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Bayou Heights Bier Garten’s patio, which features ample patio tables and seating outdoors.
These patios are perfect for keeping it cool.
Dustyn Zenner

Houston Patios Perfect for Dining and Drinking Al Fresco

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

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These patios are perfect for keeping it cool.
| Dustyn Zenner

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.

Whether in search of sweeping skyline views or a no-frills hideaway with picnic tables to gather around and down beer and tacos, here are 21 options for perfect Houston patios to dine and drink al fresco.

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Postino Woodlands

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One of the newer additions to Hughes Landing offers a quaint outdoor hangout spot with an indoor-outdoor bar area, string lighting, patio tables with umbrellas, and a fireplace for when the weather gets crisp. Go with a group and split a bruschetta or charcuterie board, and take advantage of Postino’s daily happy hour, when glasses of wine and pitchers of beer are $6 until 5 p.m.

bruschetta and red wine from Postino Wine Cafe. Postino

A beloved neighborhood gem with locations in Garden Oaks and Midtown, d’Alba boasts a charming backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs, picnic tables, a children’s play area, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit. In addition to craft cocktails, wine, and beer, the restaurant features provisions like Gulf oysters and 12-inch wood-fired pies, plus a lively weekend brunch. 

Rainbow Lodge

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Rainbow Lodge has been the site of countless special events and celebrations, and for good reason. The stunning property, situated on the banks of White Oak Bayou, boasts breathtaking views from both inside the restaurant, which is housed in a more than 100-year-old cabin, and from its sprawling outdoor oasis. Explore the menu of wild game and seafood, and then explore the grounds.

The exterior of Rainbow Lodge with a sprawling outdoor terrace.
Rainbow Lodge is a restaurant housed in a more than 100-year-old cabin.
Jerry Smith

Best Regards

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The neatly appointed wraparound patio at Best Regards is one of the main draws of this sceney new Heights hangout. The Wolf of 11th Street cocktail is a nod to the bar’s address and crafted with Hoja Santa Sous Vide Tequilla, cantaloupe, honey cilantro syrup, ancho verde, and rimmed with black salt, while a slew of coffee-fueled cocktails are prepared in collaboration with locally-owned Tenfold Coffee.

Cocktail lounge Best Regards’ outdoor patio is decorated with string lights and greenery.
Best Regards offers a vibey patio to unwind.
Becca Wright

EZ's Liquor Lounge

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As its name suggests, this Heights haunt is a fine place to take it easy, and on epic weather days, seating on the patio is a prime choice. Outfitted with shades and heaters, the patio is comfortable and casual, and hearty snacks like chili pies and hot dogs are satisfying when paired with a Hillbilly High Ball or a dulce de leche Old Fashioned. As an added perk, EZ’s sister restaurant Coltivare is located just next door, and its quaint backyard garden serves as a charming backdrop for outdoor dining.

People sit outside on a heated patio at EZ’s Liquor Lounge.
The patio at EZ’s Liquor Lounge is perfect for any weather.
Mikah Danae

Daily Gather

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People-watching, cocktails, and farm fresh dishes abound at this family-friendly CITYCENTRE restaurant. Daily Gather’s patio, which is equipped with heaters in the cooler months, overlooks the buzzy development’s main plaza, which means diners get a front-row seat to the bounty of outdoor festivities featured in the fall, including live music on the lawn.

Daily Gather’s patio, which is outfitted with a variety of seating and tables.
Daily Gather.
Claudia Casbarian

Bayou Heights Bier Garten

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This Heights hangout is multi-dimensional, with an on-site coffee bar that pours up delicious cortados and affogatos, a cocktail bar, and an on-site kitchen that dishes out barbecue plates and delicious sandwiches. Best of all, you can enjoy every aspect of Bayou Heights on its outdoor patio, which is outfitted with TVs perfect for game days. If things get too loud, you can always dip into one of the bars or the coffee shop for a reprieve.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

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This eclectic Sixth Ward bar with a quirky name boasts a patio that faces out to Washington Avenue, making it hard to miss. Explore the cocktail menu which showcases out-of-the-box choices like a Pickletini and a black Lemon Drop martini made with charcoal. Stay to eat — Betelgeuse Betelgeuse slings iron-clad pizzas, plus pizzeria essentials like salads, buffalo wings, and hot Italian sandwiches.

A person takes a slice of pizza from pans of pizza on Betelgeuse Betelgeuse’s patio.
Enjoy cocktails and cheesy slices of pizza on Betelgeuse Betelgeuse’s patio.
Lindsey Cooper

Nestled high along Buffalo Bayou, Flora feels like an urban treehouse where guests can bask in the views of their natural surroundings. The large covered patio is bedecked with string lights and is a comfortable place to feast on sopecitos, guacamole, cricket salt-rimmed margaritas, and more, with friends.

Verde Garden

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Adhering to its name, Verde Garden offers a lush patio with garden vibes suitable for drinking and dining al fresco. The menu leans into Tex-Mex classics like tacos, tortas, ceviche, and enchiladas, with a sophisticated beverage program that includes 12 frozen margaritas, more than 250 Mexican spirits, and over 40 beers on tap.

Backstreet Cafe

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Celebrating its milestone 40th anniversary this year, Backstreet Cafe is a Houston institution Helmed by chef Hugo Ortego who creates a diverse menu, the River Oaks restaurant is also known for its unique dining space inside a 1930s-era home, which offers the quintessential outdoor patio. A sunken courtyard showcases tables peppered across two levels surrounding a live oak tree. On excellent weather days, outdoor seating is highly sought after — luckily, the restaurant offers a number of tables on its front patio, too.

Balboa Surf Club

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Newly opened in Post Oak Plaza opposite its sister restaurant Il Bracco, Balboa Surf Club is a sceney seafood destination with a 1,200-square-foot patio that runs along Post Oak Boulevard. Various seating options allow guests to dine al fresco or lounge over cocktails around a hand-poured concrete fire pit. The sound of water from a 60-foot, infinity-edged fountain is the icing on the (crab)cake.

Eight Row Flint East

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One of the most attractive features of Eight Row Flint’s new East End location is its rooftop patio with views of Downtown. Enjoy tapas-style dishes like its elote ribs and pork belly and octopus tacos, inspired by the chef’s visit to Oaxaca, and choose from a variety of frozen bevs. During this fall’s football season, the bar offers game day specials on weekends, like $12 pitchers of Lonestar and $10 sheet pan nachos.

The Annie Cafe & Bar

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The Annie’s dual-level patio perched high above Post Oak Boulevard is a welcome 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. Weekend brunch is an especially festive time on the patio, during which guests kick back with mimosas and savor specialties like brioche French toast and filet benedict.

The covered patio with white tablecloth tables and trees.
The Annie’s boxwood-lined patio is a favorite for weekend brunch.
Jenn Duncan

Reset Rooftop Bar

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Conservatory 2.0 has arrived in Midtown, and with it comes the launch of Reset Rooftop Bar, a festive outdoor space where visitors can gather over drinks and hookah. With a revolving line up of live DJs and weekend drink specials, Reset fits right in with the neighborhood’s amplified nightlife scene.

Reset’s patio outfitted with couches and a pergola lined with greenery.
At Reset, diners get a patio and a rooftop experience in one.
Abante Photography

Newly opened at the Montrose Collective, this Italian chophouse boasts a large covered, wraparound patio lined with planters, where guests can take in the views of the retail development’s buzzy surroundings. Visit during happy hour when East Coast oysters and a variety of bar bites are on special, and enjoy live music from a pianist who performs in the bar.

Two rows of table on the covered patio at Marmo.
Marmo’s large covered patio at the Montrose Collective.
Alex Montoya

Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

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With prime real estate at the center of River Oaks District, Toulouse’s patio is reminiscent of the alfresco dining and drinking options found in Europe. Seating spills into the main courtyard, where diners can take in all of the ritzy retail center action from their table, while sipping wine and snacking on butter-drenched escargot. Live music on weekends is the icing on the cake.

Musaafer

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Like its various themed dining rooms, Musaafer’s large covered terrace offers a particularly unique space in which to dine. Bar seats and high-top tables are situated around a large outdoor bar, plus a row of tables enclosed by white linen drapes give guests a place to lounge. Pair one of the famed G&Ts with tuna chaat, and allow yourself to mentally escape to the majestic palaces of India.

Covered outdoor terrace with yellow barstools and hightop tables.
Musaafer’s palatial terrace sits high above Westheimer.
Julie Soefer

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. 

Axelrad Beer Garden

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There is no shortage of space for guests to chill out on Axelrad’s open-air patio, which spans 12,000-square foot and features picnic tables and a colorful hammock grove. The eclectic space serves as both a beer garden with sculptures and art installations, and a community events space showcasing live music and film screenings. Take advantage of drink specials during the bar’s extended happy hour, from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

People sit in hammocks in Axelrad Beer Garden at night while watching live music on its stage.
Day or night, Axelrad’s patio is the place to be.
Axelrad Beer Garden

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 Big Vibe Hospitality boasts a covered wraparound patio with dining tables and comfortable lounge seating overlooking a community green space. As a bonus, Gratify is one of the few places in town that offers its brunch menu daily, making it a great place to kick back with mimosas, caviar and chips, and a sinfully indulgent crème brûlée French toast.

Hungry's

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This iconic Houston restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous, family-friendly patio that’s equipped with heaters, fans, large tables, and enjoyable 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.

