Noda Company Store has updated its patio to have a tiki beach vibe.
Alex Cason
CharlotteFive
When it comes to patio dining, Charlotte has some real gems, and this is especially important to note during a global pandemic. With COVID-19 showing no signs of stopping, dining in a socially-distant environment, like on a porch, is the newest preferred method for many Charlotteans. Also, who doesn’t like a majestic garden-like ambiance offered by some of Charlotte’s favorites?
Of course, it’s important to stay safe when deciding to dine out, and if you are going to venture out, outdoors may be the perfect way to go. The weather is cooperating, too. As the heat of summer starts thinking about winding down into fall, here are some local restaurants with outdoor dining options, by neighborhood:
Enjoy one of the 30 local and regional craft beers on tap, or a full bar of wine and liquor, on the family-friendly patio complete with bar games like oversized Jenga, Connect Four and cornhole. Patrons can also play a round of volleyball on the outdoor court. Outdoor seating makes coronavirus social distancing more comfortable. Masks are required when walking around.
The art-deco inspired diner offers covered patio seating that is perfect for enjoying brunch or dinner outdoors. The restaurant has stated its commitment to following every COVID-19 guideline set up by the governor of North Carolina, as well all CDC-recommended guidelines.
A covered patio makes this grill and taphouse compatible for all-weather outdoor dining, which is at a reduced capacity for greater social distancing. Masks are mandatory when not seated for dining and for all staff members.
Enjoy dinner in the restaurant’s garden area or under the covered patio. String lights overhead make for a romantic evening ambiance. OGGI has stated its commitment to abiding by recommended COVID regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety of all guests and workers. The restaurant has implemented distancing between tables, and all staff are required to wear masks.
Stop in for a pint on the shaded patio at this local brewery with indoor/outdoor seating options – and bring your dog, too. Customers can also pick-up beer to go via the restaurant’s drive-thru for an even more socially distant experience.
Enjoy market offerings on the quaint patio area. When the weather is nice, the team often pulls up the garage doors for a more open concept in the small space. Masks must be worn by employees and patrons at all times, unless seated at a table. Staff is also happy to bring any orders out to your car, if you’re eating on the go.
The Hobbyist in Villa Heights has outdoor seating with a view of the skyline. Alex Cason
This food hall has spacious indoor and outdoor seating for increased social distancing. Place your order at the stall or call ahead. All orders are redeemed at the pickup window in the main courtyard. The Optimist Hall team has stated its commitment to strictly following all CDC cleanliness guidelines relating to the coronavirus.
Optimist Hall’s outside patio has plenty of seating and shade options. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Patios are available and seating is offered for parties of six and under. The tables are spaced generously for social distancing, and masks are required when not seated at a table for dining. Patrons can use the back door of the restaurant to place and/or pick up call-ahead orders.
Welcome to this female, Black-owned winery in the heart of Davidson. The outdoor patio is the perfect place for listening to live music and enjoying one of the urban winery’s craft creations. Enjoy a flight, or snack on a charcuterie under the shaded awning. Twinkle lights overheard make the setting more intimate in the evening hours. Masks must be worn by staff and patrons, when not seated at a table.
Enjoy dining at café tables under twinkle lights in the restaurant’s back patio. It’s great for romantic ambiance in the evening. Tables are disinfected after each dining party to safely prepare for the next seating. All staff members wear masks when serving guests.
The outside dining area offers views of natural gardens, as well as a view of the Village Green and College Church. There’s great sunlight and views of sunsets, as the patio faces southwest.
Enjoy a “Matilda Wong” on the restaurant’s intimate patio, which offers prime views of the Dilworth neighborhood. Masks are required to enter the restaurant and while moving around.
A gem in the heart of Dilworth, the restaurant and wine bar offer an open-air private courtyard/patio where diners can enjoy dinner and drinks under a canopy of trees and string lights. Staff has distanced all tables to be at least 6 feet apart, in accordance with North Carolina COVID-19 mandates and ordinances. Garden dining is by reservation only, and guests are limited to 2-hour visits.
This laidback hotspot for Mexican-inspired cuisine has a top-notch selection of tequilas. Enjoy one on the spacious back patio, which includes an outdoor bar.
Enjoy the recently expanded patio seating area for increased social distancing. There are over 100 outdoor seats, all spaced at least 6 feet apart. The restaurant is abiding by the North Carolina mask mandate, which means all customers must wear masks when not seated at a table. Staff wear masks, and have been asked to wear gloves, wash their hands frequently and self-monitor for any potential COVID-19 symptoms.
