When the mercury rises, many Fort Wayne establishments become favorites for summer recreation and thrill. The summer season brings extra time for brunch, outdoor dining, and decorative drinks.
I can imagine that everyone has their “summer spot” somewhere in the Summit City, but it doesn’t hurt to explore a little more.
By the way, if you're looking for outdoor dining during colder months, check out our Heated Outdoor Dining list.
I bring to you some of the best summer restaurants in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Don’t forget your sandals and sunglasses. It’s going to be spectacular.
The Best Outdoor Dining
Hoppy Gnome
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, and among all the activity, the Hoppy Gnome just fits in line with the perfect mood of summer. Take in a downtown festival downtown and don’t forget to stop by Hoppy Gnome.
Whether it’s for brunch on the patio that sits at a vibrant street corner or maybe a tasty brew from GnomeTown Brewing. The atmosphere is totally upbeat and the perfect stop for someone who might be going to and leaving a special event outdoors in downtown Fort Wayne.
203 E. Berry St. | 260.422.0070
Trubble Brewing
Standing right in the middle of the Broadway corridor is exactly where you’ll find Trubble Brewing.
A Fort Wayne staple for those seeking a good beer or lunch, there is plenty of space outside on their patio for fun and games. Take a seat on the patio to enjoy a summer evening, take in the fountain, and take it easy along the Broadway corridor.
2725 Broadway | 260.267.6082
Copper Spoon and The Sidecar
Enjoy an evening of outdoor dining at Copper Spoon, or enjoy the tropical flavors at the outdoor bar, The Sidecar.
An outdoor-centric way of enjoying a good drink has been redefined by Sidecar. Its boxcar experience gives for a casual, energetic method of enjoying your favorite cocktails.
When the summer season hits, it’s time for you to enjoy a good drink at the stellar tiki bar, Sidecar. Also, don’t forget that you’re literally next to Parkview Field, meaning you can sit on this patio and take in the TinCaps Baseball experience complete with some post-game fireworks in the summer.
301 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.755.1019
Three Rivers Distilling Co.
Just south of downtown Fort Wayne, you’ll find the wonderful Three Rivers Distilling Co. I feel it’s one of the biggest patios you’ll ever visit in Fort Wayne!
Even if it is one of those cooler summer nights, you'll still be able to enjoy this heated outdoor patio! Sun or no sun, you can be in the open or cover by a roof and still enjoy the great outdoors. There are even fire pits, corn hole stations, and much more to cater to your favorite outdoor activity.
224 E. Wallace St. | 260.745.9355
The Deck at the Gas House
A Fort Wayne favorite. The Deck has grown to be the place to be in Fort Wayne during the warmer months.
Situated right on the banks of the St. Marys River, The Deck is completely outdoors. Saddle up to the main bar or put your name in for a spot in the general table seating area - we recommend the Tots Deluxe. Take a bike ride along Fort Wayne's river, and make The Deck your final destination, and don't forget to order a Purple Haze (it's a cocktail that everyone loves to enjoy on a warm summer evening!)
The drinks are strong (and tasty) and the people are friendly at The Deck, and it is one of the best places to meet up with your friends or family.
305 E. Superior St. | 260.426.3411
Proximo
You can really take in the downtown Fort Wayne urban scene by visiting Proximo. This restaurant faces both the busy Wayne and Harrison St., offering the perfect spot for some summertime people-watching. Grab a seat in the light-filled indoor dining room, or take the fun outdoors to their two outdoor dining areas. A good cocktail and tasty brunch make for a perfect afternoon or evening at Proximo.
898 S. Harrison St. | 260.459.6150
Porch Off Calhoun
Don't forget to take advantage of all the great outdoor tables and seating for public use around downtown! Slide into a picnic table or high-top table at the Porch Off Calhoun, an award-winning public space in the large alley next to 816 Pint & Slice and Dash-In. For those cooler days and evenings, you can also turn on one of the heaters if available. Don't forget to look up and check out the large murals and public art in the alley! You can find more public use tables and seating in the alleys connecting to the Porch Off Calhoun.
