There’s a particular kind of afternoon that only spring in North Texas can deliver. The temperature sits right in that sweet spot before summer makes outdoor dining feel like a dare, and suddenly every patio in the Metroplex is the best seat in the house.

If you work in or around the DFW area, you already know how much easier life gets when a great lunch or after-work dinner is a short drive away. Here are some of the best patios worth reserving a table at right now.

Here are a few of our suggestions for the best restaurant patios to enjoy a meal with friends and the nice weather in DFW.

Read more: Spring Patio Dining Around DFW: Addison, Grapevine, Dallas & Bishop Arts

Addison: Belt Line Has Never Looked Better

Ida Claire | 5001 Belt Line Rd, Addison

Ida Claire brings Southern flavor and a laid-back vibe to Belt Line. The garden patio, built around a vintage Airstream, is both fun and inviting. Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4. Try the shrimp and grits, crispy crawfish beignets, or chicken and waffles. The cocktails put a twist on Southern favorites. It’s a great spot for a work lunch or a long, relaxed brunch.

For the full menu and more information, visit: ida-claire.com

Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar  | | 14999 Montfort Dr, Vitruvian area, Addison  | 214) 894-5676

A fusion of Asian flavors and Texas barbecue, Loro’s patio brings a cool, laid-back vibe with bold flavors and craft drinks. The communal seating and smoky aromas create an atmosphere that feels both social and relaxed. It is a great place option for team lunches or impromptu happy hours. Order smoked meats, share some plates, and let the evening run long. Happy hour runs 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

For  more information, visit: loroeats.com

Antonio Ristorante | 4985 Addison Circle, Addison  (972) 458-1010

Antonio Ristorante has been serving real Italian food for more than 30 years. Grab a seat on the patio and enjoy homemade pasta or pizza in the sun. The wine list is long, and the setting is perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends.  

For the full menu and more information, visit:  antonioristorante.com

Grapevine: Historic Main Street

Mi Dia From Scratch | 1295 S Main St, Grapevine |  (817) 421-4747 

Chef Gabriel DeLeon has created a truly harmonious menu, fusing traditional Mexico City recipes with modern Santa Fe and Tex-Mex flavors. The patio seats 100 and features a living wall, mister fans, and heaters — so spring conditions are almost always ideal. 

Signature menu items include duck carnitas street tacos on corn tortillas and Cochinita Pibil, and the hand-squeezed margaritas from a tequila tower featuring over 100 agave selections are genuinely worth the trip. Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Locations in Grapevine, Plano, and Flower Mound. Visit midiafromscratch.com for more information. 

Esparza’s Restaurante Mexicano | 124 E Worth St, Grapevine |  (817) 481-4668 | 

Esparza’s is a Main Street favorite and the kind of neighborhood spot where regulars feel at home. The patio is lively, and the salsa is so good they sell it by the jar. It’s a solid pick for an easygoing dinner or meeting up with friends and coworkers for Happy Hour. For more information: esparzastexas.com

Dallas Uptown / Downtown: Rooftop Energy

The Henry | Dallas Uptown, 2301 N Akard St, Dallas | (972) 677-9560

Bursting with charm and energy, The Henry Rooftop Bar is a mainstay of Uptown Dallas. Above a restaurant that feels like home, you and your friends can come and go with ease while sitting above the lively hustle and bustle of downtown. The cozy Rooftop Bar & Lounge is covered and heated.

Brunch with a friend? Dinner with family? Refreshing post-work cocktail with show-stopping views of the city? It handles all three. The brunch menu includes fresh-baked pastries, a California Bowl, and mimosas that will extend your Saturday considerably. Brunch is served in the Dining Room from 9 am – 4 pm on Saturday & Sunday,  and on the Rooftop Bar & Lounge from 11 am – 3 pm.

Valet parking is available Wednesday to Friday, 4 pm – 11 pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 10 am – 11 pm. | thehenryrestaurant.com

Bishop Arts District: Patios Worth the Drive

Encina | 614 W Davis St, Suite 100, Dallas | (945) 306-3067 

Located in the old Bolsa space, Encina is run  by chef Matt Balke and Corey McCombs, and serves one of the best brunches in Bishop Arts District. The enclosed patio has a relaxed, rustic feel. Try a classic or seasonal mimosa and build your own brunch spread. The blue corn pancakes with cajeta are so popular that you can buy the mix at H-E-B. If you’re hungry, go for the Montreal long-haul duck confit platter.

Reservations are highly recommended for brunch. Make your reservations through OpenTable or by phone. encinadallas.com

Paradiso | Bishop Arts District, 308 N Bishop Ave, Dallas | (214) 944-5865  

A full-service, Southern European-inspired restaurant set within a beautiful garden shaded by trees. Their farm-to-table-inspired menu focuses on seasonal ingredients, and the pizza, pasta, and bakery program is all made in-house. The string lights and lovely garden setting make weekend brunch here feel genuinely celebratory. Cocktails at the outdoor bar, wood-fired flatbreads, and lemon ricotta pancakes are crowd favorites.

Paradiso also has lovely event spaces for a special company event, an elegant rehearsal dinner, and a small, intimate wedding. 

For the full menu and more information, visit: paradisodallas.com

Taco y Vino | Bishop Arts District, Dallas

Taco y Vino serves Mexican brunch every day. If you want a Monday mimosa, this is the spot. The brunch menu runs at lunchtime all week, featuring standout chilaquiles and Frescamosas—mimosas made with aguas frescas.

Spring in DFW goes by fast. The time between “too cold” and “too hot” moves faster than you think, and if you’ve been meaning to explore beyond your usual lunch spot, now is the time to do it. The best patio weather doesn’t last long, and weekend tables fill up quickly. If you want to try somewhere new, now’s your chance.

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