These 12 Nashville restaurants ace outdoor dining

Perched on the 19th floor of the 1 Hotel downtown, Harriet’s Rooftop is where you go for one sleek alfresco experience. Fire pits and string lights amp up the skyline and sunset views, so don’t miss a photo op—preferably with a cocktail in hand, like a blood orange Aperol spritz or a watermelon mule. Harriet’s Asian-accented menu is known for top-tier share plates like flash-fried shishitos, tuna crudo, bao buns, and specialty sushi rolls.

Even though it channels a childhood dream, The Treehouse is well-suited for a grown-up date—or just a casual neighborhood hang. Its colorful exterior and wrap-around patio (with a dedicated outdoor bar) add to the playful vibes, which also extend to the New American menu. Order the whipped ricotta in truffle oil and honey to start and consider mains like koji steak served with cheesy mashed potatoes, crispy mushrooms, and herb butter.

Geist is one of the few remaining examples of Old Nashville—with a modern twist. The chic interior (a former blacksmith shop) maintains an industrial feel, but the outdoor space can’t be missed: Geist’s full patio and courtyard, called the Champagne Garden, has an outdoor fireplace, wrought-iron fencing, and ambient string lights. It’s a beautiful backdrop for digging into reimagined Southern dishes like pork chops, roasted chicken, and vegetable risotto.

Escape the Hillsboro Village crowds at this swanky steakhouse with a hidden open-air rooftop overlooking Wedgewood and 21st Avenues. E3’s full menu is available to order at the outdoor bar or dining tables, including shareables such as bacon-wrapped dates and massive mains like a 42-ounce tomahawk ribeye. Pair your dish with a craft cocktail or glass of wine to sip while you enjoy top-notch people-watching and live music—this is Music City, after all.

This chic Gulch spot boasts two superb outdoor dining spaces. Both patios are extensions of the Art Deco-inspired interiors, complete with geometric brass railings and built-in wooden benches. The Mockingbird’s popular weekend brunch menu is available from Wednesday through Sunday and offers playful riffs on American comfort foods, such as the Tots Alot, a pile of crispy potatoes smothered in pork sausage gravy and topped with a fried egg.

Pinewood Social is a eat-and-play destination during any season, but its raucous outdoor patio comes alive when the weather warms up. Play a round of ping pong or bocce ball, or cool off by wading in one of two dipping pools on the grounds. Lunch and dinner include salads, shrimp rolls, and steak soaked in a brown butter bourbon sauce—plus plenty of cocktails, beer, wine, and coffee to accompany the outdoor fun.

This stately Southern restaurant sits on a historic former estate and horse farm. The two-story brick building makes an enchanting setting for traditional steakhouse fare and sides like Yukon mashed potatoes and duck fat wild mushrooms. The inviting patio is enclosed by wrought-iron fences and strung with twinkling lights, and it’s just as ideal for date night as it is for a casual Sunday brunch.

Sadie’s bright Mediterranean-influenced interior is charming, no matter the season. But its circular outdoor patio steals the spotlight when the weather warms up. Grab a seat to sip on photogenic cocktails and mocktails, complete with fruity, floral garnishes—happy hour happens on the patio or at the bar from 4 pm to 6 pm on Monday through Thursday. Drinks can easily turn into dinner, thanks to exquisite dishes like whipped feta with honeycomb and Moroccan-spiced lamb kebabs.

Owner Maher Fawaz and co. have fueled 12 South with modern Lebanese food since 2014. Warmer months call for crisp olive-oil martinis and prime people-watching on Epice’s airy patio, decked with sleek white furniture and greenery. Come at lunch for a lahmajin sandwich—spiced ground lamb, pickles, and creamy labneh inside fresh pita. Classic Middle Eastern dishes like sayadeya, a fish and vermicelli rice dish flavored with turmeric and coriander, take center stage at dinner.

The outdoor seating options at Sonny’s Patio Pub and Refuge range from picnic tables to private cabanas, making it especially good for group hangs. Bring a crew and kick off with a mimosa or margarita flight to get the party started, then soak up the drinks with excellent bar bites like mahi mahi tacos, loaded tater tots, or a smashburger topped with habanero bacon jam. Then stretch your afternoon with lawn games, darts, and vintage arcade games at this laid-back neighborhood gem.

Island vibes come to landlocked Franklin at Kokomo Trading Company, a Caribbean-inspired oasis. There are a few patio tables by the restaurant’s entrance, but an all-out outdoor party unfolds out back where a turf-covered, string-lit patio invites you to mingle around couches and firepits. The seafood-forward menu, featuring mains like lemon butter-glazed salmon and lobster bisque, pairs perfectly with a colorful frozen daiquiri flight.

Head to this longtime Gulch hotspot to be in the center of Nashville’s action. Live music and a rooftop patio make it a go-to for the ultimate Music City meal. And the performers don’t just stick to country, so you’ll hear everything from jazz to rock and roll. Sambuca’s menu is just as versatile, featuring salads and snack boards, plus heavier mains like a 16-ounce ribeye and chicken parmesan. Don’t miss one of the area’s best outdoor happy hours on weekdays from 4 pm to 7 pm.