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Photo courtesy of Madly Social @madly.social for Bella Limone
Metro Detroit’s outdoor dining season often arrives in layers, with bright afternoons, cold breezes, and evenings that may still call for a light jacket until June. That is exactly what makes this stretch of the year so appealing: the chance to claim patio season early and hold onto it a little longer in spaces designed for spring and fall as much as summer.
Bella Limone
100 South Main Street, Royal Oak
Bella Limone brings a rooftop experience to Royal Oak’s, with an outdoor setting that feels made for long afternoons and golden hour dinners before the hottest months arrive. The restaurant’s Italian menu fits naturally with that atmosphere, whether the table is set with pasta, seafood, or a round of cocktails that leans into the mood of the space. As the Bella Limone Team puts it, “At Bella Limone, our rooftop was designed to feel like a true escape—elevated, vibrant, and reminiscent of the Amalfi coast. As the only fully rooftop-seated restaurant in Royal Oak, we’ve created a space where guests can enjoy great food, cocktails, and sunshine all in one place. Whether it’s an Aperol Spritz and wine date or a light dinner, it’s about bringing that ‘on vacation’ feeling right here to Metro Detroit.”
Honest John’s
488 Selden Street, Detroit
At Honest John’s, the draw is the easy comfort of settling in outside with food that suits a cool spring day or a summer night. The longtime Midtown favorite is known for brunch plates, burgers, sandwiches, and other casual staples that feel especially welcome as patio weather moves in. Grab a breakfast burrito or some Fish N Chips earlier in the day, or stick around into the evening with an impressive grilled cheese or loaded fries. It’s the kind of place where a plate of pancakes, a burger and fries, or a round of drinks can make outdoor dining feel just right for friends gathering.
Mike’s on the Water
24600 Jefferson Avenue, St. Clair Shores
Mike’s on the Water makes the most of its St. Clair Shores setting, where dining outside comes with sweeping waterfront views that feel just right for patio season. Seafood is a natural choice here, with the ever-popular Lobster Roll, along with fresh fish weekly specials, and more, plus a broader selection of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees. Sit back, enjoy a drink beside the water, and take a tour of Mike’s personal collection of Snoopy memorabilia in the banquet room/museum that supports local charities every month.
Garage Grill & Fuel Bar
202 West Main Street, Northville
Garage Grill & Fuel Bar adds a downtown Northville stop for outdoor dining, even when the season is still warming up. The restaurant’s automotive-inspired character gives the space its own identity, as it was once a gas station in the 40s, while the menu keeps things easygoing. Stop by for a weekend brunch with favorites like shareable cinnamon rolls, fresh salads, frittatas, omelettes, and more. Throughout the week, head over during Happy Hour for apps like chicken lollipop drumsticks or Whipped Feta with jalapeño hot honey and picked red onions, or dinner for fish plates, filling bowls, and pizza. It is a natural fit for a late afternoon on Main Street or an evening meal outside that still calls for comfort food.
Detroit Shipping Company
474 Peterboro Street, Detroit
Detroit Shipping Company offers an outdoor dining setup that works especially well for groups that want flexible options. The food hall format opens up a range of choices, making it easy to settle on everything from street food-inspired bites to heartier plates, with drinks and shared tables that encourage lingering when the temperature is just right. You’ll find elevated Thai cuisine, Nepalese dumplings, burgers, poutine, sushi, taquitos, and Ethiopian plates, with seating found in the center. For a casual outing in Midtown, it brings together the energy of an open-air hangout with the convenience of multiple menus in one place.
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
15 East Kirby, Suite D, Detroit
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails approaches outdoor dining with the same warm, lived-in sensibility that defines the restaurant as a whole. The space is designed to feel welcoming and relaxed, and that mood carries naturally into a meal outside. The kitchen’s focus on local farmers and foragers comes through in its dishes like the Spring Fever salad with snap peas, asparagus, watermelon radish, pears, and chevre, as well as the Twice Cooked Egg with Brussels sprouts, greens, salty cheese, and a sweet shallot vinaigrette. Heartier options include Butter Chicken Meatballs, found in a tomato butter sauce with green curry, Grilled Shrimp Skewers with hibiscus jasmine rice and chili oil, Snow Pea Pasta with English peas, mushrooms, navy beans, and cacciatore salami, and Walleye with grilled ramps, roasted spring onions, and lemon mustard dressing make the menu feel especially well-suited to kick off patio season. Even dessert keeps that sense of comfort going with Banana Cake layered with caramel chantilly, banana curd, oat crumbs, and toasted almonds.
As the weather in Metro Detroit transitions into warmer temps, outdoor dining still has its place. These restaurants make room for that in-between moment, offering patios, rooftops, waterfront seating, and open-air spaces that let spring meals feel every bit as inviting as summer ones.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on June 3, 2022, and was authored by Briana Dixon.
