Meet me at Martinis! | Chef Louie and Sophie’s uber-busy restaurant showcases a scratch kitchen menu and is recognized as one of NWI’s best restaurants with outdoor seating! Every summer, fans of Martinis are transported to an outdoor paradise with lots of Mediterranean plants, happy customers, and alfresco dining food and drink specials. Outdoor dining options include both open-air and covered patios
While Martinis is Valparaiso’s most impressive restaurant with outdoor seating, it’s the Scratch Menu and Outdoor Dining Food and Drink Specials that make Martinis-Valpo a destination for patio dining!
In this article, you’ll discover what makes the Martinis Outdoor Dining experience so special! Each one of the food and drinks featured in this article was hand-picked by the dynamic duo of Sophie and Louie, Martinis’ owners. With a scratch menu that includes Greek, Italian, American, seafood, steak, burgers, and pizza, there is something special for everyone.
As a restaurant called Martinis, you can expect the drink specials to be real and spectacular. Martinis has a mixologist with over 70 scratch-made martinis, including Valparaiso’s largest craft beer and wine offering.
The Outdoor Restaurant that Won Valpo’s Community Award
When Martinis finished its painstaking renovation, it was honored with the Community Improvement Award by the Valpo Chamber and the City of Valpo. Every inch of Martinis’ was refreshed, and the restaurant earned recognition for all four of its dining spaces. While it might not surprise anyone that such a gorgeous bar and dining room would earn the coveted award, very few people would think an outdoor restaurant could deserve an accolade.
But it should have been expected for anyone who knows Sophie and Louie. Both owners were brought up with one foot in New York/New Jersey’s highly competitive culinary scene and the other on a Greek island in paradise.
When you grow up on the East Coast, you go big or you go home! But the drive to be one of Valparaiso’s best restaurants with outdoor seating was elevated by Sophie and Louies’ Greek heritage. Growing up on an island in the Mediterranean, you don’t succeed without creating a remarkable outdoor restaurant experience.
Restaurants with Outdoor Drinking | Valpo’s Biggest and Best!
In Valparaiso, the bar is raised for restaurants with outdoor drinking. While Chef Louie’s East Coast competitiveness raised the steaks with his diverse scratch kitchen menu, Sophie puts her competitiveness and passion into her bar. Along with her mixologist bar manager, Kristin, Martinis isn’t just the biggest bar that sells the most craft beer and wine in Valparaiso.
Most people in the Vale of Paradise will agree, that Martinis has the best offerings of mixed drinks and culinary cocktails. With gorgeous glass wear and artistic flair, the drinks are almost as fun to look at as they are to drink!
To Discover How a Mixologist is different from a Bartender, Here is a link to our Bar Page
Shimmerpolitan Martini | Restaurants with Outdoor Drinking
Stoli Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec, Lime & White Cranberry Juices
We would be amiss if we didn’t begin the Martinis’ Outdoor Specials with a Martini. Our restaurant with outdoor drinking has over 70 martinis to choose from- selecting one is part of the fun. Sophie chose the Shimmerpolitan for its visual appeal on a gorgeous summer day! The bright blue azure martini is reminiscent of a vacation on a Greek Island. On a gorgeous, sunny day, this intense blue cocktail glistens with a liquor that has edible glitter. This cocktail seems to capture the essence of this remarkable restaurant with outdoor seating!
Visit our Digital Cocktail Menu
Visit our 70 Martinis PDF
1/2 Price Wine Bottles Every Thursday! Indoor & Outdoor Special
Every Thursday, wine lovers from all over Northwest Indiana converge on Martinis for their 1/2 Price Wine Bottles. But don’t expect to choose from a short list of leftover wine bottles. When Martinis runs a special, it needs to have class!
You’ll have a choice of wines for every occasion and every pairing! Of course, when you have one of Valparaiso’s best selections of wine, some limited edition wines are excluded, but the wine bottles available every Thursday for half price will impress. Opa!
Fan’s Choice for Featured Patio Wine
If the food is the star attraction of Martinis’ outdoor dining experience, the wine serves as its wingman. While it’s difficult to say which wine is best, Tribute’s Sauvignon Blanc and
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular choice for fans of this restaurant with outdoor drinking!
SAUVIGNON BLANC– Bright. Crisp. Citrus
This single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is introduced by bold tropical notes of citrus, grapefruit, and pineapple with a beautiful minerality. Floral aromas complement the refreshing flavors. Partial sur lie aging in neutral barrels results in a nice round finish.
Pairing Suggestion
This wine goes great with seafood, Greek cuisine, or just having fun on the Martinis’ outdoor patio.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON- COMPLEX. BLACK CHERRY. SPICE.
Classy and bold with aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum with earthy notes, tea, vanilla bean and shaved dark chocolate. Well-integrated tannins build to a long, velvety finish. This Cabernet underwent malolactic fermentation before 13 months of aging on toasted French and American oak.
Pairing Suggestion
This wine goes great with Louie’s daily steak specials, burgers, and pizza, or just meeting friends at this Mediterranean-themed outdoor paradise.
Fans of Martini’s love the experience of sitting outdoors on a summer night as music serenades when sharing a bottle of wine, especially when they see their server light up a plate of Flaming Saganaki. But this Greek outdoor dining tradition gets better when it is served with wine.
Visit our Digital Wine Menu
Visit our No-Nonsense Wine PDF
Craft Beer(s) of the Month
Craft beer fans love knowing that Martinis stocks the limited-run, hard-to-find craft beer you won’t find in too many places! You’ll love the variety, especially when ordering with friends.
Just say, meet me at Martinis!
