The bolded outdoor dining restaurants in the guide are partners with Lake Country Family Fun.
Do you find yourself asking the following questions:
Where is the best outdoor dining?
On the lake? With amazing patio views?
Where can I eat outside? Outdoor dining even in the winter?
Well, we’ve got you covered with Waukesha County’s best outdoor dining spots. Some have lake views, other great patios and a few have beaches! In colder months, there is no greater joy than dining outdoors in the warmth and glow of an igloo or enjoying a heated patio or tent. There are so many options in Lake Country!
Want to know more about the Lakes of Lake Country? We have a guide for that!
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This Outdoor Dining and Dome Dining guide is split into 5 categories:
Tap on the section you want to be taken to:
- Best on-the-lake dining
- Lakefront dining with a beach
- Best outdoor seating/patios (not on-the-lake)
- Patios with outdoor heated dining for fall/winter (seasonal)
- Outdoor Dome Dining Options (seasonal)
Are we missing your favorite patio dining spot or lakefront outdoor dining restaurant or igloo dining? Tell us in the comment form below.
Best on the Lake Dining in Lake Country
- AJ’s Bar and Grill on Muskego Lake
- Artisan 179 on Pewaukee Lake
- Bass Bay Brewhouse on Bass Bay Lake
- Smoke on the Water on Okauchee Lake
- Chocolate Factory on Pewaukee Lake
- Coco’s Seafood and Steakhouse on Fowler Lake
- Copper Dock on Friess Lake
- Curly’s on Pewaukee Lake
- Doc’s Dry Dock on Pewaukee Lake
- Edgewater on Pewaukee Lake
- Foolery’s on Okauchee Lake
- Gina’s Sports Dock on Pewaukee Lake
- Golden Lake Pub on Golden Lake
- Golden Mast on Okauchee Lake
- Fishbones on Nagawicka Lake
- Hollywood’s on Okauchee Lake (cannot get to via boat)
- Kim’s Lakeside on Pewaukee Lake
- Lago Su Bella on Lac La Belle (no patio seating)
- Lucky Chucky’s Beach Bar and Grill on Silver Lake
- Panga Bar & Grill on Upper Nemahbin Lake
- Seaboard Bar & Grill on Pewaukee Lake (formerly Ristorante Lago)
- Seesters on Pewaukee Lake
- Splash Martini Bar on Lac La Belle
- The Etcetera on Fowler Lake – rooftop seating remodeled in 2022!
- The Commodore – A Bartolotta Restaurant on Nagawicka Lake, newly opened in July 2024!
- 5 O-Clock Club on Pewaukee Lake
Lakefront Dining with a Beach
These restaurants offer lakeside and lakefront dining in a casual atmosphere and are family friendly as they have a beach for the kids to play in while waiting for the food to arrive.
- Foolery’s on Okauchee Lake
- Gina’s Sports Dock on Pewaukee Lake
- There is a snack shop at City Beach in Oconomowoc.
- The Pewaukee downtown lakefront restaurants are across the street from the beach.
- Twisted Vine Wine Shop
- The Beach House Bistro
- Artisan 179
- Seester’s Mexican Cantina
- The Chocolate Factory
- Brewer’s Two Cafe and Coffeehouse
Best Patio Dining in Lake Country and Waukesha County
All of the Restaurants above on the “On-the-lake” list have great patios, plus the following:
- Rivalry Pub in Oconomowoc at the Club at Lac La Belle
- AJ O’Brady’s in Menomonee Falls
- Americas Continental
- Andreas Red Rooster in Waukesha
- Angelina’s in Delafield
- Beer Snobs in Hartland
- Bel Air Cantina at Corners of Brookfield
- Belfast Station in Sussex
- Belfre in Delafield
- Bryants on the Round in Okauchee
- Bullwinkles in Brookfield
- Butler Inn in Pewaukee
- Café Hollander at Corners of Brookfield
- Shoppers Respite First Floor Patios & Rooftop
- Open-Air Four Seasons Private Dining Room
- Indoor Open-Air Garage Door Dining
- Cafe Manna in Brookfield
- Carlee’s Bar & Grill in Pewaukee
- Clean Juice in Oconomowoc
- Cornerstone Oconomowoc
- David Alan Alan’s Smokehouse & Saloon in Mukwonago
- Delafield Brewhaus
- Ella’s Public House in Wales
- Grill 164 in Oconomowoc
- Grill Junkies in Delafield
