The Best Cleveland Restaurant Patios to Visit This Summer

Lucky's Cafe

777 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland

Chef-owner Heather Haviland wins the Tremont brunch prize thanks to her stellar comfort food. Diners can always count on scratch-made fare built with the best local ingredients. In season, the spacious patio reduces wait times while offering an airy garden setting in which to enjoy breakfast burritos, vanilla bean waffles, and biscuits and gravy.

Gigi’s on Fairmount

3477 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights

For about a decade, people have been rightly singing the praises of this tony wine bar and bistro. Like all great businesses, this one seems to get better with age. And that applies to the tasteful sidewalk patio, where neighbors meet up to share a bottle of wine and those signature mix-and-match bruschetta boards.

Georgetown

18515 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Step off busy Detroit Avenue, stroll through the wrought-iron gate and you enter the secluded courtyard patio at Georgetown. From the gravel paths and twinkling lights to the towering trees and lush undergrowth, this quiet spot is always in high demand. The extensive menu offers scores of tempting small plates and mains.

Tinkers Creek Tavern

4000 Tinkers Creek Rd., Walton Hills

There are a few picnic tables out front of this historic roadside tavern, but the trophy seats are out back. There, a patio is perched a stone’s toss from the rushing waters of the namesake creek, which feeds in the mighty Cuyahoga. Diners are immersed in a pastoral landscape while enjoying a casual American menu that includes top-notch barbecue.

Nuevo Modern Mexican

1000 E 9th St., Cleveland

Thanks to the good people at Nuevo, Cleveland finally landed a worthwhile destination restaurant within walking distance to the attractions at North Coast Harbor. This contemporary glass, wood and steel structure offers plenty of outdoor seating with killer views of the harbor, lake and skyline. Wash down those mod-Mex plates with punchy margaritas.

Poppy

12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland

For the past 14 years, Felice earned a place as one of the east side’s most endearing restaurants. It closed in late 2022 and Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison of beloved Lakewood tapas spot Salt+ opened. Poppy is in a 115-year old building that was turned from a house into a restaurant, giving it a very homey vibe. The spectacular garden patio and carriage-house bar will open for the season on June 1st. At that time, menu items will take advantage of the wood-burning pizza oven and grill.

Porco Lounge & Tiki Room

2527 West 25th St., Cleveland

There’s only one way to improve the tropical drinks from this legendary Ohio City hideout and that’s by sipping them outside under the sun and stars. The summertime vibes are alive and well on this colorful garden patio. If you’re feeling particularly celebratory, order the Botany Bay, a whole barrel of punch for you and your mates.

L’Albatros

11401 Bellflower Rd., Cleveland

If we had to pick one restaurant patio on which to pitch a tent all summer long, it would be this one. Zack Bruell’s timeless French brasserie has anchored University Circle’s dining scene for 15 years thanks to a combination of exceptional food and top-flight service. Transplant those key features into an impeccable garden setting and you create a regional destination like L’Albatros. You can find us at the small but well-stocked outdoor bar knocking back glasses of chilly Sancerre while we decide between the mussels frites and roasted cod.

Garden of Eden

2017 East Ninth St., Cleveland

Azure Sun Lounge was put to bed to make way for the Garden of Eden, a splashy new rooftop oasis at the Metropolitan at the 9. The 12th-floor height immerses guests in the surrounding skyline as opposed to hovering above it. Easygoing happy hours and early dinners will give way to a DJ-fueled lounge vibe in the evenings.

The Van Aken District

3401 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights

Once again, the Van Aken District has converted a portion of the area's main thoroughfare, Tuttle Road, into a turf-lined pedestrian-only seating area. The sun-soaked outdoor space functions as the patio for Market Hall eateries like Banter, On the Rise, Ninja City, Scorpacciata and Lox, Stock and Brisket. And because the lane is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, diners can stroll with alcoholic beverages purchased at Craft Collective. Throughout the season, the site also plays host to farmers’ markets, makers’ markets and live entertainment.