Downtown Olympia restaurants that have patios with outdoor seating this summer
With sunnier days upon us, many people are seeking places to eat and drink outside.
Luckily, Olympia has many options to choose from with scenic views along the water as well as inviting spaces with delicious food further into town.
Here are some of the downtown Olympia restaurants with patios this summer:
Swing Wine Bar
825 Columbia St. SW, Olympia
This cozy wine bar can be found on a hill with views of Capitol Lake, Budd Inlet and even the Olympic Mountains on a clear day.
The upscale establishment has a spacious outdoor patio where you can enjoy a glass of wine, cocktail or non-alcoholic alternatives. The food menu features gourmet offerings, including tasty appetizers and hearty entrées. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are clearly denoted on the menu.
Perspective visitors should keep in mind that the restaurant only allows people 21 and over, and reservations are recommended, according to their website.
Octapas Cafe
610 Water St. SW, Olympia
Locals can depend on Octapas Cafe for brunch, lunch or dinner. This eatery has a selection of tapas, small savory dishes that groups can share, such as baked oysters, Dungeness crab cakes and wings, as well as bigger plates of eggs shakshuka, mussels, shepherd’s pie, pasta and more.
The patio is covered by the building, so visitors can still enjoy the fresh air while avoiding the sun. After a meal, visitors can take a stroll through the nearby Heritage Park or go in the opposite direction to explore the shops of downtown Olympia.
Visitors can make a reservation online or call ahead to guarantee a spot.
The Olympia Oyster House
320 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia
This restaurant inhabits a historic building at the bottom of Budd Inlet’s West Bay. As the name suggests, seafood is a primary offering, but there are still land-sourced options to choose from, such as burgers and pasta.
The eatery features an expansive patio that’s open from Mother’s Day weekend through the end of September, depending on weather, according to the restaurant’s website. Guests can typically enjoy live music Thursday through Sunday in June, July and August as well as views of the nearby marina.
The Oyster House does not offer reservations, so guests must contend with a waitlist if it’s busy, per the website. Dogs are welcome on the patio as well.
Antony’s Homeport Olympia
704 Columbia St. NW, Olympia
The patio for Anthony’s Homeport is right on the waterfront, providing guests with a view of Port Plaza and Budd Inlet. Guests who prefer to sit inside can still take in panoramic views thanks to a restaurant-wide set of windows. It’s close to the city’s popular farmers market.
This restaurant specializes in upscale seafood offerings from fish and chips to a luxurious lobster dinner. It’s part of the family-owned Anthony’s Restaurants that also includes Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill in Olympia, which also has a scenic patio, albeit a bit farther from downtown.
Reservations can be made online.
Mercato Ristorante
111 Market St. NE, Olympia
Mercato is an Italian restaurant just across the street from the Olympia Farmers Market, which is a great place to eat outside in its own right. People who choose Mercato can sit at an umbrella-shaded table in a large, sectioned-off patio on the corner of Market Street Northeast and Washington Street. The patio is also dog friendly.
The menu features Italian sandwiches such as a pollo panino and panino caprese as well as rich pastas such as radiatori with sausage, rigatoni with slow-cooked bolognese, pumpkin ravioli, tagliatelle with shrimp and more. Visitors can also indulge in pizzas, steak, salmon and more.
Patrons can book a reservation or private dinner online.
Three Magnets Brewing Co.
600 Franklin St. SE, Olympia
This pubhouse is situated in a relatively newer structure behind the Old Capitol Building in downtown Olympia. Visitors can enjoy beers, cider, wine and non-alcoholic beverages with their family, friends and even dogs.
Though the establishment no longer serves its own food, a rotating selection of food trucks and trailers can often be found outside. OG’s Smokehouse BBQ serves up smoked tri-tip, pork belly, grilled chicken, Cajun shrimp and pork ribs.
If you don’t want barbecue, visitors are encouraged to bring whatever food they fancy and to enjoy it with their chosen drink. The establishment also occasionally hosts sports watch parties, concerts and other events.
