Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Grand Rapids / Western Michigan

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Grand Rapids / Western Michigan? 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!

Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (1190)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

Coast 236 takes reservations for tables of 1-6 guests only. Sorry, service animals only.

TABLES CAN ONLY BE HELD FOR 15 MINUTES FROM ORIGINAL RESERVATION TIME.

Every coastline brings with it an air of freshness and wonder, an inspiration in every ebb and flow. Coasts can be recognizable and new … predictably unpredictable in a way that can surprise or delight. But no matter the geography, there is a familiarity and a connection. At Coast 236, the rhythm of familiarity and freshness is our inspiration. Sourcing meaningful ingredients from water and land, we passionately craft approachable coastal inspired fare with unexpected details.

Top review

James

Dined 2 days ago

Overall excellent. Some unique preparations. Steak Tartare especially notable

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Brewster’s New Buffalo

4.8

4.8 (2069)

$30 and under

Italian

New Buffalo

About the restaurant

A beautiful, locally owned restaurant located in downtown New Buffalo, Michigan; Brewster’s New Buffalo puts a modern twist on traditional Italian fare. Our Chef uses a wide variety of fresh, innovative ingredients to create dishes. Our sommelier and bar manager take pride in curating the finest selection of liquor, beer and wine, including wonderful locally and Michigan made specialties.

We are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner every day, all year round! (Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)

We look forward to having you as our guests!

Top review

Dan

Dined 5 days ago

My wife and I have been coming here for years. The food and service is always outstanding. We were here to celebrate my wife's birthday along with our daughter. We had the dinner for two and our daughter ordered separately. We all had the same entre. The Roma, tri-colored tortellini. Always a favorite. We also shared a pizza. Pesto base with sausage and gorgonzola. A chocolate chunk, macadamia, and coconut cookie for dessert. Also, a great cup coffee. We fully recommend Brewster's as a wonderful place to enjoy a great meal.

The Fields of Michigan

4.8

4.8 (56)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

South Haven

About the restaurant

The Fields Supper Club is culinary magic as chef/sommelier Mindy Trafman offers a 4-course menu paired with a gorgeous landscape amid our blueberry field. Gather at the communal table + connect with nature while sharing a delicious meal with new friends. Share a sense of place + community with each bite as we incorporate fresh garden + local farm ingredients into your experience. May - Mid-September, dinner is served Friday-Tuesday at 6:30 pm. Mid-September-October, dinner is offered on Friday + Saturday only. The dinner price is $65 pp plus tax, gratuity, + beverage, + the menu focuses on fish and local vegetables. Saturday, we serve a more elaborate dinner menu at $85 pp plus tax, gratuity, + beverage. Reservations are required. No substitutions. Please note vegetarian requests on your reservation. Please park in the front parking lot + walk straight up the blueberry fields to get to our table. Bring a basket to pick some blueberries as you return to your car.

Top review

Richard

Dined on Aug 26, 2024

Ol friends connected here from Chicago, Indiana, and Grand Rapids. We loved the venue!! The service was impeccable. Very tasty menu with many local feels. The peach’s , local wine, and trout were all very good. Picked blueberries on the way back to our car. A fun reunion for us in a unique setting!

The Cottage at Wicks

4.8

4.8 (13)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Saugatuck

About the restaurant

A Cocktail Bar and Intimate Event Venue based in Saugatuck, MI. The Cottage offers a unique ambiance combining modern amenities with vintage flare.
Indoor and Outdoor Seating Available.
A large outdoor patio that turns into a winter wonderland with our Igloo Rentals.
Fresh Small Bites:
-Charcuterie Board
-Filet Sliders
-Mediterranean Plate
-Garlic Shrimp
-Cobbler of the Season
-And Many More!
Gluten Free and Vegetarian Options available.

Top review

Jim

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Limited small plates, good drinks, fantastic ambiance. Outdoor patio on a summer night was terrific. Best for couples, small groups for a before-dinner reservation or a small bite and a visit with friends.