The exterior of Hungry’s restaurant at dusk.
Hungry’s patio has long been a favorite in Rice Village.
Julie Soefer

Postino Woodlands

One of the newer additions to Hughes Landing offers a quaint outdoor hangout spot with an indoor-outdoor bar area, string lighting, patio tables with umbrellas, and a fireplace for when the weather gets crisp. Go with a group and split a bruschetta or charcuterie board, and take advantage of Postino’s daily happy hour, when glasses of wine and pitchers of beer are $6 until 5 p.m.

bruschetta and red wine from Postino Wine Cafe. Postino

d'Alba

A beloved neighborhood gem with locations in Garden Oaks and Midtown, d’Alba boasts a charming backyard-style patio, complete with flat-screen TVs, picnic tables, a children’s play area, and Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit. In addition to craft cocktails, wine, and beer, the restaurant features provisions like Gulf oysters and 12-inch wood-fired pies, plus a lively weekend brunch. 

Rainbow Lodge

Rainbow Lodge has been the site of countless special events and celebrations, and for good reason. The stunning property, situated on the banks of White Oak Bayou, boasts breathtaking views from both inside the restaurant, which is housed in a more than 100-year-old cabin, and from its sprawling outdoor oasis. Explore the menu of wild game and seafood, and then explore the grounds.

The exterior of Rainbow Lodge with a sprawling outdoor terrace.
Rainbow Lodge is a restaurant housed in a more than 100-year-old cabin.
Jerry Smith

Best Regards

The neatly appointed wraparound patio at Best Regards is one of the main draws of this sceney new Heights hangout. The Wolf of 11th Street cocktail is a nod to the bar’s address and crafted with Hoja Santa Sous Vide Tequilla, cantaloupe, honey cilantro syrup, ancho verde, and rimmed with black salt, while a slew of coffee-fueled cocktails are prepared in collaboration with locally-owned Tenfold Coffee.

Cocktail lounge Best Regards’ outdoor patio is decorated with string lights and greenery.
Best Regards offers a vibey patio to unwind.
Becca Wright

EZ's Liquor Lounge

As its name suggests, this Heights haunt is a fine place to take it easy, and on epic weather days, seating on the patio is a prime choice. Outfitted with shades and heaters, the patio is comfortable and casual, and hearty snacks like chili pies and hot dogs are satisfying when paired with a Hillbilly High Ball or a dulce de leche Old Fashioned. As an added perk, EZ’s sister restaurant Coltivare is located just next door, and its quaint backyard garden serves as a charming backdrop for outdoor dining.

People sit outside on a heated patio at EZ’s Liquor Lounge.
The patio at EZ’s Liquor Lounge is perfect for any weather.
Mikah Danae

Daily Gather

People-watching, cocktails, and farm fresh dishes abound at this family-friendly CITYCENTRE restaurant. Daily Gather’s patio, which is equipped with heaters in the cooler months, overlooks the buzzy development’s main plaza, which means diners get a front-row seat to the bounty of outdoor festivities featured in the fall, including live music on the lawn.

Daily Gather’s patio, which is outfitted with a variety of seating and tables.
Daily Gather.
Claudia Casbarian

Bayou Heights Bier Garten

This Heights hangout is multi-dimensional, with an on-site coffee bar that pours up delicious cortados and affogatos, a cocktail bar, and an on-site kitchen that dishes out barbecue plates and delicious sandwiches. Best of all, you can enjoy every aspect of Bayou Heights on its outdoor patio, which is outfitted with TVs perfect for game days. If things get too loud, you can always dip into one of the bars or the coffee shop for a reprieve.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

This eclectic Sixth Ward bar with a quirky name boasts a patio that faces out to Washington Avenue, making it hard to miss. Explore the cocktail menu which showcases out-of-the-box choices like a Pickletini and a black Lemon Drop martini made with charcoal. Stay to eat — Betelgeuse Betelgeuse slings iron-clad pizzas, plus pizzeria essentials like salads, buffalo wings, and hot Italian sandwiches.

A person takes a slice of pizza from pans of pizza on Betelgeuse Betelgeuse’s patio.
Enjoy cocktails and cheesy slices of pizza on Betelgeuse Betelgeuse’s patio.
Lindsey Cooper

Flora

Nestled high along Buffalo Bayou, Flora feels like an urban treehouse where guests can bask in the views of their natural surroundings. The large covered patio is bedecked with string lights and is a comfortable place to feast on sopecitos, guacamole, cricket salt-rimmed margaritas, and more, with friends.

Verde Garden

Adhering to its name, Verde Garden offers a lush patio with garden vibes suitable for drinking and dining al fresco. The menu leans into Tex-Mex classics like tacos, tortas, ceviche, and enchiladas, with a sophisticated beverage program that includes 12 frozen margaritas, more than 250 Mexican spirits, and over 40 beers on tap.