Visit our Digital Beer Menu
Visit our No-Nonsense Beer List PDF
Seafood Specials| Martinis’ Outdoor Restaurant’s Catch of the Day!
Typically, the seafood served to patio dining customers is brought in earlier in the day. But don’t expect the Martinis’ seafood special to last. Chef Louie orders just enough seafood to last one day because any chef will tell you, that seafood is best served fresh!
Matinis is legendary for its fresh seafood and why so many people swarm to this restaurant with outdoor seating, The Restaurant’s daily special changes daily because Chef Louie demands freshness and quality. It’s also why the seafood special changes daily, and usually doesn’t last!
Our featured image is the Seafood Risotto, one of our most popular seafood offerings with our outdoor restaurant guests. The Seafood Risotto begins with arborio rice blended with parmesan, romano, tiger shrimp, fresh catch and roasted red peppers then topped with jumbo shrimp and pan-seared sea scallops.
Visit our Seafood Digital Menu
Raising the Steaks! Valpo’s Best Outdoor Steakhouse
The Outdoor Steak Special of the Day!
Changing steak specials daily allows Martinis to showcase their culinary expertise, take advantage of seasonal ingredients, and provide customers with a diverse and exciting menu selection. Changing specials daily allows Chef Louie to take advantage of seasonal produce and ingredients, ensuring that dishes are made with the freshest and highest quality components.
Pictured is the Ribeye Steak. A 14oz. full-flavored cut, with a slightly firmer texture than a ribeye. Because Martini’s cuts chops the day they are served, steak, pork chops, and lamb chops are only served at dinner.
Choice of house-cut fries or house chips. Upgrade to seasoned fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or waffle fries. Take your steak to the next level by upgrading with Cult Classic, Black and Bleu, or Parmesan Crusted finishes.
Visit our Digital Steak Menu
Italian Outdoor Dining
The Martinis Italian outdoor dining menu includes Arancini. This creamy fontina cheese-filled risotto croquette is served atop warm marinara. Dinner Only.
Italian cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its fresh, seasonal ingredients, simple preparations, and emphasis on quality. An Italian restaurant with outdoor seating provides an ideal setting to showcase these culinary delights, allowing diners to enjoy traditional dishes in a charming and relaxed ambiance.
Italian meals are often enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with an emphasis on savoring food, wine, and conversation. Traditionally, Italian restaurants with outdoor seating contribute to this relaxed atmosphere, allowing diners to linger over their meals and enjoy the company of friends and family in a pleasant outdoor setting.
Visit our Digital Italian Food Menu
It’s all Greek to Me! | Valpo’s Greek Restaurant with Outdoor Seating!
Alfresco dining is a cherished aspect of the Greek dining experience, which is why Martinis considers it just as important as the front of the house. Like in many Mediterranean countries, Greece has a vibrant café culture where people gather to socialize, enjoy coffee, and people-watch.
Greek dining culture emphasizes leisurely meals with family and friends, often accompanied by lively conversation and good company. Outdoor dining contributes to this relaxed atmosphere, allowing diners to enjoy their meals at a leisurely pace while soaking up the ambiance of their surroundings.
Martinis’ menu includes both traditional Greek cuisine and small plate specials, perfect for sharing with friends! Of course, no visit to a Greek Restaurant with outdoor seating would be complete without ordering the Flaming Saganaki. Saganaki is Kefalograviera cheese flambéed table side with warmed pita.
Visit our Digital Greek Menu
Lunch Places with Outdoor Seating
What can be better than meeting friends or business associates for lunch on a beautiful afternoon in the Vale of Paradise? While Valparaiso has become a destination for restaurants with outdoor seating, many of our best restaurants are not open during lunch or offer lunchtime menus. Here are a few reasons why Martinis is one of Valpo’s best lunch places with outdoor seating.
Business Lunch | Dining outdoors allows guests to enjoy fresh air, natural light, and pleasant surroundings, which can enhance their overall dining experience. A comfortable and enjoyable setting can positively impact the mood of the meeting and foster better communication. Outdoor Dining at Martinis can leave a positive impression on clients or business partners. As a popular restaurant with outdoor seating, Martinis attracts a mix of professionals and Valpo’s biggest characters, providing opportunities for networking and expanding business connections. A business lunch in a bustling outdoor setting can create a dynamic atmosphere conducive to building relationships and exploring potential collaborations.
Lunch Menu | Martinis’ lunch menu contains a diverse selection of pizza, hamburgers, and sandwiches, as well as select offerings from our Italian, Greek, and Seafood menus. Martinis also has Valpo’s biggest selection of craft beer, wine, and cocktails for starting the weekend or just because!
Martinis Burgers
All Burgers and Entrees come with a choice of one side. House Cut Fries, Chips, Rice, Mashed Potato, Cottage Cheese, Vegetable.
Upgrades: Seasoned Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Rings, Tater Tots or Waffle Fries.
Visit our Digital Burger Menu
Martinis Pizza
Our Pizzas are made to order and from scratch, so please allow 35 to 45 minutes to be prepared.
Toppings: Sweet Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Bacon, Ham, Anchovies, Onions, Red Peppers, Spinach, Mushrooms, Basil, Meat Balls, Caramelized Onions, Green Olives, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Pineapple, Kalamata Olives, Garlic, Portobello Mushrooms, Tomatoes
Visit our Digital Pizza Menu
Martinis Sandwiches
All Sandwiches and Entrees come with a choice of one side.
Mashed Potato, House Cut Fries, Chips, Rice, Cottage Cheese, Vegetable. Upgrades: Seasoned Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Rings.
Visit our Digital Sandwich Menu
Written by Jim Jano Janesheski