Introduction: Secondhand Smoking (SHS) exposes nonsmokers to tobacco smoke, increasing the risk of undesirable health outcomes. This exposure also leads to discomfort in public spaces. This study assesses whether SHS influences seating preferences in indoor versus outdoor areas of restaurants and cafés and evaluates public awareness of SHS risks. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an electronic questionnaire administered in various restaurants and cafés throughout Saudi Arabia. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS. Continuous variables were summarized using means and standard deviations, while categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Results: Of the 497 respondents, 68.4% were female, with the majority aged 19–30 years and residing in Saudi Arabia’s central region. About 35% preferred indoor seating to avoid smokers. Additionally, 62.4% reported that smoking affected their seating choice, and 71.4% changed their seating location due to cigarette smoke exposure while outdoors. Conclusion: The findings highlight SHS’s considerable impact on public place usage, particularly in cafés and restaurants in Saudi Arabia. The majority of the population finds cigarette smoke bothersome, supporting the need for stricter enforcement of tobacco-free policies in public areas to mitigate discomfort and prevent health risks.