Tulsa's best restaurant patios to enjoy the spring weather (2024)

It’s that time of year once again, when the imaginations of people young and old turn to thoughts of dining out of doors.

More and more restaurants are offering places for those who want to enjoy their meals en plein air, whether said place is lavishly outfitted with fans, misters, heaters and landscaping, or if it is a few tables and chairs arranged out front.

Here is a dozen of the prime spaces around town — some relatively new, some that are local institutions — to enjoy a fine meal and some tasty beverages, indulge in a little people-watching or just take in the scenery, along with some suggestions of what to order once there.

BAR SERRA

1876 Utica Square

This newcomer to Utica Square is practically all patio — the glass exterior walls can be opened, and even when closed, the place very much has an al fresco vibe. It all makes this a perfect place to enjoy some crispy fried artichokes, some excellent fish tacos or the array of vegetables that fills the signature Mediterranean Bowl.

NOCHE WOODFIRED GRILL & AGAVE BAR

110 N. Elgin Ave.

Noche’s menu is a reflection of the unique melting pot of cuisines that is Mexico City, which is why seemingly pedestrian dishes like cheese enchiladas are elevated with unique flavors, such as a Parmesan crema, or one can encounter such intriguing and delicious mash-ups such as birria ramen. The walls of the restaurant’s front can be opened, and seating is available on the sidewalk during fine weather.

SOMA

1840 S. Boulder Ave.

Soma is perched atop the Brut Hotel, and while its enclosed dining areas provide guests with some impressive views of the city and its environs, it’s the open area on the south side of the restaurant that really makes this place special. The menu is pretty good as well — try The Port, a mushroom sandwich bursting with unexpected flavors, the Gochujang Salmon, or choose from more than a dozen options to create your own Mezza platter.

EN FUEGO

224 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

This resurrection of the much-loved Latin American fusion restaurant takes full advantage of its place on Guthrie Green. Most of the seating is outdoors, or can feel like that when the restaurant’s glass walls are opened. Dome-like “igloos” (clear, geodesic-style domes that can accommodate up to six diners) are popular when the weather turns less than clement. Familiar items like the Bob Marley dip are on the menu, along with an array of margarita creations, tacos, burritos, quesadillas and salads.

FIXINS SOUL KITCHEN

222 N. Detroit Ave.

Former NBA star Kevin Johnson’s soul food restaurant boasts a sizable patio area facing Detroit Avenue. Diners can feast on fried chicken, braised oxtails, shrimp and grits, collard greens and charred okra, and Mason jars of adult or kid-friendly Kool-Aid.

IN THE RAW

3221 S. Peoria Ave.; 110 N. Elgin Ave.; 6151 S. Sheridan Ave.

Regardless of the location of this pioneering Tulsa sushi restaurant you choose, you can enjoy one’s sushi rolls, ITR Salads or bento boxes while taking in the sights of people milling around Brookside, or get a panorama view of the city from the south Tulsa hills, or take an almost 360-degree view of downtown from the top of the Vast.Bank building.

THE CANEBRAKE

33241 E. 732nd Road, Wagoner

As the Canebrake resort is set on some 300 acres on the banks of Lake Fort Gibson, it’s only natural that the restaurant would take advantage of its surroundings with an expansive patio area. The food here, overseen by chef Kurt Fichtenberg, features comfort foods served with gourmet flair, along with specials that draw from Asian and European cuisines.

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S PUBLIC HOUSE

409 E. First St.

McNellie’s originally made its name as the place to go for literally hundreds of beer choices, so naturally it needed a proper beer garden in which its patrons might enjoy such libations in a convivial, open-air atmosphere. McNellie’s also offers an array of burgers and sandwiches, as well as fish & chips, a Cajun meatloaf and blackened chicken mac & cheese, among other food options.

TACOS X MEZCAL

39 E. 18th St.

Tacos x Mezcal offers unique twists on Mexican foods — where else might you find guacamole topped with seasoned crickets, for example? — and one of the largest collections of agave-based spirits such as tequilas and mezcals, available on their own, or as the base of any number of signature co*cktails. The patio area is always a prime place to enjoy both food and drink, as well as to observe life’s rich pageant in the “SoBo” (South Boston) neighborhood.

ELGIN PARK

325 E. Reconciliation Way

Elgin Park brings together three things that appeal to a wide swath of humanity: pizza, beer and sports. Add a whole lot of outdoor seating and a location adjacent to ONEOK Field, and it’s an excellent place to while away a spring evening. While pizza gets star billing, Elgin Park also offers a variety of wings, salads, sandwiches and gussied-up “ballpark fries.”

CABIN BOYS BREWPUB

223 N. Main St.

One of Tulsa’s top craft breweries has taken over a prime piece of Tulsa Arts District real estate, including its cozy patio space, and is offering about 30 brews on tap, as well as a menu of elevated bar food, from giant pretzels and crispy Brussels sprouts to burgers, sandwiches and fish special every Friday.

DADDY B’S BBQ

2809 E. 91st St.

Brian Love cooks his briskets, ribs, pork and bologna over a mix of pecan and hickory wood to produce the flavor profile that he has been serving around eastern Oklahoma since 2015. A large patio area is an excellent place to enjoy Daddy B’s barbecue, but don’t forget the catfish, which is some of the best in town.

But wait — there’s more!

For those looking for more places to enjoy the passing scene along with a meal, here are some of our long-time favorite patios.

Downtown

The French Hen, 319 E. Archer St.

The Vault, 620 S. Cincinnati Ave.

La Tertulia, 311 E. Second St.

Inheritance Juicery, 118 S. Detroit Ave.

Peacemaker, 313 E. Second St.

Lone Wolf Banh Mi, 203 E. Archer St.

Midtown

Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Lewis Ave.

Maple Ridge Grocer, 1810 S. Cincinnati Ave.

Chicken and the Wolf, 3136 E. 11th St.

Cherry Street

Andolini’s, 1553 E. 15th St.

Roosevelt’s, 1551 E. 15th St.

Tucci’s, 1344 E. 15th St.

Mi Cocina, 1342 E. 15th St.

Chimi’s, 1304 E. 15th St.

Brookside

Cafe Ole, 3509 S. Peoria Ave.

Blue Moon Cafe, 3512 S. Peoria Ave.

Doc’s Wine & Food, 3509 S. Peoria Ave.

Brookside by Day, 3313 S. Peoria Ave.

MK Bistro, 3523 S. Peoria Ave.

Utica Square

Wild Fork, 1820 Utica Square

Stonehorse Cafe, 1748 Utica Square

The Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square

Queenie’s, 1816 Utica Square

Down South

McNellie’s South City, 7031 S. Zurich Ave.

The Stumbling Monkey, 8921 S. Yale Ave.

Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina, 151 Bass Pro Drive, Broken Arrow; 300 Riverwalk Terrace, Jenks; 9455 N. Owasso Expressway, Owasso

Waterfront Grill, 120 Aquarium Drive, Jenks

The Rooftop, 214 S. Main St., Broken Arrow

Margaritaville at River Spirit Casino Resort, 8330 Riverside Parkway

Society Burger, 9999 S. Mingo Road

Ridge Cantina and Ridge Grill, 9999 S. Mingo Road

Mandarin Taste, 9107 S. Sheridan Road

Bramble Breakfast & Bar/Shaky Jake’s, 121 N. Ash Ave., Broken Arrow

Le Belle Restaurants & Events, 400 Riverside Terrace

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