The Lake House

4.7

4.7 (265)

$31 to $50

American

Muskegon

About the restaurant

At the Lake House, we’re short on formalities and big on making you feel comfortable. Stop by for an easy lunch on the deck with blue skies and a cool breeze. Linger over a romantic dinner and drinks in the warm glow of our fireplace. Enjoy the view of a snow-covered lake. Whether you’re with your boss or your best friend, you’re going to have a wonderful time, every time, at the Lake House. Around here, people love the water. When you take a look at the Lake House, this becomes abundantly clear (our location on the marina is no accident). Naturally, we have gorgeous views of the lake. And when the weather is good and enticing, we have an ample bar and deck outside where you can enjoy the breeze - and shoot the breeze with an al fresco lunch or dinner. We’ve even built this attitude into our bar: while it starts out inside, it ends up outside closer to the water. Come see for yourself.

Top review

Lucy

Dined 5 days ago

We truly enjoyed celebrating our anniversary at Lake House and would recommend it to anyone looking for a wonderful, fine dining experience.

Bay Pointe Bar & Grille

4.6

4.6 (923)

$31 to $50

American

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

We have all the ingredients necessary to delight your inner foodie. Chef Todd VanWieren has crafter the perfect menu brimming with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients-all paired with top wines and a seasonal handcrafted cocktail menu! Simple, really-it's just good food, good drink, with a view you can't beat.

**PLEASE NOTE**: We DO NOT accept reservations for our outdoor seating area, or for our Waterfront Room. They are seated on a first-come, first served basis. A reservation with us does not guarantee we will have a patio table or Waterfront Room table available for you upon arrival. We ask that you keep your party's visit to 2 hours or less when seated on our Patio. Requests will only be honored on a first come-first served basis.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Limited menu, a little slow on delivery and follow up after serving. Great ambiance overlooking a large lake. Outside dining. A wonderful site for any special occasion.

jdek at Margaux

4.4

4.4 (285)

$30 and under

French

Grand Rapids

About the restaurant

Nestled on the Grand River, Jdek offers a refreshing and sophisticated outdoor oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Grand Rapids. Sip on craft cocktails expertly crafted by our talented mixologists, or indulge in our delicious menu of elevated bar bites and seasonal dishes.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 26, 2024

Great food and atmosphere. The live music inside was a nice touch. The outdoor seating is nice, but quite hot in the summer.

Smuggler's at North Shore

4.4

4.4 (161)

$30 and under

American

Newaygo

About the restaurant

Smuggler's at North Shore is a modern & casual dockside eatery featuring a broad, classic American-style menu, with home-made favorites ranging from classic steak & seafood dishes, to pasta, wood-fired pizza, and pub grub. Also, we offer a signature cocktail menu spotlighting all-Michigan-based distillers, a range of draught beer options, a casual-to-fine wine selection, and slushie options.

Top review

Lauravip

Dined on Sep 5, 2024

Shauna was the best server yet! Our guests enjoyed it too.

Farmhouse Kitchen & Market

4.4

4.4 (108)

$31 to $50

American

Shelby

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Amy

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious drinks and really good food! We will definitely be back!

Plank's Tavern

4.3

4.3 (1152)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Saint Joseph

About the restaurant

Plank's Tavern on the Water is on one of the oldest harbors in the Great lakes.
Its approachable modern menu, home-style seating, and waterfront location takes inspiration from the place it's in, the people who live here, and the past it comes from.

We offer indoor and outdoor seating, outdoor seating is available on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved. although every effort will be made to accommodate your seating preferences.

Join us in a place where everyone is welcomed!

Top review

ang1278vip

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Came for brunch on vacation. The vanilla bean crepes were amazing! My mom loved her avocado toast. We ate outside on the patio. Not inexpensive but we really enjoyed our meal.

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