To Read An Updated 2018 Version of this article, please click here.

The temperatures are creeping up but that’s no reason to stay inside. Plan your summer happy hours and family dinners al fresco with the refresh of our list of the best Charlotte patios. The list is sorted by neighborhood and includes some tips for getting the most out of your patio dining experience. We know you’ll be out and about this summer, so take us along by tagging your patio pics with #scoopclt.

And if you like a “half-price wine night” with your patio, checkout our Spring 2016 Charlotte Half Price Wine Nights Here.

Uptown

Don’t let the bustle of the city fool you.  Whether you’re looking for somewhere to grab happy hour drinks after the clock strikes five or you’re coming into the city for a ball game, Uptown has plenty of patio dining options.  

Let’s start out with newcomer City Lights Rooftop Bar. We know you’ve seen their perfectly summer-like champagne and popsicle cocktails, now go try one yourself. It’s a lively atmosphere with a drink and food menu as expansive as the skyline views.

Check out Sea Level, a farm-to-fork concept focused on local NC seafood. For Uptown workers, this means fresh seafood lunch specials and a happening happy hour featuring dollar oysters Monday-Saturday from 4-7 PM. Their patio is an urban oasis that opens up to 5th Street. Another huge bonus? Free parking.

Snap an insta-worthy skyline pic at the top of  Fahrenheit, where Chef Rocco Whalen is whipping up culinary favorites like slow braised kobe beef short ribs and the bar keeps the craft cocktails like the Spicy Charlotte flowing.  Grab a front row seat to one of Charlotte’s picture perfect sunsets as you sip on your new favorite cocktail and order from their bar bites menu.

Tucked into the Mint Museum Uptown, Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth boasts a terrace overlooking the action happening below on College Street. The restaurant focuses on hand-crafted farm-to-table fare and creative cocktails.

If you’re more of a sports girl (or you’re with sports fans), you can’t beat the vibe at BB&T Ballpark. Cheer on the Knights from the craft beer garden, Crafts of the Queen City and don’t miss Thirsty Thursdays where beers are on special. 

South End

Outside of Uptown in South End, Tupelo Honey is serving up a charming terrace atmosphere that’s almost as sweet as the jam they serve with their heavenly biscuits.  Join them for brunch and enjoy their selection of handcrafted bloody marys, including award winning Queen Bloody and a Moonswine made with moonshine.  Come for the food and drinks, stay for the patio.

If healthy eating is your game, Luna’s is the name. Grab a seat at Luna’s Living Kitchen to enjoy your veggies with a view of the rail trail and bustling Atherton Market.

Quench your thirst for local brews at Sycamore Brewing. Their beer garden style “patio” is so popular that they’re expanding to a second floor later this year. Grab a picnic table and one of their many rotating tap beers for an afternoon of sipping and patio sitting.

Enjoy the best of BBQ/Korean fusion, family style, at Seoul Food, a newcomer to the neighborhood. Sip on one of their signature cocktails or an Asian craft beer on the patio, perfectly accented with garage-style doors.

Care for some slurp with your city view? Futo Buta serves up high-end ramen bowls on their patio that overlooks the South End Rail Trail and the Uptown skyline.

For a patio with a southern accent, head down South Boulevard for classic North Carolina BBQ. Mac’s Speed Shop’s newly renovated patio accommodates guests at long picnic tables and live bands every Sunday starting at 5 PM.

Metropolitan

On the cusp of Uptown is your ultimate outdoor dining destination.  The restaurants in the Metropolitan offer some of the best skyline views anytime of day.  So whether you’re stopping by Vivace for brunch, Dressler’s for dinner, or Hickory Tavern for the game, you can’t go wrong.  

Plaza Midwood

Make reservations at Peculiar Rabbit, known as much for its rooftop patio as its tasty burgers and entrees.  We’ve also heard their brunch is a don’t miss, and we can imagine it’s a perfect way to soak up a sunny Sunday. 

Around the corner is Whiskey Warehouse, your go-to for a strong drink and a good view.  This is a place where you’d be just as comfortable cheering on your favorite team on one of the big screens as you would swinging by for appetizers (they’re half off 4-6 PM M-F) and drinks during a girls happy hour.  Make sure to pay attention to their daily specials by checking their Facebook page.

Adding a much anticipated brewery scene to Plaza Midwood, newcomer Legion Brewing has a newly expanded outdoor space perfect for craft beer sipping. Another fresh face in the neighborhood is The Workman’s Friend, a casual spot serving craft cocktails and Irish classics in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Their friendly backyard style patio has plenty of tables and their own built in bar. Another neighborhood favorite is the lively Pizza Peel, where you’ll find families chowing down on unique pizza creations and playing games.

