Philly’s Best Restaurant Patios and Rooftops for Outdoor Dining
All our favorite places for outdoor dining around Philadelphia right now, from secret gardens to sidewalk patios and more.
Our favorite rooftops, patios, gardens, and more for seasonable outdoor dining / Photograph courtesy of Irwin’s
Outdoor dining season is upon us, and we simply could not be more excited. Wednesday afternoon happy hour when it’s 72 degrees? Say less. Friday night dinner at golden hour? We already ordered the first round.
These are some of the nicest options for those days when being inside is simply not an option.
Irwin’s, East Passyunk
The outdoor patio at Irwin’s is situated on the eight floor of the Bok Building, several stories higher than any of the surrounding South Philly buildings. Book a reservation around the time the sun is setting and order the gnocchi sardi, tiramisu, and plenty of Italian wine. 800 Mifflin Street.
Caletta, Fishtown
The cocktail lounge of Fishtown’s newest (and stunning) boutique hotel, Anna & Bel, offers patio seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Pro tip: Go for aperitivo hour (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday), when every drink is paired with a snack. 1401 East Susquehanna Avenue.
Emmy Squared, Queen Village
Rooftop pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and some really good drinks? Sounds like our kind of date. 632 South 5th Street.
El Techo, Center City
Upstairs from sister restaurant Condesa, El Techo is designed to feel a little like Mexico City. Get a pitcher of their strong lime margaritas, a couple of tacos on house-made corn tortillas, and don’t skip a paleta for dessert. El Techo is a good option even when the weather is less than perfect, because the rooftop ceiling is glass and retractable. 1830 Ludlow Street.
When the weather’s nice, the roof of El Techo retracts so patrons can enjoy the unobstructed view. / Photograph courtesy of El Techo
American Sardine Bar, Point Breeze
This Point Breeze stalwart turned the empty lot adjacent to the building into a dedicated outdoor space. In the summer, it’s where people recline in comfortable lawn chairs under string lights. It’s where they drink beer and eat tinned fish samplers, wedge salads, and salt-and-pepper fries. You want to be one of those people. 1800 Federal Street.
The Good King Tavern, Bella Vista
Plenty of covered sidewalk seating, well-sourced wines by the glass, and consistently good French bistro food. What more do you really need on a warm weeknight? 614 South 7th Street.
Fringe Bar, Old City
For epic views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, hit Fringe Bar. The beer garden has ample seating (key for busy season!) and something for everyone on the menu — from Nashville hot chicken to Thai green curry spaghetti. Bonus: Thursday happy hour runs until 9 p.m. 140 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard.
Little Nonna’s, Midtown Village
Little Nonna’s has a “secret” courtyard with partial coverage for when it’s raining, fans everywhere for when it gets too hot, and spaghetti and meatballs for when that specific craving hits. 1234 Locust Street.
Bok Bar, East Passyunk
The famed South Philly rooftop bar in a former high school opened for the season on April 10th. Known for its chef partnerships and events, this is a spacious place to show off to friends and linger over the killer skyline views. 800 Mifflin Street.
Bok Bar / Photograph by Justin Oppus
Grace & Proper, Bella Vista
Grace & Proper’s sidewalk area — and the Euro-inspired bar as a whole — is a great place to bring a date or someone you’re catching up with on a random Thursday night. Get the porto tonico, spritz, or a glass of wine, plus the meat and chips. 941 South 8th Street.
Local 44, University City
With its location just a five-minute walk from Clark Park, there’s a clear park-to-patio pipeline happening at Local 44. On nice days, you’ll find the sidewalk packed with people sipping cloudy IPAs and orange wine by the glass, and eating fish and chips or veggie burgers, and generally luxuriating in the glory of a sunny neighborhood hang. 4333 Spruce Street.
Cantina La Martina, Kensington
With a spacious back patio full of colorful picnic tables and umbrellas, Cantina La Martina is a great place to bring a group for brunch or a fun dinner out. Order a trio of tamales, a platter of braised goat with pasta salad and fresh tortillas, and some of their spring and summer seasonal cocktails. They have outdoor seating available all day, seven days a week. 2800 D Street.
