Houston's Top Outdoor Dining Choices

Houston has many options for experiencing al fresco dining around the metroplex. Al fresco translates to “in the fresh air” in Italian. With our big beautiful skies and the welcomed seasonal break from the humidity, this makes outdoor eating a much-anticipated time for Texans to get together with friends and family. Our recent comfortable temps are especially inviting, day and evening.

Notable Health Benefits to Dining Outdoors

Aside from enjoying relaxing settings and pleasant weather, there are additional health benefits that result from eating outdoors. Let’s explore these and see how many are benefitting you and your family.

1. Boosting Your Vitamin D: Spending time outdoors naturally increases levels of vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. When you increase this vitamin, you are boosting your protection against diseases including heart attacks and stroke. Don’t overlook wearing sun block protection while you safely level up your vitamin D intake.
2. Heightened Natural Ventilation: Dining outside allows you to feel the breeze, enjoy nature, and breathe in fresh air. No worries about stale second-hand smoke nor overwhelming scents of perfume/cologne causing you any irritations. When you dine on the patio it lessens the chance of breathing in dirty or contaminated air. During the height of the COVID pandemic we learned about the benefits of social distancing and good air quality. These qualities of natural ventilation make breathing easier even for those not suffering with breathing issues.
3. Great Weather & Mood Boosters: This time of year, the weather is comfortable even if you decide to wear a light sweater in the evening. Inviting weather makes it easier to say “yes” to extending your time with friends and feeling fully relaxed. This quickly shifts into an ideal recipe for cherished times and longer conversations. Don’t be surprised to feel the stresses melt away by the time you’ve finished your meal.
4. Enjoy the View: From moonlit nights to sunny afternoons, you can soak in the views and surrounding nature sounds and scents while taking your time over drinks or dessert. Your overall sensory experience will be heightened compared to dining in a busy dining room with elevated conversations overlapping from all sides around your table. Outdoors, the surrounding conversations feel muted and easier on the ears.

Sara’s Go-To Outdoor Dining Favorites

Chuys, 320 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land, TX

Come out to join us on the outdoor patio. Chuys blends together fresh, fun, and funky to create memorable and mouth-watering Tex-Mex.

Live Oak Grill, 12935 Dairy Ashford Rd, Sugar Land, TX  

The Live Oak Grill offers a variety of outdoor seating as well as space for kids to play. With award-winning food and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s a local favorite.

Flying Saucer, 15929 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX

This restaurant has cool outdoor seating with hanging plants and an impressive metal tree sculpture with a spiral staircase. This is a fun place with a quirky side and an amazing selection of draught beers.  

Coltivare, 3320 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX

Coltivare offers outdoor dining that doubles as a functional source for herbs for the restaurants. This welcoming eatery features wood-fired Italian pizzas and cozy digs among the vegetable garden plantings.

Brandanis

There are actually two restaurants just a couple suites apart, both have outdoor seating.

Brandani’s Burgers, Tacos & Brews, 3340 FM 1092 Rd., Suite 180 and Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, at Suite 160.

Offering burgers, tacos, brews and much more! The food is always made fresh, in house. You can taste the difference with hand cut fries, hand battered onion rings, fresh fish filleted in house, house made sauces and pickles to name a few of our delicious house made items. The restaurant features New American & Italian dishes, a robust wine list and a separate bar room.   

Saint Arnolds Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX

At this location you’ll find massive outdoor seating space with games, in-house beers, and great views of the city.

Backstreet Café, 1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX

This cozy converted house features a homestyle New American menu, gourmet cocktails plus a backyard patio.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.