Last but not least for Plaza Midwood is Soul Gastrolounge, which when it comes to patios is proof that bigger doesn’t always mean better.  Known for it’s small plates and handcrafted cocktails, Soul created an intimate patio setting that overlooks the Uptown skyline and has quite the loyal following.  Everyone I know who has been to Soul raves about the food, the atmosphere, everything.

NoDa

Built out of an old home, enjoying a drink or live music the patio at NoDa Company Store quite literally feels like relaxing in your own backyard. This new fusion concept that is part gallery, part bar and part music venue attracts NoDa neighbors from near and far. 

Up the road is NoDa Brewing’s newest venture: NoDa Brewing North End. The brightly painted tap room opens up to a sprawling patio filled with welcoming adirondack chairs. Cheers all around.

Dilworth

Right along East Boulevard there are some great places to grab a drink or meal outside. Bonterra boasts a sunny and bright outdoor oasis, where you can sip your wine in comfortable patio furniture alongside this church turned restaurant. 

300 East not only invites you into their “home”, but also right onto their front porch.  Grab a seat, some brunch, a sweet tea and sit a while. Speaking of hospitality, stop by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille’s newly renovated patio to grab a brew and a bit with your neighbors.

A few Dilworth newcomers are raising the bar on al fresco dining. Foxcroft Wine Company’s new location features a huge patio under market lights, while Kid Cashew serves up fresh Mediterranean fare overlooking lively East Boulevard. While not technically a newcomer, Starbucks’ new bar and bites menu makes us want to grab a seat on their shaded patio even more.

The Summit Room is also welcoming their Dilworth neighbors with open arms.  Their patio sits underneath a canopy of twinkling lights strung between old oak trees, and comes complete with rocking chairs.  The Summit Room has a tempting menu of appetizers, full entrees and desserts.  We can’t help but think that the Drunken Mussels appetizer would pair quite well with a glass of Chardonnay right about now…

Just across the street is JJ Red Hot’s, a fun place the kids and the whole family will love.  Choose your favorite hot dog from their impressively large menu (who knew you could come up with that many kinds of hot dogs?), and head upstairs.  You’ll walk out onto their rooftop dining area where you can watch over all of the happenings on East Boulevard.  

South Park

Another area that has no shortage of patio options is South Park. Enjoy today’s freshest catch on the sunny patio at Upstream.  Sip and savor on the third Friday of each month with three wine tastings paired with three delicious bites by the chefs. 

Check out the European feel of Brio’s outdoor patio, which is perfect for catching their Concert and Cocktails music series coming up in May.  They have a menu of appetizers and drink specials that makes Brio a go-to for Piedmont Town Center workers.

A welcome newcomer is Reid’s Fine Foods, conveniently located right next to South Park Mall. This neighborhood eatery meets gourmet food shop opens up to a huge patio with plenty of seating, greenery and sunshine for everyone to enjoy.

Dining at Zebra is almost like taking a vacation escape. Relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner, or stop by on Thursdays for half price wines by the glass.

Just down the street is Cowfish, and they always have a strong patio bunch.  And it’s easy to understand the crowds, imagine a perfectly paired lunch of an American burger and Japanese sushi together on a patio bursting with the energy of South Park shoppers.  Get there early to grab a seat. 

Right next door to Cowfish is Chuy’s, a tex-mex destination with a lively atmosphere. Their margaritas are best sipped on the colorful patio. 

Down the street is Toscana, where diners enjoy peaceful courtyard seating in the beautiful Spring weather.  Toscana is known for their authentic Tuscan cuisine and house made pasta.

Leroy Fox on Sharon Amity is a great pick for a family lunch or late night drinks with girlfriends.  Their patio is like a restaurant of its own, with plenty of homey touches and big screens to keep everyone happy. Plus their drink menu is one of the best in town, taking up a full page of their menu  Keep up with their specials here.

Myers Park / Eastover

Let’s start with Napa on Providence.  This Napa Valley inspired eatery lives and breathes everything vino-from their interior design to the airy feel of their patio.  Enjoy their 5-7 happy hour special, when appetizers are priced between $5-$7 from 5 PM- 7PM Sunday-Friday.  Make it a destination on Wednesdays and Thursdays to add live music to the mix.

Neighbors Selwyn Pub and Nolen Kitchen both take advantage of their outdoor patios and have a healthy happy hour following.  They’re both perfect for an after work happy hour and Selwyn Pub is a favorite for game day watchers. Ru Ru’s Tacos + Tequila lives up to its name with a huge menu of tacos and margaritas to choose from (their Margarita Monday special makes them only $5). Enjoy both on the festive patio complete with its own outdoor bar. 

We’re moving over to Park Road Shopping Center, where a new great addition seems to be announced almost every day. Co, a pan-asian eatery with a modern feel, is welcoming their first patio season with an outdoor dining concept in their cozy alleyway.  Craving seafood? Rocksalt lets you enjoy a craft beer or glass of wine with your oysters on their patio overlooking the greenway. Also in Park Road Shopping Center, Sir Edmund Halley’s serves up tasty pub fare with a casual garden patio to match.

Let’s not forget about the newly added Pasta and Provisions location. An open patio with outdoor furniture and a mural creates the perfect setting to enjoy your caprese pizza.

To round out our Myers Park picks, we have 10 Park Lanes with an unexpectedly large wraparound patio and Brawley’s Beverage that packs in a healthy happy hour crowd.

Elizabeth

Watch the trolley ride by with a coffee or one of Earl’s daily specials on the patio facing Elizabeth Avenue. A few doors down, the enclosed patio at Viva Chicken brings their chic and relaxed vibe outside and is perfect for enjoying plenty of their homemade peruvian sauces.

On 7th Street, dine on the second floor patio at Cajun Queen while enjoying a sunny Sunday Brunch or live jazz seven nights a week. Moving further down the street, the patio at Fig Tree contributes to the restaurant’s romantic atmosphere with tables lining the front of the house-style restaurant.

Looking for a place to enjoy the warm weather and catch a game? Kennedy’s and Jackalope Jack’s have you covered. With plenty of seats, drink specials and TVs at every turn, these two Charlotte favorites could become your new gameday spot. If salads and sandwiches are more your style, Crisp has a front patio overlooking the excitement of 7th street.

South Charlotte/Ballantyne

The fun’s not limited to the Uptown neighborhoods. Stop by Char Bar No. 7, where garage doors open up to a cozy covered patio complete with comfy couches and a fireplace. In the Colony Place shopping center, the patio at The Lodge Sportsmans Grill is filled with lively game watchers and is well-equipped for kiddos. Quail Corners boasts a traditional Italian al fresco dining experience at Ilios Noche. For a fun night out, gather at Bradshaw Social House for team trivia on Tuesdays and live band karaoke each Thursday night, while Trio Restaurant offers a natural oasis, often complete with live music.

Heading into Ballantyne, patio diners can sit back and relax at Stone Mountain Grill, where the patio feels more like a welcoming back porch. For the rooftop feel without the Uptown drive, grab a seat at Brazwell’s patio with a view. The Ballantyne location of Charlotte favorite Hickory Tavern brings the indoors outside on their covered patio (don’t worry, you can still see the game!)

In the Blakeney shopping center, take a quick vaca over to the Italian countryside at Bravo! Cucina Italiana, where the whole family can enjoy classic favorites under large umbrellas.

In Stonecrest Shopping Center, grab a table at Firebirds on their garden style covered patio. Also in Stonecrest, the new Basil Thai offers a sprawling patio with a primetime view of the fountains.

To round out our Ballantyne picks we’ll head over to Ballantyne Village, where shops and restaurants fit seamlessly into the lively scene. Terrace Cafe of Ballantyne has a patio in the heart of all the action, and Gusto! has the tapas and sangria to have you sipping al fresco well into the evening.

And beyond

Cap off a day of adventure at the US National Whitewater Center with dinner and a drink at either River’s Edge Bar & Grill or the Pump House Biergarten. Both have unparalleled views of the center’s water and activities.

Kindred Restaurant in Davidson is no stranger to accolades. But we’ll add one more just for good measure. Their enchanting patio is the icing on the cake to a handcrafted meal.

Over in Belmont, pay a visit to the brand new Nellie’s Southern Kitchen. Sip on their rooftop patio and bar overlooking downtown Belmont.

If you’re into fun and games, plan a happy hour with a competitive spirit at Piedmont Social House. Eat, drink and play all on one great patio.

Get a sense of old downtown with a visit to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Fort Mill. Sit along the sidewalk to enjoy some people-watching and neighbor-greeting.

Last but not least (certainly not last with views like these!) is The Pump House in Rock Hill. On the patio your table will overlook the Catawba River. If you’re lucky, you can catch a sunset.