When it comes to restaurants and bars, a patio can be the make-or-break factor.
Especially here in Texas, where bright and shiny (READ: hot as hell) weather is a foregone conclusion for much of the year. Because of these certain realities, Austin boasts an abundance of places where the patio is not just a supplementary feature, it's the main draw of the show. Here are some of our favorite patios in Austin to take a load off and day drink responsibly.
For more outdoor dining ideas, visit our Rooftop Bars and Restaurants page.
______________________________
photo via facebook
3201 E Cesar Chavez St
Nestled right along the Colorado River on Cesar Chavez, you'll find this new spot brought to us by the team behind Armadillo Den. Enjoy good views and some good booze at their little sister bar, Dainty Dillo, where you can experience live music, 7 fire pits, 13 TVS, and plenty of outdoor seating. They also have a full kitchen, offering apps like mozzarella sticks and fried pickled okra, some sandwiches including dang good smash burgers, as well as salads and desserts. We recommend taking a rideshare there as they have a small lot, however there is public parking across the street and valet parking ($9) on the weekends.
______________________________
photo via facebook
3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Brought to us all the way from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico to Lake Austin is beautiful new lakefront bar and restaurant, Quince. Their globally inspired menu features everything from sushi and steaks to cheese fries and braised short rib hummus. This upscale spot is perfect for date night with a good view or drinks with friends. You can make a reservation here.
______________________________
photo via instagram
4204 Menchaca Rd
3504 Montopolis Dr
Everyday from morning to night, you can enjoy the patio at either Radio location. Order a coffee and work remotely, or come a bit later in the day for cocktails and some food truck grub. At Radio East you can order from Side Eye Pie, Veracruz All Natural, Shortwave Diner, and at the south location you can choose between Dee Dee, Shortwave Diner, Veracruz, and Briscuits. But if you're anything like us, just get a little snack from all the trucks or divide and conquer with your friends so you don't have to make the hard choice of just one.
______________________________
photo via facebook
2115 S Lamar Blvd
One of our favorite spots on South Lamar (and conveniently/dangerously located a stone's throw from our office) is the Asian smokehouse collaboration between Austin chefs Tyson Cole (Uchi) and Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue). The result is nothing short of excellence, with a menu ranging from Char Siew Pork Belly with Hoisin sauce to a Crispy Szechuan Tofu rice bowl. Their patio is a can't-miss all year round, with ample seating, misters when it's hot, lamps when it's dark, and heat when it's cold.
__________________________________
photo via facebook
10106 Menchaca Rd
Next time you're wanting to soak up some sun while enjoying a cold beer, stop by Armadillo Den in South Austin. They have a HUGE patio perfect for listening to live music or watching a game. They also have food trucks, tons of yard games, and even axe throwing.
__________________________________
10201 Jollyville Rd
If you've been sleeping on Manuel's, it's time to wake up. Much of Manuel's food repertoire is sourced from the interior and coastal mountainous regions of Mexico, making for a menu that's quite a bit more adventurous than the standard Tex-Mex fare that their name might imply. Yucatán and other Gulf influences are all over the menu at Manuel's, which serves to further diversify an already impressive array of choices. They also happen to have one of the best patios in the entire city. This massive, sprawling patio features tons of seating, big beautiful trees, and even a waterfall to stare at while you eat.
__________________________________
photo via Lustre Pearl East
114 Linden St
Decidedly more laid back than its rowdier Rainey Street progenitor, Lustre Pearl East is nonetheless a great place for an evening of drinks on their palatial outdoor patio. Fair warning, expect to get sucked into a seemingly never-ending game at their patio ping pong table if you're at all competitive.
photo via A taste of Koko
4710 East 5th
Justine's, (and by extension their elegant patio), is the kind of place where you can sip vintage champagne and snack on Escargots à la Bourguignonne, all while wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. That is to say, it's a prime-time example of what makes living in Austin, Texas awesome.
900 Red River St.
Possessing what is (arguably) the best outdoor patio on Red River, the one thing you’ll always find at Cheer Ups is a great time. From themed dance nights to far-out live shows on their outside stage, Cheer Up Charlies is a place for everyone. Their massive outside limestone wall creates a unique backdrop for performances and lighting, and ample seating ensures that you'll never be stuck searching for a place to rest your legs.
