10 Great Spots to Dine Outside this Winter
Enjoy a meal outside and stay warm at these trip-worthy places around Georgia.
Don't let the chill of winter keep you from enjoying some of the state's best outdoor dining. From heated yurts to intimate beer gardens to laid-back, pet-friendly patios, Georgia's restaurants have transformed their outdoor spaces into magical, cozy spots to enjoy hot toddies, local brews, and stellar food all season long.
Banks Food Hall in Columbus, Georgia
Banks Food Hall in Columbus
Housed in a historic brick building, Banks Food Hall offers scenic outdoor dining with ample seating, greenery, and string lights — all next to the scenic Riverwalk and Chattahoochee River. Build your own poke bowl, sample al pastor and carne asada tacos from El Primo, or grab local brews and wine from Maltitude, among other dining options in this central location.
Make it a getaway: Stay nearby at the historic Columbus Marriott, and brave the rapids on the longest urban whitewater course in the world with Whitewater Express.
Find more things to do in this Guide to Columbus.
The White Bull in Decatur
Head to Decatur for Italian classics featuring locally grown ingredients served in The White Bull's magical outdoor patio, complete with twinkling lights, ample seating, fire pits and heaters. Indulge in seasonal cocktails and delights from the ever-changing menu like ricotta fritters, lamb osso bucco and gnocchi.
Make it a getaway: Stay the night at the Decatur Alpaca Cottage, a charming one-bedroom Airbnb surrounded by an organic vegetable garden, and of course, alpacas. Plan time for a shopping trip to Your DeKalb Farmers Market, where you can find an incredible selection of food from around the world as well as fresh baked goods and prepared foods.
Fenders Alley in Cornelia, Georgia
Fenders Alley in Cornelia
Located in Cornelia's open container district, this downtown alley has been converted into an outdoor dining space, complete with a full bar, large heaters, and a stage where local musicians perform live music on select nights. Restaurant patrons can enjoy Fenders Alley's signature boozy milkshakes and comfort food like fried deviled eggs and mac and cheese waffles, while others can purchase a drink from a nearby restaurant or brewery for consumption in the adjacent green space.
Make it a getaway: Book a room nearby at the Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant, and enjoy a full hot breakfast in the morning. Before you head home, venture over to Minnehaha Falls for photos.
Forza Storico in Atlanta
Forza Storico in Atlanta
Located inside the bustling Westside Provisions District in Atlanta, Forza Storico offers outdoor dining on its side courtyard patio and a newly expanded outdoor garden. Both spaces are covered, with space heaters, bars, string lights, topiaries, and the occasional DJ, creating a lively and warm spot to enjoy classic Italian dishes like cacio e pepe and the restaurant's signature cocktails like a Smoked Old Fashioned.
Make it a getaway: Stay the night at the Bellyard Hotel, and take in the nearby sights like the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park.
Find more things to do in this Guide to Atlanta.
The Lost Square rooftop bar in Savannah
The Lost Square in Savannah
This rooftop bar perched atop The Alida hotel on the riverfront in Savannah offers stunning views and exceptional service. Cozy up to enjoy the view while you enjoy festive cocktails and shareable plates.
Make it a getaway: Book a room at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District and explore all the shops and restaurants on River Street. Make time to walk on the beach on nearby Tybee Island.
Find more things to do in this Guide to Savannah.
Last Resort Grill in Athens, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
Last Resort Grill in Athens
Ambient lighting and heat lamps transform Last Resort Grill's former parking lot into a cozy outdoor garden. Dine on dishes made with ingredients from local growers, like a cornbread-crusted North Georgia trout. Save room for dessert: the restaurant offers a large selection of layer cakes and cheesecakes from Athens-based Cecelia's Cakes and Blackbird Bakery.
Make it a getaway: Grab a beer at Creature Comforts Brewing before turning in at the Graduate Athens. The next day, explore the trails at the State Botanical Garden of Athens or say hello to the bears and other animals at Bear Hollow Zoo.
Find more things to do in this Guide to Athens.
Inside a yurt at Osteria Mattone in Roswell, Georgia
Osteria Mattone in Roswell
Reserve a private yurt for up to six or dine in the beautifully landscaped garden — complete with large heaters, a fire pit, and elegant lanterns — at Osteria Mattone in Roswell. The restaurant's pizzas, pastas, and Italian-inspired fare like fried pesto risotto balls will warm your body and soul on even the coldest of winter nights.
Or, if you prefer to dine on Southern classics with a twist, visit Osteria Mattone's sister restaurant Table & Main down the street. Enjoy heated outdoor seating as you warm up with the restaurant's famous fried chicken, mac 'n cheese and cornbread muffins with honey butter followed by banana pudding for dessert.
Make it a getaway: Stay nearby at the new Home2 Suites by Hilton Roswell, and allow plenty of time to shop on Canton Street. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the scenery and wildlife on a stroll along the Chattahoochee River.
Find more things to do in this Guide to Roswell.
The Select in Sandy Springs, Georgia
The Select in Sandy Springs
The Select, located at City Springs in Sandy Springs, serves imaginative continental cuisine with a French influence. Grab a pre-dinner cocktail at the picturesque bar before enjoying a delicious meal outside on the heated patio that looks out onto City Green. Try the roasted octopus or hamachi crudo, and delight in a warming bowl of French onion soup with brioche crouton and gruyere.
Make it a getaway: Stay nearby at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta, and explore the shops, restaurants and exciting atmosphere of Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Make time for a hike along the Chattahoochee on the East Palisades Trail to find the bamboo forest.
Staplehouse in Atlanta
Once known for its exclusive tasting menu, this intimate Old Fourth Ward spot in Atlanta reinvented itself into a casual wine shop and market. Purchase cocktails, beer, and wine at Staplehouse along with charcuterie, cheeses, pastries, and small composed dishes like the signature chicken liver tart, which can be enjoyed on the covered and heated patio or in the outdoor garden by a roaring fire pit.
Make it a getaway: Stay the night at the Hotel Clermont, and watch the sunset over the city from the rooftop bar. Explore the art and scenery on Atlanta BeltLine and all the shops and restaurants that line its path, including Ponce City Market.
Find more to do in the Guide to Atlanta.
Starland Yard in Savannah, Georgia
Starland Yard in Savannah
Rotating food trucks serve up everything from barbecue to Caribbean fare at this expansive outdoor space on DeSoto Avenue in Savannah, which also features a large outdoor bar and a permanent pizzeria slinging Neapolitan-style pies. With several heaters, ample seating, and live music and art weekly, the pet-friendly Starland Yard is the perfect place to spend an evening with friends and family.
Make it a getaway: Stay at the fun and funky Thunderbird Inn, a classic roadside motel that has been renovated in retro-style. Learn more about the history of the city and look for Forrest Gump's bench at the Savannah History Museum, and don't miss a chance to stroll beneath the live oaks in Forsyth Park.
Find more to do with the Guide to Savannah.
