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4 North Carolina Spots On Open Table’s Top 100 For Outdoor Dining

Whether I’m on vacation or just looking for a night out I love an outdoor patio. There is nothing better than the atmosphere of a wonderful outdoor cocktail and meal….

Outdoor Patios Charlotte
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Whether I'm on vacation or just looking for a night out I love an outdoor patio. There is nothing better than the atmosphere of a wonderful outdoor cocktail and meal. That's why I was so intrigued by Open Table's latest list- the 100 Best Restaurants for Al Fresco Dining. And while many are in places like California, New York, and Florida they aren't all. In fact, 4 North Carolina restaurants ranked as some of the best for outdoor dining in the country. Not bad, NC, not bad.

Another interesting statistic was that due to the pandemic reservations for outdoor dining increased nationwide by 54%. This list was based on over 13.6 million reviews on OpenTable. These 100 spots feature restaurants with impeccable food, picturesque views, and an all-around top-notch outdoor dining experience. I've only visited one of the 4 North Carolina top places for outdoor dining. None are in Charlotte- one in Asheville, one in Calabash, and the other two- in Greensboro. That surprised me! I guess I'll add these to the list the next time I make the drive to a concert at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Our South Carolina neighbor also has a few spots on this list in tourist hotspots Charleston and Hilton Head. You can read through the list below in no particular order. The North Carolina restaurants are listed first followed by South Carolina, then the rest of the 100 are listed in alphabetical order.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer it's the perfect time to enjoy all of what Charlotte has to offer. Whether you want to enjoy a good meal, day drink, watch the sunset or have a romantic nighttime skyline view a rooftop is a perfect place. And Charlotte has no shortage of places to do just that. Take a moment to enjoy the views, get that perfect Instagram picture, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. But to help you pick your next destination I've compiled a list of all the Charlotte Rooftop Bars.

Whether you want to be only a couple of stories up in your neighborhood or 20+ stories up in the heart of uptown there is something on this list for you. Family-friendly restaurants, 21 and up bars, breweries, tropical cocktails, gourmet food, or wings we've got you covered. Several are on the rooftops of Charlotte's best hotels, but you don't have to be a guest to visit. Uptown, South Park, Plaza Midwood, No-Da, Southend, and even Ballantyne are the neighborhoods these spots call home. Know of a rooftop bar I missed? Please let me know I'd love to check it out as well.

Just want to be outside and don't care as much about the view? Check out our list of 15 Outdoor Patios to visit.

The Ultimate List Of Charlotte North Carolina Rooftop Bars

Aura

Address: 124 E. Stonewall Street

Follow the glow five stories high to the JW Marriott rooftop bar, a place inspired by the regal aura of Queen Charlotte herself. The views reflecting off of our mirror-like facade are even more alluring with a drink in hand – whether it’s one of Aura’s signature botanical cocktails or your favorite pour.

Buho

Address:201 W. Trade Street

Much like the rooftop bars and lounges across South America, Búho Bar truly is a destination itself, with sultry music, stirring conversation and artfully crafted concoctions that capture the essence of a vibrant culture and modern city, and inspire new levels of urban elegance. Stay, sip a cocktail and abandon plans, if only for a little while.

The Chamber At Wooden Robot

Address: 416 E 36th St STE 100

Our new wood-aging facility in the heart of the NoDa neighborhood. Enjoy the views of our oak foeders and barrels while exploring our taproom, patio and rooftop biergarten. The Chamber features a rotating selection of draft and packaged beer, with a focus on farmhouse ales and sours.

Charlotte Beer Garden

Address: 1300 S Tryon St

Located in heart of Southend right on the edge of Uptown enjoy the largest selection of beers at any restaurant on their rooftop patio overlooking uptown.

Cloud Bar

Address: 555 South McDowell St

Surrounded by the lights of Charlotte’s skyline, Cloud Bar by David Burke is located on the rooftop of Le Méridien. Sip on a signature cocktail while enjoying uptown Charlotte’s best sunset view and light bites from world-renowned celebrity chef David Burke.

