17 Dallas Patios So Good, You’ll Forget It’s Still Over 90 Degrees Everyday

Twice a year there’s a small sliver of time when Dallasites can enjoy a patio without misters and fans, or huddle next to furnace towers. Now is that time. So get out there and enjoy some al fresco dining.

Below you’ll find our 17 of Dallas’ finest patios, even though there are so many more worthy of mention. This is a mix of new and old, and if you can’t find one of your favorites, check out our rooftop dining list before you throw hands.

Alamo Club

1919 Greenville Ave. The Alamo Club is a Lower Greenville staple with a small patio out front, but that’s just a decoy; head to the larger patio in the back. They have upscale bar bites, and on Wednesdays, happy hour starts at 3 p.m. and lasts until midnight. They’ve got trivia on Wednesdays and bingo on Thursdays. There’s a special late-night menu from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Birdie’s Eastside

6621 E. MockingbirdThis East Dallas restaurant has become a neighborhood favorite and not just because of the great fare and service, a trademark of owner Jon Aleix’s restaurant, which includes The Ramble Room, Escondido and TJ’s Seafood. Birdie’s is also popular for its large outdoor space, where the kids can be kids (be reasonable here, however), and people who are easily annoyed with kids can also have space. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, TVs and a big (but still one-page) menu. There’s flatbreads, game day fare, bowls, wraps and sandwiches. It all goes down easier with some fresh air.

Cafe Madrid

4501 Travis St. Cafe Madrid somehow captures an old-world charm that is impossible to invent and hard to find in these parts. If you can’t book a trip to Spain, come here for authentic Spanish tapas while sipping sangria on the patio. This is not a patio to be “seen” but a place to absorb and relax. Check out the flamenco dances every first Friday.

Chelsea Corner

4830 McKinney Ave. Chelsea Corner has a large climate-controlled patio, with plenty of TVs, astroturf and lounge-ish seating made comfy by plenty of fans and misters (or heaters, when needed). The menus are all seasonal and the energy is always good. Happy hour (Monday – Thursday, 4-6:30 p.m., and Friday, 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.) includes a variety of craft beer for $6 and cocktails for under $9.

Cold Beer Company

3600 Main St. Cold Beer Company just outside of Deep Ellum recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and we consider it one of the most under-the-radar patios in the city. The beer list is large (24 on draft, 36 cans), and a grilled pimento cheese sandwich helps soak it up. It’s no frills here. Just come hang out, have a drink and enjoy yourself. Maybe watch a game. End of Tweet.

Dot’s Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard

2645 Commerce St. This 10,000-square-foot, pooch-friendly place is one of the premier spots in Deep Ellum to enjoy a well-crafted cocktail or a cold brew from the 99-tap menu. The owners of Dot’s Hop House rescued the grill from the old Club Schmitz near Love Field after it closed in 2014, giving the burgers extra grit and character. Get a side of duck-fat cheese fries to go with that burger. Service is consistently on point and the music (which is a mesh of genres, but generally crowd-pleasing) is loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to drown out the riveting conversation from your tablemates – the Goldilocks belt of noise. They host trivia on Mondays, which is nice because Mondays can be so lame.

Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House

1154 Peavy RoadWe’ve told you about the burger here, right? Of course, we have. While they have a cheeseburger that would make Anthony Bourdain proud, the patio here is perfect for their big beer list and stellar playlist. Bring your best-puppy dog here to watch sports under the partially covered covering and feel like a local even when you’re clearly not. Note that Goodfriend is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Service is spot on, and they have a Crunchwrap, Frito Pie and fried pickles.

The Grapevine Bar

2213 Butler St.The patio at the freshly resurrected Grapevine Bar is the platonic ideal of a neighborhood hangout spot, almost like a sitcom set that’s come to life. The area is spacious, with plenty of tables so that you and your core friend group don’t have to hear the background characters’ conversations. There’s both a stage and a basketball court, for endless antics. And finally, the unmistakable neon sign bearing the bar’s name is a perfect marker for your audience to immediately know where you are so you don’t have to work it into your dialogue unnaturally. Central Perk from Friends and McLaren’s Pub from How I Met Your Mother should be afraid.

