12 places to enjoy patio season in the suburbs
It finally feels safe to say we’ve reached consistent outdoor dining season.
Eating outside on a perfect early summer night is our reward for months of winter spent cooped up indoors. People in more temperate climates take it for granted, but for the limited time we can do it, nothing beats it.
The suburbs are vast and there are hundreds of restaurants where you can dine al fresco. Here you’ll find a small sampling of places with patio dining. Some offer a view, some offer a secluded hideaway, all offer a chance to sit outside, relax, and enjoy lunch or dinner.
Since a comprehensive list is nearly impossible, and definitely impractical, we’re likely to have left off your favorite. If you have a spot you’d like to see get some recognition, drop it in the story comments online or email me at rwest@dailyherald.com and I’ll add them to an upcoming Dining out column. You can never have too many options.
This list is presented in reverse alphabetic order since my last name starts with a W and I always resented being called last as a kid.
Villa Verone
Located in a more than 150-year-old stone house at 416 Hamilton St. in Geneva, Villa Verone serves up authentic southern Italian dishes on a charming patio that makes you ask why you don’t do this with your own backyard. Their outside space makes you feel like you might be dining at an Italian villa as opposed to downtown Geneva.
Old Republic Kitchen + Bar
While we can all agree the pandemic was good for nothing, it did encourage restaurants to embrace outdoor dining in order to survive. Old Republic, 155 S. Randall Road, Elgin, did just that, expanding its space and adding multiple levels with shipping containers, an outdoor bar and a stage for live music. Plenty of burgers and handhelds are on the menu, as well as pizza and classic entrées.
Meson Sabika
At Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave. in Naperville, you can enjoy a taste of Spain in the form of tapas on the charming patio of a mansion built in 1847. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and was named among the top 100 most popular restaurants for outdoor dining in America by OpenTable last year.
Empire Burgers + Brew
This one is kind of a cheat because Empire, at 48 W. Chicago Ave. in Naperville, has a year-round retractable roof deck. But it’s still a great place to hang out, dine on a craft burger and sip a cocktail or a beer with a view of the DuPage River.
El Patio
Name your restaurant El Patio (which translates to “the patio”) and you better make sure you can live up to it. Located at 64 S. Grove Ave., along the Fox River in Elgin, the outdoor dining space of the Mexican eatery features furnishings and accessories selected from Mexico by the owners. The place is made to enjoy a margarita and a warm summer night.
Docks Bar & Grill
Growing up on the Gulf Coast in Florida as I did, I miss waterfront dining. Docks Bar & Grill gives some of the same vibes with its panoramic views of Bangs Lake from the large wood “Docks on the Rocks” deck. Keep it simple with nachos and burgers or dine on entrées like prime rib, rack of lamb or mahi mahi while listening to live music on Fridays and Saturdays at the venue at 313 E. Liberty St., Wauconda.
Cortland’s Garage Tavern & Grill
The winner of the Daily Herald Readers’ Choice Best of the Best for outdoor dining in 2024, Cortland’s Garage at 1 N. Vail Ave. in Arlington Heights is a neighborhood joint with elevated bar food and a robust draft beer selection. Most importantly for our purposes, it has a really big outdoor space to enjoy.
Chicago Culinary Kitchen
Offering Texas-inspired barbecue at 2391 N. Hicks Road in Palatine, Chicago Culinary Kitchen’s covered patio is open May through October, weather permitting. The 1980s rock ’n’ roll vibe of the restaurant is carried outside with neon lighting, rustic exposed beams, brick walls and string lights. Dine on barbecue and beer while listening to live music. There’s no cover on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bub City
Bub City, 5441 Park Place in Rosemont, has two levels of open-air patio seating serving an all-day menu of pitmaster favorites, sandwiches and signature cocktails. Located in the Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District, the patio has the benefit of overlooking the park for concerts on Thursday nights. Patio dining is first come, first served.
Broken Oar
Heading out for lunch or dinner but want to take the boat instead of a car? Broken Oar, at 614 Rawson Bridge Road in Port Barrington, has a marina as well as a bar and restaurant. Enjoy waterfront dining with an outdoor menu loaded with salads, burgers, sandwiches and nightly specials, including the Friday night fish fry.
Alter Brewing + Kitchen
You don’t have to wait for warm weather to hit Alter Brewing’s patio at 12 S. First St. in St. Charles, because they have a heated seasonal enclosure that’s open during the winter months. But it’s a lot nicer to sit alongside the Fox River with a warm breeze blowing. Located downtown in the newly redeveloped First Street Plaza, the local craft brewery has been making beer for 10 years, but also offers a full-service kitchen with a nice cocktail program as well.
Adelle’s Modern Kitchen and Bar
Adelle’s pergola-covered outdoor dining area feels like a secluded hideaway despite being located just feet off a well-traveled road. The glass-art flower installation by owner Debbie Williams anchors the middle of the space, where you can enjoy modern fare with global influences and innovative cocktails at 535 W. Liberty Drive in Wheaton.