When your winters aren't severe (and in Dallas, of course, they largely aren't), have no fear, there's always a heated patio near. Like beacons in the night they call out to day-drinkers and nighthawks alike, oozing that extra little bit of warmth necessary to stay outside when it gets below 🥶 60.
1. TK's Place
All January long, the fine folks at TK's Place in Addison are offering Twinkly Lights & Fire Pits at Night on their spacious patio! Grab one of their delectable Smores Boards and enjoy a warm and fuzzy night while watching some of the best comedy acts in town!
2. poco fiasco
Nothing says romance like a $9 martini and twinkling lights all around you, right? Add in one of the finest heated patios in the Harwood District and you've just described our ideal night at Poco Fiasco, which also features $4 apps, $5 glasses of wine and select $3 beers during Happy Hour, Sunday-Thursday from 3-6 p.m.
3. Henry's Majestic
Henry's Majestic over by Trinity Groves is HUGE, and it is such a great place to chill on the weekends and listen to live music with friends! We couldn’t stop eating the food, everything we ordered was delicious but our favorite dish was the chicken and waffles! All the drinks on the cocktail menu can be made into mocktails for anyone enjoying dry January.
4. Written by the seasons
Written by the Seasons is a Bishop Arts favorite of ours, for sure. As the name suggests, they source their ingredients seasonally on a rotating menu that makes each visit as exquisite as your first! The unique look of this place is hard to pass by, with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to a bright and spacious (heated) patio. Written by the Seasons is the perfect spot to indulge in spontaneous flavor that brings a sense of belonging to the table.
5. HG SPLY co.
This is one of Dallas' very best roof decks, for sure! And they also have a Fort Worth location, whose patio overlooks the Trinity Trails — so you can't go wrong, whether you're in the D or the F-Dub portion of the Metroplex. The nachos at HG are consistently some of the best in the city, as well.
6. las Palmas
Bright and bold colors and tastes collide with classic Tex-Mex comfort, and the brothers Heidari bring a flair for fine dining that give Las Palmas an edge. Keep the Sparkling Palomas (our favorite drink on the menu) coming, please.
7. Dahlia
The fancy 35-seat bar at Dahlia is the place to be, and keep the short rib sliders coming for the duration, please and thank you. This place is for you if you enjoy a nice mimosa on the patio moment, even when the weather dictates otherwise.
8. Terilli's
For down-to-earth Italian fare that shares the spotlight with great martinis and live jazz on select nights, head to Terilli's on Lower Greenville. They've family-owned and a Dallas staple since 1985, and they invented the famous Italchos, which are made with pizza chips that are baked fresh daily.
9. beverley's bistro & bar
Beverley's might just be the picture perfect neighborhood bistro — with patio vibes to boot. They serve up an eclectic menu of seasonal seafood and steaks to go along with some truly great cocktails choices as well. Brunch at this unique hybrid Jewish-Texan-French spot is an absolute must.
10. knox bistro
Knox Bistro is the perfect place for your next lunch, brunch or date night in Dallas! The bartenders here are simply the best, ready to recommend you that drink you didn't know you needed in your life that becomes your next obsession at first sip! They won Best French Restaurant in D Magazine's yearly awards in 2021, and then followed it up with a Best Burger win from the Dallas Observer in 2022, so you know everything on the menu is worth trying.
11. loro
Loro, now with two Dallas locations, is an Asian smokehouse and bar brought to you by award-winning chefs Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin, who merged their loves for Texas cuisine and Asian cuisine at this gift to Dallas foodies. Nuff said? Nuff said. Sharing is recommended at this casual, communal landmark, and there are no reservations.
12. The Porch
Open for brunch (on Sat + Sun), lunch, dinner and late nights too, The Porch on Henderson has a covered, insulated patio perfect for any type of weather Dallas decides to throw at us. They also serve craft cocktails, delicious mocktails, and comfort food that’s simply good for the soul! There’s plenty of space and accommodations for big and small parties, too, so save this for the next birthday dinner you’re in charge of planning and thank us later.
