Your ultimate guide to 50+ heated patios in the Charlotte area for fall/winter 2022
By Laurie Larsh and
Melissa Oyler
Dining al fresco is a little trickier when it comes to Charlotte winters.
SOME GOOD NEWS: Many restaurants around town are equipped to handle sweater weather, with heated outdoor dining options.
Heat lamps, fire pits, overhead infrared heating and fire tables are enabling restaurants — from casual to upscale, American to Asian-fusion — to offer patrons a warm spot to enjoy a hot meal.
Here is our list of restaurants with heated patios around Charlotte:
The restaurant that recently gave away free pizza for life has something else to warm your heart this winter: outdoor heated dining in front of and beside the Phillips Place restaurant. Cozy up with your besties over a honey badger pizza for the ultimate in warmth.
Cocktails, culture and a cozy patio await in The Artisan’s Palate’s secret garden. The restaurant and art gallery features several fire pits, perfect for gathering around to sip a cocktail off the extensive drink list.
Warm up under the heated tent going up Nov. 1 on the rooftop bar nestled in uptown while you wait for your order of spicy shrimp lettuce cups or wagyu beef hand rolls. A new cocktail menu is on deck, and the space will be decorated with a Winter Wonderland theme.
Open for brunch and dinner — cast iron cinnamon rolls and handmade trenette al pesto taste equally as delicious under the glow of Bar Marcel’s heat lamps.
For an upscale meal with some fresh air vibes, check out Barrington’s. Order a la carte or enjoy the four-course prefix menu while enjoying sweater weather by the propane heaters.
Thanks to its new patio heaters, you can now enjoy Billy Sunday’s outdoor space year-round. Still cold? A pickleback shot will warm you right up. Throw in an adult lunchable to snack on while you enjoy the warmth of the heat.
You can visit Billy Sunday’s outdoor space year-round, thanks to its patio heaters. Billy Sunday
A large patio dotted with heaters makes Bulla the perfect spot to sip on sangria and share some tapas with friends. Don’t leave without trying the crowd favorite ham croquettes and montaditos.
Visit the 76-acre set up of food stalls, restaurants, art, shops and more at Camp North End. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the property’s infrared heaters and fire pits. Here are the details:
Boileryard — features heaters above the seating in the pergola and the tent areas, as well as two adjacent wood burning fire pits.
Mount — features heaters above seating and one central wood burning fire pit.
Keswick — features heaters above tables in front of the food stalls, on a new gas-powered fire table.
With 436 beers on tap and a heated sidewalk patio, you can stay warm by while drinking a cold beer at Charlotte Beer Garden. Order the Esquites Corn Dogs, with roasted corn, pimento peppers, pickled onions, avocado spread and sweetened mayo.
The place described as a “nice, cozy nook with a good lake view” also has patio heaters to go along with live music. Show up for a night of fun and dancing — that will keep you warm as well!
Warm up on The Crunkleton’s heated patio with an order of Fire Roasted Acorn Squash Fries, featuring Chinese Five Spice creme fraiche, chili lime pepitas, pecan syrup and Aleppo chili and a Painkiller Cocktail — or the mocktail version.
Cozy up with a glass of your favorite red wine and some truffle chips on the patio of Dilworth Tasting Room’s Dilworth location, where heaters can be found throughout. Note: The SouthPark location does not feature heaters.
Order up The Dunavant’s signature steak and bottomless truffle fries meal and enjoy it under the restaurant’s patio heat lamps. Make sure you check out the restaurant’s always creative seasonal drink menu — Pardon My French anyone?
Sit near a heat lamp outside The Dunavant to stay warm while you munch. Courtesy of Sweet Seoul Media
Come for the crab cake on a bun with blue crab meat, stay for the famous ice cream crepe drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce. You can even sit outside year-round — when the weather is cold and the patio heaters are on.
Build yourself a bento box with an entree and a four-piece sushi roll, then grab a seat at Eez Fushion & Sushi’s heated and covered patio. The sister concept to The Cowfish is located at Birkdale Village in Huntersville.
Take in the Charlotte city skyline views from the warmth of the fire pits at this 21st floor hotspot. An Asian-accented menu from chef Rocco Whalen offers dishes like Shanghai Wok Tossed Lobster and Kung Pao Cauliflower.
The greenhouse dining may be gone, but Fern has brought in some patio heaters to keep guests warm as they enjoy a garden-fresh vegetarian meal with crops grown by the Mother Earth Group farm.
