Outdoor Dining in Eau Claire
Combine Eau Claire's breath-taking views and beautiful warm weather with our outstanding restaurant and outdoor dining scene! Indulge in tasty dishes made from local ingredients and kick back in settings that are made to make sure you relax and enjoy your time there.
Patio Restaurants
3rd & Vine
Craft beers, charcuterie boards, board games, and more... This place is a total vibe! 3rd & Vine is located exactly where it sounds— right on the corner of 3rd Street and Vine Street in Eau Claire! Stop in for a funky and atypical Midwestern cheese eatery with a lovely outdoor patio in their backyard.
44 North
River Prairie is the hub for outdoor dining, and 44 North is certainly a local and visitor favorite! Find a menu filled with burgers, tacos, and salads, and even choose from the famous margarita, mojito, and Bloody Mary flights! Stop downstairs for ice cream at 44 Below, and spend the rest of your trip to River Prairie with a stroll through River Prairie Park.
Cancun Grill
Get your burrito and margarita fix at Cancun Grill in Eau Claire! Cancun is a local favorite Mexican restaurant with a big food and drink menu. Grab lunch on the patio on Taco Tuesday at Cancun!
Casa Vallarta
For more Mexican dining options, enjoy tacos, enchiladas, nachos, and more on the colorful outdoor patio at Casa Vallarta. This is another critically-acclaimed restaurant in Eau Claire with authentic Mexican food.
Cowboy Jack's
Another River Prairie hot spot known for its immaculate outdoor patio space and happy hour is Cowboy Jack's! This restaurant is filled with various food options, seasonal cocktails, tasty appetizers, and homemade pizzas. Cowboy Jack's patio is dog-friendly and offers relaxing views of River Prairie Park.
Foster's Fireside
Wood-fired pizza, here! Get some of the best pizza in the Chippewa Valley at Foster's Fireside, located just outside of Osseo, Wisconsin, off of I-94. These pizzas are made fresh to order with various flavor combinations. Their large menu and delicious pizzas make the short day trip to Osseo totally worth it!
The Informalist
Located in downtown Eau Claire, you can get a modern and urban outdoor dining experience at The Informalist. While they're known for their pizzas, The Informalist also serves an amazing weekend brunch, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, and beautiful cocktails. If you're staying at the Lismore Hotel, be sure to grab brunch or dinner downstairs at The Informalist!
Island Parkside
Take a vacation to the tropics right in River Prairie at the Island Parkside! This tiki-style bar and restaurant draws inspiration from the beaches of Turks & Caicos, so it literally feels like you're on a beach resort! Find delicious, colorful, fruity frozen cocktails, tasty tacos, and more dinner options at this River Prairie hangout!
The Livery
The Livery is located in downtown Eau Claire within walking distance of Phoenix Park, and this charming restaurant offers an all-new outdoor vibe. The brick exterior and string lights give The Livery a very rural feel, making this a great spot for a date night or celebratory dinner in Eau Claire.
Loopy's Grill & Saloon
The ultimate place for outdoor dining and adventure in Wheaton, Wisconsin, is certainly Loopy's Grill & Saloon. Relax outdoors at the tiki bar sipping on Leinenkugel's seasonal beer, and take in the views of the Chippewa River. Take on your crew in a game of sand volleyball, and if you're feeling really adventurous, rent river tubes at Loopy's, and float down the river in the summer!
Northern Taphouse
Northern Taphouse has been voted by the locals as the best spot for wings and cheese curds in Eau Claire, and they're best enjoyed on their patio! Find daily specials and delicious food across the menu like pizzas, fish, burgers, salads, and beer.
Pine Meadow Golf Course
After a round of 9-holes, fill up on the patio all at Pine Meadow Golf Course in Eau Claire. Not only do golfers love the course, but they rave about the fish fry, wing baskets, and drinks at Pine Meadow. Make it a full afternoon, and enjoy a day of golf and a lovely outdoor dinner!
Valley Burger Company
If you're looking for one of the best burgers in Eau Claire, look no further. Valley Burger Company opened in Eau Claire in 2022, and it quickly became a highly visited restaurant with their locally-sourced ingredients, amazing burgers-of-the-month, and some of the best french fries in the area. All of this can be enjoyed on the patio with a game of giant Connect 4!
Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course
If you can't get enough golf in Eau Claire, spend the day at Wild Ridge & Mill Run Golf Course. If you can, make time to play on a Friday so you can experience the flavors of the amazing fish fry at Wild Ridge!
Breweries & Wineries
The Brewing Projekt
You can't make a trip to Eau Claire without getting your hands on a craft beer from the Brewing Projekt. This brewery overlooks the Chippewa River and is the place to be all year round in Eau Claire. During the warmer months, sip on craft brews and flights on the rooftop or outdoor yard, and cozy up by the outdoor firepits at night time. Tune in for events happening throughout the year, food trucks, and more entertainment at the Brewing Projekt!
