Outdoor Dining in Any Season
Grand Rapidians love the outdoors – so much so that local restaurants and breweries have devised ways for us (and our visitors) to dine al fresco throughout the year.
Soak up the summer sun on a lakeside deck. Ward off the fall chill at a beergarden fire pit. Watch the snow fall from inside a transparent dome. Enjoy the gradual spring warm-up on a patio equipped for both cool and warm weather. All while enjoying some of the best food and drink in the nation.
Starting with the Downtown area and moving outward into other neighborhoods and regions, the eateries listed below feature outdoor spaces that can accommodate guests in all four seasons. Many of them first winterized their patios, porches and decks to serve more guests when COVID-19 curbed indoor dining. Some of them are included in Refreshment Areas that allow visitors to stroll around with food and beverages in addition to offering general and restaurant-specific seating. All of these spaces remain excellent options to maximize the health benefits of fresh air and social distancing.
Keep in mind that outdoor spaces may require advance reservations and that operating hours, menu items and ordering procedures are subject to change as the state response to COVID-19 evolves. Always check a restaurant’s website or social media before you go. You can also search these outdoor locations on our Restaurants Page.
Spacious patios for all weather like domes at Margaux and enclosures like Z's Bar & Restaurant.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
Downtown
Back to Top of ListAperitivo
Bar/restaurant in the Downtown Market Grand Rapids features a fully enclosed outdoor dining space. Shop for gourmet foods in Aperitivo’s retail store before or after your meal.
Atwater Brewery
The corner of Michigan St. and Monroe Ave. is a great place to dine, drink and people-watch – especially in the clear-walled, single-party shelters Atwater built.
Brick & Porter
Outdoor huts provide a socially distanced way to enjoy a diverse selection of upscale American pub food and 20+ beers on tap at this downtown fave.
Cinco De Mayo
Located in one of GR’s Downtown Social Zones, this Mexican restaurant offers fresh-made food and bar drinks at outdoor tables and in clear “greenhouses.”
City Built Brewing Co.
This cross-cultural brewery in the Monroe North Social Zone offers multiple outdoor seating options, right outside the front door and at the riverside Welcome Center across the street.
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
Outdoor enclosures lining the front walkway to this food emporium are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who purchase ready-to-eat food from a Market vendor.
Eastern Kille Distillery
Indulge in premium craft spirits and cocktails at this Monroe North distillery, which has extended its outdoor seating area to accommodate patrons on both sunny days and cool evenings.
Field & Fire Café
Four private greenhouses, each seating up to four people, are situated in the Social Zone outside this North Monroe breakfast and lunch spot. Contact-free ordering is available by using your smartphone inside the greenhouse.
Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Treat yourself to authentic Irish hospitality, food and drink in the partially covered dining area outside this enduring downtown eatery.
Founders Brewing Company
The outdoor beer garden at the city’s largest brewery is open (and heated as necessary.)
Garage Bar and Grill
This Monroe North neighborhood favorite has built a street-side canopy with partially enclosed sides for customers to comfortably dine and drink outside in any weather.
House of Wine
Located in the heart of a Downtown Social Zone, this wine and charcuterie bar added custom domed enclosures to its outdoor patios for cold-weather service.
IDC at Amway Grand Plaza
You need a secret code to get into this year-round balcony bar with great views of downtown GR. (Sign up at the IDC website to get it – just don’t tell anyone we told you.)
Luna GR
Award-winning Mexican restaurant in downtown’s Heartside Social Zone welcomes guests to a spacious, partially enclosed patio.
Margaux on the Dek
The riverside outdoor space at this French-inspired downtown eatery was lined with six private dining domes over the winter.
One Twenty Three Tavern
This New American tavern at downtown’s Studio Park has outfitted its outdoor space with picnic tables and tower heaters, heated huts and a heated, open-sided tent (which hosts live music!) Winter dining coming soon.
Reserve Wine & Food
Outdoor chalets provide a cozy spot to enjoy distinctive cheese and charcuterie plates, locally sourced dinner entrées and an exceptional wine list.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Heated shanties outside this downtown destination are equipped with carpeting, chandeliers and framed photography to deliver an elegant and socially distanced outdoor dining experience. Call for reservations.
Social House
Casual pub just outside Van Andel Arena offers New-American fare and an exhaustive beverage list, all of which can be enjoyed indoors or inside the outdoor tent.
Stella's Lounge
The home of America’s Best Burger (per GQ Magazine) and other elevated bar foods has supplemented its popular patio with even more streetside seating. Winter outdoor dining coming soon.
Uccello’s Ristorante – Downtown Grand Rapids
The spacious patio outside this pizzeria and sports lounge is ideal for people-watching while dining and keeping you warm in the winter.
