Patio Season: 30 Favorite Places to Eat Outside in Raleigh

Patio season is here! We made it out of winter and with that comes beautiful spring weather, which is perfect for outdoor dining. Raleigh is the perfect city for alfresco dining – tables and chairs sit on leafy sidewalks, patios are adorned with string lights, and the lively beer gardens and garden terraces are as much about the entertainment as they are the food.

If you’re looking for restaurants with a patio where you can eat outside in Raleigh, then you’re in luck, as we’ve shared some of our favorite places to eat local and get a taste of the best outdoor dining in Raleigh with options for large patio seating, rooftops, courtyards, and even intimate tables for two by candlelight. 

Whether you’re chasing that golden-hour glow or looking for a breezy brunch spot under the oaks, here’s where to enjoy Raleigh’s open-air dining scene.

Sixty Vines

The hottest patio of 2026. 60 wines on tap

• Address: Downtown Raleigh
• Website: sixtyvines.com

Sixty Vines is the newest patio on this list and as far as I’m concerned, the hottest of 2026. The design is coastal chic done with restraint. Urban views that remind you you’re in downtown Raleigh and not on a coastline somewhere. The whole space has a Sunday-afternoon ease that pulls you in.

The food is outstanding and (relatively) affordable for the experience. Sustainability runs through the whole menu, and the wine program is the headline. 60 wines on tap, which is rare and worth showing up for. The cocktail program holds its own too. What kept us coming back is the team. The servers here are some of the best in the city. Ask for Shane behind the bar, Veronica on the floor, or say hi to Casey who runs the place. They make the meal. Check out the patio in the video below 👇

Whiskey Kitchen

• Address: 201 W Martin St
• Website: whiskey.kitchen

One of our favorite places to eat outside in Raleigh is Whiskey Kitche, simply because of its spacious outdoor patio area and excellent food. Part whiskey bar, part kitchen, they serve delicious and inventive Southern food in a beautiful open space in downtown. And, they have over 300 whiskies, plus craft cocktails and great beer. As for food, I love the Lamb Burger, the Fried Brussels, Roasted Cauliflower, and Pork Chop.

Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar

• Address: 326 Hillsborough St
• Website: tavernaagora.com

The most popular rooftop patio in Raleigh will have you feeling like you’re not actually in Raleigh, but in Greece on vacation! Come and enjoy authentic Greek food at Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen and a casual and inviting atmosphere, plus sip on hand-crafted cocktails. A popular Raleigh brunch spot but anytime is fabulous. Don’t miss the Greek wine! It’s one of our favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Raleigh!

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

European patio dining

• Address: 110 Park at N Hills St
• Website: rosewaterraleigh.com

There’s no patio quite like Rosewaters’. Inspired by European romance, this dreamy spot features a lush garden setting with hanging plants and greenery galore. Every dish is thoughtfully crafted with ingredients that celebrate local gardeners, farmers, fishermen, and foragers. Come hungry, leave inspired – especially with their signature Rosewater Martini.

Sam Jones BBQ

Great bbq joint in downtown!

• Address: 502 W Lenoir St
• Website: samjonesbbq.com

My favorite spot for bbq in downtown Raleigh is Sam Jones. Famous for their chopped BBQ, fried chicken and smokehouse sandwiches, pull up a seat on one of their outdoor picnic tables and enjoy some classic eastern style North Carolina BBQ at its finest. Order one of their signature smokehouse plates to share, and all the sides!

Vic’s Italian (City Market)

Good value Italian

• Address: 331 Blake St
• Website: vicsitalianrestaurantnc.com

We love Vic’s for casual Italian food, and if you’re a pizza lover, Vic’s is one of the best places to get pizza in Raleigh, especially if you’re a fan of New York-style pizza. It’s one of our favorite places to eat in Raleigh because it has good, affordable food (we like the seafood pizza and garlic knots), there’s a family-friendly atmosphere and nice outdoor seating on the sidewalk.

