Provo's outdoor dining scene has a natural advantage most cities can't match: the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop. On a clear evening from May through October, eating outside in Provo means mountain views, warm dry air, and sunsets that make even average food taste better. Fortunately, the food at these spots is well above average.
Here are the best places to eat outdoors in Provo and Orem, from rooftop cocktail spots to casual sidewalk cafés.
The Best Patios
Slate Restaurant — Rooftop
Mediterranean Small Plates · $$$ · Downtown Provo
The best outdoor dining experience in Provo, full stop. Slate's rooftop patio offers panoramic views of the mountains with the downtown skyline below. The Mediterranean small-plates format is perfectly suited to lingering outside — order four or five plates, a bottle of wine, and watch the sunset shift the light across the Wasatch range. The cocktails are well-crafted, and the evening atmosphere is the closest Provo gets to sophisticated without being pretentious.
The move: Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset for the best light. Reservations on the rooftop are limited — call ahead, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Best for: Date nights, special occasions, impressing visitors.
Slackwater
Gastropub · $$ · Riverwoods, Orem
Slackwater's patio at Riverwoods is one of the largest and most comfortable outdoor dining spaces in the valley. The seating area is well-designed with shade options, and the views of the surrounding mountains make it feel like you're eating somewhere more exotic than a shopping center in Orem. The creative pizzas, shareable plates, and craft cocktails are all solid, and the casual atmosphere works for everything from a weeknight dinner to a group celebration.
Best for: Groups, casual dinners, weekend afternoons.
Black Sheep Café — Sidewalk Seating
Southwestern · $$ · Center Street
Black Sheep's outdoor tables put you on Center Street with mountain views at the east end of the block. The Navajo taco or fry bread with honey butter tastes even better in the open air. The sidewalk seating is first-come, first-served during warm months and adds a European café feel to an already distinctive restaurant.
Best for: Lunch in the sun, casual dinner on a warm evening.
The Continental — Patio
New American · $$$ · Downtown
The Continental's outdoor space extends its moody, atmospheric vibe into the open air. It's a smaller patio than Slate or Slackwater, which makes it feel more intimate. The cocktail program shines here — creative drinks, warm evening air, and enough ambient energy to make a Tuesday feel like the weekend.
Best for: Cocktails outside, intimate date nights.
Solid Outdoor Options
Station 22 Café
$$ · Center Street
The converted firehouse has a small outdoor seating area that's pleasant during the warmer months. It's not a destination patio, but the combination of comfort food and fresh air works well for brunch or casual lunch.
Communal
$$$ · Center Street
Communal occasionally offers outdoor seating during peak warm weather. When available, eating the best farm-to-table food in Provo under open sky is an experience worth seeking out. Check when booking your reservation.
Guru's Café
$ · Center Street
Guru's outdoor tables are casual, colorful, and perfectly suited to the restaurant's bohemian energy. An açai bowl on the patio with morning sun is a genuinely pleasant way to start a day.
Brick Oven
$$ · Provo
Brick Oven's outdoor seating area gives families space to spread out while the kids enjoy pizza and homemade root beer. Not the most scenic patio, but practical and family-friendly.
Best Patio Experiences by Occasion
Romantic evening: Slate's rooftop at sunset. No contest.
Casual group dinner: Slackwater's patio. Space, good food, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Weekend brunch outside: Guru's Café or Station 22. Coffee, food, and sunshine.
After-work drinks: The Continental's patio. Cocktails and warm evening air.
Family dinner: Brick Oven or Slackwater. Both accommodate kids and have enough space to be comfortable.
Solo lunch with a book: Black Sheep sidewalk seating or Guru's patio. Low-key, good food, no pressure.
Patio Season Tips
May and June are the sweet spot — warm enough for outdoor dining, not yet at peak summer heat. Evening temperatures hover in the 60s and 70s.
July and August push daytime temperatures above 90°F. Dinner patios are comfortable; lunch patios can be hot. Look for shaded seating.
September and October are the underrated patio months. Temperatures settle into the 50s-70s range, fall foliage adds visual drama, and the crowds thin out. Some of the best outdoor dining of the year happens in early October.
Bring a layer. Mountain-adjacent weather can shift quickly, and even summer evenings cool down after sunset. A light jacket prevents you from cutting an evening short.
Related Guides
- 25 Best Restaurants in Provo
- Best Date Night Restaurants
- Center Street Dining Guide
- Summer Activities in Provo
- Best Restaurants in Orem
Last updated: May 2026. Patio availability varies by season and weather — call ahead to confirm outdoor seating.
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