Warmer weather is finally on its way to Michigan, and we’re ready to head outdoors to celebrate. What better way than lounging on a patio with a cold drink and delicious food? From old favorites to new additions to the Detroit dining scene, here are patios in and around Detroit that make us excited for sunny days ahead.

MotorCity Wine 1949 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-483-7283; motorcitywine.com Perhaps one of the most beloved patios in the city, MotorCity Wine is more than just a place to pop some serious red, white, or rosé. With ample seating and fire pits for chilly nights, MotorCity Wine often brings its frequent dining pop-ups and DJ entertainment outdoors for a more intimate party with fresh air. Credit: Lizz Wilkinson
Pronto 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-7900; prontolounge.com This Royal Oak staple since 1991 is known for its dog-friendly patio, which earned it kudos in Metro Times Best of Detroit awards. Credit: Pronto/Instagram
Coriander Kitchen and Farm 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-822-4434; corianderkitchenandfarm.com Chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer of Coriander Kitchen & Farm have been itching to open their waterfront farm-to-table restaurant since securing the previously vacant marina in the Jefferson-Chalmers area. Well, good news folks. Coriander is open for business and it’s got fresh fare, air, and gorgeous views of Detroit’s canals. Credit: Coriander Kitchen and Farm/Facebook
La Dolce Vita 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331; ldvrestaurant.net Looking for an outdoor Italian restaurant to impress a date? La Dolce Vita’s beautiful courtyard patio is a hidden gem tucked away in Detroit’s historic Palmer Park District. Credit: La Dolce Vita/Facebook
The Rattlesnake Club 300 River Pl. Dr., Detroit; 313-567-4400; rattlesnakedetroit.com This classic Detroit spot has a gorgeous view of the Detroit River and Windsor skyline. Despite its exclusive vibe, the secret is out: anyone can eat on the Garden Terrace, despite it sounding like a place where a princess would get married. Credit: The Rattlesnake Club/Facebook
Mudgie’s Deli and Wine Shop 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; facebook.com/mudgiesdetroit If you want a sandwich and a cold one, look no further than the Detroit favorite, Mudgie’s. In addition to a spacious interior, Mudgie’s has a very accommodating patio space decked out in tiki-style decor, lounge seating, and outdoor bar. Credit: Mudgie’s Deli and Wine Shop/Facebook
Sindbad’s 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000; sindbads.com Since 1949, Sindbad’s has been serving up fresh seafood with a view of the Detroit riverfront that just makes you want to hop on your jet ski and drive into the sunset. Credit: Sindbad’s/Facebook
Motor City Brewing Works 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit | 19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit | 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com Not only is Motor City Brewing works known for its locally brewed beers and inventive pizzas, but both its Midtown and Avenue of Fashion locations have excellent patios. Credit: Motor City Brewing Works/Facebook
Bakersfield 3100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7040; bakersfieldtacos.com Go for the tequila, stay for the tacos. Bakersfield specializes in both, with an a la carte menu that allows you to create your ideal taco plate. Credit: Google Maps
Good Times on the Ave 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-739-6601; goodtimesontheave.com Good Times on the Ave has both a patio and rooftop deck for you to enjoy the sounds of the Avenue of Fashion. Credit: Google Maps
Grey Ghost 47 E. Watson, Detroit; 313-262-6534; greyghostdetroit.com We’re not sure which is better at Grey Ghost, the burgers or the drinks, but what we do know is that patio season never fails at this bar. Credit: Grey Ghost/Instagram
The Congregation 9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; 313-307-5518; thecongregationdetroit.com The Congregation is a cafe built in a former church with a killer deck. Credit: Google Maps
Como’s 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-677-4439; comosrestaurant.com Como’s has been a staple of Ferndale for decades. In 2018, it underwent a major makeover and now it’s the beautiful little pizza party patio princess it was always meant to be. Credit: Courtesy of Como’s
