Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

4.9

4.9 (306)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Raleigh

About the restaurant

A brewery and full service restaurant serving hand-made pizza and more in Downtown Raleigh. We feature Detroit style pizza on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm until they're gone. We have a full bar featuring inventive cocktails, great wine, cider, non-alcoholic options, and more!

We have several areas for private events and larger gatherings. Reach out to our events team for details: events@trophybrewing.com

Top review

Raul

Dined 2 days ago

Pizza could use a bit more cheese and the lamb was overwhelming in the best dressed pizza❤️

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (137)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

Sam

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

The food was great and the service was excellent overall, however when we arrived the first thing the host told us was that there was another reservation at 8 pm behind us but, “that leaves you plenty of time” (Our reservation was at 6:30 pm for 6 people). This made us feel a bit rushed and the comment felt unnecessary. Managing overbookings is the responsibility of the restaurant not the guest. Our server on the other hand was excellent and never brought up the time and the food was great.

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (3135)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, a locally owned Italian restaurant that has been named one of Raleigh's best by Raleigh Magazine. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, minutes from the Raleigh Convention Center, Mulino offers an authentic dining experience that showcases the rich flavors and traditions of Italy. Guests can enjoy classic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients, perfectly paired with wines from Italy & beyond.

Mulino’s inviting atmosphere includes cozy indoor seating & a beautiful outdoor patio, available on a first-come basis. Mulino can accommodate parties from 2 to 250 guests. For groups of 12 or more, a special large-party menu is available to enhance your dining experience.

Parking is available at 209 N. Dawson Street, 329 N McDowell Street, and streetwise along Lane Street.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, where every meal is crafted with passion and every guest is treated like family.

Top review

Anthony

Dined 1 day ago

This was our first visit to this restaurant and it was fantastic. The food and service were great. Looking forward to visiting again and trying more from their menu.

Kipos Greek Taverna - Chapel Hill

4.7

4.7 (1239)

$30 and under

Greek

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Authentic Greek Taverna. An ode to the recipes of the Bakatsias family. Fresh ingredients right from the garden for brunch & dinner service.

Top review

Mark

Dined 3 days ago

Our party of four was initially seated inside, right by the musician playing wonderful Greek music. It was too loud for us old folks so we asked if we could eat outside. They accommodated us beautifully, and the service was excellent. We opted for a selection of small plates to share. Our server made several very helpful suggestions. We especially enjoyed the calamari, octopus, and braised lamb. We split the walnut cake with yogurt and berries; the perfect finish to a delicious meal.

La Terrazza

4.7

4.7 (538)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Raleigh

About the restaurant

La Terrazza, the newest addition to Umbria Hospitality Group, presents a delightful fusion of southern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by an enchanting city skyline view. With seasonal delicacies, premium ingredients, and market-fresh produce, our menu showcases traditional favorites with innovative flair. Step into our inviting dining space adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, or unwind at one of our two bars – one indoors and the other nestled in a patio enclosure. We aim to whisk you away to a culinary experience like no other. Patio seating is first come first serve for reservations.

Top review

Cassandra

Dined 6 days ago

Food and cocktails were very good, service was great

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Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro

4.6

4.6 (122)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Carolina Brewery is a brewpub located in Pittsboro, North Carolina that specializes in serving craft beers and American pub fare. The restaurant features a lively atmosphere with a full bar, patio and numerous televisions broadcasting sporting events. Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro serves lunch and dinner daily and offers a variety of menu items made using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables and locally raised beef. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, typical pub fare and desserts. Featured entrées at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro include chicken mac and cheese, down East BBQ plate, crab cakes, shrimp and grits and fish and chips.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

Great food and service. Friendly server. My family loves the specials menu. Today we had the chicken soup and burger.

Doc B's Restaurant- Cary

4.6

4.6 (129)

$31 to $50

American

Cary

About the restaurant

Set in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, Doc B's Restaurant serves food made from scratch daily. Incorporating the highest-quality ingredients, the menu includes a variety of "very special” entrees, crave-worthy burgers and sandwiches, signature Wok Out Bowls™, delicious salads, indulgent desserts and so much more. Doc B’s also impresses with an extensive locally curated craft beer offering, wine and spirits selection in addition to signature cocktails. No matter what occasion, the expansive menu truly offers something for everyone. With each location having its own personality, Doc B’s Cary at Fenton offers a large, vibrant outdoor patio with a gorgeous pergola, furnished with heaters, misters and fans so guests can enjoy Fenton Square in all seasons. Finally, the expansive bar with six tv's adjacent to the plush lounge, are perfect for mingling with friends and social gatherings.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 1 day ago

Food was exceptional and our server, Greta was delightful. Perfect Sunday lunch experience, we’ll be back!

Brewery Bhavana - Fenton

4.5

4.5 (60)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Cary

About the restaurant

Our newest location brings the signature Brewery Bhavana experience to Fenton, blending craft beer, dim sum, and a thoughtfully designed space. Flooded with natural light and filled with lush greenery, the setting is anchored by a hand-painted Garden of Eden mural and a canopy of hanging plants.

Located on Lower Garden Lane, the glass-walled dining space offers a warm, verdent atmosphere, while the courtyard provides the perfect spot for a beer in the sun. Enjoy a diverse cocktail program alongside a menu inspired by our Raleigh flagship.

Top review

Mary

Dined 6 days ago

My friend and I had a wonderful lunch at Brewery Bavana in Fenton. The service was excellent. The Dim Sum was fantastic. I love looking at the books, noticing which ones I’ve read and which one’s I’d like to read. I’m excited to go back. I highly recommend Brewery Bavana. My new favorite restaurant!

The Willard

4.4

4.4 (643)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Raleigh

About the restaurant

The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh's Best Rooftop Bar of 2023 & 2024, offers signature craft cocktails and inspired bites with stunning views of downtown Raleigh.

The centerpiece of The Willard is the Large Terrace with panoramic views of the Raleigh skyline and dual-sided fireplace surrounded by comfortable, yet modern, seating. Heaters make our outdoor spaces comfortable year-round. Inside, a 22-seat bar is the focal point of the dining room, while Skyview Boardroom offers a unique dining experience for 6-12 guests.

The Willard’s cocktail menu playfully leans into Raleigh’s nickname as the City of Oaks, offering signature craft cocktails aged in oak barrels and cocktails where smoke is a key ingredient.

The seasonal food menu, crafted by Chef Kyle Teears, includes shareables like papas bravas and charcuterie, as well as salads, Flatbreads, and entrees like the Lamb Burger and Steak Frites.
Located on the 7th floor of the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown in the Glenwood South district.

Top review

Paul

Dined 2 days ago

The view and setting inside was very refreshing on a hot day. The short rib was great, and the burger was what you would hope for. The only charcuterie was little lacking in freshness but was overall still good. A great location for a relaxing lunch.

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Experience

July Brunch

High Rail

4.2

4.2 (82)

$31 to $50

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

High Rail is a vibrant new bar and restaurant in Seaboard Station, downtown Raleigh, offering breathtaking views and a lively atmosphere. Our world-class cocktail program features handcrafted drinks using the freshest ingredients, expertly made by our talented bartenders. Our menu features refined New American style cuisine, to perfectly accompany the stunning views. High Rail is perfect for after work drinks, date night on the terrace, or a celebration with friends.

Top review

RahVIP

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

Awesome experience totally loved it! Would definitely go back!

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