Explore some of our favorite outdoor dining spots in Minneapolis
Great food, fresh air, and sunshine make for a perfect night out. Minneapolis restaurants combine all three at these lauded patios, many with outstanding views and Instagram-worthy ambiance.
Please note that reservations may be required, and may be made in advance or, if available, upon walk up. We've shared tips below, but be sure to check with the restaurant before you go to make sure everyone has a great time.
CRAVE's extensive rooftop patio—boasting an unbeatable view of downtown Minneapolis’s Hennepin Theatre District—is a great place for a casual drink, drag brunch, or a pre-show sushi spread at a table under one of their tents providing shady relief from the sun.
In the heart of Minneapolis' bustling Uptown neighborhood since 2005, Stella’s rooftop patio is a popular destination for sushi, lobster pasta, and a rotating selection of fresh oysters. Enjoy a sunset view under a bright red umbrella and you could almost imagine the bustle of Uptown is actually the sound of the waves.
Moto-i knows how to do Toyko-style ramen and sake right, with excellent views to complement the fresh Japanese flavors. Enjoy the twinkle of the lights at this popular summer hangout, plus a sake flight from their on-site sake brewery (the first sake brew-pub outside of Japan!).
Both of Brasa’s Minneapolis location offer outdoor seating to enjoy their Latin-inspired chicken, fried yucca, and other delights al fresco. The Northeast Minneapolis flagship offers a lush patio, while the Southwest Minneapolis outpost offers sunny sidewalk seating in picturesque Tangletown.
One of the most dog-friendly eateries in Minneapolis, the Howe offers an expansive covered and heated outdoor dining space (dubbed the “Pawtio”) complete with yoga mats for reclining pooches and a separate menu of dog-friendly treats.
This Linden Hills wood-fired pizza hotspot from chef Daniel del Prado offers a tightly curated menu of salads, pizzas, and desserts with a picturesque (and dog-friendly!) patio. Heads up: patio reservations are available online, but are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
Located in Uptown, this comfort food eatery offers a cozy patio next to the restaurant. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a chicken sandwich, steak frites, smoked chicken wings, or heft cheeseburger.
Located in South Minneapolis’s Longfellow neighborhood, this tucked-away patio offers a shaded oasis from the bustle of city life, plus pasta, Italian-inspired fare, and Wednesday-only burger specials. Be sure to grab a selfie in front of the new mural by local artist Megan Moore.
Tucked between Minnehaha Parkway and Lake Nokomis, seats at this gorgeous patio are coveted - and for good reason! Enjoy craft cocktails, an excellent wine selection and fresh Italian fare.
Join locals and visitors alike at this bustling Longfellow neighborhood standby offering extensive outdoor seating along West River road and an eclectic menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
The romantic alley patio at this cozy Linden Hills neighborhood bistro is an inviting spot to relax and enjoy a from-scratch Rueben and excellent wine selection under strings of café lights and a living wall of lush green.
The line between indoor and outdoor seating is blurred at this modern, upscale (and 100% gluten-free!) Tex-Oaxacan eatery from Daniel del Prado. Thanks to garage-door walls that roll up in good weather, every seat in the house feels like it’s on the patio overlooking Penn Avenue.
Betty Danger's energetic, retro-loving topsy-turvy carnival atmosphere gives guests the opportunity to ride a Ferris wheel with dining tables (aka the “vertically revolving patio”) or play mini golf, while enjoying a variety of snacks, sandwiches, salads, and creative cocktails.
Indulge in Latin-style cuisine including homemade arepas stuffed with fresh meats, veggies, and cheeses. Grab a colorful cocktail and relax on their laid-back deck that feels like a vacation every time.
Southeast Asian cuisine packed with an abundance of flavor, Hai Hai is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing tropical craft cocktail and some Instagram-worthy eats. When the patio is open, pull up a tiny plastic stool and you'll feel just like you're on the street in Saigon.
Near Lake Nokomis on Chicago Avenue, Heather’s offers a cozy outdoor patio with string lights and umbrellas for shade. It’s the perfect spot for fresh, seasonal fare after a walk around the lake.
This seasonal restaurant, only open from the end of March through October, has some of the best seafood and tacos in town. The location right next to Minnehaha Falls makes it the perfect spot to refuel after a hike to the beautiful waterfall. Don't be scared by the line of people—it's worth it.
Skyline views are guaranteed at St. Anthony Falls’ picturesque Aster Café. Come for the adorable dog-friendly patio with Parisian vibes and delicious fresh fare, stay for the free live music several nights a week.
North Loop brewpub the Freehouse offers a delightful patio complete with fire pit, lush trees, tables fit for a crowd of beer buddies, and breakfast served all day. Enjoy live music in the plaza June through August!
Nestled in a historic building in Northeast Minneapolis, Tattersall Distilling blends science and art seamlessly in their inventive and delicious cocktails, plus a dog-friendly patio and frequent visits from local food trucks.
*Tattersall's dog-friendly patio is first-come, first-served.
Enjoy your favorite Thai dishes at a table on this unique alley patio decked with colorful paper lanterns. A love of Thailand informs every facet of this experience—from the hospitality and authenticity of the food to hosting Thai events and celebrations throughout the year.
Located in the heart of Nicollet Ave’s Eat Street neighborhood, this Black-owned standby serves up Jamaican street food with a lot of love and community spirit—think slow-roasted jerk pork, sweet fried plantains, braised oxtail, and a house nonprofit supporting efforts to combat racism and support healing for a better tomorrow.
Location, location, location! Kieran's is next door to the legendary First Avenue concert venue, across the street from the Target Center, and mere walking distance from Target Field.
Breakfast all day? Yes, please! Enjoy banana bread French toast and crab eggs benedicts on the sidewalk patio with downtown cityscape vibes. (Local tip: you can't leave without trying one of their famous caramel or cinnamon rolls.)
Enjoy oysters and upscale seasonal specialties on the patio of this tony cocktail bar and eatery in North Loop. The patio is first-come, first-served and open for dinner and happy hour seven days a week (when the weather is cooperating).
This Northeast Minneapolis pub offers dog-friendly outdoor dining (true to its name) with a burger-loaded menu and loads of vegan and vegetarian options.
Head to Centro in Northeast Minneapolis for craft cocktails, tacos, and other Mexican bites.
This celebrated restaurant serves up modern Indigenous cuisine featuring local meats, produce, and fish without any colonial ingredients—think wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy. Enjoy a seasonal patio overlooking the Mississippi River. While dining room reservations can be hard to come by (Thanks, Vogue) the patio is always first come, first served.
Psycho Suzi's has a sprawling patio overlooking the Mississippi River, decorated with tiki statues, lush greenery, and straw umbrellas. This is the place if you're looking for custom island-inspired drinks, delicious pizza, and a million dollar view.
Breweries with Patios
There’s only one thing that can make sitting back and sipping a cold, craft brew even better: doing it on a patio! Luckily, many of these breweries have recently opened their patios for limited seating. Can't snag a patio seat or prefer to stay home? Many are also offering curbside pickup.
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