The Best Places for Outdoor Dining in the Midwest

I’ve always enjoyed outdoor dining, however eating outside in the Midwest isn’t always feasible thanks to our ruthless winters! However, some establishments have figured out how to have fantastic outdoor seating during the pleasant months! Whether you’re looking for rooftop dining, lakeside (or riverside) dining, the Midwest offers it all! Check out this list of the best places for outdoor dining in the Midwest

Iowa

The Montage – Cedar Falls, Iowa

The Montage not only offers an upscale menu year round, but during the summer months, you can enjoy their menu while dining on their rooftop patio overlooking downtown Cedar Falls. Sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and more complete their menu! Plus, handcrafted cocktails that are made with the highest quality products. It’s a great spot for date night with that special someone!

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Twin Span Brewing – Bettendorf, Iowa

We love a great brewery and one that offers delicious food, moves up the list. Twin Span Brewing offers a menu of sandwiches, tacos, appetizers, and other small bites. The food is delicious and the patio seating with fire pits make for a fun and cozy atmosphere! Personally, I recommend ordering a variety of their tacos, a couple brews, some friends, and enjoying a night outside!

Teluwut Grille House & Pub – Osage, Iowa

The next option for outdoor dining in the Midwest isn’t a traditional one. You’ll find one of my all-time favorite burgers at Teluwut Grille House & Pub, the Quesadilla Burger (minus the tortilla for me, of course!) . They have offer a large variety of seating, but during the summer months you’ll also find tables outside on their makeshift patio! This makes for a great atmosphere on a summer night in Iowa!

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Toppling Goliath Brewing Co – Decorah, Iowa

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co in Decorah isn’t in the most picturesque location, but their expansive patio makes for a great spot to grab a burger, pizza, and some beers to enjoy with a group of friends. This local brewery is creating a variety of brews from darks to sours with fun names like Cherry Fandango! Plus, their food menu is mouthwatering, which makes for a complete visit.

The Pub on the Cedar – Charles City, Iowa

We love any body of water…lakes, oceans, and rivers! We love restaurants that offer patio seating overlooking said body of water, which makes The Pub on the Cedar a great option for us. This hometown restaurant is situated along the Cedar River in Charles City and offers delicious food. From pasta to salads, burgers & pizzas their menu has a large variety. Plus, they are known for having one of the best tenderloins in Iowa. Their patio offers great seating options with umbrellas and a view of the river, even an outside bar!

The Periodic Table – Grinnell, Iowa

Are you looking for a great spot for a casual night of drinks, snacks, and fellowship?! If so, then The Periodic Table located within the Hotel Grinnell in Grinnell, Iowa is for you! This bar serves up handcrafted cocktails and small plates. While inside is a fun and relaxed vibes, outside you’ll find patio seating, lounge chairs, and a large fire pit, which makes it a great spot to enjoy a beautiful summer day.

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Waterfront Grille – Arnold’s Park, Iowa

Remember how I said that we love all bodies of water and especially restaurants on bodies of water?! Well, Waterfront Grille in Arnold’s Park, Iowa, is another great one for these two reasons. Waterfront offers shore line views of Lake Okoboji and delicious food! They offer a variety of foods including one of the best gluten-free pizzas I’ve ever had. Enjoy watching the boats go by all while enjoying a delicious meal.

River Ridge Brewing Co – Bellevue, Iowa

A brewery with delicious food and stunning views is one of our favorite things and that’s exactly what you’ll find at River Ridge Brewing Co in Bellevue, Iowa. They are creating delicious pizzas and flatbreads plus a variety of delicious snacks like pretzel bites, nachos, and more. Enjoy their great brews with a pizza on their expansive patio, which sits right on the shores of the Mississippi River. So, whether you want to enjoy a beer in a comfy chair or a whole meal at a table, there is plenty of seating available with a great view.

Cornbred – Ames, Iowa

If you’re looking for some place serving up delicious barbecue, unique sides, and doing it with patio seating along a train track, then head to Ames to enjoy Cornbread. They have all the traditional bbq foods, but extra special sides like their cucumber tomato salad, which is AMAZING! Plus, it’s located in a historic depot and located right next to a train track, so the train lover in your life can enjoy the chance at watching a train pass by while enjoying some ‘cue!

