Cozy Dining Domes Are Popping Up Everywhere — but These Are Our Favorites

Outdoor igloo dome for dining and drinks at Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho


Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.

Popping up on rooftops, patios, and gardens, igloos and dining domes are making it possible to enjoy the outdoors while staying warm and dry. Hotels and restaurants are serving happy guests in wintry surroundings, and this year most importantly, they offer a socially distant alternative to indoor dining.

The domes are heated, and many are supplied with blankets or fur throws to make it even cozier. Some offer music, special cocktails, and food from multi-course meals to small plates and bites. 

These are some of the hotels and restaurants where you can stay warm and comfy even while snow is swirling outside or rain is tapping on the rooftop.

Grand View Lodge

Outdoor igloo dome for dining and drinks at Grand View Lodge

23521 Nokomis Avenue
Nisswa, Minnesota 56468
Phone: (866) 801-2951
grandviewlodge.com

Set in Minnesota's winter wonderland, guests stay cozy in a heated igloo, supplied with warm blankets, adult beverages, and pre-ordered food. Beverage service includes buckets of beer, bottles of wine, and cocktails.

Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina

Inside igloo dome at Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina

1 Goat Island
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
Phone: (401) 849-2600
gurneysresorts.com

Guests can dine in one of four heated igloos overlooking the Newport Bridge and Narragansett Bay. Snuggling under chic, fur-like blankets, guests will dine on fresh fish, ripe vegetables, and specialties presented by Showfish Montauk, signature restaurant of Gurney's Montauk.

Drake Oak Brook

2301 York Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523-2332
Phone: (630) 571-0000
thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com

Minutes from Chicago in the newly renovated hotel, guests can dine in the warmth of a dining dome, surrounded by 10 acres of snowy gardens and twinkling lights. A special dining menu, bottle service, cozy blankets, and arctic-chic decor complete the experience.

Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

90 Ridge Trail Drive
Sedona, Arizona 86351
Phone: (928) 284-4040
hiltonsedonaresort.com

Amid Sedona's red rock formations, these igloos offer outdoor dining in a safe and intimate setting under the stars. Seasonally inspired entrees and artisan cocktails are served, and following dinner, guests are invited to gather around the igloo's private fire pit to roast marshmallows.

Kimpton Sawyer

Igloo domes at Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento, CA

500 J Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 545-7100
sawyerhotel.com

Five igloos, furnished with plush sofas and relaxing armchairs, will be set on the hotel's Magnolia Terrace, each accommodating up to six guests who will be able to enjoy views of the Sacramento skyline. Wine, cocktails, and small bites will be served.

Salamander Resort and Spa

500 North Pendleton Street
Middleburg, Virginia 20117
Phone: (844) 303-2723
salamanderresort.com

Guests can dine in comfort under the stars in their own private dining dome equipped with personal heaters. A four-course menu celebrating the seasonality of the Virginia Piedmont Region includes wagyu targar, tarragon gnocchi, and more.

Montage Deer Valley

9100 Marsac Avenue
Park City, Utah 84060
Phone: (435) 604-1300
montagehotels.com

Guests can dine in their own private igloo with views of scenic Park City. Menu items from the Vista Lounge include Tsar Nicoulai Caviar with traditional accompaniments, local cheeses, charcuterie, Valrhona Chocolate Fondue, Classic Cheese Fondue, and more.

The Alexandrian Hotel

The Alexandrian Hotel's outdoor dining domes

480 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: (703) 549-6080
thealexandrian.com

The Winter Wonderland pop-up in the hotel's courtyard includes private igloos available for groups of up to eight guests. Each igloo is complete with individual heaters, speakers, and cozy furniture, and guests can enjoy Southern small plates and seasonal cocktails.

The Adolphus

1321 Commerce Street
Dallas, Texas 75202
Phone: (214) 742-8200
adolphus.com

The hotel has transformed its rooftop with cozy igloos and cabinets for up to four people. Miracle on Commerce Street features a festive cocktail menu with special drinks like Nutcracker Chile and Honey Bear Eggnog, twinkling lights, and curling to enjoy.  

The Envoy Hotel

70 Sleeper Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Phone: (617) 338-3030
marriott.com

Guests can enjoy views of Boston's skyline and harbor in cozy comfort from Lookout Rooftop in one of their heated igloos. Each igloo can accommodate up to six people, with specialty cocktails and small plates.   

