What are the best outdoor dining spots in downtown Denver? Top picks: Culinary Dropout (comfort food, great patio), 54thirty Rooftop (best views), Avanti Food & Beverage (food hall with rooftop), Postino (bruschetta and wine), and Joy Hill (wood-fired pizza with rooftop). All feature patios perfect for Denver's 300+ days of sunshine.
Denver's vibrant downtown boasts a diverse culinary scene, with many restaurants offering delightful outdoor seating.
Here are some popular dining options, highlighting some frequently enjoyed dishes and drinks:
Culinary Dropout
Culinary Dropout serves modern American comfort food. Popular dishes include Pretzel Bites with Provolone Fondue and 36-Hour Pork Ribs.
The menu also features salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and other entrees, along with a cocktail menu.
54thirty Rooftop
54thirty Rooftop serves a variety of dishes, including cocktails, global small plates, and a winter drink menu that highlights warm and spiced cocktails, a curated wine bottle list, and a spectrum of Denver's favorite craft beers.
The Fire Restaurant & Lounge
The Fire Restaurant & Lounge serves a variety of dishes, including American cuisine, brunch, and cocktails. It is located in the ART Hotel in Denver, Colorado.
The Colorado Lamb Chops are a frequently highlighted dish, praised for their succulent taste and expert preparation.
Ace Eat Serve
Ace Eat Serve serves a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, including small plates, dumplings, noodles, and entrees.
The restaurant also has a full bar and a large outdoor patio. The Coriander Roasted Colorado Lamb is a popular option, noted for its aromatic spices.
Avanti Food & Beverage
It offers a variety of cuisines, including Amá Modern Mexican for contemporary Mexican dishes and Knockabout Burgers for gourmet burgers. This setup allows visitors to try different foods in one place.
Ash'Kara
Ash'Kara in Denver serves modern Mediterranean cuisine, featuring dishes like lamb shawarma, roasted salmon, various hummus options, falafel, and baba ghanoush.
Room for Milly
Room for Milly, located at 1615 Platte St in Denver, is known for its creative cocktails and a menu focused on small plates and bar bites. Popular choices include their Charcuterie Board and the Strawberry Mule cocktail.
Joy Hill
Joy Hill in Denver serves wood-fired pizzas with various toppings, along with appetizers like roasted Brussels sprouts and truffle fries, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, all in a rustic-chic setting with a rooftop patio.
Postino
Postino on Broadway in Denver offers a selection of bruschetta boards with various toppings, paninis, salads, and soups, alongside a curated list of wines and craft beers. The Pretzel Bites with Provolone Fondue are my favorite.
McDevitt Taco Supply
McDevitt Taco Supply at 3560 Brighton Blvd in Denver serves a variety of tacos, quesadillas, and sides, with a focus on flavorful fillings like green chili pork and BBQ options. The Green Chili Pork Tacos are the best, known for their flavorful meat.
*Review counts and average ratings are based on data from Yelp and Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best rooftop restaurant in Denver?
54thirty Rooftop on top of Le Meridien hotel is the highest open-air rooftop bar in Denver with stunning mountain views. Joy Hill also offers a great rooftop patio experience with wood-fired pizzas. Both are best during sunset.
Do Denver restaurants have heated patios in winter?
Yes, many Denver restaurants keep patios open year-round with heaters, fire pits, and blankets. Culinary Dropout, Avanti, and several others offer heated outdoor seating. Denver's sunny winters make patio dining possible even in cold months.
Is Avanti Food & Beverage worth visiting?
Yes, Avanti is a popular food hall with multiple restaurant concepts under one roof, plus a rooftop patio with city views. Great for groups who can't agree on one cuisine - options include Mexican, burgers, and more. Over 6,000 reviews averaging 4.3 stars.
What's a good outdoor restaurant near Union Station?
Room for Milly at 1615 Platte St is a short walk from Union Station with creative cocktails and small plates on their outdoor patio. Postino Broadway and Culinary Dropout are also within easy reach of downtown.
Do I need reservations for outdoor dining in Denver?
For rooftop spots like 54thirty and popular patios like Culinary Dropout, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Food halls like Avanti are first-come, first-served but can get crowded during peak hours.
What's the best outdoor dining for groups?
Culinary Dropout has a large patio perfect for groups, with shareable plates like Pretzel Bites and 36-Hour Pork Ribs. Avanti Food & Beverage works well for groups since everyone can order from different vendors and meet on the rooftop.