August 31st is National Eat Outside Day and Colorado has some great outdoor dining spots. Whether you are looking for a breathtaking view or a cozy outdoor patio to soak up the summer sun, here is a list of the best places to visit to enjoy the last days of summer while feasting on some delicious eats.
Toro By Chef Richard Sandoval
Whether enjoying lunch, happy hour, dinner or the weekend bottomless brunch, there is no bad seat at Toro Latin Kitchen and Lounge. Their intimate outdoor, courtyard patio is prepared to withstand the Colorado heat, featuring partial coverings that provide just the right amount of sunshine. Then once the sun drops below the mountains, patio tables are gathered around an inviting firepit to stave off the evening chill. While relaxing underneath the glowing outdoor bistro lights, savor the abundance of menu options hand-selected by the world-renowned Chef Richard Sandoval. With choices such as the flavorful blackened tuna tacos and the fan-favorite sweet corn empanadas, there is something for everyone. For a refreshing beverage, sip on the Realeza ($15) which is comprised of Ginraw, lime, simple, pineapple, and fresh ginger.
Tamayo By Chef Richard Sandoval
For an unforgettable experience that combines the mountains and the city into one, look no further than Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval. This well-loved Denver restaurant is located right in the heart of the iconic Larimer Square and has two charming patios to choose from. The ground-level patio is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the square while the rooftop patio provides diners with a breathtaking view of the mountains and our colorful Colorado sunsets. Whether rain or shine, Tamayo is prepared with covered and open-air seating surrounded by blooming greenery, ensuring a lovely dining experience.
My Neighbor Felix
With locations in Boulder, Centennial, LoHi, and Colorado Springs, My Neighbor Felix is one of the best options for outdoor seating anytime of year. Whether taking advantage of happy hour or enjoying a meal with family and friends, the patio provides a stylish hangout spot with twinkling strings of lights and shaded tables to escape from the heat. To stay refreshed, delight in one of the their many summery margaritas, such as the watermelon or mango margarita, and munch on their deliciously creamy guacamole and queso.
Wynkoop Brewing Co.
As Denver’s first microbrewery and brewpub, there is no place in the LoDo neighborhood quite like Wynkoop Brewing Co. With a brewery located underneath Denver’s largest pool hall, Wynkoop is known for their quirky and flavorful brews, making it a favorite amongst beer enthusiasts. To complement their beers, this quintessential Colorado restaurant also serves hand-crafted cocktails, gourmet burgers and zesty tacos on their charming, urban patio. Within close proximity to Coors Field, Larimer Square and other downtown landmarks, this outdoor seating area allows diners to enjoy Denver’s bustling cityscape. However, despite its central location, the patio creates a cozy bubble, perfect for a secluded and intimate dining experience where guests can rest and relax.
Cherry Cricket Cherry Creek
Cherry Cricket‘s original location in the Cherry Creek neighborhood is renowned not only for its award-winning burgers, which have been served since 1945, but also for its classic and nostalgic atmosphere. This includes its expansive pet-friendly patio, where guests can enjoy favorites like the Cricket Burger, Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites, R & C Pork Green Chile, local beers, and house cocktails. The patio has a backyard vibe decorated with summer colors, firepits, and yard games making guests feel right at home at the OG Cherry Cricket.
Cherry Cricket Littleton
Cherry Cricket Littleton was made with patio season in mind! While Cherry Cricket has been serving burgers and cold beer in Cherry Creek since 1945 and at their Ballpark location since 2018, the new Littleton location was selected by its owners for its long history in the community and its incredible potential for an outdoor space. Through extensive market research and their ties with the greater Denver community, the team at Cherry Cricket understood Coloradans’ desire to be outside and enjoy the fantastic weather. The outdoor dining area, better known as the Burger Garden, was born and seats over 100 people. It offers a relaxed vibe with the charm of the original Cherry Creek location including a firepit and lawn games. Guests can enjoy all their Cherry Cricket favorites at the new Littleton location.
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
For those in Colorado Springs, Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. is a great place to soak in the beautiful sites of the region including the breathtaking views of Pikes Peak. With a large rooftop patio for guests to enjoy, Phantom Canyon offers an unforgettable evening with great food, beer and a view that highlights the natural beauty of Colorado! The brewpub also has a ground-floor patio offering a front row seat to the Spring’s charming downtown area. Visitors can enjoy one of the brewery’s signature beers while munching on fried pickles, the Phantom Burger or the lemon Tabasco fried chicken and finish the night with a craft cocktail or the seasonal bread pudding.
Alice + Kate Bakery
For the girlies looking to live out their Instagram-worthy picnic dreams, Alice + Kate Bakery‘s small batch of hand-made macarons, caramels and chocolates are the perfect addition to an elegant picnic. Whether the day calls for a romantic outing for two or a girls’ day, Alice + Kate has a confection to fit any vibe! Guests can craft boxes of treats, select flavors that resonate with them or choose from the bakery’s curated selection of premade or seasonal boxes. The bakery’s new summer macarons are perfect for a picnic on a sunny day, featuring flavors like key lime, cherry pie, s’mores, blueberry peach cheesecake, and strawberry lemonade.
Alice + Kate Bakery also offers a variety of items ideal for curating a beautiful picnic spread. This includes everything from elegantly designed plates, napkins and trays to jams, honey and a selection of bread and pastries from a small local bakery. These additions will not only make the picnic look stunning but also ensure it’s delicious!
Kachina Cantina
Kachina Cantina is proof that a restaurant can truly have it all. This slice of paradise has everything in one spot: a charming patio to relax, scrumptious eats to devour, and a drink menu to die for. Located in the Dairy Block with a view of Coors Field, guests can appreciate the downtown scenery while taking a culinary road trip with the kitchen’s creative twists on Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. For those slow weekend mornings, enjoy weekend brunch on the patio that runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Whether a sweet or salty breakfast-lover, they have both with offerings like the Churro Waffles sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or the Chilaquiles with scrambled eggs on a bed of tortilla chips. Cheers to the warm summer weather by elevating the brunch experience with bottomless mimosas. For more information about Kachina Cantina and their brunch offerings, take a peek here.
Poka Lola Social Club
Nestled in the iconic Dairy Block of downtown Denver, discover Colorado’s top outdoor hangout spot at the Poka Lola Social Club. This trendy cocktail lounge, inspired by an old-fashioned Midwestern soda shop, is the perfect spot to groove to live tunes and explore inventive cocktail creations. With an outside alley bar adorned with pretty, strung lights and cozy seats perfect for chatting with friends, this bar is a favorite of locals and visitors. Poka Lola also hosts a plethora of unique and exciting events to delight patrons throughout these warm summer days such as their Summer Sipper Cocktail Class and Psychedelic Sundays. See more about their events here.
For those looking for a deal while embracing the vibrant downtown atmosphere, take advantage of the daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with their delicious house old fashion, house daiquiri, hibiscus paloma, and more. With a medley of flavorful sips and snacks, Poka Lola Social Club makes every summer day feel like a vacation.