Coaltranes

Address: 1518 Central Ave

Coaltranes is a South American-inspired rotisserie and char grill, with a focus on healthy. Enjoy local chicken, stuffed avocados, char grilled wings, freshly-made bowls, and many vegetarian options on their rooftop patio.

Coin Bar

Address: 132 E Trade Street

The Coin Bar provides guests a contemporary urban oasis with a stylish bar and grill. Double-sided LED television screens, each 22 feet wide by 12 feet high, some of the largest in the city, make the pool bar the destination of choice for any and all sports and entertainment happenings in the city. Come enjoy a cocktail poolside and take in stunning views of the Charlotte skyline.

Cordial

Address: 1824 Roxborough Rd

Cordial is a destination, but it's also an everyday spot. It's a bar where everyone belongs, and the bar belongs to everyone. We offer inventive cocktails for sipping, small plates for sharing, and plenty of good conversation—plus a stunning view of the Charlotte skyline from our spacious outdoor veranda.
www.instagram.com/p/CSkDpJsjiag/

Devil's Logic

Address: 1426 E 4th Street

On the edge of Cherry and Elizabeth and a mile from Trade & Tryon, we’re ‘next door’ to the best of Charlotte. Drinks and food can be enjoyed from two outdoor patios, one elevated and with a clear view of uptown Charlotte!

Fairwood 226

Address: 226 Fairwood Ave,

TF226 has a bar-centric open air vibe with plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. Oh, & did we mention we have rooftop seating with amazing Uptown views?

Fahrenheit

Address: 222 South Caldwell St

Fahrenheit features amazing, unparalleled views of Uptown Charlotte and inventive new American cuisine.

Gin Mill

Address: 1423 S Tryon St

The Gin Mill is a Southend restaurant and sports bar with a rooftop patio. They have daily features and live music on the weekends!

Graham Street Pub

Address: 400 S Graham St

Graham Street Pub & Patio offers skyline views and an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and bites. Graham St. Pub and Patio, just blocks from Bank of America Stadium is a neighborhood bar with inside seating, a street-level patio, and a rooftop that overlooks Knights Stadium and the picturesque Queen City skyline.

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

Address: 1320 S Church St Suite 400

The restaurant is also known for innovative cocktails featuring house made shrubs, sodas, barrel-aged cocktails and curated wine list. The restaurants midcentury nostalgic rustic yet refined design finds the balance between nature and modern, featuring a moss wall, lime washed brick, a walnut live edge bar, 48 seat dining room and a 30 seat roof top deck.

Merchant & Trade

Address: 303 S Church St

On the 19th floor, with panoramic views of Uptown Charlotte, Merchant + Trade is broken into four distinct zones – indoor bar, outdoor terrace, private terrace and the law.

Mizu

Address: 3100 Apex Drive

Inspired by the wood-fired Robata grills of Japan, Mizu offers a refreshed take on live-fire cooking atop the Hyatt Centric in the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood.

Novelty House

Address: 123 E 5th St Suite 500

Taking the energy of the 5th Street District vertical! Spend your evenings after work with us and enjoy craft cocktails, assorted champagnes, local beers and seltzers and more! That's not all! Enjoy views on all four sides of Binaco Tower, including Uptown's largest mural by local artist Alex Duncan.

Nuvole Rooftop 22

Address:220 E Trade Street

Twenty-two stories into the Charlotte skyline, Nuvolé is a rooftop bar and lounge that rises above expectations in every way. Here, just beneath the clouds, modern urban elegance meets natural beauty and fresh flavors intermingle with handcrafted cocktails. Pull up a seat at our sleek bar, share a variety of savory bites with friends, or just soak up the city views while enjoying your craft beer or wine — the perfect way to spend an evening in uptown Charlotte.

RH

Address:

The RH Rooftop Restaurant features an ingredient-driven menu accompanied by a curated selection of artisanal wines and craft beers. Guests dine in a year-round skylit garden escape amidst trickling fountains, trellised London plane trees, and glimmering chandeliers.

