Ann Arbor enjoys all four seasons, but summer is hands down the most spectacular for eating and drinking. Local produce dominates menus, the beer is cold, the bands come out to play — and if you can enjoy it all outside, even better.
The Best Ann Arbor Area Restaurant and Bar Patios
Beer gardens with dreamy park vibes, backyard patios for sipping sangria, and more spots to savor the outdoors
Mary Hayes Weier is an award-winning writer and journalist who covers the local food scene from her home base in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Luckily, you won’t have to look far. Alfresco dining is wildly popular in Ann Arbor during the warmer months. The real challenge? Deciding where to go.
We’ve got you covered. Below is an updated list of some of the best patio dining spots in Ann Arbor. For 2025, we made some tough calls — removing a few longtime favorites to make room for exciting newcomers and some enduring gems known for their standout outdoor vibes.
New to the Map: Bellflower, Biercamp, Bigalora, Black Pearl, Mothfire, and Sam Hill. They replace Jolly Pumpkin, Palio del Sol, Session Room, Sidetrack, Townies Brewery (now closed), and Venue by 4M.
The Best Ann Arbor Area Restaurant and Bar Patios
Beer gardens with dreamy park vibes, backyard patios for sipping sangria, and more spots to savor the outdoors
Mary Hayes Weier is an award-winning writer and journalist who covers the local food scene from her home base in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ann Arbor enjoys all four seasons, but summer is hands down the most spectacular for eating and drinking. Local produce dominates menus, the beer is cold, the bands come out to play — and if you can enjoy it all outside, even better.
Luckily, you won’t have to look far. Alfresco dining is wildly popular in Ann Arbor during the warmer months. The real challenge? Deciding where to go.
We’ve got you covered. Below is an updated list of some of the best patio dining spots in Ann Arbor. For 2025, we made some tough calls — removing a few longtime favorites to make room for exciting newcomers and some enduring gems known for their standout outdoor vibes.
New to the Map: Bellflower, Biercamp, Bigalora, Black Pearl, Mothfire, and Sam Hill. They replace Jolly Pumpkin, Palio del Sol, Session Room, Sidetrack, Townies Brewery (now closed), and Venue by 4M.
Bellflower
Located in nearby Ypsilanti, Bellflower has earned a strong regional following for its inventive, Southern-influenced cuisine and commitment to high-quality ingredients. When the weather warms up, the restaurant’s cozy tropical-style patio opens, offering a vibrant setting for sipping cocktails and savoring standout dishes. Favorites include the whole cornmeal-crusted trout, homemade pork boudin served with tempura-fried sweet potatoes, and a rotating selection of salads featuring produce from local farms. It’s a perfect spot for a laid-back yet elevated dining experience just outside Ann Arbor. Online ordering is available.
Bellflower
The Dixboro Project
Just past the northeast edge of town, the Dixboro Project blends rustic charm with culinary ambition across three concepts: the elegant Dixboro House for fine dining, the laid-back Boro Café for pizza and pastries, and Dixboro at Home for takeout. The space — a restored and reinvented barn — features a wraparound deck with ample seating and peaceful views of rolling lawns and the nearby Fletcher Creek nature area. New to the lunch menu this year: a standout eggplant sandwich layered with marinara, fresh basil, and melty provolone on homemade focaccia — a perfect bite after a stroll through the countryside. Reservations are available on Tock for Dixboro House and the cafe takes online orders (as well as offering made-to-order cakes).
The Dixboro Project
Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina
Take a seat on Bigalora’s expansive outdoor patio, tucked alongside a tree-lined ravine and Mallets Creek, and order a refreshing Aperol spritz. You won’t even notice the buzz from busy Washtenaw Avenue just beyond the parking lot. Bigalora specializes in a deliciously wide variety of wood-fired pizzas, from a classic margherita bufala to one topped with whole Manila clams, pancetta, and chile. You’ll also find solid entrees like chicken Parm and wood-roasted branzino. Don’t skip the roasted heirloom carrots with balsamic glaze, goat cheese, and peanuts — it’s a standout side. When in doubt, grab a spot on the waitlist, snag a reservation, or place an order online for pickup or delivery.
York Ann Arbor
Tucked away behind the bottle shop, York’s wine garden is a hidden gem — spacious and perfect for soaking up the summer air. Grab a glass from the eclectic drink selection (think natural wines, local beer, and inventive cocktails), then pair it with a charcuterie board or some smoky Chomorro-style Ricewood barbecue. With its relaxed vibe and shaded picnic tables, York’s patio feels like an all-day backyard party — with better drinks and food. Online orders are accepted.
John Reyes
Dominick's
An Ann Arbor favorite dating back to the 1960s, both townies and college students alike flock to Dominick’s patio in the summer months. Porches, balconies, and a large back patio are often filled to capacity with revelers enjoying the restaurant’s famous sangria served in mason jars. In keeping with the festive, social atmosphere, the food menu features shareable appetizers, snacks, and pizza.
