Though every restaurant and its mother seemed to build makeshift outdoor patios during the pandemic, heated patio dining has lasting appeal. As Portlanders, we often don’t get enough fresh air and UV exposure in the colder months; heated patio dining is an answer to our woes. And, of course, the pandemic is still here, and taking precautions is always wise. But there’s no denying that some patios have a make-do feel, while others, from Indo-Chinese parking lot patios to Astroturfed wine bars, feel like little hideaways. These are our favorite patios for eating and drinking at restaurants, bars, and food cart pods. 

Restaurants 

Eem

Boise

This lauded modern Thai BBQ eatery—our 2019 restaurant of the year, in fact—serves killer curries, "very spicy" papaya salads, and tasty tiki drinks in pufferfish mugs. While part of the patio is the streetside shared variety, if you’re lucky you might nab one of the private heated booths. 3808 N Williams Ave #127 

Flying Fish Co

Kerns
This fresh-catch market prioritizes quality and sustainability. While the market boasts a cook-at-home haul of fish, shellfish, oysters, and meat, choose from dine-in options such as salmon poke, steelhead salad, clam chowder, fish tacos, and more. Sit on the front patio under the large white tent, lit with softly glowing string lights. 3004 E Burnside St

G Love

Northwest District
At this self-proclaimed “reverse steakhouse,” locally grown vegetables are the centerpiece of each dish—but don’t skip the bavette steak and bay scallop skewers. Several large white tents, adorned with string lights, are lined up in front of the restaurant, making it an ideal place to sip a cocktail or glass of wine with your meal while you watch folks walking by. 1615 NW 21st Ave 

Kayo’s Ramen Bar

Boise
Far beyond the often-found shoyu, shio, and tonkotsu bases, choose from a wealth of ramen options here, from tan tan to pineapple ginger. Japanese-infused tacos, dumplings, and fried rice are also on the menu, plus Japanese Basque cheesecake for dessert. The building’s overhanging second floor perfectly shelters patio diners from inclement weather, giving you the feel of eating indoors, but with plenty of airflow. 3808 N Williams Ave #124

Gado Gado

Hollywood
Our Rising Star Restaurant of 2019, Gado Gado specializes in the Dutch-Indonesian dining experience “Rijsttafel,” or Rice Table. Enjoy curries, breads, dumplings, aromatic rice, sambals, and more served family-style, or grab them a la carte—and don’t miss the cocktails while you’re at it. The restaurant’s strip mall setting means that half the parking lot has been converted into patio dining, complete with vibrant oil cloth tablecloths, patterned outdoor rugs, cheery yellow furniture, and plenty of heaters. 1801 NE César E. Chávez Blvd 

Hat Yai

Vernon/Buckman
This counter-service restaurant features casual Thai cuisine inspired by streetside shops in Southern Thailand. Use your phone to order the famous fried chicken, curry, and roti combo, then take a seat at one of the many picnic tables under the covered streetside shelter. Not feeling fried chicken? The brisket curry, spicy ground pork, and pad thai also come highly recommended. 1605 NE Killingsworth St & 605 SE Belmont St 

Mama Bird

Northwest District
Reliable chicken dinners, seven days a week, are the name of the game here, amped up from home cooking by brining the chicken in pineapple and imbuing it with flavorful wood smoke. Roast sweet potatoes are a must-order side; dip everything in house sauces, including vadouvan curry, chimichurri, and aji verde. 2145 NW Raleigh St

Oma’s Hideaway

Richmond
This Chinese-Malaysian fusion restaurant serves up flaky roti, tropical cocktails, and funky vibes. Stoner-inspired food is playful and imaginative, including a Filet-O-Fishball sandwich and killer cheeseburger. The backyard patio feels like a little oasis, perfect for dates or big parties. 3131 SE Division St  

Paa Dee 

Kerns
Paadee serves craft cocktails and Thai street food, including pork belly fried rice, khao soi, and pad kee mao; the colorful, cozy street patio on 28th makes for great people-watching. 6 SE 28th Ave 

