Jacob Tyler Dunn
Audio By Carbonatix
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Spring flowers have sprung, and it’s patio season in Phoenix.
Valley restaurants are ready and eager to serve you a meal accompanied by some umbrellas and festive lights, and maybe even a breeze. And while most restaurants in metro Phoenix offer some form of outdoor dining, those patios often come with a side of street noise or the view of a parking lot. A select few trade those city charms for old-growth trees, grassy lawns and stellar mountain views.
Here are our top 15 restaurant patios to enjoy a meal outside around Phoenix.
Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley
The entire patio at Lon’s – named after artist Lon Megargee, an artist and former Hermosa Inn manager – is stunning. Upon entering, you’ll see a fountain, trees, tables and maybe a performing musician. Deeper in, you’ll find beautiful views of Camelback Mountain and a cozy fireplace. Then there’s the food. Many of the ingredients on your plate, like basil and peppermint, were plucked from the Hermosa Inn’s onsite garden. And consider pairing your meal with something from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list or one of the spot’s specialty cocktails from the Last Drop Bar.
The outside dining area at Ocotillo offers multiple different patio and garden options.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Ocotillo
3243 N. Third St.
The sprawling complex at Ocotillo is a treat for any nature lover. There’s an outdoor bar, beer garden, lawn area and plenty of seating (from picnic tables to couches) underneath Palo Verde trees. Stop by for brunch on the weekends or enjoy dinner in the dappled shade of a classic Arizona sunset. Both the food and drinks menus rotate seasonally, but the latest version of the kitchen’s homemade pasta is always a winner.
Shade or sun – your choice at T. Cook
Jacob Tyler Dunn
T. Cook’s
5200 E. Camelback Road
Originally constructed in the 1920s as a private getaway, the Royal Palms Resort drips with Old World charm – and its restaurant is no exception. T. Cook’s offers two patios and a courtyard with a fountain surrounded by tables filled with chatting patrons. You’ll want to arrive early or call for a reservation to snag a seat. The other patio features fireplaces and impressive views of Camelback Mountain, surrounded by citrus trees. The food here is as upscale as the hotel. Try the Skuna Bay salmon or K4 Ranch bone-in ribeye if you’re looking for something luxe.
The Farm at South Mountain
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd St.
The Farm at South Mountain offers multiple dining experiences, from picnics on the grass to fine dining. But we’ll take any excuse to wander among the pecan groves, mosey through the vegetable gardens and say “hi” to the chickens. Most parts of this South Phoenix farm are open to visitors, and wandering is encouraged. For breakfast, head to the Morning Glory Cafe, an outdoor counter-service spot where customers can order omelets, breakfast burritos and Belgian waffles at the covered patio window and then find a picnic table to dig in. For lunch, head to The Farm Kitchen, another order window at the front of the farm, where fresh sandwiches and salads are on offer. Here, you can also order cocktails or take your lunch to go and find a shady spot under the old trees to enjoy. For a much more elevated experience, make a dinner reservation at Quiessence, a true farm-to-table eatery with its own gorgeous patio.
Cibo’s patio invites customers to enjoy the fresh air.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Cibo
603 N. Fifth Ave.
If you were just walking by Cibo, you’d probably assume the pizzeria was a private home. But actually, you’ve found a well-loved dinner spot. The restaurant is housed in a charming 1930s bungalow that serves Italian fare like signature wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, salads and saltimbocca bread. The patio provides many seating options for food and drinks. Gather around the fire pit or head to a more secluded spot for some privacy. Our favorite perk? The patio is mostly shaded so you can dine outside here even when it’s hot. When it’s cold, heaters do the trick at this truly year-round destination.
Pinnacle Peak, as seen from Talavera, is beautiful.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Talavera
10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale
If a film director wanted to capture desert beauty in an upscale setting, we’d suggest the Four Seasons Resort’s Talavera. The views of Pinnacle Peak from this restaurant and bar are majestic. Plus, it’s far enough to make one feel out of town – though it’s just minutes from north Scottsdale. Think of it as a desert hideaway. Steak and seafood dominate the Spanish-inspired menu. Go all out and order the 33-ounce Prime tomahawk or share a selection of tapas. Want to enjoy the view without putting a serious dent in your bank account? Do dessert or drinks at the restaurant’s bar, and be sure to sit by that fireplace.
Chelsea’s Kitchen
Chelsea’s Kitchen
5040 N. 40th St.
This restaurant provides Arcadia with waterside dining – if you count the irrigation canal as “waterside.” Chelsea’s Kitchen has a patio that feels intimate, despite being just off Camelback Road. This secluded (and often packed) spot features an open-air bar, high and low tables, lights strung all around and a fireplace. It’s pretty enchanting. Evening crowds make it feel lively and larger groups and couples alike gather here to enjoy familiar menu items including burgers, salads and tacos. Brunch, complete with a mimosa bottle service, is available on the weekends.
