Woodbury’s Hottest Patios

When Minnesota finally gives up its iron hold on winter and the days flow from balmy afternoons to sultry nights, everyone is looking for an excuse to stay outside. With a wide range of outdoor patios throughout Woodbury—from bars and grills to French crepes and quaint coffee shops—there’s no reason to dine indoors. Take your table outside and savor every last bite of summer. Here’s a list to get you started on an unforgettable summer patio tour. Bon appétit!   Cravings Wine Bar & Grille Dine alfresco at Cravings and watch the sun set as you enjoy a delicious meal. Made from the freshest ingredients, menu items include fresh seafood, handmade pasta and house cut steaks. In the summer and fall months, many ingredients come straight from the farmer’s market. The spacious patio is decked with grapevines and foliage, making for a perfect date-night setting or a fun space for girls night out. Choose from a spectacular selection of house-made desserts. Happy hour specials start the party from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 755 Bielenberg Drive Suite 108; 651.528.6828; cravingswinebar.com   Carmine’s Restaurant & Bar The patio at Carmine’s Restaurant & Bar joined the Woodbury patio scene last summer. With furniture made of poly lumber, which is created from recyclable plastic (like milk cartons), the restaurant supports “green” alternatives and is environmentally conscious. From open until close, guests can enjoy full dining and drink service out on the patio that seats 50-60, but cocktails and appetizers are the typical items of choice late at night. Live music adds to the dining experience every Friday and Saturday in the bar area, covering everything from classic rock to current hits. 9900 Valley Creek Road; 651.730.4500; carmineswoodbury.com   Sole Mio Ristorante A new restaurant in the Valley Creek Mall, Sole Mio offers up Italian cuisine with passion and authenticity. Chef Angelo Montes is excited to be serving up seafood specialties like walleye, along with the ever-popular pasta dishes like gnocchetti and ravioli, and thousands of other favorite recipes from his homeland. Enjoy some Italian or Napa Valley wine out on the patio that seats between 50 and 70 guests, and soak up the romantic Italian ambiance. 1750 Weir Drive; 651.789.3220; solemiomn.com David’s Chophouse Enjoy the best view of the 18th fairway of Prestwick Golf Club when you dine on the patio of David’s Chophouse. Open to the public year-round, the Chophouse serves everything from fresh summer salads such as the David’s chop salad with avocado and blue cheese, to burgers, steaks and seafood. The patio is a great place to watch the golfers come in and to enjoy a happy hour drink and appetizers, and a lighted babbling stream, twinkling lights and heaters (when needed) let the party continue into the night. 9555 Wedgewood Drive; 651.294.3160; prestwick.com/davids/about-us O’Malley’s Irish Pub Summer evenings on the patio at O’Malley’s Irish Pub are filled with good food, cold beer and jukebox favorites. Having built most of the bar by hand, the owners of O’Malley’s are proud to share the pub with the Woodbury community. Lots of flowers and climbing vines, patio lighting and Guinness umbrellas set the scene for a laid-back evening at the pub. Enjoy a strawberry chicken salad, lemon pepper chicken Caesar salad, fish and chips, bruschetta or a classic burger, and sip on a mixed drink, wine or authentic Irish beer. 1775 Radio Drive; 651.578.7007; omalleys-pub.com   The Tavern Grill Stop by the Tavern Grill for a big celebration, a date night or just to enjoy some good food on a relaxing patio. Serving everything from pizzas and pastas to seafood, steaks and build-your-own burgers, this restaurant knows how to please a crowd. The outdoor fire pit is a hit on summer evenings and allows the patio fun to continue into the chilly months of fall. Want to bring that backyard feel to your dining experience? Order up a round of s’mores to roast over a small tableside flame. Reclaimed cobblestone underfoot and an island bar take the patio up a notch. 772 Bielenberg Drive; 651.578.3000; thetaverngrill.com   Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon Wild Bill’s expansive, multipurpose patio opened last August with six TVs on the outdoor bar so you can catch all the sports action. This summer, they added four more TVs to the patio which has nifty shutters that can be put in place to block out wind or sun. Patrons can enjoy the full-service food menu as well as happy hour food and drink specials (try the new beef and calamari tacos) Monday-Friday from 3-6:30 p.m. 546 Commons Drive; 651.357.1050; wildbillssportssaloon.com   Keys Café and Bakery For the from-scratch recipes that remind you of childhood brunch at Grandma’s or your favorite after-school snack, swing by Keys Café & Bakery. Take your breakfast out to the patio any time of day or try the popular summer salad, a customer-requested item that is now on the main menu. Relax with a cold beer or wine, or attempt to choose between a coconut cream pie and seven layer bar. Recent patio renovations brought in high- and low-top tables, new flowerpots and an updated color scheme. 1750 Weir Drive, 651.731.5397; keyscafe.com Brix Coffee, Crepes, Custard The quaint patio at Brix, featuring brick pavers, wrought iron railings and custom window boxes with fresh flowers, is the perfect place to relax with some frozen custard or a cup of coffee with friends. Comfortable seating with umbrellas and Wi-Fi allows customers to take their office outside for an afternoon. For a special treat, order an authentic made-to-order French crepe with sweet and savory fillings, or try some Brix-original frozen custard, made fresh daily. Other popular items include shakes, malts, sundaes, floats, and other coffee-shop standbys. 572 Commons Drive; 651.730.7284; satiusa.com   Steepery Tea Bar Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or in the mood for something new, the Steepery is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon. Grab a cup of your favorite loose-leaf tea, whether it be black, green, oolong, white or tisane (herbal). Try the new tea or venture into a whole new world by selecting a custom tea just right for your pallet. Add tapioca pearls or flavor jellies into your drink for added texture and fun. The outdoor patio offers moveable chairs and tables, making it easy to accommodate a study session, book club meeting, or group of friends. 783 Radio Drive; 651.788.9759; steepery.com   &  Patios Galore Check out these other patios in Woodbury: Acapulco Restaurante Angelina’s Kitchen Italian Bistro and Catering Applebee’s Bonfire Caribou Coffee Champps Americana Cowboy Jack’s Dairy Queen Famous Dave’s Jamba Juice Kowalski’s Market Lakes Tavern and Grill LeAnn Chin Noodles and Company Panera Bread Smashburger Starbucks Sunset of Woodbury Vinnie’s Family Restaurant