Waterfront Wyandotte 507 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-286-9046; thewaterfrontwyandotte.com A martini on the water? Isn’t it supposed to be on the rocks? The Waterfront Wyandotte has a massive martini menu to pair with its extensive food menu, all of which can be consumed while sitting on the water. Oh, and they have live music, as if the deal could get any sweeter. Credit: Waterfront Wyandotte/Facebook
Joe Muer Seafood 400 Renaissance Center #1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837; joemuer.com This generational favorite not only serves up seafood classics but its Detroit location offers a beautiful view of the river. Credit: Joe Muer Seafood/Facebook
Townhouse 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-723-1000; eatattownhouse.com This upscale restaurant in the heart of downtown is known for turning it up a notch on the wow factor. This goes for Townhouse’s outdoor seating, which brings the contemporary luxe feeling inside out. Credit: Townhouse/Facebook
Madison’s Pub 15 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; 586-468-7777; madisons-pub.com What rhymes with party? Easy. Patio. Well, not quite, but it’s close enough because Madison’s has a patio and it is made for partying and, also, enjoying classic pub food. Credit: Madison’s in Mount Clemens/Facebook
Sedona Taphouse 27466 Novi Rd., Novi; 248-916-9191; sedonataphouse.com With locations throughout eight states, Sedona Taphouse brings Southwest-inspired cuisine and lots and lots of beer to two metro Detroit locations, both of which have scenic patio setups. You know what that means? You could eat desert fire jalapeños or a big ol’ helping of “Devil’s Pass” pasta next to an actual fire pit while also enduring the rays of the big ol’ fireball in the sky. Credit: Sedona Taphouse/Facebook
Social Kitchen 225 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-594-4200; socialkitchenandbar.com Creative comfort food in a creative and comfortable environment is on the menu at this Birmingham restaurant. Social Kitchen offers a rooftop lounge that is as modern and colorful as the food they serve. Credit: Social Kitchen/Facebook
Atwater Brewery 237 Jos Campau Ave., Detroit; 313-877-9205 | 1175 Lakepointe St, Grosse Pointe Park; 313-344-5104 | atwaterbeer.com Atwater Brewery has been getting us tipsy since 1997, and for that we are eternally grateful and a bit forgetful. The intoxication is made sweeter when you drink on Atwater’s Detroit rooftop or the spacious patio of its church-turned-taphouse Grosse Pointe Park location. Pro tip: order food before beer, you know, to give yourself a fighting chance. Credit: Atwater Brewery/Facebook
Selden Standard 3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055; seldenstandard.com Selden Standard is a stylish spot with seasonal tastes in its small plates, and a fine selection of wines and global brews. The outdoor seating area is artsy and cool, perfect for a night out with friends. Credit: Selden Standard/Facebook
El Barzon Restaurante 3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070; elbarzonrestaurant.com Fusing traditional Mexican and Italian dishes, El Barzon established itself as a unique and high-end offering in Southwest Detroit in 2007. Here you can get Mexican and Italian specialties, with some crossover between dishes. Oh, and there’s a patio, where you can dine on such exciting food. Credit: El Barzon Restaurante/Facebook
San Morello 1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700; sanmorello.com One of the city’s hottest restaurants attached to one of the hottest hotels absolutely has a sidewalk patio for you to take in the hot sights of downtown Detroit while indulging on housemade pasta, wood-fired seafood dishes, and gelato along with a side of prime people-watching. Credit: San Morello/Facebook
Old Miami 3930 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3830; oldmiami.com There’s nothing quite like the patio of Detroit’s iconic Old Miami. The 40-year-old veteran’s bar along Cass Corridor might offer one of the biggest patio and backyard spaces of any of the entries on this list — and probably has the most affordable drinks, too. It has an outdoor bar, stage area, ample seating, and a big beautiful lawn to do whatever you damn well please. Credit: Old Miami/Facebook
The Peterboro 420 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-833-1111; thepeterboro.com If you’re in the mood for something more than the the usual takeout, the Peterboro features a modern take on Chinese cuisine in chic surroundings, with craft beer and cocktails available. Credit: Peterboro/Facebook