Standard Tap, Northern Liberties
The second-floor porch at Standard Tap is perfect if you’d like the emotional experience of being on a rooftop without actually having to deal with Philly’s rooftop-bar scene (what with their bachelorette parties, chaos, etc.) Come for weekday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. when draft beer is $4 and you can drink a Negroni or margarita and get a delicious cheese board for $6. 901 North 2nd Street.
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons, Fishtown
During COVID, Mulherin’s took over a small lot next to the restaurant, turning it into a dreamy outdoor dining spot with plants, twinkle lights and comfortable picnic tables. The garden is now a permanent addition to the restaurant, with their menu of spritzes and wood-fired pizzas. Even better: There’ll be a new streetery opening later this month. 1355 North Front Street.
The garden at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons / Photograph by Matthew Williams
Sor Ynéz, Kensington
We love that the team at Sor Ynéz uses the garden on the restaurant’s patio — where you can dine, chill, and yap — for dishes and garnishes. And there’s nothing better than sipping a fresh mezcalita on a sunny day, amiright? 1800 North American Street, unit G.
a.kitchen, Rittenhouse
Sometimes what you need is to sit on a sidewalk and eat an oozing double cheeseburger slapped with Dijonnaise and briny diced cornichons. When that time comes, hoof it to a.kitchen. 135 South 18th Street.
Mercato, Midtown Village
A classic Italian BYO with rotating chalkboard specials and lights overhead that always seem to be lit. It’s as if Mercato owns — and has always owned — its little part of the city. 1216 Spruce Street.
Revolution House, Old City
Revolution House’s second-floor outdoor deck boasts a retractable roof, so you can get your eat and drink on no matter the weather. A sun-drenched weekend brunch is the move, though. 200 Market Street.
Far East Descendant, Chinatown
Visit Chinatown’s only roof deck for inventive Cantonese-inspired drinks and snacks. Some of the cocktails play around with classic Chinese spirits like baijiu, and there are plenty of large-format snacking boards if you get hungry. Heads up: Weeknights stay relatively calm here, but weekends get a bit rowdy. 251 North Clarion Street.
Osteria, Spring Garden
Yes, we love Osteria’s glass-enclosed patio, but have you dined under their pergola? It’s the perfect place to graze on the Italian charcuterie board overflowing with pickled vegetables, cured meats, and cheeses, while sipping on an Aperol spritz. 640 North Broad Street.
Osteria’s pergola is simply dreamy. / Photograph by Briana Farina
Cantina Feliz, Fairmount
Fairmount may not be able to flaunt the range of Mexican food you’ll find in other parts of the city, but the neighborhood does have Cantina Feliz: a bright spot with a menu full of fish tacos, tortilla soup, an extensive tequila selection, and a patio waiting for you to hang out on it. 2321 Fairmount Avenue.
Parc, Rittenhouse
You already know about Parc’s outdoor dining area lining Rittenhouse Square. But no outdoor guide would be complete without a mention. Order a seafood tower and a carafe of sauvignon blanc, and get your people-watching on. 227 South 18th Street.
Booker’s Restaurant & Bar, West Philly
Booker’s runs on comfort, brunch, and happy hour — and you want to be a part of it, especially thanks to Southern favorites like creamy deviled eggs and chicken-and-waffles covered with strawberry butter. Their outdoor seating along Baltimore Avenue is always full of plants and seasonal decorations under the restaurant’s pergola. 5021 Baltimore Avenue.
Le Virtù, East Passyunk
Le Virtù’s outdoor space is one of those things that makes the restaurant stand out in a city crowded with charming little Italian spots. When the weather is nice, the patio is like one long, unending lawn party for its South Philly neighbors. Sometimes someone will be out there grilling, sometimes it’ll just be friends drinking on the patio, but it’s always a good time. 1927 East Passyunk Avenue.
