The Top 10 Outdoor Restaurant Patios in the Sacramento Area
June 9, 2020

The Top 10 Outdoor Restaurant Patios in the Sacramento Area

One of the best things about living in the Sacramento area is spending time outdoors. Its mild winters and warm summers mean sunshine is abundant. One of the best ways to enjoy that sunshine is dining al fresco. Luckily, most restaurants in the greater Sacramento area have outdoor seating. Whether a private courtyard with lush landscaping or a bustling streetside patio perfect for people watching, there are plenty of places to enjoy your meal in the fresh air.

With Covid-19 stay-at-home restrictions being lifted, many diners are eager to get out there and enjoy a gourmet meal, and restaurants are meeting that demand by re-opening for in-person dining with safety guidelines in place. Tables are placed six feet apart, servers are wearing face coverings, and hard surfaces are being sanitized between customers. Dining outdoors reduces risk even further, so choosing a restaurant with a patio has never been so enticing!

With so many options in the Sacramento area, it can be hard to choose where to go. Following are some of our favorite outdoor patios in Sacramento. Head to one of these spots this weekend to get the best of both worlds — an incredible meal with an unbeatable atmosphere.

 

Cafeteria 15L

Cafeteria 15L Sacramento

Photo courtesy Cafeteria 15L

The interior of Cafeteria 15L in Downtown Sacramento is eclectic and exciting, so you may have a hard time deciding between sitting inside or out on the patio. But once you experience dining at their outdoor oasis, you’ll be convinced. They even have comfie couch seating, fire pits and romantic cabanas, as well as regular dining tables. Plus, their food is amazing, with comfort food classics like braised short ribs, chicken and waffle, and truffle tots.

 

The Firehouse Restaurant

The Firehouse Restaurant

Photo courtesy The Firehouse

The Firehouse Restaurant is a historic landmark in Old Sacramento with one of the most beautiful courtyards in town. Diners sit among the twinkling lights and ivy-laced walls to enjoy top-notch cuisine and a comprehensive wine list. Dishes include small plates such as carpaccio and oysters, as well as entrees like seared Chilean sea bass and pesto-crusted duck breast.

 

La Provence

Photo courtesy La Provence

La Provence in Roseville has one of the most inviting patios in the greater Sacramento area. The French-style restaurant serves elevated Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, including filet mignon au poivre, seared scallops with sweet pea risotto and braised lamb stew with fingerling potatoes.

 

Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.

Hook and Ladder

Photo courtesy Hook & Ladder

At Midtown Sacramento’s Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co., you can people-watch from the streetside front patio, or relax on the quaint back patio complete with greenery and hanging lights. The menu features comfort food with a Mediterranean flair, like a brisket burger with Calabrian chili aioli and bay scallops scampi with preserved lemon. Plus, they have renowned craft cocktails made from house-infused spirits and shrubs.

 

Milestone

Photo courtesy Milestone

The shaded patio at Milestone in El Dorado Hills overlooks a rose garden and relaxing fountain, making it a great spot to enjoy a night out. The menu focuses on comfort food with an upscale twist, like grilled steak frites with chimichurri, bone-in pork chop with mustard-herb crust, and for brunch, a lobster Benedict.

 

Paragary’s

Paragary's

Photo courtesy Paragary’s

With its olive trees, waterfall and inviting fireplace, the patio at Paragary’s in Midtown is a great choice to enjoy a Sacramento summer night. The upscale Italian-influenced cuisine has a farm-to-table focus and include such dishes as short rib ravioli with maitake mushrooms and roasted king salmon with Delta corn.

 

Seasons

 

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Seasons is a farm-to-table eatery in Davis that plans to re-open June 12. They have an inviting outdoor patio, complete with ceiling fans to keep you cool on warm summer nights. The California-focused menu changes regularly, but includes dishes like scallops with mushrooms and peas, salmon with harissa carrot puree, and ribeye with horseradish creme fraiche.

 

Scott’s Seafood on the River

Scotts Seafood on the River

Photos courtesy Scott’s Seafood

You can watch the sun go down over the Sacramento River from the enchanting patio at Scott’s Seafood on the River in the Little Pocket neighborhood of Sacramento. You can enjoy a meal from both land and sea, such as macadamia-crusted halibut, cajun garlic shrimp & grits, or Harris Ranch ribeye.

 

Aioli

Photo courtesy Aioli

Aioli has been turning out top-notch Spanish cuisine for more than 25 years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they transformed their restaurant into a fully functional bodega, providing much-needed ingredients and supplies to local residents. They’ve since re-opened as a restaurant, serving their classic dishes like paella and tapas on their lovely shaded patio.

 

Wildwood

 

 

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Located in the Arden-Arcade area, Wildwood is a stylish eatery known for its inviting patio, complete with firepits and dangling lights. The menu is seasonal American, featuring such items as seared shrimp risotto, St. Louis ribs and wild mushroom ravioli. They also serve brunch on the weekends!

Category Neighborhood Guides, Sacramento

Elizabeth Penney

Elizabeth Penney is a content writer for Lyon Real Estate and the Lyon Local blog. A Sacramento native with a marketing background, she shares her insider knowledge on restaurants, attractions and outdoor activities throughout the greater Sacramento area and beyond.