Indoor dining still freaking you out?

Spring is here and Summer is rapidly approaching! If you are looking for some of the best outdoor places to dine in Portland and the Portland metro area, you are in the right place.

With the pandemic putting restrictions on dining indoors, restaurants have gotten quite crafty with their outdoor seating. Some places in this list always have had outdoor seating, and a few have created them due to COVID-19 limitations on dining inside. 

Get your taste buds ready for 10 of the best outdoor eateries in the Portland metro Area. 

PDX Sliders – Sellwood/SE Division

If you are longing to be able to try a plethora of different kinds of beef, pork, chicken and veggie burgers without breaking the bank, PDX Sliders is the place for you! 

The burgers are available in a slider size (approximately 3 ounces) to be able to try many different kinds or if you can make a commitment, full size (6 ounces) burgers are available too. If you are not a burger lover, you can also make any burger into a salad.

PDX Sliders is the place for anyone who loves everything about Portland, as every burger is named after iconic Portland neighborhoods.   

PDX Sliders has two convenient locations and is open seven days a week, now with dining indoor and outdoor!

For more info and PDX Sliders menu, follow this link.

Happy Valley Station – Happy Valley

A big family of foot carts! Happy Valley Station has 18 different carts to choose from. Food from all over the world! If you are looking to try new cuisine all in one place, you will have to give this spot a try.

Seating is cafeteria style and mostly indoors, but during the warmer months the walls made up of garage doors open up to let the fresh air in.

 To check out more here is a link to the Happy Valley Station website.

Dots Cafe – SE Portland

Dots is located across from the iconic Clinton Theater, which has been home to the Rocky Horror Picture show for the last 43 years.

This hidden SE Portland gem offers great dinner-like bites with meat that comes right off a smoker. Dots also provides many vegan and vegetarian options too!

Currently, Dots Cafe is only offering patio seating and take out. Ordering is done through a window and your food is brought to your outside picnic table.

To see what else Dots Cafe has to offer, take a peek at their website here.

Wayward Sandwiches – Canby

Fried cheese curds, meat boards, and triple decker sandwiches, oh my! Wayward sandwiches located in downtown Canby will have you feasting like royalty on classic and new favorites.

Wayward Sandwiches has taken fresh to the next level by preparing virtually everything in house. This includes all their meats, condiments, and even pickles!

Wayward has an event calendar chalked full of amusing activities like Thursday night trivia, Wednesday night wine tasting and live music on the weekends. They are offering indoor and outdoor seating – with a large covered area for sun-sensitive folks.

To explore more about the Wayward way, take a look at their website here.

McMenamins – West Linn, Wilsonville, Oregon City

McMenamins is a Pacific Northwest staple patrons can always count on. Of course it had to make this list.

Most McMenamins restaurants have outdoor seating and they always offer great ambiance. There are 65 different Mcmenamins around Oregon and Washington. 

If you are looking for a large outdoor seating area and gorgeous views of the Willamette River, McMenamins Oregon City is the place for you. With a menu full of Northwest-spun pub classics, there really is something for everyone. Enjoy your meal indoor or outdoor on their epic patio, but not on Mondays or Tuesdays, as they are closed. 

West Linn is home to a McMenamins that is claimed on their website as “The neighborhood’s favorite 19th hole“ for their location close to the Oregon golf club. West Linn Mcmenamins is offering take out, patio and indoor seating.

Set in a historic renovated church, the Wilsonville Old Church and Pub is home to another McMenamins restaurant. Equipped with an amphitheater, large courtyard and hide away undercroft bar. They are open for outdoor seating and indoor seating at limited capacity.

To explore more of what McMenamins has to offer or to check out one of their many other restaurants follow the link to their website.

Corner 14 – Oregon City

A new and exciting place for Oregon City. Founded in early 2021 Corner 14 is exactly what families who can never decide on a place to eat are looking for. 

There are over 10 food carts of different cuisines, plus axe throwing, live music, a full bar and small fire pits on most tables. 

Even when it’s a typical day, stopping at Corner 14 feels like an adventure. 

To find out more on Corner 14 go to their website, and take a look at a recent article written by The Print.

Wild Hare Saloon – Oregon City/Canby

A local favorite! Known for  classic bar eats and annual Hare Fest, a cover band festival that has grown more and more each year. Unfortunately though, they have had to cancel the 2020 and 2021 Hare Fest due to COVID-19 restrictions.  

Patrons from far and wide will come to experience the Country Western inviting atmosphere of the Wild Hare. Menu items include hand battered jumbo onion rings, Pudding River cheese fondue and an array of different mouthwatering burgers may also be a reason individuals rave over the Wild Hare.

Both Wild Hare Saloon locations offer indoor and patio seating. Eventually once COVID-19 restrictions let up more, events like trivia and live music shall happen again.

Go to their website to check out more on the Wild Hare Saloon. 

Duke’s Public House – Lake Oswego

As proclaimed on its website, Duke’s Public House is a  “family-friendly sports bar.” If you are searching for the perfect place to watch your favorite sports while eating great American pub cuisine, and drink cold beer straight off the tap,  Duke’s is your spot.

Bring your family, friends, and even your pup and enjoy the endless amounts of fun with games like corn hole and lifesize jenga.

Seating has an open air concept, very free flowing from inside to out. Duke’s offers a large patio area and seats inside as well. 

Take a closer look at Duke’s Public House on their website.

Mike’s Drive In – Oregon City

Has been loved on by locals since they opened in 1971. Mike’s Drive in of Oregon City prides themselves on the fact they make all the food fresh to order and use ingredients supplied by local distributors. 

They live by the motto “All food cooked fresh to order so it’s fresh and hot just for you! It may take a little longer, BUT WE FEEL YOU’RE WORTH IT.”

Not only is Mike’s looking to feed you food, but also dessert! Mike’s has 30 different milkshake flavors and fresh berries year round. They also serve $0.99 soft serve cones everyday, for those on a budget looking for a sweet treat.

If you are looking for a classic drive in, look no further, Mike’s Drive in is the place. A true gem to Oregon City. 

Check out more on the Mike’s Drive In website.

Gwynn’s Coffee House – Canby

A true family shop. Started by the Gwynn family in 2018, they have made Gwynn’s Coffee house a true Canby treasure, loved by all those who go there. One will feel a part of the family the moment they walk through the door. 

With daily homemade soups and pastries from local bakeries, Gwynn’s coffee shop is going to leave you wanting more. Their menu is chalk full of freshly made sandwiches and delicious coffee shop drinks.

Gwynn’s offers a small patio section to enjoy your meal on, along with indoor seating options. Being right in the heart of quaint downtown Canby, Gwynn’s Coffee house is there waiting for you!

To look more into Gwynn’s and their current offerings, go to their Facebook page here: Gwynn’s Coffee House

With this list you will never be stuck on where to go and eat again! The sun will be here to stay this Summer and a patio of one of these restaurants might just be calling your name.

Disclaimer: This list is based on opinion and is in no particular order.