- I.d. in Delafield
- Joe Mamas in Colgate
- Kick Switch in Okauchee
- Kim’s in Stonebank
- Kurt’s Steakhouse in Delafield
- Lou Malnati’s full-service location in Brookfield
- Main Mill in Menomonee Falls
- Mama D’s in Wales
- Margaritas Mexican grill in Waukesha
- Mazatlán in Delafield
- Mr. Brew’s in Menomonee Falls
- Nettie’s Irish Pub in Pewaukee
- North Lake Bear Trap in North Lake
- North Star American Bistro in Brookfield
- Overboard at Sam’s in Okauchee
- Park Avenue Pizza in Pewaukee
- Parkside 23 in Brookfield
- People’s Park in Waukesha
- The Terrace at Raised Grain Brewery in Waukesha
- Revere’s in Delafield
- Ron’s Cozy Corner in Oconomowoc
- Rumor’s Sports Bar & Grille in Sussex
- Senior Tomas in Hartland
- Sobie’s in Oconomowoc
- SOCIAL HAUS in Menomonee Falls
- Steel Tank Brewery in Oconomowoc
- Stoll’s Olde 109 in Lebanon
- Tekila in Sussex on Main Street
- The 5 O’Clock Club in Pewaukee
- Thirsty Duck in Sussex
- Thunder Bay Grille in Pewaukee
- Twisted Fire in Oconomowoc
- Twisted Vine Wine Bar in Pewaukee
- Vino Cappuccino in Brookfield
- Vintage Grounds patio in Muskego
- Zesti in Hartland
- Zin in Delafield
Just outside of Waukesha County, check out Old Germantown, offering craft beer and craft made sausages and pizza among other things.
10+ Outdoor heated dining options
Note: This section was updated on November 20, 2024.
1. Bass Bay Brewhouse in Muskego has an outdoor patio tent that is heated.
2. Tabi’s Winebar in Downtown Hartland has an outdoor patio and even better it is heated! They are kid-friendly and have games and NA fun drinks.
3. Mr. Brews Taphouse in Menomonee Falls has a great patio for outdoor seating that also has two heaters ready to go for the cooler weather. A third heater is on the way!
4. Fall-fresco dining is easy at The Corners of Brookfield, where patrons can enjoy outdoor dining comfortably thanks to dozens of patio heaters being set up at BelAir Cantina, Café Hollander, Goddess and the Baker, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, and Silverspot Cinema. Four fire pits with lounge furniture are also being installed at the town center to provide added seating and comfort for guests.
***New for Hollander Globes and Domes this year (Winter 2024-2025),
- Hollander Winter Experience diners will enjoy a complimentary welcome beverage of their choice. Options include Lowlands Brewing Collaborative’s High Speed Wit, Fizzy Framboise, or Spiked Peppermint Hot Cocoa. Two N/A options are also available. Additional beverage packages are available for purchase, including a customizable Candyland Champagne Punch Bar, complete with an assortment of candy fixings to make your drink even sweeter. Other packages include a Tiramisu-tini Tree and The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.
- All Hollander Winter Experiences have exclusive food offerings for purchase as well: a Bruschetta Sharing Platter and a Dessert Platter. Diners are welcome to order from the regular food and drink menus in addition to, or in lieu of, any of the exclusive offerings.
5. Magellan’s on Main in Waukesha has outdoor seating! They currently have 7 booths outside and their bar is open air. They are able to open up the front of the building completely on both our bar side and dining side. They have an open air booth on dining side where you can still be indoors but enjoy the outdoors!
6. Bilda’s Freiss Lake Pub in Hubertus has heaters on both of their decks.
7. Stolley’s Hogg Alley in Oconomowoc has out an outdoor heated patio.
8. Stoll’s Olde 109 in Lebanon has an outdoor heated patio.
9. Artisan 179 in Pewaukee has outdoor, heated seating. They have 4 heaters, 2 on each patio & 2 fireplace tables as well that seat 6-8 guests at each.
10. 5 O’Clock Club in Pewaukee has heaters on the patio and will use them when the weather permits.
