Our city has many options when it comes to outdoor eating, including grassy lawns and gardens, tucked away and public patios, as well as spacious rooftops. Check this list the next time you’re looking for al fresco eats…

Downtown

(City Center, Brightleaf, West End)

Alley Twenty-Six

320 E. Chapel Hill St.

Outdoor perk: Seating in the charming adjacent alley, including weekly events like frozen cocktails and boozy slush on weekends!

American Tobacco Campus

(Multiple restaurants)

318 Blackwell St.

Outdoor perk: Whether stopping by for a ball game, DPAC show, or just to walk around, ATC has several family-friendly outdoor dining attractions. Newly opened Boricua Soul has a large covered outdoor space in the center of campus. Boxcar Bar & Arcade

621 Foster Street

Outdoor perk: Fenced-in gathering spot with plenty of picnic tables and outdoor games to play with friends with a beer in hand.

Bull City Burger and Brewery

107 E. Parrish St.

Outdoor perk: Tucked away patio and pergola sits out back between buildings–a peaceful spot to enjoy your burger and duck fat fries.

Bull City Ciderworks

305 S. Roxboro Street

Outdoor perk: Large open air deck that sits above the grounds which often host musical guests, food trucks and fire pit hangouts.

Bull McCabe’s

427 W. Main St.

Outdoor perk: Large, fenced-in grassy lawn with picnic tables–an comfortable spot for friends and family to hang out. They also have a covered deck area which sits above the lawn.

Cocoa Cinnamon

420 W. Geer St.

Outdoor perk: All three Cocoa locations have some outdoor seating, but my favorite is the original. With the garage doors open, it’s the coolest spot to sit and sip in the center of Geer Street.

Durham Food Hall

530 Foster St., Ste. 1

Outdoor perk: Centrally located spot; sidewalk tables and benches to enjoy your food all eats al fresco.

The Durham Hotel

315 E. Chapel Hill St.

Outdoor perk: The rooftop bar is the best place to see the Bull City from above while enjoying small plates and drinks. Check it out during sunset for extra pretty views!

Geer St. Garden

644 Foster St.

Outdoor perk: Globe lights create a cozy effect on the outdoor patio in back, perfect for casual family-style seating.

Goorsha

910 W. Main St.

Outdoor perk: The front patio is perfect for people-watching while enjoying flavorful Ethiopian food.

Grub

1200 W. Chapel Hill St.

Outdoor perk: Modern and spacious (mostly covered) rooftop patio in the West End neighborhood.

Hutchins Garage

402 W. Geer Street

Outdoor perk: Enjoy pizza outside the garage doors in an eclectic collection of tables, chairs and benches.

It’s a Southern Thing

605 W. Main Street

Outdoor perk: Quiet and sunny back patio situated in the the courtyard between buildings.

Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter

202 Corcoran Street

Outdoor perk: Tables and chairs on the plaza out front are in the center of all the downtown action.

Jetplane Coffee

810 N. Mangum St.

Outdoor perk: A small collection of tables out front to enjoy your delicious cup of coffee.

Local Yogurt

1114 West Chapel Hill St.

Outdoor perk: Newly redesigned covered outdoor patio with convenient take-out window.

Luna

112 W. Main St.

Outdoor perk: Use of adjacent outdoor park

Maverick’s

900 W. Main Street

Outdoor perk: Front patio sits on a prime corner location in the bustling Brightleaf Square district.

Motorco/Parts & Labor

723 Rigsbee Ave.

Outdoor perk: Indoor/outdoor casual dining on picnic tables beneath string lights. It’s dog=friendly, too!

Nanasteak

345 Blackwell St.

Outdoor perk: Newly designed and upgraded outdoor patio at an ideal downtown location.

Ninth Street Bakery

136 E. Chapel Hill St.

Outdoor perk: Central downtown location where you can gran a quick bite and people watch above Five Points.

Parker & Otis

112 S. Duke St.

Outdoor perk: Funky layered decks provide plenty of covered seating for casual and business meet ups.

The Patio at Unscripted Hotel

202 N. Corcoran Street

Outdoor perk: What’s better than dining poolside on a rooftop overlooking downtown Durham? Not much. Pour Taproom

202 N. Corcoran Street, #200

Outdoor perk: Located in the center of the city, the plaza is always buzzing with people, and often live music too.

Pompieri Pizza

102 City Hall Plaza

Outdoor perk: Nice central corner patio with a mesmerizing fire pit feature.

Ninth Street

Alpaca Peruvian Chicken

703A Ninth St.

Outdoor perk: Spacious side patio area convenient to Duke and all the 9th Street happenings.

Burger Bach

737 9th St. #220

Outdoor perk: Large screen TVs outside so you’ll never miss a big game. JuJu

737 9th St. #210

Outdoor perk: Large elevated patio in a central location on 9th St. Fire pits and space heaters are there to keep warm.

Secrets Pho & Noodle Bar

810 9th St., #130

Outdoor perk: Very larger patio on the corner lot, perfect for spaced-out dining.

University Ave. & Lakewood Area

Eastcut Sandwich Bar

3211 Old Chapel Hill Road

Outdoor perk: An old “greenhouse” has been transformed to a covered/tented patio in the back with lots of picnic tables and ample seating.

Foster’s Market

2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Outdoor perk: A little oasis off the main road with lots of eclectic seatings options and space to spread out.

Guglhupf

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Outdoor perk: Funky sunken patio with water features and umbrellas that’s set back off the main road and feels like another hidden oasis.

The Honeysuckle at Lakewood

1920 Chapel Hill Road

Outdoor perk: Large grassy lawn with picnic tables, patio space, open air indoor/outdoor vibe between the restaurant and outside. Future plans for edible plantings, etc.

The Refectory Cafe’

2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Outdoor perk: Sixteen gorgeous picnic tables made from Durham Tobacco recycled wood.

Saltbox Seafood Joint

2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Outdoor perk: Saltbox’s second and larger location has more room inside and out, including a set of picnic tables and umbrellas right out front.

Durham/Chapel Hill Blvd.

Namu

5420 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.

Outdoor perk: Namu’s patio and garden is a hidden gem off the main road, complete with large tables, umbrellas, lounge seating in a peaceful setting with a water feature and bamboo groves.

Sister Liu’s Kitchen

5504 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd., #103

Outdoor perk: A covered passthrough patio area as well as a small bamboo grove alongside the small restaurant offer a peaceful place to enjoy noodles and dumplings.

South Durham

Harvest 18

8128 Renaissance Pkwy, Suite 114

Outdoor perk: Nice tables and chairs with ample space in front of the restaurant are a good spot to go after shopping.

Streets at Southpoint

6910 Fayetteville Road

Outdoor perk: On site restaurants offer semi-covered seating and the perfect place to people watch while you refuel after shopping or catching a movie.

Comment below with your favorite outdoor dining spot in Durham!