When the weather warms up, the best seat in the house is the one outside. Outdoor dining in Washington County, NY means more than a table on the sidewalk. Instead, it means a beer garden with a patio and live music. It can also mean a glass of local wine on a vineyard lawn. Or, it might mean soft serve at a roadside dairy bar or a rooftop deck overlooking a village Main Street.

This guide to outdoor dining in Washington County is organized by the kind of setting you’re after. That way, you can match the meal to the mood. However, most of these spots are seasonal, so call ahead or check current hours before you go!

Argyle Brewing Company proudly anchors one end of Greenwich’s Main Street. This popular “farm-to-glass” tap room opens onto a spacious patio and beer garden. Usually, visitors can find several house beers on tap, alongside local cider and wine by the glass. Plus, the tap room often features live music and a rotating cast of food trucks. Outside food is welcome, so it’s easy to pair your pint with whatever’s parked at the curb that day. Or, get takeout from one of the many delicious restaurants down the street!

In Fort Ann, you’ll find something entirely different. There, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery pours handcrafted spirits, cocktails, beer, wine and cider. Their tasting room sits on a 200-acre property in the Adirondack foothills, complete with a seasonal outdoor seating area with a firepit perfect for conversing. And behind it all? A scenic view of French Mountain. Add food trucks, live music and a dog-friendly atmosphere to the mix, and you get one well-rounded place to visit!

Find more local breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries on the Craft Beverage Trail.

In the rolling hills of Easton, two family wineries pour their own bottles and offer guests an experience with a view.

South Dominion Vineyard sets out tables on its landscaped patio. There, you can sip a glass and munch on a cheese board while overlooking the vines on a historic 260-year-old farm. Don’t forget to visit their small herd of adorable sheep while you’re there!

Just up the road, Victory View Vineyard offers seasonal outdoor seating that comes into its own in autumn. That’s when the surrounding hills explode into a vibrant burst of color, the perfect accompaniment to your Flannel Fall Crawl visit. And, this winery offers another unique aspect. It overlooks the Saratoga National Historical Park, where the British surrendered. In fact, this view is what earned the vineyard its name!

More Local Wine and Cider Stops

If you’re a lover of wine, you’re in luck. As part of the Upper Hudson American Viticultural Area, Washington County is quickly growing into the Capital Region’s premiere wine country! Don’t miss a visit to our two other incredible vineyards – Northern Cross Vineyard and Autumn’s Harvest Vineyard.

On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for cider, you’ll need to head a little further north. Slyboro Ciderhouse at Hicks Orchard in Granville offers a range of delicious ciders. Options include everything from from Black Currant sparkling cider to an apple brandy-cider blend! Their tasting room shares a building with an indoor marketplace, perfect for stocking up on gifts, baked goods and fudge alike. In addition, the outdoor porch area lets you enjoy your cider while enjoying a scenic view of the farm’s courtyard. They also have a variety of board games to enjoy while you’re there. Be sure to grab a bag of hot cider donuts before you leave!

Out by Lake Cossayuna, the Lakeside General Store serves bagels, breakfast, baked goods and burgers. Tucked inside a classic general store with both food, gifts and provisions for sale, this cafe is a great place to visit on your way to the lake! Hours run Friday through Sunday in season.You won’t want to miss your chance to enjoy their lovely outdoor patio and garden area, a relaxing spot to  eat outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Specialty Outdoor Dining Events

Of course, some of the county’s most memorable outdoor meals happen at occasional, reservation-based dining events rather than walk-up patios!

Near Cambridge, Round House Bakery at Pompanuck Farm hosts sit-down dinners, pizza nights and other events through the year. Some of these events ar held outdoors, and many dishes feature produce from the farm’s own garden. Reservations are required, so check their schedule before you go. Learn more about the Round House Bakery >

Few things say summer in Washington County like ice cream at an outdoor table. In Salem, Battenkill Valley Creamery scoops premium soft serve and custom sundaes at its farm-side shop. Just outside, their assortment of tables are the perfect place to enjoy your scoop.

