Patio season: 5 steps to comfy and practical outdoor dining
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Warm weather and sunshine give restaurants a golden opportunity to boost their revenue and attract customers looking for an al fresco dining experience. Patio season is more than just a vibe: Outdoor seating opens a whole world of options for restaurants to expand their repertoire and their customer base.
Restaurants that capitalize on the seasonal shift to sunny days and balmy evenings can see a significant boost in revenue: Investing in your outdoor patio can return a surprising 65% profit on your investment.
Let’s talk about ways to make the most of patio season, including how to create an inviting outdoor dining area, update your menu for al fresco dining, and market your patio to attract customers. Whether you’re new to the industry or an old hand, your patio is about to get leveled up.
1. Get your restaurant patio ready
Making your patio beautiful and inviting starts with the basics. Check out our article on restaurant patio ideas for concepts, but here are key areas to pay attention to.
Figure out your space
Before diving into design and decor, take a critical look at your available outdoor area. Consider factors like:
- Size and potential layout, e.g., seating capacity and table sizes
- Sun exposure and shade options
- Proximity to kitchen and bar areas
- Noise levels from nearby streets or other businesses
- Local zoning laws and permit requirements
Understanding all potentials will help you make informed decisions about how to best use your space. For example, if your patio gets direct sunlight during peak dining hours, you’ll want to invest in quality umbrellas or a retractable awning so your guests don’t sweat into their margaritas.
Design for comfort and ambiance
A nicely designed patio encourages guests to stay a while. Creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere is key to getting the patio season feeling right. Key elements to consider include:
- Comfortable, weather-resistant outdoor furniture as well as picnic tables
- Good lighting for evening dining like string lights
- Heaters and fire pits for cooler nights
- Greenery and plants for an organic outdoor feel
- Decorations that complement your restaurant brand aesthetic
Your patio ideally should feel like an extension of your indoor dining area—but more relaxed and comfortable. Use similar color schemes and design elements to keep it consistent while adding touches that embellish the outdoorsy vibe.
Weather- and bug-proofing
Weather happens. Bugs happen, too. If you’re in an area where both are common (e.g., anywhere that’s not Southern California) you’ll want to be prepared. Look to retractable awnings or coverings, create a covered bar area for rain, and consider offering blankets to guests if needed. For bugs, citronella candles and tiki torches can help keep them at bay—though no outdoor area is truly bug-proof.
Know local laws and ordinances (especially for pets)
In addition to noise considerations and zoning, one of the most common questions you’ll encounter is whether or not pets are allowed. The answer will be up to you as well as to local ordinances. Dog owners love to bring their pets to get some fresh air while eating, and it can make for a social venue for pet lovers. In general, the more relaxed a restaurant is, the more appropriate pets are in the outdoor dining space. A fine dining restaurant may not want pets climbing on their patio furniture.
2. Revamp your menu for patio season
Patio dining can lead to a variety of new choices for customers, since certain dishes go well with the warm time of the year. Expanding or adapting your menu items to reflect seasonal influences will help jazz up your service.
Seasonal ingredients and dishes
Embrace the flavors of the spring and summer months by incorporating seasonal produce, grilled options, and lighter fare. Consider:
- Fresh salads featuring local greens and vegetables
- Grilled dishes that give a homey, backyard barbecue feel
- Chilled soups like gazpacho for hot days
- Fruit-based desserts including seasonal berries or summery fruits like peaches
Tap into your location and make your menu reflect the spring and summer season flavors where you are. Doing so will also help you keep food costs lower while providing ample marketing opportunities.
Refreshing drink options
Outdoor dining calls for crisp, refreshing drinks. Some options to include in your drink menu include:
- Craft cocktails, especially ones that are herb- and fruit-forward
- Sangrias and wine spritzers
- Flavored lemonades and infused iced teas
- Local craft beers and cider
- Non-alcoholic options like house-made sodas, mocktails, or fresh fruit juices
Shareable plates and small bites
Adding shareable plates and small bites like appetizers or tasting flights encourages a leisurely and friendly feeling. Doing so can also boost overall restaurant sales via larger checks, since group dining fits perfectly with the concept. Both group dining and tasting flights are some of the biggest trends for 2025. Some ideas to consider:
- Charcuterie and cheese boards
- DIY taco or slider platters
- Tapas-style small plates
- Shared seafood platters
- Dip platters with veggies and chips
Special patio promotions
Lean into the al fresco life with special outdoors-only offers. For example:
- Weekly sunset specials featuring discounted appetizers and drinks
- Weekend brunch menus exclusively for patio diners
- Happy hour specials
- Chef’s tasting menus showcasing seasonal ingredients
These promotions can help drive traffic and make for unique marketing points to set you apart from competitors.
3. Train up seasonal staff
You may need to hire seasonal staff to take on extra work outdoors. Since outdoor staffing is a bit different than indoors, consider specific differences that need extra training.
Outdoor dining service challenges and changes
Bugs, weather, heat, and customer comfort all make outdoor dining different. Train staff to pay extra attention to customer needs outdoors, starting with a watchful eye and anticipating potential changes. Have a protocol in place for bad weather, for example, so staff don’t need to ask what to do when it starts raining or gnats begin to swarm your outdoor lighting.
Additionally, consider ways to adapt service. For example: How to keep hot food hot and cold drinks cold outdoors? Furthermore, train staff to upsell and suggest weather-appropriate menu items.
Health and safety protocols are also different outdoors. Surfaces and furniture need to be regularly cleaned to stay ahead of health codes (and prevent guests from getting icked out).
Consider what your staff wear as well. Encourage light clothing for summer months as well as good shoes and sun protection. Consider providing hats with your logo on them as part of the uniform for patio staff.
4. Promote your outdoor dining area
Marketing your outdoor space is as important as building it in the first place. Restaurant owners can take multiple approaches to dive into patio season and garner excitement around the space.
Reservations and guaranteed seating
Customers will want to be able to book specific patio seating arrangements—so let them! Yelp Guest Manager customers can now offer guaranteed seating for reservations, allowing customers to get just the table they want. Whether it’s a couple looking for a romantic secluded corner or a group looking for a large table, the choices are up to you (and them).
Social media opportunities
Your restaurant patio will provide ample opportunities for social media promotions. Get the buzz going with posts that showcase your patio. Ideas:
- Share stunning photos and videos of your outdoor space
- Post about seasonal menu items and patio-exclusive offerings
- Encourage user-generated content via social media contests like best photo competitions
- Offer and promote giveaways and special events
Hosting events
A patio is perfect for hosting events that attract customers of all types. Some event concepts to consider:
- Host live music featuring local bands and artists
- Collaborate with local breweries and wineries for tastings
- Participate or host neighborhood food festivals or outdoor markets
- Partner with nearby hotels to offer patio dining packages for tourists
- Hold community events like charity fundraisers
These events and partnerships can attract new customers while positioning your restaurant as a cornerstone of the community.
5. Make your patio efficient with tech
Your patio can be a big selling point if done right. When guests are filling tables, you’ll want to make sure your staff have all the tools they need. This means mobile POS systems for fast order taking and payment processing, reservation and waitlist systems for busy nights, and flexible floor plan options.
Yelp Guest Manager does all that—making life easy for customers, staff, and restaurant owners. The whole point of patio season is to have a pleasant experience, and that goes for everyone.
Want to see how Guest Manager can work with your outdoor seating area? Reach out to us for a free demo. We can’t wait to hear about your patio.