Z’s Restaurant & Bar
The sunny, secluded outdoor patio at this downtown mainstay was equipped with single-party enclosed shelters for cold-weather dining.
Stay cozy inside one of Lyon Street Cafe's personalized cabins!
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
Heritage Hill
Back to Top of ListLyon Street Café
Enjoy al fresco dining in the private A frame cabins (6) outside this coffee shop, which specializes in high-quality beverages, sandwiches and baked goods.
Medical Mile
Back to Top of ListLogan’s Alley
The enclosed patio at this neighborhood pub is equipped with a hospital-grade HEPA filter to circulate fresh air around the space.
The Friesian Gastro Pub
The eclectic New American menu at this casual restaurant and pub can be enjoyed in any weather on its stylish and comfortable outdoor patio.
North Quarter
Back to Top of ListCafé Mamo
Enjoy classic Midwestern comfort dishes in Santa’s Ski Shack, the transformed-for-winter patio of this Creston neighborhood gem. Reservations required.
Graydon’s Crossing
This cozy global pub has covered (but not enclosed) its outdoor patio to shelter guests from the elements.
Switchback Gear Exchange
Enjoy coffee, tea and cocoa around the huge fire pit on the outdoor patio – and when you’re finished, head inside to browse a selection of bicycles and camping gear.
Enjoy patio dining no matter what season or temperature! A warm patio at The Green Well or a private dome at Royals GR.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
Uptown
Back to Top of ListDonkey Taqueria
This one-of-a-kind Mexican street food concept installed heated outdoor domes for contact-free dining – up to six people per dome - coming soon.
Elk Brewing – Grand Rapids
The heated open patio at this rustic-industrial brewpub offers cold-weather “shanties/tents" where you can order a pint or a flight and bring in your own food (or have it delivered!).
Furniture City Creamery
Picnic tables inside heated greenhouses let you get your ice cream fix without subjecting yourself to a deep freeze. Too chilly for you? Grab a vegan hot chocolate!
The Green Well
The ever-popular patio at this creative, eclectic restaurant has been equipped for comfortable dining in every season including a covered patio.
Madcap Coffee – Fulton St.
The Uptown location of this award-winning local coffee shop added heaters to its outdoor dining space (as if the hot coffee wasn’t warming enough).
Outside Coffee Co.
Uptown’s community-based coffee shop added three private domes to its outdoor garden this winter.
Royals Grand Rapids
Six-person domes (coming soon) – which undergo electrostatic cleaning between each seating – are nestled among open-air picnic tables on the patio of this neighborhood diner.
Speciation Artisan Ales
Experience an evolutionary approach to brewing wild beer, wine, hard seltzer and cider on the patio outside this Wealthy Street favorite with fire pits and a private dome.
East Grand Rapids
Back to Top of ListRose’s on Reeds Lake
Enjoy a beautiful view of Reeds Lake along with delectable food and drink on the heated patio of this historic East Grand Rapids eatery.
Enjoy a pint outdoors even in the colder months next to firepits and heaters at New Holland - Knickerbocker.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
West Side
Back to Top of ListAndo Sushi + Bar
Outdoor enclosed patio at this Bridge Street Entertainment District destination for ramen, sushi rolls and other Asian-inspired dishes.
Arktos Meadery
A spacious canopy outside the front door is outfitted with seasonal heaters to shelter and warm guests enjoying Arktos’ traditional meads – “the nectar of the Gods.”
Condado Tacos
Right in the heart of the Bridge Street entertainment district, Condado serves its signature build-you-own tacos, nachos and bowls on a spacious back patio equipped with seasonal tower heaters.
Greyline Brewing
This West Side brewery erected a heated with one sidewall for outdoor service of its fresh, small-batch ales. Guests can order in/bring their own food from local restaurants.
Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery
Clear, private enclosures in front of this artisan ale and fun food destination let guests keep an eye on the hustle and bustle of Bridge Street.
One Bourbon
The spacious outdoor patio at this Bridge Street crowd-pleaser features a split “greenhouse” accommodating up to six patrons for cold-weather dining and plenty of socially-distanced tables for warmer weather.
O’Toole’s Public House
Dig in to an outrageously topped gourmet burger on the streetside patio at this neighborhood pub in the Bridge Street Entertainment District.
The Mitten Brewing Company
Vintage baseball-themed microbrewery/pizza place serves outdoor guests in “The Outfield” during warm weather and the “Base Camp” (complete with campfires and warming huts) when it turns cold.
New Holland Brewing – The Knickerbocker
The semi-enclosed outdoor garden area of this Bridge Street brewery is equipped with fire pits to keep patrons warm and toasty when the weather is not. Reservations required.