John Reyes
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Biercamp
Though it’s just steps off busy State Street, Biercamp manages to feel cozy and rustic like an outdoor lodge. On cooler evenings a fire pit roars, with customers continuously feeding it from a generous pile of logs. Biercamp specializes in sausage, all made on site, with bratwurst variations that go far beyond the classic (Think: Michigan asparagus, onion, and cheddar; dried cherry, jalapeño, and bacon; vegetarian currywurst). The 16-hour smoked pulled pork, piled high on a brioche bun with barbecue sauce, sliced pickles, and shaved onion, is especially memorable. Order a sandwich at the counter, along with a cold beer and some potato salad, and settle in at a patio table — or heck, just balance a plate in your lap by the fire. Online orders are accepted.
Biercamp
Sava's
The outdoor patio at Sava’s stretches away from the crowds on State Street, creating a serene dining experience. The menu has a wide variety of choices with influences from around the world, all expertly prepared with refined presentations and service. Favorites for summer fare include the popular Greek salad, the watermelon and feta salad with Fresno chile, or the Hippie Bowl with tempeh, wild rice, veggies, and a tahini dressing. Reservations are accepted on Tock.
Sava’s
Mothfire Brewing Company
This southside brewery off Ellsworth Road has exploded in popularity over the past few years, drawing in both suburbanites from nearby neighborhoods and students from central campus looking for a relaxed hangout. While there are a handful of tables inside, the long wooden picnic tables on the patio are where the action is. The main draw is Mothfire’s beer, brewed on site using Michigan grains and hops. Its signature hazy IPA, Lolo, is popular enough to show up on tap lists across town. Mothfire doesn’t have a kitchen, but a rotating lineup of food trucks — serving everything from Thai food to wood-fired pizza — keeps visitors well-fed. Expect a bit of a wait for the food, but it’s well worth it.
Pro tip: Stop by on Jazz Wednesdays, when local musicians fill the patio with smooth, live sounds.
Mothfire Brewing Company
Black Pearl | Ann Arbor
Each summer, downtown Ann Arbor transforms into a walkable Social District on the weekends, with Main Street and some adjoining streets closed to traffic, live music in the intersections, and cocktails legally sipped in plastic cups. While there’s a lot of wonderful patio dining in the district, Black Pearl stands out as the full package. Its prime corner location at Main and Liberty offers shaded seating with great people-watching. The restaurant recently expanded into the former Starbucks space next door, adding more tables and turning the bar into a spacious horseshoe. The sushi menu also grew, and on a recent gorgeous evening (as a street magician kept a nearby crowd entertained) we enjoyed the creative Black Pearl roll — coconut shrimp tempura, torched hamachi, avocado, strawberries, and microgreens — along with an order of the ever-popular fish tacos. (Note: Sushi is on a separate menu from other items and may arrive separately, as it did for us.) Snag a reservation on Resy.
Black Pearl
Bill's Beer Garden
When the sun sets on downtown Ann Arbor, the parking lot of a local garden store transforms into one of the city’s most beloved summer hangouts. Bill’s draws an easygoing crowd of townies, students, and everyone in between, all gathering around long tables to enjoy beer, wine, and cocktails in a lively, German biergarten-style setting. While there’s no food on-site, the bring-your-own policy means you can pack a picnic or order delivery from your favorite local spot.
Bill’s Beer Garden
Salt Springs Brewery
This former church in Saline serves up pub food and pizzas using high-quality, local ingredients. The patio area is pretty and relaxing, whether it’s for dinner or the amazing Sunday brunch. The “Incredibly Tasty Tofu Sandwich” will make a tofu lover out of anyone, with crispy tofu, shredded carrots, pickled jalapeño, kimchi, and Korean barbecue sauce. The cocktails are excellent, as is its small-batch beer, with a favorite being the Cashmere Zeppelin IPA (yes, named after the band and its popular song). There’s online ordering for lunch.
Salt Springs Brewery
HOMES Brewery - Campus
On the west side of town, this vibrant multi-concept space has something for everyone — and plenty of room to kick back with your drink of choice. Sip a fresh-poured beer from the taproom, recharge with a rich cup of Dozer Coffee (roasted right on site), or cool off with a Smooj — hard smoothies made with real fruit puree and built for hot summer days. When hunger strikes, Campo Pizza delivers with crisp, Roman-style pies Wednesday through Sunday. And if you’re looking for a little action with your relaxation, the events calendar is packed with live music, game nights, and even community yoga sessions.
John Reyes
Sam Hill
Sam Hill offers a lively and welcoming spot for families, especially in the warmer months when its spacious outdoor area comes to life. The patio features lawn games, ample seating, and frequent live music, making it a great hangout for kids and adults alike. For sustenance, you’ll find dishes like roasted beet salad, mini tomato pies, and Hot Brown (a Kentucky-style open-faced turkey sandwich topped with cheesy Mornay sauce), plus a solid cocktail list. With its laid-back atmosphere and something-for-everyone menu, Sam Hill strikes a nice balance between fun and flavorful. Yes, online orders are accepted.
Sam Hill
