clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

11 Houston Bars With Epic Drag Shows

Houston’s 18 Essential LGBTQ Bars

The 19 Hottest New Restaurants in Houston, June 2023

More in Houston See more maps
Gilhooley's
Gilhooley's
Photos: Gary Wise

The 10 Best Patios Outside the Loop, According to You

by Darla Guillen
View as Map
Gilhooley's
| Photos: Gary Wise
by Darla Guillen

While temps are bearable and oppressive summer heat is still months away, now is the time to enjoy Houston's best patios. Recently, Eater assembled a list of local places with great spaces to enjoy food and drinks outside, and a commenter inspired us to take a look beyond Houston proper. (Check out the other map here.) So, we asked readers to share: What are the best restaurant patios outside the Loop? Here is the narrowed down list of answers according to the readers. If there are any places you think should be added to this list, shoot us a message.

· The Best Places to Eat & Drink Outside in Houston [-EHOU-]
· All Eater Maps [-EHOU-]

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

The Shack

Copy Link
This Cypress eatery has a no-frills patio that makes you feel like you're in the Hill Country, and it serves up sky-high burgers with a good selection of beer.
16602 Cypress Rosehill Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill

Copy Link
Considering that owner Robert White also owns Sugar Land spot Guru Burgers & Crepes as well as Jupiter Pizza & Waffles, both well known for their respectable craft beer selections, you can guess that White's Japaneiro's also carries a solid selection of brews. A cold pint and some sushi and light Latin tapas make this patio a great spot to visit in Sugar Land.
2168 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 242-1121
(281) 242-1121

Gilhooley's

Copy Link
With cool water temps, this oyster season offered up some plump bivalves. The Dickinson oyster bar is renowned for its laid-back vibe, great seafood and no-children-allowed patio. It's also way outside the Loop, just barely making the cut.
222 9th Street, Dickinson, TX 77539

Plonk! Beer & Wine Bistro

Copy Link
Located right outside the Loop, this place made its mark with high-end burgers, pizza and an extensive selection of great wine. Chef Erin Smith gained popularity for her days as the chef here, and the place is still going strong, with a patio that often sees live music and a nice crowd.
1214 W 43rd St, #100, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 290-1070
(713) 290-1070

Also featured in:

Straits Restaurant

Copy Link
This patio is on a green lawn that often gets a little busy and a little loud; still, the lounge area is comfortable and the people-watching is hard to top. Head there for happy hour and find some nice deals on cocktails and tuna tartare.
800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 695-9922
(713) 695-9922

Also featured in:

Corkscrew BBQ

Copy Link
This Essential 38 spot in Spring is a great place to head for some of the best 'cue in town. According to a reader who suggested it, the "picnic tables make it really relaxed." And the BYOB policy doesn't hurt, but the lines outside the truck do tend to get long.
24930 Budde Rd., Spring, TX 77380
(832) 592-1184
(832) 592-1184

Also featured in:

Urban Kitchen

Copy Link
A reader tells us that "Urban Kitchen is the only restaurant located in its shopping center with a large outside patio." They offer a Sunday brunch and Americana classics with plenty of Southern comfort items, like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits.
14008 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-7550
(281) 531-7550

Jonathan's The Rub

Copy Link
Head here for a nice, low-key covered patio. We're told "the best part of the patio is that the restaurant is BYOB." The next location will be opening sometime this fall and will also have a patio.
9061 Gaylord Dr, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 465-8200
(713) 465-8200

Also featured in:

Cafe Adobe Baybrook

Copy Link
A reader shares that this new location offers the same margarita flights that have made other Cafe Adobe outposts so popular. Have some Tex-Mex on the covered patio that's prepped with big fans for impending rising temps.
1330 W Bay Area Blvd, Friendswood, TX
(281) 461-1468
(281) 461-1468

BLU Restaurant & Lounge

Copy Link
This Euro-Asian place merges a nightclub-lounge with a full-service restaurant. A good selection of craft beer and tasty cocktails make this patio an appealing choice.
2248 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 903-7324
(281) 903-7324

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

The Shack

16602 Cypress Rosehill Rd, Cypress, TX 77429
This Cypress eatery has a no-frills patio that makes you feel like you're in the Hill Country, and it serves up sky-high burgers with a good selection of beer.
16602 Cypress Rosehill Rd, Cypress, TX 77429

Japaneiro’s Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill

2168 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Considering that owner Robert White also owns Sugar Land spot Guru Burgers & Crepes as well as Jupiter Pizza & Waffles, both well known for their respectable craft beer selections, you can guess that White's Japaneiro's also carries a solid selection of brews. A cold pint and some sushi and light Latin tapas make this patio a great spot to visit in Sugar Land.
2168 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 242-1121
(281) 242-1121

Gilhooley's

222 9th Street, Dickinson, TX 77539
With cool water temps, this oyster season offered up some plump bivalves. The Dickinson oyster bar is renowned for its laid-back vibe, great seafood and no-children-allowed patio. It's also way outside the Loop, just barely making the cut.
222 9th Street, Dickinson, TX 77539

Plonk! Beer & Wine Bistro

1214 W 43rd St, #100, Houston, TX 77018
Located right outside the Loop, this place made its mark with high-end burgers, pizza and an extensive selection of great wine. Chef Erin Smith gained popularity for her days as the chef here, and the place is still going strong, with a patio that often sees live music and a nice crowd.
1214 W 43rd St, #100, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 290-1070
(713) 290-1070

Straits Restaurant

800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
This patio is on a green lawn that often gets a little busy and a little loud; still, the lounge area is comfortable and the people-watching is hard to top. Head there for happy hour and find some nice deals on cocktails and tuna tartare.
800 Sorella Court, Suite 940, Houston, TX 77024, Houston, TX 77042
(713) 695-9922
(713) 695-9922

Corkscrew BBQ

24930 Budde Rd., Spring, TX 77380
This Essential 38 spot in Spring is a great place to head for some of the best 'cue in town. According to a reader who suggested it, the "picnic tables make it really relaxed." And the BYOB policy doesn't hurt, but the lines outside the truck do tend to get long.
24930 Budde Rd., Spring, TX 77380
(832) 592-1184
(832) 592-1184

Urban Kitchen

14008 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
A reader tells us that "Urban Kitchen is the only restaurant located in its shopping center with a large outside patio." They offer a Sunday brunch and Americana classics with plenty of Southern comfort items, like chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits.
14008 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
(281) 531-7550
(281) 531-7550

Jonathan's The Rub

9061 Gaylord Dr, Houston, TX 77024
Head here for a nice, low-key covered patio. We're told "the best part of the patio is that the restaurant is BYOB." The next location will be opening sometime this fall and will also have a patio.
9061 Gaylord Dr, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 465-8200
(713) 465-8200

Cafe Adobe Baybrook

1330 W Bay Area Blvd, Friendswood, TX
A reader shares that this new location offers the same margarita flights that have made other Cafe Adobe outposts so popular. Have some Tex-Mex on the covered patio that's prepped with big fans for impending rising temps.
1330 W Bay Area Blvd, Friendswood, TX
(281) 461-1468
(281) 461-1468

BLU Restaurant & Lounge

2248 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77479
This Euro-Asian place merges a nightclub-lounge with a full-service restaurant. A good selection of craft beer and tasty cocktails make this patio an appealing choice.
2248 Texas Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 903-7324
(281) 903-7324

Related Maps