Bobby Hotel

Igloo domes for dining and drinking at Bobby Hotel, Nashville

230 Fourth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 782-7100
bobbyhotel.com

Bobby Hotel's Rooftop Lounge has been transformed in winter style with heated igloos. Decked out in cozy furnishings and colorful string lights, guests can enjoy seasonal cocktails and tasty bites with a view of the Nashville skyline.  

Coeur d’Alene Resort

Outdoor igloo dome for dining and drinks at Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho

115 S. Second Street
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho 83814
Phone: (855) 703-4648
cdaresort.com 

The resort's igloos are set on the outdoor patio overlooking sunset views of the lake and frosty outdoors. Guests, up to six per igloo, enjoy food along with signature cocktails like the pumpkin martini or complimentary champagne.   

The Inn at Hastings Park

2027 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421
Phone: (781) 301-6660 
innathastingspark.com

This five-star Relais & Chateaux property's Igloo Winter Wonderland features cozy igloos for private brunch, lunch, and dinner experiences. Designed to seat up to six, each igloo offers a faux-fireplace heater and speaker for background music.   

Cliff House

Outdoor igloo dome for dining and drinks at Cliff House in Maine

591 Shore Road
Cape Neddick, Maine 03902
(207) 361-1000
cliffhousemaine.com 

This resort on Maine's southern coast is offering exclusive cliffside igloos at Nubb's Lobster Shack for a scenic and warm seaside dining experience. Each igloo seats up to six guests with access to Nubb's full dining and beverage menu.   

Adero Scottsdale

Outdoor Igloot at Adero Scottsdale

13225 North Eagle Ridge Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85268
(480) 333-1900
aderoscottsdale.com

The hotel has transformed its expansive outdoor lawn to The Village at ADERO, offering guests their own beautifully curated globe. Guests can enjoy cocktails and expertly crafted small bites such as a charcuterie platter, fig and arugula flatbread, and s'mores.  

Vaso

AC Hotel Columbus Dublin
6540 Riverside Drive
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Phone: (614) 698-2525
vasodublin.com

This rooftop restaurant and bar features igloos complete with cozy fur-covered chairs, blankets, and whimsical lighting for a life-sized snow globe experience. Guests can feast on VASO's signature tapas and cocktails while enjoying views of the Scioto River and downtown Dublin.   

Miner Brewing Company

Snowy landscape with glowing dining globes at Miner Brewing Co.

2101 West 41st Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57105
(605) 574-2886
minerbrewing.com

Guests in the outdoor igloo experience can cozy up with a blanket while they enjoy the snowy scenery of the Black Hills along with a pint of uniquely South Dakota beer. Igloos seat up to six adults, and they can order bites from the neighboring Prairie Berry Winery. 

Kettle Ridge Farm

515 Log Cabin Road
Victor, New York 14564 
kettleridgefarm.com

Guests can enjoy an intimate brunch in a heated igloo on the breathtaking grounds of the farm. A five-course maple-inspired mystery menu and a bottle of sparkling wine will be served with the dinner.  

Vino Venue

4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
Phone: (770) 668-0435
vinovenue.com

Thanks to a grant from the City of Dunwoody, guests can enjoy outdoor dining by Vino Venue in the comfort of dining domes. Bistro-style cuisine, charcuterie and cheeses are served along with selections from the wine bar, including Pietra Fenice in remembrance of Vino Venue's founder.

Pinewood Kitchen & Mercantile

4951 Highway 48 North
Nunnelly, Tennessee 37137
Phone: (931) 729-4562
pinewoodkitchenandmercantile.com

This rural farm and restaurant outside Nashville, known for its healthy Southern fare, has set up festive heated outdoor domes, large enough to seat six guests. Pinewood's diverse menu includes fresh ingredients, as well as gluten-free and vegan dishes.

Market Steer Steakhouse

Igloo domes for dining and drinking at Market Steer Steakhouse in Santa, Fe

210 Don Gaspar Avenue
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: (505) 992-6354
marketsteersteakhouse.com

This steakhouse in the historic Santa Fe Plaza has four dining domes on its patio, each seating up to four guests. The domes are equipped with heaters, HEPA air purifiers, and Bluetooth speakers so guests can choose their music as well as their food and beverages.

Rooftop at the Providence G

100 Dorrance Street
Downtown Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: (401) 632-4904

Enjoy rooftop dining in a private igloo seven stories up in the middle of downtown. Choose a fire pit table or private igloo to enjoy the restaurant's full menu and signature cocktails.

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