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Some of the Southland’s best restaurants have become al fresco havens for wonderful dining and hospitality, transposing outdoor areas (and in some cases, public spaces) to serve waiting patrons. And as certain as the Santa Ana winds, Angeleno diners are going to want to stay warm on those outdoor patios when nightfall hits, so expect heaters along with all that daytime sunshine. Here now are 18 lovely heated outdoor dining patios in Los Angeles.

1. The Green Room

1250 E Harvard Rd
Burbank, CA 91501

(818) 962-4446

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With stunning views of Los Angeles below, the Green Room is longtime Burbank legend Castaway’s new cocktail and snack-heavy companion. The food menu offers things like cheese, charcuterie, seafood towers, and small bites while the cocktail list is as good as anything you’ll find in the city.

2. Agnes

40 W Green St
Pasadena, CA 91105

(626) 389-3839

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Pasadena’s lovely outdoor patio has subtle heating elements and a nice cover to keep the temperature constant. On the menu, there’s everything from hearty Midwestern-inspired pastas to gorgeous cheeses.

3. Ka’Teen

6516 Selma Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 410-6360

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Offering a truly Tulum-level of lush greenery in the heart of Hollywood, Wes Avila’s Ka’Teen serves modern Mexican food with an inordinate amount of heating to keep diners warm during breezy LA nights. Sip on the well-shaken cocktails and dig into a platter of well-roasted cochinita pibil.

4. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

1534 N McCadden Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 366-2408

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Hollywood pizza hit Da Michele may have a famous name, but it’s the nearly all-outdoor space and open view to the wood-fired oven that has customers coming back now.

5. Superba Food + Bread Hollywood

6530 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

(323) 364-9844

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Hollywood’s classic patio has come back after a long pandemic hiatus, with Superba Food and Bread bringing its versatile all-day menu of fried chicken sandwiches, breads, burgers, and daily specials like beef cheek tagine. Previously Hearth and Hound, and for many years Cat and Fiddle, this private outdoor courtyard is a true al fresco gem.

Tips for Reopening Your Restaurant Patio for Outdoor Dining

3 Benefits of Restaurant Patio Dining 

With the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, outdoor dining is still a better, safer option than serving customers in an enclosed dining room, and it offers other benefits as well.

1. Outdoor dining is a less risky alternative to indoor dining. When it comes to the question “is outdoor dining safe?,” the answer is that patio dining is generally safe when all the proper safety protocols are being followed. Because outdoor spaces tend to be better ventilated and less crowded than indoor spaces, experts say restaurant patios are less risky (though some risks do still remain).

2. Patio dining can ease customers’ anxieties about going to restaurants. A 2020 survey by the online publication Slate found that 36% of respondents said they would eat at a restaurant outdoors, while only 15% said they would eat at a restaurant indoors with reduced seating. And a recent study by Constant Contact found that 21% of customers wanted outdoor dining to continue, even after the pandemic subsides.

3. Outdoor dining presents an opportunity for restaurants to maximize revenue. In areas where indoor dining may still be recovering, patio dining lets you regain full service dining as a revenue stream. And even if your dining room is fully packed, operating a restaurant patio can boost your total by up to 30%.

While there are many benefits to outdoor dining, keep in mind that you’ll need a permit or license in order to operate a restaurant patio.

Fortunately, many cities have made it easier for restaurants to get permits for outdoor dining by simplifying applications, expediting approvals, waiving fees, and allowing new rules. Toronto’s CaféTO program, for example, is an initiative that helps restaurants apply for sidewalk and curb dining. And last year, some cities even closed down entire streets to create new spaces for outdoor dining. 

Arizona’s best outdoor dining: 8 restaurants for beautiful views, cool breezes, good food

Combine good food with ideal weather and remarkable views and you’ve got the makings of a memorable meal. And Arizona has all these things. The state could very well have been designed for dining al fresco.

Who wants to stay inside when you can grab a table out on the patio? Enjoy vistas of red rocks or tall mountains or sparkling water or even shiny vintage trailers beneath a big Arizona sky. Treat life like a stylish and comfortable picnic by eating outside at every opportunity.

