There’s nothing quite like a gentle breeze blowing across your plate of nachos. Or the sound of happy birds chirping as you sip a tall, fruity glass of sangria. That’s because the early summer weather in North Texas is the stuff patio dreams are made of, with options ranging from intimate and cozy to large and festive. Here are a dozen al-fresco spots to commune with nature—and the frosty beverage of your choice.
Parigi
Parigi is a quaint neighborhood bistro whose name translates to “Paris” in Italian. It offers an elegant urban vibe with views of trendy passersby, the bustling street traffic completely overpowered by the chatter of patrons and the clink of champagne flutes. 3311 Oak Lawn Ave., 214.521.0295
Trinity Groves
With multiple restaurant concepts sharing one large, covered patio space that spans the length of the building, Trinity Groves is a culinary amusement park that offers plenty of choice. Treat your taste buds to international flavors at one of the city’s hottest entertainment districts.
Bird Cafe
Savor crispy duck wings, beef bone marrow and chicken skin chips with a craft cocktail at a table or on a sofa at Bird Cafe, a comfortable patio overlooking Fort Worth’s vibrant Sundance Square. 155 E. 4th St., 817.332.2473
Social House Uptown
Work your way through 100 beers on tap at Social House’s newly opened backyard, where giant Jenga, bubble soccer and life-size games of beer pong keep things interesting between sips. 2708 Routh St., 214.999.0046
The LOT
Just blocks from White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum is local hangout The LOT, with multiple patio areas (including ones for kids and dogs) and a beer garden, all ideal spots to chow down on a pimiento cheese & bacon burger. 7530 E. Grand Ave., 214.321.1990
Malai Kitchen
People-watching doesn’t get much better than Malai, a West Village patio with a louvered roof to block the sun on those really hot days. Cool off with a house-brewed Vietnamese lager and a plate of Thai tacos. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 319, 214.599.7857
Henderson Tap House
Once the garage doors roll up, half of the Henderson becomes one of the hottest patios in the cluster of bars and restaurants along a three-block stretch of Henderson Avenue. Stop in for Sunday brunch and camp out with mimosas and a breakfast pizza. 2323 N. Henderson Ave., Ste. 101-102, 972.677.7947
St. Germain Courtyard
Quite possibly the most romantic patio in Dallas, this vine-covered courtyard behind Hotel St. Germain combines the charm of New Orleans with the sophistication of Paris, made even more delightful after dark with a bottle of bubbly. 2516 Maple Ave., 214.871.2516
MesoMaya/La Ventana
Just steps from the Perot Museum and Klyde Warren Park are the sophisticated courtyard of MesoMaya and the adorably casual patio of Taqueria La Ventana, both serving up authentic flavors of Mexico from a shared kitchen. 1611 McKinney Ave., 214.484.6555
The Rustic
Step into the oak tree-covered and picnic table-filled Pat’s Backyard at The Rustic for an evening of live music or an afternoon of calf fries and a TX Outlaw whiskey cocktail. 3656 Howell St., 214.730.0596
Truck Yard
The problem with dining from a food truck is often finding a place to eat, but that’s never a problem at the Truck Yard’s 15,000-square-foot park, with its rotating selection of mobile eateries and permanent ice cream shop and tree house bar. 5624 Sears St., 469.500.0139
Sundown at Granada
One of the best-kept secrets on Greenville Avenue is the rooftop deck at Sundown at Granada, where live music and ice-cold beers set the stage for an evening of partying with new friends or simply gazing at the people barhopping below. 3520 Greenville Ave., 214.823.8305