PATIO DINING SPOTS WE LOVE Al Fresco Favorites

No matter the season, patio dining in Brookhaven is always popular and in-demand. From foodie favorites to local hideaways, they’re also where you’ll find some of the best dishes in town. At Haven Restaurant and Bar, heaters and wind barriers ensure the patio stays busy year-round, and the ambiance is always just right. Patrons come back time and again for the delicious wine selection and signature cocktails like the Pear Collins and Haven Hog, not to mention the killer entrees, like mussels in chipotle, tomato, and bacon broth.

Kaleidoscope, a tried and true neighborhood favorite, especially when it comes to patio seating, serves up eclectic eats the chef refers to as “global comfort food.” All meat is antibiotic and hormone free, and much of the produce is sourced from local farms.

Tin Roof Cantina boasts one of the largest patios in the city, where guests enjoy live music and an outdoor gaming courtyard with washers, cornhole, ping pong, and darts, plus a photo booth and internet jukebox. Open late seven days a week, you can grab some Tex-Mex and a drink while you watch open mic comedy or throw down some karaoke.

For pizza al fresco, Avellino’s Pizzeria has you covered with an all-weather patio. It’s the perfect setting to savor one of their wood-fired pizzas, like the Polpetta–mozzarella, ricotta, meatball, cremini mushroom, and fresh basil–ziti al forno, or a slice of Limoncello cake.

Sushi tastes that much fresher in the fresh air, and The One Sushi+ makes rolls worth writing about. For a detour from the traditional, try the Selfie Roll–fresh salmon, cucumber, greens with ponzu, cherry tomatoes, and garlic aioli, or the OMG–fried jalapeno, spicy and fresh salmon, avocado, tuna, and tobiko. Their Bento boxes, including Yellowtail Sashimi, Mixed Nigiri, and Bang Bang Shrimp, among others, are excellent choices for lunch, and for cocktails try the Beehive, with lunazul reposado, ginger, lime, yuzu, and buzz flower.

When you’re craving Indian, nothing else will do. Moon Cuisine’s homey curries, tandoori dishes, and other classics are served in this local favorite spot, complete with a patio. Everything from the Bhindi Masala to the Chicken Chettinad, cooked in black pepper, curry leaves, and coconut, comes out hot and fresh.

Pancho's Mexican Restaurant on Buford Highway is a true local hang and hole in the wall, home of the Monster Margarita as well as kid-friendly specials and a patio with string lights to enjoy tequilas, salsa, chips, and fajitas into the evening.

PURE Taqueria counts not one but two “patios,” a traditional layout downstairs with high-top tables, plus a rooftop bar. Specializing in fresh and classic takes on margaritas with a wide range of tequilas and mezcals, PURE pairs delicious drinks with creative Mexican fare, including house-made tortillas.

If your appetite calls for both a patio and gourmet cuisine, you’ll find both at Petite Violette, with French Provençal cuisine under the trees and an atmosphere of warmth and charm throughout. Their wine list is worth a trip all its own, and the melt-in-your-mouth Boeuf Bourguignon is a time-honored staple.

Did someone say two patios? Along with their celebrated burgers (try the Dixie Style with pimento cheese, fried green tomato, Carolina cole slaw, and chipotle ranch), Grindhouse Killer Burgers serves up snacks like Dirty South Fries and boozy shakes like the Monkey Wrench- chocolate peanut butter malt with banana liqueur and vanilla vodka. The downstairs patio is open to all ages, and the upstairs open-air bar is 21+.

For even more patio favorites, check out “See Spot Stay: A Dog’s Guide to Brookhaven” in this issue and visit ExploreBrookhaven.com