Best Patios in Tulsa
Posted by Tasha on February 19th, 2011 in How-to-Do-Tulsa Classics, Restaurants
The weather in Tulsa has been amazing lately. Where is the best patio in Tulsa to soak it all in and sample some of the best food this town has to offer at the same time?
Thanks to the help of TDT fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter, here’s a list of the best of the best patio restaurants in the area, categorized by region.
Be sure to weigh in on which you think are the best in the comments. It’s always fun to hear from you!
Best Downtown Patios
El Guapo, 332 E. First Street
The rooftop patio at El Guapo, the three-story Mexican restaurant in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District, was by far the restaurant patio about which T-Town’s social media world is most excited now that outdoor dining weather has officially arrived.
- “Great food, good view, no traffic and the servers have the best tattoos in Tulsa!” was how local photographer and artist Marty Coleman described the rooftop patio at El Guapo on Facebook.
- “Forget patios, rooftops are where it’s at,” said Michael Champlin, a local designer. “I double dog dare you to beat that view.”
Elwood’s Restaurant (f.k.a. River’s Edge), 19th and Riverside Drive
Everyone’s got springtime twitterpation over Elwood’s Restaurant, the reincarnation of The River’s Edge, T-Town’s lamented former riverfront cafe. Now that Elwood’s is open, everyone from downtown’s lunch crowd to the thousands of walkers, runners and bikers who use RiverParks each day can stop in for a sandwich, a hot dog and/or a cold beer.
- “My dog asked me to vote for River’s Edge,” Brian Elliott said on Facebook. “He’s happy it’s back.”
Arnie’s, 318 E. Second Street
Arnie’s is like Tulsa’s version of that certain famous-on-TV bar – it’s where everybody knows you name. That the patio is like a secluded, garden-like hideout is a bonus.
- “Arnie’s has the best patio downtown,” said Holly Wall, senior editor at Tulsa Business Journal and arts writer with Urban Tulsa Weekly. “No contest. End of story. It’s quaint, and the trees and brush offer nice shade. Scratch that. It’s the best patio in town.”
The Hunt Club, 224 N. Main Street
- “The Hunt Club’s new second-story patio is super-cool,” said Jonathan Bolzle on Facebook. “The vibe is urban and cosmopolitan.”
Dilly Deli, 402 E. Second Street.
I wrote about the outdoor fabulousness that is the patio at Dilly Deli (and about how to light a cupcake on fire) in this post, but don’t just take my word for it.
- Bocce ball and a little something called a Jon Michael, a sandwich packed with a pound and a half of pastrami and swiss cheese, served on rye.
- “You can’t go wrong with Dilly Deli,” said Kevin Pyle on Twitter.
Joe Momma’s, 112 S. Elgin
Now that ONEOK Field is open downtown, this patio, right on the thoroughfare between Blue Dome District parking and the ballpark in Greenwood, is right in the middle of the action. Plus, there’s cheeseburger pizza to be had. It’ll make you cry in a good way.
Elote Cafe, 514 S. Boston Ave.
If you’re looking for a big city feel (and maybe some luchador wrestling) the next time you feel like dining alfresco, Elote Cafe and its sidewalk patio on Boston is the place to be.
The Boulder Grill, 17 W. Seventh Street
Three words: Homemade tater tots. Also, a fire pit. Enough said.
Caz’s Chowhouse, 18 E. Brady Street
Get chicken fried steak and other Oklahoma classics on a patio in the middle of Tulsa’s arts district. Mmm, mmm, good.
Fat Guy’s Burger Bar, 140 N. Greenwood
Imagine: Eating a big, fat double burger, drinking a big, bitter Marshall IPA and then taking about 20 paces to the west to enjoy a Drillers game at ONEOK Field. The patio at Fat Guy’s makes it all possible.
Other downtown patios to try:
- Blue Rose Cafe, at 1924 S. Riverside. New, improved and dreamy, with a side of blackened chicken and cheese fries.
- Fassler Hall, at 304 S. Elgin Ave. While Fassler doesn’t have a patio per se, the entire street frontage side of the restaurants can be opened to the sidewalk, making it a sort of a giant, roofed patio in itself. Score.
Best Cherry Street Patios
Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th Street
Get pergola-style, roadside alfresco dining at this cafe that serves American classics and really, really cold beer – a necessity when sitting outside in Oklahoma’s warm summer months.
Tucci’s, 1344 East 15th Street
Dine Cherry Street-side on some seriously yummy pizza and pasta.
White Owl, 1325 E. 15th Street
Dine outside without being exposed to the elements in White Owl’s south-facing covered patio, or choose a table in private, shaded the alley on the east side of the building. Order the loaded fries, the sliders and a few rounds of Marshall IPA. Or, if you’re brunching, the eggs benedict. You won’t be sorry.
Coffeehouse on Cherry Street, 1502 E. 15th Street
That patio at Coffeehouse on Cherry Street (known by locals as CHOCS) is my favorite place to spend a weekend morning. Topeca coffee and pastries and quiches, many of which are vegan or vegetarian, as well as some amazing sausage rolls, are what’s for breakfast. The chiminea and incredible customer service top off the CHOCS patio experience.
Cafe Cubana, 1340 East 15th Street
Now that Cafe Cubana has moved out from behind Jason’s and directly onto Cherry Street it’s not only one of the best coffee and cigar shops and cafes in Tulsa, but it’s also a great place to stop in for some patio dining and cigar smoking.
Best Utica Square Patios
Stonehorse Cafe, 1748 Utica Square
- “Stonehorse Saturday brunches are THE BEST,” said Jessica Judd on Facebook. Indeed, Jessica – check out the prettiest and some of the best-tasting quiche in town. Have only with champagne, or else I’ll be a sad, sad Panda.