Monarch Club 33 John R. St. Penthouse, Detroit; 313-306-2380; monarchclubdetroit.com From one of the Monarch Club’s ultra chic three rooftop terraces you can see the Detroit Athletic Club, the Fox Theatre, Detroit’s 36th District Court, the Guardian Building, all three major sporting stadiums, and a host of other landmarks. Credit: Monarch Club/Facebook
Detroit Shipping Company 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com If you’re like us and are an indecisive eater that cannot choose between tacos, fried chicken, or a Pad Thai sushi roll, there’s Detroit Shipping Company. The multi-tiered food hall and beer garden made out of shipping containers has a courtyard patio with a stage for open-air performances. Credit: Detroit Shipping Company/Facebook
Slows BarBq 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com When the sun comes out in Michigan, we collectively have one thing on the brain: barbequed meats. Detroit BBQ mainstay Slow’s has another trick up its sticky sweet sleeve with its enclosed patio and courtyard. Credit: Slow’s BBQ/Facebook
Garden Bowl Lounge/Sgt. Pepperoni’s/Alley Deck 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700 ext. 205; majesticdetroit.com Take a slide of Sgt. Pepperoni’s up to the Majestic Theatre Complex’s Alley Deck to take in the sights of Midtown. Credit: Garden Bowl Lounge/Sgt. Pepperon’s/Alley Deck/Facebook
Watermark Bar and Grille 24420 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-777-3677; watermarkbarandgrille.com Seafood? Check. Actual sea? Yep! A place to eat seafood by the sea? Go to Watermark Bar and Grille in St. Clair Shores, where scenic patio dreams can become a reality. Pass the calamari! Credit: Watermark Bar and Grille/Facebook
Lumen Detroit 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005; lumendetroit.com Located along Grand River Avenue, this restaurant welcomes visitors into the center of downtown Detroit with views of Beacon Park. Credit: Lumen Detroit/Facebook
Blake’s Tasting Room 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-9463; blakefarms.com Craft beer, apple cider, and something called a “donut flight?” Where do we sign up? You can soak up the summer sun while enjoying the favorite autumn flavors at Blake’s. Credit: Blake’s Tasting Room/Facebook
The Skip The Belt Alley, Detroit; theskipdetroit.com Don’t walk, don’t run, but rather skip to The Belt where you can have fun in the sun, er, shade, at cocktail bar The Skip. Here you can treat yourself to tropical cocktails and fun frozen drinks on their Instagram-worthy patio. Credit: The Skip/Facebook
Marrow 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-652-0200;https://www.marrowdetroit.com When a butcher shop meets a restaurant the results are, well, meaty. When it comes to two-time James Beard Award-nominated restaurant and whole animal butcher shop, Marrow, it’s all about community, and, obviously, local and sustainably sourced meat. And there’s good news for carnivores who want to eat outside because Marrow has a patio. Credit: Marrow/Facebook
Ottava Via 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500; ottavaviadetroit.com Fresh air, Italian food, and good vibes? Could you ask for anything better? Ottava Via in Corktown offers a brick patio where you can nom on some elevated Italian favorites like pasta, pizza, and panini, as well as charcuterie, and side dishes. Credit: Ottava Via/Facebook
Outer Limits Lounge 5507 Caniff St., Detroit; 313-826-0456; outerlimitslounge.com This dive bar and rock ’n’ roll venue has a patio with a backyard vibe, including picnic tables. Credit: Outer Limits Lounge/Facebook
Jolly Pumpkin 441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-262-6115; detroit.jollypumpkin.com Jolly Pumpkin’s Midtown location has a pleasant patio not far from the Shinola dog park. Credit: Lee DeVito
Kelly’s Bar 2403 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck; 734-309-7011; smugglerswyandotte.com This Hamtramck haunt reopened under new ownership in February with renovations made including cleaning up the backyard. Credit: Courtesy photo
Fifth Avenue 215 W. 5th St., Royal Oak; 248-629-9423; fifthaveroyaloak.com Fifth Ave’s patio is a popular one, packing in a young crowd in the warmer months. Credit: Fifth Avenue Royal Oak/Facebook
Smuggler’s Run 1 St John St., Wyandotte; 734-309-7011; smugglerswyandotte.com Located right off the water, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation on the patio at this Wyandotte spot. Credit: Smugglers Wyandotte/Facebook

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.