Now that it’s not hotter than Hades but more like the same temperature as Hades, Alamo City residents are finally venturing out of their air conditioned hovels for outdoor fun.
And what can be better than enjoying a lovely meal with friends on a beautiful patio?
These San Antonio restaurants are known not just for their exceptional food but the fun vibes they deliver with their outdoor dining experience.
Time to go out for dinner — and by “out,” we mean outside.
Il Forno
122 Nogalitos St., (726) 444-0744, ilfornosa.com.
What’s more perfect than a gorgeously blistered wood-fired pizza? Thank us later. Credit: Instagram / ilfornosa
Area 51 Food Park
12275 Potranco Road, (210) 214-1748, instagram.com/area51foodpark.
This spacious food truck park offers a variety of food choices, including Hawaiian, Cajun, Mexican and more. In the evenings, it also offers live entertainment and karaoke, and you might even see an alien running around. Credit: Instagram / Area 51 Food Park
Camp Outpost Co.
1811 S Alamo St., (210) 942-4690, eatatcamp.com.
For vibes that feel like roasting marshmallows at a campground, Camp Outpost is the perfect outdoor getaway within city limits. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Camp Outpost Co.
El Mirasol
938 N. Loop 1604 West, (210) 592-8576, elmirasolsa.com.
In addition to a delicious selection of tacos, El Mirasol’s space in Stone Oak features a sprawling patio. Credit: Photo via Instagram / elmirasolsa
The Yard @ 1224
1224 Talley Road, (210) 290-8998, theyard1224.com.
The yard, as the name implies, is known for its dog-friendly patio. Bring your canine companion for a pup meal, and get yourself a human one too while you’re at it. Credit: Instagram / @theyard1224
Chef’s Table
1546 Babcock Road, Suite 102 , (210) 664-5100, instagram.com/chefstable.satx.
This spot is consistently ranked one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in the area, and one of the best restaurants period. Adding to the appeal, you can enjoy the milder temps of our sub-tropical climate with the refreshing and zingy flavors of the cold appetizer platter.
The Cove
606 W. Cypress St., (210) 227-2683, thecove.us.
This beloved outdoor hangout and dining spot offers more than 50 craft brews on tap plus a dog friendly patio, making this the perfect spot for a chill afternoon enjoying the San Antonio weather. Grab your pups and pals to enjoy live music on Thursdays. Credit: Photo by Nina Rangel
Picnikins Patio Cafe
Multiple locations, picnikinspatiocafe.com.
At Picknikins, you’ll find plenty of classic sandwiches, like chicken salad and roast beef with provolone. If you want something warm off the grill, opt for the cheesesteak or pulled pork. As the name suggests, this spot offers an elevated take on the perfect picnic foods, so you might as well dine outside.
Pharm Table
611 S. Presa St.. Suite 106, (210) 802-1860, pharmtable.com.
Founded in 2015 by acclaimed chef Elizabeth Johnson, Pharm Table is popular among health-conscious foodies for its innovative, locally sourced menu, which rotates on a seasonal basis. The “globally inspired” plant-forward dishes are thought through from farm to table and beyond. And what better way to connect with nature than to enjoy locally sourced ingredients outside among the foliage? Credit: Instagram / pharmtable
Tlahco Mexican Kitchen
1662 Encino Rio, Suite 100, (210)455-8543, tlahcokitchen.com.
Tlahco’s second location in San Antonio serves up the same delicious enchiladas as its original location on San Pedro. The Stone Oak restaurant also spices things up a bit with its cabrito, cochinita pibil, huitlacoche quesadillas, rib-eye steak and other specialty dishes. Plus it features a full bar. Margaritas in the moonlight anyone?
Outlaw Kitchens
2919 N. Flores St., (210) 300-4728, outlawkitchens.com.
Sure, you can get takeaway, but why would you when this patio inside the lovely Alta Vista neighborhood is so gorgeous?
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
103 E. Jones Ave., (210) 446-9303, elsewheretexas.com.
Elsewhere’s notoriety may start with its impressive outdoor space which backs right up to the San Antonio River, but that’s bolstered by quality burgers, fries and tacos and an impressive bar program to pair them with. Credit: Photo via Instagram / elsewheresatx
Elsewhere Too
4513 N Loop 1604 West, elsewheretexas.com.
Just in case you couldn’t get enough of the immaculate vibes at Elsewhere, there’s now a second location to satisfy your taste for whimsical outdoor dining. A 15-foot flower tunnel is just one of Elsewhere Too’s features. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Elsewhere Too
Clementine
2195 NW Military Highway, (210) 503-5121, clementine-sa.com.
Chefs John and Elise Russ bring fresh, exciting food to this contemporary take on Southern cuisine. Plates like the white mushroom salad, the ricotta cavatelli and brick chicken are not to be missed. The outdoor dining area is also as refreshing as a Clementine.
Los Azulejos Restaurant
2267 NW Military Highway #101, (210) 281-4500, losazulejosrestaurant.com.
This Castle Hills gem offers culinary artistry and an elevated experience of Mexican Food with a menu that rotates seasonally. Take your salsa fresca al fresco. Credit: Los Azulejos Restaurante (@losazulejosrestaurante)
Box St. All Day La Cantera
427 N. Loop 1604 West, (210) 265-3435, boxstallday.com.
Box St. All Day’s second brick-and-mortar location in the La Cantera area serves up the same brunch favorites as its flagship location at Hemisfair — and with a gorgeous outdoor patio to boot. Credit: Adah Esquivel
The Hoppy Monk
1010 N Loop 1604 East, (210) 545-3330, thehoppymonk.com.
The Hoppy Monk offers ample outdoor seating, and the food menu and huge selection of beers only add to the reasons to head to this North Side spot. Stop by on Sunday to indulge in the brunch offerings, but be warned: you will wait for a table, so don’t arrive hangry.
Leche de Tigre
318 E. Cevallos St., (210) 265-5933, lechedetigretx.com.
Leche de Tigre has several outdoor dining areas including a front patio, side patio and a greenhouse. We recommend the greenhouse for the shade, seclusion and immaculate vibes provided by tons of tropical plants — perfect for a romantic brunch date. There is also a gorgeously decorated indoor area for those who can’t pass up the air conditioning. Credit: Sanford Nowlin
Ida Claire
7300 Jones Maltsberger Rd, (210) 667-2145, ida-claire.com.
This spot serves up Southern-inspired fare, but don’t miss out on the cozy decor and hip outdoor dining setting.
Postino Wine Cafe
Multiple Locations, postinowinecafe.com.
Few things are more satisfying and life-affirming than a glass of wine and a charcuterie board outside. It’s even OK if you don’t know how to pronounce “charcuterie.” Just point at the menu and say “that one.”
Credit: Photo via Instagram / postinowinecafe
Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.
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