Patio season is officially back in Arizona. As the weather cools down this fall, these 20 outdoor dining spots around Scottsdale and Phoenix, grouped by neighborhood, are places to grab a table outside, order a round, and watch the sun set over the mountains.
Outdoor Dining in Old Town Scottsdale
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Olive & Ivy’s French Riviera–inspired patio and lounge sit right on the Scottsdale Waterfront, shaded by trees and greenery with fire pits overlooking the Arizona Canal. Misters and umbrellas handle warm afternoons, and heaters take over once the sun goes down. The French Mediterranean menu leans shareable, with bacon-wrapped Medjool dates, garlic shrimp, and lamb meatballs to start. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m., in the bar and lounges, and the wine-by-the-glass list spans Europe and the Pacific Northwest. Dogs are welcome on the patio.
Schmooze
4222 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ
Hidden behind dense greenery, vines, and flowers, Schmooze’s front patio is a true garden hideaway in the middle of Old Town. Misters, umbrellas, and water features keep the courtyard relaxed, with bar seating, cozy tables, pergola spots, and larger setups for groups. The menu covers made-to-order breakfast burritos, avocado toast, paninis, wraps, and salads. Behind the bar, you’ll find specialty coffee like the Schmooztachio pistachio latte alongside a 28-tap system of craft beer and kegged cocktails. The patio flows straight into a lounge-style interior, so it works just as well for a brunch crew as a private event.
Arcadia Farms Café
7014 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ
Arcadia Farms Café has been an Old Town favorite since 1990, with outdoor seating spread across its front, side, and rear patios. Lush foliage and the sound of a fountain make it a quiet garden escape just steps off the busy strip, especially for a long fall brunch or lunch. The menu leans fresh and seasonal, with gourmet sandwiches, organic salads, French-inspired entrées, and handcrafted pastries, and locals swear by the breakfast quesadilla, crab cakes, and warm chopped veggie salad. Need something quick? The Arcadia Farms Marketplace across the street handles grab-and-go!
Diego Pops
4338 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
String lights, neon signage, and pink-and-yellow pineapple wallpaper set a playful, colorful tone at Diego Pops, one of the liveliest patios in Old Town. The extended outdoor patio and open-air bar are pet-friendly, with lush tropical greenery and giant misters for warmer days. Everything from the open kitchen is made fresh, including classic and reimagined tacos, the much-loved Brussels Sprout Nachos, and a lineup of creative cocktails. Come for a laid-back lunch or start a night out on the town here.
Pinyon
7355 E Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ
Olive trees and a tranquil fountain dot the patio at Pinyon, a two-story coastal Mediterranean spot that opens onto the green lawn of Scottsdale Civic Center Park. Brought to you by the team behind Buck & Rider, the menu travels the Mediterranean coast with shareable dips, house-made pita, fresh crudos, and dishes cooked over an open flame. Grab a patio table on a sunny afternoon and order a spritz.
Outdoor Dining in Central & North Scottsdale
Il Bracco
6160 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
il Bracco’s 950-square-foot patio is one of the coziest places to dine outdoors in Scottsdale, with around 10 tables gathered near a stone fireplace. It’s made for a long, unhurried dinner on a cool fall evening, glass of wine in hand as the night settles in. The kitchen focuses on scratch-made pasta, led by the Spicy Gemelli in vodka sauce, plus fresh-baked focaccia with whipped ricotta, plaza salads, and prime steaks. Don’t skip The Bracco, a frozen Greyhound with Aperol, and since patio seating is limited, ask for an outdoor table when you book.
The Vig
7345 N Via Paseo Del Sur, Scottsdale, AZ
With its mid-century modern style and laid-back neighborhood feel, The Vig is an easy go-to for outdoor dining with the whole crew, pups included. Grab a seat on the large shaded street-side patio or in the sun-drenched Arizona Room, where misters, plenty of shade, and a cozy fireplace keep things comfortable season to season. The menu is elevated tavern fare with Southwestern touches, so expect the Genuine Cheeseburger, fish and chips, and shrimp tacos alongside vegetarian picks like the Noble Pretzel and edamame. Pair it all with a rotating seasonal cocktail!
