The Ultimate Map of Philly's Best Outdoor Dining Spots

By James Jennings Jul 18, 2014, 11:30am EDT

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By James Jennings Jul 18, 2014, 11:30am EDT

Just when you thought Curbed's Outdoors Week was only about awesome parks and Cool Down Jawns, we collab with Eater Philly to bring you the ultimate map of Philly's Best Outdoor Dining Options this summer! There are beer gardens, patios and rooftop dining spots galore. Sit back, peruse the map and maybe think about making some al fresco dining plans to take advantage of the fresh air and even better food.

· More Outdoors Week Coverage [Curbed Philly]
· More from Eater Philly [Eater Philly]

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Independence Beer Garden

Unlike many of the pop-up beer gardens proliferating lately, this massive beer garden is a permanent fixture with some fairly major infrastructure (it will close for the coldest months, but reopen again in spring of 2015). So yes, there are games and fire pits and multiple bars — but there's also full table service and a pretty extensive menu of good things to eat, courtesy of former Top Chef contestant Travis Masar. (The entrance is on Sixth Street between Market and Chestnut - just across from the Liberty Bell.) More details here. [Photo: Groundswell Design Group]

100 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Morgan's Pier

Yet another Groundswell project, Morgan's Pier has quickly become an integral part of summer in the city. Expect classic outdoor eats (heading up the kitchen this year is chef David Gilberg, formerly of the late beloved Koo Zee Doo), tons of watermelon rickys, live music, and a lively, clubby scene at night.

221 N Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19123

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Le Virtù

The patio (also known as the campo) at Abbruzzese gem Le Virtù is one of the best things about summer on East Passyunk — especially when they start grilling up the arrosticini, simple little charcoal-fired lamb skewers that are a classic roadside snack in Abbruzzo.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

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Also featured in:

American Sardine Bar

The backyard at ASB has more genuine backyard feel than you'd ever expect in Point Breeze — and it goes perfectly with beer in cans, uncomplicated (but thoughtful and well-executed)sandwiches, and frequent events that recreate homey backyard BBQs about as faithfully as any restaurant could hope to.

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

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Also featured in:

Little Nonna's

Marcie Turney's Midtown Village love letter to South Philly red-sauce Italian features courtyard seating for about 40, modeled after Nonna's (that's Italian for grandmother) backyard — even down to the line-dried laundry. Sounds gimmicky, but it's really a lovely space with an especially intimate feel.

1234 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Philly’s Essential Italian Restaurants

Laurel

This one's a little different: the acclaimed BYOB owned by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi doesn't offer patio dining per se. They have just one table in their newly renovated back yard, which functions as the chef's table. While tables in the dining room are booked for next couple of months, you can select this private dining option for four to six people and sneak in sooner. More details here.

1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Fette Sau

Barbecue just tastes better eaten outside on picnic tables — and Fette Sau's barbecue tastes awfully good to start with. Top-quality meats, picnic-perfect sides like broccoli salad and killer baked beans, and summery desserts like key lime pie complete the picture. [Photo: Yelp]

1208 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Opa / Drury Beer Garden

The back yard at Opa goes by the name Drury Beer Garden, and it's bright and cheery and offers a compact menu that blends classic outdoor bar snacks with some influence from the Greek restaurant it's attached to. And keep an eye out for special events: this summer they've been hosting recurring "souvlas," which are cook-outs featuring whole spit-roasted lamb or pig.

1311 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Also featured in:

A Guide to Philly’s Essential Beer Gardens

Fergie's Pub

Beer gardens are popping up absolutely everywhere — now even at mainstay Fergie's. Pub-adjacent "Fergie's Beach," which just opened this week, offers its own food and drink menu and is open Wednesday through Saturday. More details here.

1214 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Le Chéri

Classic French never looked so good: while the dining rooms at Le Cheri (housed in the magnificent Wetherill Mansion) are breathtaking, the restaurant also boasts a sweet little patio with its own unique charm. The food is as good as you'd expect from the owners of Bibou, the much-adored BYOB with a four-bell rating from Craig LaBan. (Le Cheri has already earned three bells of its own, and has the perk of a solid, well-priced wine list.) [Photo:Le Cheri/Twitter]

251 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

PHS Pop-Up Beer Garden

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society selects a different empty lot each year to transform (using plants from the Philly Flower Show) into a public space that serves food and drinks nightly. This year, the garden sits right next door to the Jamaican Jerk Hut — food comes from there as well as from food trucks, which can park inside and change each night. Beer, wine, and tropical cocktails are available. More details here. [Photo: PHS]

1438 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Visit Website

Also featured in:

A Guide to Philly’s Essential Beer Gardens

La Calaca Feliz

No one wants to take their margaritas and ceviches inside when it's warm out. Luckily, Fairmount's La Calaca Feliz serves their deft Mexican dishes on a really nice patio (with the added perks of sufficient shade and substantial elbow room).

2321 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Visit Website

Also featured in:

The Eater Margarita Map: Where to Drink Margaritas in Philly

Blue Anchor @ Spruce Street Harbor Park

Open through August 31 at the summer's most serious pop-up, Spruce Street Harbor Park, this floating Garces Group-run restaurant and bar is turning out a burger-heavy menu that borrows from the Village Whiskey menu. To be honest, it almost doesn't matter what you're eating here, because the setting is just so spectacular. More details here. [Photo: DRWC/Matt Stanley]

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Visit Website

Also featured in:

City Tap House

There's tons of seating on the relatively vast patio at City Tap House, which pairs nicely with their similarly expansive tap list. Summers are usually chock-full of events out here too — a highlight is August's all-you-can-eat crab fest.