In Greenwich, you’ll find the Ice Cream Man, a longtime warm-weather stop inside a log cabin. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, this spot is especially popular with families and dog parents.

Up in Granville, two seasonal spots serve both ice cream and American fare with patios out front: Jen’s Pit Stop and Scarlotta’s Car Hop. (Scarlotta’s is another dog-friendly stop – they even offer ice cream dog bones with rotating flavors!)

Last but not least, in Eagle Bridge, Benson’s Dairy Bar pairs soft serve, burgers and fries with outdoor tables and a pirate-themed playground that lets kids run off all that ice cream energy.

Of course, there are many more incredible ice cream stands across Washington County! See if you can visit them all as you follow the Ice Cream Trail.

Some patios earn their place on the strength of the view alone.

Slickfin Brewing in Fort Edward is a veteran-owned microbrewery whose patio and beer garden look out over the Hudson River. It’s a fitting place to slow down with a local beer as the water rolls by. Many guests order from nearby Stumpy’s Pizzeria to enjoy a slice with their pint on the patio!

Up the road in Fort Ann, Battle Hill Brewing Company serves delicious flavor built on local ingredients. Its outdoor deck tables give guests a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and small-town scenery. To add to the charm, his brewery’s décor also nods to the town’s Revolutionary War history. After all, the restaurant is not far from where the Battle of Fort Anne took place!

Out on NY-22 near Lake Lauderdale, Anita’s Burger Den plates handmade burgers, breakfast and flatbreads on a seasonal umbrella-shaded patio. Across the road sits Schoolhouse Pond, giving the outdoor tables a quiet waterside backdrop.

At Tiashoke Farm in Easton, their fourth-generation dairy farm has added a farm store and a dine-in café whose deck looks out over the area’s famous rolling hills and valleys. You can order a meal, browse the store’s meats and local cheeses, shop for curated antiques in the basement, and meet the animals. All in one stop!

In the mood for some dining in the heart of town? Several Main Street spots set out tables when the weather allows. As a result, guests can soak in the small-town connections happening all around them.

Greenwich, NY

Within the walkable business district of Greenwich, Wallie’s offers both sidewalk seating and a rooftop bar and deck (as well as at the bar, in booths and classic high-tops!) This restaurant services classic American and pub fare in a beautifully restored building.

A few doors down, Elsasser’s @ 111 plates Alsatian and German homestyle cooking. Their cozy indoor dining room expands during the warmer months with a few sidewalk tables. Next door, Juniper rounds out the dinner options with fresh, locally sourced plates, wine and beer, plus a couple of tables out front.

Also in Greenwich, the Witches Village Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and homemade desserts. Many guests enjoy sitting on their outdoor patio in the summer and early fall. For them, it is the perfect place to soak in the cozy atmosphere of the village.

Granville, NY

In Granville, On the Rocks Pub offers family-friendly pub food and drinks with seasonal outdoor seating. Their spot in the center of town makes it easy to pair with a stay at the Station House Bed & Breakfast or a stop at the Village Yarn Shop!

Cambridge, NY

Over in Cambridge, two Main Street spots invite guests to eat outside with a side of local history.

The Cambridge Depot occupies a beautifully restored 1901 train passenger depot, now reimagined as a village pub. Guests can enjoy craft beer, cider and elevated pub fare at a handful of outdoor tables, all inside a building that once served as a bustling stop along the D&H Railroad.

Just down the street, The Bog serves up classic American tavern fare, including its well-known Bog Burger, with outdoor seating of its own for soaking in the Main Street scene.

As you may know, outdoor seating in New York is largely seasonal. So, hours and availability shift with the weather. Call ahead or check each spot’s current schedule before you head out.

Ready to eat, taste and explore the best of Washington County? The options are nearly endless!

Discover more places to dine across the county or enjoy unique agritourism experiences. You can also shop for locally-made gifts and goods, or pick your own flowers and produce. Next, embark upon your next outdoor adventure, or experience an up-close animal encounter. Finally, see live music, concerts and theatrical performances, or dive deep into our rich history.

Whatever you choose, you’re sure to have a great time in our corner of the Capital Region!