13. Escondido
It was the $5 lunch margaritas at Escondido that initially won our hearts. But with a beautiful floral covered patio perfect for an Instagram backdrop, a covered section and a mouthwatering menu featuring must-try queso, guac, and cilantro ranch dip, it's the perfect spot for a lunch date with friends or a work lunch that's anything but ordinary.
14. saint ann
The Harwood District's Saint Ann features a garden-inspired atmosphere, patio dining, crisp cocktails, impressive wines, and modern New American fare made with fresh ingredients from local purveyors. Sip, dine and stay awhile at this beautiful spot.
15. katy traIL ICE HOUSE
Add space heaters to one of the best patio scenes in Dallas, and what do you get? You are correct, you get the coziest patio in Dallas. As warm as they keep it, cold weather is no longer any excuse to stay inside.
After all, if the patrons at the Katy Trail Ice House are able to stay this comfortable through those frigid North Texas temps, we're tempted to go for a nice cool-weather jog on the trail to pre-emptively burn a few of the calories we know we're about to inhale when we belly up to that famous 50-foot bar.
16. Encina
The menu changes somewhat at Oak Cliff's Encina, but you can get the tender pastrami, a decadent turkey leg confit you could share (but you won’t want to) and perfectly crisp chicken thighs anytime. The prices may say this is a place for a special night out, but the equation is there for a good neighborhood restaurant: food you crave, consistent service and a space you want to be in.
17. Wriggly Tin
Wriggly Tin in Fair Park is SUCH a vibe. It's a gorgeous space, and it doesn’t close until midnight so it’s the perfect place for hangouts or date night! The true star of the show here is the pizza and draft beers! The crust was so crispy, and the sauce + cheese combo is to die for! The outdoor space here is huge so it’s great for big parties, work gatherings, and more!
18. VIDORRA
Live your best patio life at Vidorra in Deep Ellum. That warming trend you may feel in the air is actually the queso coarsing through your veins. Or maybe it's the tequilla, because this place features one of the most meticulously curated tequilla programs in town. If you don't know, now you know, so go!
Lush plant life surrounds you as you meander through the maze of apps and cocktails and mains at Vidorra, and the hard cover tops above the patio mean whatever the weather, come right in (or out, as it were).
19. CHELSEA CORNER
This is a big 'ole patio to keep warm, but by gosh, they managed it. 2,500 square feet of "backyard" style patio, to be exact. Sure, space heaters help, but we like to think that the warm, neighborhood vibes do most of the work at Chelsea Corner on McKinney.
With its focus on Dallas' rich heritage and an eclectic menu that manages to nail such a diverse range of offerings, they've got something on the menu that will warm you right up, no matter what kind of mood you're in. We're getting the lava rock fajitas on our next visit, just FYI. Also, fun fact: did you know the original Chelsea Corner opened in the same location in 1974, and that the building dates to 1926? It was extensively remodeled in 2016, but it still brims with that Old Dallas warmth.
20. winter village at the adolphus hotel
You've only got until Jan. 28 to check this one off the Love List, so what are you waiting for? The Adolphus hotel has transformed its famous rooftop bar into a the best little Winter Wonderland in town. Despite the illumated igloos all around, this wintry pop-up bar will warm you right up, whether you find yourself inside one of the cozy cabins or you down a couple of the boozy winter-themed specialty cocktails on the menu.
21. Union Bear Brewing
Plano's Union Bear Brewing is a great space with a great-huge covered patio. It's perfect for kicking back on a casual day off or grabbing an impromptu bite. This locally owned and operated brewpub helped introduce craft beer to Dallas in 2012. The latest location is an airy venue tucked into Plano’s Boardwalk at Granite Park, in the southeast quadrant of the Dallas North and Sam Rayburn tollways. The vibe is a bit industrial but also open and light-filled.
22. TruckYard
Whether you're kicking back at the original location in Dallas or the Truckyard locations in The Colony or Far North Fort Worth, you can bet you're having a good time. It has a super rustic vibe with great tunes and rotating food trucks so you can snack and drink alllllll afternoon long.