Here are eight of the best restaurant patios in Arizona, from casual to sophisticated, that serve up a side of the great outdoors with every meal.

Jerome: Haunted Hamburger

Eating at the Haunted Hamburger is a highlight of any Jerome visit. This former boardinghouse clings to the side of the mountain, sneering at gravity. The dining room offers big picture windows but snag a seat outside if possible, either on the covered deck or at the back-side View Bar where big vistas stretch across the entire Verde Valley.

The menu features chicken, fish, ribs and salads but come on — you’re sitting in a place called the Haunted Hamburger. Treat yourself to a generous slab of ground beef cradled on a cushiony bun baked fresh on the premises.

The Haunted Burger is piled high with an unholy combo of bacon, green chiles, grilled onions, guacamole and Swiss and cheddar cheeses. Or stick with the basic cheeseburger and drag it through the well-stocked toppings bar.

Details: 410 Clark St., Jerome. 928-634-0554, https://thehauntedhamburger.com.

Cottonwood: Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar

This swank pizzeria in Old Town Cottonwood helped define the city’s rising culinary scene, creating a spot that is sophisticated and authentic.

Chef Michelle Jurisin traveled to Italy to become certified by Verace Pizza Napoletana. Pizzas are made the traditional way, using imported Caputo flour to form crusts that are hand-stretched. They’re topped with fresh ingredients and cooked in a wood-burning oven.

The most popular is the Cire’s with house-made Italian sausage, pepperoni, ricotta, mushrooms, basil and fresh mozzarella. The Meat Pie comes heaped with pepperoni, prosciutto, soppressata, Italian sausage and mozzarella.

A beautiful stone patio with benches and comfy couches surrounds a fire pit and bocce ball court. It’s a great place to relax with a specialty cocktail.

Details: 1060 N. Main St., Cottonwood. 928-202-3597, https://boccecottonwood.com.

Lake Havasu City: Burgers By the Bridge

Nestled at the base of London Bridge, this open-air restaurant serves as Lake Havasu City’s unofficial rec room.

Sitting right at the water’s edge, diners enjoy beautiful views of the boats, the bridge and palm trees from their shaded tables, along with a cool vacation vibe. Even though you’re a long way from the islands, you almost expect to see Jimmy Buffet waiting in line at Burgers By the Bridge.

A full bar keeps the cocktails flowing and everything in the kitchen is made fresh. The juicy Black Angus burgers are tasty, and the lightly battered fish and chips may be the best in town.

Details: 401 English Village, Lake Havasu City. 928-302-6780, https://www.burgersbythebridge.com.

Sedona: Mariposa Latin-Inspired Grill

This upscale restaurant is an exquisite melding of art and architecture. Natural stacked stone, rusted metal panels and walls of windows are part of the décor that’s unlike anyplace else in Sedona.

Yet it’s almost impossible to resist that expansive patio where you’ll find soothing water features, a colorful garden keeping the kitchen supplied with fresh herbs and some breath-snatching scenery.

Sitting atop a bluff, Mariposa provides a panorama of red rock views to accompany the excellent South American-inspired food. It’s especially dazzling at sunset. Most dishes are prepared on a wood-fired grill or in a wood-burning oven. Start with the flaky handmade empanadas. Dress is resort casual.

Details: 700 State Route 89A, Sedona. 928-862-4444, https://www.mariposasedona.com.

Show Low: The House

Dining at The House feels like you’re hanging out at a friend’s backyard barbecue.

The wood-paneled building is simple inside and framed by a patio. Out back, there’s a big grassy lawn that’s dotted with picnic tables, cornhole board and a yard bar that’s like a neighborhood lemonade stand with a liquor license.

The menu is a mix of salads, sandwiches, chili and some impressive burgers. Try the House Burger, a half-pound fresh patty topped with a roasted poblano chile, pepper jack cheese, fried onion strings and chipotle aioli — a nice combo of textures and flavors, a bit crunchy with a little spice on the back end. It’s served with homemade chips.

Details: 1191 E. Hall, Show Low. 928-537-9273, https://thehouseshowlow.com.

