Put on your favorite sweater and grab a couple of friends to enjoy this short time of beautiful fall weather in Texas by eating and drinking on one of our favorite patios. 

San Antonio

 Southerleigh Haute South

Southerleigh Haute South offers a patio that looks out over a busy shopping district. Chef Jim Balfour’s coastal southern cuisine will bring you back for more down-home delicacies. We visited for lunch and couldn’t get enough of these Southern flavors. They’re known for their fried chicken, but if that’s not your bird, an array of options will please your palette. 

Start with deviled eggs and their pimento cheese (go for the pimento patty melt as an entree for something truly unique); just trust us! You can’t go wrong with a shrimp po-boy, fried catfish or …of course, fried chicken. If you’re looking for a healthier option, nosh on the chop salad or meatloaf (with a side of jalapeno cheese grits). 

Houston

Coltivare

Known for its handmade pasta and authentic Italian cuisine, Coltivare might be best known for its garden patio, which gives a homey, backyard feel. Their food is dictated by Houston’s growing season offering fresh food in their backyard garden. Surrounded by greenery and softly lit with string lights, the Coltivare patio is the perfect place to enjoy a Garden G&T while patrons wait for their table. 

Eight Row Flint

Eight Row Flint touts the best selection of margaritas and bourbon in town, and this former mid-century filling station is the ideal spot for extremely hot days. Outfitted with large fans to keep customers cool, the open-air bar is the go-to happy hour spot in Houston Heights. 

Miss Carousel & Vinny’s

Down in EaDo, two lesser-known patios are tucked away at adjacent Miss Carousel and Vinny’s. The buzzy bar at Miss Carousel has a hidden enclosed patio in the back that provides a breath of fresh air and can also be reserved for private parties. At Vinny’s, the by-the-slice pizza counter has a sunny patio that makes for some of the best people-watching in the city, from lunch to the late-night crowd.

Austin

Aba

Aba has our vote for the most magical patio in Austin! A light Mediterranean restaurant with a coastal California flare is tucked back into an enclave off the popular South Congress. Their greenery embossed patio offers a luxurious place to relax with their light wood and gray tones back dropped by a fully stocked bar. Their beautiful brunch can begin with a couple of mimosas, some tasty dishes, and some of your favorite friends.

If mimosas aren’t your thing, begin with a fluffy cappuccino while you peruse the menu, designed for family style enjoyment with tapas style dishes. Begin with one of their hummus choices- you can’t go wrong with traditional – the charred eggplant, the khachapuri (a soft egg and cremini mushroom on flatbread), short rib shakshuka, and green falafel (just the right amount of spice). A brunch as filling as this will last you all day! 

Corpus Christi

Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum

Elizabeth’s at the Art Museum is inspired by the beauty and the freshness of the Mediterranean. Their patio offers a warm charm and stunning harbor views. In addition, their walls are full of iconic art from around South Texas. You can also book a private dining session to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and fresh food with friends or families. 

Cover Photo Courtesy of Chase Daniel of Aba

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