Best Houston Restaurant Patios on the East Side

patio at Coral Sword in east Houston

The east side of Houston — including EaDo and the East End — offers many great bars, coffee shops and restaurants that showcase Houston’s diverse culture. All of the ones on this list have distinct personalities, as well as laid back, shaded patios. We found a pet-friendly patio at East End Backyard, a gamer and podcasting coffee shop at Coral Sword and great spots for gumbo, fajitas and starting sing-a-longs. More restaurants and bars are being built in this thriving district that bridges the gap between the ship channel and downtown.

Outdoor seating remains a draw with its promise of fresh air and space to spread out. Plus, there is the added benefit of hearing birds chirping and watching people pass by, simple pleasures to lift one’s spirit after being cooped up for much the past year. Houston has plenty of options when it comes to dining al fresco. You can read additional lists for restaurants with patios in Sugar Land, shaded patios around town and our big list of citywide favorites.

Giant Beatles statues on the grounds of 8th Wonder Brewery
Giant Beatles statues on the grounds of 8th Wonder Brewery. Photo by Morgan Rosenbaum.

8th Wonder Brewery, 2202 Dallas: The vast backyard and patio area at this popular Houston brewery spans the width of a city block. Visitors love to take pictures near the huge emblematic Beatles and I “heart” Houston statues that adorn the lawn.  The brewery, named after the Astrodome’s moniker, “Eighth Wonder of the World,” is adorned with homages to the famous stadium,  such as some of the original seats and Astroturf.

Beer-lovers can choose from year-round brews like Rocket Fuel, a Vietnamese coffee porter, or seasonal offerings like Procrastination, a session IPA available in September and November. The company is also launching a line of seltzers called Wonder Water. It includes seltzers spiked with fruit, such as Mango Spiced Seltzer, or herbal inclusions, like the Delta 8 Seltzer. In addition to walking the grounds of the brewery, guests can cross the street to visit 8th Wonder Distillery and sample spirits such as Hopped Gin or cocktails like spiked lemonade in a pouch.

Acadian Coast patio
Cafe dining at Acadian Coast. Photo courtesy of Content Haus.

Acadian Coast 2929 Navigation: The street-adjacent patio at this New Orleans-style eatery has traditional tables and bar seating. The Creole and Cajun-inspired menu includes classic dishes such as Snapper Pontchartrain and Boudin Balls. To shake things up, there are Grilled Oysters Rockefeller that swap in kale and Havarti cream for traditional spinach and cream. The Shrimp Rogue offers another twist that employs a fermented pepper sauce alongside blackened shrimp. 

Visit for Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for favorites such as beignets served with either chicory chocolate or berry compote, Steak & Eggs (a 44 Farms filet mignon with eggs and potatoes) and Mushroom Ravioli filled with fresh crimini mushrooms and walnut butter, then drenched in a traditional sauce piquant. To keep the New Orleans vibe flowing, order a Hurricane from the bar made with dark and light rum, orange, passion fruit, lime and grenadine. 

Bohemo's patio
The spacious, garden-like patio of Bohemo’s. Courtesy photo.

Bohemeo’s, 708 Telephone: This spacious patio feels a world away from the busy intersection outside. It has an outdoor stage, a fish-filled fountain and a cat named Sadie. On Wednesdays, relive the ’60s at the Beatles Open Mic Night. On the weekends, catch local bands in an intimate setting while sipping frozen margaritas or sangria. Local Brews such as Back Pew Brewing’s Satyr’s Swill are also available, as well as locally roasted Cruiser Coffee. Freshly prepared sandwiches like Portapanini, a panini featuring a grilled portabella mushroom, provolone, pesto and mayonnaise, make Bohemeo’s a quiet retreat for lunch as well.

patio at Coral Sword in east Houston
The recently added outdoor patio at Coral Sword in east Houston. Courtesy photo.

 

Coral Sword, 1318 Telephone: Astroturf lines the parking lot patio at this gamer-themed coffee shop. Enjoy a Matcha Latte or an Untitled Art CBD Sparkling Water. Grab baked goods from Sinful Bakery or sandwiches from Half Moon Kitchen like the Turkey Club Bagel Sandwich — an everything bagel with hickory smoked turkey, bacon, cream cheese, organic greens, tomato and Greek seasonings.

Coral Sword carries a massive selection of games for borrowing or purchase. Meet like-minded people at regularly held Magic, the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons competitions. You can also watch live podcasts in the podcasting studio, which can accommodate a small audience and four hosts.

Bloody Mary on the District 7 patio
A Bloody Mary on the District 7 patio. Courtesy photo.

District 7 Grill Eado, 1508 Hutchins: This oak-shaded patio evokes backyard comfort. The fast-casual service contrasts with elevated fare such as osso buco (braised pork shank with grilled asparagus) and crab cakes with avocado, charred onion and poblano pepper. Brunch is served daily from  9 a.m. to  3 p.m. Choose from Braised Beef Benedict with poached eggs, arugula and hollandaise, fruit or grits, or the short stack of pancakesThere are oysters, too, that are available raw or grilled. Grilled oysters are dressed with a choice of Buffalo style, bacon jam or lemon-garlic. Lunch options include hand-tossed pizzas with a variety of toppings, such as the Backyard Pizza with artichoke, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, Parmesan, pepperoncinis, shredded mozzarella and red sauce.

bar and patio
Hangout outside during the co-hosted Cinco de Mayo party at East End Backyard with live music, mariachi and tacos. Photo by Wilf Thorne Photography.

