The Hottest Places to Eat Outdoors in Ann Arbor (and What to Wear)
We know you’ve been dying to get out of the house and we’ve got your back
—By Melanie Lott, Lizzy Palo, and Kat Andrade
Are you sick of microwaving a Trader Joe’s frozen meal and eating it in front of the TV every night? Tired of making the same TikTok banana bread recipe in your airfryer? We know that during the pandemic, people are looking for ways to switch up their boring dinner routine and do something social and safe, but it’s not always easy to remember what that one person said about that one restaurant with outdoor dining.
Here is a list of 6 outdoor dining places in Ann Arbor that are COVID friendly and fun! And don’t worry, just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you have to go out on the town all bundled up feeling less than cute. We have some fun tips for how to stay fashionable when eating outside in the cold. Below are the places that offer safe outdoor dining experiences with ways to keep you warm!
York – 1928 Packard St
Even with its COVID-friendly restrictions, York has a lively outdoor space with multiple fires going, a DJ that takes song requests and delicious food trucks from Ricewood BBQ and Bao Boys. And the variety continues with a wine shop inside, a breakfast menu, a cheese board menu, and a cafe! The atmosphere is fun and friendly as the DJ banters with staff, the sun sets in the background, and people try the many different fun cocktails from the outdoor bar. They top it all off with beautiful string lights over the entire outdoor space. You are missing out if you don’t hit this spot!
While York provides multiple heating options, it can definitely get cold as the sun goes down, so make sure to bundle up! To stay fashionable while in the cold, wear a turtleneck under your coziest sweater paired with a scarf. You can make the biggest statement with a cool, fuzzy coat!
Grotto – 303 S Ashley St
Grotto is the perfect place to try new and interesting beers! This bar’s outdoor space is located on a central Ann Arbor downtown corner with space heaters and heaters on the outdoor patio ceiling. They have contactless menus which are great for staying COVID safe, funky music, and outdoor TVs in case you want to catch the game. Their array of beers is vast, so if you can’t decide, try a 3oz or a beer flight to share! Don’t love beer? They also have hot cocktails during the Winter season. In case you get hungry, Grotto partners up with local Ann Arbor restaurants providing their menus and an easy delivery process to your table. Make sure to hit Grotto for happy hour and you’ll probably see some cute dogs (they’re pet friendly)!
Luckily, with the impressive array of heaters, Grotto has some pretty warm tables on their outdoor patio, so there’s no need to bundle up too much. Try wearing cool and colorful pants here. You can never underestimate how a funky pair of pants can upgrade your outfit! Add your coolest boots to really pop out.
Chapala Mexican Restaurant – 211 N Main St
Third up we have Chapala Mexican Restaurant, a fun destination everybody is going to be wanting to spend their birthday at. From the blasting music to the large assortment of drinks, the energy at Chapala is unmatched. They have a large menu with all the necessities: tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and so much more. A must is to begin with guacamole for the table, but remember we’re in a pandemic so absolutely no double dipping! And even though the temperature has finally begun to drop here in Ann Arbor, you need only throw on your favorite sweater and leather jacket for this outing. Why, you may ask? You will have a personal greenhouse and space heater! After sitting in that warmth (and a couple of sips of their insane 24oz. margarita) you may not even want your jacket on anymore.
TAQ – 106 E Liberty St
Similar to Chapala, you and your cohort can experience a private greenhouse at TAQ. This lovely taqueria allows you to explore your options, encouraging you to order a la carte and create a meal consisting of their range of tacos. From beef to seafood and even vegetarian options such as tofu, TAQ will be able to accommodate each of your friend’s dietary restrictions, allowing for a perfect night out and away from your apartment. The best part, most of their individual tacos are priced at only $4!
Now similar to Chapala, TAQ’s greenhouses contain electric heaters, so you won’t freeze in the 25 degree weather Ann Arbor is infamous for. That being said, and keeping in mind TAQ is a fairly casual spot, I’d recommend pairing a puffer coat and hoodie for this outing (it’ll spare your favorite sweater from a messy taco casualty). From the beginning of the year, TAQ has been good about spacing out their tables and providing heaters, so it is an inexpensive and tasty meal you’re definitely going to want to experience.
The Garage Bar– 618 Church St.
The aesthetics of this bar/restaurant are unmatched. Staying true to its name, the bar is sparsely decorated and has a large open garage area towards the back. Although it’s open air, Garage Bar has an abundance of space heaters that are guaranteed to keep you warm (besides your drinks). An additional benefit is the pizza, as the Pizza House is located right next door to the bar.
Since the bar tends to be warm, we highly recommend a light jacket, sweater, and a scarf. Accessories like a hat or scarf are important as they can be removed if you start to overheat under the heating lamps. They are seriously hot! This bar leans casual, so it can be paired with black combat boots or white sneakers to adhere to the unofficial dress code.
Frita Batidos– 117 W Washington
Saving the best for last, Frita Batidos is an Ann Arbor staple. Whether you’re a carnivore (beef frita and make it loco), vegetarian (cilantro-garlic fries), or vegan (loaded plantains with no cheese or creme fraiche), you are guaranteed to find something delicious for you that’s worth braving the cold for. On the weekends, Frita Batidos will have tables set up on the street for outdoor dining. There are heating lamps, but it is not the most warm layout. However, the safety precautions more than make up for the cold. Patrons typically wear their masks till their food arrives, the tables are more than six feet apart, and environmentally friendly disposable dishes are used to minimize possible contamination.
Keeping in mind the absolute chilly abyss that is the Michigan Winter, this outfit recommendation prioritizes comfort over fashion. Monochrome sweatsuits have been the trend of the quarantine, but it is also super practical for layering purposes. To complete the look, pair the sweatsuit with a nice long wool coat for the celebrity look. For optimal warmth, a thermal long sleeve and leggings can be worn underneath the sweatsuit.
Although Michigan has lifted its restriction on indoor dining, it’s still important to feel safe and stay safe by eating outdoors! Even though you are outdoors, you should still be wearing your mask when away from your designated table and be courteous to staff by masking up when they come to serve you. It is also important to follow all health guidelines by the state and stay home if you are feeling ill (you can always dress up at home). All of the restaurants listed are committed to safety, making sure tables are socially distanced and enforcing COVID safety rules.