The Winter Patio Dining Guide: What’s Heated and What’s Covered

REJOICE, FAIR HOUSTONIANS: Patio season is truly here, inviting us to dine outdoors in rather comfortable weather. Emphasis on rather, because as we’ve seen, that weather can also be quite chilly… or downright cold, depending on your adjustment level. Luckily, just about everyone who operates a restaurant in this city knows that once the cooler temperatures start hitting, a few strategically placed heaters and some well-placed covers can do wonders for the patio experience.

We’ve put together a list of restaurants across the Bayou City that not only have patios, but also the necessary means to keep you warm and cozy.

Downtown

Xochi: The upscale Mexican restaurant from Hugo Ortega has a heated, covered patio.

Grotto: This sophisticated restaurant allows guests to enjoy upscale Italian plates while in a covered patio seating area.

The Grove: The airy outdoor seating area is a great place to go as it cools down and the heaters crank up, which keeps things cozy.

East Downtown

8th Wonder Brewery: The fan-favorite brewery has patio heaters, perfect to enjoy a Rocket Fuel and some Buffalo chicken fries from longtime food truck Eatsie Boys.

The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation: Get a timeless meal out on the heated patio. Fajitas and margs, anyone?

East Washington Avenue

B&B Butchers & Restaurant: The heated, covered patio is closed on all sides here.

B.B. Lemon: The patio is covered and can be closed on all sides. There are several heaters out there, perfect to enjoy a burger or some hearty French onion soup.

Xin Chao: Curious about the tasty Vietnamese restaurant from Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen? Walk up to sit outside on the patio with umbrellas and mushroom heaters.

Fourth Ward

Bludorn: Keep warm on the heated patio of this New American, French-inspired restaurant. 

Heights

Mico’s Hot Chicken: The popular hot chicken spot, which opened its brick-and-mortar structure in 2020, will have heaters on its 4,000-square-foot patio very soon. You can also play oversized games like Connect Four and Jenga.

Mastrantos: This elevated, yet casual, restaurant is always heater-ready. Relish in handmade pastas, hearty proteins, and veggie-focused dishes while on a warm and intimate patio.

D’ Alba: This restaurant combines a casual, beautiful atmosphere with elevated modern-American fare. They also have an expansive terrace that’s heated to enjoy their wood-fired pizza and freshly baked goods.  

Highline Park: Catch a vibe at Highline Park this season. The ice house and restaurant provides guests with great food, delicious cocktails, and covered patio space. 

Trattoria Sofia: Slurp up a big bowl of Cacio E Pepe (tonnarelli, pecorino romano, and black pepper pasta) on their heated patio while being surrounded by beautiful greenery.  

Hyde Park

Backstreet Cafe: Find portable heaters on the patio at Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega’s longtime contemporary American and Mexican spot. Not every table will have accessible heating, though.

Katy

Molina’s Cantina: The Katy/Fulshear location has heaters on the patio. 

Pearl & Vine: The upscale restaurant has a scenic outdoor space that includes a covered patio and a warm fireplace to cozy up around while drinking a glass of cabernet.

Memorial Area

Bistro 555: There are about six tables out front of this French restaurant, and the area includes mushroom heaters. Plus, it’s covered by an overhang.

Jonathan’s The Rub Memorial Green: The large patio is uncovered, but it has plenty of heaters. Enjoy a big chop out there.

Liberty Kitchen at the Treehouse: There’s a patio, and, folks, it’s covered.

Maize: Upgrade your taco Tuesday at this upscale Mexican restaurant. You can indulge in traditional Mexican fare, like their Barbacoa De Res (slow cooked beef cheeks, habanero sauce, pickled onion, cilantro, and fresh corn tortillas), on their covered and heated patios. 

Midtown

Brennan’s of Houston: Live it up with a glass of Sazerac de Forge cognac at Brennan’s downtown, as the courtyard at one of Houston’s most historic restaurants has heaters.

District 7 Grill: Comfort food and comfortably heated patios is the recipe for a good time at this American restaurant. 

Holman Draft Hall: This industrial hall-like restaurant has covered seating areas on their patio and Tandoori Nachos to die for.

Montrose

Candente: The oh-so-cozy Tex-Mex spot has outdoor seating with mushroom heaters. Plus, the space is covered on all sides.

Doris Metropolitan: Enjoy superb steak and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sides on the heated patio.

Hugo’s: While the patio at Hugo’s isn’t covered, there are heaters for some tables.

La Grange: Known for having one of the best patios in the city, La Grange keeps it warm with heaters at all alcoves and with fire pits sprinkled throughout. It’s the perfect spot for a margarita, chips, and green chili queso. 

Museum District

Lucille’s: For chilly weather, Chef-owner Christopher Williams has put in some heaters; plus, guests are asked to BYOB—bring your own blanket—to maintain the appropriate level of coziness. There’s live jazz on the patio at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. 

Monarch: If you’re looking for an exquisite dining experience, Monarch has a beautiful covered terrace for guests to enjoy their meal under twinkling lights. 

Mo’ Better Brews: Indulge in a delicious vegan breakfast on Mo’ Better Brew’s covered patio. Expect DJs with creative vinyl tunes, and the most delicious caffeinated brews. 

Northside

Monkey’s Tail: The popular bar has a heated patio with plenty of seating and TVs at all angles for spectating sports. Plus, you can’t go wrong with their bucket of beers and frozen margs.

Harold’s: This scenic rooftop restaurant has covered seating to ensure guests can enjoy all their Southern food favorites outdoors this season. 

River Oaks

Ouisie’s Table: The classic Southern two-garden restaurant, which seats 30 people, provides heaters that use renewable energy.  

Upper Kirby

Goode Co. Barbecue: This longtime haunt known for classic Central Texas barbecue has a patio with fixed heaters attached to the roof above.

Goode Co. Taqueria: Enjoy the spacious indoor patio, which has heaters, while the outdoor patio has mushroom heaters.

Kata Robata: The sunroom at one of the city’s most popular restaurants is fully enclosed. 

Uptown

The Annie Cafe & Bar: Enjoy Robert Del Grande’s work on the swanky and heated patio.

Caracol: You can sit near heat on the patio, but not every table has accessible heating.

Étoile Cuisine et Bar: The small patio here has several heaters and large umbrellas.

The Original Ninfa’s Uptown: The patio here is heated, so dip into that queso and feel a little warm.

The Woodlands

Goode Co. Kitchen Cantina: In The Woodlands, sit outside under heaters that are attached to the roof.

Multiple Locations

Dish Society: All locations of the casual neighborhood eatery have heaters on their patios.

Hungry’s: Both the Rice Village and Memorial locations of the stalwart, health-forward neighborhood restaurant have heaters on their patios.

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen: Both locations have patios; at Woodway Drive, it’s semi-enclosed with 10 tables, while at Eldridge Parkway, it’s an open patio with 10 tables.

Postino: Experience this intimate dining space with your favorite people. Whether you’re dining at Town & Country, Heights, or the Montrose location, all Postinos provide heated and covered seating areas for a wine-and-dine night out.