Irregardless Cafe

Classic Raleigh neighborhood restaurant

• Address: 901 W Morgan St
• Website: irregardless.com

Irregardless is a landmark, the original vegetarian restaurant in Raleigh that’s been running for over 50 years. They offer a true farm-to-table experience, also serving meat and seafood dishes now so there’s something for everyone! Known for their warm and fun atmosphere, artsy decor, and live music. We love to dine outside on the sidewalk for lunch or brunch.

Peregrine

Small but stunning patio. Global cuisine, almost entirely gluten free

• Address: The Exchange, Midtown: 1000 Social Street, Suite 150, Raleigh, NC 27609
• Website: peregrineraleigh.com/

The patio at Peregrine is small, but it earns its place on this list. Green foliage everywhere, huge terracotta pots with gas flames welcoming you at the doorway, and (surprisingly) a view straight up at the curved roof design of the building that I could not stop looking at. It’s all aesthetically pleasing in a way you don’t see coming. Add the lovely small gardens out front and a Raleigh sunset on top, and the experience is hard to beat.

The challenge is, the inside of Peregrine is just as stunning. We sat on the patio and kept eyeing the dining room, conflicted. We have plans to go back to eat inside because it’s a Raleigh dining experience that leaves you wanting more.

The food is globally inspired and hard to place. Almost every dish is gluten free, with the exception of the bread and a single pasta. The cocktail program is also excellent and worth lingering over.

Tip: To elevate your Peregrine patio dining experience, walk a couple of paces to the Capulet Cocktail Club for a pre or post dinner drink. This Raleigh cocktail bar is inspired by Romeo and Juliet’s House of Capulet, so expect a Verona feel, especially inside. Statues (you know the David type ones), a fountain behind the bar, cozy seating tucked into corners. Their Aperol spritz is authentically Italian, which is hard to find in Raleigh. Their version of an old fashioned is one of my favorites in the city.

Winston’s Grille 

• Address: 6401 Falls of Neuse Rd
• Website: winstonsgrille.com

A longstanding Raleigh favorite since 1986, Winston’s Grill offers a menu of comforting, classic American dishes in a warm, inviting setting including a large outdoor patio. Praised for its delicious shrimp and grits, prime rib French dip sandwich, cashew salmon, and Bananas Foster for dessert making it a go-to spot for both meals and sweet indulgences.

Press Coffee & Crepes 

• Address: 400 Hillsborough St
• Website: pressccc.com

We can’t stop going to Press, a charming European style café offering delicious crepes and expertly brewed coffee. We love that all the crepes can be made gluten free, are delicious and ginormous, and their lattes and flat whites are up there with the best coffee in Raleigh. On nice weather mornings, there’s no place else we’d rather be than on their outside patio!

The Players Retreat

• Address: 105 Oberlin Rd
• Website: playersretreat.com

The Players Retreat (PR) has been a tradition with NC State university students and alumni for over 70 years. Established in 1951, this is one of the true Raleigh sports bars with ample TVs, booths, and memorabilia. They have a great outside patio dining area and are well known for their burgers and sandwiches. Kids under 12 eat free on Sundays!

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

• Address: 201 S Boylan Ave
• website: wyehill.com

The best outdoor patio view of the Raleigh skyline is complimented with creative food options. It might be part brewery, but the food at Wye Hill is next level. This is one of the best restaurants in downtown Raleigh for small plates (or entrees) to enjoy on their amazing outdoor patio (covered) and uncovered. Perfect for Sunday brunch, or lunch and dinner. Come for the brews (and food) and stay for the views!

Bartaco 

• Address: 4121 Main
• Website: bartaco.com

bartaco is a fun place to dine. The lush greenery spilling across their outdoor patio make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a breezy beachside spot in Latin America. Add in fresh beats, bold flavors, and some of the best margaritas in town, and you’ve got the perfect place to linger for lunch or dinner. Fantastic tacos and apps, and plenty of gluten-free options! Read our review of Bartaco.

Village Tavern

The flash-fried calamari is a favorite!

