Updated on 5/26/15
Winter is only one season, but why does it seem so long? Perhaps this year we can blame it on Punxsutawney Phil who promised an early end to winter, but lied? Yeah, never trust a rodent, that’s what momma always said.
But, look, we’re beyond it all now! The weather has turned, we’re at the start of spring, and we can actually feel the sun’s warmth. By now, you’ve probably already lit up the BBQ and cooked up a storm. And, you’ve probably been thinking about eating out(side) at a restaurant to enjoy the great weather. So, we decided to put together a nice list of restaurants in the area that we like that have either al fresco (outdoor) dining or open air dining. Perhaps you have an amazing restaurant to add that we missed? Let us know! Taco Bell doesn’t count, though. ;)
Enjoy the beautiful weather people…you earned it!
Bethel
Ecco rooftop bar/eatery on top of La Zingara
Darien
1020 Post (Outdoor patio)
espresso NEAT (Full outdoor courtyard. Have some drinks, salads, and sandwiches)
Meatball and Co. (Outdoor, covered patio)
Fairfield
Molto (Open air)
Greenwich
Harvest (Open air)
Morello Bistro (a few tables outside and open air)
Terra
New Canaan
Boulevard 18 (outdoor deck and a fire pit…they said they’d give us marshmallows, too!)
Cava Wine Bar & Restaurant (Outdoor patio)
Station Eats (A couple of tables outside the restaurant)
New Fairfield
Down the Hatch (Added by N: outdoor deck and patio, dockside)
Norwalk
B.J. Ryan’s B•AN•C House (Outdoor patio and covered patio, too)
Bar Sugo (Outdoor sidewalk)
Basso Cafe (Outdoor patio)
Brasitas (Outdoor sidewalk)
Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream (Outdoor courtyard)
SoNo Baking Company (Outdoor sidewalk)
SoNo Seaport Seafood (Added by Linda: get a beautiful view of the harbor)
The Spread (Open air)
Valencia (Outdoor courtyard with sand for beach fun!)
Ridgefield
Bailey’s Backyard (Open air and a few tables outside on the sidewalk)
Bernard’s (Added by Terri: Covered patio)
Bissel House (Added by Terri: Covered patio)
Little Pub (Open air covered patio)
Luc’s (Added by Terri: Covered patio)
Stamford
Bar Q (Outdoor patio)
Barrique (Open air dining)
Brasitas (Open air covered patio)
Capriccio Cafe (Huge outdoor patio/sidewalk)
Casa Villa (Outdoor sidewalk)
Coalhouse Pizza (Outdoor sidewalk)
Cotto (Outdoor sidewalk)
Dolce Stamford (Open air dining with an outside bar with killer views)
EOS (Outdoor sidewalk)
Fin II (Outdoor sidewalk)
Plan B Burger (Outdoor patio)
Quattro Pazzi (Outdoor sidewalk)
Remo’s Brick Oven Pizza (Outdoor sidewalk)
Station Eats (Outdoor beer garden)
Volta: plenty of outdoor seating! Enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, or even some nice gelato.
Zaza Italian Gastrobar: (Open air, outdoor sidewalk, and outdoor patio)
Westport
The Granola Bar (a few outdoor seats on the sidewalk)
Rive Bistro (New restaurant with views of the Saugatuck River)
Terrain (Complete garden side outdoor patio)
Shake Shack (Outdoor tables)
Splash (A classic)
Via Sforza (Outdoor covered patio)
Dan and Kristien Del Ferraro
OmNomCT 
Oak + Almond in Norwalk has a beautiful patio an outdoor bar and fireplace, planted with herbs and flowers. Really nice!
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How about Cafe Madeline in Fairfield?
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Haven’t been there in many years, so would need to revisit, but would love to ho back.
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The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood/Rowayton Seafood…you can now bring alcoholic beverages from the bar to the open deck!
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That’s great, we remember when you couldn’t do that
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It’s awesome you can bring your drinks down now!
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Forgot our local Mexican restaurant downtown Westport.
http://Www.villadelsolrestaurantct.com
They have a narrow awning covered deck along side the dinning room. Hope to try it out this summer.
Also downtown: Tavern on Main has what feels like an outdoor room. It’s open to Main Street & building next door, but up a level.
http://WWW.tavernonmain.com
Katie
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I have suggestions for Westport.
