Year-round patio weather makes Dallas-Fort Worth one of the best places to gather with friends for a good time. North Texas patios provide an unbeatable combination of fresh air, fantastic food, and thirst-quenching beverages. As spring temperatures roll in, treat yourself to a mini vacation of sorts on one of these noteworthy patios across the Metroplex.
From old-time favorites to buzzy new spots, you will surely find one that calls your name.
The Mansion Restaurant Terrace
For decades, the Mansion on Turtle Creek has been synonymous with Dallas luxury and flashy wealth. Regardless of what’s in your bank account, however, you can soak up the posh vibes on the beautiful terrace with a fire in the fireplace and string lights in the trees after dark. Or settle in under an umbrella for a little Champagne-fueled day drinking and light bites. 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, rosewoodhotels.com
Saint Ann
Immerse yourself in the garden courtyard at Saint Ann, one of the Hardwood District’s beloved eateries, located in a historic building that formerly housed St. Ann’s Parochial School. With covered and uncovered al fresco spaces, the large patio has the most coveted seats in the neighborhood. Start with charred corn queso before diving into another Texas classic, Ann’s Chicken Fried Steak, smothered in bacon gravy. Sip on a Saint Ann, made with barrel-aged bourbon, Benedictine, vanilla, bitters, sugar, and orange. Pro tip: Reserve a timed-entry slot for the Samurai Collection located upstairs, a free museum dedicated to Samurai culture. 2501 N. Harwood St., Ste. 225, Dallas, saintanndallas.com
Birdie’s Eastside
The transformation of a former Luby’s Cafeteria into one of the liveliest (and largest) patio restaurants in town took a lot of hard work and imagination, and its payoff has been tremendous. The spacious 3,500-square-foot turfed patio, shaded by live oaks, features an indoor and outdoor bar, dining tables, and oversized furniture perfect for lounging. Birdie’s comes from the team behind TJ’s Seafood Market, so don’t pass up food options that once had fins. Start with spicy tuna wonton tacos or a salmon-and-grains bowl bursting with fresh veggies, taro, and quinoa. Try a signature Sauvignon Blanc slushie, which you can score for $7 during Birdie’s weekday happy hour. 6221 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, birdieseastside.com
Emilia’s at The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth
Located in the heart of Fort Worth’s dynamic Cultural District, Emilia’s boasts a beautiful courtyard patio setting that offers a blend of atmosphere, design, and hospitality. The patio offers guests the opportunity to dine under the stars, with the soft glow of a large fireplace and string lights illuminating the area. Now also open for lunch service, the patio cures those mid-day blahs with dishes like Sicilian scallop crudo, the chef’s risotto creation of the day, and a Just in Thyme alcohol-free cocktail, made with Ritual gin alternative, in case you’re headed back to the office. 3300 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, emiliasfortworth.com
Smoky Rose
Live music, fire pits, string lights, and the harmonious sounds of kids and dogs living their best lives are just a few of the things that draw guests to this East Dallas favorite, located across the street from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.Home to “Tex-Que,” where the pitmasters pack meats into an offset smoker before being used in a variety of dishes, Smoky Rose presents a different take on traditional barbecue. Try the smoked jalapeño poppers stuffed with brisket, the Casa Linda Cuban with smoked ham and pulled pork, and the chicken-fried Prime brisket to taste Tex-Que in all its glory. The frozen paloma combines tequila and mango rum with grapefruit for a nice sip-in-the-sunshine refresher. 8602 Garland Rd., Dallas, smokyrose.com
Al Biernat’s Oak Lawn
The bubbling fountain sets the scene, as you’re escorted to your seat on one of two patios at the original Oak Lawn location of legendary steakhouse, Al Biernat’s. Find a shaded seat under a pergola, and take in a game on one of the patio TVs. Try a daily lunch special, like beef stroganoff offered on Monday, fish and chips on Thursday, or whatever the chef’s whims dictate for weekend brunch. Close that big deal or make any lunch a celebratory occasion with a bottle from the “Wine Director Business Lunch” list, which features Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne at a surprisingly good price. 4217 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, albiernats.com
Dolce Riviera
