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Ultimate Winter Break Activity Guide for Lansing Families
Staying home for winter break? Try these activity ideas to keep you busy.
20+ Mouth-Watering Restaurants with Outdoor Seating near Lansing
cover photo: One North Kitchen & Bar
Top Picks for Outdoor Dining in Lansing
Despite only being able to dine outside for about a third of the year comfortably, many area restaurants embrace the outdoor seating experience.
Amazing food, sunshine and live music provide the perfect combo for one of our favorite summer things to do in Lansing.
Ready to grab a table? We’ve found the top picks for restaurants with outdoor dining in Lansing, DeWitt, East Lansing and surrounding communities.
restaurants with outdoor seating
Lansing
Meat BBQ
1224 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906
Secluded patio dining in the heart of Old Town, Lansing.
The name says it all – meat. Bring your appetite for their “eclectic eats and barbeque meats.” This restaurant boasts a laid-back atmosphere with a friendly staff.
MP Social
313 N Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48912
With amazing views of downtown, MP Social is just across the river from Downtown Lansing and within walking distance of both Lansing Shuffle and Jackson Field.
Known mostly for its mixed drinks, MP Social’s food menu is limited to small plates and charcuterie, or in kids’ terms, fancy lunchables!
Lansing Brewing Company
518 E Shiawassee St, Lansing, MI 48912
Lansing Brewing Company has a large patio where you can hear the Lansing Lugnuts play if the wind is blowing the right way.
Come on in, grab a stool, and enjoy some great beer and some tasty food. LBC often hosts special events including trivia, live music, and patio parties.
Saddleback Barbecue
1147 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910
Located in REO Town, just south of Downtown Lansing, Saddleback Barbeque is a brisket lover’s haven.
BONUS: Saddleback Barbecue offers classes.
The Cosmos
1200 N Larch St, Lansing, MI 48906
A chef-driven wood-fired restaurant featuring out-of-this-world pizzas. These are not your ordinary pizzas.
On Sundays, children aged 12 and under can enjoy a free cheese or pepperoni pizza with the purchase of a gourmet pizza. Dine-in only.
Pablo’s Old Town
311 E César E. Chávez Ave, Lansing, MI 48906
Although Pablo’s in Old Town has limited outdoor seating, it offers some of the best people-watching in Lansing.
Are you in the mood for something special? We suggest a Torta. A specialty at Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, tortas are made with fresh bread, creamy avocado, zesty onion, juicy tomato, spicy jalapeno, and shredded cheese, creating a sensational Mexican sandwich.
Midtown Brewing Company
402 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933
Low-key local craft brewery serving locally sourced pub grub and house drafts.
Midtown Brewing Company’s patio offers the best opportunity for people watching on Washington Square.
One North Kitchen & Bar
5001 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917
One North is a mid-Michigan restaurant known for its scratch kitchen and large menu, set in a cozy, sports-themed atmosphere with a warm and friendly vibe, offering all your favorite drinks.
DeWitt
Looking Glass Brewing Co.
115 N Bridge St, DeWitt, MI 48820
Located near the corner of Bridge and Main Streets right downtown DeWitt (or uptown DeWitt to the locals).
A seasonal menu means there is always something new to try at Looking Glass Brewing Co.
Relli’s Italian Restaurant
202 E Main St, DeWitt, MI 48820
If you like Italian food, Relli’s restaurant in DeWitt has you covered. Their menu includes pizza, pasta dinners, Stromboli, and calzones, as well as brats, hotdogs, hamburgers, sandwiches and more. There truly is something for everyone.
Dimondale
Dimes Brewhouse
145 Bridge St, Dimondale, MI 48821
Dimes Brewhouse serves craft beer, cider, wine, mead, kombucha, and soda in addition to snacks, apps, and sandwiches.
Sundays between 7 – 9 PM is game night at Dimes. Bring a game from home or use one of theirs and spend an evening with the family.
East Lansing
El Azteco East
225 Ann St, East Lansing, MI 48823
El Azteco East takes patio dining to another level, literally, as their patio is on their rooftop!
Striving to offer only the finest Mexican food, El Azteco uses only natural ingredients to create authentic, fresh and delicious dishes.
BONUS: The nearby Ann Street Plaza has live music every Friday evening in July and August.
Maru Sushi & Grill
1500 W Lake Lansing Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823
Choose from a shaded or sunny table in the enclosed patio at Maru Sushi & Grill in East Lansing.
Jolly Pumpkin
218 Albert St, East Lansing, MI 48823
As part of Albert El Fresco, Jolly Pumpkin has front-row seating for large-scale yard games, live music, and other East Lansing festivities.
Sundays are our favorite at Jolly Pumpkin as kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
The Peanut Barrel
521 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
This East Lansing icon is the classic neighborhood bar serving up specials, all-time favorites, and slinging your favorite mixed drinks and beers.
Grand Ledge
Cugino’s Italian Restaurant
306 S Bridge St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Cugino’s Italian Restaurant has proudly served mid-Michigan in downtown Grand Ledge since 2001, offering a main dining room, lounge with plasma TVs, a well-stocked bar, and a patio.
Known for award-winning pizzas, delicious pastas, and a large menu including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Mason
BAD Brewing Company
440 S Jefferson St, Mason, MI 48854
BAD Brewing is a popular craft brewery known for its wide range of locally brewed beers, including seasonal and specialty brews.
The brewery offers a cozy taproom and a welcoming outdoor beer garden, making it a favorite spot for gatherings.
Okemos
Red Haven Farm to Table
4480 Hagadorn Rd #103, Okemos, MI 48864
Offering pop-up style dining with special chef-inspired menus using only the finest local ingredients where possible.
Dining at Red Haven is about more than just the food, it’s an experience.
St. Johns
Ryan’s Roadhouse
902 E State St, St Johns, MI 48879
Ryan’s Roadhouse in St. Johns offers a family-friendly atmosphere with a large menu featuring classic American dishes, including burgers, steaks, and seafood.
Known for its welcoming environment, the restaurant provides a comfortable dining experience for all ages, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone in the family.
Honorable Mentions
While we wish we could list all the fantastic restaurants with patios, here are some honorable mentions that stand out for their excellent outdoor dining experiences.
Lansing
- Horrock’s Farm Market – 7420 W Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917
- The People’s Kitchen – 2722 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912
DeWitt
- Sweetie-licious – 108 N Bridge St, DeWitt, MI 48820
- The Draft House – 12449 Old U.S. 27, DeWitt, MI 48820
East Lansing
- HopCat East Lansing – 300 Grove St, East Lansing, MI 48823
- Harper’s Restaurant & Brew Pub – 131 Albert St, East Lansing, MI 48823
Portland
- CONFLUXCITY Brewing Company – 110 N Water St, Portland, MI 48875
- Olivera’s Restaurant – 1417 E Grand River Ave, Portland, MI 48875
Share Your Favorite Lansing Outdoor Dining Spot
Do you know of a restaurant with an awesome patio? Let us know in the comments where you like to eat outdoors. Lansing is better when we spread the word!
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