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The covered West Terrace at the Barnes museum is an option for outdoor dining on rainy days.
Barnes Foundation

11 Covered Patios for Dining Outdoors in Philly When It Rains

Where to eat outside on rainy days without getting drenched

by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme Updated
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The covered West Terrace at the Barnes museum is an option for outdoor dining on rainy days.
| Barnes Foundation
by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme Updated

With dining rooms closed in Philly, a rainy evening often means a canceled reservation, and sudden summer storms can quickly derail plans for both diners and restaurants. But there are a handful of Philadelphia restaurants that have managed to rain-proof their outdoor dining setups. Just remember that servers are likely ducking in and out of the rain, so tip extra and don’t complain about a couple of water droplets on the appetizers.

For updated information on coronavirus cases in Philly, visit the City of Philadelphia website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio and sidewalk dining is contingent on restaurants and diners following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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The Garden Restaurant at the Barnes

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With its dramatic architecture and enormous covered walkway, the West Terrace of the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes museum on the Parkway is a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience. The huge overhang keeps diners dry even in the windiest conditions. Come back on a sunny day to try the Garden Terrace. The art collections are open for visiting before or after a meal but tickets to the museum are not required to eat at the restaurant.

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 278-7070
(215) 278-7070
overhead shot of white plates with food on a wood table Barnes Foundation

Walnut Street Cafe

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The FMC Tower is designed in such a way that part of the building juts out over the outdoor dining setup at Walnut Street Cafe, the upscale American restaurant located on the ground floor of the skyscraper. That means the outdoor tables are protected from the elements. With the Schuylkill River adjacent to the building, there’s a lovely breeze that makes this option extra-appealing when it’s not raining.

Sunset Social, a rooftop bar in the same building complex, is another rainy day option since it has a huge tent — but note that the venue closes on very windy days.

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 867-8067
(215) 867-8067

Also featured in:

Mission Taqueria

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In Rittenhouse, Mission Taqueria has taken over part of a parking garage for an outdoor dining area it’s calling Sansom Street Surf Club. It’s actually much nicer than it sounds, with bright decor and lights that give it a kind of laid-back rave vibe.

above Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 383-1200
(215) 383-1200

Also featured in:

Molly Malloy's

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Reading Terminal Market pub Molly Malloy’s set up a dining area just outside the market on the section of Filbert Street that’s completely covered. It’s open during the day with breakfast, lunch, and brunch, plus beer, wine, and cocktails. Delivery is also an option.

Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 525-1001
(267) 525-1001

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

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In addition to sidewalk dining, Cuban restaurant Cuba Libre in Old City has several tables under a newly constructed awning, complete with fans for extra airflow. Pair with a sugar cane and rum cocktail for a tropical evening shielded from the rain.

10 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-0666
(215) 627-0666
people eating at outdoor tables under a red awning Cuba Libre

Zahav

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The hottest dinner reservation in Philly remains tough to get, but try calling Zahav on a rainy night to see if the Israeli restaurant has any cancellations. The covered patio in the back courtyard books out two weeks in advance.

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
(215) 625-8800

Also featured in:

Xochitl

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A few Society Hill restaurants are using the covered Shambles, a historic open-air marketplace that dates to the 1700s, for modern outdoor dining. Among them is the Tex Mex restaurant Xochitl, a neighborhood favorite for guacamole and margaritas.

On the same block, Pizzeria Stella, known for its Neapolitan-style pies, and new American cafe/wine shop Bloomsday are also serving under the Shambles.

408 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 238-7280
(215) 238-7280

Alma del Mar

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Alma del Mar, the new Queer Eye-designed restaurant in the Italian Market, just expanded its hours, so diners can now order breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a table on the roomy covered patio, which took over what was an empty lot next to the restaurant.

1007 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 644-8158
(215) 644-8158
bright mural with five people under neon sign Rachel Vigoda

Also featured in:

Pho 75

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The blue tarp roof and plastic sheeting sides look a bit makeshift, but they keep diners dry at this no-frills Vietnamese destination on Washington Avenue that serves nothing but pho. Takeout is available too.

1122 Washington Ave F, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-5866
(215) 271-5866

Also featured in:

Le Virtù

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As it is every summer, Le Virtù’s patio on East Passyunk Avenue is covered with a large tent that makes it comfortable even in gloomy weather. The Italian restaurant also installed some extra fabric awnings to offer a few more seats to diners craving pasta on rainy summer nights.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-5626
(215) 271-5626

Also featured in:

Pistola’s Del Sur

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On East Passyunk Avenue, Pistola’s takes advantage of its covered sidewalk with roomy picnic tables where it’s easy to spread out, kick back, and enjoy a plate of nachos and a frozen margarita, even in the rain.

