These 11 Houston restaurants crush the outdoor dining game

The patio at this Rice Village staple is a charming slice of Italy. The covered outdoor space is decked with string lights and leafy vines, making it a go-to for date nights and long meals shared over a bottle of Valpolicella. Roma’s seasonal menu reps Italy’s various regions, with hits like spaghetti carbonara and mussels in white wine. For an outdoor experience to remember, order the fish of the day, which is cooked whole and served tableside.

The century-old cabin that’s home to Rainbow Lodge is a stunner, so it’s only fitting that the restaurant’s multi-leveled patio is just as impressive. The patio’s elevated outdoor tables overlook the banks of White Oak Bayou, where rolling hills add up to one-of-a-kind Houston views. It’s an excellent place to enjoy wild game like a piñon coffee-rubbed grilled elk chop and smoked duck gumbo. Pair your dishes with a cocktail or a bottle of wine from the extensive list for peak getaway vibes.

The atmosphere is decidedly more New Orleans than Houston at the courtyard at Brennan’s, where wrought-iron furniture, white tablecloths, and gas lamp posts set the scene. A burbling courtyard fountain provides a soothing soundtrack as you dig into gumbo and pecan-crusted Gulf fish with a Creole meunière sauce. Reservations are highly recommended for popular weekday lunchtime slots when the business crowd cashes in on one of the best deals in town: 25-cent martinis with the purchase of a main.

Whether you’re here for some of the city’s best wines or just need an excuse to share small plates with friends, the patio at Stella’s Wine Bar is the place to unwind. The stylish open-air space is decorated with solid-oak wine barrels and a 13-foot olive tree. Even though the wine list is extensive, there’s no pretension here—staff will help you navigate nearly 60 wines by the glass, which pair well with charcuterie boards and flatbreads topped with braised short rib or foraged mushrooms.

Brasserie 19 is home to one of Houston’s most see-and-be-seen patios, thanks to its luxe River Oaks shopping center setting. The French brasserie is all about top-notch hors d’oeuvres, attentive service, and an extensive and well-priced wine list. The patio’s sought-after tables are regularly filled with the buzz of diners enjoying caviar and chips or steak tartare and a plate of trout almondine—with a side of some of the city’s best people-watching.

If B.B. Lemon is New York-inspired, then the fully shaded patio sets the scene for a Hamptons party (minus the beach, of course). Channel a summer vacation by sitting in a cane-backed chair and sipping a Pimm’s cup-inspired cocktail. Share plates of blue crab beignets, steak frites, and cheesecake for dessert. Just know that when it comes to an order of the restaurant’s beloved lobster roll—served Maine-style or Connecticut-style—it’s likely everyone for themselves.

Eunice’s outdoor tables feel like hidden gems in the Greenway Plaza area. Those who know book seats under the shade of massive oak trees to tear into small plates like crispy fried oysters and barbecue shrimp tartines. There’s also a popular weekday “Power Lunch” special, a $34 deal that includes a main (like buttermilk chicken with red beans and rice) and a choice of gumbo or salad, plus an iced tea or vodka martini.

La Lucha’s outdoor meals were inspired by chef Ford Fry’s childhood visits to San Jacinto Inn, a well-loved but now-closed seafood and chicken dinner spot. Meals here channel a picnic, whether you’re seated at a romantic table for two or with a group that fills up an entire wooden table. Juicy fried chicken and warm flaky biscuits taste extra good under the shade of an old oak tree. Add attentive service and soft-serve for dessert, and it’s hard to find a more laid-back outdoor dining spot.

The wild natural beauty of Buffalo Bayou meets a lush manicured garden on Brenner’s Steakhouse’s outdoor terrace. Set back from roads and passersby, the restaurant’s layout shelters you from city noise and buildings, bringing an exclusive oasis-like feeling to your meal. The swanky menu fits the setting, with specialties like Akaushi beef ribeye, crispy duck leg confit, and Alaskan king crab legs.

The lively area that surrounds the Montrose Collective was made for people-watching, and the wraparound patio at this all-day kitchen and bar offers an excellent front-row seat. Graffiti Raw’s Californian beach-inspired menu is filled with shareable dishes and best enjoyed under its breezy bamboo umbrellas. Go for a top-tier weeknight happy hour known for fresh-fruit cocktails and bestsellers like cod croquettes and salmon tostaditas.

There are few things better on a hot Houston day than a frosty margarita, especially when it’s sipped on the lively outdoor patio at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. The revitalized East End esplanade is an energetic backdrop for the crowds that gather here for some of the city’s most praised Tex Mex. Regardless of the season, you’ll find Ninfa die-hards under its signature red umbrellas, snacking on tortilla chips and sizzling plates of Mama Ninfa’s famous fajitas.