Pick a favorite reason why families choose to sit at an outdoor table.
Asking people why they prefer dining outside, lots of folks say ambiance. It looks nicer. But that’s just the start…
When dining outdoors, it’s more than enjoying a pretty view. Something as simple as eating outside has been proven to improve mental health and physical wellness. Families who eat together outdoors experience stronger benefits all around.
Let’s dig into the science.
Here’s What’s Inside:
- Why Outdoor Dining Beats Eating Inside
- Why Dining Outdoors Improves Wellness
- How Being Outside Benefits Your Body
- Outdoor Dining With Family
- Things to Consider In A Family Friendly Restaurant
Why Outdoor Dining Beats Eating Inside
The popularity of al fresco dining isn’t a trend. Restaurant operators know people love eating outside. Americans ranked atmosphere as the number one dining-out preference in a recent US Foods study. Meaningful connections with family, fresh air, and beautiful scenery all add up to “ambiance” on a restaurant’s menu.
But there’s scientific proof that dining outdoors does more than just feel better. When guests eat outside they’re exposing themselves to elements that have a direct, positive impact on the body. It’s not magic. Biologically speaking, being outside is good for us.
Take Glass & Vine, an outdoor restaurant in Coconut Grove, as a great example. Nestled in the heart of Peacock Park, the restaurant is surrounded by trees, natural light, and plenty of open air. It’s a naturally calming environment where families can relax and enjoy good food together.
In other words… Dining outdoors is a smart choice. Here’s why.
Why Dining Outdoors Improves Wellness
Think back to the last time there was a really relaxing meal outside. Maybe it was a picnic with friends or enjoying brunch in the sunshine. Chances are everyone felt pretty great during and after that meal. That wasn’t imagination.
Harvard Health highlights a study published in Frontiers in Psychology that measured cortisol levels (aka stress hormones) in participants after exposing them to nature for just 20 to 30 minutes. Not only did those levels decrease… they fell at the fastest rate measured throughout the study.
In fact, spending time outdoors has so many mental health benefits it’s hard to know where to start.
Maybe begin with lowered cortisol and anxiety? How about sunlight increasing vitamin D production which reduces rates of depression?
Or maybe this stat from UC Davis Health: spending time outdoors leads to a “greater sense of calm”, which alone can help with digestion and relaxation.
Regardless of where the conversation starts, the facts remain:
Stress relief and improved mental health from dining in outdoor restaurant settings is real.
How Being Outside Benefits Your Body
But it doesn’t stop there.
In addition to the mental health perks of eating outdoors, there are physical benefits to consider too. Glass & Vine’s focus on nutritious meals means great food is always on the menu. Pair that with the right outdoor setting and there’s a recipe for guest wellness.
From UC Davis Health:
Time in nature lowers blood pressure, causes heart rate to decrease, and decreases muscle tension.
Translation: enjoying a healthy meal at an outdoor restaurant allows the body to better ingest what’s being eaten while benefiting from the stress-fighting hormones that nature provides.
Spending time outside also encourages vitamin D production from sunlight. The vitamin D health benefits are extensive, but for now consider this:
- Vitamin D contributes to healthy bones
- Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium
- Vitamin D increases serotonin and dopamine production
There’s also an argument to be made that dining outdoors causes people to make healthier food choices. Eat outside, especially at restaurants with seasonal menus focused on fresh ingredients, and lighter dishes tend to follow. Meals that nourish both the body and mind.
Outdoor Dining With Family
Family dining and meals outside go hand in hand. A 2025 Toast survey found half of diners look for restaurants with healthy menu options — and that figure jumps to 60% if there are kids in the house.
Parents want to provide nutritious meals for their families, but they also want to provide a quality experience. Dining outdoors offers both. Kids enjoy being outside. Parents know eating outside is actively improving their families’ well-being just by being there.
Which circles back to the top of this article: restaurant operators are paying attention.
The right outdoor atmosphere allows guests to enjoy fresh food in an ambiance that improves mental and physical health. Family restaurants with outdoor dining options who can provide that wins.
Things to Consider In A Family Friendly Restaurant
There are plenty of great options for dining outside. Fresh food is a great starting point — look for places with farm-to-table menus and seasonal ingredients. But there are a few other nuances every family should consider when eating outdoors.
- Is there open green space nearby? Vegetation has strong effects on mood. If possible, eat outside where there’s still plenty of greenery surrounding the space.
- Can you avoid direct sunlight? There’s nothing worse than sweating through a family picnic. Seek out outdoor spaces that provide ample shade.
- Does the menu work for everyone? Speaking of picnics, if the family is going to bring meals from home make sure there’s something for everyone. Choose snacks and dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Is there room to relax? It’s okay to pick outside spots with table-service. Just make sure there’s enough space for everyone to feel comfortable.
- Finally, does the restaurant “feel” family-friendly? Adult-only restaurants with outdoor seating are lovely. But those spots probably aren’t designed with families in mind. Ask whether the whole family will feel relaxed, or like they need to rush.
Conclusion
It might sound too good to be true, but families that eat together outside are upgrading their wellness in multiple ways.
Better mood and mental health from time spent outside and sharing a meal. Increased vitamin D and more nutritious food choices. Happy kids, happy parents.
Look, if anyone spent $15 on a medical journal to learn about the benefits of dining outdoors they’d probably read it front to back. But nobody has time for that.
Here’s the takeaway, in a bullet list:
- Dining outside reduces cortisol levels in the body
- Family meals enjoyed outdoors create a greater sense of calm
- Time outside lowers blood pressure and encourages vitamin D production
- Restaurants with outdoor seating that serve fresh food can help families improve their health
- Guests begin to feel healthier after spending just 20 minutes outside
Glass & Vine’s family-friendly outdoor restaurant is waiting for the whole family. Feel better by dining better tomorrow.
FAQs
Are There Health Benefits to Eating Outside?
YES. Restaurants that offer outdoor seating enable guests to enjoy fresh food in an environment that boosts mental health, reduces stress, and more.
Does Dining Outside Boost Immunity?
It sure does. Time outside not only reduces stress levels but increases vitamin D production in the body, which is known to boost immune system function.
Does Eating Outside Boost Brain Function?
Sunshine and fresh air might not get the brain firing on all cylinders like a triple espresso. But spending time outdoors does improve brain function, helping with things like memory and cognition as we age.
Is Outdoor Eating Good For You?
Yes! While most people think nothing of eating outside, science shows dining al fresco provides families with strong mental and physical benefits.
Ready to eat outside and soak up those benefits? Stop by Glass & Vine and boost the whole family’s health today.
