Visiting Cape Cod in the summer often means spending large chunks of your time outdoors. There’s a good reason for staying outside, as the region usually has lovely weather in the warmest months of the year with more than enough beaches, bike paths, and hiking trails to keep you occupied.

There’s more good news, too, as the Cape has an active patio scene in the summer with all types of restaurants getting in on the action.

In Dennis Port, there are outdoor dining areas everywhere, thanks mainly to the community’s location overlooking Nantucket Sound.

Here’s a look at some of the community’s most popular patios that you might want to check out during your Cape Cod vacation.

The Ocean House Beach Bar

One of the more scenic patios anywhere on Cape Cod is the Ocean House Beach Bar. This venue sits directly on Nantucket Sound, offering unobstructed views over the ocean that few other bars or restaurants can match. The bar area has televisions, too, if you want to catch the game in style.

After arriving at the Beach Bar, you’ll find an extensive drink menu featuring craft cocktails, local beer, and a decent selection of wine. You can order food from the Ocean House Restaurant, too, if you’re in the mood for a meal.

The Sailing Cow

Also overlooking Nantucket Sound is The Sailing Cow, a Southern-style restaurant sitting across from Glendon Road Beach. This restaurant is a great place to head for lunch if you’re spending your day by the sand, and it has daily specials on things like chicken wings, oysters, margaritas, and draft beer.

The patio at The Sailing Cow isn’t the area’s most prominent, but its views of the water make it well worth a visit. It’s also worth noting that the venue has live music on weekends, so you can spend your afternoon on the patio before venturing inside to catch a band in the evening.

The DogHouse

Following Glendon Road north from The Sailing Cow takes you to The DogHouse, a unique takeout counter specializing in hot dogs. You’ll find pretty much any type of hot dog you can imagine at The DogHouse, and they have varieties that you’ve probably never heard of before, as well.

In addition to hot dogs, you can grab hamburgers, lobster rolls, tacos, salads, fries, and chicken at this roadside vendor, and its patio is full of picnic tables that create a unique atmosphere as you enjoy your food. They have local beer and iced coffee, too, so you can grab a drink while you soak up some sun.

Cleat and Anchor

The Cleat and Anchor is a tavern and restaurant on Lower County Road with a lively patio that turns into a beer garden experience on summer nights. Locals and visitors alike gather in the outdoor area for bar games, drinks, and a festive atmosphere.

As for the menu, you’ll find an extensive tap list that focuses on craft beer at the Cleat and Anchor, in addition to wine, cider, and cocktails. The dinner menu has a bit of everything, including house-smoked BBQ dishes, sandwiches, pasta, steak, chicken, seafood, soups, salads, and burgers.

If you’re looking for a weekend brunch, you can stop by the venue between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday for quiche, crepes, eggs benny, chicken and waffles, and breakfast burritos.

It’s never a bad time on the patio at the Cleat and Anchor, which is perhaps why its outdoor area is so popular.

Clancy’s Restaurant

The patio at Clancy’s Restaurant is far more serene than at the Cleat and Anchor, but it’s incredibly scenic and a calming location to stop for a meal or a couple of drinks. That’s because the venue’s outdoor area overlooks the Swan Pond River, making it a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.

The menu at Clancy’s is massive, offering a selection of American-style classics like burgers, sandwiches, and chicken wings. There’s also some Cape-style cuisine, such as fried clams, baked scallops, a raw bar, and fish and chips, and you can even grab a lobster roll, lobster salad, or lobster dinner at the restaurant.

You can choose between a beer, some wine, or a craft cocktail, including some frozen options, at Clancy’s, too, which is a nice touch if you’re looking for a patio in the sun to enjoy a drink or two.

Checking Out Some of Cape Cod’s Patios

Dennis Port is a popular destination with the Cape’s guests because there’s so much activity in the area. The patio scene is a significant part of this activity because it provides the opportunity to stay outdoors while enjoying some food and drinks at a high-end restaurant.

There’s likely a patio that’s easily accessible from your Cape Cod vacation rental, so search around and find the ideal one to visit.