Backstreet Cafe

Celebrating its milestone 40th anniversary this year, Backstreet Cafe is a Houston institution Helmed by chef Hugo Ortego who creates a diverse menu, the River Oaks restaurant is also known for its unique dining space inside a 1930s-era home, which offers the quintessential outdoor patio. A sunken courtyard showcases tables peppered across two levels surrounding a live oak tree. On excellent weather days, outdoor seating is highly sought after — luckily, the restaurant offers a number of tables on its front patio, too.

Balboa Surf Club

Newly opened in Post Oak Plaza opposite its sister restaurant Il Bracco, Balboa Surf Club is a sceney seafood destination with a 1,200-square-foot patio that runs along Post Oak Boulevard. Various seating options allow guests to dine al fresco or lounge over cocktails around a hand-poured concrete fire pit. The sound of water from a 60-foot, infinity-edged fountain is the icing on the (crab)cake.

Eight Row Flint East

One of the most attractive features of Eight Row Flint’s new East End location is its rooftop patio with views of Downtown. Enjoy tapas-style dishes like its elote ribs and pork belly and octopus tacos, inspired by the chef’s visit to Oaxaca, and choose from a variety of frozen bevs. During this fall’s football season, the bar offers game day specials on weekends, like $12 pitchers of Lonestar and $10 sheet pan nachos.

The Annie Cafe & Bar

The Annie’s dual-level patio perched high above Post Oak Boulevard is a welcome 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. Weekend brunch is an especially festive time on the patio, during which guests kick back with mimosas and savor specialties like brioche French toast and filet benedict.

The covered patio with white tablecloth tables and trees.
The Annie’s boxwood-lined patio is a favorite for weekend brunch.
Jenn Duncan

Reset Rooftop Bar

Conservatory 2.0 has arrived in Midtown, and with it comes the launch of Reset Rooftop Bar, a festive outdoor space where visitors can gather over drinks and hookah. With a revolving line up of live DJs and weekend drink specials, Reset fits right in with the neighborhood’s amplified nightlife scene.

Reset’s patio outfitted with couches and a pergola lined with greenery.
At Reset, diners get a patio and a rooftop experience in one.
Abante Photography

Related Maps

Marmo

Newly opened at the Montrose Collective, this Italian chophouse boasts a large covered, wraparound patio lined with planters, where guests can take in the views of the retail development’s buzzy surroundings. Visit during happy hour when East Coast oysters and a variety of bar bites are on special, and enjoy live music from a pianist who performs in the bar.

Two rows of table on the covered patio at Marmo.
Marmo’s large covered patio at the Montrose Collective.
Alex Montoya

Toulouse Cafe and Bar River Oaks

With prime real estate at the center of River Oaks District, Toulouse’s patio is reminiscent of the alfresco dining and drinking options found in Europe. Seating spills into the main courtyard, where diners can take in all of the ritzy retail center action from their table, while sipping wine and snacking on butter-drenched escargot. Live music on weekends is the icing on the cake.

Musaafer

Like its various themed dining rooms, Musaafer’s large covered terrace offers a particularly unique space in which to dine. Bar seats and high-top tables are situated around a large outdoor bar, plus a row of tables enclosed by white linen drapes give guests a place to lounge. Pair one of the famed G&Ts with tuna chaat, and allow yourself to mentally escape to the majestic palaces of India.

Covered outdoor terrace with yellow barstools and hightop tables.
Musaafer’s palatial terrace sits high above Westheimer.
Julie Soefer

Tiny Boxwoods

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. 

Axelrad Beer Garden

There is no shortage of space for guests to chill out on Axelrad’s open-air patio, which spans 12,000-square foot and features picnic tables and a colorful hammock grove. The eclectic space serves as both a beer garden with sculptures and art installations, and a community events space showcasing live music and film screenings. Take advantage of drink specials during the bar’s extended happy hour, from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

People sit in hammocks in Axelrad Beer Garden at night while watching live music on its stage.
Day or night, Axelrad’s patio is the place to be.
Axelrad Beer Garden

Gratify

Rice Village is home to patio restaurants galore, and Gratify is a standout among them. This trendy eating and drinking place from Big Vibe Hospitality boasts a covered wraparound patio with dining tables and comfortable lounge seating overlooking a community green space. As a bonus, Gratify is one of the few places in town that offers its brunch menu daily, making it a great place to kick back with mimosas, caviar and chips, and a sinfully indulgent crème brûlée French toast.

Hungry's

This iconic Houston restaurant is a popular stop among Rice Village visitors, namely for its enormous, family-friendly patio that’s equipped with heaters, fans, large tables, and enjoyable 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.

The exterior of Hungry’s restaurant at dusk.
Hungry’s patio has long been a favorite in Rice Village.
Julie Soefer

Related Maps