From sun-soaked beer gardens and buzzy sidewalk patios to secluded garden getaways, these are some of the best places to eat and drink outside this summer.
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Alley Cat Oyster Bar
1056 Old River Rd., Cleveland
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If it’s seafood with a view you’re after, Alley Cat’s double-decker riverside patio is the place to book. We’re absolute suckers for the selection of white wines by the glass, which pair so well with a few dozen oysters on the half. Toss in some peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked fish dip and a lobster roll and lean into summer with a smile.
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Bar 32
100 Lakeside Ave. East., Cleveland
The views from this cantilevered “rooftop” patio on the 32nd floor of the Hilton Cleveland hotel are nothing short of dramatic. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy craft cocktails and light bites 400 feet above the shoreline, head straight to the top of this shiny tower.
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Boss Dog Brewing Company
2179 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
Brothers Josh and Jason Sweet have settled into a lovely groove at this Cleveland Heights watering hole. After converting the former Lemon Grass restaurant into a contemporary brewpub, they went to work on the exterior. Today, that spacious rear patio is one of Lee Road’s best alfresco bars.
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BrewDog
1956 Carter Rd, Cleveland
We must tip our caps to this Scotland-based brewery for transforming a desolate patch on the Scranton Peninsula into one of the city’s most impressive riverside beer gardens. The surrounding city, bridge and water views are breathtaking, the beer selection pairs house cult faves with guest locals, and the food is surprisingly praise-worthy.
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Forest City Brewery
2135 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
Forest City doesn’t get the same level of attention as some of the bigger breweries in town, but this leafy beer garden is increasingly on people’s radar. Located in Duck Island, the shady, mulch-strewn hideout is a great place to chill with friends and pets while sampling brewmaster Matt Smedley’s small-batch brews.
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Anatolia Cafe
2270 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights
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Anatolia’s bustling sidewalk patio seems to stretch an entire block. Fenced, partially covered and spruced up with greenery, the tasteful perch is the ideal setting on which to enjoy sunny Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods. Dishes like thin-sliced doner, mixed grilled kebabs and honey-soaked baklava taste better in the open air.
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Fat Cats
2061 West 10th St., Cleveland
The views of downtown from Fat Cats’ small but jaunty patio are reason enough to visit this Tremont pioneer. But so too is the globally inspired menu, offering up an eclectic mix of unique and delicious dishes like steamed buns, grilled octopus, Filipino pancit and adobo fried chicken. Great service and an attractive wine list add to the experience.
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Cru Uncorked
34300 Chagrin Blvd., Moreland Hills
If you’ve dined at Cru, the elegant French American restaurant in Moreland Hills, then you know that no expense was spared in the construction. That same ethos continued when creating the outdoor dining spaces. We’re loathe even to label the space as a “patio” because the meticulous column-lined peristyle is – like everything here – in a league of its own.
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Whiskey Island Still and Eatery
2800 Whiskey Island, Cleveland
Before social media ruined the phrase “hidden gem,” Whiskey Island truly earned the designation. The restaurant at this chill lakeside park has been through more name changes than Diddy, but the “No shirt, no shoes, no problem” vibe has been a constant. This grassy, sandy perch essentially functions as a 20-acre restaurant patio, where boaters at the nearby marina mingle with volleyball players and day trippers. Attempts to fancify the food offerings over the years have been roundly and rightly rebuffed by the clientele, who demand little more than cold beer and hot fries. Here, the music is always live and festive, the crowds robust and the sunsets dreamy.
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The Fairmount
2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Some of the toughest outdoor tables to snag on a beautiful evening are located on Fairmount’s chic back patio. In peak summer, this cheery urban oasis can feel like the center of the world. It doesn’t hurt that the restaurant and outdoor bar are run with a kind of precision typically reserved for more upscale establishments. Little is overlooked: the beer list, wine list, craft cocktails, regular menu and daily features give locals and visitors countless reasons to return and linger.