Go Fish Marina, Bar, & Grill – Princeton, Iowa

Waterfront dining in Iowa is a rarity. Waterfront dining with patio dining is even more rare, but we found a great option in the small town of Princeton, located along the Mississippi River. Go Fish Marina, Bar, & Grill serves up appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and salads with the view of the Mississippi River in the background. The service is outstanding and the food is delicious. It’s a definite must stop when traveling the Great River Road.

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Crave American Restaurant & Sushi Bar – Sioux City, Iowa

Crave American Restaurant & Sushi Bar is part of the Hilton Garden Inn, located on the Missouri River, in Sioux City. This restaurant offers stunning indoor seating, but also offers great patio seating with a view of the river. From salads to chicken, and pasta to steaks, plus burgers and sushi, they offer a little bit of everything. During my visit, I opted for the Sunomono Salad with fresh cucumbers, daikon, carrots, and sweet rice vinegar and added shrimp to it! It was delicious and fresh on a warm summer night.

Off Shore Resort – Bellevue, Iowa

Off Shore Resort offers camping, glamping cabins, a pool & small waterpark, hotel, and restaurant. It’s located just north of Bellevue, Iowa along the Mississippi River and the restaurant features delicious food and great patio seating. You can enjoy sandwiches, salads, burgers, steak, and fish plus great snacks/appetizers. While enjoying your meal, watch the river and the boats coming in to dock or leave to enjoy the river. It’s a great spot for date night or any other time.

Missouri

Ivory Grille – Sedalia, Missouri

Our next spot for outdoor dining in the Midwest takes us to Missouri. Sedalia, Missouri is an incredibly historic town. The Hotel Bothwell in downtown Sedalia is one of the most historic hotels in Missouri with a rich history. They are also home to the Ivory Grille, a delicious restaurant that offers a five star experience. During the summer months, they turn part of the sidewalk and street into patio dining which offers a great view of many of the historic buildings in downtown Sedalia. What a great date night!

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Cantina Laredo – Branson, Missouri

My love for Branson is strong, but my love for Mexican food is even stronger. My love for eating outside while enjoying both of these tops the list. So, that’s why one of my favorite places for outdoor dining in the Midwest is at Cantina Laredo at the Branson Landing! Located along Lake Taneycomo in Branson with views overlooking the water, Cantina Laredo serves up delicious Mexican food and margaritas! Enjoy the shade and cool breezes coming off the water while enjoying your favorite taco, enchilada, or Mexican specialty!

Outback Steak & Oyster Bar – Branson, Missouri

After many years of visiting Branson and seeing the sign for Outback Steak & Oyster Bar, we finally decided to stop on a warm sunny day. While Outback is located on the strip, it is set back quite a ways which makes their deck seating private and quiet. Their menu offers a large variety of choices and enjoying it on their deck makes it even better! This definitely needs to be a stop when you’re in the area. Make sure that you don’t confuse this with the chain restaurant with a similar name….definitely different!

Minnesota

Mediterranean Cruise Café – Burnsville, Minnesota

Mediterranean food that consists of Italian, Jerusalem, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, & Greece is what you will find at Mediterranean Cruise Cafe in Burnsville, Minnesota. While their dining room is stunning with its elegant and elaborate decor, they also offer outdoor seating for those beautiful Minnesota days!

Blackwoods Restaurant – Two Harbors, Minnesota

On the main highway through Two Harbors, Minnesota you’ll come across Blackwoods Restaurant. This grill & bar type of place offers a wide variety of menu options that are both traditional and full of unique flavors & combos. They combine classics like coleslaw with twists like blueberries! YUM! Plus, they offer expansive deck seating at their restaurant. The fact that they are located right on the main road through town provides lots of car and people watching on a summer day! The perfect weather of northern Minnesota is just the cherry on this wonderful combination!

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Wisconsin

Potosi Brewing Co – Potosi, Wisconsin

A brewery that serves delicious food too?! And, one that does it while offering patio seating?! Yes please! That’s what you’ll find on main street in the sleepy little town of Potosi, Wisconsin at Potosi Brewing Co. Choose from their delicious brewed beer, burgers, sandwiches, and more! If it’s a beautiful summer day, enjoy it on their expansive patio!

Enjoy Outdoor Dining in the Midwest

While the Midwest doesn’t offer year round outdoor eating, thanks to the weather, you can enjoy several eateries during the warmer months! Whether you’re headed to Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, or even Wisconsin, enjoy one of these many delicious eats with great outdoor seating. Where is your favorite Midwest spot with outdoor dining?!