Ring in Patio Season as Temps Warm Up Around Atlanta
Spring has sprung and summer is around the corner, which means it’s officially patio season in Atlanta. Soak up the sun and enjoy cool cocktails, fresh summer menus and good company at some of Atlanta’s most popular restaurants.
Buckhead
Guests can enjoy Mexico’s best flavors on the large, open-air patio at Chido & Padre’s in Buckhead. Herby guacamole pairs perfectly with the House Authority, the restaurant's signature margarita. View the menu here and make reservations online.
For an elevated experience, head to the rooftop patio at Gypsy Kitchen in Buckhead Village. Gypsy Kitchen’s revamped rooftop oasis boasts lush greenery, richly patterned woven rugs and tapestries and new furniture perfect for fostering conversations with friends. Browse the menu and make reservations online.
At Storico Vino, patio dining is ideal for enjoying Aperitivo Hour. Select cocktails and glasses of wine are $9 and cicchetti (small bites) are half-off Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. Find more information about menu items online.
The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Buckhead’s favorite beach house known for handcrafted cocktails and coastal-inspired fare, invites guests to experience its lively patio parties every Thursday night through May 19. The weekly parties make waves with rotating themes and seafood offerings, live music starting at 5 p.m., $9 glasses of frosé, and High Noon and Corona bucket features.
Umi, the upscale modern Japanese restaurant, invites guests to mingle in the Bonsai Room, its outdoor dining space. The beautiful al fresco area is anchored by a towering eight-foot bonsai tree. The walled space also is covered for especially hot Atlanta evenings.
Summerhill
Georgia Avenue in Summerhill has a lot of fun outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy. Among these are Wood's Chapel BBQ, a barbecue joint dedicated to bringing people together; Junior's Pizza, for affordable pies made with quality ingredients; Halfway Crooks, a great place to grab a beer and soak up some vitamin C; and Hot Dog Pete’s, a classic American joint with fries as golden as the sun. Those wanting to keep an eye on their beach bodies can try Maepole, a gluten-free and vegan-friendly joint serving health-conscious Southern food.
Midtown
5Church Midtown welcomes diners to catch some rays on its Virtue Rooftop. Comfortable seating, gorgeous views and a “Stay Sexy, Atlanta” sign make Virtue one the best rooftop spots in Midtown.
Located in the heart of Midtown, Sugar Factory invites diners to enjoy the warm weather and create unforgettable memories at Sugar Factory’s vibrant outdoor patio. From elaborate milkshakes to mouth-watering dining options, Sugar Factory welcomes Atlantans to sit back, relax and take in the fresh air on the patio while sipping on one of Sugar Factory’s elaborate cocktails or goblets.
Poncey-Highland
For a dose of Southern charm, guests can opt to be seated on Southern Belle’s garden-inspired patio (weather permitting). Chef Joey Ward’s four-course tasting menu along with an a la carte menu and seasonally inspired craft cocktails are all available on the patio.
Westside
Spend the season in Rome without leaving West Midtown at Forza Storico. While on the eatery’s covered patio, diners can pair prosciutto mozzarella (prosciutto San Daniele, mozzarella, olive oil and bread) and the finocchio salad (fennel, olives and orange slices) with a negroni mixing Tanqueray No. 10, Campari and Martini Rubino.
The Atlanta location of Zunzi’s features colorful umbrellas on its outdoor dining space to accompany the vibrant South African-inspired foods. The eatery is a great spot to enjoy what People magazine says is the best sandwich in Georgia.
Alpharetta
Warmer weather means it is time to hang out on the patio at Carson Kitchen. Guests can look forward to menu favorites such as “Devil’s” eggs, secret Sunday chicken sandwich, cocoa-espresso New York strip and wild mushroom flatbread.
Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails’ patio is perfect for enjoying new spring menu items like the Green Thumb mixing Hendrick’s gin, honeydew juice, cucumber juice, fresh lime, cane syrup and St. Germaine and the roasted poblano and scallion blue corn grit cake with griddled baby squash, sweet pickled corn, peppadew peppers, avocado, goat cheese gremolata, smoked paprika chimichurri and pea tendrils. Make reservations online.
Worth a Drive to Athens
Nothing says summer like a menu that celebrates local farmers. Head over to Heirloom Café in Athens and grab a seat on one of the eatery’s two outdoor dining area featuring red umbrellas for those classic summer days.
Multiple Locations
Celebrate the warmer weather at all HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern locations. The Halcyon and Atlantic Station locations boast spacious rooftop patios while Brookhaven and Dunwoody welcome guests to lively outdoor spaces. All locations feature refreshing and vibrant fare like the peach margarita and the sunshine salad.
For the Southeast’s Original Buffalo wings and a wide variety of beers on draft, head to a neighborhood Taco Mac. Most locations boast spacious patios for guests to enjoy fresh air and sunshine.
Tin Lizzy’s Cantina fires up the spring season with innovative new cocktails perfect for sipping on the patio, a diverse menu of creative bites and live music on Fridays and Saturdays at all locations.