Bentley’s provides a high-end patio dining experience from a family owned restaurant in SouthPark.
Nathan Wesley
CharlotteFive
There is more to SouthPark than luxury shopping. Going up and down each street of the mall’s surrounding neighborhoods of Barclay Downs, Beverly Woods and Foxcroft, you’ll notice every inch of nonresidential space is covered with either somewhere to shop or eat.
During the day, people sip on mimosas outside of Cafe Monte French Bakery & Bistro. At night, friends gather around the fire pit of 131 Main and nibble on appetizers paired with cocktails.
Patios are no longer simply the place you hang out at someone’s house as they’re cooking on the grill. According to the latest dinner survey conducted by OpenTable, over 80 percent of diners would like to see restaurants continue to increase outdoor seating in 2021, even as businesses continue to transition back to indoor seatings during COVID-19.
Hop in the car with the family or friends and check out some of the SouthPark area’s patios:
What to know: In addition to outdoor seating, 131 Main has a firepit in front of the restaurant that diners like to sit around and order appetizers and drinks.
You can sit around a fire pit outside of 131 Main. Nathan Wesley CharlotteFive
What to know:Bentley’s is a special-occasion restaurant, featuring high-end meals such as Hawaiian Sea Bass ($56) and Chateaubriand Bouquetiere for two ($100). Its patio is surrounded with greenery, and cushioned seats are available.
What to know: Sitting on the patio is the way to go here. As you approach the restaurant, you’ll see plenty of people enjoying their meals while being fully shaded right in front, extending to both sides of the building.
What to know: Everyone loves pizza, and you can never go wrong with Capishe’s classic margherita pie, with Capishe red sauce, bufala mozzarella, basil, garlic and extra virgin olive oil.
What to know: If you like trying multiple items but don’t like breaking the bank, the shareables are the way to go with friends — they serve two to four people.
What to know: Whether you want to look over others while sitting upstairs or under the umbrellas on the lower level of the patio, there’s a red cushion waiting for you.
Harper’s Restaurant has a two-level patio with seating featuring bright red cushions. Nathan Wesley CharlotteFive
What to know: If you’re a bourbon or whiskey enthusiast, then this is where you and a buddy can have a drink outside while sitting in Oak Steakhouse’s patio chairs.
What to know: For some people, Sunday is a holy spiritual day, and for others, it’s a day of rest. Get the freshly made Unholy Guacamole ($10) with a Pineapple Mint Margarita ($10), and it will not disappoint you.
What to know: When you walk inside you’ll notice you’re in a high-end furniture store, but on the roof, it’s a restaurant decked out with fancy couches and chairs.
