Favorite Patios
Dine al fresco at Birmingham’s best patios, sidewalks, and balconies.
By Jan Walsh
Birmingham metro area boasts al fresco dining options galore. There are patios, balconies, and sidewalks where I can eat lunch and get a little sun or hide under an umbrella table like That Guy, in coming soon April Culinary Cartoon. We also have dog friendly outdoor spaces where we can take our pups. And in the coming months I will be publishing a series of patio reviews including dog friendly, in which I will take my own, Wyckie and Rudy along.
Birmingham’s Best Patios 2025
Bellini’s Ristorante
Bellini’s patio makes the world go away. Brick walls topped with beautiful flower baskets enclose this petite paradise. Here we sip in season, hand crafted cocktails and wines by the glass and bottle from their award-winning list, with both lunch and dinner. Don’t miss Chef Andrew’s features and seasonal soups. And the Wood Grilled Caesar is an all-time favorite. But nothing could be sweeter than lingering over dessert here. Their cheesecakes are memorable. `
Billy’s Sports Grill
Billy’s patio has it all! It is gorgeous, spacious, partially covered, and boasts big screen TV, fireplace, its own bar to keep the drinks flowing, and is dog friendly. There is also live music on a regular basis. Chef Richard’s array of sharables, burgers, sandwiches, and salads pair well with the patio, including their award-winning wings. Billy’s patio is open all afternoon. So, it makes a great spot to meet between meals for a drink or coffee.
Birmingham Breadworks
Did you know Birmingham Breadworks has a patio? Out back is a shady retreat, where you can eat breakfast or lunch. Proprietor, Mike is always evolving the offerings. Try their new breakfast wraps and sandwiches. If you work downtown escape here for your lunch hour. You will return to work fulfilled and refreshed. Birmingham Breadworks new spring specials of Birmingham Club Sandwich and Spring Salad are made for this patio. Fur babies are welcome here too.
Bistro 218
Sidewalk tables dot the space in front of the restaurant. Reserve for dinner. And people watch the passersby and enjoy the city lights. But expect envious looks… Chef Tom’s Hellefied Gumbo can’t be missed. And the new bar menu, including his popular Bistro Burger and Gulf Shrimp Risotto are long time favorites. The sidewalk is also an ideal spot to toast the town with a specialty cocktail or sommelier suggested wine before heading to the theatre.
Bistro V
Reserve a patio table and enjoy favorites of Chef Jeremy’s Roux Tide Gumbo, po’ boys, market salad daily fish special, and daily veggie plate. And the Farmer’s Market Salad is now in season! The patio tables in front of the restaurant tend to go fast, including umbrella tables for lunch. Watch the sun set while sipping a glass of Sancerre with dinner. But don’t miss Emily’s seasonal desserts. Bistro V is also dog friendly.
Blueprint on 3rd
Blueprint boasts both a balcony and a patio below. Both spaces are well illuminated with Edison lights that glow romantically. There are heaters when chilly and umbrellas when the sun is still out. Meet friends here for dinner and savor the moment and Chef Huck’s famous oyster shooters, seasonal tomato salad, burger, fish and steak of the day, cast iron cooked delights. And table visits by Dean and Brandon always lift spirits!
Bocca Ristorante
Behind the restaurant, Bocca’s patio is a lovely openair retreat. Reserve for dinner and fulfill your cravings for Chef Tom’s Italian fare. Patio suggestions include panzanella, fritto misto, cioppino, and scallop risotto. If you ever find a better risotto, let me know because I can’t. Allow Sommelier, Carlos to select the wine. You may find a new favorite! Carlos often hosts patio wine tastings here.
Bottega Café
Perhaps the city’s most celebrated is Bottega’s hedge lined patio. Alongside the Café’s limestone façade, this outdoor space is dotted with black iron, umbrellaed tables where foodies and gastronomes meet. No reservations are accepted. So, arrive early. The Café is open for both lunch and dinner and all afternoon. Catch the fish of the day and daily fish sandwich specials are my standbys. My personal favorites also include Chef Frank’s, Jumbo Asparagus and Chicken Tortellini Salad, which are now in season. And pizza paired with a glass or bottle of Italian wine on the patio is always a great idea!
