Best Of

Best Patio Dining Restaurants in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids summers are short enough that a well-designed outdoor patio earns serious loyalty — and the city's restaurant scene has responded with some genuinely impressive al fresco setups. From the tree-lined streets of Fulton Heights to the open-air terraces along Monroe Center, patio dining here spans a wide range of occasions and price points: casual brewery yards where the Michigan sun stretches the afternoon, polished Italian terraces suited to a slow weeknight dinner, and taco-and-margarita decks that fill up fast on a Friday.

All 43 restaurants

American

Rose's

★ 4.6(3,016)· $$

Rose's sits on the water in East Grand Rapids, and the lake view from the enclosed patio is the real draw, winter or not. Happy hour draws crowds for pub-style pizzas and house-made root chips overlooking the water. No reservations, but the turnaround is quick.

American

Lucy's

★ 4.6(2,161)· $$

The Spicy Hash Skillet pulls repeat mentions, and the Birria Tacos hold up even against high Mexican-food standards. Pastries run deep here: donuts, cookies, day-old options at a discount. Expect a wait on weekends, and sign into the waitlist early.

Italian

Bistro Bella Vita

★ 4.6(2,101)· $$

The Beef Brisket Bourguignon ($36) is the draw here, slow-braised and saucy in a way that earns comparison to the best pot roast you've had. The brick oven turns out Margherita pizzas that reviewers stack up against Naples. Busy on Tuesday nights, but the patio seats walk-ins when the weather cooperates.

Japanese

Maru Sushi & Grill

★ 4.6(1,731)· $$

The firecracker shrimp has a following, and the sushi rolls are arranged with enough care that you'll hesitate before eating them. Maru is a Cherry Street fixture for East Side sushi, with a patio that reviewers consistently call excellent. Allergy accommodations have drawn both praise and serious complaints, so communicate clearly with your server if that's a concern.

Brewery

Vivant Brewery & Spirits

★ 4.6(1,562)· $$

Vivant occupies a former church on Cherry Street, and the duck nachos (reportedly the kitchen's most popular item) give you a reason to order beyond the beer. The smoked old fashioned gets singled out repeatedly, and the dog-friendly patio draws regulars back several times a year. Flights cover solid range, though a tap or two may be kicked on any given visit.

American

Linear Restaurant

★ 4.6(726)· $$

Linear sits on the river with a view worth noting, especially in winter when the trees ice over. The mussels appetizer and Paloma cocktail come up as the standout orders, while the rotating menu keeps things small and occasionally incomplete. Food lands solidly without much surprise.

Mexican

Lalos Mexican Bar & Grill

★ 4.7(151)· $$

The shrimp enchiladas and Pollo Supremo keep pulling regulars back to this Grandville Mexican spot. Chips and salsa come free, the house margarita gets high marks, and the hot and spicy burrito is exactly what it claims. Free chips and an outdoor seating area round out a neighborhood place worth knowing.

Mexican

Condado Tacos

★ 4.5(1,767)· $$

The mystery margaritas and queso pull more repeat visitors than the tacos do. Condado is a build-your-own chain with bold murals and a back patio, and the drinks genuinely outshine the food, which reviewers consistently call solid but unremarkable. Service runs slow at peak hours and can be inconsistent.

American

Zeytin Turkish Restaurant

★ 4.5(897)· $$

The mezze platter is the move at this Turkish spot in Ada. Plates run large, the bread comes out fresh, and on weekends there's sometimes live music on the patio. Service earns consistent praise, though at least one visitor had a rough go arriving close to closing time.

Breakfast

That Early Bird

★ 4.5(706)· $$

The Astro 2.0 sandwich, with its fluffy omelet square, melty cheddar, avocado smash, and dill aioli on a toasted bun, shows up in nearly every review for good reason. The banana bread latte is the sleeper hit: seasonal, specific, and apparently unlike anything else in the city. Counter-order setup with bus-your-own-table service, so go in knowing that.

