse menu by Hugo Ortega and 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. The restaurant is currently closed for repairs and opening in early February.

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:

d'Alba

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A newish addition to the GOOF neighborhood, d’Alba boasts an attractive backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs and Adirondack chairs encircling a community fire pit. 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:

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 charcuterie board. 

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

Also featured in:

Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

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Located in the heart of River Oaks District, the expansive patio at Toulouse spills into the main courtyard, where 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 icing on the cake.

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

Musaafer

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With its palatial design and décor, Musaafer is arguably one of Houston’s grandest restaurants, and it offers a majestic patio to match. The second-level terrace, which looks out at Westheimer and the buzzy Galleria area below, is lined with cabana-like seating areas and decked out with brightly-colored cushions and sheer white drapes.

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 242-8087
(713) 242-8087

Also featured in:

Tiny Boxwoods

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With its lush grounds 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:

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 6:30 pm or during weekend brunch starting at 11:30 am and enjoy live jazz along with dishes like Tennessee hot duck and fried green tomatoes.

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

Also featured in:

Casa Nomad

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The latest addition to M-K-T Heights 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 tuna crudo tostadas, skirt steak with salsa matcha, and coconut panna cotta. With only 28 seats in total, Casa Nomad is the hottest patio ticket in town.

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

Hungry's

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This decades-old restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous patio featuring 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 the 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:

Ostia

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At chef Travis McShane’s buzzy neighborhood gem, guests can choose to dine on the open-air patio or the equally charming greenhouse. Be sure to order the roasted chicken with salsa verde.

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

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.

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

Also featured in:

Brasserie 19

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This River Oaks bistro is as much a see-and-be-seen destination today as it ever has been, and the most sought-after seating is on the restaurant’s dog-friendly front patio overlooking the palm tree-lined street. Take in the sights and sounds of the River Oaks shopping center while noshing on steak tartare, pomme frites, and escargot.

1962 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 524-1919
(713) 524-1919

Also featured in:

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Monkey's Tail

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Since opening in 2019, this Lindale Park hangout has jazzed up its 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:

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:

Gratify

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Rice Village is home to patio restaurants galore, and Gratify is a standout among them. The newest addition to hit Morningside Drive, 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:

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 which 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:

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:

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. Catch their happy hour, hosted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and their special bar bites menu until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

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

Also featured in:

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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

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

Backstreet Cafe

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

A Houston institution both for its diverse menu by Hugo Ortega and 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. The restaurant is currently closed for repairs and opening in early February.

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

d'Alba

3715 Alba Rd, Houston, TX 77018

A newish addition to the GOOF neighborhood, d’Alba boasts an attractive backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs and Adirondack chairs encircling a community fire pit. 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

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 charcuterie board. 

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

Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

4444 Westheimer Rd Ste E 100, Houston, TX 77027

Located in the heart of River Oaks District, the expansive patio at Toulouse spills into the main courtyard, where 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 icing on the cake.

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

Musaafer

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056

With its palatial design and décor, Musaafer is arguably one of Houston’s grandest restaurants, and it offers a majestic patio to match. The second-level terrace, which looks out at Westheimer and the buzzy Galleria area below, is lined with cabana-like seating areas and decked out with brightly-colored cushions and sheer white drapes.

5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 242-8087
(713) 242-8087

Tiny Boxwoods

3614 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027

With its lush grounds 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

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 6:30 pm or during weekend brunch starting at 11:30 am and enjoy live jazz along with dishes like Tennessee hot duck and fried green tomatoes.

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

Casa Nomad

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

The latest addition to M-K-T Heights 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 tuna crudo tostadas, skirt steak with salsa matcha, and coconut panna cotta. With only 28 seats in total, Casa Nomad is the hottest patio ticket in town.

600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 499, Houston, TX 77007

Hungry's

2356 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005

This decades-old restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous patio featuring 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 the evenings reel in the crowds for long, wine-fueled dinners.

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

Ostia

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006

At chef Travis McShane’s buzzy neighborhood gem, guests can choose to dine on the open-air patio or the equally charming greenhouse. Be sure to order the roasted chicken with salsa verde.

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 324-9288
(713) 324-9288

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.

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

Brasserie 19

1962 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

This River Oaks bistro is as much a see-and-be-seen destination today as it ever has been, and the most sought-after seating is on the restaurant’s dog-friendly front patio overlooking the palm tree-lined street. Take in the sights and sounds of the River Oaks shopping center while noshing on steak tartare, pomme frites, and escargot.

1962 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 524-1919
(713) 524-1919

Related Maps

Monkey's Tail

5802 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009

Since opening in 2019, this Lindale Park hangout has jazzed up its 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

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

Gratify

5212 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005

Rice Village is home to patio restaurants galore, and Gratify is a standout among them. The newest addition to hit Morningside Drive, 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

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 which 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

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

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. Catch their happy hour, hosted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and their special bar bites menu until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

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

Related Maps