Nashville’s 9 best outdoor dining setups

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 an outdoor bar) add to the playful vibes, which also extend to the New American menu. Order the whipped ricotta bathed in truffle oil and honey to start and consider mains such as hanger steak served with a house steak sauce, sticky rice, and fresh coconut.

In the midst of new construction and change, Geist remains an oasis of Old Nashville—with a modern twist. What was once a 20th-century blacksmith shop was renovated to retain its historical landmark status. The chic interior 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 such as a pork chop with broccoli pistou, Yukon gold potatoes, and watercress or risotto with English pea puree, stracciatella, and mint.

Urban Grub is an all-season mainstay on 12 South’s bustling restaurant scene and was opened in 2012 by veteran Nashville restaurateur Jay Pennington and his partner Billy Inman. Its cornucopia of dining spaces includes a light-filled biergarten, an indoor-outdoor bar, cozy private cabanas, and fire pits, plus wood-paneled dining rooms with retractable windows. The menu skews Southern, with global accents. Try the classic shrimp and grits, transformed with the addition of smoky tasso ham cream and some heat from chipotle peppers. And don’t miss brunch on the weekend—Urban Grub offers a stunning seafood and charcuterie bar with an all-you-can-eat option.

Escape from 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 jaw-dropping mains such as the massive 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.

Opened in 2017 by Maneet Chauhan along with longtime friend, executive chef/partner Brian Riggenbach, and Morph Hospitality, this chic Gulch spot boasts two superb outdoor dining spaces. Both patios are extensions of the Art Deco-inspired interiors, all geometric brass railings and built-in wooden benches. 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.

Maher Fawaz and co. have fueled 12 South with solid Lebanese fare, an excellent wine list, and a patio made for people-watching since opening Epice in 2014. Come for lunch to sip a cold glass of rosé, best coupled with a lahmajin sandwich—spiced ground lamb, pickles, and creamy labneh inside fresh pita—and watch the envious passersby. Classic Middle Eastern dishes such as sayadeya, an aromatic fish and vermicelli rice dish flavored with turmeric and coriander, take center stage during dinnertime.

Though Mere Bulles occupied a downtown location when it opened in 1985, the Southern restaurant has since moved to greener pastures—literally. It’s now on a historic former estate and horse farm, and the two-story brick building makes an enchanting setting for traditional steakhouse fare and a myriad of sides such as Yukon mashed potatoes and duck fat wild mushrooms. The warm patio is enclosed by wrought-iron fences and strung with twinkling lights, and it’s as well-suited for a date night as it is for a casual Sunday brunch.

Head to this longtime Gulch hotspot to be in the center of Nashville’s action. Live music and a rooftop patio make it an ideal place to enjoy a quintessential Music City meal. And the performers don’t just stick to country, so you’ll hear everything from jazz to the blues to rock and roll. Sambuca’s menu exhibits an equal range, featuring salads and pizza, plus heavier mains such as the dry-aged 16-ounce ribeye and chicken Parmesan. Don’t miss one of the area’s best happy hours on weekdays from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Sadie’s bright Mediterranean-influenced interior has a charming ambience, no matter the season. But its circular outdoor patio steals the spotlight when the weather warms up. Grab a sought-after seat here to sip on photogenic cocktails and mocktails, complete with fruity and floral garnishes—happy hour is offered 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 such as whipped feta with honeycomb and peppercorn and chicken or Moroccan spiced lamb kebabs.