American

The Friesian Gastro Pub

★ 4.5(475)· $$

Fried ribs and truffle frites are the draws here, and the rooftop seating fills up fast with groups. The Friesian runs slightly upscale on price but handles dietary restrictions well, with gluten-free and dairy-free options that reviewers call genuinely easy to navigate. Mocktails get their own attention, which makes this work for mixed-age tables.

Other

Olives

★ 4.5(381)· $$

The truffle fries show up in nearly every order on Wealthy Street's Gaslightt District corner. The Olive burger runs large, with a double patty and a sauce that earns its mess. Lunch crowds from nearby offices keep service moving fast, and the menu leans short and focused.

Italian

Myrth

★ 4.5(265)· $$

The pork and bacon meatballs are a strong start, but the honey pie at the end is what reviewers keep coming back to mention. Pasta dishes get consistent praise, and the Leelanau raclette pizza drew its own fans. The outdoor patio is worth noting if the season is right.

Mexican

Donkey Taqueria

★ 4.4(3,095)· $$

The $6 steak taco is the one to order. Flautas are on the menu too, a rarity in Grand Rapids, and the chicken version stays crunchy even after an hour under green sauce. Brunch draws a crowd on weekends, with the concha French toast getting particular attention. Saturday nights run a 20-30 minute wait and the bar dominates the room.

American

Cascade Roadhouse

★ 4.4(1,121)· $$

The Roadhouse Burger comes loaded: half-pound black angus, chopped bacon, bourbon onions, haystack onions, and garlic herb cheese spread on a pretzel bun. The prime rib and sirloin get solid word of mouth, and the asparagus side is worth the $2.50 upgrade. An outdoor bar and courtyard draws a crowd in warmer months, and Saturday nights fill up fast.

Italian

Fred's Italian Restaurant

★ 4.4(1,090)· $$

The deep-fried portobello mushrooms and generously topped pizzas are what keep regulars coming back to this Plainfield Ave staple. Cheese is loaded on everything, and the lasagna and calamari round out a menu that runs from Italian classics to burgers. A full bar with 16 TVs and a seasonal patio give it range beyond a typical pizza spot.

American

Noco Provisions

★ 4.4(909)· $$

The French Dip and the Provisions Cheeseburger are the two dishes that keep people coming back to this Cascade Road American kitchen. The Hoppin Jane (vegan) runs large enough for two meals, and Monday burger specials make the $18 price tag easier to swallow. Patio seating is available, though service pace can stretch on slower days.

Pizza

Harmony Brewing Company

★ 4.4(688)

Wood-fired thin crust is the draw at this East Hills brewery, housed in a converted fire station. The Pizza Flight lets you sample six signature pies, and the Friend of the Devil (goat cheese, building heat) is the one to watch. Summer patio is dog-friendly and gets busy.

American

O'Briens Schoolhouse

★ 4.5(86)· $

Burger Wednesday is a real event at O'Briens Schoolhouse, and the fresh-ground patties with hot, crispy fries back it up. Portions run massive across the board, from pastrami on rye to salads and ice cream. The patio in Ada Village is worth the trip on its own.

American

The Score | Restaurant & Sports Bar

★ 4.3(3,342)· $$

The outdoor setup is the main draw: sand everywhere, palm trees, live music, and a reservable boat section for groups. In summer, few places in Grand Rapids come close. Inside, the sports bar delivers a wide tap selection and screens on every wall, though some reviewers have called out the older TVs as overdue for an upgrade.

American

Gravity Taphouse Grille

★ 4.3(3,011)· $$

The meatloaf with mashed potatoes and the Truffle Pizza are two reasons regulars keep coming back to this Deposit Drive standby. Private rooms handle book clubs and business groups alike, and the outside patio gets solid marks. Burgers and Brussels sprouts round out a menu that covers a lot of ground without feeling scattered.

Brewery

Founders Brewing Co

★ 4.3(2,800)· $

Founders calls itself the Mothership, and the taproom on Cesar Chavez backs that up. The brewery tour takes you on a catwalk above the production floor, with all available beers on tap to sample along the way. The chicken salad, chili, and wings get repeat mentions from the lunch crowd.