Experience fine dining al fresco on this restored Craftsman bungalow’s covered porch or covered pavilion complete with new infrared heaters. The Elk Chop is not to be missed.
Warm up next to an infrared heater during a meal on Fig Tree’s patio. Courtesy of Fig Tree
Figo36 has heat built into the walls of its patio at the NoDa restaurant — how cool is that? Er, how hot is that? The restaurant’s proximity to the light rail means not too long of a walk in the cold to your ride after dinner, either.
Dine on some mouth-watering handmade pasta while getting cozy under a blanket. Available for a $5 washing fee, Flour Shop’s blankets add a little extra warmth to the two tower heaters on the restaurant’s lower patio and the two infrared heaters on its upper patio.
Flour Shop has blankets for rent, plus two tower heaters on the restaurant’s lower patio and the two infrared heaters on its upper patio. Flour Shop
Food-friendly wines and a menu with tasty bites both small and large make any of the three Foxcroft Wine locations perfect for snuggling up under a heater. BYOB (bring your own blanket) is encouraged, as is trying the mouthwatering Signature Donuts with salted caramel and chocolate sauces.
Bring a blanket from home and stay warm at Foxcroft Wine. Courtesy of Foxcroft Wine
Whether you indulge in some scallops and grits or opt for some whiskey crab bisque to keep warm — the lounge style seating and three fire pits the Golden Owl Tavern are the perfect outdoor setting for any occasion.
Golden Owl Tavern has outdoor fire pits and heat lamps on its wraparound patio facing the LNYX Blue Line University City Station. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
A goodyear house is one that is added onto when years are good, and true to its name, The Goodyear House’s outdoor dining space keeps getting bigger and better over the years. Igloo dining began for the season on Nov. 7. Additionally, the large pergola on the restaurant’s extended patio has heaters and retractable walls. We’ll meet ya there — you’ll spot us by our order of a goopy burger or warm banana pudding.
The large pergola on The Goodyear House’s extended patio has heaters and retractable walls. Courtesy of The Goodyear House
The patio at Haberdish is covered — if it’s nice out, the team will open the slats of the roof. Heaters line the edge of the patio, keeping you toasty while you make your way through some hushpuppies or fried chicken tossed in Nashville hot sauce. Save room for some brown butter pound cake.
Not just heaters: The Harp & Crown has a giant fireplace and hearth on its impressive outdoor patio, perfect for keeping you warm while noshing on a corn beef Reuben, Irish meatloaf or European chocolate mousse. It’s the perfect place to get a slice of Ireland without leaving the States.
Enjoy gazing over the lake with the cool breeze outside but you’re warm and toasty under the warm patio heaters at Hello, Sailor. Order a filling Smoked Chicken Breast, which is korean bbq smoked chicken and comes with peruvian corona beans and smoked field peas.
Sit out on the heated patio at The Jimmy, which is covered and can also be enclosed, to share a pizza when the temperatures take a dip. The Quattro Formaggi includes chevre, gorgonzola, pecorino, cacio, herbs and hot honey for a little extra warmth.
The South End location of this rustic gastropub offers an enclosed patio with heaters. The Arboretum location on Providence Road and Northcross location in Huntersville both have heaters, but are open air, so make sure to wear layers. Pick your favorite location for dishes big and small, and even for brunch.
The covered patio at Link & Pin opens your options for outdoor dining. Courtesy of Link & Pin South End
This cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie shop provides heaters at every table on its patio so guests can enjoy a board or a sandwich while keeping warm.
Mac’s Speed Shop’s new Concord location — the only one with a heated patio — is your spot to kick back with a plate of Mac’s Nachos piled high with pulled pork and a cold craft beer. You’ll also be able to catch live music from the spacious outdoor area.
There’s a large heated patio with an adjacent greenspace for little ones to roam a bit while you’re waiting for a pizza or calzones at this restaurant and bar.
Last winter, Mariposa launched its new patio dining heaters to keep you warm even in the cold. Order up some tandoori spiced cauliflower or piri piri chicken for the table. Pro tip: If it’s a burger you crave, though, you’ll want to go on a Wednesday and sit at the bar.
In addition to its coveted 10-person igloos that are available by reservation, Merchant & Trade also offers a heated terrace with spectacular city views. Whether you’re looking to snack on some Buffalo Fried Mushrooms or indulge in some Surf & Turf, the view is taken care of. Reservations for igloos are available Tuesdays through Sundays beginning Friday, Nov. 11.
