Alfresco: The Haute 5 Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Phoenix

Lon’s at the Hermosa

An authentic adobe hacienda, Lon’s at the Hermosa makes for a truly unique dining experience inside or outside, but if the weather is nice, you can’t pass up the patio. The area is spacious, with plenty of space left between tables so guests don’t feel crammed as they dine on gourmet American cuisine surrounded by lush foliage and native blooms. The ambiance here is wonderful, and in the evenings, the lighting can be particularly enchanting and romantic.

Lon’s at the Hermosa is located at 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road in Paradise Valley  602.955.7878

Chelsea’s Kitchen

Featuring a contemporary vibe, Chelsea’s Kitchen serves upscale American and Southwestern comfort food. By the same people who brought us La Grand Orange Grocery and Cafe, this restaurant features a patio with plenty of shade, elegant yet no-fuss decor, and charming lighting. Under the night sky, your party will enjoy the cozy seating, a perfect setting for tucking into some chilled shrimp ceviche or passing around a platter of the grilled swordfish or short rib tacos.

Chelsea’s Kitchen is located at 5040 N. 40th Street in Phoenix  602.957.2555

El Zocalo Mexican Grille

Chandler residents already know El Zocalo Mexican Grille has a wonderful outdoor seating area, but North Valley dwellers deserve to experience it, too. Really more like a whole other world, the patio at El Zocalo is a courtyard area filled with shade trees, fountains, murals, and interesting artifacts that add to the Mexican flair there. There’s often live music on weekend nights, and sometimes even dancers, but we think this is a great spot for a lunch of hearty chile rellenos and margaritas on lazy afternoons.

El Zocalo Mexican Grille is located at 28 S. San Marcos Place in Downtown Chandler  480.722.0303

House of Tricks

House of Tricks may be near the bustling Mill Avenue close to ASU’s campus, but it certainly has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Its unique setting is due in part to the fact that the restaurant was formerly a home that the owners, Robert and Robin Trick, converted. The result is a cozy cottage of an eatery with a patio canopied by mature trees. Other fun things include the shaded outdoor bar and the lush gardens and potted flowers surrounding the property. A Valley staple, Tricks has been serving exquisite contemporary American cuisine since 1987.

House of Tricks is located at 114 E. Seventh Street in Tempe  480.968.1114

The Farm at South Mountain

This may be cheating, since there are actually three restaurants at The Farm, but we really couldn’t decide which was our favorite. At South Mountain, you have the option of dining at Morning Glory Cafe, on their breakfast and brunch patio, at The Farm Kitchen’s picnic patio, or at the always spot-on Quiessence Restaurant. Each venue may specialize in comfort food on different levels; however, the food is just as fresh and satisfying at all three, thanks to the property’s high standards. Currently, all three restaurants are on summer hiatus, but will re-open in August and September.

The Farm at South Mountain is located at 6106 S. 32nd Street in Phoenix  602.276.6360