Flagstaff: Lumberyard Brewing Company

A great overview of Flagstaff can be gained by spending time on the patio of Lumberyard Brewing Company. First, you’re outside in the cool pine-scented air gazing up at Mount Elden.

And you’re sitting on the edge of the historic downtown in one of the last remaining timber company buildings adjacent to the railroad depot. Traffic flows along Route 66 and trains rumble past. It’s like a geography, civics and history lesson washed down with a smooth pint of Railhead Red, brewed on the premises.

The menu is elevated pub fare with appetizers, sandwiches and salads. Start with the wings, which are plump and meaty and can be swabbed with a variety of sauces. A burly grilled split sausage plate pairs nicely with a cold brew and the mountain views.

Details: 5 S. San Francisco St., Flagstaff. 928-779-2739, https://lumberyardbrewingcompany.com.

Bisbee: Dot’s Diner

This pint-size Valentine diner is tucked away at the Shady Dell, a vintage trailer court, where it’s a perfect fit alongside shiny Airstreams and a few classic cars from the ’50s. It feels like a spot where an “I Love Lucy” episode might break out.

You can no longer squeeze inside Dot’s to snag a stool at the counter. Only outside seating is available with several tables beneath red and white umbrellas.

Dot’s menu is not extensive but doesn’t need to be when they serve such delicious burgers. Meat is so tender you wonder how it ever kept a cow upright. Fresh veggies are piled high, perfectly proportioned to complement that blast of beefy goodness. They grind their own Angus chuck each weekend and cradle it on a cushiony brioche bun. Every bite dances across your taste buds.

Dot’s is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. 

Details: 1 Douglas Road, Bisbee. 520-432-3567, https://www.theshadydell.com.

Sedona: Creekside American Bistro

Just like the name promises, this stylish restaurant perches on the edge of Oak Creek with an intimate view of Snoopy Rock rising above the sycamore and cottonwood trees.

Serving eclectic American cuisine, the place bustles all day long starting with the popular breakfast. Try the eggs benedict or the breakfast tacos with soft corn tortillas filled with chorizo chicken, cheddar, scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, cilantro, jalapeños and fire roasted salsa.

Executive Chef Mercer Mohr, winner of the James Beard Award, regularly changes the menu at Creekside to take advantage of seasonal ingredients. Along with a full slate of tantalizing entrees, they’re also known for their innovative Happy Hour menu that includes Lamb Chop Lolli-pops with pesto dipping sauce.

Details: 251 State Route 179, Sedona. 928-282-1705, https://creeksidesedona.com.

Plan your summer road trips with Roger Naylor

Arizona Republic contributor and author Roger Naylor will be coaxing residents outdoors with presentations from his award-winning book, “Arizona’s Scenic Roads & Hikes.”  Each presentation is free and will include a slide show and Q&A.

Phoenix: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the North Mountain Visitor Center, 12950 N. Seventh St. 602-343-5125.

“Arizona’s Scenic Roads & Hikes” features all 27 of Arizona’s state-designated scenic and historic roads. The stunning drives are arranged by region and include starting and ending points, mileage, vivid photos, full descriptions, nearby hiking trails and suggestions on locally owned places to eat and sleep.

Here are the best restaurant, bar patios in Des Moines to eat and drink outside

What’s better than lounging on a patio with good food and a cold drink? 

We’ve rounded up some of the best across the city, so grab your sunglasses and get ready to find your favorite warm-weather hangout.

Best beer garden patios

Peace Tree Brewing Co.

317 E. Court Ave., Des Moines

It’s common to see the dog-friendly lawn and patio at Peace Tree in the East Village dotted with colorful Adirondack chairs and yard games as soon as the weather is warm enough to allow for it. The taproom serves a rotating lineup of Peace Tree brews as well as guest brewery beers, Iowa-made kombuchas and wines, handcrafted root beer, beer cocktails and snacks.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 2 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-883-2739; peacetreebrewing.com

Confluence Brewing Co.

1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines

Confluence doubled its beer garden and bicycle parking racks for the summer crowd last year. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and even if the outdoor bar isn’t serving, visitors are welcome to step out the back door and use the space. With easy access from Gray’s Lake and the Raccoon River bike trail, Confluence is a great stop for a cold beer on a walk with your dog (the patio and beer garden are dog-friendly for leashed companions, while the taproom is not).