1934 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 519-2329
(267) 519-2329

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The Garden Restaurant at the Barnes

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130

With its dramatic architecture and enormous covered walkway, the West Terrace of the Garden Restaurant at the Barnes museum on the Parkway is a one-of-a-kind outdoor dining experience. The huge overhang keeps diners dry even in the windiest conditions. Come back on a sunny day to try the Garden Terrace. The art collections are open for visiting before or after a meal but tickets to the museum are not required to eat at the restaurant.

2025 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 278-7070
(215) 278-7070
overhead shot of white plates with food on a wood table Barnes Foundation

Walnut Street Cafe

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

The FMC Tower is designed in such a way that part of the building juts out over the outdoor dining setup at Walnut Street Cafe, the upscale American restaurant located on the ground floor of the skyscraper. That means the outdoor tables are protected from the elements. With the Schuylkill River adjacent to the building, there’s a lovely breeze that makes this option extra-appealing when it’s not raining.

Sunset Social, a rooftop bar in the same building complex, is another rainy day option since it has a huge tent — but note that the venue closes on very windy days.

2929 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 867-8067
(215) 867-8067

Mission Taqueria

above Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

In Rittenhouse, Mission Taqueria has taken over part of a parking garage for an outdoor dining area it’s calling Sansom Street Surf Club. It’s actually much nicer than it sounds, with bright decor and lights that give it a kind of laid-back rave vibe.

above Oyster House, 1516 Sansom St 2nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 383-1200
(215) 383-1200

Molly Malloy's

Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Reading Terminal Market pub Molly Malloy’s set up a dining area just outside the market on the section of Filbert Street that’s completely covered. It’s open during the day with breakfast, lunch, and brunch, plus beer, wine, and cocktails. Delivery is also an option.

Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(267) 525-1001
(267) 525-1001

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

10 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

In addition to sidewalk dining, Cuban restaurant Cuba Libre in Old City has several tables under a newly constructed awning, complete with fans for extra airflow. Pair with a sugar cane and rum cocktail for a tropical evening shielded from the rain.

10 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 627-0666
(215) 627-0666
people eating at outdoor tables under a red awning Cuba Libre

Zahav

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106

The hottest dinner reservation in Philly remains tough to get, but try calling Zahav on a rainy night to see if the Israeli restaurant has any cancellations. The covered patio in the back courtyard books out two weeks in advance.

237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-8800
(215) 625-8800

Xochitl

408 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

A few Society Hill restaurants are using the covered Shambles, a historic open-air marketplace that dates to the 1700s, for modern outdoor dining. Among them is the Tex Mex restaurant Xochitl, a neighborhood favorite for guacamole and margaritas.

On the same block, Pizzeria Stella, known for its Neapolitan-style pies, and new American cafe/wine shop Bloomsday are also serving under the Shambles.

408 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 238-7280
(215) 238-7280

Alma del Mar

1007 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Alma del Mar, the new Queer Eye-designed restaurant in the Italian Market, just expanded its hours, so diners can now order breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a table on the roomy covered patio, which took over what was an empty lot next to the restaurant.

1007 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 644-8158
(215) 644-8158
bright mural with five people under neon sign Rachel Vigoda

Pho 75

1122 Washington Ave F, Philadelphia, PA 19147

The blue tarp roof and plastic sheeting sides look a bit makeshift, but they keep diners dry at this no-frills Vietnamese destination on Washington Avenue that serves nothing but pho. Takeout is available too.

1122 Washington Ave F, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 271-5866
(215) 271-5866

Le Virtù

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

As it is every summer, Le Virtù’s patio on East Passyunk Avenue is covered with a large tent that makes it comfortable even in gloomy weather. The Italian restaurant also installed some extra fabric awnings to offer a few more seats to diners craving pasta on rainy summer nights.

1927 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-5626
(215) 271-5626

Pistola’s Del Sur

1934 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

On East Passyunk Avenue, Pistola’s takes advantage of its covered sidewalk with roomy picnic tables where it’s easy to spread out, kick back, and enjoy a plate of nachos and a frozen margarita, even in the rain.

1934 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 519-2329
(267) 519-2329

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