Writer / Content Creator Lara Pasotti
Petite Chou
@petitechoubistro
823 E. Westfield Blvd.
Diners can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner at French-bistro-styled Petite Chou. Located within a quiet pocket of Broad Ripple with views of the canal, their patio is always seasonally decorated with floral displays for an elevated and Instagram-worthy ambience. This patio is covered and pet friendly, too. It’s enclosed and heated during winter months for year-round enjoyment.
Apocalypse Burger
@apocalypseburger
115 E. 49th St.
Located just off the bustling 49th and Penn corner, Apocalypse Burger’s sidewalk patio is sure to be filled with loyal patrons demolishing their revenge burgers and spite snacks. This pet-friendly patio is quiet and simple – a subtle contrast to their cheeky, in-your-face branding. Grab a seat in the shade and enjoy a great playlist with your Smashpocalypse Burger (don’t forget the cheese fries).
Public Greens
@publicgreens
902 E. 64th St.
Drive, bike or walk up to this narrow oasis situated along the Monon Trail. Enjoy seasonal flavors while taking in some fresh air on the Public Greens deck with views of their working microfarm and bee hives (your dog can relish the view, too – this patio is pet friendly!). One hundred percent of profits are donated to the Patachou Foundation to fight food insecurity for kids, so this one is a no-brainer.
Gallery Pastry Shop
@gallerypastryshop
4573 N. College Ave.
Gallery Pastry Shop’s new spot at 46th and College boasts a large, heated patio surrounded by abundant gardens. It’s beautiful enough to tempt diners out of the gorgeous Instagram-worthy interior. This partially covered patio is great for families, groups of friends and romantic occasions. Guests can order brunch all day or dinner after 5 p.m. Don’t miss their creative craft cocktails, or $1 Oyster Happy Hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday through Friday!
Sidedoor Bagel
@sidedoorbagel
1103 E. 10th St.
Sidedoor’s yellow picnic tables with morning shade are not to be overlooked. This patio is the perfect pet- and family-friendly spot to enjoy an everything bagel without fear of leaving an unavoidable mess of seeds behind. Come prepared to share your table with fellow bagel lovers – this place is small but popular! On busy Saturdays, the crowd spills off this patio and onto the business’s steps and surrounding neighborhood benches.
Just Pop In!
@justpopin
6406 Cornell Ave.
The wraparound porch patio at Just Pop In! is polished with sophisticated amenities like hanging ferns and ceiling fans. But don’t take them too seriously – this patio is all about having fun in the heart of eclectic Broad Ripple. Here, guests can enjoy live performances, popcorn flights and seasonal menus in a creative atmosphere located just off the Monon Trail.
Provider
@providerindy
1101 E. 16th St.
The pet- and family-friendly patio at Provider is a popular one among caffeine-seeking city dwellers. This spacious, casual hangout is right along the Monon Trail and has plenty of room to hitch your bike or park your car. Adorned with seasonal planters and a pergola for shade, this spot also hosts frequent happenings with Tinker House Events (food trucks, live music and more), so keep an eye on their socials for updates.
Natural State Provisions
@naturalstateprovisions
414 Dorman St.
This patio newcomer is quickly becoming a favorite of downtowners. That’s likely thanks to a combination of their approachable menu of burgers, hot dogs and southern fare, and their canine-friendly patio, complete with a fully enclosed and free dog park. In addition to a fun space, Natural State Provisions also offers a full bar of beer (there’s a Pax Verum tasting room inside), cocktails and wine in addition to a frequently rotating flavor of soft serve doled out by cup or cone.
King Dough
@kingdoughindy
452 N. Highland Ave.
King Dough’s Near Eastside pizzeria is as adored for its stunning patio as it is for its Neapolitan-inspired pies. This hip neighborhood hangout is abundant with cool charm that wafts onto the patio when its garage doors are opened up. The patio boasts an industrial-meets-natural vibe with climbing vines and shade provided by umbrellas and a pergola. This family-friendly spot serves up a full bar and a killer playlist too.
BODHI
@bodhi.indy
922 Massachusetts Ave.
Lush, natural and serene aren’t words typically used to describe any spot along Mass Ave. However, the patio at BODHI is teeming with greenery – so much that it feels like an exotic oasis in the heart of the city. This Thai restaurant is 21 and over, and has an outstanding cocktail menu, making this beautiful patio the perfect friendly or romantic meetup spot. Choose your spice level cautiously and make sure your phone is charged – the space is as Instagrammable as the platings.
Garden Table – Mass Ave
@thegardentable
342 Massachusetts Ave.
This stylish, sunshine-filled patio is hard to miss if you’re exploring Mass Ave. That’s because it’s actually out on the street. Diners looking to be in the middle of the action are surrounded by city life and skyline views, but also lush, colorful plants in this clean and modern space. This pet- and family-friendly patio is always buzzing during weekend brunch hours when guests enjoy mimosas by the bucket in a fun and vibrant atmosphere.
Garden Table – Broad Ripple
@thegardentable
908 E. Westfield Blvd.
Broad Ripple is home to the original Garden Table location with a small but mighty outdoor seating area. Brunchers lucky enough to snag one of these tables in the heart of this arts district will discover Garden Table’s fresh fare and cold-pressed juices are even more delicious when dining al fresco. Good news for your pup – this handful of outdoor tables welcomes your furry friend!
Big Lug Canteen
@biglugcanteen
1435 E. 86th St.
Located in Nora and right along the Monon Trail, Big Lug’s patio is an enjoyable pit stop for foodies, beer enthusiasts and trail-goers alike. Live music every Thursday through Saturday adds to the already vibrant atmosphere. There’s ample bike and car parking at this dog- and family-friendly patio. Come for the seasonally rotating beers made on-site and stay for the irresistible scratch-made menu with weekly specials.
Half Liter BBQ
@halfliter_bbq
5301 Winthrop Ave., Suite B
Half Liter’s patio has a spacious layout that welcomes families and four-legged friends for brewed-on-site beer and inventive barbecue (Eddie’s Melt, anyone?) along the Monon Trail. With plenty of umbrellas and sunshades for comfort and a stage for live music every Friday and Saturday, diners will be ordering another round and something from the smoker off the made-from-scratch menu with fun food and drink specials.
Guggman Haus Brewing Co.
@guggmanhausbrewing
1701 Gent Ave.
Guggman Haus Brewing’s spacious beer garden is a seasonal standout. This family-friendly microbrewery is located just northwest of downtown Indy, and the dog-friendly patio is the perfect gathering spot for families and friend groups. Sip creative beers that were made on-site and order tasty grub from their own Cabin Kitchen. This casual spot also frequently hosts events and live music, so be sure to follow them on Instagram for updates.
Comments 2
If you are “North Indy Magazine”, why is there only one patio in your article actually on the north side? All the rest are Broad Ripple, near downtown and Mass Ave.
You missed one of the best patios on the north side – Cobblestone in Zionsville: beautiful New Orleans-esque patio with gorgeous gardens and live music Wed – Sat.
Thanks, Liz! I’d love to check it out sometime. This guide was focused on the magazine’s reach, which covers parts of North Indianapolis. As a resident of this area, I chose patios I frequently visit. Many of the suburbs have their own Towne Post edition– definitely check out Boone County Magazine.