Best restaurants and patios for outdoor dining

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Nextdoor
  • Email

Joe T. Garcia’s patio is an oasis of waterfalls + lush plants. | Photo via Joe T. Garcia’s

After a chilly winter, we’re ready to get outside for our favorite activity — eating. Looking for a cool restaurant with vibes + a view? You’re in luck.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite rooftops and patios, three of which — Joe T. Garcias, Tinie’s, and Press Cafe — were included in Texas Monthly’s Best Places to Dine Outdoors in 2022 .

🍻 Bar + Grill

  • BoomerJack’s West 7th St. , 2600 West 7th St. | The ultimate backyard patio + sports bar featuring an amazing view of downtown.
  • Reservoir | 1001 Foch St. | Catch a game at this watering hole, where chefs are taking a new spin on food + drink, marinating your favorite recipes in whiskey.
  • Rogers Roundhouse | 1616 Rogers Rd. | Craft beers, quirky cocktails + Tex-Mex staples, featuring a railroad-inspired aesthetic and an industrial-style patio.

🐂 Barbecue

  • Heim Barbecue on the River | 5333 White Settlement Rd. | Enjoy smoked meats + southern comfort sides off the Trinity River for the perfect patio experience.
  • Smokestack 1948 | 2836 Stanley Ave. | The open-air style beer garden offers two bars, a full arcade, live music + more.
  • Woodshed Smokehouse | 3201 Riverfront Dr. | On the banks of the Trinity, owner/chef Tim Love showcases a daily rotating selection of freshly sourced, exotic + slow-roasted meats to enjoy on the shady waterfront patio that feels more like a backyard than a restaurant.

🥂 Fine Dining

  • B&B Butchers & Restaurant | 5212 Marathon Ave. | Located in the center of Clearfork, this upscale steakhouse + butcher shop offers specialized meats + patio fun.
  • GRACE | 777 Main St. | This elegant and contemporary setting features fine wines + modern American classics.
  • Reata Restaurant | 310 Houston St. | This upscale hot spot has a ranch-style atmosphere, rooftop patio + a birds-eye view of Sundance Square.

🌮 Mexican

  • Joe T. Garcia’s | 2201 N. Commerce St. | The Stockyards staple is serving up Tex-Mex classics amid a courtyard filled with flowers, water fountains, outdoor heaters + a shady oak tree. ⁠
  • Maria’s | 1712 S. University Dr. | Combining family recipes with modern twists, the menu features traditional Mexican dishes, draft beers + a tequila menu unlike any other.
  • Tinie’s | 112 S. Main St. | This eatery combines a cool atmosphere of interior brick, exposed beams + a spacious rooftop with a sunny view of the Near Southside.

🍔 New American

  • HG Supply Co. | 1621 River Run #176 | Enjoy a breezy patio overlooking the Trinity River + a wide range of delicious options for meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans.
  • Maggie’s R&R | 1264 W. Magnolia Ave. | The Southside’s Southern kitchen + patio offers a covered seating area, outdoor picnic tables + live music performances.
  • Press Cafe | 4801 Edward Ranch Rd. | The open-air patio boasts an upscale, yet casual mix of American cuisine at The Clearfork Trailhead.

This article was co-authored by FTWtoday intern Hailey Lyon.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Nextdoor
  • Email
Kate is a Fort Worth native, having returned home after studying architecture and journalism in Alabama and New York. Her writing has appeared in interntional and national publications including Dezeen, Metropolis, Madame Architect, American Theatre, and Architectural Record. She is the co-author of “Dearest Babe, Letters from a World War II Flight Surgeon.”
More from FTWtoday