Plenty of Portland restaurants have outdoor dining areas, but some are true retreats, complete with fairy lights, umbrellas, fire pits, and bubbling fountains. Tis the season for sun-kissed days and balmy summer nights on our favorite outdoor patios.
THE THIRSTY PIG | 37 EXCHANGE ST.
Love live music, locally brewed beer, and one spacious outdoor patio? Be sure to check out The Thirsty Pig, where a deck bookended by brick walls adorned with green ivy offers a true Old Port feel.
TIMBER STEAKHOUSE & ROTISSERIE | 106 EXCHANGE ST.
Replete with fire pits and soft seating as well as tables and chairs, this outdoor patio lined with old beer barrels and tiki umbrellas is the perfect summer spot to enjoy a cocktail, steak dinner, or a nightcap from one of the state’s largest bourbon selections.
DUCK FAT FRITE SHACK | 43 WASHINGTON AVE.
The latest addition to Washington Avenue’s bustling food and drink scene, this cozy beer garden is tucked next to Oxbow Blending and Bottling. The walk-up window serves up Duck Fat’s famous fries and is open late, making it an instant favorite.
GARDEN CAFÉ | PORTLAND REGENCY HOTEL AND SPA | 20 MILK ST.
A canopy of trees, colorful plantings, and a softly bubbling water feature make this spot an oasis in the center of the Old Port. If the breeze is blowing from the right direction, you’ll catch a scent of salt from Portland Harbor, just a block away.
THE TREEHOUSE | 484 STEVENS AVE.
A second-level deck nestled beneath the treetops gives this restaurant its name, and it is the place to be when the weather is fine. Illuminated only by lanterns, it’s a magical place to spend a summer evening.
NOVARE RES | 4 CANAL PLAZA
Popular at any time of year, this “secret” spot, just off touristy Exchange Street, attracts locals and visitors in the know for its huge selection of beer from around the world. In the summertime, the spacious outdoor deck with wooden tables and bar games is the place to be.
YOSAKU | 1 DANFORTH ST.
Yosaku’s charming, Asian-style garden patio features a waterfall tumbling into a pond and a wisteria-draped pergola. It’s a serene spot to savor the restaurant’s noteworthy Japanese cuisine.