Bottega Dining Room
Under the big top tent, Lady Banks roses hug the wall, surrounding the water fountain. Two stone pillars, previously from my own collection, flank the front door with stone artichoke atop. Sigh. Reserve a table in The Dining Room and arrive early for a cocktail on this iconic patio, which opens to the bar with bar seating for two. Consider Spring favorites of Chef Frank’s Royal Red Shrimp and Braised Lamb Shoulder. But first a cocktail, sip an Ice Box Martini or The Highland Park in this enclosed paradise.
Chez Fonfon
Escape to the South of France! Fonfon’s lush green, floral space with blooming blue hydrangeas will transport you to Nice, as a waterfall that trickles in the foreground and birds sing above. Time spent here does not fade with the sun, although your worries will. Being in the moment here makes lasting memories. Enjoy a spring cocktail or a sans alcool one. Favorites among Chef Frank’s famous French fare include the seasonal soups and tomato salad, cheese plate, escargots, beef tartare, and daily specialty du jour. And finish with a taste of fruity desserts in this outdoor ambience that is a feast for the soul.
Dyron’s Lowcountry
The screened porch at Dyron’s is the perfect in between (outside and inside) space. Here no rain drops or insects can penetrate. And best of all Dyron’s is a seed oil free restaurant, inside and out. Chef Chris cooks with tallow and ghee instead of oils. So, no need to fret over which dish to order if you are, like me, eating clean. Dyron’s favorites include the seafood gumbo, original West Indies, fried chicken, duck confit, seasonal tomato and watermelon salads, and all of Chef’s fish and seafood. No better place to enjoy a next level nourishing, Lowcountry dinner than Dyron’s porch.
Eli’s Jerusalem Grill
Eli’s petite patio is the perfect spot to escape from the busy Highway 280. Chef Eli serves grass fed beef, organic chicken, and organic basmati rice. There are no better pitas, made fresh daily or hummus on earth! The beef, lamb and chicken favorites include the sandwiches, laffas, and plates including his famous kabobs. Catch the weekend fish special of Moroccan red fish or grouper. Pair with organic wine or local, small batch Better Kombucha. Eli’s also offers a kid menu. So bring the kids including the fur babies to the patio. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
FoodBar
Can’t choose between seating in the food/dining room and the bar at FoodBar, add a third choice: the patio. FoodBar’s patio is a popular gathering place for nearby neighborhoods and a destination one as well. Large pots filled with flowers, herbs, and olive trees define the space below the soft lights. Partially covered and partially open to the night sky provides yet another choice. The patio is tented and heated in cooler months. Spring brings the tent down. Just in time to enjoy Chef George’s spring and summer dishes here, such as tomato and watermelon salads, fresh oysters, red snapper, lacquered pork roast, and of course the boiled peanuts and off the menu burger. But save room for the doughnuts! Also among FoodBar’s regulars are family pooches. Very dog friendly.
Galley and Garden
Stan’s Garden greets dinner guests with a colorful and aromatic welcome to the porch and the patio at Galley and Garden. The porch is covered, and the patio is uncovered with a fireplace to chase away the evening chill. Above the porch is a large balcony that overlooks the patio and opens to the private party rooms. Favorites here include Chef Jessica’s daily soups, short rib pot pie, and Merritt Stack of filet of beef, crab cake, and prawns in house bearnaise. Pair with their award-winning wine menu. Galley and Garden is famous for holidays: Valentine’s Day, Easter Brunch, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas Eve Supper, most of which have patio and porch seating. The patio is the setting for some of Galley and Garden’s special events including wine tastings.
Habitat Feed & Social
Up on the roof… meet friends for lunch or dinner. Gather around the roof top fire pit, in comfy, oversized upholstered sofas and chairs, fit for a king and queen and order a bottle of wine. Or reserve a rooftop table for The Grand Brunch. And bring the family for Easter or Mother’s Day. The brunch is a feast for all appetites. Inside there are three separate rooms full of fabulous fare: seafood and charcuterie, breakfast and brunch, and desserts. Day and night, Habitat Feed and Social’s rooftop experiences are always grand.
Ocean Restaurant
Chef George’s Ocean is THE seafood restaurant in Birmingham. And Ocean has a phenom, covered patio with its own bar. It is open to the street with Southside as its backdrop. Ocean’s raw bar, fresh salads, appetizers, and sushi are obvious options here. My patio favorites include seafood tower, chilled Maine lobster, shrimp cocktail, fritto misto, and Dee’s Roll. Pair with house cocktails, which change nightly and feature lovely spring options, such as strawberry spritz.
River Run's Pig
Overlooking the Cahaba, this is likely the best kept secret patio in town. Grab a meal from the Deli, sushi from the case, or BBQ on days the gill is in the parking lot. And chill under the shade. Listen to the rush of the Cahaba and watch the canoes going by.
Sloan’s
Chef Tom and Christy Saab’s newest! The Saabs are also proprietors of Bistro 218 and Bocca Ristorante, all located downtown. Unwind after a long day on Sloan’s patio. Sip a select bourbon here and catch the game on their big screen tv. Or arrive during happy hour daily from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a cocktail priced in single digits. Prefer a personalized experience? Ask the bartender to create a flight that suits your preferences and your mood. Pair with their elegant and excellent small plates.
Sol Y Luna
The late, great founder of Sol Y Luna, Guillermo Castro, developed the Latin American, Mexican, and tapas menu. He would be proud of his brother, Chef Jorge who carries on the family tradition, along with wife, Aimee. Choose the covered or uncovered areas of the patio for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch. Patio favorites are Jorge’s one of a kind, colossal Mexican Riviera Shrimp Cocktail, Sol Y Luna Sampler, Queso Flameado with Chorizo and the best flour tortillas, Tomatillo Lobster Soft Taco, and Red Snapper Al Mojo De Ajo. Bring the pups, dog friendly!
Taco Mama
All of Taco Mama’s patios are dog friendly. Yet we typically go to The Summit location because it is closest to us. The wide sidewalk is roped off making a large patio space open to the restaurant. Spring brings the end of the blood orange martini season but soon comes strawberry martini season. Available by the glass and pitcher, I could just sit here with my pups and chip and queso dip it all afternoon. Other patio favorites include Jorge’s Nachos, quesadillas, and ahi tuna tacos. I only wish our fur babies were allowed in the theatre next door.
The Gardens Café by Kathy G.
Surrounded by Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens, the patio of The Garden’s Café is a peaceful, secret garden of its own. Chef Jason serves a seasonally inspired menu. But one thing never changes… The Gardens Café’s Sirloin Burger is one of the best burgers anywhere. Don’t miss it. His seasonal soups are always a must. And the chicken salad plate is bursting with the freshness of spring. Bring the grandchildren. The Gardens Café offers their own menu.
The Red Cat
Located at Pepper Place, Railroad Park, and at UAB Highlands The Red Cat serves coffee that is thoughtfully sourced and locally roasted. We typically visit the Pepper Place location and find a table under the bright red umbrellas. This space recently received a facelift and is redder than ever! But there is so much more to Red Cat than coffee. It offers breakfast and lunch, along with baked goods, smoothies, and cocktails. Currently the spring features are being served. Pair Himalayan Latte, Lavender Lemonade, or Strawberry Matcha with the fruity, nutty Spring Salad or Red Cat Caprese sandwich. Sister eatery to Birmingham Breadworks. And Red Cat’s patio is dog friendly, no matter what color they are!
Troup’s Pizza
Troup’s patio is a happening place. Chef Terrill and Ashley Brazelton serve lunch and dinner here. They host Party on the Patio most Thursday evenings in the spring and summer, with beer specials and live music. Troup’s is also very pet friendly. The Brazeltons not only welcome pooches to the patio, but they also generously host charitable benefits for various groups including benefits for local animals, rescues, and shelters. My favorite patio fare is hummus trio, app of the week, giant meatball, chicken pesto stromboli, and veggie pizza. In addition to beer, there is wine by the glass and bottle, including sparkling, which is patio perfection.
Vino
Under the big trees and string lights, Vino is The Patio of all patios. With more outdoor dining space than indoor dining room, the Rabiee family welcomes you to their casually, chic patio where they serve Mediterranean and Italian fare. Al fresco favorites here always include crab claws, potato latkes, organic Mediterranean salad, daily fish, and artichoke grouper bowl. Just as the patio makes the restaurant, Vino’s wine list makes the food, as pairings are a breeze. Vino is more than dog friendly. Here on the patio Vino generously hosts the annual Pooches on the Patio benefitting the Birmingham Humane Society.
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