Outdoor Dining in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- 2Toms Brewing Company
3676 N Wells St. | 260.402.7644
- 800 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza
10020 Lima Rd. | 260.490.0111
- 816 Pint & Slice
816 S. Calhoun St. | 260.423.6600
- Alto Grado Pizza
111 W. Columbia St. | 260.498.2491
- Arbor at The Bradley
204 W. Main St. | 260.800.8685
- Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern
2886 E. Dupont Rd. | 260.498.2082
- BakerStreet Steakhouse
4820 N. Clinton St. | 260.484.3300
- Banh Mi Barista
5320 Coldwater Rd. | 260.387.7222
- Banh Mi Pho Shop
1925 Fairfield Ave. | 260.745.4388
- Big Apple Pizza
120 W. Wayne St. | 260.424.4012
- Birdie's Rooftop Bar
204 W. Main St. | 260.800.8686
- Black Canyon
1509 W. Dupont Rd. | 260.203.5900
- Black Dog Pub
6230 Covington Rd. | 260.432.5534
- Blaze Pizza
401 E. Coliseum Blvd. | 260.440.8571
- Burger Bar
223 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.702.0349
- Bravas
3614 Fairfield Ave. | 260.745.7002
- Catablu Grille
6372 W Jefferson Blvd. | 260.456.6563
- Cebollas
602 E. Dupont Rd. | 260.497.8762
- Charlie's Place
4201 N. Wells St. | 260.483.2929
- Club Room at the Clyde (and Crescendo Coffee and More)
1806 Bluffton Rd. | 260.407.8530
- Club Soda
235 E. Superior St. | 260.426.3442
- Conjure Coffee
701 Columbia Ave. | 260-422-7770
1100 S. Calhoun St. (At the Botanical Conservatory)
- Conner's Rooftop
223 West Jefferson Blvd. | 260.702.0348
- Copper Spoon
301 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.755.1019
- Cork'n Cleaver
221 E. Washington Center Rd. | 260.484.7772
- Coyote Creek Bar & Grill
4935 Hillegas Rd. | 260.483.3148
- Dash-In
814 S. Calhoun St. | 260.423.3595
- The Deck at The Gas House
305 E. Superior St. | 260.426.3411
- Don Chava's
1234 N. Wells St. | 260.423.6677
- Don Hall's Gas House
305 E. Superior St. | 260.426.3411
- Don Hall's Tavern at Coventry
5745 Coventry Ln. | 260.459.2893
- el Azteca
535 E. State Blvd. | 260.482.2172
- Firefly Coffee House
3523 N. Anthony Blvd. | 260.373.0505
- Fortezza Coffee
819 S. Calhoun St. | 260.203.4103
- Friendly Fox
4001 S. Wayne Ave. | 260.745.3369
- Giordano's Pizza
10180 Diebold Rd. | 260.366.4787
- GnomeTown Brewing Co. on the Landing
118 Columbia St. | 260.265.2022
- Henry's Restaurant
536 W. Main St. | 260.426.0531
- Hop River Brewing Company
1515 N. Harrison St. | 260.739.3931
- Hoppy Gnome
203 E. Berry St. | 260.422.0070
- Hotel Tango Fort Wayne
10212 Chestnut Plaza Dr. | 260.616.0444
- JK O'Donnell's
121 W. Wayne St. | 260.420.5563
- Junk Ditch Brewing Company
1825 W. Main St. | 260.203.4045
- Kekionga Craft Company
7328 Maysville Rd. | 260.749.8889
- Kilwins
626 S. Harrison St. | 260.444.3569
- Lucille's BBQ
9011 Lima Rd. | 260.203.3937
- Lucky Turtle Grill
622 E. Dupont Rd. | 260.490.5765
- Mad Anthony Brewing Company
2002 Broadway | 260.426.2537
- Marquee at The Landing
123 W. Columbia St. | 260.222.7174
- Mercado
111 W. Columbia St. | 260.387.6160
- Mi Pueblo
2419 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.432.6462
- Morgan's Tap & Grill
8421 Bluffton Rd. | 260.747.0816
- Nawa Inspired Asian Cuisine
126 W Columbia St. | 260.399.7501
- Old Crown
3417 N. Anthony Blvd. | 260.422.5282
- Ophelia's
1603 N. Wells St. | 260.999.6980
- O'Reilly's Irish Bar & Restaurant
301 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.267.9679
- Oyster Bar
1830 S. Calhoun St. | 260.744.9490
- The Pub @ 1802
1802 Spy Run Ave. | 260.424.2439
- Penny Drip
815 Lafayette St. | 260.739.5070
- Porch Off Calhoun
Next to 816 Pint & Slice — 816 S. Calhoun St.
- Proximo
898 S.Harrison St. | 260.459.6150
- Redwood Inn
1432 W. Main St. | 260.426.7543
- Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
224 W. Wayne St. | 260.444.5898
- Saisaki
200 E. Main St. | 260.739.5286
- Salsa Grille
7755 Coldwater Rd. | 260.755.6905
- Shigs In Pit — Maplecrest Rd. and Illinois Rd. Locations
6250 Maplecrest Rd. | 260.222.8802
8506 Illinois Rd. | 260.338.4888
- Shoccu
9930 Illinois Rd. | 260.999.4131
- The Sidecar
301 W. Jefferson Blvd. | 260.755.1019
- Smokey Bones
1203 Apple Glen Blvd. | 260.436.6233
- Steady Eddy's Station
14436 Leo Rd. | 260.376.1195
- Summit City Brewerks
1501 E. Berry St. | 260.420.0222
- Summit Grill
6525 Covington Rd. | 260.432.6666
- Sweets on Main
123 W. Main St. | 260.424.0244
- Teds Beerhall
12628 Coldwater Rd. | 888.260.0351
- Three Fires Pizza
5215 Illinois Rd., Suite 101 | 260.416.0005
- Three Rivers Distilling Co.
224 E. Wallace St. | 260.745.9355
- Tolon
614 Harrison St. | 260.399.5128
- Trolley Steaks & Seafood
2898 E Dupont Rd. | 260.490.4322
- Trubble Brewing
2725 Broadway | 260.267.6082
- Umi
2912 Getz Rd. | 260.203.9975
- Utopian Coffee + Kitchen
118 W Columbia St. | 260.265.2023
- Union Street Market at Electric Works
1620 Broadway
- Welch's Ale House
1915 S. Calhoun St. | 260.456.6542
From June to August, grab your lunch at Lunch on the Square every Thursday! Fort Wayne's food trucks gather in Freimann Square and it is the perfect area for lunch on the go or a fun picnic lunch with the family.
There are many options to explore in Fort Wayne, so give it a shot and try one or all of them!
Taking the furry friend out for a nice day and want to experience places together? Take a look at these dog-friendly restaurants!
This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated. Last updated: May 2023