Royal Tot

Address: 933 Louise Ave Suite 350

The Bird's nest is the upper deck at The Royal Tot! Here you'll enjoy a tropical experience but in a more relaxed, flippy floppies welcome kind of vibe. This area is walk-in only and complete with shade sails, individual fire pit tables, space heaters, and an unparalleled view of Uptown Charlotte.

The Waterman

Address: 2729 South Blvd Ste D

Ahoy! Welcome to The Waterman, where it’s easy to satisfy a craving for delicious, fresh seafood. Guests can belly on up after work at Happy Hour for a hearty fill of oysters (House Oysters are $1.5 Mon-Fri from 2-7PM), craft cocktails (we call them ‘boat drinks’ around here), or a cold beer (only the best here). For dinner, locals can enjoy fish camp-inspired dishes like The Waterman’s Platter or classic Fried Fish Sandwich. Don’t forget to check out the Uptown views from the rooftop bar ‘Topside’

Whiskey Warehouse

Address:1221 The Plaza

With a rooftop bar, a whiskey-forward cocktail program, and an endless roster of quality local beers, Whiskey Warehouse leaves little to be desired. The skyline view from the expansive string-light-clad rooftop earns this two-story bar/restaurant some serious street cred in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

Woody's Seafood Saloon

Address:

This is the second location of Woody's which is in the Ballantyne area. The first location? The Virgin Islands. The Shark Bites are said to be a must try and the cocktails will almost have you thinking you're in a tropical oasis instead of NC.

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer it's the perfect time to enjoy all of what Charlotte has to offer. Whether you want to enjoy a good meal, day drink, watch the sunset or have a romantic nighttime skyline view a rooftop is a perfect place. And Charlotte has no shortage of places to do just that. Take a moment to enjoy the views, get that perfect Instagram picture, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. But to help you pick your next destination I've compiled a list of all the Charlotte Rooftop Bars.

Whether you want to be only a couple of stories up in your neighborhood or 20+ stories up in the heart of uptown there is something on this list for you. Family-friendly restaurants, 21 and up bars, breweries, tropical cocktails, gourmet food, or wings we've got you covered. Several are on the rooftops of Charlotte's best hotels, but you don't have to be a guest to visit. Uptown, South Park, Plaza Midwood, No-Da, Southend, and even Ballantyne are the neighborhoods these spots call home. Know of a rooftop bar I missed? Please let me know I'd love to check it out as well.

Just want to be outside and don't care as much about the view? Check out our list of 15 Outdoor Patios to visit.

The Ultimate List Of Charlotte North Carolina Rooftop Bars

Aura

Address: 124 E. Stonewall Street

Follow the glow five stories high to the JW Marriott rooftop bar, a place inspired by the regal aura of Queen Charlotte herself. The views reflecting off of our mirror-like facade are even more alluring with a drink in hand – whether it’s one of Aura’s signature botanical cocktails or your favorite pour.

Buho

Address:201 W. Trade Street

Much like the rooftop bars and lounges across South America, Búho Bar truly is a destination itself, with sultry music, stirring conversation and artfully crafted concoctions that capture the essence of a vibrant culture and modern city, and inspire new levels of urban elegance. Stay, sip a cocktail and abandon plans, if only for a little while.

The Chamber At Wooden Robot

Address: 416 E 36th St STE 100

Our new wood-aging facility in the heart of the NoDa neighborhood. Enjoy the views of our oak foeders and barrels while exploring our taproom, patio and rooftop biergarten. The Chamber features a rotating selection of draft and packaged beer, with a focus on farmhouse ales and sours.

Charlotte Beer Garden

Address: 1300 S Tryon St

Located in heart of Southend right on the edge of Uptown enjoy the largest selection of beers at any restaurant on their rooftop patio overlooking uptown.

Cloud Bar

Address: 555 South McDowell St

Surrounded by the lights of Charlotte’s skyline, Cloud Bar by David Burke is located on the rooftop of Le Méridien. Sip on a signature cocktail while enjoying uptown Charlotte’s best sunset view and light bites from world-renowned celebrity chef David Burke.

Coaltranes

Address: 1518 Central Ave

Coaltranes is a South American-inspired rotisserie and char grill, with a focus on healthy. Enjoy local chicken, stuffed avocados, char grilled wings, freshly-made bowls, and many vegetarian options on their rooftop patio.

Coin Bar

Address: 132 E Trade Street

The Coin Bar provides guests a contemporary urban oasis with a stylish bar and grill. Double-sided LED television screens, each 22 feet wide by 12 feet high, some of the largest in the city, make the pool bar the destination of choice for any and all sports and entertainment happenings in the city. Come enjoy a cocktail poolside and take in stunning views of the Charlotte skyline.

Cordial

Address: 1824 Roxborough Rd

Cordial is a destination, but it's also an everyday spot. It's a bar where everyone belongs, and the bar belongs to everyone. We offer inventive cocktails for sipping, small plates for sharing, and plenty of good conversation—plus a stunning view of the Charlotte skyline from our spacious outdoor veranda.
www.instagram.com/p/CSkDpJsjiag/

Devil's Logic

Address: 1426 E 4th Street

On the edge of Cherry and Elizabeth and a mile from Trade & Tryon, we’re ‘next door’ to the best of Charlotte. Drinks and food can be enjoyed from two outdoor patios, one elevated and with a clear view of uptown Charlotte!

Fairwood 226

Address: 226 Fairwood Ave,

TF226 has a bar-centric open air vibe with plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. Oh, & did we mention we have rooftop seating with amazing Uptown views?

Fahrenheit

Address: 222 South Caldwell St

Fahrenheit features amazing, unparalleled views of Uptown Charlotte and inventive new American cuisine.

Gin Mill

Address: 1423 S Tryon St

The Gin Mill is a Southend restaurant and sports bar with a rooftop patio. They have daily features and live music on the weekends!

Graham Street Pub

Address: 400 S Graham St

Graham Street Pub & Patio offers skyline views and an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and bites. Graham St. Pub and Patio, just blocks from Bank of America Stadium is a neighborhood bar with inside seating, a street-level patio, and a rooftop that overlooks Knights Stadium and the picturesque Queen City skyline.

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

Address: 1320 S Church St Suite 400

The restaurant is also known for innovative cocktails featuring house made shrubs, sodas, barrel-aged cocktails and curated wine list. The restaurants midcentury nostalgic rustic yet refined design finds the balance between nature and modern, featuring a moss wall, lime washed brick, a walnut live edge bar, 48 seat dining room and a 30 seat roof top deck.

Merchant & Trade

Address: 303 S Church St

On the 19th floor, with panoramic views of Uptown Charlotte, Merchant + Trade is broken into four distinct zones – indoor bar, outdoor terrace, private terrace and the law.

Mizu

Address: 3100 Apex Drive

Inspired by the wood-fired Robata grills of Japan, Mizu offers a refreshed take on live-fire cooking atop the Hyatt Centric in the heart of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood.

Novelty House

Address: 123 E 5th St Suite 500

Taking the energy of the 5th Street District vertical! Spend your evenings after work with us and enjoy craft cocktails, assorted champagnes, local beers and seltzers and more! That's not all! Enjoy views on all four sides of Binaco Tower, including Uptown's largest mural by local artist Alex Duncan.

Nuvole Rooftop 22

Address:220 E Trade Street

Twenty-two stories into the Charlotte skyline, Nuvolé is a rooftop bar and lounge that rises above expectations in every way. Here, just beneath the clouds, modern urban elegance meets natural beauty and fresh flavors intermingle with handcrafted cocktails. Pull up a seat at our sleek bar, share a variety of savory bites with friends, or just soak up the city views while enjoying your craft beer or wine — the perfect way to spend an evening in uptown Charlotte.

RH

Address:

The RH Rooftop Restaurant features an ingredient-driven menu accompanied by a curated selection of artisanal wines and craft beers. Guests dine in a year-round skylit garden escape amidst trickling fountains, trellised London plane trees, and glimmering chandeliers.

Royal Tot

Address: 933 Louise Ave Suite 350

The Bird's nest is the upper deck at The Royal Tot! Here you'll enjoy a tropical experience but in a more relaxed, flippy floppies welcome kind of vibe. This area is walk-in only and complete with shade sails, individual fire pit tables, space heaters, and an unparalleled view of Uptown Charlotte.

The Waterman

Address: 2729 South Blvd Ste D

Ahoy! Welcome to The Waterman, where it’s easy to satisfy a craving for delicious, fresh seafood. Guests can belly on up after work at Happy Hour for a hearty fill of oysters (House Oysters are $1.5 Mon-Fri from 2-7PM), craft cocktails (we call them ‘boat drinks’ around here), or a cold beer (only the best here). For dinner, locals can enjoy fish camp-inspired dishes like The Waterman’s Platter or classic Fried Fish Sandwich. Don’t forget to check out the Uptown views from the rooftop bar ‘Topside’

Whiskey Warehouse

Address:1221 The Plaza

With a rooftop bar, a whiskey-forward cocktail program, and an endless roster of quality local beers, Whiskey Warehouse leaves little to be desired. The skyline view from the expansive string-light-clad rooftop earns this two-story bar/restaurant some serious street cred in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

Woody's Seafood Saloon

Address:

This is the second location of Woody's which is in the Ballantyne area. The first location? The Virgin Islands. The Shark Bites are said to be a must try and the cocktails will almost have you thinking you're in a tropical oasis instead of NC.

The Oyster Rock

Calabash, NC

Sunset Terrace at Omni Grove Park Inn

Asheville, NC

Green Valley Grill

Greensboro, NC

Greensboro, NC

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar

Charleston, SC

Charlie's Coastal Bistro (L'etoile Verte)

Hilton Head, SC

1906 at Longwood Gardens

Kennett Square, PA

Alma Nove

Hingham, MA

Anis Cafe and Bistro

Atlanta, GA

Anthonie's Market Grill

Simonton, TX

AOC-3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA

Arnold Palmer's Restaurant

La Quinta, CA

Bacari Silver Lake

Los Angeles, CA

Barca Wine Bar & Pier

Alexandria, VA

Beachcomber Cafe

Newport Coast, CA

Bella Siena

Benicia, CA

Bistro Don Giovanni

Napa, CA

Boat House Waterfront Dining

Tiverton, RI

Brasserie Mon Chou Cho

San Antonio, TX

Bravas Bar de Tapas

Healdsburg, CA

Buck and Rider

Pheonix, AZ

C-Level

San Diego, CA

Ca Del Sole

North Hollywood, CA

Cafe Bixou

Agoura Hills, CA

Cafe Luxembourg

New York, NY

Cafe Terracotta

Littleton, CO

Campfire

Carlsbad, CA

Canoe

Atlanta, GA

Casa Nostra Ristorante

Westlake Village, CA

Cesarina

San Diego, CA

Citron Bistro

Vero Beach, FL

Coast Guard House

Narragansett, RI

Coastal Fish Company

Memphis, TN

Coastal Kitchen

Dana Point, CA

Coasterra

San Diego, CA

Continental Naples

Naples, FL

Copley's on Palm Canyon

Palm Springs, CA

Del Vino Vineyards

Northport, NY

Dog Watch Cafe

Stonington, CT

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

Longboat Key, FL

Duke's Beach House Maui

Lahaina, HI

Echo & Rig Steakhouse & Butcher Shop

Las Vegas, NV

El Chorro

Paradise Valley, CA

El Dorado Kitchen

Sonoma, CA

EPIC Steak

San Fransisco, CA

FARM

Palm Springs, CA

Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens

Corona Del Mar, CA

Fia

Santa Monica, CA

Fleetwood's On Front Street

Lahaina, HI

Foreign Cinema

San Fransisco, CA

Girl & the Goat L.A.

