Alpharetta’s Al Fresco Dining Scene Is Everything

The right ambiance can take a dining experience from good to great, and now is the perfect time of year to elevate those mealtime vibes by taking it outside. Translation: Al fresco is everything right now, and Alpharetta is home to dozens of restaurants boasting sun-dappled porches and cozy patios. Whether it’s a rooftop bar serving ice-cold craft brews or a sweet outdoor spot to rosé all day with your besties, you’ll find plenty of awesome options to get your al fresco on in Alpharetta.

1. Tuscany Café and Bistro

This casually elegant Alpharetta gem is tucked amongst a village setting near North Point Mall. Reminiscent of an Italian sidewalk café, Tuscany Café and Bistro offers plenty of nooks and crannies to cozy up for an intimate lunch. Get there early to find yourself on the porch, and make sure to order a glass of crisp, white wine to accompany their famed hummus appetizer and jerk salmon salad entrée.

2. Local Expedition Wood Fired Grill

When you’re in search of bold flavors with global flair, this Windward dining experience allows you to traverse the world one dish at a time. Local Expedition packs locally sourced ingredients into their street corn, falafels, clear Asian noodles, wood-grilled pork, and more. Try something new, grab a glass bottle Jones Soda (is there a better throwback beverage?), and take to their outdoor seating for a lunch you’ll be raving about for weeks to come.

3. Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Bar

If you’ve never taken time out of a sunny afternoon to indulge in a craft beer paired with Barleygarden’s housemade soft pretzel at this chill rooftop bar setting, you’ve just been assigned the kind of homework we can all get behind. Rotating taps (more than 60!) and bites that pair perfectly with whatever brew you’re into reach next-level status thanks to prime views of Avalon from a rooftop vantage point.

4. Citizen Soul

This eatery fuses Cali cuisine with Southern heart and soul, and we’re here for it. Oh, and in May 2020, Citizen Soul earned the esteemed distinction of Best Outdoor Patio in Alpharetta by a landslide 40% of the votes (voted by Atlanta Journal Constitution readers). Located in the heart of Downtown Alpharetta and offering plenty of covered outdoor seating, Citizen Soul impresses with everything from their seasonal charcuterie boards to their short rib and every mixologist-prepared cocktail in between. Whatever you do, do NOT miss out on their Herb Duck Fries loaded with fresh Parmesan cheese, herbs, and an oregano aioli. The secret is out with Citizen Soul—so be sure to snag a reservation!

5. Minnie Olivia Pizzeria

Innovation meets tradition at this Roswell Street staple for epic wood-fired pizza and handmade pastas. Post up and wine down in their outdoor dining space while you try to decide which pizza and/or pasta to indulge in. The Georgia mushroom pie is a must, but you truly can’t go wrong with any of the toppings when they’re served on such an epic, Neapolitan crust with a hint of sourdough bite. On the days when you’ve gotta carb-load, Minnie Olivia’s pizza with panache is the way to go.

6. Café Intermezzo

Café Intermezzo can best be described as a romantic coffee and dessert haven. Imagine you’re on the best first date of your life and you simply can’t stand the thought of it ending. Enter Café Intermezzo for a foamy cappuccino and a slice of double chocolate cake with butterscotch cream frosting to extend the evening just a bit longer. Elevate the entire experience by enjoying your sweet treat under the stars at Café Intermezzo’s outdoor patio, and you’re practically guaranteed a second date (ahem, you’re welcome).

It’s patio season, Alpharetta! Take the break you deserve with an adult beverage and a lovely view of the world around you. Click here for more epic lunch, dinner, and brunch al fresco arrangements.