Summer may be winding down, but In Loveland, beautiful patios perfect for fair weather dining and drinking abound. Here are some of the best spots to enjoy a meal outdoors or sip a beer in town, including a look at a new restaurant and some dog-friendly options.
NEW This Summer
HUB Café by Fresh Plate
HUB Café by Fresh Plate (6402 Union Creek Dr.) is the newest place to sip, savor and socialize at Kinston Centerra in Loveland. Open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour, the restaurant offers Colorado-inspired farm-to-table cuisine complemented by specialty coffee drinks, cocktails and mocktails. Sit on the artful patio, replete with a black and white “Together” mural and a stylized bear sculpture that doubles as a comfy seat, and nosh on a hearty salad or a sandwich served as either a panini or deli style. Gorgeous Front Range views complete the backdrop. Homemade soups, fresh pressed juices, a slew of baked goods and more round out the menu.
Dog Friendly Patios
Here is a look at the best brewery or bar patios that allow dogs, since canines and craft beer just go together:
Loveland Tap & Tavern (237 E. 4th St.)
With two patios from which to choose, Loveland Tap & Tavern is a comfortable, casual option in downtown Loveland that is also dog friendly. Enjoy a Colorado craft beer, a quality cocktail or chose from over 300 whiskey options.
Backyard Tap (323 N. Railroad Ave.)
With its giant backyard and dog bowls aplenty, Backyard Tap will keep four-legged friends happy while mom and dad sip away and nosh on pizza, tacos and more from the rotating food trucks that visit.
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (815 14th St.)
Loveland’s first brewery, Grimm Brothers is also dog friendly and is even known to host fundraisers and adoption events to benefit canine rescue organizations.
Verboten Brewing & Barrel Project (127 E. 5th St.)
Enjoy Verboten Brewing & Barrel Project’s refreshing Thinking of Something Orange wheat beer or a beermosa or a bloody beer on the patio while your dog lounges by your feet.
Loveland Aleworks (118 W. 4th St.)
Loveland Aleworks has been serving craft beer (10 options on tap) in historic downtown since 2012. Dogs are allowed on the sunny patio and one of the brewery’s awesome sour beers is best sipped alongside your four-legged companion. Trivia is held on Thursday nights and food trucks visit throughout the week.
Best Patio Eats
Backyard Tap (323 N. Railroad Ave.)
Backyard Tap boasts one of the most expansive outdoor patios in town, replete with games, fire pits, rotating food trucks and a plentiful craft beer selection. It’s like gathering in your best friend’s amazing backyard, except no one must clean up post-festivities! Catch live music on many Friday and Saturday evenings. Note: Backyard Tap is 21 and older after 7 p.m.
Birdies Burgers and Brews (701 Clubhouse Dr.)
For some of the best views of Devil’s Backbone, Long’s Peak and more, head to the top of the hill at Mariana Butte Golf Course. Nosh on burgers, tacos, and comfort food, like beer mac and cheese and fish and chips, while sipping a beer from the extensive menu; Birdies boasts the largest selection of all-Colorado beers in the state.
Black Steer Restaurant (436 N. Lincoln Ave.)
The Black Steer has been turning out the best steaks in the state for 55 years. Loveland’s longest standing icon offers a side of nostalgia with every heaping platter of steak or seafood. Eat lunch or dinner on the smaller outdoor patio area in the front or in the “rear of the steer,” additional outdoor seating in the back of the restaurant. Whatever you do, save room for a slice of homemade pie (peanut butter is the local favorite).
Cactus Grill (119 E 4th St.)
Traditional Mexican favorites with a southwestern flair, tasty margs, and an upbeat atmosphere draw people back to Cactus Grille again and again. Voted Best Margarita, Best Patio and Best Happy Hour for the past five years, this popular hangout has a great patio and is open for lunch and dinner (and weekend breakfast).
CJ’s Patio Grill, (1331 Eagle Dr.)
Located on the west side of Loveland, this longtime mainstay was featured on the show Bar Rescue in 2022. Enjoy a fantastic lunch on the pretty patio, which is also dog friendly. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.
Door 222 (222 E 4th St.)
This downtown hotspot serves hand-crafted tapas, dinner, creative cocktails, and desserts in an upscale, energetic atmosphere. Nosh on tasty shareable options like duck confit taquitos, truffle fries, and stuffed peppadew peppers on the patio, while string lights sparkle overhead. Burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizzas (including gluten-free) and entrees like beef short ribs, seared salmon, and fish n’ chips round out the menu. Open starting at 4 p.m.
The Foundry Plaza, located in downtown Loveland, features two restaurants with killer patios.
— Vatos Tacos & Tequila, (270 N Cleveland Ave.) – This NoCo favorite serves up fresh street tacos and premium tequilas.
— Colorado Coffee Company, 254 N Cleveland Ave. (Foundry Plaza) and 1450 N. Boyd Lake Ave. (Centerra) – Sip small batch roasted coffee from around the world and nosh on homemade pastries, including award-winning giant cinnamon rolls.
McGraff’s American Grill (1602 Eisenhower Blvd.)
There are two patio options at McGraff’s, both of which are dog friendly and partly covered and open until 10 p.m. most evenings. Gourmet pizzas, a variety of classic American entrees, like nachos, French dips, patty melts, burgers, fish and chips and more are sure to satiate.
Sweet Heart Winery (5500 W Hwy 34)
Sweet Heart Winery uses grapes sourced through partnerships with small-lot vineyards and wineries in both California and Colorado. Enjoy a tour of the property then sit back and enjoy a glass of wine and a snack on the back patio, situated alongside the Big Thompson River. Opt for a savory cheese, charcuterie, or hummus plate followed by a signature flatbread pizza or other rotating food specials. The Insta-worthy views of the Devil’s Backbone Natural Space Area and the vineyard add to the allure.
The Boot Grill( 4164 Clydesdale Pkwy.)
For mountain views from a great rooftop patio, head to The Boot Grill. This spacious, Western-themed restaurant boasts two patios and is known for delicious burgers, crisp salads and more. Start with the cowboy nachos, housemade potato chips covered with BBQ prime rib chunks, boot kickin’ sauce, cheese, guac and mango salsa, or the Boot Shooters — bacon and cream cheese stuffed jalapenos fried crisp and served with avocado ranch dipping sauce.
Wicked Tequila Room (123 E 4th St.)
The Wicked Tequila Room was born out of love for all things tequila. Loveland’s first exclusive tequila bar offers 30+ premium tequilas and a substantial list of signature-crafted cocktails. You can even customize your margarita to sip while sitting on the colorful alley patio.
With so many great patio options to choose from, you may not want to sip or dine indoors in Loveland until the snow begins to fall. So leash up Fido, grab the sunglasses and some SPF 30 and hit up your favorite patio. Cheers!
