22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City

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ThePizitzTNL 6 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
Pizitz is one of the coolest patios in town. (The Pizitz)

Patio sitting and sipping wine over a delicious dinner is what warm, spring weather was made for. Birmingham is kind of a pro when it comes to outdoor dining, and we’ve gathered a few local spots that go above and beyond to bring you a dreamy experience.

This guide was originally created in June 2020 and was last updated in March 2025.

1. The Essential

TheEssential 9 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
You can’t beat The Essential’s patio located on 1st Ave. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The Essential swapped places with Bar La Fête, and now you can sit in the beautiful Mercantile on Morris breezeway while you try some of The Essential’s, well, essentials.

  • Our pick: Chicken Piri Piri or Essential Hash | Menu
  • Address: 2215 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-9PM | Friday 11AM-10PM | Saturday 9AM-2PM + 5-10PM | Sunday 9AM-2PM + 5-9PM

2. Continental Bakery + Chez Lulu

Mountain Brook
Continental Bakery at English Village could become part of a new entertainment district. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

This little nook in English Village mirrors a cafe on a side street in Paris. You’ll feel like you have transported to Europe as you dip your croissant into a cappuccino or split a bottle of wine.

  • Our pick: Almond croissant from Continental Bakery, Tarragon Chicken Salad from Chez Lulu | Menus
  • Address: 1911 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
  • Continental Bakery: Daily 7AM-7PM | Chez Lulu: Thursday-Sunday 5-9PM

3. Carrigan’s Public House

Carrigan's Philanthropub
Carrigan’s in downtown Birmingham (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Carrigan’s on Morris Avenue is the ultimate happy hour hangout. The casual vibe completely embodies what a spring night after work should feel like.

4. The Pizitz

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Patios and cheese boards go together like spring evenings and prosecco. (Bham Now)

Pizitz Food Hall is always filled with events featuring music, poetry and lots of cute dogs. You can catch us with a drink from The Louis under the twinkle lights of the Pizitz’s courtyard.

5. El ZunZún

Being a restaurant named after a hummingbird, it makes sense why you’d gravitate toward the patio at El ZunZún. Tucked away in a colorful little garden, the margaritas taste even better outside.

6. Mayawell

mayawell bar1 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
A night on the Mayawell patio is *chef’s kiss* (Bham Now)

A sunset, good friends and the Birmingham skyline—you really can’t get better vibes than you do on Mayawell’s patio and rooftop.

7. Vecchia Pizzeria

vecchia 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
Plenty of room for the whole friend group to share conversation. (Vecchia / Facebook)

Vecchia’s cozy seating and proximity to Moss Rock Preserve make you want to stay forever. Stretch out across long tables with a hot slice of pizza.

8. Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila

Neighbors with Vecchia, Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila is one of my favorite patio hangout spots. The food is a nice plus, too.

9. Chez Fonfon

Chez Fonfon
The patio at Chez Fonfon (Bham Now)

Everything about Chez Fon Fon’s patio could be straight out of a book on “how to create the perfect patio.” Seriously, you’ll want to move in and start dreaming up your European vacay.

10. The Garage

Garage patio
Vibes are high on the Garage’s patio. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

The Garage probably has one of the most eclectic patios in Birmingham. Surrounded by magnolias and garden ornaments, it’s the ideal amount of carefully curated objects that only a few can achieve.

11. Bottega Cafe

Bottega 1 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
Chat with old friends or new business partners at Bottega. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Bottega Cafe is a classic in Birmingham, owned by none other than award-winning chef Frank Stitt. It’s great for date night, a nice business lunch or a Saturday lunch with friends.

12. Vino

Ah, vino. A great spot in the adorable English Village—casual enough to be comfortable, but nice enough to entertain guests.

13. Real and Rosemary

image 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
One spring salad on the Real and Rosemary patio, please! (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Real and Rosemary is one of my go-tos. They have some of the best salads around. Plus, the outdoor seating is a 10/10 at all three of their Birmingham-area locations.

14. Frothy Monkey

Good company is an essential part of self-care, and Frothy Monkey agrees. Both of their Birmingham-area locations welcome everyone and strive to be an inclusive space in the downtown Bham and Homewood communities.

Plus, they have the cutest patios.

14. The Filling Station

The Filling Station pizza
Grab a slice, or three. (Beth Cunningham / Bham Now)

A bustling restaurant in the former home of a gas station? Check this one off your list at The Filling Station in Crestwood. You’ll find a diverse offering on their menu—pizza, pasta, sandwiches… the list goes on!

15. Pizzeria GM

pizzeria gm 22 outdoor patios to wine + dine around The Magic City
Watch the sunset with good friends, conversation and pizza at Pizzeria GM (Jada Hunter)

I’m a huge fan of Gianmarco’s, so naturally I had to try Pizzeria GM in West Homewood. The pizza is delicious, but they have small plates, salads and pasta, too.

16. Freddy’s Wine Bar

Freddy's Wine Bar patio in Highland Park
Freddy’s Wine Bar in Highland Park (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

A warm-weather evening and sunset in Highland Park calls for a visit to Freddy’s Wine Bar. They have delicious cheese boards that pair perfectly with their wine selection.

17. The Edge

The Edge Homewood
The Edge Homewood (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

The Edge is an outdoor entertainment hub with food, drinks, retail and green space, all on Homewood’s Green Springs Highway.

I visited for the first time a few weeks ago and sat out on the patio for hours. You should try it out for yourself!

18. Golden Age Wine

Golden Age Wine patio downtown Birmingham
Golden Age Wine’s patio in downtown Birmingham (Sho Hill / Bham Now)

Golden Age Wine opened its second location in downtown Birmingham. Unlike the wine shop’s Mountain Brook location, the downtown location focuses on serving wine by the glass and food completely outdoors.

19. Luca Lagotto

Luca Lagotta and Luca Mercato Lagotto
Luca Lagotto in Homewood (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Luca Lagotto is a full-service restaurant with a traditional Italian menu, and it has some of the best cocktails IMO. I can’t wait to sit on the patio this spring with an espresso martini in hand.

20. Ovenbird

Pepper Place is one of my favorite spots around Birmingham, and places like Ovenbird and its inviting outdoor space are a big reason why.

21. Juniper

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Juniper in Birmingham’s Forest Park neighborhood (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

An eclectic patio in Forest Park complete with a garden-esque and friendly atmosphere. Spring sips await on Juniper’s patio!

22. The Lumbar

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The Lumbar in Pepper Place (Bham Now)

Right across from Ovenbird is The Lumbar, a welcoming happy hour spot with one of the cutest patios.

Headed to Huntsville anytime soon? Check out our guide to outdoor patios around the Rocket City.

Where are your favorite outdoor patios around Birmingham? Share it with us @bhamnow!

Contributors to this guide include Irene Richardson, Lauren Perry, Nicole Gibson and Callie Morrison

Callie Morrison
Callie Morrison
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