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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | A new and sleek Italian seafood spot featuring private event spaces + an outdoor bar.
Blind Squirrel | 592 N English Station Rd.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | Get a riverside dining experience curated by celebrated local chef John Varanese (yeah, of the Varanese Restaurant).
Logan Street Market | 1001 Logan St.
Mostly sunny | With arepas, sushi, bubble tea, 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
Fully covered | 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.
Fully covered | 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.
Hauck’s Corner, Breafast/Pizza AF + Baked AF | 1000 Goss Ave.
Mostly sunny | This shared outdoor space is almost too large to be considered a patio, with multiple seating areas, fun outdoor decorations — like a Statue of Liberty and a seated Ronald McDonald statue — and a kids’ play area. Bonus: With two “Star Wars"-themed fire pits, it’s cozy in winter too.
Naive | 1001 E. Washington St.
Mostly sunny | This Butchertown small plates restaurant has a West Coast vibe, and that’s certainly true on the patio out back.
Toasty’s Tavern | 1258 S. Shelby St.
Partially shaded | 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.
Mostly sunny | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Shop Bar | 950 Barret Ave.
Partially shaded | Converted from a car workshop, this bar and store often has a local food truck outside.
Flanagan’s Ale House | 934 Baxter Ave.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | This spot in the former Diamond Pub has bright orange patio furniture outside + pinball, pool, and live music inside.
Merryweather | 1101 Lydia St.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Breweries
Against the Grain Brewery | 401 E. Main St.
Mostly sunny | Post up at one of the giant wooden picnic tables + feast on one of nine burgers, like The Roadhouse Roundhouse topped with bacon, caramelized onions, pickles, BBQ sauce, and aioli.
Mile Wide Beer Co. | 636 Barret Ave.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | Schnitzelburg’s newest brewery + distillery serves up woodfired pizza on its shaded, greenery-filled patio.
Shippingport Brewing | 1221 W. Main St.
Partially shaded | This Portland tap house serves craft beer + food and drinks for all ages, plus indoor and outdoor seating year-round.
Monnik | 1036 E Burnett Ave.
Partially shaded | 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.
Mostly sunny | 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.
Mostly sunny | 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.
Mostly sunny | 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
Partially shaded | 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.
North Lime | 1301 Herr Ln. No. 110 + 1228 S. 7th St.
Mostly sunny | Whether you’re in Old Louisville or out east, you can get a cup of joe and a classic or seasonal donut. Bonus: North Lime also has two locations in Lexington.
Moka & Co. | 1541 Highland Ave.
Mostly sunny | Start your morning right in the thick of things at this Nepali coffee shop just off Baxter Avenue and Bardstown Road.
Heine Brothers Coffee | 2309 Frankfort Ave.
Fully covered | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
Partially shaded | 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.