Matsu Sushi: 33 Jesup Road, Westport CT, 06880 (203)-341-9662 ( their website having issues tonite)
They have excellent Sushi & Japanese food. Awning covered sidewalk. Directly overlooking a park, parking lot to side.
www.bluelemonrestaurant.com , haven’t been since 2012. Secluded feeling covered patio on Post Road.
There’s a trend in Westport, some Restaurants are taking up parking spaces in front to make temporary outdoor seating for warm weather, such a Bobby Q’s on main street.
http://Www.bobbyqsrestaurant.com
Thanks for thinking of organizing this.
Katie
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Slpash in Westport has nice outdoor seating,bar and great views of the Sound,but the food is middle of the road,They really need to up date their menu.
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You should check out Ecco – a rooftop bar/eatery on top of La Zingara in Bethel, CT. They deserve a shout out for bringing something interesting to the area. Also, Down the Hatch in New Fairfield.
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(And I know you’re all about lower FFC – but just wanted to show the Northerners some love!)
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Cool, thanks so much for the additions. We’ll add them in, definitely. As a Northerner, you definitely should check out Bailey’s Backyard that just reopened! Great menu, complete farm to table.
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Thanks! Sure will. My fave spot right now is Market Place Kitchen and Bar in Danbury. Definitely the best food in town.
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Cool, will add that to our “to-eat” list also!
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Just so people don’t get confused… Down the Hatch is in Brookfield, not New Fairfield. Great spot to pull your boat up and grab a drink!
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Thanks Ash. We’ll change that!
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I keep having to scroll up to see if my additions are already there, and i’m feeling lazy, so I apologize if I repeat myself.
Norwalk – Tavern on 7, Gingerman, Osteria Romana (and Romanicci their sister restaurant). I think that’s it for now.
Maybe it’s just me but I’m kind of particular about my outdoor eating experiences (i.e. I’m not a fan on sitting on the sidewalk of a busy road and inhaling bus fumes with my food). :)
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Yeah, lots of people are like that, it’s not just you, don’t worry. Some people also can’t stop thinking about run away cars, too, which is pretty morbid. Thanks for the added sites, though. :)
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And now i’m going to think about runaway cars :)
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Let’s pick one of these and get together for dinner and drinks once the weather warms up.
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Mos def! One with beer and Bourbon!
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Sounds great! Will add. Thanks for reading and your tip.
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When you update, there’s also Sunset Grill in E. Norwalk (near Calf Pasture Beach) and Viva Zapata’s in Westport.
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Sunset Grill is the best. Great sunsets over the river
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Menu is not great,too bad!
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Centro in downtown Fairfield. The outdoor seating is right next to a small park with a Gazebo. They have a reasonable menu, w/ several dinner salads. Nice spot.
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Good chouce, we’ll have to add
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For breakfast outdoors, why not try the Ultimate Egg Sandwich under our orange umbrellas at 30 High Street in quiet Central Norwalk? Or lunch on our Unbelievable Hamburger with The Works. We also have Baby Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken and a wonderful vinaigrette. Hope to see you soon, Margaret
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Coooolness! :) We have to come by. It’s tough when there’s so many restaurants and so little time! :)
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Outdoor dining. Sono brewhouse has beautiful patio. Its not on a weird sidewalk area
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I love the patio dining at Southwest Cafe in Ridgefield.
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If memory serves, I believe Scena in Darien also sets up tables outdoors.
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Yes, it does and that’s one of our faves. Man, it’s nice to know so many have outdoor seating! :)
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Thank you for Mentioning Barnum Publick House!
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You are welcome, of course, sir :)
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Great list! What about Sono Seaport Seafood overlooking Historic Norwalk Harbor?
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Ah yes, also a great one…must add :) Thanks so much Linda. :) It’s amazing when you start to create a list like this how restaurants start to pop up that you had forgotten had outdoor dining. :)
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I would love to be having a burger on the Station Eats Stamford patio right about now!
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Oooooh, us too! Man, it’s so awesome out there. Can’t wait to get there again!
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Tuscan Oven in Norwalk has a great outdoor patio & bar. They also have a new menu and have done a complete makeover. Worth checking out if you haven’t been there in a while.
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Yes, yes David! We heard they have a new name too! We’ll update that soon, thanks so much. :)
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