• Address: 4140 Lassiter Mill Rd
• Website: villagetavern.com

One of our favorite restaurants in North Hills, and in Raleigh period, is Village Tavern. Featuring a large menu of American favorites, plus an extensive wine list. It’s a local favorite for its excellent food, great service, and variety of options – the fried calamari and ribeye are phenomenal. Besides it’s modern and sleek interior, it has an excellent all-weather outdoor patio!

State of Beer

• Address: 401 Hillsborough St
• Website: trophybrewing.com

State of Beer have some of the best gourmet sandwiches in Raleigh (and salads) that pair perfectly with your pint to be enjoyed outside on their casual patio. Their beer selection is a quality mix of local favorites, collaborations, and some rare finds. Such a cool spot to hangout in downtown.

Raleigh Times Bar

Open rooftop in downtown

• Address: 14 E Hargett St
• Website: raleightimesbar.com

Another open rooftop patio space to add to your rotation can be found at the Raleigh Times Bar, a historic building named after the former newspaper that occupied this 100-year-old building. This watering hole serves up quality bar food – good burgers, nachos, wings, Reuben, fried pickles, and cobb salad.

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

Image credit: TrophyBrewing.com

• Address: 827 W Morgan St
• Website: trophybrewing.com

Who doesn’t like a pizza and beer combo? At Trophy Brewing & Pizza you get that plus a cozy outdoor neighborhood patio and a low-key vibe the locals love. The Daredevil (spicy pizza) is popular, and they make some of my favorite beers in Raleigh – Trophy Husband and Cloud Surfer!

Foxcroft Food & Wine

• Address: 4421 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
• Website: foxcroftwine.com/pages/raleigh

Another fantastic option for dining outdoors in North Hills is Foxcroft Food & Wine, a wine bar and shop. There is plenty of interior seating in their stylish restaurant/bar, but we also like to dine on their more casual outdoor patio. Excellent food and wine during brunch or dinner. Choose from small plates, they have fantastic flatbreads and burgers, and don’t miss the charcuterie board. Perfect spot for a group of friends, or a date.

Hibernian Irish Pub

Our favorite pub in Raleigh would have to be the Hibernian Irish Pub. We lived in Dublin for one year in 2003 and love some hearty Irish fare (washed down with a Guinness). On the menu are classics such as bangers & mash, Shepard’s pie, and fish & chips. They also do a solid burger, good wings, and their Irish coffee is second to none! Nice open-air upstairs patio and sidewalk tables.

• Address: 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
• Website: HibernianPub.com

Jolie – French Bistro

• Address: 620 N Person St
• Website: restaurantjolie.com

Desire a fancy rooftop and French inspired food? We dined at Jolie’s Le Rooftop for my birthday, which is elevated above North Person Street, our favorite street in downtown. This upscale restaurant is by famed local chef, Scott Crawford from nearby Crawford & Son who always delivers exceptional service and creative dishes. It’s one of our top recommendations for a date night.

Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie

• Address: 518 Pershing Rd
• Website: neuseriverbrewing.com

Located near the Five Points neighborhood, Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie specializes in Belgian-inspired beers paired with European Bistro inspired fare with a North Carolina twist. There’s a nice front patio area with lots of outdoor seating, a popular spot for Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch – pork chop, pei mussels, truffle fries, roast chicken, duck breast, and eggs benedict are popular.

Raleigh Beer Garden

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• Address: 614 Glenwood Ave
• Website: theraleighbeergarden.com

Several things attract locals and visitors to the Raleigh Beer Garden. Namely, the 350+ beers on tap in this massive 8,500-square-foot venue with tons of outdoor space, including a fantastic back garden patio area and mini-golf. They also have solid food options as well. Popular are the Mac & Cheese bites, the fries, pizzas, beer garden burger, and the pretzels. 

Gringo A Go Go

• Address: 100 N Person St
• Website: gringoraleigh.com

If you don’t know where to eat authentic Mexican in Raleigh, this is one of our favorite local spots, and one of Raleigh’s best hidden gems. Gringo A Go Go is a popular place to eat with their colorful outdoor patio area and real Mexican food (many vegan options). Popular for lunch, weekend brunch, or dinner outside in the warmer months! Read our full review of brunch.