Buck & Rider
7015 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ
Buck & Rider’s North Scottsdale patios are built for comfort, heated on cool nights and misted on warm days, and they flow right into the cannery-inspired dining room, raw bar, and sushi counter. Grab a table outside and start with oysters, crispy tuna rice, or Louisiana blue crab cakes, all made with seafood flown in fresh daily. Shrimp scampi risotto is a standout main, and steak lovers can go for the New York strip with a loaded baked potato. Save room for the lemon meringue pie.”
The Henry
7000 E Mayo Blvd (North Scottsdale) · 4455 E Camelback Rd (Arcadia) · 2 E Camelback Rd (Uptown Phoenix)
All three Valley locations of The Henry pair a buzzing dining room with a calmer patio, each with seasonal misters plus heaters or fireplaces for cool evenings. North Scottsdale is the largest, a 7,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space with a statement fireplace out front and an expansive central courtyard. Arcadia’s lushly screened patio has classic wicker chairs, marble-topped tables, and its own fireplace, while Uptown offers a chic covered patio and indoor-outdoor bar along Camelback Road. Leashed dogs are welcome in designated outdoor areas at each one.
Outdoor Dining in Paradise Valley & Arcadia
El Chorro
5550 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ
A Paradise Valley landmark, El Chorro’s sprawling patio sits at the base of Camelback and Mummy Mountains with panoramic Sonoran Desert views, lush gardens, and romantic fire pits. Shade umbrellas and cooling systems cover warm afternoons, while heaters and fireplaces keep desert evenings cozy. Every table gets a complimentary order of the famous, freshly baked sticky buns, a tradition worth the trip alone. The menu sticks to classic Southwestern-inspired American dishes like beef stroganoff, sea bass, and trout almondine.
LON’s at The Hermosa Inn
5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ
Shaded by ancient mesquite trees and a large central oak, the courtyard at LON’s is one of the most romantic places to dine outdoors in the Valley. Five outdoor fireplaces, a stone water fountain, rustic lanterns, and twinkling lights overhead set the mood after dark, all with views of Camelback Mountain. The Four Diamond kitchen serves globally inspired Arizona fare, pairing smoking, roasting, and wood-grilling with European technique. An award-winning 6,000-bottle wine list waits in the cellar below, and dogs are welcome in designated outdoor areas.
théa
4360 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ
Some of the best rooftop dining in Phoenix happens atop The Global Ambassador hotel in Arcadia, where théa’s patio looks out on Camelback Mountain and sunsets that light up the whole Valley. The Mediterranean menu travels through Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Spain and is made for sharing outdoors, with mezze platters, the signature Goddess of All Dips, house-made pastas like Spaghetti alla Nerano, coastal seafood, and flatbreads. Pair it with a handcrafted cocktail or a pour from what the restaurant bills as one of the largest rosé collections in the country. Arrive before sunset for the views, then stay as the DJ picks up the energy after dark.
Chelsea’s Kitchen
5040 N 40th St, Phoenix, AZ
Chelsea’s Kitchen turns a repurposed adobe-brick roadhouse into one of Arcadia’s favorite patios, with a shaded courtyard, mesquite trees, and string lights overlooking the Arizona Canal. Big brick fireplaces and outdoor heaters make it a cool-weather standout, and seasonal misters take over when temperatures climb. Order the short rib tacos, prime rib French dip, green chile cornbread, and deviled eggs, or go hands-on with a DIY taco platter for the table.
Christopher’s at Wrigley Mansion
2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ
Tucked beneath a towering eucalyptus grove on the grounds of the historic Wrigley Mansion, this glass-and-steel pavilion blurs the line between indoors and out. Its glass walls cantilever open, a retractable roof reveals the desert sky, and the open-air patio frames sweeping views of Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix skyline. At Christopher’s, James Beard Award–winning Chef Christopher Gross serves contemporary French fare, with a three-course prix fixe or classic selections Tuesday and Wednesday and an eight-course seasonal tasting menu Thursday through Saturday, both 5 to 10 p.m. Signatures include the ABC Terrine with foie gras, house-smoked salmon with crème fraîche and brioche, and the Parnassienne au chocolat, and pets are welcome in designated outdoor areas.
