Note: This is the original 2021 version of our patio guide. For the current edition covering 2026's best patios — including new additions Thérèse, Pittsburgh Blue, and Bellecour — see the updated article.
When the weather finally turns in Minnesota, patios become the most coveted real estate in the state. Edina has long had some of the Twin Cities' best outdoor dining, and whether you're looking for a fire pit with cocktails or a serene lake view with pasta, the city delivers. Here were the ten top patios to seek out in 2021.
1. Tavern on France
Centrally located along France Avenue, Tavern on France has long been the benchmark for Edina patios. An outdoor bar, fire pits, and an enclosed layout that shields diners from street noise keep it "regularly voted the best patio by our readers," according to Edina Magazine editor Angela Johnson. The Minneapolis Mule and Rosénade cocktails are the warm-weather drinks of choice here.
2. Salut
The chic French bistro at 50th & France brought a genuine Paris-patio sensibility to Edina: hanging flower baskets, rosé, oysters, and bistro seating that made an ordinary afternoon feel elevated. "Paris is all about patio culture," noted Parasole Restaurants' Kip Clayton. Champagne happy hour at 3 p.m. weekdays was a local institution.
3. Edina Grill
Adjacent to Salut, the Edina Grill served as the family-friendly counterpoint — Killer Banana Waffles for breakfast, social hour from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and the reliable comfort of a classic American diner. A neighborhood staple.
4. Arezzo
A longtime Italian staple at 50th & France, Arezzo brought an extensive wine list and handmade pasta — including the signature gnocchi — to one of the neighborhood's most charming outdoor settings.
5. Wooden Hill Brewing Company
Edina's first brewery and taproom offered craft beers, in-house sodas, and a patio that felt like a genuine neighborhood gathering place. Co-founder Sean Ewen described it as "casual, friendly and a great place to meet up." The chef had previously competed on FOX's MasterChef.
6. Good Earth
Good Earth's foliage-draped pergola near the Galleria provided shade and views, with a menu built around locally sourced produce. Famous for summertime salads, the restaurant was — and remains — one of the city's most pleasant places to eat outdoors.
7. CōV Edina
When CōV's nautical-themed, Nantucket-inspired patio opened, it was described as the newest addition to Edina's outdoor dining scene. Heat sources extended the season well into fall. The seafood-focused menu — crab cakes, cioppino, oysters — gave the patio genuine culinary credibility.
8. Ciao Bella
Situated near the Marriott Residence Inn on the Edina-Bloomington border, Ciao Bella served upscale Italian dishes emphasizing handcrafted, local ingredients. A slightly off-the-beaten-path choice that rewarded those who sought it out.
9. Pinstripes
Pinstripes at Centennial Lakes Park set the standard for scenic outdoor dining in Edina: Adirondack chairs around a fire pit, lake views, bocce and bowling inside, wood-fired pizza and housemade pasta on the menu. The patio is particularly memorable during the Edina Art Fair each June.
10. Town Hall Station
A converted gas station with genuine neighborhood character, Town Hall Station poured Minneapolis-brewed beers on tap and served what Angela Johnson called "great food" in a "charming little place" that was walkable from much of Edina. The Pitstop Cherry Lager became something of a local legend.