Although the weather in Texas is conducive to year-round outdoor dining, it’s most enjoyable in the summertime. These seven restaurants have scenic patios that turn a simple meal into a full-blown experience.
If you want more Texas restaurants, make sure to click here and sign up for our weekly dining newsletter. Every Thursday, a new eatery to try in the Lone Star State will be delivered straight to your email. Yum!
- The Oasis on Lake Travis (Austin)
TripAdvisor/The Oasis on Lake Travis
TripAdvisor/albebuc Known as the “Sunset Capital of Texas,” The Oasis boasts a multi-tiered balcony that offers unparalleled views of Lake Travis. As far as the food, you’ll find everything from fully loaded nachos to juicy burgers on the menu – and it’s all absolutely scrumptious. Pro-tip: get there early to snag a seat on the highly coveted fourth story.
- Neches River Wheelhouse (Port Neches)
Facebook/The Neches River Wheelhouse
Facebook/The Neches River Wheelhouse A relaxed eatery on the Neches River, “The Wheelhouse” draws impressive crowds because of its tropical atmosphere and finger-lickin’ good food. Start off with some boudin balls or pistolettes for an appetizer, then move on to the number one seller, shrimp & grits, as your main course. Cajun classics have never tasted so good!
- Casa Rio (San Antonio)
Facebook/Casa Rio
Facebook/Casa Rio Situated directly on the banks of the iconic San Antonio River Walk, Casa Rio has been serving up some of the Alamo City’s best Tex-Mex since 1946. You can’t miss it; just look for the colorful umbrella tables.
- Louie’s Backyard (South Padre Island)
Facebook/Louie’s Backyard
Facebook/Louie’s Backyard Louie’s Backyard overlooks the gorgeous Laguna Madre Bay, making it an extremely popular place to dine on South Padre Island. The food is surf ’n turf, with options like herb-encrusted prime rib, snow crab, shrimp, scallops, and so much more. The DJs, bars, and dancing take the whole experience over the top!
- The Spot (Galveston)
Facebook/The Spot
Facebook/The Spot More than just a restaurant, the spot is a hangout mecca for locals and tourists alike. This two-story destination has four bars, an eatery, and a bakery all under one roof. Grab a seat on the patio, chow down on fresh seafood, a mouthwatering burger, salad, or a number of additional menu offerings and marvel at the Gulf waters that almost look blue from this vantage point.
- RiverBend Restaurant (Uncertain)
Facebook/RiverBend Restaurant
Facebook/RiverBend Restaurant Nestled along the shores of Caddo Lake, the world’s largest cypress forest, RiverBend Restaurant is a little-known eatery with some of the best seafood and Southern comforts in East Texas. Fried alligator, fresh bayou catfish and ribeye steak are just some of the scrumptious options to choose from.
- Doc’s Seafood and Steaks (Corpus Christi)
Facebook/Doc’s Seafood and Steaks
Facebook/Doc’s Seafood and Steaks Nothing compares to a beachfront meal, and you can enjoy just that at Doc’s Seafood and Steaks in Corpus Christi. Innovative flavor combinations like poblano sauce over blackened catfish will send your taste buds straight to heaven. There’s even a pet-friendly area, so your pooch can enjoy the waterfront views, too!
How many of these restaurants have you been to? Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know, and check out our previous article for more about The Oasis: A Stunning Waterfront Restaurant In Texas, The Oasis Offers Magnificent Sunset Views.
TripAdvisor/The Oasis on Lake Travis
TripAdvisor/albebuc
Known as the “Sunset Capital of Texas,” The Oasis boasts a multi-tiered balcony that offers unparalleled views of Lake Travis. As far as the food, you’ll find everything from fully loaded nachos to juicy burgers on the menu – and it’s all absolutely scrumptious. Pro-tip: get there early to snag a seat on the highly coveted fourth story.
Facebook/The Neches River Wheelhouse
A relaxed eatery on the Neches River, “The Wheelhouse” draws impressive crowds because of its tropical atmosphere and finger-lickin’ good food. Start off with some boudin balls or pistolettes for an appetizer, then move on to the number one seller, shrimp & grits, as your main course. Cajun classics have never tasted so good!
Facebook/Casa Rio
Situated directly on the banks of the iconic San Antonio River Walk, Casa Rio has been serving up some of the Alamo City’s best Tex-Mex since 1946. You can’t miss it; just look for the colorful umbrella tables.
Facebook/Louie’s Backyard
Facebook/Louie’s Backyard
Louie’s Backyard overlooks the gorgeous Laguna Madre Bay, making it an extremely popular place to dine on South Padre Island. The food is surf ’n turf, with options like herb-encrusted prime rib, snow crab, shrimp, scallops, and so much more. The DJs, bars, and dancing take the whole experience over the top!
Facebook/The Spot
More than just a restaurant, the spot is a hangout mecca for locals and tourists alike. This two-story destination has four bars, an eatery, and a bakery all under one roof. Grab a seat on the patio, chow down on fresh seafood, a mouthwatering burger, salad, or a number of additional menu offerings and marvel at the Gulf waters that almost look blue from this vantage point.
Facebook/RiverBend Restaurant
Nestled along the shores of Caddo Lake, the world’s largest cypress forest, RiverBend Restaurant is a little-known eatery with some of the best seafood and Southern comforts in East Texas. Fried alligator, fresh bayou catfish and ribeye steak are just some of the scrumptious options to choose from.
Facebook/Doc’s Seafood and Steaks
Nothing compares to a beachfront meal, and you can enjoy just that at Doc’s Seafood and Steaks in Corpus Christi. Innovative flavor combinations like poblano sauce over blackened catfish will send your taste buds straight to heaven. There’s even a pet-friendly area, so your pooch can enjoy the waterfront views, too!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 211 Pr 2422, Karnack, TX 75661, USAAddress: The Oasis On Lake Travis, 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732, USAAddress: 13309 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, USAAddress: Louie’s Backyard, 2305 Laguna Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597, USAAddress: 3204 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USAAddress: Neches River Wheelhouse, 720 Lee Ave, Port Neches, TX 77651, USAAddress: 430 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA