The Patio
Open-air spots with style and scenery on the menu
Mon Ami Gabi
Nowhere in Vegas channels the electric energy of the European streetside cafe as well as Mon Ami Gabi. It’s Paris magically poised across from both Lake Como and Rome, along our very own Rue Montorgueil. Peruse the classic menu while sipping a French 75, and the Strip-scape melts into soft, impressionist focus amid the bustle of the bistro. The perfect perch is the end of the bar where the restaurant meets the patio. Here, afforded all the views, it’s easy to drift into vacation mode — even when home is but a few miles away. Paris Las Vegas, monamigabi.com JPR
The Kitchen at Atomic
Tucked away behind a wood-slat wall between The Kitchen at Atomic and its beer-centric brother Atomic Liquors, The Kitchen’s patio is an oasis off Fremont Street. Chef Justin Kingsley Hall’s edgy but approachable menu includes an epic brunch with an irresistible monkey bread, and dinner stalwarts such as Nashville hot chicken hearts. And of course, Atomic’s eclectic beer selection never disappoints. JB 927 Fremont St., atomic.vegas
Americana
Luxe but laid-back, Americana features al fresco seating next to the lapping waters of Desert Shores. Watch geese, ducks, and turtles on the lake while you explore eclectic menus and wine pairings, including a seasonal harvest selection and a vegan tasting experience. On weekends, welcome to Mimosa Land. 2620 Regatta Drive #118, americanalasvegas.com GT
Le Café du Lac
Lake Las Vegas draws water-lovers for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and water-propelled flyboarding. They fuel up for those activities in the morning with pastries, crêpes, and cappuccinos on this bistro’s waterside veranda, then return at lunch to relax over panini, salads, and glasses of white wine — all with a gorgeous view of Lake Mead in the distance. 40 Costa Di Lago #100, lecafedulac.com GT
Mt. Charleston Lodge
For decades, the Mt. Charleston Lodge has hosted skiers, hikers, and weekend bikers, all eager to swoop the slopes or flee the heat. In recent years, the lodge expanded its wooden dining deck (including a dog-friendly section), and in April, the local Ellis Island family took over, promising renovated bathrooms and an expanded beer tap — perfect updates for those who prefer a cool Alpine view with their post-hike burger and brew. 5375 Kyle Canyon Road, mtcharlestonlodge.com JPR
Tenaya Creek Brewery
While vantages of the Spaghetti Bowl and the vacant lot where the iconic Moulin Rouge once stood aren’t the most picturesque, some of the valley’s most inventive beers are being poured at Tenaya’s flagship on Bonanza. And who doesn’t enjoy open-air drinking? Particularly intriguing are Offline Series brews, small-batch variants of the brewery’s mainline beers only available in the taproom. And if you visit on a Friday night, Mama Napoli Pizza food truck never disappoints. 831 W. Bonanza Road, tenayacreek.com JB
Lazy Dog
The boutique California-based chain where everything is made in-house — they even brew their own line of beers — has a pair of Vegas locations with dog-friendly patios that offer mini-menus for the pooches. While your four-legged friend feasts, you’ll enjoy wok-fired calamari or decadent “grizzly fries” while downing a surprisingly smooth coconut mojito. Multiple locations, lazydogrestaurants.com JB
Milo’s Cellar
Sidewalk dining is hard to find in Southern Nevada, so the loggia at Milo’s Cellar & Inn in quaint Boulder City is noteworthy for its shaded bistro tables. Snack on cheese and cured meat plates along with glasses of vino, and watch sightseers amble by for a relaxed afternoon or evening. 538 Nevada Way, milosbouldercity.com GT
Bellagio Lake patios
The Fountains of Bellagio are an iconic sight from the Strip — but they also offer great views from the multiple spots fronting the lake. Take your pick of dining upon Lago’s capasanta (scallop crudo with blood orange and pistachios), a dry-aged bone-in rib eye paired with a fine Bordeaux from Prime, or even Wolfgang Puck’s iconic smoked salmon pizza at the newly relocated Spago, all while basking in as much “Luck Be a Lady” and “Fly Me to the Moon” as you care to. bellagio.com JB
Beer Park by Budweiser
Nestled atop Paris Las Vegas, Beer Park has clear views of both the Strip and the Fountains at Bellagio. Accompany some of the valley’s best views with casual-but-quality dining options consisting of beer-influenced ingredients, including Montejo-braised pork and Bass IPA cheese sauce. While the tap list skews towards Anheuser-Busch, nowadays that means more than Budweiser, with Goose Island, Elysian, and Four Peaks in the family. And with a retractable awning system, you need not worry about rain or shine affecting your open-air drinking and dining. Paris Las Vegas beerpark.com JB
The Tap
Before and after adventures touring Hoover Dam, recreating on Lake Mead’s beaches, or rafting in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, stop by the patio at the stylish Tap in Boulder City. It features brewpub-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as an impressively curated beer list. The establishment is attached to the newly renovated Best Western hotel, making it a great HQ for Boulder City staycations. 704 Nevada Way, thetapbc.com GT
702 Public School
This gastropub’s second-story patio is a hub of beer-friendly activity, especially during happy hour and on weekend evenings. It features plenty of oversized games like giant jumbling towers and four-in-a-row for adult-style recess, plus a wide, palm tree-lined view of Downtown Summerlin’s xeriscaped main plaza. Small plates like mini Kobe beef corndogs, crispy Buffalo cauliflower, and edemame hummus are the way to go. Downtown Summerlin, psontap.com GT
Marché Bacchus
Perched above the sparkling ripples of Desert Shores, Marché Bacchus’ back patio has reigned supreme for nearly two decades as the “Am I really in Las Vegas?” suburban dining spot of Southern Nevada. Locals and visitors alike flock to the charming eatery for its gourmet French cuisine and impressively curated wine shop, but an old-fashioned burger with tomato-bacon chutney and a chopped Cobb salad are perfectly informal al fresco choices, too. 2620 Regatta Drive, Suite #106, marchebacchus.com GT
As classic Vegas fades, classy Vegas gets more elusive. Thankfully, the understated country-club elegance of the Four Seasons never goes out of style. Inside the recently refreshed Verandah, the vibe sings Italian trattoria, while poolside seating remains a glorious throwback to a more genteel moment. The best days to slide into the valet sporting that tennis dress or Lacoste polo? Weekend mornings, when an all-you-can-eat affair reminds us that brunch was once much more than an excuse to day-drink. Four Seasons, fourseasons.com JPR
(Photo, right, by Sabin Orr)
Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar
Try this Mojave Desert summer action plan: head to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in the early morning for a loop on the Scenic Route and a hike to Icebox Canyon, then make a beeline to Red Rock Resort to chill out under a mister at Hearthstone. There, slurp down fresh-shucked oysters, fork into roasted octopus, and nibble on bacon-wrapped dates while tossing back glasses of sparkling rosé, with the Spring Mountains for a stunning backdrop. Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, hearthstonelv.com GT
You can’t miss the incandescent Googie-style sign in front of this popular roadside attraction on Boulder City’s main drag. Sit outside in the morning and dig into a monumental pork chile verde burrito. For lunch or dinner, knife into a steak sandwich or Tex-Mex chicken fajitas. Visual servings of kitschy décor are complimentary. 761 Nevada Way, southwestdinerbouldercity.com GT
(Photo, right, by Sabin Orr)
More Summer Dining
Summer Dining 2018: The Drinks
Summer Dining 2018: The picnic
Summer Dining 2018: Our favorite picnic-worthy parks and must-gave gear to grab