The Wayward, Market East
Want to have a nice gin cocktail and a seafood tower on a breezy patio sort of hidden inside a Hilton just off 13th Street? We do too, which is why we go to the Wayward to consume oysters and happy hour drinks. 1170 Ludlow Street.
The Wayward’s patio / Photograph provided
Harper’s Garden, Rittenhouse
With its open-air veranda and buzzy plaza, Harper’s Garden is one of our favorite place to dine outdoors. The Edison bulbs string lights hang from the wooden beams and the lush greenery are a total vibe. 31 South 18th Street.
Fiorella, Bella Vista
Vetri’s casual (read: hard to get into) pasta spot on Christian Street is outfitted with a sidewalk patio of partially covered tables. You can book one of them ahead of time for up to four people, or try your luck walking in around 4 p.m. when they open. 817 Christian Street.
Southwark, Queen Village
We’re very into the idea of eating springtime dishes, like pea ravioli with morel mushrooms, in a quasi-secret garden. Enter: Southwark’s courtyard, a hidden gem adorned with flowers and herbs, the latter of which are often used for menu items. 701 South 4th Street.
LMNO, Fishtown
LMNO is known for their clubby indoor experience, but they happen to have a big patio that’s perfect for drinking green-juice margaritas and eating aguachile. 1739-1749 North Front Street.
Royal Boucherie, Old City
Royal Boucherie’s upstairs terrace is hidden away from the streets. It does not feel like it belongs in Philadelphia, and that’s part of the fun. Pretend you’re on vacation, when really you’re just playing hooky on a 70-degree Thursday over moules frites and glasses of rosé. 52 South 2nd Street.
The secret garden upstairs at Royal Boucherie in Old City / Photograph by Stuart Goldenberg
La Chinesca, Spring Garden
The coolest thing about La Chinesca is that it used to be a gas station, which gives the whole patio area a retro feeling with a little Palm Springs magic thrown in with the light pink color scheme. Quesabirria tacos and spiked pomegranate lemonade should do the trick fueling your sunny weekend afternoon. 1036 Spring Garden Street.
Trattoria Carina, Fitler Square
Walk or drive by Trattoria Carina any day they’re open (regardless of weather) and you’ll witness a sea of people sitting at the sidewalk tables, wearing their tiny little sunglasses, and sipping Lambrusco and eating giant plates of chicken parm. And if you’re not one of those people, you’ll be jealous of them. 2201 Spruce Street.
Gojjo, University City
Yes, Gojjo makes great Ethiopian food. But the Ethiopian cheesesteak (with steak or chicken) is truly a wonder. And getting to eat it outside on their busy patio? That’s even better. 4540 Baltimore Avenue.
Prunella, Midtown Village
A totally covered streetery and a spicy Caesar salad, fries, and a martini. It does not get any better, my friends. 112 South 13th Street.
PHS Pop-Up Gardens, South Street and Manayunk
The PHS Pop-Up Gardens in Manayunk and on South Street are back with lots of food, beer, cocktails, and activities like plant swaps and workshops throughout the spring and summer seasons. 1438 South Street and 106 Jamestown Avenue.
PHS Pop Up Garden in Manayunk / Photograph courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Landing Kitchen and Lark, Bala Cynwyd
Nick Elmi’s two restaurants at The Ironworks at Pencoyd Landing in Bala Cynwyd are situated along the Schuylkill River. The Landing Kitchen’s casual, open-air patio has rocking chairs, kids’ play areas, and plenty of tables, while Lark, the sophisticated dining option, has a seasonal terrace that, this year, opens May 1st. 611 and 617 Righters Ferry Road.
Meetinghouse, Kensington
Meetinghouse’s Best of Philly-winning roast beef sandwich and green salad are excellent any time of the year, but when the weather warms up and the back patio opens for the season, every dish just hit different, especially when paired with one of their easy-drinking beers. 2331 East Cumberland Street.
