Where to Eat Outside

You can dine with a view at Brenner's Steakhouse on the Bayou, a two-story hideaway along picturesque Buffalo Bayou.

Outdoor dining is on everyone’s mind when temperatures start to drop. Granted, humidity is still high in September, but it’s nothing that Texans can’t handle with rosé wine or sangria. Patio pioneers Backstreet Cafe, Brennan’s of Houston, El Pueblito, Original Goode Co. Barbeque, Brasil and Tiny Boxwoods lead the pack, but the city is jam-packed with al fresco options, including the following:

Go for people watching: El Big Bad’s patio overlooks Travis and Prairie, and when the 5 o’clock bell rings, downtown workers pour onto the streets like ants. Suddenly, the city comes alive, with birds chirping above the second floor of El Big Bad balcony, where there are about 65 seats, most of them occupied during happy hours. Chef Jonathan Jones is in charge of the comida, and he does so with finesse – as always – from the butternut squash empanada to the slow-roasted goat with pickled veggies. (419 Travis Houston, 713-229-8181).

Go for craft beers: The Hay Merchant patrons can fork into homemade bratwurst, boiled shrimp, sweet-and-spicy pig ears and gargantuan chicken-fried steaks while sipping a cold brew at this Westheimer attraction. Long picnic tables, fashioned from refurbished wood, line the patio with a view of downtown. Here, an eclectic Texas tavern menu is paired with 80 craft beers on tap, including five cask ales. (1100 Westheimer, 713-528-98050).

Go for the views: Brenner’s Steakhouse on the Bayou boasts one of the most scenic views inside the Loop. No wonder it’s coveted by so many brides. Perched above a wooded retreat along Buffalo Bayou, this upscale steak-and-seafood restaurant has a back deck that affords a view of a quaint, white gazebo, cascading waterfall and lush foliage. The idyllic scene makes a post-meal stroll a must. (1 Birdsall St., 713-868-4444).

Go for Sunday breakfast: Maria Selma Restaurant is an atypical Houston restaurant in the sense that most diners are on the patio rather than inside, even in the hottest months. This is because owner Rene Hidalgo successfully re-created a patio reminiscent of palapas in Acapulco. A beautiful thatched roof keeps diners cool while they sip frozen margaritas and chow down on huevos con chorizo sausage. (1617 Richmond Ave, 713-528-4920).

Go for late-night bites: The expansive upstairs patio at Rosemont Social Club blends two worlds. Marvelously cool, the open-air expanse above Uchi restaurant in the heart of Montrose is furnished with red-orange chaise sectionals that scream South Miami Beach while swaying palms and ornate canopies bring to mind sand-swept Morocco. Here, hipsters toast with Veuve Clicquot rosé and nibble on flatbreads, artisanal cheeses and meats along with hand-crafted cocktails. (910 Westheimer, 832-530-4698)