Even though Oklahoma City’s comparatively mild winter climate means that many restaurant patios remain open year-round, spring is still the ultimate season of renewal — and of a renewed urge to dine and drink al fresco. Before summer settles in for an extended stay, this is prime time for patios across the metro, from sprawling staples and old favorites to underrated nooks and hidden gems. So grab your windbreaker (just in case) and hit up one of these great restaurants for an outdoor meal this season.
Toast & Coffee, 2416 N. Robinson Ave.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any cuter at Toast & Coffee, a sunny Uptown cafe with an on-the-nose menu of tasty toasts, you mosey to the back of the shop and discover an adorable back patio. A veritable hidden garden, the quiet alcove is an idyllic space in which to start your morning, hot coffee in tow. Sidle up to a picnic table and savor some toast, available in both sweet and savory iterations, like avocado smash, lox, cinnamon brûlée and the Frenchie (with sliced pears, fig jam, Brie, walnuts and arugula).
30th Street Market, 407 NW 30th St.
Since its inception in 2022, 30th Street Market has emerged as a quintessential community cornerstone. Truly an ultimate “something for everyone” destination, this Paseo-adjacent cafe is a daytime haunt stocked with everything from esoteric wines and artisanal sundries to smoothies, pastries and some of the best bread in town. Out front, the cafe’s vast patio echoes that “something for everyone” vibe, with its ample picnic tables, shaded seating and patio games. To really see it in action, stop by during First Fridays for Makers at the Market, an outdoor night market that’s grown substantially to include multiple vendors selling candles, vintage clothes, accessories and more.
The Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd.
An institution since 1995, there’s still no patio quite like that at The Red Cup. For starters, this is likely the only patio in the city with a resident rooster roving around — and occasionally crowing behind unsuspecting customers. It’s also outfitted with the zaniest decor, like a super-sized coffee cup art installation, and a mishmash of eclectic rooms. Outside, numerous patio spaces provide plenty of room — both shaded and otherwise — to enjoy an apple pie bar or a plate of vegetarian biscuits and gravy. Just don’t feed the rooster.
Bedlam Bar-B-Q, 610 NE 50th St.
Dining outside at Bedlam Bar-B-Q feels like dining al fresco in Texas Hill Country, where the smoky aroma of brisket permeates the rolling wooded landscape. Opened in 2003 on the northeast side, on a particularly bucolic patch of forested land, the multi-room restaurant has a preserved-in-time style reminiscent of a Western saloon, while the backyard gives way to abundant patio tables and a rustic fire pit where periodic live music takes place. And truly, there’s nothing better than a platter of sliced brisket or pulled pork under the open sky.
Burger Punk, burgerpunkokc.com
Now with two OKC locations, both Burger Punks boast cool patios on which to savor a burger topped with nacho Doritos. The first location, which opened in the Paseo in 2020 after originating as a funky food truck, sports an astroturf-lined patio and umbrella-shaded tables. The second location followed suit with a similar aesthetic in the burgeoning Britton District. Which means more room in which to enjoy Thrash Nachos, Mosh Pit Fries and craft burgers heaped with everything from Velveeta to hoisin mayo.
El Coyote, 925 W. Britton Road
Just down the block on Britton, El Coyote features one of the most transportive patios in the city. True to its New Mexico inspirations, the cantina has a massive back patio that feels more like Santa Fe than OKC, complete with stone-lined terrace, turquoise doors, chile ristras, a kiva fireplace and lush trees casting shade over tables. Drink it all in over a bowl of green chile queso and a tajin-spiced margarita.
Powerhouse, 1228 SW 2nd St.
Another transportive destination, Powerhouse is an endearingly ramshackle bar in the Farmers Market District that, while mere minutes from downtown OKC, looks more like the west Texas desert. Dark and cozy inside, the space is mostly outdoors, with a wraparound deck and a huge tree-lined back patio that includes kiva-style fireplaces and a view of the nearby piñata shop. Mostly a drinking destination, for beer and bracing margs, the bar boasts a better-than-it-needs-to-be food menu with the likes of ham sliders, red chili and occasional enchiladas.
Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill, 6305 Waterford Blvd.
It’s happy hour with a side of swans at Bellini’s Ristorante & Grill, a cozy fixture on the northwest side since 1990. You won’t find any bells or whistles here, just good old-fashioned Italian-American comfort food and affordable drinks, which dip as low as $2 per glass of Champagne during happy hour. It’s all best enjoyed on the quaint covered patio on the north side of the building, overlooking an idyllic pond with a fountain and resident waterfowl.
Flamingo TIKI, 605 NW 28th St.
Back in the Paseo, a relative newcomer brought something decidedly new to the artsy district. When OKC welcomed its first dedicated tiki bar, Flamingo TIKI, it came with the most colorful patio in town —a tropical terrace with Barbie-pink umbrellas, palm-green pillows and plenty of delicious rum-soaked tipples to match.
