The warm season flirted with us a long time this year, but at this point we’re in a committed relationship. That means we can eat in the best dining room of all, the great outdoors.
Ruth’s Diner The dining car that was the original Ruth’s is almost indiscernible under all the re-remodels of this Salt Lake classic. You can now order a drink to ease the inevitable wait for a table, which is great but the best part of Ruth’s is the tree-shaded patio out back and it’s bigger than ever. The laid-back vibe and a cold beer—or malt—makes you feel like you’re always on vacation. 2100 Emigration Canyon, SLC, 801-582-5807, ruthsdiner.com
Gracie’s The size-able upstairs and downstairs patios are the reason to go to this downtown bar-cum-eatery. The menu ranges from wings and nachos up into the headier areas of halibut and steak. The upstairs patio has a great view of downtown, and catches a breeze even on warm summer nights. (Gracie’s is open until 2 a.m.) 326 W. Temple, SLC, 801-819-7565, graciesslc.com
Tuscany/Franck’s These sister restaurants share a shady, secluded flagstone patio with lots of little nooks that shield you from the city and somehow create a timeless atmosphere that is rare in Utah. Tuscany, 2832 E. 6200 South, SLC, 801-277-9919, tuscanyslc.com. Franck’s, 6263 S. Holladay Blvd., SLC, 801-274-6264, francksfood.com
Painted Pony, St. George The star of St. George dining takes advantage of its southern clime with an outdoor dining patio. Here you can enjoy the restaurant’s white tablecloth service and the tree-shaded ambiance of Ancestor Square at the same time. 2 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, 435-634-1700, painted-pony.com
Silver Fork Lodge, Brighton The back deck at this rustic lodge looks directly out on the Wasatch Mountains. It’s one of the originals—part of the log building dates back to old mining camp days and the menu claims that the sourdough starter used for the breakfast pancakes dates back 50 years. The second level of the deck almost overwhelms the space, but we’re counting on them sparing the golden goose. 11332 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton, 888-649-9551, silverforklodge.com
Log Haven This lovely hideaway has gorgeous forest views, a (real) waterfall and a seriously romantic vibe. The playful menu changes with the seasons, just like the views. The wine list is epic, but knowledgeable servers make selection painless. 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon Road, SLC, 801-272-8255., log-havenslc.com
Stoneground Italian Kitchen One of the most brilliant aspects of this downtown space is the upstairs deck, a lovely place to linger and an ingenious design for an upstairs urban restaurant with no street frontage and a parking lot in back. Somehow, this adds up to charm. 249 E. 400 South, SLC, 801-364-1368, stonegrounditaalian.com
Stanza Italian Bistro The patio at this contemporary Italian restaurant is shielded from the street and the driveway; the tables also have umbrellas if (when) the day heats up. Linger over an extraordinary dessert. 454 E. 300 South, SLC, 801-746-4441, stanzaslc.com
Caffe Molise, Salt Lake City When Caffe Molise left downtown, we all mourned the loss of the best dining patio in town. But the new location in the gorgeous old Eagle building has an equally gracious outdoor setting. 404 S. West Temple, SLC, 801-364-8833, caffemolise.com
Trofi at the Hilton Most of us, when we think of dining at the downtown Hilton, think of Spencer’s, an excellent, clubby room based on beef. But there’s also a beautiful patio, with lushly planted beds, water features and sensitive lighting where you probably never have been. Plans are set to change that—wine tastings, tasting menus comfy chairs that make the place more like an outdoor living room than a hotel lobby. 255 S. West Temple, SLC, 801-328-2000, 3hilton.com
Em’s The big side deck has always been one of the best things about this Capitol Hill favorite; it’s even better now that the menu has been revamped and they’ve added The Day Room, one of the best and most original breakfast/brunch menus in town. Plus, they consider 1.5 oz of rye a brunch drink and you can add CBD to any beverage for $3.27 1 Center St. W., SLC, 801-596-0566, dayroomandems.com
Eva’s Walk right through the restaurant, all the way to the back and out the door. Sipping in the tiny, high-walled patio behind Eva’s has a distinctly urban feel—away from the street but sophisticated in a big city way that suits the imaginative cuisine. 317 S. Main, SLC, 801-359-8447, evaslc.com
Avenues Bistro on Third The cozy reused cottage is charming all year round, but when the patio opens, it doubles the seating capacity and the charm. At night, when the lights are twinkling, the champagne is sparkling and the lobster beignets are piping … well. It’s hard to find something better. 564 E. 3rd Ave., SLC, 801-831-5409
Harbor Seafood & Steak Company We love the interior of Harbor—it’s friendly and shipshape—but once the vines start covering the outdoor deck, that is the place to be while you eat your pristinely fresh fish. Or wagyu. Or sip one of their craft cocktails. Or, what the heck. All three. 2302 Parley’s Way, SLC, 801-466-9827, harborslc.com
Roots Cafe The perfect patio for the modern ladies—I mean women—who lunch, who is planting tomatoes instead of buying hats and eating organic chicken salad with a side of baked kale and a glass of coconut water. 3474 S. 2300 East, East Millcreek, 801-277-6499, rootscafeslc.com
The Garage on Beck The outside deck is really the raison d’etre for the Garage. It’s fun and cozy inside on cold nights, but on a summer night with the power plant lights twinkling all around and a wannabe band on stage and a lackadaisical game of cornhole going on, the true experience of leisure creeps into your bones and you know that the meaning of life lies in the next beer. 1199 Beck St., SLC, 801-521-3904, garageonbeck.com
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