7 Outdoor Restaurants In Texas You’ll Want To Visit Before Summer’s End
By Katie Lawrence|Published July 08, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Although the weather in Texas is conducive to year-round outdoor dining, it’s most enjoyable in the summertime. These seven restaurants have scenic patios that turn a simple meal into a full-blown experience.
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Known as the "Sunset Capital of Texas," The Oasis boasts a multi-tiered balcony that offers unparalleled views of Lake Travis. As far as the food, you'll find everything from fully loaded nachos to juicy burgers on the menu -- and it's all absolutely scrumptious. Pro-tip: get there early to snag a seat on the highly coveted fourth story.
A relaxed eatery on the Neches River, "The Wheelhouse" draws impressive crowds because of its tropical atmosphere and finger-lickin' good food. Start off with some boudin balls or pistolettes for an appetizer, then move on to the number one seller, shrimp & grits, as your main course. Cajun classics have never tasted so good!
Situated directly on the banks of the iconic San Antonio River Walk, Casa Rio has been serving up some of the Alamo City's best Tex-Mex since 1946. You can't miss it; just look for the colorful umbrella tables.
Louie's Backyard overlooks the gorgeous Laguna Madre Bay, making it an extremely popular place to dine on South Padre Island. The food is surf 'n turf, with options like herb-encrusted prime rib, snow crab, shrimp, scallops, and so much more. The DJs, bars, and dancing take the whole experience over the top!
More than just a restaurant, the spot is a hangout mecca for locals and tourists alike. This two-story destination has four bars, an eatery, and a bakery all under one roof. Grab a seat on the patio, chow down on fresh seafood, a mouthwatering burger, salad, or a number of additional menu offerings and marvel at the Gulf waters that *almost* look blue from this vantage point.
Nestled along the shores of Caddo Lake, the world's largest cypress forest, RiverBend Restaurant is a little-known eatery with some of the best seafood and Southern comforts in East Texas. Fried alligator, fresh bayou catfish and ribeye steak are just some of the scrumptious options to choose from.
Nothing compares to a beachfront meal, and you can enjoy just that at Doc's Seafood and Steaks in Corpus Christi. Innovative flavor combinations like poblano sauce over blackened catfish will send your taste buds straight to heaven. There's even a pet-friendly area, so your pooch can enjoy the waterfront views, too!