29 places Houstonians go to dine outside

    Updated 3.13.10

    Backstreet CafeBackstreet CafeIs there any better way to spend the weekend than lolling on a cheerful patio while some sweet young thing fetches you food and drink?

    Here are some of the places we recommend, depending on with whom you'll be lolling.

    Chilling out
    1. Bodegas Taco Shop
    2. Beaver's Ice House
    3. Gilhooley's
    4. Little Big's
    5. Baba Yega
    6. Outriggers
    7. The Spot
    Cedar Creek: James Nielsen : 29-95Cedar Creek: James Nielsen : 29-95
    Romantic
    8. Tila's
    9. Market Square Bar & Grill
    10. El Pueblito Place
    11. Artista
    12. El Tiempo

    Keep the beer coming
    13. Swampy's Cajun Shack
    14. Big Woodrow's
    15. Cafe Adobe on Westheimer
    Red Balloon Cafe: Syd Kearney : 29-95Red Balloon Cafe: Syd Kearney : 29-95
    16. Cedar Creek Cafe
    17. Sam's Boat
    18. Teala's

    Family friendly
    19. Vida Loca Mexican Bar & Grill
    20. Mardi Gras Grill
    21. Lupe Tortilla Mexican Restaurant Out of Africa
    22. Chuy's
    23. Red Balloon Cafe
    24. Amazon Grill

    Genteel
    25. Daily Review Cafe
    26. Cafe Benedicte
    27. Benjy's
    28. Backstreet Cafe
    29. Jasper's

    Comments

    clerinet Thu, 04/23/2009 - 2:36pm

    Thanks for the list! I love Cedar Creek (and the whole Onion Creek franchise, for that matter).

    I would add Empire Cafe and the Lakehouse in Discovery Green to your list.

    Lina Fuh Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:42pm

    Out of Africa's back porch has a great outdoor dining area that overlooks the water. The photo above doesn't do it justice.

    Tex57 Thu, 04/22/2010 - 5:12pm

    Out of Africa is closed, and has been for months.

    Karen Sue Sat, 06/27/2009 - 7:17am

    I love sitting outside and haven't tried any of these places! Some of my favorites are La Hacienda on Telge in Cypress and the Willie's chain (Willie Fajitas or Ice House). Great thing about La Hacienda is that their patio has those water cooled fans that are like A/C.

    The only problem with some of these "Family Friendly" places with patios is that a lot of times it is the only smoking area. Nothing like sitting on the patio while your child plays in a sandbox next to a table full of smokers getting drunk.

    Tex57 Thu, 04/22/2010 - 5:13pm

    The number one best place to sit outside is the Rainbow Lodge! The view, the food, the people -- all perfect!

    Anonymouss Fri, 07/16/2010 - 11:15pm

    Beck's on Westheimer near Augusta - awesome patio!!

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