Outdoor Restaurant Patio Ideas

Whether you have a few tables or a full courtyard, a well-designed al fresco dining area invites customers in and encourages them to stay. If you’re looking for guidance on how to build or upgrade your open-air space, this article outlines outdoor patio ideas for restaurants that not only enhance curb appeal but also boost sales performance during the warmer months.

Patio Design and Layout Ideas

Choosing the right commercial patio design and layout can make or break a guest’s dining experience. Too much sunlight, wind or bugs and not enough space or shade can have your guests running for air-conditioned hills, so here are some ideas on how to build the perfect setup:

Plant Life

What better way to decorate an outdoor space than with flowers, herbs and vines? Although plants can be a great way to beautify a restaurant patio naturally, keep in mind that they can release pollen and attract bees, potentially leading to allergic reactions and painful stings that make the dining experience memorable in a bad way. To minimize these risks, opt for flowers like chrysanthemums, marigolds and red lilies or other plants that produce little pollen and draw few bees.

Patio Infrastructure

For your restaurant patio design, you’ll want to build on a very slight grade to allow water to run off into the street and to keep your seating area clear of puddles and debris. Otherwise, you might get standing pools of smelly water or flash flooding that could force you to close the space.

Spacing

If you’re dealing with a small patio space, don’t try to cram in tables. Overcrowding in restaurants is linked to a negative perception of service quality, so ensure there’s enough space for guests and servers to move comfortably. If you want to increase seating capacity, smaller tables and long benches are good ways to do so with style.

Choose the Right Furniture

It’s important to select patio furniture that’s made of durable yet attractive materials so that your tables, chairs and other pieces can stand up to the elements without compromising on style. If you’re not sure what can handle weathering and bleaching without breaking or fading, consider the options below:

Wrought Iron

Forged by heat and pressure, wrought iron furniture is known for its high weight capacity. Its graceful curves and sturdy frames give it a timeless appearance, making it ideal for an upscale restaurant patio. Keep in mind that these pieces are heavy and prone to rust if not coated, so they may not be ideal for venues that cater to young children or are located in rainy climates.

Cast Aluminum

As explained by San Diego-based furniture retailer Hauser’s Patio, cast aluminum patio furniture has the stylish design and sturdy construction that wrought iron pieces do, but with less weight and rust. This makes cast aluminum a better choice for humid climates but not for windy ones, so be sure to weigh your options carefully.

Stainless Steel

If you’re looking for low-maintenance, fire-resistant furniture with a modern design, stainless steel is one of your best options. However, know that in hot, sunny climates, stainless steel can retain heat and become uncomfortable to the touch. So, consider using cushions or covers on chairs and tables to keep guests safe.

Plastic

Plastic furniture is highly durable and lightweight, making it perfect for quick rearrangement or storage. But because of its light weight, it’s also easy for the wind to move, so you might have to secure the tables and chairs in place in windy locations. Additionally, sun bleaching can make plastic patio furniture look old and faded prematurely, potentially affecting guests’ impression of your establishment.

Synthetic Rattan

While natural rattan is a wood that comes from palm trees, faux rattan is a plastic that’s coated with UV blockers to protect it from fading and wear. In fact, Lakeland Furniture says that synthetic rattan outdoor furniture can last up to 20 years, giving you a great return on investment. Just keep in mind that plastic rattan can sag and stretch over time, so some maintenance is to be expected.

Wood

No list of outdoor seating ideas for restaurants would be complete without mentioning wood pieces. If your restaurant has a rustic or country theme, wooden tables and chairs can go a long way in completing the theme. The downside is that wood furniture is higher maintenance, requiring frequent revarnishing to keep it looking new. 

Decide on Fencing

Adding a fence around your restaurant’s patio helps define the space from the surrounding area while still keeping it visually connected to the rest of the establishment. It also enhances privacy and creates a sense of intimacy that diners will appreciate. If you’re not sure what type of fencing is best, good options include:

Metal Fencing

For metal patio fence ideas, you can select from steel, aluminum and wrought iron for that classic 19th-century design. For a modern take on wrought iron that requires less effort to keep up but still preserves its timeless look, try aluminum or steel.

Vinyl Fencing

Vinyl is a cheap, lightweight and versatile material that’s easily moldable into any shape and size you need. While vinyl resists rot and rust, extreme temperature changes can cause it to expand, contract and sometimes warp. In very cold weather, it may also become brittle and more prone to cracking.

Ropes

Ropes and poles are another restaurant patio fencing idea worth considering. Either drill the poles into the ground for a permanent barrier, or simply set them on the ground if you want something that’s easily adjustable. Ropes look especially thematic next to river, lake or ocean-side venues, so they’re an excellent choice for establishments near bodies of water.

Patio Partitions

Fence-style patio barriers offer a movable alternative that’s more solid than just ropes. From 3-foot solid panels to 5-foot lattice screens, there are a wide range of options that can match any design concept. They’re also easy to dismantle for the off-season—but be cautious in windy conditions, as they can shift or topple over.

Plant Barriers

Using plants to set off your patio can give the space a very natural feel. The types of plants will depend on your needs and climate, but eye-catching flowers like marigolds and chrysanthemums or herbs such as lavender and rosemary can be especially good choices.

Select Shade Covers

From hot and cold to rain and snow, weather can be unpredictable–that’s why it’s a good idea to consider some sort of cover for your restaurant’s patio. There are a lot of options to choose from, so here’s an overview of the most popular:

Umbrellas

Umbrellas are the most common type of restaurant patio covering. There are a range of sizes, colors and designs, so you’re sure to find something to go with your restaurant’s theme. Umbrellas may tear or shift in high winds, so they may be less ideal for breezy locations.

Awning

Unlike individual table umbrellas, awnings offer broader protection from the elements. If you’re looking for flexibility, retractable awnings are a fantastic choice if you want to let in the sun on cool fall or spring days and block it out during the dog days of summer. However, awnings can be on the pricey side, normally running $2,000-$4,000.

Shade Screens

Cheaper than awnings, you can still protect your customers from harmful UV rays and sunburns for a couple hundred instead of a couple thousand with shade screens. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and installation options: string them across your patio, lay them on top of the pergola or let them hang from the roof.

Install Outdoor Heaters

Even if your guests want to eat al fresco, the weather–specifically the temperature–might not always cooperate. If you’re looking for ways to keep your customers warm while dining on your outdoor patio, here are some of the most efficient:

Heaters

Ranging from electric to propane or freestanding to mounted, heaters are an efficient way to warm small or large outdoor spaces. Costing anywhere from a couple hundred to a couple thousand, heaters can be matched to your budget. High winds can knock standing heaters over, so just be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Fire Pits

Fire pits not only heat the space but also create an intimate ambience that many diners love. However, they aren’t always practical or space-efficient, and the flames and smoke can pose safety concerns. If you like the idea of adding a fire pit but aren’t sure where to put it, moveable versions can be good alternatives.

Dome Dining

You’ve probably seen the bubbles popping outside city dining venues. They first gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic for making social distancing easier, but they’re also surprisingly good at retaining heat–perfect for extending the al fresco dining season. Just make sure your patio is spacious enough to fit domes without making guests feel cramped.

Enclosures

If you want to hold in as much heat as possible, you can also protect your patio space from the elements with a premade enclosure. Be aware that they come with a $3,000-$40,000 price tag, so they’re best for establishments where patio diners are a big part of overall revenue. Although expensive, enclosures are the best-looking full-coverage design, something higher-end restaurants and bars might want to consider.