Phuket Cafe 

Northwest District
No white tents or hasty wood-and-plastic structures here—Phuket’s patio is creatively and adorably designed to look like a streetcar, its wood painted in peachy and rosy hues and outfitted with little booths. Order a cheery cocktail like the Candy Gram for Mango (mezcal, chamoy, salted mango, cardamom) and devour a whole pompano, wrapped in lettuce and betel leaves. 1818 NW 23rd Pl

Quaintrelle

Hosford-Abernethy
Outdoor seating here, filled with plants, is just as charming as the maximalist indoor dining room. Choose from five-, seven-, or nine-course tasting menus or go à la carte, and order imaginative cocktails made with ingredients you’ll probably have to Google. 2032 SE Clinton St

Bars

The Bye and Bye

King
The covered back patio here boasts overhead heaters, so toasty you might not even need all those layers. Pair it with the house hot toddy or one of the namesake giant peach vodka mason jar cocktails, plus veggie fare like a plant-based meatball sandwich or “cheesy” pretzel. 1011 NE Alberta St

Holy Ghost

Creston-Kenilworth
The former Pub at the End of the Universe is now a kinda fancy, kinda hip bar with an impressive cocktail menu, including the now-famous 5-Minute Gin Fizz with orange blossom water and foamy egg white, plus a selection of ranch waters and zero proof numbers. The sizable patio is well-heated, and you can even order food from neighboring restaurants 28 Tigers and Electric Pizza Company. 4101 SE 28th Ave 

Le Clos

Vernon

Subterranean wine bar Les Caves built a neighboring patio bar during the pandemic, Le Clos. It’s hilariously carpeted in Astroturf, adorned with bright yellow furniture, throw pillows, hanging lanterns, and very well-heated—plus, it serves some of the best grilled cheeses in town. 1719 NE Alberta St 

Paymaster Lounge

Northwest District
Where else can you get the likes of a dirty martini or hot buttered rum for $7—or $6.50 during “angry hour”? Food is affordable and satisfying, including an $8 cheeseburger and perfectly crispy tots. The covered patio is spacious and even boasts a pool table. 1020 NW 17th Ave

The Rambler

Boise
This converted 1920s bungalow is ideal for sipping microbrews around the toasty fire pit, or at picnic tables warmed by overhead heaters. Grab wine and beer on tap, well-made cocktails, and “tornado potatoes,” described as “jojos meet curly fries.” 4205 N Mississippi Ave 

Tropicale

Kerns
This colorful bar is home to Portland’s most famous piña coladas, served inside a whole pineapple. Mezcal flights, shrimp tacos, and margaritas are also on offer. 2337 NE Glisan St

Wilder

Concordia
Wilder’s entire block is closed off to traffic to make room for a big patio, including large white tents equipped with patio heaters. Grab a craft cocktail like the Tamarind Fuego made with serrano-infused tequila or the Mela Morta with whiskey, apple cider reduction, and cherry clove bitters, and snack on fried broccoli with crispy slices of lemon. 5501 NE 30th Ave

Food Cart Pods

Baerlic Brewing Barley Pod

Rose City Park
The patio is sizable, covered, and heated, and great for dog watching—plus, you can get beer in a real glass on tap. What more could you ask for, other than great ramen from Kumiho Ramen, plus burritos from Poblano Pepper and PK’s Colombian hot dogs? 6035 NE Halsey St

Hawthorne Asylum

Buckman
The giant firepit and back patio with long tables and overhead heaters make this pod great for groups. We particularly like the pelmeni, borscht, and kvass from Pelmeni Pelmeni, the Spold mac from Montage A La Cart, and the fish and chips and clam chowder from Tallboy. 1080 SE Madison St

Hinterland

Mt Tabor
Perhaps Portland’s fanciest food cart pod, this spot only has a handful of carts, but it also has a brick-and-mortar bar that serves not only beer on tap, but cocktails. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, real flushing toilets, and even a big-screen TV for watching Blazer games. 2216 SE 50th Ave