Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?
Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these 35 Charlotte patios. Pro tip: Don’t miss the shade level we’ve included for each of these locations.
🍽️ Restaurants
The Goodyear House, 3032 N. Davidson St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Dine under the shade of a tree or under a pergola + play cornhole or bocce ball while savoring the Iberico Spare Ribs.
Flight, 1949 E. 7th St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Sip wine + share bites with your friends under the pergola at Elizabeth’s newest dinner spot.
STK, 201 S. College St., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Soak up the sun during social hour (starting at 2:30 p.m.) while surrounded by the bustle of Uptown.
STIR, 1422 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Reserve a spot for brunch or dinner under an umbrella, awning, or open skies.
300 East, 300 East Blvd., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
This Charlotte staple provides front-porch seating + was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”
Dean’s Italian Steakhouse, 128 E. Brooklyn Village Ave., Charlotte | Fully covered
Treat yourself to a steak dinner for a memorable evening in the heart of Uptown.
Mariposa, 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Fully covered
Experience upscale dining + plates to share with gorgeous city views.
Hello, Sailor, 20210 Henderson Rd., Cornelius | Shade available upon request
Savor fresh fish with a Southern flair while surrounded by scenic views of Lake Norman.
Trolley Barn Fermentory & Food Hall, 2104 South Blvd., Charlotte | Partially shaded
With refreshing cocktails and three food stalls to choose from, take in views of the Rail Trail + Uptown on the patio of this 1890’s-era trolley car maintenance garage.
Catalina Kitchen and Bar, 1942 E. 7th St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Savor brunch, lunch, or dinner every night under twinkling lights or an umbrella on this patio nestled in Elizabeth.
🌆 Rooftops
Aura Rooftop, 124 E. Brooklyn Village Ave., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Dine and drink on the JW Marriott Charlotte rooftop lounge or reserve a cabana for a pool day.
Merchant + Trade, 303 S. Church St., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Enjoy elevated bites and cocktails with a near-360-degree view of Uptown.
Fahrenheit, 220 S. Caldwell St., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
Pamper yourself with an upscale dinner and cocktails with a birds-eye-view of Uptown.
Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo, 220 E. Trade St., Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Known as Charlotte’s highest indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge, savor craft cocktails and open air surrounded by Uptown’s largest buildings.
Charlotte Beer Garden,1300 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
Sip a brew from the world’s largest draft beer selection surrounded by trees and South End views.
Hestia, 14819 Ballantyne Village Wy., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Relish the Uptown views from south Charlotte while sampling a plethora of sushi.
Mizu, 3100 Apex Dr., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
Experience the art of ancient Japanese cooking combining with Southern flare in this SouthPark date spot.
☕️ Coffee shops
HEX Coffee, Kitchen and Natural Wines, 201 Camp Rd., Ste. 103, Charlotte | Partially shaded
Find a seat at a table or bench surrounded by dozens of native plants and a fresh cup of joe in the heart of Camp North End.
Rosie’s Cafe & Wine Garden, 940 N. Davidson St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Enjoy a hot (or iced) coffee in the garden under a lush tree canopy + rose garden.
Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters, 1217 The Plaza, Charlotte | Partially shaded
Perfect for a solo coffee, work day, or hangout — enjoy a cold brew or latte under trees or the rooftop patio.
Not Just Coffee, 1026 Jay St., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
This neighborhood spot offers a place to work or grab a light bite under canopy.
Queen City Grounds, 644 N. Church St., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
Find this coffee shop in walking distance to Discovery Place Science and the Charlotte Ballet — it serves specialty coffee and fresh foods.
Summit Coffee, 4625 Piedmont Row Dr., Ste. 115C, Charlotte
Partially shaded | Sit under an umbrella and savor that morning (or afternoon) cup of coffee while watching neighbors walk by.
🍻 Bars and breweries
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd., Charlotte | Partially shaded
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Biergarten is the largest in the Southeast + dog-friendly.
Sycamore Brewing, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
The beer garden boasts ample benched seating + umbrellas for complete comfort.
Birdsong Brewing, 1016 N. Davidson St., Charlotte | Mostly sunny
Sample from the daily food trucks on site under a canopy or umbrella on Birdsong’s patio.
Great Wagon Road Distillery, 610 Anderson St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Enjoy live music while sitting at the covered benches and tables outside.
Petty Thieves Brewing, 413 Dalton Ave., Ste. B, Charlotte | Partially shaded
This unique brewery provides canopy-covered seating outdoors with views of Uptown.
NoDa Brewing Co., 150 W. 32nd St., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Beer lovers will find canopy-covered seating + plenty of green space for cornhole or disc golf.
Edge City Brewery, 6209 Old Post Rd., Ste. 109, Charlotte | Partially shaded
Enjoy live music and vendor markets under the patio + dog-friendly green space.
🎳 Kid-friendly
The Suffolk Punch — SouthPark, 4400 Sharon Rd., Space G23D, Charlotte | Shade available upon request
Parents can dine on the patio while watching their kids play in South Park Mall’s playground + children eat free on Sundays after 4 p.m.
Pins Mechanical, 307 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte | Partially shaded
Enjoy a large game of Jenga or classic arcade games on the covered patio or rooftop.
Seoul Food Meat Company — Mill District, 421 E. 26th St., Ste. A, Charlotte | Partially shaded
Children of all ages can splash around on the splash pad in the summer or enjoy the venue’s playground.
Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd., Charlotte | Partially shaded
With plenty of space to run around, children can build with giant legos or enjoy a movie night on the green.
El Thrifty, 1115 N. Brevard St., Ste. 100, Charlotte | Partially shaded
Children will enjoy sitting on swinging chairs or playing games on the covered patio.