The patio at Goodyear House in NoDa extends into the backyard lot next door to encourage people to space out during COVID-19. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
This gallery, art bar, and beer and wine pub offers small plates and snack options in the heart of NoDa, including a recently-expanded patio with separated areas for individual parties to accommodate increased social distancing. Tiki umbrellas and porch swings create a breezy island vibe.
Noda Company Store has updated its patio to have a tiki beach vibe. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Enjoy a meat-free meal on the patio of NoDa’s very first vegan restaurant. The outdoor dining area includes picnic tables perfect for larger parties, all surrounded by the most adorable white picket fence and colorful artwork. Patrons must wear masks for the transition to their tables.
This full-service restaurant offers authentic Caribbean cuisine every day from 4 –11 p.m. Enjoy a tropical drink in the spacious outdoor patio for a vacay getaway feel.
A fenced-in patio area with shaded seating makes leisurely neighborhood dining even easier. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. All staff members wear masks.
Take a load off at this trendy coffee shop with patio seating, offering a street view of the Plaza Midwood neighborhood landscape. Guests are required to wear masks when ordering from inside of the coffee shop, and all staff will be wearing masks, too.
Enjoy a cold one in the three-story bar that boasts the world’s largest selection of draft beers available in one restaurant — 436 taps, to be exact. Pups are welcome on the patio, so bring your fur babies if they’re tired of being in the house, too. Face coverings are required unless seated, per the North Carolina COVID mandate.
Charlotte Beer Garden has a rooftop bar with a view. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
Stop in for lunch or dinner on the patio at this plant-forward restaurant that offers paleo, vegan and vegetarian meals all made from scratch. Don’t miss the street view of the South End neighborhood.
Flower Child has a patio with views of Camden Road and the LYNX light rail. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
The spacious patio at this newer spot is great for small groups and perfect for a socially distant nosh on artisanal, hand-crafted Italian cuisine. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. All staff members wear masks for the duration of their time in the restaurant.
North Italia offers al fresco dining perfect for a socially distanced brunch, lunch or dinner. Ashley Lester, courtesy of North Italia CharlotteFive
Featuring front and back outdoor patios — and a grown-up playground — this restaurant is open with limited capacity for inside dining, and service is walk-up only at the front patio. Masks are required when not eating and drinking.
This brunch spot boasts craft cocktails, oysters and scratch-made food. The outdoor space includes 28 tables that wrap around the building for ample outdoor seating. Masks are required, unless dining at a table. All staff are required to wear masks.
STIR has a large patio and plenty of space at half capacity. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive
You’ll find upscale dining with covered patio seating, along with fans overhead for keeping patrons cool on warm days. Guests are required to wear masks while at the restaurant, unless dining. Staff are required to wear masks.
This upscale Spanish restaurant boasts a wide-range of traditional Spanish delicacies like paella, cured meat, grilled octopus, patatas bravas and more. The restaurant is adhering to strict social distancing guidelines during the pandemic to ensure that guests not only enjoy the delicious bites, but also feel safe and at ease while doing so. Guests are required to wear masks unless seated for dining, and staff is required to wear face coverings for the duration of their shifts. A spacious patio out back includes a lounge that’s perfect for small groups to enjoy the fresh air while sipping sangria and noshing on shareable cuisine.
A spacious patio sits behind Bulla Gastrobar. Courtesy of Bulla Gastrobar
Café tables are set up outside the authentic French eatery that make for great dining on sunny days. Tables have been spaced at a greater distance for increased social distancing. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated for dining. Staff are also required to wear masks.
Enjoy craft cocktails and tapas on the rooftop patio that sits atop the AC Hotel Charlotte. It’s great for groups who want a relaxed evening paired with an ambiance that is both comfortable and laid back. COVID-19 safety precautions include a separate waiting area for guests located on the ground level, reduced guest capacity and regular sanitization of all high-touch areas, as well making sanitizer accessible for all guests, contactless menus, and the requirement that all staff wear face coverings and perform temperature checks and symptom screening prior to their shifts.
Cordial is located above AC Hotel Charlotte SouthPark and it offers views of uptown with a selection of cocktails and tapas. LunahZon Photography The Plaid Penguin
This spot is perfect for enjoying a glass of wine on the patio with friends where tables have been spaced at a greater distance for better social distancing. Lush trees add shade during the hottest hours of the day. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff are masked full-time, whether they’re working in the front or back of the establishment.
