The 10 Best Restaurant Patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI
Last updated September 19, 2026 · ranked from 7,744 Google reviews · How we rank
Patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI range from breakfast cafes on Main Street to Greek dining along Paint Creek and sports pubs with outdoor seating. Ernie’s On The Creek, at 543 N Main St, pairs its creekside setting with Greek cuisine, cocktails and a 4.8 Google rating from 768 reviews. Pokeworks also holds a 4.8 rating, from 736 reviews, with a different format: counter-service poke bowls, burritos and salads at 178 N Adams Rd.
For daytime dining, Downtown Cafe at 606 N Main St serves breakfast and lunch, opens at 7 a.m. daily and earns 4.7 stars from 970 reviews. Paul’s On Main Street, at 630 N Main St, also opens at 7 a.m. but continues through dinner. Chomp, at 200 S Main St, offers burgers, sandwiches and salads, plus a patio that allows dogs outside.
Along Crooks Road, Griffin Claw Clubhouse and RH House both rate 4.5 stars. Griffin Claw emphasizes a beer selection of well over 100 options and casual pub food; RH House offers contemporary American cooking, handcrafted cocktails and weekend brunch. Grand Tavern Rochester Hills brings the largest review count among these choices—3,440—with a 4.3 rating, outdoor seating, pub food and daily service.
Top picks at a glance
1Ernie's On The CreekErnie's On The Creek offers outdoor seating along Paint Creek and a Greek-focused menu with small plates.
2Downtown CafeDowntown Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and coffee with patio seating, closing at 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays.
3Griffin Claw ClubhouseGriffin Claw Clubhouse offers outdoor seating, well over 100 beers, burgers and happy-hour food and drinks.
4.8(768)· Google4.8 out of 5 from 768 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $$ · Paint Creek / Rochester Municipal Park
Closed today
Outdoor seating along Paint Creek gives Ernie's On The Creek its defining feature and earns it the top spot among restaurant patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. Reviewers specifically praise the riverside setting, with one highlighting the octopus, lamb chops and shrimp alongside attentive service. The Greek-focused menu includes small plates and vegan and vegetarian options, while the bar offers wine, beer and cocktails. A 4.8 Google rating from 768 reviews adds support; dinner reservations are recommended.
Paint Creek seating
Greek-focused menu
Happy hour offerings
“Case was n excellent server. Great suggestions! Nice timing on food and drinks. Visit Ernie’s and ask for Case! He will make the visit enjoyable.”
4.7(970)· Google4.7 out of 5 from 970 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $$ · Paint Creek / Rochester Municipal Park
Closed · opens 7:00 AM
Breakfast and lunch outdoors are the draw at Downtown Cafe, which earns rank 2 for its patio, daytime menu and strong diner feedback. At 606 N Main St in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI, this snug cafe serves comfort food alongside healthy and vegetarian options, with coffee a noted feature. Reviewers praise the breakfast, portions and friendly service, contributing to a 4.7 Google rating from 970 reviews. Plan for an early visit: it closes at 3 p.m., or 2 p.m. Sundays, and usually has a wait.
Breakfast and lunch
Noted coffee
Free parking lot
“The Downtown Cafe is simply the BEST. Great breakfast and lunch. Always great service and reasonably priced. If you haven’t been, it’s a must. And you’ll keep going back for years like we have. They cater too.”
4.5(1,989)· Google4.5 out of 5 from 1989 reviews (Google rating)
Bar · $$ · The Village of Rochester Hills (Walton & Adams)
Closed today
Outdoor seating and a selection of well over 100 beers give Griffin Claw Clubhouse its No. 3 spot among restaurant patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. Burgers and other casual eats anchor the menu, with happy-hour food and drinks also available. The pub welcomes children and groups, accepts reservations and offers table service. Free lot and street parking add practical appeal, while its 4.5 Google rating across 1,989 reviews provides broader support for the choice.
Outdoor seating
Over 100 beers
Accepts reservations
“My work crew stopped here on a Thursday night. The server was attentive and the beverages were great! A greater connection, or view of the brewing process would be cool.”
4.5(1,722)· Google4.5 out of 5 from 1722 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $$ · The Village of Rochester Hills (Walton & Adams)
Open now · closes 10:00 PM
Outdoor lunch is a specific draw at RH House, where one reviewer enjoyed sitting outside with a friend and sharing three appetizers. Its patio, contemporary American menu and handcrafted cocktails earn it the No. 4 spot in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. Small plates, vegetarian and vegan options give groups several ways to order, while brunch, lunch and dinner offer a choice of meal times. Reservations are accepted and recommended for brunch and dinner; the restaurant holds a 4.5-star Google rating across 1,722 reviews.
Outdoor patio
Handcrafted cocktails
Brunch available
“Lovely to sit outdoor and enjoy lunch with a friend. We shared 3 appetizers and all were delicious. Only complaint, pay closer attention to the stupid coming out of the dishwasher. My silverware and plate were dirty. I had to ask for cle…”
A dog-friendly patio and a menu with vegan, vegetarian and healthy options put Chomp at No. 5 among restaurant patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. At 200 S Main St, this casual, counter-service spot serves burgers, sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner. One longtime regular specifically praises its vegan options, while another reviewer singles out the Reuben. A children’s menu and high chairs add practical appeal for families, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.
