Best Patios for a Summer Evening
7 stops · about 4 hours · Updated October 12, 2026
A summer evening in Grand Rapids, MI can start with gluten-free food and dog-friendly outdoor seating at Papa Chops Eatery. Its menu includes pizza, burgers, salads, and wraps, plus vegan and vegetarian choices, and it stays open until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For an earlier outdoor meal, Real Food Cafe serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch with table service, daily specials, and coffee and tea; this daytime-only diner closes at 2 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends.
The other stops bring distinct food and drink options to your summer plans. Go Vegan GR serves an entirely plant-based menu, including handhelds, comfort food, and dessert, until 8 p.m. daily. Pietro’s Italian Restaurant pairs handmade ravioli and thin-crust pizza with a lengthy wine list. Speciation Cellars offers oak-aged sours, lagers, and pale ales alongside seltzer, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks. Two James Spirits serves craft cocktails, with Wednesday-through-Saturday hours extending to 11 p.m. Eastern Kille Wealthy focuses on seasonal and classic cocktails made with Michigan-made small-batch spirits, staying open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Patios
evening
Stop 1
Go Vegan GR
4.9(310)Grand Rapids
Go Vegan GR serves an entirely plant-based menu of handhelds, comfort food, and desserts, with casual counter service and daily hours until 8 p.m.
Stop 2
Papa Chops Eatery
4.7(700)Grand Rapids
Papa Chops Eatery combines dog-friendly outdoor seating with gluten-free pizza, burgers, salads, and wraps, plus vegan options and a children’s menu.
Stop 3
Real Food Cafe
4.6(1928)Grand Rapids
Real Food Cafe offers outdoor seating and table service for daytime meals, with a broad American menu, daily specials, coffee, and tea.
Stop 4
Pietro's Italian Restaurant
4.5(2212)Grand Rapids
Pietro’s Italian Restaurant serves handmade ravioli and thin-crust pizza in a rustic setting, with a lengthy wine list and reservations accepted.
Beer outside
evening
Stop 5
Speciation Cellars
4.9(355)Grand Rapids
Speciation Cellars offers oak-aged sours, lagers, and pale ales alongside seltzer, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks, with an on-site bar and free street parking.
Stop 6
Two James Spirits - Grand Rapids
4.9(188)Grand Rapids
Stop 7
Eastern Kille Wealthy
4.9(179)Grand Rapids
Eastern Kille Wealthy makes seasonal and classic cocktails with Michigan-made small-batch spirits and house-crafted liqueurs, staying open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