Mediterranean vibes define the gorgeous patio at Dolce Riviera, where twinkle lights, lush greenery, and bubbling fountains set the stage for a relaxing escape. Reserve an outdoor table for a lively brunch with friends or a romantic dinner under the stars. Sample housemade pastas like the cacio e pepe and spaghetti pomodoro, or indulge in a taste of the ocean with the seabass Fiorentina. Linger with a Cosmo Bianco or a zero-proof mocktail, like the refreshing cucumber-lime Altezza Verde. 2950 N. Harwood St. #115, Dallas, dolceriviera.com
José
This Lovers Lane regional Mexican restaurant features two distinct patio experiences. The main patio remains open despite the weather’s ups and downs, thanks to a retractable roof and climate control. The garden patio also features a disappearing roof and is fitted with misters, fans, and heaters to maximize the pleasure of dining outside when the weather is less cooperative. Either way, you’re in good hands at José. Settle in with coconut ceviche, queso fundido with mixed mushrooms, and buckle up for main courses like langostino enchiladas and a three-cheese chile relleno. 4931 W. Lovers Ln., Dallas,jose.mx
CATCH Dallas
With its retractable roof to let in the sunshine or celestial show after dark, CATCH Dallas’s rooftop patio offers style and substance. Enjoy the sweeping skyline views while indulging in must-have seafood dishes like crispy shrimp, truffle sashimi, and the iconic CATCH Roll made with crab, salmon, and miso-honey. The Sunday brunch features an incredible buffet spread, making it the ideal time to absorb some Vitamin D on the patio with mimosa bottle service. 3005 Maple Ave., Dallas, catchrestaurants.com
Little Ruby’s
Patio culture in Australia rivals that of Texas, so experience a bit of the down under vibe at this Aussie-inspired all-day café with one of the newest patio scenes in town. Though shaded part of the day by the towering buildings that surround it, nighttime is where it’s at. Enjoy a classic cheeseburger or steak frites while sipping on a refreshing plum liqueur-spiked Little Ruby, which you can customize with your choice of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, or mezcal. 2305 Cedar Springs Rd., Ste. 150, Dallas, rubyscafe.com
Joe T. Garcia’s
Even though it’s a major tourist destination, there’s no denying the allure of Joe T.’s patio with its majestic trees, bubbling fountain, and servers bustling around with trays of frozen margs and the restaurant’s famous family-style Tex-Mex dinners. Expect to wait in line, but don’t worry, you can enjoy a cocktail while you inch closer to that coveted patio seat. 2201 N. Commerce St., Fort Worth, joetgarcias.com
Truck Yard – The Colony
This far-north spin-off of the Lowest Greenville Avenue original draws crowds of weekend whistle-wetters eager to enjoy adult beverages and food truck fare. The sprawling indoor space often gets its soundtrack from daily-appearing live musicians, and guests can choose from a variety of seating options, from the shipping container patio to a rooftop space. Make sure to visit Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum for the full experience. 5959 Grove Ln., The Colony, truckyard.com
MUTTS Canine Cantina
Nearly every patio in DFW welcomes canine companions with enthusiastic oohs and ahhs, but this one’s actually built specifically with dogs in mind. The outdoor bar and eatery features separate dedicated play spaces for large and small dogs. After chasing their new friends, pups can settle in on the patio with treats from their own food menu, while humans enjoy chicken tenders and frozen Barkaritas. 2889 Cityplace W. Blvd, Dallas, muttscantina.com
Rose Café
It’s a well-known fact that the Katy Trail attracts thousands of fitness enthusiasts each day, whether it’s for a leisurely stroll with their dogs, a vigorous sprint toward Victory Park, or a scenic day of cycling in the sunshine. Grab a seat on the patio at this chic all-day restaurant for incredible people-watching paired with elevated fare, including Hawaiian poke bowls, tuna tea sandwiches, and Cambodian lemongrass skewers. Sip on espresso beverages, fresh juices, or a chilled glass of rosé, depending on your mood. 4205 Buena Vista St. Ste. 160, Dallas, rosecafedallas.com
Katy Trail Ice House
About a mile down the trail from Rose Café, the O.G. trail restaurant and bar offers a similar people-watching perch with a completely laidback vibe. The menu features burgers, tacos, BBQ on weekends, more than 50 beers on tap, and 28 screens for watching sports. 3127 Routh St., Dallas, katyicehouse.com
Backyard Dallas
No matter the weather, the 265-day climate-controlled, 12,500-square-foot patio space at Backyard Dallas ensures a good time will be had by all. Gamedays bring in people to cheer on their favorite athletes on more than 40 TVs, while a Thursday and Friday happy hour features half-price select food items and boozy bevvies starting at just $5. 505 N. Good Latimer Expy., Dallas, backyarddallas.com…