Five undiscovered restaurant patios in Fresno area. Have you eaten at them?
Dining outside year round is one of the selling points of living in Fresno.
And now that it’s closer to time of year when you can eat outdoors without sweating through your clothes, it’s time to highlight some restaurant patios.
Sure, most of you know about the magic of a Saturday night on the patio with the big tree and twinkly lights at Veni Vidi Vidi in the Tower District. Or Colton’s Social House in Clovis that won The Bee’s poll for the best patio in town a while back.
But there are several restaurants that have popped up in the past several years with patios worth checking out.
Some are completely hidden from view. Some have extra perks — like a view of a golf course or a trail in Clovis. And some you can tell the owners did their best to make them as beautiful as possible.
We’re using the term “undiscovered” loosely here, clearly, but here are five restaurant patios in Madera, Clovis and Fresno that may be new to you.
Eureka! Clovis
When Eureka! restaurant opened its Clovis location in 2023, many people didn’t even know there was a patio hiding in the back corner of the The Trading Post shopping center. It’s at 950 Herndon Ave., at the southeast corner of Clovis and Herndon avenues.
Barely used for years, the restaurant whipped the space into a garden-like retreat. It’s surrounded by green hedges, with a tree in the middle. They added a fountain, twinkly light and more plants.
Eureka! is known for its burgers, beers, whiskey and cocktails — along with a Fresno fig burger that’s on the menu at every location of the multi-state chain.
Sugar Pine Smokehouse
How does eating a tri-tip sandwich while overlooking the 18th hole of a golf course and a nearby lake sound? If that’s your vibe, try the Sugar Pine Smokehouse in Madera.
It’s located in the Madera Municipal Golf Course, 23200 Avenue 17, but you don’t have to be a member of the golf club to eat there. About 75% of the restaurant’s customers aren’t.
Two patios — one of them huge, one of them covered — overlook the greens. They also host live bands every other Saturday on the patio.
And to give it a family feel, there’s sidewalk chalk, cornhole and bubbles for the kids.
What to try on the menu? Besides that popular tri-tip sandwich, the California burger is a favorite, made with jack cheese, avocado and bacon. And the potato salad is a family recipe.
Backyard Social Club
From the outside, the Backyard Social Club is rather nondescript house on Clovis Avenue.
But its backyard, as the name implies, is something of a playground for the over 21 crowd. It’s got a huge black walnut tree with tons of picnic tables underneath, a fire pit, cornhole and a ping pong table.
TVs mounted outdoors show football and other sports. There’s an arcade in the garage — and you might even spot a cat hanging out.
The backyard also hosts live bands, and trivia night on Tuesdays.
The business has an indoors too, offering several local beers on tap. Basic bar food is available, such as pizza and pretzels. Monstera Coffee Studio also just opened inside from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily offering espresso-based drinks, cold brew and more.
Spirit Made Cakes
Spirit Made Cakes in Clovis has a glammed up interior with lots of pink and flowers.
So it’s no surprise its patio would be also be a pleasant place to enjoy a sweet treat. Tucked behind the bakery and cafe at the northeast corner of Willow and Nees avenues is a patio that overlooks the Clovis Old Town Trail.
It’s decorated with fringed umbrellas and cushioned chairs. A green hedge separates it from the trail, though you still get plenty of people watching with walkers and bikers going by.
Diners can enjoy something from the pastry case — like a chocolate eclair — with an iced coffee, or a meal. Spirit Made Cakes also serves salads, paninis and bagel sandwiches.
Saizon
Then there are the patios that are more like outdoor rooms — such as Saizon.
The restaurant at Shepherd and Willow avenues in northeast Fresno has a huge patio with olive trees and a pergola. It has upholstered banquette seating and elaborate flooring.
Designed to be comfortable for all four seasons, it has heaters, fans, evaporative coolers, misters and retractable sun shades.
The restaurant is a trendy place blending American cuisine with global flavors. Reservations are recommended, and a table on the patio specifically can be reserved online.
Once there, you can sip its popular Berry White cocktail, made with vodka, elderflower and triple-berry jam, or the new Matcha Martini.