Los Angeles, CA

Gracias Mardre

West Hollywood, CA

Hardware

North Aurora, IL

Istanbul Hawaii

Honolulu, HI

Izanami

Santa Fe, NM

Jeune et Jolie

Carlsbad, CA

Kyle G's Prime Seafood

Jensen Beach, FL

L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

Los Angeles, CA

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Great Falls, VA

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana

San Fransisco, CA

Latitudes Key West

Key West, FL

Le Diplomate

Washington, DC

Lon's at the Hermosa

Paradise Valley, AZ

Los Andes Restaurant

Providence, RI

Mala Ocean Tavern

Lahaina, HI

Mariposa

Sedona, AZ

Mediterrano

Naples, FL

Mister A's

San Diego, CA

Mitch's on El Paseo Prime Seafood

Palm Desert, CA

Olive & Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace

Scottsdale, AZ

Ophelia's on the Bay

Sarasota, FL

Pacific Coast Grill

Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA

Palace

Miami Beach, FL

Piccolo Sogno

Chicago, IL

Poseidon

Del Mar, CA

Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar

Huntington, NY

Raintree Restaurant

St. Augustine, FL

RH Rooftop Restaurant

New York, NY

Rive House Restaurant & Raw Bar

Louisville, KY

Ruthie's All-Day

Arlington, VA

Salty's on the Columbia

Portland, OR

Spencer's Restaurant

Palm Springs, CA

Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

Austin, TX

Tavern on the Green

New York, NY

Terrain Cafe

Glen Mills, PA

The Black Whale

New Bedford, MA

The Boathouse

Lake Buena Vista, FL

The Front Yard

North Hollywood, CA

The Mooring Restaurant

Newport, RI

The Twisted Olive

Green, OH

The Village Bakery & Cafe

Woodside, CA

Tin Roof Bistro

Manhattan Beach, CA

Tisha's

Cape May, NJ

Toms Hams Lighthouse

San Diego, CA

Ulele

Tampa, FL

Vivace Restaurant

Tucson, AZ

Waterbar

San Francisco, CA

Wildflower

Tuscon, AZ

Zaytinya

Washington, DC

Zinc Bistro

Scottsdale, AZ

Charlotte Outdoor Patios

The high is 80 degrees today, and yes it's March 3rd. I'm loving every second of this (and to my boss, if I'm MIA this afternoon it's because I'm working by my pool). So, if you're anything like me this weather has you dying to be outside. I'm actually meeting a friend for dinner and drinks tonight and I will be going somewhere that I can sit outside. But who has the best outdoor patios in Charlotte? I'm not quite sure I'm qualified to answer that (though I'll happily do a study and try them all out). But I can tell you some of my favorites. Here are 15 of the ones, in a variety of neighborhoods, on my list to visit this spring and summer.

Some of these are breweries (ok a lot are), some have food and drinks, others are known for their wine, but all have one thing in common. Their outdoor spaces. Whether it's a rooftop, table service, or some picnic tables you can enjoy the outdoors and gorgeous views! Know of a patio I missed? Please let me know I'd love to check it out as well.

15 Outdoor Patios In Charlotte

Brazwells (Montford)

Selywn Pub (Myers Park)

Dilworth Tasting Room (DIlworth)

Legion Brewing (Plaza Midwood)

Devils Logic (Midtown)

Sycamore Brewing (Southend)

Superica (Southend)

RuRu's Tacos & Tequila (Myers Park)

Catawba Brewing (Plaza Midwood)

Graham Street Pub (Uptown)

Barcelona Wine Bar (Southend)

Ed's Tavern (Dilworth)

Suffolk Punch (Southend)

Midnight Mulligans (West End)

Brewers At 4001 Yancey (LoSo)

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.