13 Restaurants in Colorado with Great Patio Views

Unfortunately, nothing ruins a great panorama like a soggy PB&J and stale bag of road-trip potato chips. That’s why we’re sharing a few of our top picks for scenic outdoor dining in Colorado. Bring your camera and your appetite!

1. Linger, Denver

This Denver hot spot has a serious cool factor. Not only can you eat on the roof of what was once the historic Olinger Mortuary while eyeing the Denver skyline, but there’s also a 1975 RV parked on the roof that serves as the outdoor dining bar. You’ll also have a front-row view of Little Man Ice Cream next door, hint hint. 

2. Mountain View Restaurant, Colorado Springs

The name really says it all here. Grab a seat on the outdoor terrace for big mountain views of nearby Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain. The restaurant’s signature “Colorado fusion” is a blend of southern Colorado flavors and global cuisine.

3. Mishawaka Amphitheater, Bellvue

Located about 23 miles west of Fort Collins, the Mish has been a beloved Colorado music venue for more than a century. But even if you can’t make it to a show, it’s worth a stop for burgers and beer on the amphitheater’s outdoor deck, which sits above the Poudre River. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, elk and even bears on the hillside across the water. 

4. Eolus Bar & Dining, Durango

This top-rated restaurant is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. With its gorgeous views, twinkling lights, lush greenery, farm-to-table menu and superb wine list, you’re sure to find romance in the mountains on the heated and covered rooftop patio (key for the mountain town’s cool nights). 

5. Ouray Brewery, Ouray

Colorado has a thing for craft beers, so we had to include at least one brewery on our list! Snag a seat on Ouray’s rooftop patio, which overlooks the charming Main Street and offers stunning 360-views of the San Juans. Thirsty? Order a pint of their award-winning Camp Bird Blonde Ale.

6. Boathouse Cantina, Salida

Nestled on the bank of the Arkansas River, the Boathouse Cantina’s open-air patio is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon snacking on Southwest-inspired organic eats while watching kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders making a splash in the river.

7. The Fitz, Vail

The ultimate outdoor summer après? The Fitz’s patio at the Manor Vail Lodge is a great place to celebrate a day of hiking, biking or simply strolling around town. The menu combines favorites like fried cheese curds and Not Your Grandma’s potato salad with upscale options like seared scallops in a saffron risotto and delicate fingerling potatoes beside a choice-cut rib-eye steak.

8. The Café, Trinidad

For small-town charm, you can’t beat the sidewalk seating at The Café along Trinidad’s cobblestone, gallery-heavy Main Street. Sip some coffee or chai while catching sight of Simpson’s Rest, the square-topped bluff to the north of town.

9. Far View Terrace Cafe, Mesa Verde National Park

During your adventure to Mesa Verde National Park to admire some of the world’s most well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, stop at the cafe for their signature Navajo tacos — and to take in killer glimpses of the surrounding landscape from their terrace.

10. The Woods at The Source Hotel and Market Hall, Denver

Ogle almost-too-perfect views of Denver’s cityscape juxtaposed by glimpses of the sky-tickling Rocky Mountains at The Woods, the slick rooftop venue that crowns The Source’s lifestyle hotel and upscale food hall.

11. Ginger and Baker, Fort Collins

Before the Northern Colorado Feeders Supply Building was transformed into Ginger and Baker — which houses a bakery, farm-to-table dining options and rooftop hangout — you had to have wings to enjoy panoramas of Fort Collins’ revitalized River District from the rooftop.

12. Treeline Kitchen, Leadville

Perched atop a building in Leadville’s National Historic Landmark District, Treeline Kitchen has dreamy glimpses of the snow-flecked Sawatch Range and modern American fare. Snag a seat after dark to dine under a tapestry of stars next to a roaring firepit.

13. The Uptown on Main, Frisco

Wraparound vistas of the surrounding mountains — particularly breathtaking at sunset — and Frisco’s pretty Main Street make the patio at The Uptown on Main an incredible stop after a day of hiking or mountain biking at one of the five nearby ski resorts.

Want More?

Check out 5 Hidden Fine-Dining Gems, 9 Must-Eat Foods in Colorado, Colorado Food and Beer Pairings or view our complete listings for Colorado food and drink businesses. 

To find more scenic places in Colorado, read 99 Gorgeous Places in Colorado: Part 1, the Postcard Places; Part 2, The Locals Favorites and Part 3: The Hidden Gems.