Outdoor Dining in Midtown & Downtown Phoenix
Ocotillo
3243 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ
Ocotillo’s nearly one-acre Midtown compound has one of the largest, lushest patio footprints in Phoenix, broken into spaces with their own personality. Grab a shaded seat at the Chef’s Ramada under native palo verde trees, settle into the Beer Garden with its standalone bar, spread out on the turf at Lucy’s Lawn, or slip into the Sidecar cocktail lounge. The seasonal New American menu leans on Arizona and Southwestern influences, with vegetable-forward plates, handmade pastas, and grilled meats. Order a pisco sour and stay awhile.
603 N 5th Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Leafy shade trees and twinkling fairy lights wrap around a restored 1913 bungalow at CIBO, setting the scene for one of downtown’s most romantic patio dinners. Heaters and fire features warm cool nights, and live jazz drifts through the courtyard on select evenings. Neapolitan-style pizzas bake in the wood-fired oven in about 90 seconds, alongside house-made pastas, antipasti boards, and Nutella crepes, with a well-regarded gluten-free crust for those who need it. Well-behaved dogs are welcome outside, and the private carriage house and upstairs Sopra room work well for groups.
Palma
903 N 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ
Surrounded by a nursery of palm trees in Roosevelt Row, Palma’s courtyard feels like a tropical hideaway in the middle of downtown. Fire pits glow in the evening, misters cover warm days, and a DJ-driven soundtrack keeps the energy up for brunch, happy hour, or dinner. The Asian-fusion menu includes sushi maki rolls, noodle dishes, and shareable small plates like Sweet Potato Yummy Fries, Thai Curry Fries, and popcorn chicken, best with a frozen margarita. Palma is 21+ after 8 p.m., with valid ID required.
Arizona Wilderness DTPHX
201 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Wilderness turned a former plant nursery on Roosevelt Row into a massive open-air beer garden that holds around 350 people. Picnic tables, high-tops, street-facing deck seating, and fire pits with lounge chairs fill the space, with a removable stage for events. The terroir-driven, conservation-focused beers include brews made with water-saving Sinagua Malt, and they pair well with duck fat fries, the AZ Trail Burger, the PB&J burger, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan picks. Dogs are welcome on the paved patio.
Outdoor Dining in Tempe & South Phoenix
Glenrosa
1415 N Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ
Set at the entrance to Grass Clippings Rolling Hills golf course, Glenrosa’s patio and outdoor bar look out on the red rock of the Papago Buttes. Fire pits, group seating, and a hacienda-style feel make it a standout at sunset, and the adjacent event lawn brings live music and lawn games. The Sonoran live-fire menu is grilled over mesquite, almond, and olive wood, with tacos dorados, wood-grilled meats, seafood, and a Tijuana Caesar with chorizo breadcrumbs. Weekend brunch adds tamale Benedict and chilaquiles, and the Marigold Margarita is the drink to order.
Pier 54
5394 S Lakeshore Dr, Tempe, AZ
Every seat at Pier 54 is outside, right on the water in Tempe’s Lakes neighborhood, making this family-owned spot a go-to for sunset dinners and date nights. Its two levels include an ADA-accessible main patio and a water-level lower deck, typically open October through June, which makes fall the right time to go. Expect scratch-made American fare and seafood with Mediterranean and European-inspired specials, including spinach and artichoke dip, fish tacos, Baja shrimp tacos, a lamb burger, and handcrafted flatbreads. Live music and patio jazz jams fill the calendar, and dogs are welcome on the lower deck.
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ
Picnic tables beneath a 100-year-old pecan grove set the tone at this 10-acre historic escape, where every meal comes with organic gardens all around. Mornings start at Morning Glory Café with house-baked pastries and seasonal omelets, and lunch at The Farm Kitchen comes packed in a basket to enjoy at a picnic table or on a blanket under the trees. For dinner, Quiessence, Arizona’s original farm-to-table restaurant, builds its weekly menu around what Chef Dustin Christofolo harvests in the on-site Soil & Seed Garden, including vegetables, edible flowers, eggs, and herbs.
Here’s to Patio Season
Fall in the Valley is made for long dinners outside, and the best ones don’t end with a long drive home. Book a GoodNight Stay nearby and turn one patio reservation into a full weekend: brunch in a hidden garden, sunset on a rooftop, and a fireside nightcap a few minutes down the road. Here’s to cooler nights, warm fire pits, and a GoodNight to close them out!