3925 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Cantina Los Caballitos

The patio at Cantina can get a little crowded, but it's an ideal perch for people-watching along the Avenue. We recommend any special margarita and a giant heap of nachos — or maybe even better, check it out for brunch.

1651 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Independence Beer Garden

100 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Unlike many of the pop-up beer gardens proliferating lately, this massive beer garden is a permanent fixture with some fairly major infrastructure (it will close for the coldest months, but reopen again in spring of 2015). So yes, there are games and fire pits and multiple bars — but there's also full table service and a pretty extensive menu of good things to eat, courtesy of former Top Chef contestant Travis Masar. (The entrance is on Sixth Street between Market and Chestnut - just across from the Liberty Bell.) More details here. [Photo: Groundswell Design Group]

100 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Visit Website

Morgan's Pier

221 N Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Yet another Groundswell project, Morgan's Pier has quickly become an integral part of summer in the city. Expect classic outdoor eats (heading up the kitchen this year is chef David Gilberg, formerly of the late beloved Koo Zee Doo), tons of watermelon rickys, live music, and a lively, clubby scene at night.

221 N Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Visit Website

Le Virtù

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

The patio (also known as the campo) at Abbruzzese gem Le Virtù is one of the best things about summer on East Passyunk — especially when they start grilling up the arrosticini, simple little charcoal-fired lamb skewers that are a classic roadside snack in Abbruzzo.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Visit Website

American Sardine Bar

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

The backyard at ASB has more genuine backyard feel than you'd ever expect in Point Breeze — and it goes perfectly with beer in cans, uncomplicated (but thoughtful and well-executed)sandwiches, and frequent events that recreate homey backyard BBQs about as faithfully as any restaurant could hope to.

1800 Federal St, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Visit Website

Little Nonna's

1234 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Marcie Turney's Midtown Village love letter to South Philly red-sauce Italian features courtyard seating for about 40, modeled after Nonna's (that's Italian for grandmother) backyard — even down to the line-dried laundry. Sounds gimmicky, but it's really a lovely space with an especially intimate feel.

1234 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Laurel

1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

This one's a little different: the acclaimed BYOB owned by Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi doesn't offer patio dining per se. They have just one table in their newly renovated back yard, which functions as the chef's table. While tables in the dining room are booked for next couple of months, you can select this private dining option for four to six people and sneak in sooner. More details here.

1617 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Visit Website

Fette Sau

1208 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

Barbecue just tastes better eaten outside on picnic tables — and Fette Sau's barbecue tastes awfully good to start with. Top-quality meats, picnic-perfect sides like broccoli salad and killer baked beans, and summery desserts like key lime pie complete the picture. [Photo: Yelp]

1208 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

Visit Website

Opa / Drury Beer Garden

1311 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

The back yard at Opa goes by the name Drury Beer Garden, and it's bright and cheery and offers a compact menu that blends classic outdoor bar snacks with some influence from the Greek restaurant it's attached to. And keep an eye out for special events: this summer they've been hosting recurring "souvlas," which are cook-outs featuring whole spit-roasted lamb or pig.

1311 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Fergie's Pub

1214 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Beer gardens are popping up absolutely everywhere — now even at mainstay Fergie's. Pub-adjacent "Fergie's Beach," which just opened this week, offers its own food and drink menu and is open Wednesday through Saturday. More details here.

1214 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Visit Website

Le Chéri

251 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Classic French never looked so good: while the dining rooms at Le Cheri (housed in the magnificent Wetherill Mansion) are breathtaking, the restaurant also boasts a sweet little patio with its own unique charm. The food is as good as you'd expect from the owners of Bibou, the much-adored BYOB with a four-bell rating from Craig LaBan. (Le Cheri has already earned three bells of its own, and has the perk of a solid, well-priced wine list.) [Photo:Le Cheri/Twitter]

251 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

PHS Pop-Up Beer Garden

1438 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society selects a different empty lot each year to transform (using plants from the Philly Flower Show) into a public space that serves food and drinks nightly. This year, the garden sits right next door to the Jamaican Jerk Hut — food comes from there as well as from food trucks, which can park inside and change each night. Beer, wine, and tropical cocktails are available. More details here. [Photo: PHS]

1438 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

Visit Website

La Calaca Feliz

2321 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

No one wants to take their margaritas and ceviches inside when it's warm out. Luckily, Fairmount's La Calaca Feliz serves their deft Mexican dishes on a really nice patio (with the added perks of sufficient shade and substantial elbow room).

2321 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Visit Website

Blue Anchor @ Spruce Street Harbor Park

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Open through August 31 at the summer's most serious pop-up, Spruce Street Harbor Park, this floating Garces Group-run restaurant and bar is turning out a burger-heavy menu that borrows from the Village Whiskey menu. To be honest, it almost doesn't matter what you're eating here, because the setting is just so spectacular. More details here. [Photo: DRWC/Matt Stanley]

South Christopher Columbus Boulevard & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Visit Website

City Tap House

3925 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

There's tons of seating on the relatively vast patio at City Tap House, which pairs nicely with their similarly expansive tap list. Summers are usually chock-full of events out here too — a highlight is August's all-you-can-eat crab fest.

3925 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Visit Website

Cantina Los Caballitos

1651 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

The patio at Cantina can get a little crowded, but it's an ideal perch for people-watching along the Avenue. We recommend any special margarita and a giant heap of nachos — or maybe even better, check it out for brunch.

1651 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Visit Website