Candace Whitfield and Kim Hoefer enjoy the warmth of Merchant & Trade’s igloo seating. The uptown rooftop restaurant has two igloos that seat 10-12 people. Reservations are required. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive
Milkbread’s Charlotte location has heaters lining the outdoor patio — a much-needed addition on cold days. Order a seasonal latte and some mini cinnies to keep you even cozier.
Milkbread’s Charlotte cafe is located at Plaza Midwood’s former Dairy Queen location. KJ Edelman
At 22 stories up, this rooftop restaurant provides sweeping views of the city that will almost make you forget you are cold. Sip a cocktail from the restaurant’s extensive menu warmed by the heat lamps and fire pits. For an extra layer of protection from the elements, Nuvole 22 has a retractable screen and blankets available.
Dotted across its 8-acre biergarten are space heaters and large fire pits to keep visitors warm while they toast at Charlotte’s oldest brewery while munching on a giant soft pretzel. Prost.
Take the chill out of the evening near a firepit at OMB. Courtesy of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Get your margarita with a twist of lime and a side of heat on RuRu’s heated patio. Plus, with taco names like Fat Guy in a Little Coat, Am I Being Punked and I’ll Have What She’s Having, ordering at RuRu’s is always sure to make you smile.
Grab a Bucket burger and a beer and cozy up on this SouthPark patio next to the heaters. Add some extra jalapenos to the Cheese Blanket Nachos and you’re sure to stay warm.
The covered, heated patio at Rock Salt is the perfect spot to stay warm while enjoying some of the restaurant’s signature seafood dishes. It may be chilly outside, but the taste of fresh oysters will bring you right to the coast.
The spacious patio at this open-air spot provides for an indoor-outdoor vibe that’s welcoming year-round when you want to grab a few tacos or a burrito.
Whether it’s a chicken biscuit and a cup of coffee for brunch, or lobster mac and cheese and a beer at dinner, Suffolk Punch offers ample outdoor space with heaters to keep you warm.
Supperland’s heated patio is the perfect place for people watching while dining in the Commonwealth neighborhood. Go for a vegetable pot roast, wood-oven brussels cooked with bacon fat or a slice of chocolate pecan pie.
If you’re looking for seasonally made Italian dishes that never disappoint, Stagioni is a must. If the Truffle Tagliatelle doesn’t keep you warm, the patio’s heaters will.
Taco Molino has a heated patio overlooking the water at Kingsley in Fort Mill. The Mexican street food restaurant is a great place to order up some street corn, guacamole and pork carrnitas tacos.
Taco Molino has heated patios overlooking the water at Kingsley in Fort Mill. Taco Molino
Order your beer inside, then choose between heaters sprinkled throughout the picnic tables on the two patios — or make your way over to the large outdoor fire pit for extra warmth.
Come for the prohibition-style whiskey and cigar bar, and don’t leave because you got cold — The Vintage has a built in fire pit with several heaters on its outdoor patio.
The Vintage has a built in fire pit with several heaters. Joshua Vasko
Both the South End and Lake Norman locations of The Waterman Fish Bar have heated patios with fire pits. The South End’s rooftop is covered, as well, making it a great spot to head for a boat drink with your brunch.
If a glass of red makes you feel warm and toasty, we’ve got one even better: The Wine Loft South End has heaters around each table on the patio. You’ll be cozy and happy when you order up a pomegranate burrata (add prosciutto, if you’d like).
Grab some craft-beer infused food from the Twisted Eats menu at The Brewery in South End or just opt for some brews at The Chamber location in NoDa. The Brewery features heaters on its patio, and The Chamber keeps you warm with fire pits.
Fish, chips and Guinness — the perfect combo for enjoying the patio at Workman’s Friend. Overhead heat lamps keep you warm while you choose from the 18 beers on tap.
The restaurant claims to have a “killer cocktail menu” and “some of the best darn tacos you’ll ever try. It also has two patios on two levels, warmed by propane heaters and overlooking the University Place Lake and Boardwalk. What else could you need for warm winter nights?
The quaint and charming patio at Zio is reminiscent of a hidden alley in Italy and the perfect spot to enjoy pizza and pasta under the glow of standing heaters.
Editor’s note: A version of this story published in 2021 and has been updated. Call before you go to make sure your favorite restaurant has broken out the heat lamps for winter.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.
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