Swanky’s Taco Shop
272 S. Main St.; 901-779-3499; swankystacoshop.com
In May, Swanky’s opened a new location in Downtown Memphis in the Chisca on Main building. The new restaurant serves all the Swanky’s favorites — from build-to-taste tacos and burrito bowls to house-made chips and salsa to an extensive margarita selection. The main dining room is spacious and welcoming, but it’s the 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio that is our favorite place to dine this time of year.
The patio features both traditional table seating as well as lounge seating — so whether eating a full meal or just sipping on margaritas and enjoying chips and queso, there is a spot perfect for you and your friends. The patio is open for lunch and dinner daily with live music on Fridays and Saturdays when the weather is nice. And, feel free to bring your pup. Like all Swanky’s patios, this one is dog-friendly.
Lafayette’s Music Room
2119 Madison Ave.; 901-207-5097; lafayettes.com
The Lafayette’s Music Room of today is a reinvention of the classic venue for music and dining that was so popular in the '70s. Superstar musicians such as Billy Joel, KISS and Barry Manilow were some of the first to perform on its famous stage. Fast forward and, once again, this Midtown favorite offers ’round-theclock fun. They have an ongoing live performance schedule, a full bar and an enticing Southern-inspired menu.
Enjoy a cocktail and meal on Lafayette’s double-decker outdoor patio overlooking Overton Square. The upstairs level is a great spot to watch the fun going on in the Square. Both levels have a bar that opens into the main dining room, allowing patio guests to be able to enjoy the tunes coming from the stage inside. The patios are open for lunch and dinner daily.
The Second Line
2144 Monroe Ave.; 901-590-2829; secondlinememphis.com
Located just off Overton Square, The Second Line is the casual sister-restaurant to Chef Kelly English’s renowned Restaurant Iris. The Second Line offers up classic Louisiana favorites — often with English’s signature twist. Located in a historic Midtown home, the restaurant has transformed its backyard into an al fresco dining area that is open for both lunch and dinner. To keep diners cool in the summer sun, The Second Line just added a parachute sun covering. On weekends, there is live music on the patio.
Whether dining indoors or on the backyard patio, start with the fingerlickin’ good Besh BBQ Shrimp and their sinful andouille, crawfish and pimento cheese fries. As for the po’ boys on the menu, it's hard to choose just one. Order a few for the table to split and share. Dogs are welcome at this patio.
Felicia Suzanne’s
80 Monroe Ave.; feliciasuzanne.com
Felicia Suzanne’s courtyard is one of the most picturesque outdoor spaces in town. Owner Felicia Willett has created a stunning garden oasis next door to her popular restaurant that is open from the end of May until mid-november. Open for dinner only, the courtyard menu features a selection of hot and cold appetizers and desserts. Diners can also enjoy the restaurant’s full menu on select nights.
At the end of the courtyard is their “tree house” bar that features craft cocktails, wine and beer. The bar got its nickname thanks to the small grove of trees that grow through the structure.
If Downtown on a Thursday, stop by the courtyard for “Tacos and Tunes” from 6:30-9:30 p.m. This weekly event features $2 tacos, a special Old Dominick cocktail and music by local musicians. This patio is dog-friendly.
Southern Social
901-523-0877;
2285 S. Germantown Road, Germantown; 901-754-5555; southernsocial.com
In the parking lot behind their Germantown restaurant, Southern Social has created an outdoor dining space that can seat up to 75 guests. Expect the same fine dining experience as indoors complete with white table cloths, but just under the stars.
The original space has been become so popular, the restaurant decided to build an additional outdoor dining space on the front that can seat close to 50 guests. This space just opened. Southern Social does not take reservations for outdoor tables; seating is first come, first serve. Open nightly for dinner and on Sundays for brunch, both patios welcome dogs.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercial appeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.