Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?
Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these Louisville patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.
Restaurants
Coal’s Artisan Pizza | 11615 Shelbyville Rd.
Pizzas here are baked on a coal-burning, brick oven — and they’re all named after local neighborhoods. Dogs are welcome on the patio.
Gralehaus | 1001 Baxter Ave.
Order inside this original Victorian home-turned cafe, then head outside to the patio with stained glass windows + a path to its sister restaurant, Holy Grale.
Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot | 3204 Frankfort Ave.
You can’t miss the giant meat smokers sitting outside of this roadside barbecue spot. Bring your dog and sit on the covered patio + get the chicken wings — you’ll thank us later.
Osteria Seafood | 1211 Herr Ln.
A sleek Italian seafood spot featuring private event spaces + an outdoor bar.
Blind Squirrel | 592 N English Station Rd.
Steeped in a beach-like, Key West vibe, “The Squirrel” is a combination dog-friendly restaurant, sports bar, and live music venue. The patio overlooks its six sand volleyball courts.
River House Restaurant and Raw Bar | 3015 River Rd.
Get a riverside dining experience curated by celebrated local chef John Varanese (yeah, of the Varanese Restaurant).
Logan Street Market | 1001 Logan St.
With arepas, sushi, coffee, and more, everyone can find something at Logan Street Market. Plus, shop local artists upstairs once you’re done eating at the outdoor tables.
Foko | 991 Logan Street
Formerly of Logan Street Market, Foko moved into its own location across the street in 2023. The new location has a large indoor event space and covered outside seating for breakfast + lunch.
Sarino | 1030 Goss Ave.
The patio at this Germantown Italian restaurant sleek and suave. Sip wine and nibble pasta while surrounded by planted trees climbing through skylights in the roof.
Naive Latin Inspired Kitchen + Bar | 1001 E. Washington St.
This Butchertown Latin-inspired restaurant’s dishes are “a fiesta for your senses,” and the back patio is the perfect place to enjoy them.
Toasty’s Tavern | 1258 S. Shelby St.
This Shelby Park spot is home to one of Louisville’s best burgers. Pro tip: Check social media before heading out to see if there’s a fun movie playing.
Bars
Nouvelle Bar + Bottle | 214 S. Clay St.
This exquisite patio offers walk-up access from the sidewalk + extends back into a lush garden where you can order wine and small bites directly from your phone.
Garage Bar | 700 E. Market St.
This NuLu staple defines patio vibes with vibrant artificial grass, outdoor ping-pong, bright murals + signature cocktails, wood-fired pizza, and small plates, including oysters.
Flanagan’s Ale House | 934 Baxter Ave.
Eat some pub grub + drink a beer at the picnic tables on the side of the building + enjoy the expansive courtyard.
The Fox Den: Billiards, Bites, & Brews | 3814 Frankfort Ave.
This spot in the former Diamond Pub has bright orange patio furniture outside + pinball, pool, and live music inside.
Merryweather | 1101 Lydia St.
A neighborhood bar if ever there was one, The Merryweather features frequent pop-ups and food trucks + a fire pit out back.
Bar Nada Nada | 829 E. Market St.
This NuLu spot opened in July 2024, and has the feel of a Spanish patio. Sip a glass of natural wine from the rotating list or stir a cocktail in the shade.
Bar Genevieve | 730 E. Market St.
Reservations are recommended for this rooftop bar in NuLu. Take in sweeping views of Derby City with a cocktail in hand and a spread of French-street-food-inspired bites on the table.
Breweries
Mile Wide Beer Co. | 636 Barret Ave.
Situated in a former biscuit factory, Mile Wide offers a part-gravel, part-grass patio with picnic tables + inventive craft beer on tap.
Awry Brewing | 1025 Barret Ave.
Catch some rays on the rooftop at the corner of Barret and Oak while sipping on fresh beer and chowing down on a fried PB&J.
Hop Atomica | 1318 McHenry St.
Schnitzelburg’s newest brewery + distillery serves up woodfired pizza on its shaded, greenery-filled patio.
Monnik | 1036 E Burnett Ave.
Named after the Dutch word for monk, Monnik is dedicated to craft beer and good eats. Its menu features burgers, salads, and a rotating selection of seasonal picks.
Gallant Fox | 2132 Frankfort Avenue.
Sip from an array of 20+ beers and grab a giant pub pretzel with house made beer cheese + spicy mustard.
Gravely Brewing Co. | 514 Baxter Ave.
Situated above the ~100-year-old Phoenix Brewing beer caves, this elevated deck offers unencumbered views of downtown Louisville, and a larger-than-life boom-box display.
Coffee Shops
Full Stop Station | 1132 E. St Catherine St.
All aboard — coffee, smoothies, breakfast, and lunch are all on the menu. Stop by any time, it’s open daily, 7 a.m.-7p.m.
Sunergos | 1647 Norris Place
There are five Sunergos locations around town, but the spot on Norris Place has outdoor picnic tables + garage doors that open to transform the entire shop into an easy breezy coffee spot.
Heine Brothers Coffee | 2309 Frankfort Ave.
There are many great patios among the 18 Heine locations in the great Louisville area but the Clifton location might be the most brew-tiful, with an awning + leafy vine to ensure you’re covered.
Quills | 802 E. Main St.
There are seven Louisville locations of this local chain, but the NuLu location is the hottest of the bunch. String lights hang between the branches of a large, overhanging tree, as you sip coffee between the brick buildings of a former fire house that was built in the 1890s.
Dog-Friendly
PG&J’s Dog Park Bar | 800 Baxter Ave.
This pro-doggo patio includes a dog park for the four-legged + a full bar for those with two-legs.
Did we miss an outdoor option? We’re always looking to add to our lists. Email and let us know.