East End Backyard, 1105 Sampson: Bring your pooch to this 15,000-square-foot patio with its own dog park. Owner Brian Ching, a former Houston Dynamo star, channels his sports background by offering six outdoor TVs, cornhole and darts. Twenty five beers are on tap as well as a host of ciders and ales in bottles and cans. Grab a Lone Star or an Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from Fort Bragg, California. Summer beers, such as Blueberry Lager from Lovelady, Texas or the Guilty Party Watermelon Gose, are seasonal favorites. Food is available from a rotating selection of food trucks.

spacious patio with dining tables and large water fountain
The pegasus fountain at El Tiempo on Navigation. Photo by Staci Davis.

El Tiempo, 2814 Navigation: Start your meal by making a wish at the Pegasus fountain and then dine cafe-style. Order from a classic — and vast — menu filled with Tex-Mex standards, including an extensive parrilladas  (grilled meat) section that includes lobster, carnitas, traditional beef fajitas and more. Each is served on an individual fire pit, called an anafre, that is brought to the table with its contents still sizzling hot. Try the toppings for grilled fish or fajitas, such as the Durango with tomatoes, bacon, jalapeños and cilantro.

For a twist on enchiladas, try the Jumbo Lump Crab Enchies served with either Marisco cream or a vegetarian red sauce. There is lighter fare, too, such as the refreshing Mango Jicama Salad with diced strawberries tossed in a black pepper mango sauce.

Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and features Crepe-Style Pecan Pancakes Menudo with butter, syrup, fruit and fresh-squeezed orange juice

Leeland House patio
Leeland House has two inviting patios. Photo by Destiny Vaquera.

Leeland House, 2119 Leeland: This neighborhood hangout has a veranda in front and a patio shaded by an overhead sail in the back. Choose from light dishes, such as Thai Steak Salad with marinated steak, mango, tomato, Thai basil, mint, cilantro and chopped peanuts, or go for the more substantial Short Rib Pappardelle with shishito peppers, shiitake mushrooms, Boursin cheese and Parmesan. Brunch on Sundays is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and occasionally features a live jazz band. Specials include the Big Daddy Benedict served on a croissant with local chorizo and avocado-jalapeno crema. Order a pitcher of Hibiscus Mimosas to share with friends.

The patio at Ninfa’s on Navigation, photo by Al Torres

The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, 2704 Navigation: A shady and secluded patio is the perfect spot to try the fajitas that made this long-standing neighborhood gem famous. In addition to the well-regarded beef fajitas, diners can also opt for wood-fire grilled quail, Bacon Wrapped Diablo Shrimp, grilled chicken, Portobello “Fajitas” or Brisket Picadillo Chile Relleno. Next, choose from toppings such as Berry (a topping named for a regular customer with tomato, onion, jalapeno and mushroom) or Chihuahua (bacon, cheese, onion and pepper). Perpetual favorites include ground beef enchiladas with beef gravy and cheddar cheese and Texas Redfish modernized with chipotle aioli, cole slaw, pico de gallo and poblano rice. 

Wash it all down with a Ninfarita — a large, tangy margarita made with 100% silver agave tequila. It is not for the weak of heart, and neither is the sangria that is made with red wine, tequila, whiskey, fruit and spices available by the glass or pitcher. 

Ninfa’s serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit for the brunch-only Red Chile Pork Pozole. This pork and hominy soup with avocado, onions, sour cream and a queso fresco tostada is a traditional hangover cure. There are also daily breakfast tacos for under $5 each from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tiny Champions patio at night
Tiny Champions patio at night. Photo by Chelsea Thomas.

Tiny Champions, 2617 McKinney: The sister restaurant to Nancy’s Hustle has a spacious backyard patio (and, by the way, Nancy’s Hustle also has a well-appointed outdoor seating area that was added during the pandemic). At this casual café, chef Jason Vaughn prepares naturally leavened pizza, fermented vegetables and housemade pastas. Plus, there is an eclectic selection of wine and cocktails. The pickled vegetables is a tangy, invigorating  kickoff before moving on to heartier entrées, such as creative pizzas like Kale+Chard topped with ricotta, mozzarella and pickled garlic or the sausage pizza with sausage, mozzarella, tomato sauce, basil, peppers and onions. Other intriguing fare includes the rotating offering of small dishes with hints of fermentation. The Mushroom Salad is made of thinly sliced criminis tossed with olive oil and shaved parmesan. Whey-Brined Fried Chicken is completed with fresno chilis, fresh herbs and a spicy honey dipping sauce.

Xela patio
The peaceful patio at Xela, and a Butterfly Tea. Photo by Staci Davis

Xela Coffee Roasters, 4409 Canal: This quiet little shop has a space-age ordering system involving a two-way speaker and a stainless steel security box. Contrasting that is a well-curated garden in which to enjoy a signature tea or java. There is no indoor seating at Xela, but there are house-roasted beans for sale such as dark Espresso Nirvana or medium Second Ward coffee blend. Xela also brews cold tea, coffee drinks and concentrates made to grab and go like the Butterfly Tea — cold-brewed with lemongrass and butterfly pea flowers, and a splash of lemon juice added — or the Apocalypse Chai, made with chai spices, black tea and a double shot of espresso. Xela is only open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  and is closed on Tuesday.

Comments (2)

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  • July 30, 2021 at 11:30 amGeorge L Shea

    Thanks for the EADO info update. I’d also add to this story …Moon Tower Inn @3004 Canal. They’re a Microbrew joint that serves excellent burgers and dogs.

    Reply
    • August 3, 2021 at 12:39 pmPhaedra Cook

      It’s been a long time since I’ve visited Moon Tower, but I think that would be an excellent addition.

      Reply