Local Restaurants Named Best Patios In The Country

There are many outdoor patios in Tucson.Jarritos Mexican Soda/Unsplash

Tucson has no shortage of fantastic restaurants with expansive patios where guests can eat and drink while taking in the fresh air. While the middle of summer might not be optimal for taking food outside, in just a few months the monsoon season will push the hot weather away and it will be the opportune time to head outside with your meals. But with so many restaurants with outdoor patios which are the very best in the Old Pueblo? Restaurant News recently compiled a list of the very best restaurants for outdoor dining in the country, and several in Tucson made the list.

According to Restaurant News, the number of restaurants with outdoor seating grew by 54 percent from pre-pandemic numbers. With over 13.6 million restaurants in the country offering outdoor eating options, Restaurant News developed a specific methodology to pinpoint the best of the best. This includes overall OpenTable user ratings, the total number of reviews given, seated reservations made, as well as several other factors. This led to over 25 states receiving at least one restaurant on the top 100 restaurants list, although California saw the most with 37 restaurants, followed distantly by Florida with 11. Arizona itself tallied eight restaurants, two of which are in Tucson.

Vivace Restaurant

Best known for offering one of the very best views in the city, Vivace Restaurant offers Northern Italian food as well as a rather extensive wine list. Several of the main plate menu items included Grilled Chicken with Eggplant and Mushroom, Eggplant Lasagna, Osso Buco, and Stuffed Pork Chop.

Reservations for the restaurant are highly recommended. Vivace Restaurant is located at 6440 North Campbell Avenue (right at the intersection of Skyline). Thanks to its location near the Catalina Foothills, it offers an excellent view of the city below.

Wildflower

Wildflower is the second Tucson restaurant to be ranked for its excellent outdoor eating experience. The restaurant, which is located at 7037 North Oracle Road, is away from much of the hustle and bustle of Tucson, thanks to its location close to Oro Valley. For individuals who want to eat outside and be away from the city noise, Wildflower may be an excellent option.

The restaurant, which serves “New American” cuisine, has a menu that includes a number of specialties, including Braised Beef Short Rib, Mesquite Grilled Cheeseburger, Lemongrass Skewered Scallops, and Short Rib Ravioli.

For anyone interested in viewing the entire list, as well as the other six Arizona restaurants, the full 100 restaurants are showcased on the Restaurant News website.