Italian

Uccello's - Downtown

★ 4.3(1,365)· $$

The pickle pizza gets mentioned by name and keeps people coming back. Portions run generous here, and the outdoor patio has a bar when it's operating. A short walk from DeVos Performance Hall makes this a natural pre-show stop downtown.

Sandwiches

Sundance Grill

★ 4.3(1,111)· $$

The corned beef skillet and corned beef hash pull repeat visitors at this 28th Street breakfast and brunch spot. Sunday mornings are busy, with posted wait times often shorter than expected. The mimosa flight and giant cinnamon roll are crowd favorites, and a patio is open when the weather cooperates.

American

Timbers Inn Restaurant & Tavern

★ 4.3(1,027)· $$

The wild game pie and harissa chicken sandwich are both worth ordering. Timbers has an outdoor patio with live music in summer and wood-burning fireplaces inside for winter. A company has held its annual party here every February for over a decade, which tells you something about the consistency.

Pizza

Hall Street Bakery

★ 4.3(720)· $$

Hall Street Bakery is a neighborhood staple on the southeast side, known for its croissant sandwiches, scones, and a full coffee bar with drinks like the raspberry truffle mocha. The outdoor seating is set back from the road with some shade, making it a decent stop on a nice day. Takeout and delivery are available, though order accuracy can slip on delivery runs.

Mexican

El Toro Bravo

★ 4.3(642)· $

The gorditas and homemade salsa are the reasons to come to this Wyoming counter-service spot on Clyde Park. Reviewers call out the condiment bar and the self-serve sauces as a plus, and a huarache plus two gorditas plus a drink runs around $19. No A/C in summer, but there are outdoor tables.

American

Bob's Sports Bar

★ 4.3(617)· $

The 1/3 lb. Whiskey Burger and PBR on draft tell you everything you need to know about Bob's. Looks worn from the outside, but the bar is lively on game days and prices stay cheap. Reviewers mention an outdoor area worth watching for in warmer months.

American

Reds at Thousand Oaks

★ 4.3(481)· $$$

The Texas Twinkie Egg Rolls stuffed with brisket are the thing to order here. Reds sits on Thousand Oaks golf course, and the patio overlooking the fairway is spacious enough to linger over a raspberry lemon drop martini. It skews toward a country-club crowd, but the kitchen earns the membership fees.

Mexican

Lalo's Mexican Grill & Bar

★ 4.3(334)· $$

The frozen margaritas and patio seating pull people back to this Ada Mexican grill. The taco platter (three tacos with a full side of guacamole, sour cream, and fixings) gets solid marks, and the burritos have their own vocal fan base. Reviews on the grilled beef entrees are split, so stick with what regulars order.

Other

The Post Tavern

★ 4.4(73)

Fish and chips made with walleye gets consistent love here, and the carrot cake has its own fan base. The Post Tavern sits inside Ada's boutique hotel and has indoor and outdoor seating. Happy hour draws the after-work crowd, and the handcrafted cocktails hold up across multiple visits.

Breakfast

Cheers Restaurant

★ 4.2(1,936)· $$

The wet burrito is the signature, and reviewers say to order extra to take home. Beyond that, the All American Burger (a half-pound, flat-top griddled patty) and the hand-dipped fish and chips both get consistent praise. Portions run large, prices stay modest, and the wood-trim dining room is quiet enough for a real conversation.

American

BrickYard Tavern

★ 4.2(729)· $$

The El Fuego chicken sandwich pulls repeat mentions from reviewers, and the Caprese is worth a look too. High ceilings and a wood interior give the room some weight, and there's an outdoor area that gets solid marks. Service is hit or miss, and at least one reviewer had to walk to the bar to rescue food sitting in the kitchen window.

Other

The B.O.B.

★ 4.1(3,653)· $$

The B.O.B. packs multiple bars, Dr. Grins Comedy Club, and a summer patio into one Monroe Ave building, making it a reliable one-stop for a downtown night out. Drink prices run steep (two wells around $25) and service complaints are consistent across recent visits. Check your bill carefully: gratuity is frequently pre-added, especially at the comedy club, and the digital checkout doesn't always make it obvious.

