The Fall and Winter Patio Dining Guide: What's Heated and What's Covered

The Annie Cafe & Bar has a well-appointed and heated patio.
Image: Jenn Duncan
Rejoice, fair Houstonians: Patio season is truly here, inviting us to dine outdoors in rather comfortable weather. Emphasis on rather, because as we've seen, that weather can also be quite chilly ... or downright cold, depending on your adjustment level. Luckily, just about everyone who operates a restaurant in this city knows that once the cooler temperatures start hitting, a few strategically placed heaters and some well-placed covers can do wonders for the patio experience.
We've put together a list of restaurants across the Bayou City that not only have patios, but also the necessary means to keep you warm and cozy as fall settles in.
Downtown
Xochi: The upscale Mexican restaurant from Hugo Ortega has a heated, covered patio.
East Downtown
8th Wonder Brewery: The fan-favorite brewery has patio heaters, perfect to enjoy a Rocket Fuel and some Buffalo chicken fries from longtime food truck Eatsie Boys.
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation: Get a timeless meal out on the heated patio. Fajitas and margs, anyone?
East Washington Avenue
B&B Butchers & Restaurant: You can sit inside the covered patio that can be closed on all sides. It also has plenty of heat.
B.B. Lemon: The patio is covered and can be closed on all sides. There are several heaters out there, perfect to enjoy a burger or some hearty French onion soup.
Xin Chao: Curious about the new restaurant from Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen? Walk up to sit outside on the patio with umbrellas and mushroom heaters.
Fourth Ward
Bludorn: There are heaters on the patio, but we're told that the chef-driven restaurant from Aaron Bludorn will be upgrading the heaters next week.
Heights
Mico's Hot Chicken: The popular hot chicken spot, which opened its brick-and-mortar structure in 2020, will have heaters on its 4,000-square-foot patio within the next several days. You can also play oversized games like Connect Four and Jenga.
Hyde Park
Backstreet Cafe: Find portable heaters on the patio at Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega's longtime contemporary American and Mexican spot. Not every table will have accessible heating, though.
Katy
Molina's Cantina: The Katy/Fulshear location has heaters on the patio.
Memorial Area
Bistro 555: There are about six tables out front of the rejuvenated French restaurant, and the area includes mushroom heaters. Plus, it's covered by an overhang.
Jonathan's The Rub Memorial Green: The large patio is uncovered, but it has plenty of heaters. Enjoy a big chop out there.
Liberty Kitchen at the Treehouse: There's a patio, and, folks, it's covered.
Midtown
Brennan's of Houston: Feel free to live it up, as the courtyard at one of Houston's most historic restaurants has heaters.
Montrose
Candente: The oh-so-cozy Tex-Mex spot has outdoor seating with mushroom heaters. Plus, the space is covered on all sides.
Doris Metropolitan: Enjoy superb steak and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sides on the heated patio.
The Hay Merchant: The patio at Chris Shepherd's gastropub has heaters built into the ceiling and curtains that can protect the area from wind, rain, and anything else ...
Hugo's: While the patio at Hugo's isn't covered, there are heaters for some tables.
La Grange: Known for one of the best patios in the city, perfect for a margarita and chips and green chili queso, La Grange keeps it warm with heaters at all alcoves and with fire pits sprinkled throughout.
One Fifth Mediterranean: Dip that pita into some Turkish hummus out in the open because One Fifth has the Lexus Patio. Bring your own blanket and consider wearing an ugly sweater—each night the staff picks a favorite cold-weather accessory or piece of clothing of the evening.
UB Preserv: There's a small patio out front, and it's covered.
Museum District
Lucille's: Chef-owner Christopher Williams has been using his patio to great success during the Covid-19 pandemic. For chilly weather, he has put in some heaters; plus, guests are asked to BYOB—bring your own blanket—to maintain the appropriate level of coziness. There's live jazz on the patio at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday.
Northside
Monkey's Tail: The popular bar has a heated patio with plenty of seating.
River Oaks
Ouisie's Table: Heaters using renewable energy are going into the classic Southern restaurant's two gardens, which seat 30 people altogether.
Upper Kirby
Goode Co. Barbecue: The longtime haunt for classic Central Texas barbecue has a patio with fixed heaters attached to the roof above.
Goode Co. Taqueria: The spacious indoor patio has heaters, while the outdoor patio has mushroom heaters.
Kata Robata: The sunroom at one of the city's most popular restaurants is fully enclosed.
Uptown
The Annie Cafe & Bar: Enjoy Robert Del Grande's work on the swanky and heated patio.
Caracol: You can sit near heat on the patio, but not every table has accessible heating.
Étoile Cuisine et Bar: The small patio here has several heaters and large umbrellas.
The Original Ninfa's Uptown: The patio here is heated, so dip into that queso and feel a little warm
The Woodlands
Goode Co. Kitchen Cantina: In The Woodlands, sit outside under heaters that are attached to the roof.
Multiple Locations
Dish Society: All locations of the casual neighborhood eatery has heaters on their patios.
Hungry's: Both the Rice Village and Memorial locations of the stalwart, health-forward neighborhood restaurant have heaters on their patios.
Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen: Both locations have patios; at Woodway Drive, it's semi-enclosed with 10 tables, while at Eldridge Parkway, it's an open patio with 10 tables.