10 wonderful patios in the Central West End

Everybody loves the Central West End, which is due in no small part to its hugely diverse community of restaurants and bars. There you can fuel up with coffee at Northwest, hit up Taste for cocktails and snacks, walk down the street to get a margarita and guacamole at El Burro Loco, and finish by decimating your friends in a yard game at Up-Down. If you’re still hungry and thirsty after that, Edera has a late-night pizza program for you. And you can do it all outside. 

If another part of town sounds better for your next outdoor hang, check out our patio guides to South City, Chesterfield and Webster Groves. Otherwise, read on.

Edera Italian Eatery
When it opened last year, Edera immediately offered one of St. Louis’ most iconic patios. The restaurant is still serving the solid Italian food menu it opened with; recently, it added a “bubbles and burrata happy hour” and a late-night pizza and cocktails menu. 48 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, 314.361.7227, ederastl.com

The Scottish Arms
The rustic, backyard-style patio at The Scottish Arms immediately takes you out of Central West End and into a dreamy space where you can enjoy delicious Scotch and other whiskeys alongside tasty dishes from across the pond like Scotch eggs, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash. 8 S. Sarah St., St. Louis, 314.535.0551, thescottisharms.com

Northwest Coffee
Local coffee roaster and cafe Northwest Coffee’s little Central West End perch is an eternal greatest hit among St. Louis’ patio offerings. There, you’ll enjoy some seriously fresh beans from all over the world while relaxing among the plants, fire pits and picnic tables. 4251 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.371.4600, northwestcoffee.com

Taste by Niche/Brasserie by Niche
The small patio off Laclede Avenue that’s shared by Taste and Brasserie doesn’t have any bells or whistles, but it doesn’t need to. Whether you’re out on the town for brunch or grabbing a happy hour cocktail after work, you come to this patio for the food and drink, the classy vibes and the off-Euclid people-watching. Taste, 4584 Laclede Ave., 314.361.1200, tastebarstl.com; Brasserie, 4580 Laclede Ave., 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com

Retreat Gastropub
Excellent drinks? Check. Tasty food? Check. Chill patio where you can enjoy the sunset with a pal or your special person? Check. Retreat’s got it all. 6 N. Sarah St., 314.261.4497, retreatgastropub.com

El Burro Loco
Trying to crush a few margs with the gang while enjoying some dependable Mexican food? El Burro Loco’s got your big-city patio vibes on lockdown. 313 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, 314.224.5371, elburroloco.org

Vicia
This fine dining restaurant is a destination for mind-blowing, farm-to-table meals, but it’s also a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail and some treats from the rotating snack menu. An open-air patio is available for those choosing the Farmers Feast tasting menu – on a cool summer night, nothing’s better than enjoying a brilliant, vegetable-forward meal in the open air. 4260 Forest Park Ave., 314.553.9239, viciarestaurant.com

Bar Italia
Bar Italia’s enticing menu of Italian dishes is enough of a reason to check the space out, but the patio brings it to the next level. If we’re eating fresh pasta and bruschetta outside, we’re happy. 13 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, 314.361.7010, baritaliastl.com

Scarlett’s Wine Bar
This beloved wine bar’s popular patio is home to live music and good vibes. And with a menu that includes charcuterie, salads and wood-fired pizza, Scarlett’s can be a one-stop kind of spot. 4253 Laclede Ave., 314.797.8223, St. Louis scarlettscwe.com

Up-Down STL
They have drinks, pizza and games. What else do you need to know? 405 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, 314.449.1742, updownarcadebar.com