Ida Claire

5001 Belt Line Road, AddisonWe recently wrote about Ida Claire’s delta-8 cocktails, which we highly recommend. Pair one of those with the easy-breezy patio on a sunny day plus live music on Friday nights, and you’ve got a 5 outta 5 star experience. You can even snag reservations in the Air Stream trailer parked out back; it’s cozy and great for your knitting group. The menu is full of Southern staples like chicken and waffles, hot honey chicken, biscuits, shrimp and grits, and ribs.

Katy Trail Ice House

3127 Routh St.The Katy Trail Ice House is a massive tree-shaded beirgarten along the Katy Trail, which means you can sit there and sip a beer and think about that time you tried jogging. (Coulda thrown a rock further.) A bad time is just not to be had here. Service is so good for such a large space; each section, even on the patio, has its own dedicated server who’s always hanging around while runners (the fun kind) bring food and drinks out. Summer and winter, and every space in between, is fun out there. Got get some fresh air and think about that time you almost ran.

La Reunion

229 Bishop Ave., Bishop ArtsHead down to the Bishop Arts District on any lovely day, and you’ll be charmed by the easy vibes and foot traffic. Pull up a chair at the patio at La Reunion for some true European cafe vibes (if you sorta squint). This cafe and bar is a hangout with digital nomads and remote workers. In the evening, the cafe vibes ease into a neighborhood bar feel. The spot is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. Saturday – Sunday. That’s an all-day cafe.

Libertine

2101 Greenville Ave.This restaurant and bar along Lower Greenville is a snug dark pub inside, but a few years ago they cleared out the parking spaces in front and built a long patio. There’s no place better to sip a dark bar with a little nip in the air and take in the vibe. Did you know Tuesday is steak night at The Libertine? Sure’nuff. Get a steak or burger with a cocktail for $20. Sold! The beer selection is full of local, Texan and European options. Check out the robust scotch and whiskey selections too. We’re fans of the Muenster fries.

Loro

1812 N. Haskell Ave.Have you ever had Loro’s Smokehouse Sampler on the patio of Loro in East Dallas on an amazing day? We have and we give it 10 out of 10 bananas. First of all, the sample is just $25 and comes with three meats and two amazing sides that include the best damn use of cabbage you’ll ever have in your entire life, along with crispy potatoes. The cocktail menu has things you didn’t know you needed like a Vietnamese Coffee slushy with Jim Beam bourbon, cafe du monde adn condensed milk (no, you shut up). The patio has the same clean wooden aestetics of the interior. You won’t want to leave. And maybe you shouldn’t.

The Old Monk

2847 N. Henderson Ave.This small but mighty patio in the Knox-Henderson neighborhood has old bones; it’s been around for more than 25 years. If you prefer to sip on a draught European or Belgian beer while enjoying a formidable burger, The Old Monk is your home. Also here: some of the best fish and chips in the city. It’s within walking distance of two sister pubs: Skellig and Spider Murphy’s, each with its own good patio scene.

Saint Ann’s

2501 N. Harwood St. Saint Ann’s large Harwood District garden space, which was originally a parochial school that opened in 1927. The space is honestly underappreciated. It’s not just a patio but a whole situation, tucked away from the hustle and bustle in the middle of the city. A canopy of beautiful trees and umbrellas provides full sun coverage. Upscale fare matches the elegant space, and reservations are strongly suggested. The menu ranges from burgers to rice-crusted salmon, miso-glazed cod and chicken-fried steak. After your meal, take a stroll and explore the Japanese samurai collection, the largest of its kind outside of Japan. Crazy, huh?

Truck Yard

5624 Sears St.After a $2 million nip and tuck job last year, the Truck Yard is better than ever: additional weather-friendly patio space, fire pits and new bathrooms. Here you can enjoy a beer from Second Rodeo Brewing, whose brew boss, Dennis Wehrmann, comes from a long line of German brewers. The menu keeps things simple with hot dogs and cheesesteaks (some of the best, mind you) and nachos. There are also some food trucks on-site. One thing about this spot: no TVs. Here they prefer you interact with humans.

Uptown Pub

3605 McKinney Ave.If you’re driving up McKinney Avenue on a nice day and see the patio crowd at Uptown Pub, you’ll get big FOMO. They’re always out there having fun in the sun, while you’re trying to adult. But don’t adult. Stop and have a drink. The vibe at this 100-year-old-house-turned-pub is always chill, the beer is cold and the service is friendly. Start your tab at the bar.