Best New Patios

Best new patios: Dine outdoors at these 10 hotspots — and you may spot a celebrity, too

Spring is prime time for alfresco dining in Houston. No matter your zip code, a cool patio awaits. Here are 10 new patios we'll be frequenting as long as the weather remains this delightful.

Toulouse Cafe & Bar
Freshly opened Toulouse Cafe & Bar at River Oaks District features local chef Philippe Schmit, formerly of Philippe Restaurant + Lounge, at the kitchen helm. Dining al fresco is extra fun at the Dallas import thanks to its climate-controlled, 50-seat patio that features a retractable awning. The menu offers classic French fare (think: fresh mussels, bouillabaisse and New York strip with pomme frites and béarnaise). In May, sister restaurant Taverna will present Italian eats, from homemade pasta to wood-fired pizza, and a patio with room for 40 when it opens in an adjacent space in May.

Axelrad Beer Garden
An eclectic mix of art, lush landscaping, live music and a garden patio with room for 200 set the background at this sprawling brew spot with a curated selection of 31 craft beers on tap, plus additional beers in cans and bottles. Those seeking to lounge in one of the space's signature hammocks should get there early. They fill up fast!

Killen's Steakhouse
Celebrities ranging from Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J. Watt and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus to hip hop superstar Bun B know to hit up Ronnie Killen’s Pearland-area restaurant for killer chops, plus tasty brisket nachos and lobster quesadillas. The upscale eatery features a 10,000 square-foot patio, perfect for enjoying cooler temps. P.S. Keep an eye out for the upcoming Killen's Burgers, slotted to open May 28.

The Burger Joint
Power forward Donatas Motiejunas of the Houston Rockets knows there's no better place to nosh outdoors than at this new Montrose neighborhood gem. A spacious 2,500-square-foot dog-friendly deck seats 142. Don’t skip the Mexi burger topped with grilled ham, avocado, queso fresco, jalapenos and chipotle mayonnaise. Pair it with any of the 24 beers on tap.

Eight Row Flint
Housed in a former gas station, this Heights-area modern icehouse doesn’t hold back when it comes to its patio (it seats 200) or its tasty sips. Choose from the large whiskey selection, 10 beers on tap, 30 beers by the bottle, frozen cocktails, and carbonated drinks, among them the unmissable Ranchwater made with sotol, clarified lime juice, lime oleo saccharum and salt. A selection of tacos are made with the same high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients that have earned sister concept Coltivare such acclaim.

The Dunlavy
There’s not a bad seat in the glass-enclosed house at The Dunlavy. If you can see past the eye-catching, chandelier-clad interior, the private-event-space-and-cafe is also decked out with outdoor seating for 40, complete with picturesque views of Buffalo Bayou Park. The list of standout fare includes avocado toast and Chinese chicken salad. Grab a bite and then go on an kayak adventure: There's a rental spot just a few steps away.

Irish Cowboy
Drink, eat and play at this new Midtown gathering spot with an Irish-pub-slash-icehouse vibe and Texas-sized backyard that can accommodate over 800. Up the outdoor game with 70 draft beers, live music, barbecue smoked on-site, giant Jenga, ping pong and more.

Barking Pig
Catch some rays on the patio at welcoming neighborhood joint the Barking Pig, and then dig into must-try items from mushroom pizza with goat cheese, pesto and truffle oil to meatballs served with mozzarella and bruschetta. Wash it all down with a craft cocktail or beer.

Raven Tower
At Raven Tower enjoy the great outdoors at a picnic table. Choose from a roster of 24 beers on tap — and dozens more by the bottle, wine and cocktails including the off-menu, Luisa's Paloma. The house twist on the classic showcases smoky mezcal instead of tequila. Drink up and then catch a music act next door at White Oak Music Hall. An on-property food concept should launch later this year, but trompo tacos from popular truck La Macro will do for now.

Bernadine's
Like its neighbor Hunky Dory, Bernadine's features a sprawling patio that seats about 100, and it's pretty much the perfect environment for snacking on chef Graham Laborde's Gulf Coast cuisine. Feeling particularly indulgent? Spring for the I-10 Tower that mixes a range of cold and raw ingredients for only $70.

The patio at Heights-area modern icehouse Eight Row Flint seats 200.

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

The patio at Heights-area modern icehouse Eight Row Flint seats 200.

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What's Eric Eating Episodes 459 and 460

Meet the men behind Houston's most under-the-radar Italian restaurant

Courtesy of Mimo

Chef Fernando Rios and sommelier Mike Sammons are this week's guests.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” sommelier Mike Sammons and chef Fernando Rios join CultureMap editor Eric Sandler to discuss Mimo, their Italian restaurant in the East End. The duo, whose history goes back to when they worked together at iconic Houston fine dining restaurant Da Marco, opened Mimo in 2023.

The conversation begins with Rios explaining the progression of a career that took him from Backstreet Cafe to Da Marco to Weights + Measures, where he worked as the chef de cuisine while Sammons was a partner who oversaw the beverage program. Since they both live in the East End, they saw an opportunity to team up by claiming the former Kanomwan space on Telephone Rd.

They discuss several aspects of the restaurant’s business, including Rios’ changes to the menu, the evolution of Mimo’s wine list, and how its been received by residents of the East End. A digression about Da Marco prompts Sandler to ask about its chef-owner Marco Wiles, who generally stays out of the media spotlight. Sammons shares that Wiles is the only chef or restaurateur who makes him nervous when he dines at Mimo.

“He’s really not forgiving about things. This is very consistent with the Italian way of looking at things — there’s a right way to do things and that’s it. If it isn’t done that way, it’s wrong. A lot of my other mentors and friends can be more forgiving, but the standards Marco has kept for years has motivated me,” Sammons says.

“He’s still the same way,” Rios adds. “That was insane to me. I thought, you get older, you’d be more relaxed, but the way he looks at you makes you nervous. Working in the kitchen, there was times he’d throw all my stuff away and say ‘start over.’”

Was he right, Sandler asks.

“Absolutely, yes. He was right all the time. I just think he was one of the best to do it,” Rios affirms.

Listen to the full interview to hear both men discuss the one thing they’re most proud of about Mimo. They also discuss their plans for the future.

In this week’s other episode, Sandler and co-host Mary Clarkson discuss the news of the week. Their topics include Houston’s finalists in this year’s James Beard Awards, the owners of Jūn adding a daytime concept called Third Place, and Aaron Bludorn promoting chef Allie Pena to be Bludorn’s new executive chef.

In the restaurant of the week segment, Sandler and Clarkson visit Camaraderie, chef Shawn Gawle’s new restaurant in the Heights. They share their thoughts on the restaurant’s prix fixe menu, as well as its decor and beverage offerings.

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