By Lindsay Morris, TulsaPlaces.org
When the weather is great in Tulsa, we Okies immediately think about how we can soak up as much Vitamin D as possible. One of my favorite solutions to productive sunbathing is to eat outside. Fortunately, the Tulsa area has plenty of amazing patios to choose from.
Here are my Top 7:
Blue Rose
1924 Riverside Dr, Tulsa, OK 74119
This fun restaurant and bar has become me and my 
husband’s spot when we’re feeling the itch to eat outdoors. The patio overlooks the Arkansas River and is the perfect place to go to relax and unwind. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio, too. We typically enjoy a burger, cheese fries, and some sort of libation (when I’m not pregnant) while watching the birds swirling over the river. Blue Rose is also a go-to spot for cyclists. What could be more perfect than sitting outside and chowing down after a long ride along Riverside?
Zanmai
1402 S. Peoria Ave. #200 Tulsa, OK 74120
(Note: Zanmai has unfortunately closed since the writing of this article. Chef Terauchi has made the decision to retune to Fuji in South Tulsa full time as a result. Don’t worry, though: a restaurant with a view like this won’t be empty for long!)
Zanmai truly has one of the best views of downtown Tulsa. The entire restaurant is situated on the 2nd floor of a building just off of Cherry Street, and if it’s a nice day, you absolutely must sit on the patio.
As I mention in my review of Zanmai, it really does have a “woking” 
view!:)
While the food at Zanmai is certainly impressive, the space that the restaurant is in is truly wowing. From the incredible views on the patios, to the posh look of the sushi bar and dining areas, you and your friends will most certainly feel that you’re dining in style.
When I go to Zanmai, I usually go for lunch to take advantage of their amazing Sushi Lunch Specials. Their Lunch Special allows you to choose three sushi rolls plus soup and a salad for as little as $10. The lunch includes a soup and salad, along with three delicious rolls ranging from six to 10 pieces each. That’s a steal of a deal for sushi!
Café Ole
3509 S Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74105
There are few outdoor dining areas in Tulsa that rival Cafe Olé’s. While enjoying your meal and margarita, you’re surrounded by twinkly lights, an enclosed patio complete with fans, TVs, a fireplace and heat lamps (depending on the weather), and other diners enjoying their margaritas and queso, of course. It’s the perfect place to take a group of friends for a casual evening out.
The food is a bit different than your typical Mexican restaurant. The menu is southwestern Tex Mex, so if you’re looking for authentic Mexican food, this probably isn’t the place for you. All of the dishes are eclectic, blending flavors you may not find at other restaurants. No matter what main course you order, you absolutely must try their queso – it’s different than any queso I’ve ever tried. You won’t regret it!
East Village Bohemian Pizzeria
818 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 
74120
This place has such a fun atmosphere. The outside patio on the east side of downtown Tulsa is the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch with coworkers or evening out with friends. With twinkly lights and the occasional live music outdoors, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Everything at East Village Bohemian Pizzeria is freshly prepared with the best ingredients, like Italian San Marzano tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and sausage from Tulsa’s Burn Co. BBQ. The pizzas are cooked in their wood-fired oven at over 800 degrees. The quality of the ingredients shows in the taste of the food. This is no ordinary pizza. It’s fresh and flavorful through and through.
Wild Fork
1820 Utica Square, Tulsa, OK 74114
When I was in college, I started a “brunch club” of ORU students who didn’t have class until late on Thursdays. We would regularly go to Wild Fork, sit on the patio, and eat our fill of beignets and apple smoked bacon. I started a tradition then that I still enjoy keeping up as often as possible.
It doesn’t get much more Tulsan than sitting on the patio at Wild Fork, in my opinion. From their patio, you can enjoy the chimes on the clock and the flowers blooming at Utica Square, watch folks and dogs meandering the shopping center, and eat one of the best meals in town.
For breakfast, I really do always have to get their beignets and apple smoked bacon. For lunch, I mix things up a little more and enjoy everything from the Roasted Chicken Salad to the Mediterranean Burger to the Goat Cheese, Arugula and Red Onion Quesadillas. I’ve never had anything at Wild Fork that I didn’t like!
La Villa Restaurant at Philbrook
2727 S. Rockford Rd., Tulsa, OK 74114
La Villa, located inside the Philbrook Museum of Art, is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places to dine in Tulsa – whether you’re dining inside or outside. If you choose to sit on their patio, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Philbrook garden terraces and gazebo. You can enjoy lunch at La Villa Tuesday through Saturday, or a magnificent brunch on Sundays. The brunch at La Villa is truly amazing and will be an unforgettable experience for you and your fellow diners, especially if you can manage to sit outside on a nice day. For $25.95, you can enjoy everything from fresh seafood, fruit, an omelet bar, carved meats, waffles and various pastries, and much more.
Tucci’s
1344 E 15th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
Tucci’s Café Italia along Cherry Street is my favorite place to sit outside along Cherry Street. From your table, you can see the hub bub of pedestrians and traffic along this popular shopping and dining district. Tucci’s does Italian food really well, and I especially enjoy their pizza. My favorite pizzas there are the Don Ho (Hawaiian pineapple, Canadian bacon, toasted pinenuts) and the Freddo (alfredo sauce, chicken, roasted garlic, artichockes, and pine nuts).
Tucci’s also has a diverse pasta menu with some items you won’t find at most other Italian restaurants, like Salmon Alfredo, Spaghetti & Clams, Roberto, and Mahi Mahi served with pesto pasta.
Lindsay Morris started TulsaPlaces.org in 2012 as a place for people to go to get more excited about exploring Tulsa. Her passion is to grow where she’s planted, and she aims to do that through her blog. She’s also a wife, a mom to a son due in September and a cute miniature Schnauzer, and a PR/marketing professional.