Reservations: None required

Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; noon to 10 p.m. Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Contact: 515-285-9005; confluencebrewing.com

Best patios for a cocktail

Coa Cantina

425 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

Tequila bar Coa Cantina opened in November 2019 in the East Village with funky wall art, fun tequila cocktails and drink-rail seating for an additional 15 people. The patio is full service and dog-friendly, with a grassy area for your four-legged friend to stretch out.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Wednesday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

Contact: 515-280-3097; Facebook

Juniper Moon

2005 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

Juniper Moon’s full-service patio is for the 21-plus crowd only and features lounge seating and firepit tables. The intimate, enclosed patio gives the space a cozy, secluded vibe. If you get the munchies mid-craft cocktail, step inside and call Gusto Pizza Co. (just across the driveway) via the direct line in the vintage phone booth. Pizza will be delivered to your patio table, and you only deal with one bill.

Reservations: First come, first served

Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight daily.

Contact: 515-369-7786; junipermoondm.com

More:What’s new in Des Moines dining? Try one of these 10 metro restaurants, bars and cafes

Patios with the best views of Des Moines

300 Craft & Rooftop

300 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Des Moines

From its perch, 300 Craft & Rooftop offers stunning southside views of downtown and a front-row seat to Friday night fireworks over Principal Park. With a full-service outdoor bar and lively music, 300 Craft & Rooftop’s 2,300-square-foot outdoor space combines the best of patio drinking and views.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Tuesday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Friday; noon to 2 a.m. Saturday; noon to midnight Sunday.

Contact: 515-288-3414

The Republic on Grand

401 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines

The Republic on Grand’s swanky rooftop bar and patio in the East Village showcases a different angle of downtown. Two separate covered patio spaces on the south and west sides of the sixth-story bar are open rain or shine. The west side, with the best downtown view, features lounge seating and a fireplace for maximum mood-setting.

Reservations: Available Monday through Thursday 

Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 2 to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-518-6070; therepublicongrand.com

Best patios for fine dining

Aposto

644 18th St., Des Moines

Aposto, located in the historic Scala House in Sherman Hill, offers open-air patio dining on its wrap-around porch and in the front yard. Enjoy regularly rotating seasonal menu items like hand-cut linguine tossed with red pepper pesto and seared scallops, wild mushroom risotto with an asparagus puree and house-made ice cream.

Reservations: Call ahead to request patio seating and Aposto will do its best to accommodate you. 

Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

Contact: 515-244-1353; apostodm.com

Best outdoor patio ambiance

Secret Admirer 

110 S.W. Fifth St., Des Moines

With a covered patio and colorful seating, Secret Admirer’s dog-friendly patio is gearing up for warmer weather. The menu includes spirit-free, low alcohol and standard cocktails as well as beer and wine. In the summer months, Secret Admirer serves boozy sno cones, and starting May 7, it will be open for brunch during the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market.

Reservations: Not required

Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 2 p.m.to1 a.m. Saturday; 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday

Contact: secretadmirerdsm.com

The Bartender’s Handshake

3615 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines

The patio at The Bartender’s Handshake could be mistaken for a friend’s backyard, which gives it a level of coziness unmatched across the city. The scrappy furniture (collected from yard sales and continuously replaced), bright-green painted concrete “lawn” and personal firepits are undeniably charming. Drinks are served rain or shine in a hodge-podge collection of vintage glassware on this partially covered patio. Ask about roasting your own s’mores.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 2 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

Contact: 515-630-3008; thebartendershandshake.com

Best dog-friendly patios in Des Moines

Kinship Brewing Co.

255 N.W. Sunrise Drive, Waukee

With by far the dog-friendliest patio in town, Kinship Brewing Co. offers a lot for both its human and canine visitors. Complete with a half-acre off-leash dog park, Kinship encourages visitors to come for the pet playtime and stay for the craft beer and snacks from the Next of Kin kitchen. Keep an eye out for regular events like bingo and live music on the patio, which seats around 150.

