Outdoor dining returns to Moody Street as restaurants navigate the annual licensing process

By Allie Ladjeva

Outdoor dining has returned to Moody Street for the summer, giving residents more options to enjoy a meal outdoors at local restaurants.

For restaurants, the return of outdoor dining is both a summer draw and a logistical challenge, requiring them to balance public interest with the city’s annual licensing process.

Restaurants launched their outdoor dining options the first week in June, with some places bringing out their tables even earlier, at the end of May. While private patios can operate under permanent permits, restaurants that want to offer outdoor dining on Moody Street must apply for outdoor dining licenses each year.

Restaurants such as Bistro 781, In a Pickle, Common Good Co., Vinotta and Tempo offer outdoor dining options on the street. Other restaurants, such as Gustazo and Deep Ellum, have private patios that guests can enjoy. Amuleto Mexican Table offers both street seating and a private patio in the back. 

Restaurants also tailored their outdoor setups to fit their spaces while offering residents different ways to enjoy outdoor dining. Bistro 781 has picnic tables that seat up to six people each, in addition to smaller tables. Tempo offers an oasis garden with 12 tables, which can accommodate up to 52 people.

Vinotta can seat 26 people outdoors, while Gustazo and Deep Ellum can accommodate up to 40 and 50 people, respectively, on their private patios. 

Bistro 781 offers a disability-accessible table at street level, and Tempo is “handicapped-accessible,” making the dining experience more comfortable for those who prefer to sit outside.

Several restaurant representatives emphasized the importance of offering outdoor dining options.

“I think summers are happier now. It’s nice to come to work. The people are happy to sit outside,”  said Rogerio Padilla, Amuleto Mexican Table’s general manager. “I think it’s more than just dining. It’s an experience.”

The licensing process presents challenges

Outdoor dining has been a fixture on Moody Street since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic spurred demand for expanded restaurant seating.

It has returned annually since then, but the city approval process for those outdoor options can be arduous, said Damian McEvoy, Deep Ellum’s bartender.

The permit process involves four steps, including a sidewalk permit application, an optional parking lane permit application, a building permit application, a seating template and a License Commission permit application for outdoor food and alcoholic beverages. 

This year restaurants are allowed to have outdoor seating only in the space in front of their restaurant, and they are not allowed to extend to adjacent businesses, regardless of the latter’s approval.

Some restaurants fell behind on documentation this year for various reasons, including miscommunication. Padilla said the restaurant usually receives a letter from the city, which helps the restaurant prepare needed documents. 

However, this year, restaurant staff learned all the information on Facebook, which caused them to fall behind with setting up their street dining. Some restaurants said they might offer outdoor dining later this summer.

McEvoy said Deep Ellum missed the first hearing on obtaining an outdoor license due to internal paperwork delays but expects to reapply. But McEvoy also said even if the restaurant doesn’t obtain an outdoor license this year, it still offers outdoor dining on its private patio in the back.

The annual licensing process requires significant resources for businesses. Padilla said the annual process can make it difficult for restaurants to plan long-term investments, especially when outdoor dining approval is not guaranteed permanently.