American

Social House Kitchen and Bar

★ 4(515)· $$

The gigantic pretzel with cinnamon butter is a conversation starter, and the seasonal cocktail specials (February's chocolate covered strawberry martini drew praise) keep regulars cycling back. Downtown on Ottawa, this place shifts gears on weekends into dancing and live music. The Power Bowl with grilled chicken gets repeat mentions, and the crispy fries are worth ordering.

Other

Barrio - Grand Rapids

★ 4(411)· $

Tacos get consistent praise here, with reviewers noting well-filled shells and a menu that leans into atypical ingredients while keeping an authentically Mexican feel. The build-your-own rice bowl draws mixed reactions: good flavors, but food arrives in plastic baskets with plastic forks, and portions run rice-heavy. Service is a known variable, with 40-minute waits reported on quiet nights.

Mexican

Cinco De Mayo

★ 3.9(1,154)· $$

The fajita with piña packs chicken, steak, chorizo, peppers, onions, and pineapple into a massive plate with beans and rice on the side. Margaritas are the drink of choice here, from piña colada margs to full flights. The Monroe Center patio is worth grabbing on a warm night.

Other

RIX

★ 3.8(89)

RIX sits on the third floor of the Ada Hotel, with bar seating along garage-door windows that open out over the river. The menu runs from elote hummus and truffle fries to Michigan walleye and braised short rib, with cocktails and steep wine pours to match the upscale room. Portions skew small for the price, so come with that expectation.

American

Cork Wine & Grille

★ 4.3(419)· $$

The smoked salmon dip with herbed parmesan flatbread shows up early and heavy, so plan accordingly. Cork runs a broad menu, from Japanese A5 Wagyu cooked tableside on a lava rock to chicken shawarma bowls and shrimp tacos. The outdoor seating area gets consistent praise, and the house-made sangria with ginger and passionfruit is the drink to start with.

Seafood

Playas Nayaritas

★ 3.7(342)· $$

The camarones aguachiles have a loyal following here, and the carne asada gets called out for being tender and not dry. Playas Nayaritas leans hard into the Latin seafood angle, with entrees plated alongside lettuce, cucumbers, and oranges. Service is inconsistent enough that multiple reviewers flagged it across separate visits.

Other

Luna of Ada

★ 4.2(196)· $$

The pozole is the real standout at this Ada Mexican spot, and the chicken fajitas draw comparisons to the real deal from reviewers who know New Mexico. Margarita flights run $15 for three generous pours. The shaded, heated patio is a draw, though the dining room gets loud when it fills up.

American

Jose Babushka's

★ 4.2(369)· $$

Dill pickle soup and pierogis on the same menu as margaritas and guacamole. Jose Babushka's Polish-Mexican fusion is genuinely its own thing on Wealthy St. The pierogis draw consistent praise, the front and back patio seats are in demand, and the indoor room gets loud when it fills up.

American

Jdek at Margaux

★ 4.2(53)

The domed igloos on the deck are the draw here, and the kitchen earns its keep inside them. Multiple reviewers singled out the wild boar ragu and beef tartare, and the oyster appetizer shows up across reviews as a reliable opener. Cocktails run pricey but are well-constructed, and the outdoor setup comes with speakers and lighting.

The Dispatch

New restaurant picks, in your inbox.

One monthly email with the best new spots in Grand Rapids and what's worth a return visit. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

On this page

Best Patio Dining Restaurants in Grand Rapids is an editorial roundup of 43 Grand Rapids restaurants. The average diner rating across this list is 4.3 out of 5. Restaurants are ranked by editorial review, not by paid placement.

Frequently asked questions

Best Patio Dining Restaurants in Grand Rapids?

Top picks on this list are Rose's, Lucy's, and Bistro Bella Vita. The full ranking weighs review quality, popularity, and how actively diners are talking about each restaurant.

How many restaurants are on this list?

43 restaurants meet the criteria for Best Patio Dining Restaurants in Grand Rapids.

How is this list ranked?

Ranking combines a Bayesian-smoothed review score with an activity multiplier that gives weight to restaurants currently attracting fresh reviews. Paid listings do not affect the order.