The Peoples Coder Co.
The Leonard Street Shanty out front of the business is equipped with solar lights, tower heaters and plexiglass wind protection so you can enjoy their hyper-local draft ciders even when the weather outside is frightful.
The Sovengard
This eatery transformed its beautiful warm-weather biergarten into a cold-weather wintergarten – complete with heaters and private "glamping" style bell tents – for cold-weather service.
Eat, drink and be cozy in the Wintergarten at Cedar Springs Brewing!
Photo by Cedar Springs Brewing Company
Northeast
Back to Top of ListArchival Brewing
One of the area’s newest breweries boasts a spacious patio equipped with firepits and heaters for cozy consumption of their made-from-scratch beer, cider, mead and food.
Bier Distillery
This northeast-side favorite added shelter and heaters to its outdoor space to keep fans of its micro-batch beer, wine, spirits and food warm and satisfying!
Cannonsburg Ski Area
Ski resort just 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids offers domes and fire pits plus an assortment of food and warm drinks on the ski lodge deck. Contact for dome reservation.
Cedar Springs Brewing Company
This brauhaus/restaurant opened an “Outdoor Loading Dock Biergarten or Wintergarten” to accommodate guests in winter.
Elk Brewing – Comstock Park
Enjoy handcrafted brews and fresh-made food on the heated patio at this brewery –you can practically hear the crack of the baseball at nearby LMCU ballpark!
Gravity Taphouse Grille
When cold weather hits, the fireplaces are roaring and the heaters are cranked up to high on the outdoor patio at this beer, wine and food destination just off I-196 at the East Beltline exit.
Rockford Brewing Company
Enjoy great food and beer from this award-winning brewery among the picnic tables and fire pits of downtown Rockford’s Outdoor Refreshment Area.
Third Nature Brewing
The second-place winner of an MLive reader poll on Grand Rapids’ best outdoor dining destination, this Rockford brewery outfitted its nature-centric biergarten with heated enclosed patio, fire pits and private domes for colder weather.
Vander Mill
Enjoy hard ciders, apple wines and a handcrafted menu featuring local products beside a fire pit on the outdoor patio of this northeast-side favorite. "Camp Casnovia" at Vandermill cider is open. They take reservations 5 days/week
Northwest
Back to Top of ListPerrin Brewing Company
This microbrewery 10 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids added private heated domes to its outdoor patio this past winter.
Shots Restaurant and Bar
The front patio – equipped with heated domes for cold weather – offers a view of bustling downtown Standale as well as a cozy spot for enjoying some delectable food and drink.
Trail Point Brewing Company
Allendale microbrewery serves handcrafted beer, cider and seltzer on its open, seasonally heated patio.
You can enjoy even the cold weather at Brass Ring Brewing or Bobcat Bonnie's Grand Rapids.
Photo by Experience Grand Rapids
Southeast
Back to Top of ListBobcat Bonnie’s
The newest addition to the dining options at Breton Village Mall, this Detroit restaurant favorite offers heated domes that can be reserved in advance. Each seats up to six people.
Brass Ring Brewing
Patio umbrellas in the summer, beer shanties in the winter … the third-place winner in an MLive reader poll of GR’s best outdoor dining destinations is comfy in any weather.
Hamburger Mary’s
(Temporarily closed.) An open-air bar and grille for open-minded people, this southeast-side restaurant also offers a heated open-air patio for cold-weather dining.
Horrocks Market
Combination grocery store, garden center, floral/gift shop, deli and craft beverage destination invites you to enjoy food and drink around firepits in its outdoor beer garden.
New Union Brewery
Community-driven microbrewery and taproom in downtown Lowell has equipped its outdoor area with tents and firepits for your beer, cider, spritzer and root beer-drinking comfort.
Thornapple Brewing Company
Savor house-made beers, spirits, wine, pizza, sandwiches and more in an outdoor hut at this southeast-side destination. Call or visit website to reserve.
Bundle up and head out to Farmhaus Cider Co. for a heated dome or fire pit!
Photo by Farmhaus Cider Co.
Southwest
Back to Top of ListFarmhaus Cider Co.
Enjoy an evening sipping delicious ciders under the stars in a heated dome or in front of a fire pit at this Hudsonville cidery. Domes can be reserved online.
Pike 51 Brewery - Hudsonville Winery
The outdoor space at this microbrewery, winery and restaurant is equipped with a series of heated dining cabins for cold-weather seating. First come, first served.
If we missed your favorite four-season dining destination, let us know in the comments and we’ll add it to the list! Updated: Jan. 7, 2022
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