There’s nothing like parking yourself on a patio space in Charlotte. This one at Foxcroft Wine Co. in Dilworth features elegant strings of white lights. Katie Toussaint CharlotteFive
The large, partially-covered, patio seating area is great for small groups at this location. You can also pick up a few groceries while you’re there. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff is also masked full-time.
Dining is available inside or on the spacious patio, with umbrellas overhead for shade, at this upscale neighborhood restaurant offering a variety of authentic Italian selections. Both seating areas have been reduced to 50% capacity for increased social distancing and the restaurant is complying with all state-manded Phase 2 guidelines to protect staff and customers.
This locally-owned gastropub includes a mix of both upscale and casual dining options. It’s open for dine-in, with outdoor seating available, and takeout. All tables are spaced at least 6 feet apart, with no more than 6 guests to a table. Occupancy has been reduced by 50% during the coronavirus for increased social distancing, and disposable menus are being implemented for single-use. All tabletops are cleaned between guests. Wipes and sanitation stations are set up in various spots within the restaurant. Guests are required to wear masks, unless dining and all team members are required to wear masks and gloves.
This BBQ eatery with multiple locations offers spacious outdoor seating in Steele Creek. Pups are welcome for outdoor dining, so bring your furry friends. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff are also required to wear masks.
Covered patio space is available so patrons can enjoy the outdoor weather or be in a climate-controlled atmosphere, thanks to the restaurant’s retractable walls. The patio offers a private bar and includes lounge seating. Masks are required, unless seated for dining. Staff are required to wear masks for the entire shift.
Patio seating is available after 5 p.m. at this coveted seafood spot, which features an intimate setting. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff are required to wear masks and gloves full-time. Tables have been spaced, and capacity has been reduced for increased social distancing. Tables are sanitized immediately after dining.
Spacious patio seating makes this location great for small groups. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff are also required to wear masks, per the North Carolina COVID mandate.
The rooftop bar and lounge at Le Meridien hotel — which started out as SkyBar and was recently renamed — features craft cocktails and light bites. Reservations are advised for 10 or more guests. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated for dining, and staff are required to wear masks full-time. Hand sanitizer is available for use in the lobby.
The rooftop bar and lounge at Le Meridien hotel features craft cocktails and light bites. Courtesy of Cloud Bar
This rooftop patio offers breathtaking views of the uptown Charlotte skyline. The ambiance also includes linear fire pits, a social pool and a seasonal herb garden. Tables have been spaced for greater social distancing, and employees must all wear masks. UltraViolet purifiers have been installed in all HVAC units and all patio tables, chairs, railings and exterior doors are sanitized regularly.
Fahrenheit offers outstanding views of Charlotte’s skyline. Courtesy of Fahrenheit Charlotte
You’ll find an expansive rooftop bar and lounge with unmatched views of uptown Charlotte. Enjoy small plates and craft cocktails as you mingle. The “Count on Me NC” certified restaurant is offering limited seating for in-restaurant dining during COVID, and it’s following all local health and safety protocols including the use of EPA-registered cleaning products, providing staff with proper equipment such as face coverings and gloves, and ensuring tables are at a minimum of 6 feet apart.
Visit this rooftop restaurant and bar with magical city views and a chic-sophisticated ambiance. To show support of the state ordinance to wear a mask, all patrons arriving in their masks will be greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly. Guests are seated at a distance for increased safety, and payments are cashless to reduce touchpoints. Sanitizer stations are placed around the establishment for use. The Nuvole team will be wearing masks for the duration of the service.
Take in the sweeping views at Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo. Melissa Oyler CharlotteFive
The Stanley has outdoor patio seating alongside the sidewalk on 7th and Pecan streets. Callie Langhorne CharlotteFive
The outdoor patio is the perfect size for small groups to enjoy seasonally inspired, locally sourced farm-to-table food. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated for dining. Staff are required to wear masks while working.
The Stanley has outdoor patio seating alongside the sidewalk on 7th and Pecan streets. Callie Langhorne
The fenced-in patio out front of the restaurant is perfect for dining on sunny days. Umbrellas offer the perfect amount of shade. Guests are required to wear masks, unless seated. Staff are all required to wear masks.
Outdoor patio seating at this spot includes tables great for COVID social distancing. Masks are required when dining indoors or not seated at the patio tables.
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This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 4:02 PM.
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Kadee Blakely is a native Charlottean who has worked as a freelance writer for local publications since 2007. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, true crime novels and trying out new recipes at home. Follow her on Instagram @kadeethescribe.