11. Zesti in Hartland has outdoor heaters on their patio.
12. Mama D’s Genesee Depot location and Wales location has plenty of seating by their fireside hangout! It is the perfect atmosphere for sipping a hot drink, enjoying one of our grilled panini sandwiches, or munching on a sweet treat!
13. Splash Martini Bar has 3 fire pit tables and a few heaters.
14. Beer Snobs Ale & Eats in Hartland has outdoor heating.
15. Palmer’s Steakhouse in Hartland has outdoor heating.
16. The Etcetera Bar and Grill in downtown Oconomowoc has Domes and Igloos on their rooftop seating since 2022.
- An extremely cozy dining experience awaits you atop our rooftop when you book one of two lit up igloos this chilly winter season.
- Book Today: theetceterabarandgrill.setmore.com/
- *All Reservations are for 90 minutes for up to 6 people, purchase is required. No Smoking Allowed
Outdoor dome dining options
THE DOMES AT BELFRE IN DELAFIELD – Book now!
reasons you should book a Dome at Belfre:
To cozy up and enjoy a delicious meal outside, no matter the weather To savor an intimate dinner without any disruptions To elevate a special occasion without the chill in one of their Domes today!ZIN UNCOMMON IN DELAFIELD – SNOW GLOBES – Call to book. No additional fee.
THE ETCETERA BAR AND GRILL IN OCONOMOWOC – New since 2022!
CAFE HOLLANDER AT THE CORNERS OF BROOKFIELD – Will be back for Winter Fun in 2024-2025
BASS BAY BREWHOUSE IN MUSKEGO – BUBBLES ON THE BAY – Book Now
PALMER’S STEAKHOUSE – PRIVATE WINTER IGLOO – Book now
Note: Their “Igloo” is what they refer to when they close off our entire patio. It seats 10-15 people
FISHBONES IN DELAFIELD GLOBES – They are currently available on the outdoor deck on Lake Nagawicka. They are full service with heaters included and there is no charge to reserve one. They seat a maximum of 8 people. If you would like to reserve one please give Fishbone’s a call at 262-646-4696.
SMOKE ON THE WATER – No longer offers igloos due to wind damage.
WAUKESHA / BROOKFIELD TAPYARD WINTER WONDERLAND – Book Now!
MENOMONEE PARK – Book Now!
THE RIDGE HOTEL IN LAKE GENEVA – Available November 2024 to March 2025
Frost yourself in an illuminated Snow Globe at Lodge Geneva National and enjoy wintry libations & apps while cuddled up amidst the glow and snow. The private Snow Globes are part stargazing observatory, part gondola carriage, part secluded conclave for making memories with friends and family.
Seating up to eight people and are outfitted with an overhead infrared heater and under bench forced air system to ward off the chill of the Wisconsin winter. A server will provide you with our exclusive menu featuring apps to share and festive beverages and all our smokehouse favorites. No outside food or beverages will be permitted.
Please come prepared, dressed in your winter wear and with extra blankets to amp up the coziness. Although the Snow Globes are outfitted with two heating units once the sun goes down the Wisconsin winter nights can be chilly! (Please note: smoking in the snow globes is prohibited by Wisconsin law and although we love our furry friends, they are not allowed in the snow globes.)
The Details…
90-minute Dining Experience
Sunday – Thursday 4-8pm | $100 Food & Beverage Minimum
Friday, Saturday & Holidays 4-8pm | $150 Food & Beverage Minimum
A maximum of eight people per snow globe. If you have more than eight in your party, please reserve a second snow globe.
You and your party have 90 minutes in your private snow globe. Please check-in 15 minutes prior to your reservation. Please note if you arrive late your reservation time will not be extended.
Pricing does not include tax or gratuity.
LAKELAWN RESORT IN DELEVAN – Book Now
Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm – Book and learn more
NEW THIS YEAR at Jerry Smith Holiday Lights
1 Hour in the Igloo
Your choice of hot cider, hot chocolate, or hot coffee served in our NEW 2024 holiday cup
A delicious chocolate chip or sugar cookie
A warm box of popcorn
A heated igloo with cozy furniture
A deck of cards for endless fun Each rental lasts 1 hour, giving you plenty of time to relax and soak in the festive vibes.
Igloos are first come first serve. Upon arrival visit Smitty’s Beverage Garden and create a holiday tradition to remember!
Ps. Dogs are not permitted in the igloos. 
Are we missing your favorite lakefront dining spot or patio location?
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