Restaurant Outdoor Seating: 70% of Diners Are Willing to Wait Longer for Outdoor Seating

When the weather app finally starts showing sunshine and 70 degrees, patio season begins. For guests, this might mean a margarita and oysters. But for restaurant operators, this means patio setup and cleanup, scheduling more staff, and lots of planning. This added effort begs the question: Is managing and promoting an outdoor seating area truly worth the investment?

To help answer this, Toast conducted a blind survey of 850 respondents on how restaurant-goers are feeling about the outdoor dining season. This article delves into the data points behind what diners are thinking. We'll explore how your restaurant can capitalize on these insights and implement patio season best practices.

Join us as we explore how these insights impact restaurants in 2025.

Restaurant outdoor seating and patio season insights

Let’s dive into these insights a little deeper and provide some context. 

Respondents (54%) are more likely to choose a restaurant with outdoor seating

When the weather is nice, guests want to dine outside. Approximately 54% of respondents are more likely to choose a restaurant with outdoor seating when the weather permits. This statistic specifically applies to men, as 62% of these outdoor dining voters were male.

We also found that younger guests are more likely to prefer outdoor seating consistently. Of those who said they’d still prefer indoor dining, even when the weather is nice, 17% were between the ages of 18-24, and only 8% were 25-34. Younger men are looking to dine outside. You might want to consider focusing your marketing efforts here.

Since younger diners are more consistently drawn to al fresco dining, promoting outdoor areas on platforms and social media channels favored by millennials and Gen Z could pay off. Restaurateurs may also want to deck out their outdoor spaces with live music, TVs for sports viewing, and phone charging stations to cater to this youthful crowd. Lastly, depending on the laws in your city, offering a dog-friendly patio can attract a young crowd.

According to Business Insider, Millennials are currently choosing pets over having children. Allowing these young guests to bring their furry friends out could mean more money for your restaurant business. Dogs are interested in patio dining, too!

Respondents (41%) prefer to drink their cocktails on a patio area

In a recent study, Toast also found that patios are the preferred cocktail spot, as 41% of respondents chose patio seating as their #1 location to enjoy summer cocktails. That means ambiance, such as sunlight, fresh air, and a relaxed setting, can heavily influence whether someone decides to order that second drink.

Respondents (62%) prefer a covered, screened-in patio when dining outside

It’s important to consider diners’ preferences when constructing your outdoor seating area. Roughly 62% of respondents prefer a covered screened-in patio when dining outside, and 48% of respondents said umbrellas or a covered area for shade was the most important factor when choosing an outdoor restaurant. This was especially true for women, as 51% of women surveyed said shade was the most important factor to them. Although men also chose shade (44%) as their number 1, 31% of them said that scenic views were most important. The guys just want a pretty view and patio service...noted!

When asked which factor most commonly deters guests from choosing to dine outside, 52% said the weather. However, 20% answered that bugs, birds, and other animals deter them the most, all the more reason to invest in a screened-in patio. This way, if it starts raining or those fruit flies start approaching, your guests can still enjoy their dining experience.

Don’t be afraid to ask your customers what they prefer! Check out our Free Restaurant Survey Template to find out what patio layout and/or specific menu items your customers want to see on your menu this summer.

Respondents (70%) are willing to wait longer for outdoor seating.

Is your reservation and waitlist system ready for summer? If not, get it ready, because 35% of respondents are more likely to book a reservation in the summer when the weather is supposed to be nice. Similarly, 41% of respondents choose to dine specifically at restaurants with outdoor seating. Men in particular seek out restaurants with outdoor seating; 48% of them answered that they would avoid restaurants if they had to sit inside.

Restaurants can promote their outdoor areas heavily on their website and social media, leading up to the busy season. Featuring beautiful photos of the patio, highlighting new summer menu offerings, and making it easy for guests to request outdoor tables during the booking process can help drive more reservations.

Your hosts are about to be extra busy, as 70% of respondents are also willing to wait longer for outdoor seating. Restaurant operators should prepare for this demand by staffing up during peak outdoor dining hours and using a reservation system that allows guests to reserve outdoor tables specifically. You can easily integrate your outdoor seating floor plan into Toast Tables, the reservation platform that works with your POS. Toast Tables is your one-stop, integrated waitlist & reservation solution - built to enhance hospitality, simplify table management, and keep guests coming back.

Although guests have strong preferences for outdoor dining, they’re not as particular about the food that’s being served. Around 60% of respondents said they don’t prefer a specific type of entree when dining outdoors, while 24% prefer hot entrees, and only 16% said they prefer cold entrees when eating outside. This is positive news for restaurants of all cuisine types, as guests aren’t actually seeking out cooler-temperature items. As long as guests can enjoy the open air on a nice patio space, they’ll stop in for a visit.

Respondents (40%) prefer to dine outside during happy hour the most

The most popular time to dine outside is when the sun is still up, as 34% of respondents prefer to dine on an outdoor patio in the early afternoon, 40% in the late afternoon, 21% at nighttime (dinner), and only 6% prefer morning (breakfast). Middle-aged respondents (ages 35-44) were more likely (47%) to choose to dine outside in the late afternoon compared to other generations. This presents an opportunity for restaurant operators to get some more business before the sun goes down by offering both brunch and happy hour specials.

Brunch is great. Brunch outside on a patio when it’s 72 degrees out is even better. Consider offering a weekend brunch menu to bring those 34% of early afternoon patio diners into your restaurant. You can capitalize on your brunch service by offering tasty brunch beverages like mimosas, bellinis, and espresso martinis.

Happy hour remains a powerful draw. About 63% of respondents say they’d be more likely to visit a bar if it offered a happy hour that includes both discounted cocktails and food. This pairing is especially attractive to budget-conscious guests looking for value and variety, making it a prime opportunity for restaurants to boost early evening sales. Name a better way to attract new customers than with a happy hour on a patio. There might not be one!

Toast can help you build your happy hour menu with bar-specific pricing. In the point of sale system, restaurants can create a new happy hour menu that duplicates the appropriate items but prices them differently according to the menu they reside in. This way, when happy hour ends, there’s no confusion about a discounted drink going through. For more information, check out this article.

Capitalize on outdoor dining this summer

As the weather warms up, restaurants have a prime opportunity to capitalize on diners' enthusiasm for outdoor dining options. Toast data shows that a significant portion of guests prefer outdoor spaces like rooftop bars and patio seating with umbrellas. Having an inviting outdoor dining experience can attract guests and boost sales. Need some help getting your patio started? Toast Capital offers eligible Toast customers access to loans from $1,000 to $300,000, so you can take what you need to accomplish your patio construction goals.

To maximize profits on patio dining demand, restaurateurs can promote their offerings through websites, social media, e-newsletters, and the reservation process. Enticing specials like weekend brunch, happy hour deals with craft beer and wine bar selections, and themed nights with live music can draw crowds. With an engaging atmosphere and seamless technological solutions, restaurants can elevate the outdoor dining experience, attract new guests, and thrive during the summer months.

Want to learn more? Check out these related resources:

• Your Guide to Patio Season: How to Make the Most of Outdoor Dining

• How to Extend Your Outdoor Patio Season

• Update Your Restaurant Service Model to Thrive in Your Busy Season

• How to Design a Restaurant Floor Plan, Layout, and Blueprint

• Your Guide To A Smooth Restaurant Shift Change, Every Time