Quick answer: The best retractable awning for a Florida restaurant patio is usually the Shademaker Hercules — 17–40 ft wide per unit, projections to 16'-6", LED lighting, and linkable for continuous coverage — at $9,477–$23,225 per unit. Smaller or upscale patios often use a Shademaker Zeus ($4,322–$14,965), and long storefronts can use an Eastern SunScape up to 80 ft wide.
In Florida, patio seats are only revenue if people will sit in them. A retractable awning turns an outdoor dining area that is empty from noon to 4 pm into seating you can sell all day, then rolls away for sunset and before a storm. 1800Awnings supplies restaurant awnings across Florida from our Tampa headquarters, with installation by our team or an authorized local dealer.
Get a commercial quote · Find an authorized dealer · Call 1-800-296-4647
Why restaurants choose retractable over fixed
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More sellable hours: shade the lunch and early-dinner rush, open to the sky in the evening.
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Storm-ready: motorized awnings on a grouped control let staff stow the whole patio with one button; wind sensors do it automatically.
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Evening service: integrated LEDs light the patio without separate fixtures.
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Branding: Sunbrella® and solution-dyed acrylic fabrics come in hundreds of colors to match your brand.
Best retractable awnings for restaurants
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Shademaker Hercules™ — $9,477–$23,225. 17–40 ft wide with 14'-9" or 16'-6" projections, among the deepest available. Reinforced frame, high-torque Somfy® motor, LED front bar option, and multi-unit linking for continuous coverage.
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Shademaker Zeus™ — $4,322–$14,965. Up to 40 ft wide in a slim full cassette with LEDs in the arms; a clean look for upscale patios and hotel restaurants.
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Eastern SunScape® — $3,064–$7,629. Widths up to 80 ft for long storefront patios where the building blocks the wind.
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Eastern Sunflexx® — $3,473–$10,019. Wind-flexing arms and a 15-year frame warranty for exposed waterfront patios.
Planning a restaurant awning in Florida
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Measure the seating area, not just the wall: how deep do the tables go from the building?
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Check the sun path. West-facing patios need deeper projection or a drop valance for late-afternoon sun.
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Plan power and controls for motors, LEDs and sensors, ideally on one grouped control for staff.
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Talk to your building department about permits and any requirements for your location before you order.
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Get a quote with dimensions and photos of the building face.
Also for hospitality
Hotels, resorts and bars use the same systems over pool bars, cabanas, balconies and event terraces. See resorts and hospitality, commercial awnings and architectural aluminum canopies for permanent entrance and walkway cover.
Restaurant awnings across Florida
Tampa · Orlando · Sarasota · Naples · Fort Myers · Miami · Fort Lauderdale · West Palm Beach · Jacksonville · The Villages
Frequently asked questions — restaurant awnings in Florida
What is the best retractable awning for a restaurant patio?
For large patios, the Shademaker Hercules: 17–40 ft per unit, projections to 16'-6", LED options and multi-unit linking. For smaller or upscale patios, the Shademaker Zeus offers a slim cassette up to 40 ft wide.
How much does a restaurant awning cost?
Our commercial retractable awnings run from $3,064 for a SunScape to $23,225 for the largest Hercules, per unit, before installation. Most restaurant patios fall in the Zeus or Hercules range.
Can a restaurant awning stay out in a Florida storm?
No retractable awning should be extended in high wind. Motorized systems with wind sensors retract automatically, and grouped controls let staff stow the whole patio at once before a named storm.
Request a restaurant awning quote or call 1-800-296-4647. Back to retractable awnings in Florida.
