One of the best parts of summer is eating outside. Date night, family dinner, brunch, coffee, cocktails, cheese boards… we’ll take any outdoor dining at any time on a warm sunny day. Actually, we’ll even take it on a cloudy day. A leisurely time on a patio really cannot be beaten and in Wisconsin, we have a short window to enjoy it!
Before you head out, check to make sure if reservations are needed. Some outdoor seating is first come first served, so you might have a short wait. Don’t forget your sunscreen, we’ve been surprised by a sunburn acquired during a Sunday brunch!
Editor’s Note: Some of these businesses continue to have altered hours, make sure to check their website or social media for current hours before heading out to eat. Email govalleykids@gmail.com or comment below if we missed your favorite spot. Also, we would love to add your feedback. What’s to love about your favorite spot?
Read More: The ABCs of Summer Snackin’: A Bucket List of Local Goodies!
Waterfront Dining
- Bridge Bar & Restaurant, 101 W Main St, Fremont
- Kids Menu starts at $4.99 and includes cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and grilled cheese
- Located on the Wolf River
- Clearwater Harbor Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, N2757 County Hwy QQ, Waupaca
- Kids’ Menu
- Playground
- Moo’s ice cream shoppe is open daily in the summer
- Live Music on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons
- Located on Chain O’ Lakes
- Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant, 501 W. Water St., Appleton
- Kids’ Menu with great side options and amazing chicken tenders
- Great for watch pelicans, herons, and eagles.
- Located on Fox River
- The Hotel Fremont, 218 Wolf River Dr, Fremont
- Located on the Wolf River
- Mr. Brew’s Taphouse, 201 S. Riverheath Way, Appleton
- Kids Menu
- Kids Eat FREE on Sundays and lunch specials each day of the week.
- The Nauti Turtle, 710 Wolf River Dr, Fremont
- Located on the Wolf River
- Pullmans at Trolley Square, 619 S Olde Oneida St, Appleton
- Live music Tuesday nights
- River Rail Bar & Grill, N5547 River St, Shiocton
- Located on the Wolf River
- River Tyme Bistro, 425 W Water St, Appleton
- Located on the Fox River
- Tempest Coffee Collective, 181 S. Riverheath Way, Appleton
- Dog friendly.
- Located on the Fox River
- The Waters, 815 W Wolf River Ave., New London
- Located on the Wolf River
- Waverly Beach Bar & Grill, N8770 Fire Lane 1, Harrison
- Located on Lake Winnebago
- Live music on Sundays
- Family Nights each Wednesday from 5 – 7 pm with free activities for kids
- Closed on Mondays
- Westridge Golf Course, 8130 Golf Course Drive, Neenah
- Charcuterie Boards
- Overlooking pond and golf course
Kids Eat FREE Deals
For complete offer details visit: Kids Eat FREE (or for less) – 50+ Restaurants with FREE Kids Meals! Contact restaurants to confirm.
- Sundays: Ground Round, Mr. Brew’s Taphouse
- Tuesdays: El Agave Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Wednesdays: The StoneYard
General Outdoor Dining & Patios
- 313 Dodge, 313 Dodge St, Kaukauna
- Anduzzi’s, 800 South Washington St, Kimberly
- Kids Menu with macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, chicken tenders
- Antojitos, 204 E College Ave, Appleton
- Author’s Kitchen & Bar, 125 E College Ave, Appleton
- Kids Menu with breakfast, pasta, and chicken options
- Currently closed on Saturday and Sunday
- The Bar, 427 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Kids menu
- celiac-friendly menu
- Bee Hive Barn & Grill, 2925 Cty Rd. G, Neenah
- Cannova’s Pizzeria, 113 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah
- Cinders Charcoal Grill, 2369 W. Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Kids meal for $1.99 (Monday – Thursday) includes soda & ice cream
- Cinders Charcoal Grill, 221 S. Kensington Dr, Appleton
- Kids meal for $1.99 (Monday – Thursday) includes soda & ice cream
- Capitol Centre, 725 W Capitol Dr, Appleton
- Carmella’s, 716 N Casaloma Dr, Appleton
- Chick-fil-A, 3775 W College Ave, Appleton
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, W3198 County Rd KK A, Appleton
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, 111 N Mall Dr, Appleton
- Culver’s, multiple locations
- Fox River Brewery and Restaurant, Fox River Mall, 4301 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Game Day Sports Bar, N225 Stoney Brook Rd, Appleton
- Greene’s Pour House, 134 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah
- Ground Round, 1010 Cameron Way, Neenah
- Sundays kids eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée
- Playground for kids
- Holidays Pub & Grill, 1395 W American Dr, Neenah
- Home Run Pizza, 1216 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Houdini’s Gastropub, 1216 S Oneida St, Appleton
- JD’s, 1939 E John St, Appleton
- Mark’s East Side, 1405 E Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Miss Brown’s Fine Foods II, 400 N Richmond St Ste G Appleton
- Noodles and Company, 4333 Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Noodles and Company, 3719 E Calumet St, Appleton
- The Northland Ave Neighborhood Sports Pub, 340 W Northland Ave, Appleton
- Parker John’s BBQ & Pizza, 124 Main St, Menasha
- Panda Express, 3641 W College Ave, Appleton
- Road Trip Food & Spirits, W1560 County Rd KK, Kaukauna
- Sangrias Mexican Grill, 215 S Memorial Dr, Appleton
- Limited patio seating
- Sundays Kids under 12 eat for $0.99 all day with adult entrée purchase
- Stone Arch Brewpub, 1004 S Olde Oneida St, Appleton
- Stone Toad Bar & Grill, 1109 Oneida St, Menasha
- The StoneYard, N1739 Lily of the Valley Dr, Greenville
- Wednesdays: Kids 10 & under eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée
- The StoneYard, W3010 Edgewood Trail Appleton
- Wednesdays: Kids 10 & under eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée
- The StoneYard, N140 Eisenhower Drive Appleton
- Wednesdays: Kids 10 & under eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée
- Tanner’s Grill & Bar, 730 S Railroad St, Kimberly
- Tom’s Drive In, Multiple Locations
- Willie Beamons, 2590 County Rd II, Neenah
- Wiseguys Pizzeria & Pub, 1440 S Oneida St, Appleton
- Woodfire Lodge, 2687 Man Cal Rd, Brillion
- Also offers sporting clay shooting course and 15 target archery course
- Zacatecas Mexican Grill & Tequila Lounge, 145 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah
- Zuppas Cafe, 1540 S Commercial St, Neenah
Coffee, Brunch, Lunch & Snacks with Outdoor Seating
- Acoca, 500 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Grab and go snacks, ice cream.
