Patio SZN: Celebrate Spring in Midtown With 100+ Outdoor Dining Options
Outdoor dining options are helping Midtown restaurant owners get by during what has been a tough time for business.
5/6/2021
Guests dine on Publico Atlanta's patio on Crescent Avenue.
BY ELLIE HENSLEY
Did you know Midtown Atlanta has 100,000 square feet of outdoor dining space distributed across 100 restaurants, in just over one square mile?
These patios range from large spaces built into the restaurants’ design to sidewalk dining areas that cropped up during the pandemic. Most recently, the City of Atlanta’s Department of City Planning launched a new permit process to allow restaurants to allow restaurants to create on-street dining areas or “parklets” along the curb.
“Our outdoor seating has been vital to our business, especially with some people still preferring to eat outdoors due to COVID concerns,” said Chef Craig Richards of Lyla Lila, which created a 560 SF patio out front on the sidewalk last year. “We've also seen an uptick in business with the warmer weather and more people being vaccinated. People also just enjoy eating outside, being on Peachtree in the heart of Midtown and feeling almost normal again.”
Publico Atlanta, along Crescent Street, has always featured a patio — in the summer the tables are shaded by umbrellas, and in the winter the 1,200 SF space is transformed into a wonderland with inflatable igloos. But now the amenity is more important than ever.
“With the pandemic, it’s safer to be outside and we’re happy to be able to offer patio space, said Michael Duganier, President, COO and Owner of All In Restaurant Group, which owns Publico. “Not only can we offer that on days with good weather, but we can also open up our three garage doors and almost extend the patio with our downstairs dining room.”
Now that the summer has nearly arrived, we encourage you as you’re ready to start planning your return to the district. We’ve launched a new campaign, Love Local, to help you rediscover the district. It includes a guide with ideas to help you support local businesses by posting on social media, resources to plan your visit to Midtown, and how to get our new MidtownATL Gift Card.