Yard House

Large food + beer menu

• Address: 4208 Six Forks Rd
• Website: yardhouse.com

We first experienced Yard House on our Hawaiian vacation in Waikiki and that great first impression has transferred to good experiences at their North Hills location. Large beer and food menu for all the group, especially known for their nachos, burgers and salads. During their weekday Happy Hour from 3–6pm, treat yourself to half-off select apps like nachos, wraps, and sliders, plus half-off all pizzas. Large outdoor patio dining area, with games on the TVs.

Figulina

• Address: 317 S Harrington St, Raleigh
• Website: figulinaraleigh.com

Figulina was recommended to us through our social media community and is a lovely combination of Italian and British cuisine and handmade pasta. It has a spacious outside patio, which has full service. We particularly enjoy brunch here, which has British favorites like Eggs Benedict, Crumpets, and Scones with homemade clotted cream and jam.

The Flying Biscuit

• Address: 2016 Clark Ave, Raleigh
• Website: flyingbiscuit.com

The Flying Biscuit Cafe is another one of our fav brunch spots. It’s known for Southern hospitality, bright décor, and the most fluffy biscuits (they bake nearly 5,000 biscuits a week), which are served to you the minute you sit down. If the weather permits, the kurbside patio is great and has lots of seating and umbrellas offering shade. They have several Raleigh locations, as well as locations in Cary and Wake Forest.

La Mala

• Address: 126 N West St, Raleigh
• Website: lamalamx.com

La Mala is a modern Mexican cocktail bar that serves bold flavors and even bolder energy. With its open-air patio area, you can enjoy a quieter vibe compared to the indoor liveliness. La Mala serves up a fantastic weekend brunch, and mid week is serves favorite Latin American offerings such as tacos and ceviche, as well as pizzas and snacks. The cocktails are the main event though. Think freshly squeezed citrus in your margarita or a smoky mezcal!

Peck & Plume

• Address: 301 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: peckandplume.com/

Peck and Plume at the Mayton Inn in Cary is one of our favorite places for brunch. It’s a refined, but by no means pretencious restaurant offering elevated Southern-inspired cuisine. The executive chef, Greg Gettles, came over from Herons at The Umstead, the only 5-star hotel in Wake County. The outdoor patio is spacious and breezy – the perfect seat for spring!

10th and Terrace

• Address: 616 South Salisbury St. Raleigh
• Website: 10thandterrace.com

For Sunday brunch or sunset drinks, there is no better view in Raleigh than the 10th & Terrace rooftop terrace. Perched high above the city at the top of the Residence Inn Downtown, 10th & Terrace offers jaw-dropping 180-degree views that stretch out over Raleigh’s tree-filled skyline.

10th & Terrace is a tenth-floor rooftop lounge and bar (on top of the Residence Inn hotel). They serve hand-crafted cocktails and drinks alongside shareable small plates such as seasonal flatbreads and tacos and and roasted wings.. We love their all you can eat Sunday brunch and decently priced mimosas.

Read more about the 10th and Terrace Sunday brunch and here’s our review of a stay at the Residence Inn (a fantastic downtown Raleigh hotel!)

Morgan Street Food Hall

• Address: 411 W Morgan St, Raleigh
• Website: morganfoodhall.com/

One of our favorite patios belongs to Morgan Street Food Hall, which is the perfect place to go when you haven’t thought about what you’d like to eat. This 22,000 square foot food hall in the the Warehouse District is home to 20 different food vendors, and connected by a covered patio with picnic benches where you can eat from. You can go there with a group, take your pick of place to eat, and all sit together, even if you eat from different vendors. Our favorites are CowBar Burger, Iyla’s Southern Kitchen, Curry in a Hurry, and Raleigh Rolls for ice cream snacks.

In summary

There you have it. Our personal favorite places to eat outside in Raleigh. This is not an exhaustive list, but places you’ll find us at time and again. Which one of these Raleigh restaurants mentioned is your favorite? And can you share another suggestion? Comment down below!

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