5 Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Downtown, Appleton WI
Updated 29 September 2026 · 6 restaurants in Downtown, Appleton WI considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This guide lists restaurants in and around Downtown Appleton, WI that Google tags for outdoor seating. It is meant for diners who want to eat on a patio or near the river when the weather allows. Six places qualified, and these five are ranked by Google rating weighted by review count, so ratings backed by more reviews carry more weight. Each entry draws only on the listed hours, services and what reviewers mention.
#1
Draft Gastropub
★ 4.7 (1,845 Google reviews)Gastropub$20–50 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This women-owned gastropub on W Ridgeview Drive is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm and closed Sundays. Reviewers mention specials beyond the menu, a Moody Blue tenderloin, a charcuterie tower, French dip with lobster bisque, grouper tacos and a good run of bourbons, craft beers, wines and cocktails. Service is described as attentive. It has outdoor seating, a fireplace and full wheelchair access.
Best for: Craft drinks and a patio dinner
- Address
- 664 W Ridgeview Dr, Appleton, WI 54911, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–9 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#2
Carmella's an Italian Bistro
★ 4.7 (1,124 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–50 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This women-owned Italian bistro on N Casaloma Drive serves dinner from 4 to 9 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Reviewers call it a regular date-night choice and mention a roasted beet salad, chicken marsala, pappardelle and creme brulee, along with attentive servers and seats at the bar. One diner notes service can be stretched when it is busy. It offers outdoor seating, a private dining room and a strong wine list.
Best for: Italian date nights
- Address
- 716 N Casaloma Dr, Appleton, WI 54913, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 4–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 4–9 pm; Tue 4–9 pm; Wed 4–9 pm
#3
Mondo! on the River
★ 4.7 (208 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
On W Water Street, this women-owned restaurant opens at 3 pm Tuesday through Saturday and has an upscale wine bar feel. Reviewers mention an extensive wine list, local brews, custom charcuterie boards to share and a periodic table of wines, and praise friendly, invested staff. One found the gnocchi and linguine flavorful but the portions small. It has outdoor seating, small plates and vegetarian options.
Best for: Wine and charcuterie by the river
- Address
- 425 W Water St, Appleton, WI 54911, United States
- Hours
- Fri 3–9 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 3–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 3–9 pm; Tue 3–8 pm; Wed 3–8 pm
#4
Antojitos Mexicanos
★ 4.5 (1,339 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This Latino-owned Mexican restaurant sits on E College Avenue in the heart of downtown and opens six days a week, with Saturday hours starting at 8 am. Reviewers mention a generous chicken burrito with mole poblano, chicken fajitas, a fajitas bowl and gluten-free chips on request, plus stylish seating with love seats. It has outdoor seating, happy-hour food and drinks, and late-night food.
Best for: Fajitas on College Avenue
- Address
- 204 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–10 pm; Mon 11 am–9 pm; Sat 8 am–10 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–9 pm; Tue 11 am–9 pm; Wed 11 am–9 pm
#5
Spats
★ 4.5 (657 Google reviews)American restaurant$10–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
This women-owned American restaurant on W College Avenue has a patio that reviewers call the Spatio, and runs Sunday brunch from 9:30 am to 2 pm plus dinner several evenings. Reviewers mention pork belly hash, Bloody Marys, Brussels sprouts, cheese curds, sweet potato fries and walleye. One found service just okay but appreciated an off-menu salad. It has live music and a good beer and wine list.
Best for: Patio brunch on Sundays
- Address
- 733 W College Ave, Appleton, WI 54914, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11:30 am–8:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 4:30–8:30 pm; Sun 9:30 am–2 pm; Thu 4:30–8:30 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 4:30–8:30 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 6 restaurants in Downtown, Appleton WI with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Outdoor seating”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 29 September 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Draft Gastropub, Carmella's an Italian Bistro, Mondo! on the River, Antojitos Mexicanos and Spats take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Antojitos Mexicanos opens at 8 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Draft Gastropub ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,845 reviews. Carmella's an Italian Bistro is second at 4.7 from 1,124 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Appleton WI are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Antojitos Mexicanos, at 10 pm.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Draft Gastropub $20–50; Carmella's an Italian Bistro $20–50; Mondo! on the River $20–30; Antojitos Mexicanos $20–30; Spats $10–30.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Draft Gastropub, Carmella's an Italian Bistro, Mondo! on the River and Spats.
Run a business in Downtown?
Get a fast website with your hours, menu, location and reviews. If your business is listed here and something is wrong, tell us and we fix it.
Email support@pagenearby.com