Al Fresco Dining in Fort Wayne

Summer time! Time for dining Al Fresco — if you’re curious, that’s Italian for “in the open air”. And for the very curious, you might like to know that it would be “en plein air” in French, “im Freien” in German, and in Polish “na świeżym powietrzu” (don’t ask me how to pronounce that). We are slightly less poetic in America, but to the point — we want a place where we can “sit outside” and enjoy the Summer air!  

After being stuck inside at the office all day, you may want to get some fresh air and enjoy the sites and sounds of Fort Wayne. These local establishments, not too far from Willow Creek Crossing Apartments, offers outdoor dining. Options range from places for a casual hangout with friends over beer and bar food, to others that offer fine food and fancy cocktails for a special celebration.

816 Pint & Slice
816 S. Calhoun St.
Food: pizza, subs, pasta, and salads — and beer
Outdoor seating: casual sidewalk tables out front

Calhoun Street Soup, Salads & Spirits
1915 S. Calhoun St.
Food: yes – soups and salads and drinks! (but also classic bar food and appetizers and daily specials)
Outdoor seating: a large, fenced-in outdoor dining area where local musicians play on evenings during the summer (check their website for a schedule)

Club Soda
235 E. Superior Street
Food: creative appetizers; classic steak house options, but also seafood, vegetarian and other meat options
Outdoor seating: an attractive ground level patio — very popular — and a second floor covered terrace.

The Deck
303 E. Superior St. (behind The Old Gas House restaurant)
Food: classic American fare and bar food
Outdoor seating: the whole thing is outside! — it’s only open during summer — overlooking the St. Mary’s River

Dash-In
814 S. Calhoun St.
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night menu on weekends; classic American food, a lot of it homemade
Outdoor seating: Big City-style sidewalk seating out front

JK O’Donnell’s 
121 W. Wayne St.
Food: classic Irish pub favorites, plus a variety of entrees and appetizers with a creative twist
Outdoor seating: an intimate front patio

Mad Anthony’s Brewpub
1109 Taylor St.
Food: expansive American menu and custom brewed beers
Outdoor seating: a fenced off patio out back

Main Street Bistro and Martini Lounge
200 E. Main St.
Food: upscale American with an Asian or European twist
Outdoor seating: large outdoor patio with lounge furniture and standing heaters for cooler evenings

O’Reilly’s Irish Bar and Restaurant
301 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Food: traditional Irish fare and American bar food
Outdoor seating: patio seating with a view of the TinCaps field

Oyster Bar
1830 S. Calhoun St.
Food: known for oysters, seafood, fish; but ribs, steak and chicken available, too
Outdoor seating: front patio

Toscani Pizzeria
Food: pizzas, sausage rolls, pasta and salads
Outdoor seating: front patio

This is only a partial list of the many options Fort Wayne has to offer. What are your favorite Fort Wayne Restaurants that offer outdoor dining?