Outdoor dining trends 2025: How restaurants can maximize patio season
Outdoor dining is heating up—and we’ve got the numbers to prove it. More than half (55%) of Americans say they prefer to dine outdoors when the weather is nice.* Translation? Diners are craving patios, and now’s the time to make sure yours stands out.
Whether you’ve got a full courtyard patio or just a few sidewalk tables, here are the outdoor dining trends you need to know—and how to turn your outdoor setup into the spot of the summer.
Gen Z’s love a rooftop
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Gen Z say they prefer rooftop bars when dining outdoors (more than any other age group).* If you have a rooftop or an elevated space with a view, highlight it prominently to attract this experience-driven generation.
What to do:
- Mention rooftops or skyline views in your OpenTable profile and include dynamic photos.
- Promote unique rooftop Experiences or events on social media to draw younger audiences.
- Use dining areas to tell the story of your space: If you’re an OpenTable restaurant, you can make it easier for guests to choose the right seating area for them by defining your dining areas. Give each space a compelling name like “the garden patio” or “quiet lounge” so they know what vibe to expect.
Views win—but vibes keep people in seats
More than three-quarters (77%) of Americans say a table with a water view is their top choice for outdoor dining.* But it’s not just about location—ambiance goes a long way. In fact, 34% say they’ve stayed at an outdoor table even in bad weather.*
What to do:
- Create hybrid spaces that feel open-air but stay comfortable with features like sliding doors, windbreaks, or heaters.
- Think long-term by investing in weather-resistant furniture, slip-proof surfaces, umbrellas, and durable lighting.
Pet-friendly dining could mean more butts in seats
American dog owners enjoy bringing their pets along to restaurants. Over half (54%) say they’ve shared a meal with their furry companion when dining out.* Yet nearly two-thirds (65%) say their biggest challenge is finding pet-welcoming restaurants.* This is an easy win for restaurants with even a modest patio.
What to do:
- Share photos of dogs enjoying your patio on social media—nothing helps build awareness (or gets reshared) like a cute dog.
- Offer simple touches like dog bowls, shaded areas, or leash hooks to improve the guest (and pup) experience.
- Update your OpenTable profile: Make it easy for pet owners to find you in search results by checking the dog-friendly option in your restaurant settings. Go to Menu > Restaurant Profile > Details > Dining Experience and select “dog-friendly.”
Brunch outside = bigger tabs
When guests brunch outside, they tend to stay a little longer (+5%) and spend a little more (+6%), according to OpenTable data.** Whether it’s soaking up the sun or simply settling in for a relaxed weekend morning, outdoor brunch creates an environment where guests are more likely to order another round, try that extra side, or linger over dessert.
What to do:
- Plan for longer table turns and pay attention to OpenTable reporting so you can stay ahead of staffing or seating adjustments.
- Train staff to stay attentive so they can upsell thoughtfully.
- Attract more people to your restaurant during the brunch timeslot by offering an Experience, like a brunch buffet or bottomless mimosas.
Parties of four are eating outside
You don’t need to overhaul your entire floor plan for outdoor dining. OpenTable data shows that while party size of 2 remains the most common for both indoor and outdoor dining, outdoor reservations see a relatively higher share of 4-person parties—especially during popular brunch hours.**
What to do:
- Stick to your current table configurations—indoors and outdoors. Using consistent floor plans helps streamline setup and service.
- Consider adding a few extra 4-person tables outside to accommodate increased demand without disrupting your layout.
Sun-sational cities seeing the biggest outdoor dining boom
Summer is prime time for any restaurant to capitalize on patio season—but if you’re in one of the following cities, you’re especially poised for more outdoor guests. The cities with the largest increase in outdoor seated diners year-over-year are:***
- Austin
- Boston
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New York
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Washington
What to do:
- Use OpenTable’s Notify Me feature to fill your coveted outdoor tables quickly if last-minute cancellations or no-shows occur.
Make the most of the momentum this patio season—a few small changes can lead to bigger checks, happier guests, and more repeat visits all summer long.
*Consumer Research Methodology: An online survey was conducted by Walr among 2,000 US consumers. Minimum quotas have been applied to major cities. Fieldwork took place between Thursday 18th April – Wednesday 23rd April 2025. Data has been collected adhering to MRS (Market Research Society) and ESOMAR guidelines to ensure ethical and accurate data collection.
**OpenTable looked at (seated diners / seated reservations) from online reservations for all active restaurants on the OpenTable platform in US on May 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024. Party size, average spend per person, and turn-times were analyzed and compared between outdoor dining and indoor dining.
***OpenTable looked at seated diners from online reservations for all active restaurants on the OpenTable platform in US from May 1 to August 31, 2024 and ranked by cities (with a minimum of 200k outdoor seated diners) with the highest share of outdoor dining.
