Outdoor Dining AQI Thresholds
AQI 0-50: Perfect for Patio Dining
Enjoy your meal outdoors without concerns. Ideal conditions for extended meals.
AQI 51-100: Generally Safe
Most people can dine outdoors comfortably. Sensitive individuals may prefer indoor seating.
AQI 101-150: Consider Indoor
Better to eat inside. If dining out, choose enclosed patios or sit indoors. Sensitive groups avoid outdoor.
AQI 151-200: Indoor Dining Only
Do not eat on outdoor patios. Health risk outweighs dining experience.
AQI 201+: Avoid Dining Out
Consider delivery or cooking at home to minimize outdoor exposure.
Best Times for Outdoor Dining
Breakfast (7 AM - 10 AM)
Excellent choice: Lowest AQI of the day. Perfect for leisurely brunch on patios. Cool temperatures, minimal ozone, fresh morning air.
Lunch (11:30 AM - 2 PM)
Monitor AQI: Ozone building during these hours. Check current levels before choosing patio. Better in spring/fall, riskier in summer.
Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)
Worst time: Peak ozone hours. AQI typically 20-40 points higher than morning. Choose indoor seating during this window.
Dinner (6 PM - 9 PM)
Good option: Air quality improving as ozone dissipates. Second-best time for patio dining after breakfast. Evening ambiance with better air.
Choosing Safer Outdoor Dining Locations
Best Patio Locations
- Rooftop dining: Above street-level pollution
- Parks and green spaces: Trees filter air naturally
- Waterfront locations: Better air circulation from water
- Pedestrian areas: No traffic, cleaner air
- Courtyards: Protected from street pollution
- Garden patios: Plants improve air quality
Locations to Avoid
- Sidewalk cafes on busy streets: Direct traffic exposure
- Near parking lots: Vehicle emissions
- Loading zones: Truck and delivery exhaust
- Bus stops nearby: Diesel exhaust concentration
- Drive-through lanes: Idling vehicles
Health Considerations
Why Outdoor Dining Can Be Problematic
- Extended exposure (meals last 1-2 hours)
- Seated position keeps you at exhaust height
- Food and pollution exposure combined
- Hot meals in hot weather with poor air quality add stress
- Unable to leave mid-meal if symptoms develop
Symptoms to Watch For
- Eye irritation or watering
- Throat scratchiness
- Coughing
- Headache
- Reduced appetite due to air quality
- Shortness of breath
Special Considerations
Families with Children
- Children more vulnerable to air pollution
- Choose indoor seating when AQI exceeds 100
- Request tables away from street if dining outside
- Keep meals shorter on moderate air quality days
Sensitive Individuals
- People with asthma should avoid outdoor dining above AQI 100
- Elderly diners more affected by pollution
- Pregnant women should choose indoor seating above AQI 75
- Heart disease patients avoid outdoor dining in elevated AQI
Special Occasions
- Check AQI forecast before making reservations
- Have indoor backup table request
- Morning brunch events better than afternoon
- Evening events better than midday
Restaurant Worker Considerations
- Servers working outdoor sections exposed for entire shift
- Restaurants should monitor AQI and limit outdoor service above 150
- Provide breaks in air-conditioned areas
- Allow servers to request indoor assignment on poor air days
Best Cities for Outdoor Dining
Excellent Year-Round
- San Diego, CA - Coastal air, year-round dining
- Santa Barbara, CA - Clean ocean air
- Honolulu, HI - Consistent good air quality
- Seattle, WA - Clean Pacific air (when not raining)
Good Most of Year
- Portland, OR - Great air quality
- San Francisco, CA - Foggy but clean
- Charleston, SC - Coastal location
- Savannah, GA - Historic district with good air