Infinity Beverages Winery & Distillery
If you're looking for a stylish spot to grab drinks after work, Infinity is your spot. This winery and distillery serves specialty, seasonal wine and cocktails all year round, and they have a great patio to drink on during the summer! Grab a board game inside, and stay awhile while drinking delicious drinks on Infinity's patio.
K Point Brewing
Find good food and better beer at K Point Brewing in Eau Claire! K Point is connected to Coffee Grounds for your morning cup of coffee, and K Point serves delicious dinners in the evening like burgers, tacos, fish fries, and even small plates. K Point is another great place to pull out a board game on their relaxing, outdoor patio while sipping fantastic craft brews!
Lazy Monk Brewing
Located along the Chippewa River in downtown Eau Claire, Lazy Monk Brewing is a cozy, European-style brewery with the perfect outdoor deck for tasting craft beer. Lazy Monk is dog-friendly, and it is located right along the Chippewa River State Trail. It is also a stone's throw away from the Brewing Projekt— the perfect beer trail with outdoor seating options in Eau Claire!
Leinie Lodge
The masters of beer in the Chippewa Valley know how to create an outdoor dining experience, too! Check out Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls for seasonal Leinenkugel's beer, and even find food trucks and live music on the patio throughout the summer. The lodge is the perfect summer hangout when in the Eau Claire area, and the beer seems to taste better outside in the sunshine!
Northwoods Brewpub
Take a day trip to Osseo, Wisconsin, for a classic, northern experience at Northwoods Brewpub. This brewery is open year-round, but it may be best enjoyed while drinking on the patio in the warmer months. Get an order of cheese curds, pizza, and burgers to pair with your Northwoods brew, and take in the outdoor season with live music at the brewery! Click here to see more things to do while in Osseo, Wisconsin.
River Bend Winery & Distillery
You're not going to want to miss out on the outdoor oasis at River Bend Winery & Distillery. Sip on wine among the vineyards, or lounge in the yard with your crew listening to live music and trying local food trucks. Check out our event calendar to stay in the know of events happening at River Bend!
Cocktail Lounges
Dive
The Dive is located inside the Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire, and this rooftop bar screams class, vibrance, and style. Find small, snack-size options on the menu to pair with Dive's signature cocktails, or order pizza from downstairs at The Informalist.
Helix
Located in River Prairie, Helix is Altoona's new wine and craft cocktail bar with a modern flare and cozy, lounging ambiance. While you can relax inside next to the fireplace or along the bar, you can also be served on Helix's patio and rooftop. Get a taste of their delicious beverages, and share a charcuterie board with your crew in the beautiful River Prairie Park!
The Lakely
If you're staying at the Oxbow Hotel in downtown Eau Claire, you're luckily on a beautiful property with good food and amazing craft drinks. Try The Lakely, a cocktail lounge meant for live entertainment, various Midwest comfort food, and the special Koldtbord. Hotel guests and outside visitors are welcome to dine inside or on the beautiful patios at The Lakely every summer!
Coffee Shops
Cabin Coffee
If you're staying in River Prairie, you can get your coffee fix at Cabin Coffee! After a morning stroll through River Prairie Park, pull up a chair on Cabin Coffee's patio and try a seasonal coffee, tea, and pastry. While you can get cozy cabin vibes inside this coffee shop, there's still nothing better than sipping your morning java outside!
Eau Claire Downtown Coffee (ECDC)
When staying at the Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire, you're in luck to be right on site of one of Eau Claire's favorite coffee shops. Try out ECDC for delicious specialty coffees, fresh fruit smoothies, filling breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and even choose from their grab-and-go section when you're in a hurry!
The Goat Coffee House
Spend the morning on Water Street while sipping a cold drink from The Goat Coffee House! This is a hot spot for students looking for a place to do homework; spend your next study session or meeting at the Goat, and try some of their delicious lunch options on their patio along the historic Water Street!
Kahvi Coffee House + Cafe
Not only do the locals love Kahvi, but your pups will, too! Kahvi Coffee House + Cafe is located on the south end of Eau Claire and is a beautiful, modern coffee spot both inside and outside! Grab your specialty coffee and tea drinks, and relax on Kahvi's dog-friendly, outdoor patio.
The Nostalgic Bean
Get a little taste of France in Altoona at the Nostalgic Bean with their crowd-favorite, seasonal drinks and pastries. Enjoy the most perfect little cafe experience on their outdoor patio. Don't be shy when ordering pastries here; they're all to die for!
SHIFT Cyclery & Coffee Bar
This coffee shop in downtown Eau Claire is all about the outdoors. SHIFT is a coffee and bike shop combo, and it's truly the best place for outdoor enthusiasts to fuel up before their ride. On your next biking adventure, stop at SHIFT and drink your cup of joe out front or in the back amongst the Color Block murals!