The Raven Cafe rooftop patio in downtown Prescott, Arizona

Outdoor dining in Prescott

Patios, courtyards, and rooftop seats across Prescott and Prescott Valley.

Quick answer
Prescott's mile-high climate makes patio dining good roughly nine months of the year. The best patios are downtown courtyards, second-floor decks on Whiskey Row, and a few backyard-style spaces in Prescott Valley.

Local Businesses

About outdoor dining in Prescott AZ

Most of Prescott AZ's downtown restaurants run patios or sidewalk tables for at least three seasons. The 5,367-foot elevation keeps summer temperatures 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, so outdoor dining holds up through July and August in ways it doesn't in the Valley.

Best downtown patios

El Gato Azul has the creekside patio on West Goodwin that locals book for date nights. The Barley Hound runs a large patio just south of the Plaza. Park Plaza Liquor & Deli (West Goodwin) keeps two patios open. Rosa's Pizzeria has a Gurley Street patio near Whiskey Row. The Raven Cafe has a back patio behind the cafe on North Cortez.

Seasonal timing

Patio season really starts in April and stays strong through October. Summer monsoon storms hit between 1 and 7 p.m. in July and August - early dinners at 5 p.m. usually clear before the rain. Fall (September through October) has the most reliable patio weather of the year. Winter patios run heaters and blankets but lunch beats dinner.

Frequently asked

When is patio season in Prescott?+

March through November, with shoulder evenings sometimes needing a heater.

Are patios shaded?+

Most have umbrellas or partial shade. Bring sunglasses for lunch.

Are patios dog-friendly?+

Generally yes. Service hours and rules vary.

Where are the best courtyards?+

Several restored buildings near the Courthouse Plaza have hidden courtyards. Look just off Cortez and Gurley.

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