Dog-friendly patio
Vegan options
Counter service
“I've been a regular for years. I've always loved this place from day one. Keep up the great work on vegan options”
4.5(464)· Google4.5 out of 5 from 464 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $$ · Paint Creek / Rochester Municipal Park
Closed · opens 8:00 AM
Dogs are welcome outside at The Brunch Bar, whose daytime hours and brunch offerings earn it the No. 6 spot among patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., it serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with coffee, cocktails and vegetarian choices among the options. A children’s menu and high chairs make it practical for families. One reviewer praised the chicken-and-waffle seasoning and good service. Reservations are accepted, though a wait is usual.
Dogs welcome outside
Coffee and cocktails
Daily daytime hours
“Would come back. We loved the seasoning on the chicken and waffle. Drinks looked great. Service was good. Reasonable prices compared to most brunch restaurants. Solid menu. Music was not breakfast-appropriate, was too trendy and techno-p…”
4.4(162)· Google4.4 out of 5 from 162 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $ · Paint Creek / Rochester Municipal Park
Open now · closes 11:00 PM
Dog-friendly outdoor seating and a review praising the patio experience during live music give Old Detroit Bar and Grille Rochester Hills its No. 8 spot in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. Burgers anchor the menu, with one reviewer specifically appreciating the Impossible burger when dining with friends who aren't plant-based. Happy-hour food and drinks, an on-site bar, and a children’s menu make it practical for different dining plans. Free on-site and street parking add convenience, while reviewers also praise the service.
Dog-friendly outdoor seating
Impossible burger option
Happy-hour food and drinks
“I come here often. I love that they have an impossible burger option. I like that I get to eat something besides a salad at a restaurant with friends who are not plant-based. I especially love it when I get a server named Luna. She’s my …”
4.3(604)· Google4.3 out of 5 from 604 reviews (Google rating)
Restaurant · $$ · Brooklands (Auburn Road)
Open now · closes 9:00 PM
Dog-friendly outdoor seating gives MESHICO Tacos and Tequila its place at No. 10 among restaurant patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI. At 2949 Crooks Rd, it pairs that outdoor option with happy-hour food and drinks, small plates, and vegan and vegetarian choices. One reviewer praises fresh salsa, warm chips, and prompt, attentive service. Reservations are accepted, and free lot and street parking add practical convenience for a lunch or dinner visit.
Dog-friendly outdoor seating
Happy-hour food and drinks
Vegan and vegetarian options
“Food was tasty and as expected. Mexican flavors were on point. Portions were average and service was prompt and attentive. Slasa was fresh and delicious with warm chips. At lunch they were not crowded which made dining quite and comforta…”
Map of every pick
Compare at a glance
Comparison of the best Restaurant Patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI
4.3(604)4.3 out of 5 from 604 reviews (Google rating)
$$
Brooklands (Auburn Road)
Open
Ratings and review counts shown are Google ratings, displayed with attribution.
How we ranked this list
Each patio is scored on a Bayesian-weighted rating (its rating adjusted for how many reviews it has compared with the Rochester category average), how recently we verified its details, and how complete its listing is. Scores and ranks are stored, so the order only changes when the underlying data changes.
Restaurant Patios in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI: common questions
Which outdoor dining spots have the highest Google ratings?
Ernie’s On The Creek and Pokeworks both have 4.8 stars, with 768 and 736 reviews respectively. Ernie’s offers table service and Greek cuisine along Paint Creek; Pokeworks offers customizable poke meals with counter service. Downtown Cafe follows at 4.7 stars from 970 reviews.
Where can I bring a dog for patio dining in Rochester & Rochester Hills, MI?
Chomp at 200 S Main St allows dogs outside. Its menu includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, and vegan and vegetarian options. Restaurant hours are 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday.
Which patio restaurants serve breakfast or brunch?
Downtown Cafe and Paul’s On Main Street both serve breakfast and brunch and open at 7 a.m. daily. Downtown Cafe closes at 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. RH House serves brunch and opens at 10 a.m. on weekends; brunch reservations are recommended.
Which restaurants with outdoor seating accept reservations?
Ernie’s On The Creek, RH House, Grand Tavern Rochester Hills, Griffin Claw Clubhouse and Paul’s On Main Street accept reservations. Dinner reservations are recommended at Ernie’s and RH House. Downtown Cafe, Chomp, Pokeworks and RJ’s Pub - Sir Pizza do not accept reservations; Downtown Cafe usually has a wait.
Which patio options have children’s menus and free parking?
Paul’s On Main Street, Downtown Cafe, RH House and Ernie’s On The Creek all list children’s menus, high chairs and free lot parking. Ernie’s also has changing tables. Chomp has a children’s menu and high chairs, with paid lot and street parking.
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