Eating on Welcome Diner’s patio feels like visiting your friend’s backyard.
Jackie Mercandetti Photo
Welcome Diner
929 E. Pierce St.
The Garfield District’s best patio easily belongs to Welcome Diner. The mishmash of tables and chairs almost feels like someone’s backyard – a yard furnished after hitting a thrift shop or two. That’s really the whole point. The patio is designed to feel like a hip neighborhood spot where you sip on one of Welcome’s signature cocktails and dig into Southern comfort food as you hang out with buds. The diner sits at the bustling intersection of 10th and Pierce streets and can be spotted by the glow of its hot pink sign.
Grab a healthy meal at Luci’s and let the kids play outside.
Allison Young
The Orchard
7100 N. 12th St.
One of the loveliest patios in north-central Phoenix belongs to The Orchard, a two-acre food and drink compound located at one of the city’s first citrus farms. The groves may be gone, but the owners have preserved many of the original homestead’s signature features, including the farm’s historic water tower. There are plenty of options for food and drink, including Luci’s at The Orchard, a cafe and marketplace perfect for brunch. The family-friendly venue is also home to Splurge, a gelato and candy shop and Orchard Tavern, a brewpub and restaurant. The multiple buildings share a lovely courtyard with multiple patios and picnic tables, a splash pad for the kids and shaded lounge areas.
The patio next to Joe’s Real BBQ and behind Topo does double duty.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Joe’s Real BBQ and Topo
301 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert
The main draw at Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert, of course, is Joe Johnston’s Texas-inspired barbecue. It’s served cafeteria-style inside the historic 1929 brick building on Gilbert Road that once housed a grocery store. The restaurant’s laid-back patio is a close second, though. The family-friendly space features picnic tables shaded by mature trees and a roomy, kid-friendly lawn area. An added bonus, this patio actually services multiple concepts. So if half of your group wants barbecue and the rest are hungry for burritos from Topo, everyone can eat together in this sprawling outdoor space.
El Encanto is one of the most recognizable restaurants in Cave Creek.
Lauren Cusimano
El Encanto
6248 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek
Heading out to Cave Creek is a great way to get away from the city – and that’s especially true at El Encanto. This Mexican cantina offers a spacious courtyard with lush vegetation, a duck and turtle pond and seating on its covered patio. It’s an ideal setting for a casual margarita with some chips and guacamole, but also for entrees like the pollo fundido, enchiladas vegetarianas and carne asada tacos.
Take in views of the golf course at Red Allen’s Bar & Grill.
The Wigwam
Red Allen’s Bar & Grill
451 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park
This West Valley eatery at The Wigwam is named after a golf pro and was designed to be course-adjacent. As a result, the patio at Red Allen’s Bar & Grill is spectacular, with its multiple red umbrellas, twinkle lights and views of the greens. The outdoor resort restaurant offers weekend breakfast along with burgers, salads, appetizers and high-end bar food every day. The drinks menu features draft beers, by-the-glass wine and cocktails.
Get cozy on the patio at Joyride Taco House.
Joyride Taco House
Joyride Taco House
5202 N. Central Ave.
The Central Avenue corridor that runs through uptown Phoenix is packed with restaurants and bars, and the stretch around Colter Street and Oregon Avenue is especially so. These few blocks are the hub of Upward Projects, a restaurant group that runs Postino, Federal Pizza, Windsor, Churn and Joyride Taco House all within walking distance of each other. Each of these spots features an outdoor area, but Joyride lucked out with the most picturesque patio. Sip a prickly pear margarita and dig into a mountain of nachos at a comfy booth under enormous trees. The dense green canopy shades a space that’s perfect for hanging out on the weekends, during happy hour or on Taco Tuesday.
Casey Moore’s Oyster House is an institution in Tempe.
Benjamin Leatherman
Casey Moore’s Oyster House
850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe
Casey Moore’s is a Tempe icon with something for everyone. It’s a student bar for nearby Arizona State, it’s a neighborhood restaurant for locals, there’s space indoors, seating outdoors and more than a few spooky stories that rattle through the supposedly haunted locale. On any given night, the patio is the place to be. Order a cold one from the outdoor bar, pull up a seat at a picnic table and settle in under the twinkle lights. The food menu includes classic Irish pub eats, as well as items unique to this legendary spot. Order oysters served on the half shell, fried, as shooters or Rockefeller style and slurp French onion soup to ward of a chill on a cold evening or when the spirits make an appearance.