Table for Sun, Please!
As summer winds to a close, patio season is making the most of late summer. With warm evenings, scenic views, and lingering daylight, outdoor dining offers the perfect excuse to slow down, enjoy a great meal, and savor one of the season's final long weekends.
A road trip across the state proves there's no shortage of places where outdoor dining steals the show, whether you're wrapping up a family getaway or simply stretching the holiday weekend a little longer.
Five Patios Worth the Drive
In Nashville, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden has earned its loyal following with burgers, house-made phosphate sodas, handcrafted wursts, and one of the city's best-known beer gardens. The spacious outdoor setting feels more neighborhood hangout than tourist stop, making it easy to settle in for an unhurried afternoon.
Head east to Knoxville, where Lakeside Tavern overlooks Fort Loudoun Lake from its waterfront patio at Sun Life Marina. As the sun starts dropping behind the shoreline, diners get front-row seats to one of East Tennessee's prettiest evening views while enjoying everything from fresh seafood to steaks and sandwiches. The lake itself, created by the Fort Loudoun Dam on the Tennessee River, has long been a centerpiece of recreation in the region, giving the restaurant an unmistakably local backdrop.
In Chattanooga, Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar pairs Tennessee River views with Appalachian-inspired cooking and wood-fired specialties. Sitting along the Riverwalk, its covered patio lets guests sample oysters, seafood, or a signature margarita while boats drift by. It's the sort of place where conversations naturally last longer than planned.
Memphis offers a different kind of waterfront escape at Coastal Fish Company, tucked inside Shelby Farms Park. The lakeside patio brings together fresh seafood, steaks, and one of the city's most scenic park settings, making it easy to turn dinner into an evening stroll after the plates are cleared.
The trip finishes in Franklin at Culaccino Italian Restaurant + Bar, where house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a roomy patio create an atmosphere that encourages one more glass of wine and one more story before heading home.
Soak up the season
The end of summer doesn't have to revolve around packed festivals or elaborate plans. Sometimes the best way to celebrate the end of summer is simply claiming a patio table, watching the daylight fade, and remembering that summer still has a few good evenings left. Whether you're overlooking a river, a lake, or a lively neighborhood beer garden, these stops remind us that some of the state's best views come with a menu.
For more places to enjoy a meal and a sunset, check out https://www.guidetotennessee.com/food-drink.
