Put away your coats and break out the sunglasses. Now is the best time to take advantage of dining outdoors.
When the hosts ask whether you’d like to sit indoors or on the patio, it’s important to know which restaurants have the best outdoor settings. Here are some restaurants that offer great outdoor environments worth experiencing this spring.
Cibo - Downtown Phoenix
603 N. 5th Ave. Phoenix, Ariz. 85003
This urban pizzeria cafe located in downtown Phoenix at a quaint restored bungalow is excellent for outdoor dining. Cibo offers authentic Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the indoor dining area is not large, Cibo has the ideal outdoor space. The patio is styled much like a backyard, with several grassy patches and trees, as well as large tables on cobblestones. The patio also has heaters when it gets cold in the evening. However, what sets the outdoor environment apart from other restaurants in the area is the beautiful lighting by strings of twinkle lights at night. This charming restaurant is perfect for both lunch with friends or a date.
San Felipe’s Cantina - Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy #1001, Tempe, Ariz.
Located in the heart of Tempe Marketplace, this lively restaurant offers a fun outdoor dining experience. San Felipe’s tagline is, “Coastal Mexican food with an attitude.” It certainly delivers with a wide variety of both authentic Mexican and grill food and an upbeat bar atmosphere. The large patio looks out on the center of Tempe Marketplace which is often bustling with people and events. Also, enjoy live music with your meal when local bands and musicians perform just outside the patio every Friday and Saturday night. When looking for a fun, loud place to enjoy the warm weather, San Felipe’s patio is the place to be.
Gordon Biersch – Downtown Tempe
420 South Mill Suite 201 Tempe, Ariz. 85281
While not as quaint or lively as the other restaurants on this list, Gordon Biersch is an ideal spot for outdoor dining in the Mill Avenue District. The restaurant offers a variety of American food from classic burgers to seafood entrees, as well as a full bar. Located on the second floor, this New Orleans-style brewery has three balconies overlooking Mill Avenue and downtown Tempe. The tables on the balconies are equipped with umbrellas for daytime dining and casual lighting at night. The best time to go is happy hour to watch the sunset over the horizon from Gordon Biersch's prime viewpoint. Whatever time of day, the patio at Gordon Biersch offers a stunning view of Tempe.
Reach the reporter at julianne.defilippis@asu.edu