These 12 Atlanta restaurants crush the outdoor dining game

There’s no better place to sit and sip a spritz than the rooftop patio at this modern Italian restaurant. Tre Vele’s renovated outdoor space is wind- and water-resistant and decked with exposed brick and greenery-covered walls. A bar upstairs means you won’t wait long for a drink to go with Neapolitan-style pizza, housemade pasta, and Italian classics including grilled branzino. Tre Vele also serves one of the best tiramisus this side of Venice.

Kyma is the next best thing to a meal by the Aegean Sea. Book a table in the tavern’s beautiful outdoor garden, done up in a crisp white and azure blue color palette with tiled floors, foliage, and low-slung chairs. Chef Pano I. Karatassos’s menu is also strong on the vacay vibes, filled with traditional Greek spreads, wood-grilled pita, and an exceptional salt-crusted European sea bass (lavraki) for two.

A meal at Canoe starts with a seasonal cocktail at its outdoor bar on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Then sit or stroll along the river as you wait for your table on the covered waterfront patio. Expect an evolving menu spotlighting gamey meats like rabbit and duck alongside Springer Mountain chicken. The restaurant’s crowd-favorite popcorn ice cream sundae, topped with Chantilly cream, tastes even better outside.

Owner Justin Anthony’s home country, South Africa, inspired the food and decor at this coastal-chic spot. Sure, you could pick a seat in the dining room, accented by custom surfboards and plants. But consider The Cape’s covered bougainvillea-decked rooftop patio, boasting expansive Avalon views, for an epic outdoor meal featuring fried whole-red snapper with cilantro coconut sauce and a charcuterie board with biltong (South African beef jerky).

Chef Ford Fry’s BeetleCat is no ordinary seafood shack. The ocean-themed spot turns the New England concept on its head with imaginative riffs on lobster rolls and chowder. Devour your feast on either one of BeetleCat’s two stellar patios—one off the main dining room on the roof for full sun or a shadier setting and retro vibes “below deck.” Try one of the tropical cocktails, including the Fish House Punch made with rum, brandy, peach whiskey, lemon, and black tea.

For a casual Rome-inspired outdoor dining experience, head to Forza Storico’s lively courtyard patio on the lower level of Westside Provisions District. The inviting space is decked with festive bistro lights and murals inspired by owner Pietro Gianni’s home country. Grab one of the tables shaded by blue-and-white striped umbrellas and order a bottle of wine from the Italy-focused list to pair with classic housemade pastas like cacio e pepe and tagliatelle alla bolognese, plus enormous salads.

Atlanta’s Westside is a hotspot for craft breweries, but Bold Monk stands out for its sprawling green spaces and something-for-everyone menu. Get thin-crust pizzas, Provençal-style mussels, or lighter options like grain bowls to pair with the brewery’s Belgian-style stouts and pilsners. Choose from several outdoor seating areas, including a patio surrounded by shade trees and footpaths, plus fire pits for cooler evenings.

Soak in skyline views at this indoor-outdoor beer garden on top of Ponce City Market. Grab a seat on the covered patio or large deck shaded by large umbrellas in warm months and clusters of fire pits and heaters when things cool off. The Southern-inspired menu includes local craft brews, all-day brunch favorites, and mains like shrimp and grits. After dinner, take a stroll on the neighboring Coney Island-style boardwalk, complete with a mini-golf course and nostalgic games like Skee-Ball.

The most sought-after tables at this restored homestead sit by a stone fireplace on the gorgeous brick patio. The covered porch is also a popular spot for digging into Southern classics like shrimp and stone-ground grits and fried chicken. In addition to those standbys, Table & Main also churns out unique dishes like barbecue pork wrapped in chive crepes and a can’t-miss seasonal vegetable plate filled with modern versions of beloved Southern sides.

The rooftop patio at this buzzy Buckhead Village restaurant is as gorgeous as its vibrant dining room. With prime skyline views, the show-stopping space is decorated with bold reds and textured fabrics that reflect the Mediterranean-accented menu, including group-friendly dishes like pan-seared halloumi, grilled Spanish octopus, and Moroccan-spiced lamb skewers. The drinks are also great for sharing—split a carafe of sangria or order a bottle of Spanish wine, also available by the glass.

Buckhead is an unexpected backdrop for a Provençal-inspired sidewalk bistro, but this charming cafe fits right in. Get comfortable by some plants underneath bright umbrellas or weathered wood beams. Anis is loved for its charcuterie and cheese plates and also serves heartier dishes, like traditional thyme-roasted chicken and a winning croque madame. A wide variety of wines by the glass go down easy, but also consider one of the pastis cocktails, made from a French anise-flavored liqueur.

You don’t need a plane ticket to tear into sushi, poke tacos, and collard green fried rice, thanks to the newest location of this award-winning airport restaurant. You’re in for the same sleek decor, Southern-meets-global food, and exceptional cocktails as the original Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport outpost. With massive umbrellas and lush greenery, the expansive 60-seat front patio was made for alfresco dining and prime people-watching.