As cold and breezy weather has finally arrived
in New Orleans, many New Orleanians have the desire to be outside as much as
possible. Besides, we all know that the CDC says that eating outdoors is safer.
According to nola.eater.com, these
restaurants below ensure not only a good dining experience, but a good outside dining experience. Many offer
hidden courtyards and nice patios with relaxing string lights. Just in time for
it to warm up a bit over the weekend, come on over to one of these restaurants
and enjoy the brisk weather outside with a cocktail—maybe a warm one. And if
you're the type who thinks that even 70 degrees is still chilly, never
fear—some of these places have heat lamps.
Toups
Meatery
Not only does Toups Meatery have vibrant and
colorful murals on their wall, but they also have bright green umbrellas to
help shade you from the harsh Southern sun. Though this restaurant has only
been open since 2012, the Toups family has been in Louisiana for over three
centuries, meaning that they are familiar with the food and tastes that are
special to New Orleans. Join this restaurant for their Happy Hour on Sunday
from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar.
The
Half Shell on the Bayou
Enjoy the brisk weather outside on one of Half Shell's
cushioned benches. Their Happy Hour is every Friday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
offering a special that New Orleanians can't turn down: When you buy a dozen
oysters, you get a half dozen for free. Customers often rave about this
restaurant's salmon with asparagus in butter sauce. Don't miss out on the
beautiful and tasty Half Shell on the Bayou.
Saint-Germain
Saint-German has a beautiful courtyard, complete with luscious plant life and
quirky string lights. Come enjoy this decorative and unique restaurant in the
Bywater; it's a place filled with murals and art from local artists.
Saint-Germain offers specialty cocktails, wine by the bottle and by the glass,
and delectable dishes. This restaurant even has two favored dishes returning:
their fresh cheese, herbs, and toast plate and the chicken liver plate.
Café
Amelie
Café Amelie's
French Quarter courtyard is the perfect staycation, and it is decorated with
dainty string lights and has tall stand-up fire pits. Enjoy a relaxing brunch
Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and indulge in a
romantic dinner Fridays or Saturdays, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The salmon cake,
which is served on a bed of greens with lemon aioli, is a customer favorite.
Come to Café Amelie and see what everyone's raving about.
Longway
Tavern
While this restaurant's main entrance is on
Bourbon Street, Longway Tavern has a hidden
gem: their spacious and relaxing courtyard. Each table outside has a heater,
which makes this dining experience enjoyable even in the cold weather. Come
enjoy their delicious cocktails, such as the Satsuma Gimlet, with gin, satsuma,
and rosemary cordial, or the Greena Coolada, with rum and green chartreuse.
SoBou
This restaurant and bar, which is located
inside the French Quarter's W Hotel, has prioritized style in both their
exterior and interior designs. The interior has elegant brass fixtures and warm
lights illuminating the shelves of glass bottles. The exterior, however, has a
beautiful fountain, which is wrapped with bricks and offers calming white
noise. SoBou's patio is complete with string lights and heaters, so the cold
won't be a problem!
Sidecar
Patio & Oyster Bar
Sidecar's
patio is vibrant with color and interesting décor: On one wall, there are
murals and paintings of plants, and, on the other, there are real plants hung
from a wooden wall. In the middle of the patio stands a palm tree, and, in
order to accommodate rapidly changing weather, there are both fans and heaters.
Sidecar's oysters will have your mouth watering and leave you wanting more, and
the oysters go well with their refreshing cocktails.
Red
Gravy
Red Gravy's patio is brightly lit with multi-colored string lights, bringing
lively energy to this Italian restaurant's backyard. Aside from the lights, Red
Gravy also has the appeal of being on Magazine Street, one of the busiest and
most exciting streets New Orleans has to offer. This restaurant's bustling and
energetic atmosphere will ensure a good experience as you dig into their
homemade pasta, which is made from passed-down family recipes.