The Wild Fork, 1820 Utica Square
The Wild Fork is the place to see and be seen and get your outdoor dining on at the same time. Adjacent to the main courtyard in Tulsa’s first upscale shopping center, it’s like dining in a fancy garden, too.
Queenie’s, 1834 Utica Square
You could dine inside at bustling Queenie’s, or you could spend your lunch hour on a Utica Square sidewalk, people watching, which can get pretty fancy in that part of town.
Best Brookside Patios
Cafe Ole, 3512 S. Peoria Ave.
The patio at Cafe Ole is in the heart of Brookside, Tulsa’s original cruising strip-turned-upscale shopping and dining district.
- “Great food, terrific atmosphere and the best margaritas,” said Melanie Biskup of this Tulsa patio.
- Here’s a tip on what to order: “I live for Cafe Ole queso,” said Kate Spencer on Twitter. Believe me when I say, believe Kate Spencer.
The Brook, 3401 S. Peoria Ave.
The Brook offers yet another kid-friendly, street-side patio, and here’s why: It’s completely enclosed, but when all the windows are open, you’re about 72 percent outside. At least, that’s what my team of mathematicians tell me. Order the buffalo chicken sandwich with macaroni and cheese as your side if you want to live.
Crow Creek Tavern, 3534 S. Peoria Ave.
Got a bike? As in, the kind of a motor in it (not this)? If so, you’ll fit right in at Crow Creek. With nightly live entertainment and frontage right alongside Brookside, this patio is choice for anyone looking for a post-dinner drink on a balmy evening.
Cosmo’s Cafe and Bar, 3334 S. Peoria Ave.
If you’re a cosmo girl (or a cosmo guy – the folks at Cosmo are more than willing to serve their signature drinks in dude-friendly glassware), this enclosed patio that opens onto the sidewalk on the west side of Peoria is the place for you.
The Brasserie, 3509 S. Peoria Ave.
The Brasserie is one of my very favorite brunch places in Tulsa. Choose from the likes of a Belgian Waffle with Apple Pear Chutney and warm maple syrup, traditional eggs benedict and the breakfast tarte (with egg, bacon, gruyere, roasted tomato and creme fraiche), and don’t forget to order a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa to top things off right.
Blue Moon Bakery, 3807 S. Peoria Ave.
It gets boisterous inside at Blue Moon Bakery, and seating can be hard to come by – the food there is just that good. Where better to go if you’re looking for a somewhat quieter setting and extra seats than the Blue Moon patio?
- “Plus, it opens early for breakfast,” said Gary Black, owner of another Center 1 shop, Black Optical.
Other Brookside patios to try:
- Leon’s on the Restless Ribbon, at 3001 S. Peoria Ave.
- Fuji on Brookside, at 3739 S. Peoria Ave.
- Garlic Rose, at 3509 S. Peoria Ave.
- In the Raw, at 3321 S. Peoria Ave.
- Bru House Bar & Grill, at 3421 S. Peoria Ave.
Best South Tulsa Patios
Elm Street Pub, 329 S. Elm Street in Jenks
Southtowners can’t stop talking about this Jenks pub and grill. Don’t feel like driving in to downtown, Brookside or Utica Square? Give Elm Street Pub a shot.
Louie’s Grill and Bar, 6310 East 101st Street in Jenks
The mommy bloggers of south Tulsa can’t get enough of this place. Let me tell you, if anyone can gauge the worthiness of a patio at a bar, it’s a mom. Trivia lovers like it, too.
Red Rock Canyon Grill, 9916 Riverside Parkway in south Tulsa
The south Tulsa iteration of the Oklahoma City-based small chain of upscale restaurants serving up surf and turf, top-shelf steaks and a wine list as long as your arm comes complete with one of the best patios in town, overlooking the Arkansas River from the east bank. There’s even a couple’s swing – awww.
- “Red Rock is great when they open the doors and have live music,” said Sandy Martin on Facebook.
2 Brothers Bistro, 13330 South Memorial Drive in Bixby
Get breakfast or lunch on this Bixby patio throughout the week. If it’s dinnertime on Friday or Saturday night, 2 Brothers Bistro is ready to seat you outside.
- “Covered patio surrounded by blooming trees and an awesome meal,” said Robert Founds, noting also that he digs that 2 Brothers is right by the river.
Other southtown patios to try:
- Los Cabos, both at RiverWalk Crossing in Jenks at on Bass Pro Drive in Broken Arrow
Which Tulsa restaurant has your favorite patio?
Tell us in the comments.
Want to be quoted in a future TDT survey? Like TashaDoesTulsa.com on Facebook and follow along on Twitter.
This post was updated from the original Best Patios in Tulsa post, created April 16, 2010.
You might also like:
Leave a Reply
By submitting a comment here you grant Tasha Does Tulsa a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate or irrelevant comments will be removed at an admin's discretion.








7 Comments to Best Patios in Tulsa
JC Gonzo
On February 20, 2011 at 4:48 pm
You forgot about Bru House for a good patio in Brookside.
spencer shopping
On March 9, 2011 at 4:16 am
yummy! feeling hungry
Brian S.
On March 12, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Waterfront Grill Tulsa’s newest patio features a fire pit and umbrellas built to withstand an 85 MPH wind. Oh, and that river view too.
Wolfgang Puck Right next to that “restless ribbon”, and with the same elegant service as indoors.
Preeti Waas
On March 21, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Lulu’s Bake Shoppe & Cafe` at 81st and Lewis has a great outdoor patio as well. Pet friendly, too!
Harry Potter
On August 9, 2011 at 5:01 am
Awesome! Great article, hope we see more of it from you.
Trackbacks