Photo via With Shayda
1704 E 5th St
There's a good reason that Yellow Jacket's phenomenal patio is packed with people so many days and nights of the week: they know what they're doing. Complete with bearded bartenders, taxidermy galore, and picnic tables adorned with punk poetry, Yellow Jacket Social Club is often stated as one of the best dive bars on the East Side. It's not typical to find a bar so consistently rowdy with food this exceptional. Yellow Jacket's charcuterie plate is the perfect thing to order between friends (and between drinks) while sitting comfortably at one of the best patios in Austin.
______________________________
photo via Kitty Cohen's
2211 Webberville Rd
Kitty Cohen's is named after a fictional, idealized version of a Palm Beach gypsy-type, but the bar's amazing patio is very much rooted in reality. From the beach umbrellas to the grass-A stairs and wading pool, everything about Kitty Cohen's is 70s cool. Grab one of their delicious frosé cocktails and grab a patio seat for the best results.
photo via Yard Bar
6700 Burnet Road
You know what sucks? Having to leave your pupper at home because the patio of your choice doesn't allow dogs. You and your best friend should be able to hang out on a patio together; that's exactly where Yard Bar comes in. This Burnet Road hangout has cold beers, food, and treats for your pup. Dogs are people too, so head on over to Yard Bar and enjoy the day together.
photo via Irene's
506 West Ave
We've already gone on record with our admiration for Irene's badass bathroom, but their enormous patio is worthy of note as well. The first thing that sticks out about Irene's backyard patio is that it is really nice, man. Observe the bountiful tables and efficiently placed fans. Like every other observable facet of Irene's, this was clearly a well-thought-out labor of love.
Photo via @lavolb
6507 Circle S Rd.
Managed by long-time veterans of the Austin bar scene, The Little Darlin' has conclusively proven its worth to the South Austin bar scene in multiple ways. Beyond offering a substantial array of delicious food and drink, this watering hole offers horseshoes, washers, darts, pool tables, and yes, a big, beautiful backyard patio. Take a look and you'll see that there's nothin' little about it.
photo via Hula Hut Facebook
3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Is there any Austin patio more consistently underrated than Hula Hut? It has everything a good patio needs: shade, good airflow, and a fantastic view. Located dutifully for the past two decades on the banks of beautiful Lake Austin, the Hawaiian-themed Hula Hut isn't exactly the hippest choice for a patio, but hey, are you trying to be cool or stay cool?
photo via Keep Austin Caffeinated
2050 South Lamar Blvd
Hey, what if you're in search of a tree-covered patio to drink a cup of strong coffee at? Opa! should pop into your brain, exclamation point included. A family-owned South Austin staple for many years now, Opa! is an ideal place to hang your hat and decompress for a while. Plus, as their name suggests, they have wine for when you want to really decompress.
PHOTO via Odd duck facebook
1201 S Lamar Blvd
Odd Duck offers an upscale selection of quality farm-to-table eats on their seasonally rotating menu. The patio provides a good balance of shade and greenery to shield patrons from the harsh Texan heat. Don't leave without trying one of their inventive cocktails!
Photo via Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Scholz Garten is the oldest bar and live music venue in Texas and proceeds to be one of the main spots for people to spend time and drink in the biergarten and enjoy some sweet tunes from local musicians. The Texas legislature (yes, it’s that serious) even recognized Scholz for “epitomizing the finest tradition of magnificent German heritage in our State.”
Photo via Batch
3220 Manor Rd
This family-owned Kolache bakery, taproom, and craft beer shop has a variety of beers curated from both local and international breweries and domestic craft beer available. Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches offers plenty of outdoor seating and a dog-friendly space on their patio.
photo by roger ho
606 Trinity St
Iron Cactus has one of the most famous rooftop patios in Austin. It's located in the middle of Sixth Street mayhem, but its position above the street makes it a great escape. Post up with one of this Mexican restaurant & bar's many specialty margaritas and people-watch to your heart's content.
__________________________________
OTHER GREAT PATIOS IN AUSTIN:
3901 Promontory Point Dr
1703 S 1st St
10212 Manchaca Rd
613 W 6th St
715 W 6th St
909 N Lamar Blvd
3501 E 7th St
2307 Manor Rd
2911 San Jacinto Blvd
1016 E 6th St
1011 S Congress Ave
1400 S Congress Ave
121 Pickle Rd
1300 E 4th St
3235 E Cesar Chavez St
2613 S Lamar Blvd
1412 S Congress Ave
406 Walsh St
Various Locations
11721 Rock Rose Ste #100
Did we miss your favorite patio?
Let's fix that.
