Dining Al Fresco

Once the weather warms, everyone is itching to spend more time outdoors. But being outside doesn’t have to mean hiking through forests or fields. Incorporate some time outside with a leisurely al fresco meal at one of Chicago Southland’s dining establishments.

There are several options in the fine-dining category including Mr. Benny’s Steak and Lobster House in Mokena, where you can have a prime steak or fresh seafood on their new patio; the outdoor courtyard beside Homewood’s La Voute Bistro and Bar, where you can sip on wine and savor French cuisine or Siam Marina in Tinley Park, where they serve dishes of Thailand and Vietnam with French influences.

Get some fresh air with your brews and grub with outdoor seating at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery in Flossmoor or on the deck at J.J. Kelly’s Restaurant & Pub in Lansing.

A variety of family restaurants in the Southland offer casual eats in outdoor spaces, among them At the Office Sports Bar & Grill in Crestwood, Black Sheep in Orland Park, The Patio in Orland Park and Bridgeview, Stoney Point Grill in Mokena and Chuck’s Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank. You may not even have to leave your hotel! Outdoor dining is available at American Grill at the Clarion Inn in South Holland and The Garden Grille at the Hilton Garden Inn in Tinley Park.