Whenever the weather cooperates in Texas, there’s nothing like an outdoor venue to enjoy the beautiful climate. We pulled together some of our favorites around the state offering stunning alfresco dining, featuring superb food and cocktails. Each one is a must-visit spot!
Freiheit Country Store, New Braunfels
Freiheit Country Store is known for its exceptional burgers and fun atmosphere, but its expansive outdoor dining area is worth checking out too. Catch some rays or enjoy your beer and burger under a comfortable shaded area, then pop inside for live music!
Hill & Vine, Fredericksburg
Hill & Vine accepts walk-ins for groups up to eight people, so it’s the perfect place to bring visitors for a casual afternoon bite. Order beer, wine, or a margarita from the Das Bar Bus and grab picnic snacks from Sunday Supply, both of which are located on-site.
Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard, Bastrop
Located on the banks of the Colorado River, Neighbor’s is best experienced outside. Watch the river run under the old iron bridge from the comfort of the covered patio or listen to live musical performances in “The Yard”—all with a cold beer in hand, of course.
Neches River Wheelhouse, Port Neches
This might just be the best place to catch a sunset in Southeast Texas! The restaurant overlooks the Neches River and hosts musicians regularly. The tiki decor and tropical drinks will get you in the summer mood no matter what time of year you visit!
Café at the Ridge, Kerrville
With views of beautiful Texas Hill Country, alfresco dining at Café at the Ridge is unmatched. Stop by on a Friday to try the restaurant’s catfish or order a tall stack of pancakes made from scratch at brunch.
Palmer’s Restaurant Bar & Courtyard, San Marcos
Discover a lush garden courtyard at Palmer’s Restaurant. Here, everything—and we mean everything—is homemade, even the bourbon at the bar! This gem has souped-up Southern cooking, like a juicy center-cut pork chop brushed with a sweet-and-spicy honey habanero glaze.
The Spot, Galveston
The Spot is the ultimate beachfront dining destination! It’s literally a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico, off of the iconic Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. This is the hottest restaurant, arcade, and tiki bar to keep cool and chill out this spring and summer. Order a burger and relax with a beer or colorful cocktail on the large open-air deck.
Hungry’s, Houston
Soak up the sun and grab a great bite to eat at Hungry’s in Houston! Both locations boast vibrant greenery and expansive outdoor seating. It’s also the home to one of Tanji’s favorite dishes in the city, the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl!
La Fogata, San Antonio
Get your fill of Tex-Mex and mega margaritas in a tropical hacienda-style courtyard at La Fogata in San Antonio! Both locations offer beautiful shaded spots to listen to the mariachi music while digging into the fresh fish tacos and guacamole with a not-so-secret-ingredient: tequila!
Anthonie’s, Simonton
Anthonie’s Market Grill is an incredible one-of-a-kind find tucked between lazy farm roads and sprawling ranchland in Simonton, near Houston. Here, the cattle and horses far outnumber the people. The beautiful, massive outdoor patio sports a giant firepit, and you’ll find live country music most nights.
Hula Hut, Austin
We’re saying “aloha” to the breezy lakeside Hula Hut in Austin. You’d never guess that this little oasis is nestled right in the middle of the state’s capital. Fresh Tex-Mex gets a Polynesian twist in dishes like Shrimp Chile Rellenos topped with a mango-pineapple salsa and the Crab-Stuffed Deep-Fried Avocado.
Boudro’s Texas Bistro, San Antonio
Enjoy the scenic San Antonio River Walk at one of the Alamo City’s downtown icons, Boudro’s! This is one of Tanji’s favorite restaurants. Grab a coveted seat outside and order the famous frozen Prickly Pear Margarita. Hungry? The Texas filet and tableside guacamole are both a must-order.
B&B Butcher, Houston and Dallas
One of our favorite steakhouses in the state, both locations in Houston and Dallas offer spacious outdoor patios that show off the cities’ downtown skylines. Take in the views and choose from an impressive list of dry-aged cuts, including Texas Wagyu and real Kobe beef from Japan.
Vinaigrette, Austin
Fresh organic greens are the center of attention at Vinaigrette, where farm-to-table isn’t just a buzz phrase—it’s a fact! Here, colossal salads steal the show with over 20 unique combinations, such as the Omega Salad. This magnificent mélange of freshly picked green leaf lettuce and crispy kale is tossed with red onion, diced bell pepper, sweet corn, and avocado—all highlighted by a blue cheese vinaigrette and served with zesty cilantro lime shrimp. You could say this place is raising the salad bar!
The Branch Neighborhood Grill, Spring Branch
Grab a spot on the expansive patio at the family-friendly Branch Neighborhood Grill. Called simply “The Branch” by those in the know, this American-style grill turns out crispy fried onion chips, cheesy griddled burgers, and Gulf shrimp every which way. Catch live music on the oak tree–shaded patio while the kids tire themselves out on the playground. This spot is the perfect Texas Hill Country getaway.
Not that the food at any of these places isn’t already terrific, but doesn’t everything just taste even better outdoors? Great list, Tanji, with a couple of old favorites and some gotta-try new ones. Cheers to good food, a warm breeze and maybe even a gorgeous Texas landscape or city skyline as a backdrop!