10 new Twin Cities area patios to check out before summer scooches by

There is no better way to spend a warm-weather day than on a patio set with greenery, florals, just enough shade and a parade of plates and icy cold drinks.

Every summer, restaurants debut fresh landscaping, colorful umbrellas and new menus while dancing with weather-forecast fortunes. This year, the al fresco dining options are better than ever.

They include ancient cobblestone pathways and loaded lazy susans. There are punchbowls in the sun and goblets of frosé in the shade. And there are lush settings worthy of crossing the road construction gauntlet that accompanies our warmest season.

Here are our top 10 new patios for the summer of 2025 — so far.

This modern take on a supper club that rolled out on the Minneapolis riverfront last fall has just added a sprawling 100-seat back patio with European piazza vibes. Brick-lined with striped and colorful umbrellas, flower beds and wrought iron tables and chairs, the outdoor space feels as classic and timeless as its surroundings. On Wednesday evenings, the patio scene gets amped up with yacht rock music night. Weekend brunch is now available, so there are more hours to enjoy dining al fresco — or inside the restaurant, for that matter.

Order the Lazy Susan for starters, a carefully curated mix of meats, cheeses, pickled items and dips, including a delicious smoked fish spread. And if you’re into cocktails, the program here is top-tier as far as newcomers to the scene. (Nancy Ngo)

25 SE. Main St., Mpls., asterhousempls.com

2900 NE. Johnson St., Mpls., blackduckmpls.com

Talk about a winning way to enjoy a summer day. Boardwalk’s massive 300-seat, 18,000-square-foot patio alongside Canterbury Park’s racetrack has a wraparound bar, turf grass, TV screens, games and kids’ play areas. There are several seating options, too, with the addition of umbrella-covered picnic tables, fireside couches and Adirondack chairs.

The menu is just as varied. Highlights include fresh pasta and wood-fired entrees. There’s a Southern accent, with shareables like pimento cheese and shrimp hush puppies, and several dishes that lean to the sea — calamari, smoked salmon, oysters, mussels, crabcakes and more. Don’t miss the house focaccia. Drinks include fun specialty cocktails and a selection of spritzes, beer (including neighbor Badger Hill Brewing) and NA options. Truly something for everyone. (Nicole Hvidsten)

1125 Shenandoah Drive, Shakopee, boardwalkmn.com

The North Loop restaurant’s shiny new 120-seat Butcher & the Boar patio carves out multiple spaces to suit a variety of moods. There’s a covered outdoor bar area (complete with frosé/frozen rose machines) or loungey booth seats with overhead fans for those seeking shade and cool. If you’re looking for fun in the sun, head to the lawn area. But if you change your mind, umbrellas are on hand and ready to be pitched, just say the word. When the sun sets, the soft glow of string lights helps set the mood. There’s a separate menu for the patio, where salads, finger foods, handhelds and other casual fare such as brats, burgers and smoked meats are served. Then there’s our favorite: Crispy Thai Sausage Spring Roll ($17 for four), deep-fried pork egg rolls with bright Thai basil and lemongrass notes. (N.N.)

Lake Minnetonka now has another dockside patio thanks to the addition of this restaurant in the new Shoreline Hotel. Arrive by car or boat and nab a seat at one of the colorful umbrella-topped tables. Then enjoy vistas of the lake, watch boats dock at the 32-slip marina and give in to Cabana Anna’s relaxed beach vibes. The menu features Florida Coastal cuisine with dishes such as frito misto de mare as well as and plenty of tropical drinks, further setting the tone. Come early or stay late — the place is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (N.N.)

4165 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, cabanaannas.com

Aster House isn’t the only new riverfront restaurant with a patio to show off. Whereas the former has a classic Old World feel, the nearby Cabana Club (not to be confused with Cabana Anna) brings contemporary resort-style vibes and global cuisine. Every time we’ve visited or passed by this summer, the patio is hopping, just like it did when the space was Vic’s restaurant. While carrying on the tradition of being a patio destination — L-shaped wooden deck overlooking Nicollet Island, the Mississippi River and all — Cabana Club has made it their own with straw umbrella tents to carry that resort theme outside. (N.N.)

201 SE. Main St., Mpls., cabanaclubmpls.com

Lowertown St. Paul’s neighborhood hangout is back and it may be better than ever. Its new owners brought the space back from closure, and the group that also has St. Paul Brewing knows a thing or two about creating a patio oasis. The alleyway is tucked off E. 7th Street, easy walking distance to CHS Field. Chef Shane Oporto pours his years of fine-dining and St. Paul experience into the menu with pizzas, a serious burger and more crowd-pleasers. (J.S.)

Eloise might be across the street and over the train tracks from the sparkling waters, but we’ll take a Lake Minnetonka view when and where we can get one. Especially during peak summer, when it seems everyone is out to stroll, eat and drink along the promenade. It was easy to grab a spot on the petite streetside patio of the supper clubby Eloise, neighboring the packed Grocer’s Table. Tables are small, which means small-bites only. But they don’t hold back on the large-format cocktails, with $40 rotating punchbowls that can serve a crowd. The night we went, it was peach sangria. (Sharyn Jackson)

326 Broadway Av. S., Wayzata, eloisemn.com

The second outpost of Daniel del Prado’s pizza-centered restaurant opened earlier this summer with a sweet green space tucked between the condo buildings that surround it and neighboring Surdyk’s. The greenery, landscaping and midday sun eases into shaded evenings, all overlooking the activity on E. Hennepin Avenue. The menu of pizzas, charred veggies, select small plates and cocktails are the same as the original Linden Hills location, and it’s worth noting that there are gluten-friendly flatbread and pizza crusts available. (J.S.)

333 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., rosaliapizza.com

One of the buzziest restaurants of 2025 has ushered in the al fresco dining season with a new 24-seat backyard patio, lined with flower beds and featuring a pergola draped with twinkle lights. And we can’t think of a better way to complement the east suburban restaurant’s very original margaritas and bright interpretations on Mayan cuisine. Highly recommended are the fried Brussels sprouts with deep-fried pork belly to accompany casual taco spins and knife-and-fork entrees, such as chicken in pepián, pork shank achiote and short rib in chile demi-glace. In addition to tequilas and other spirit-forward drinks, there’s also a sizable spirit-free drink menu that’s just as ambitious and fun to explore, using the same approach of extracting flavors out of ingredients to create fresh-as-can-be syrups, juices and more. (N.N.)