More:Sprawling Kinship Brewing Company opens in Waukee

Reservations: None required

Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2 to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday

Contact: kinshipbeer.com; Facebook

Best for the kids (or kids at heart)

Smash Park

6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines

Smash Park boasts the largest patio in Des Moines, and it is chock-full of activities for a day of family fun or a game with friends. Visitors can order from the bar and beer shack on the patio, but snacks must be ordered inside. There is a little something for everyone, including pickleball courts, shuffleboard, bags, Connect 4 and live music every Friday night. Leashed dogs are welcome, and when you want to leave the kids at home, there is a 21-plus area complete with couches.

Reservations: None required, but encouraged for pickleball, bocce ball and shuffleboard

Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-313-0700; smashpark.com

Best patios to eat brunch

Mullets

1300 S.E. First St. No. 1253, Des Moines

Mullets is a Des Moines staple, and the two-story patio and additional outdoor dining space are open bright and early for a hearty brunch. It also is a great option for maintaining safe social distancing, with seating for 75 on the main and upstairs patios and 12 tables in the grassy lawn. In addition to popular classics and fun drinks like the bloody Mary flight, Mullets now offers vegan and gluten-free menus.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday; 7 a.m.to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-244-1443; mulletsdm.com

Best stop on the bike trail

Flat Tire Lounge

304 S. Madison St., Madrid

Park that bicycle at Flat Tire Lounge off the High Trestle Trail for a popular Moscow mule on the patio. This casual patio, the first east of the trail’s iconic bridge over the Des Moines River, has become a destination for cyclists and walkers alike, and leashed dogs are welcome. Tables with umbrellas are well-spaced to cater to the hundreds of cyclists who pause at the Flat Tire patio each weekend.

Reservations: None required

Hours: 11 a.m.to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-795-4174; Facebook

Best live music

Jasper Winery

2400 George Flagg Pkwy., Des Moines

Jasper Winery’s tasting room is encompassed in outdoor patio space, but on Thursdays throughout the summer, the party picks up with the free live music Summer Concert Series starting May 12, featuring favorite local performers like The Nadas, Pianopalooza Band and The Maytags. Bring your own chairs or blankets and a enjoy a socially distanced outdoor show with wine, beer and food available for purchase.

More:The Dew Tour returns to Des Moines’ Lauridsen Skatepark in July — with fewer restrictions

Reservation: None required

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-282-9463; jasperwinery.com

Best neighborhood patio

The Dam Pub

2710 Beaver Ave., Des Moines

The Dam Pub in Beaverdale has both lower and rooftop patios, with full service on each. A small and colorful tiki bar on the rooftop offers four draught beers and seating for eight in addition to six tables for larger parties. Specials include the Beaverdale Bucket, a tropical alcoholic drink for two, and make-your-own mimosa buckets. The lower patio is dog-friendly, and all outdoor spaces are open when weather permits.

Reservations: None required

Hours: Vary with the weather; typically 11 a.m. midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, with patios closed at midnight.

Contact: 515-279-4449; dampubdsm.com

Best patio on the waterfront

Located next to the Birdland Park marina and right off a bike trail, Captain Roy’s dog-friendly patio is a great stop for a tallboy by the water. There’s also a full menu of bar-friendly food. With a riverside deck, live music and relaxed atmosphere, this patio is a great hangout for long summer nights.

More:Not just for tourists, Mulberry Street Tavern serves local Iowa fare with a global twist

Reservations: None required

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Contact: 515-631-2223; captainroys.com

Most Instagrammable patios in Des Moines

Trellis Café

909 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines

If you’re looking for the perfect lunchtime picture, look no further than the Trellis Café patio. Situated in the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden along the Riverwalk Trail, this patio has ample seating and a lot of gorgeous greenery. Chef Lisa Lavalle rotates the plant-inspired menu monthly, so there always are new, artfully plated and Instagram-worthy creations. Long-term plans for the garden include adding a separate entrance for the café, which currently must be accessed from the garden dome or the admission-only outdoor garden, and a second café on the Des Moines River.

Reservations: Available for parties of six or more

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Contact: 515-323-6288; trelliscafedsm.com

Elle Wignall covers dining for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @ElleWignallDMR.View Comments