- All Seasons Coffeehouse, 1390 Popp Ln, Appleton
- Copper Rock, 210 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Copper Rock, 1835 E Edgewood Dr # 108, Appleton,
- Breakfast and lunch menus, gelato
- Dairy Queen, multiple locations
- Frio Mexican Treats, 131 W Wisconsin Ave, Appleton
- Great Harvest Bread Co., 116 W Wisconsin Ave, Neenah
- Happy Bellies Bakeshop, 2107 North Richmond Street, Appleton
- Jersey Bagel & Deli, 2641 N Oneida St, Appleton
- Kaukauna Coffee & Tea, 127 W Wisconsin Ave, Kaukauna
- Mondo, 220 W College Avenue, Appleton
- Cheese boards, pizza, snacks.
- Open after 3 pm
- Paradise Island Grill & Ice Cream, 2821 N Ballard Rd, Appleton
- Seth’s Coffee, 106 E Main St, Little Chute
- Shellatte’s, 330 N Commercial St, Neenah
- Snow Biz, 850 E Maes Ave, Kimberly
- Snowy Cabin, 451 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah
- Starbucks, multiple locations
- The Twist Ice Cream, N1716 Hyacinth Ln, Greenville
Read More: The Ultimate Ice Cream Lovers Bucket List: 60+ Favorites!
Downtown Appleton Outdoor Dining
Most locations offer limited seating on College Avenue. Those with a * have a separate patio
- Antojitos, 204 E College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- $5 Kids Menu with burrito, quesadilla, tacos, chicken nuggets, cheeseburger and more, includes soft drink
- Author’s Kitchen & Bar, 125 E College Ave, Appleton
- Kids Menu with breakfast, pasta, and chicken options
- Currently closed on Saturday and Sunday
- The Bar of Appleton – The Avenue, 427 W. College Avenue, Downtown Appleton
- Kids menu
- celiac-friendly menu
- Bazil’s*, 109 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Food from lunch to 1 am
- During the farmers market, vendor food allowed on the patio
- D2 Sports Pub, 403 W College Ave, Appleton
- McFleshman’s*, 115 State St, Downtown Appleton
- McFleshman’s hosts food trucks in their beer garden and allows carry-in or delivery from any restaurant
- Spats*, 733 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Lunch and dinner menus
- Sunday Brunch
- Wooden Nickel*, 217 E Wisconsin Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Kids menu items under $5 with mini corn dogs, chicken tenders, or hot dog
Drive-Ins
- Charlie’s Drive-In, 806 W Main St, Hortonville
- Dick’s Drive-In, 1718 Crooks Ave, Kaukauna
- The Well, 705 E Main St Winneconne, WI
Read More: Drive-in & Diner Restaurants in Northeast Wisconsin
Food Trucks
- Fox Valley Food Truck Rally follow on Facebook for upcoming events.
Date Night Outdoor Dining: Cocktails & Snacks
- Fox River House, 211 S Walnut St, Downtown Appleton
- Beer garden with trees and twinkle lights.
- LedgeStone Vineyards, 6381 WI-57, Greenleaf
- Dog-friendly, live music
- Mondo*, 220 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Cheese boards, pizza, snacks.
- Open after 3 pm
- Rye, 308 W College Ave, Downtown Appleton
- Tandem Wine and Beer, 101 W Edison Avenue Appleton
- Wednesday night wine specials.
- Charcuterie plates
- Whistler’s Knoll, N2845 Hwy 15 Hortonville
- Wine Nights, Friday Pizza Nights and Bloody Merry Sundays at the vineyard
- Wissota Chophouse, 1465 Bryce Dr, Neenah
- Xe54: a Wine & Cocktail Lounge, 1350 W American Dr, Neenah
