Along with an incredible art scene, did you know Loveland is a foodie town, too? With nearly 200 options, there are some truly love-ly restaurants in town, especially in the charming historic downtown district.
Rather than pick just one restaurant for dinner, consider taking a more leisurely approach and hitting up two, three, or even four eateries, all within a five to 10-minute walk of each other. For the ultimate date night, here is a sample do-it-yourself progressive dinner itinerary, which includes both a low-key dinner option as well as an upscale choice:
#1. Cocktails (or Mocktails) and Appetizers
Door 222 (222 E. 4th St.) is a romantic spot and the perfect spot to start off your night to remember. Specializing in hand-crafted tapas in an upscale, energetic atmosphere, Door 222 is our top pick to score a delicious appetizer or two as well as a mocktail, like the Enchanted Forest with grapefruit juice, rosemary simple syrup, soda water and lime. Nosh on the stuffed peppadew peppers with serrano ham, goat cheese and balsamic reduction or the bacon-wrapped dates (pictured) with a champagne reduction (bonus – both are gluten free!). For a vegetarian option, opt for the beer-battered cheese curds made slightly sweet with membrillo honey. Word to the wise, if you can kick your night off early, swing by for happy hour (4 to 5:30 p.m.) to score both the dates or the peppers or five additional options at a reduced price, as well as $2 off wine and $1.50 off draft beers.
#2. Dinner Option 1: Laid Back Dining
For a laid-back dinner after Door 222, bump next door to Henry’s Pub (234 E. 4th St.) for a classic pub experience. The stellar kitchen staff prepares everything from scratch daily, from salad dressings and sauces, to entrees. Their classic pub fare like fried chicken sandwiches or the bison bangers and mash (pictured), replete with huckleberry smoked sausage, Rado’s Red Ale Gravy and a side of beer mustard and a colcannon croquette, are popular options. If it’s a Sunday, opt for the Walleye Fry, served with pub chips, coleslaw and remoulade. Note: If needed, there’s a separate (and extensive) gluten-free menu.
#2 Dinner Option 2: Upscale Dining
The Loveland Chophouse (125 E. 4th St.) is nestled among the brick buildings lining historic downtown Loveland. Duck in for an intimate dinner with your love in this 1930s-style restaurant that feels sophisticated but never stuffy. Dine on seafood and steak as well as weekly specials. Save room to share crème brulee or cheesecake for dessert.
#3. Dessert
For a heaping taste of nostalgia, visit The Black Steer (436 N. Lincoln Ave.), a Loveland mainstay that’s been turning out the best steaks in the state for 55 years. Loveland’s longest-standing restaurant offers an impressive number of pie varieties for dessert. Share a slice of peanut butter pie — the local favorite — or the decadent Mississippi Pie for a gluten-free option.
4. "Secret" After-Dinner Drinks
Rosie’s Barbershop on East 4th Street in Downtown Loveland has a secret. In addition to the full-service barbershop up front, this unassuming spot boasts a speakeasy in the back. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, stop in and sip one of the thoughtful cocktails house mixologist, Troy Sinatra, comes up with himself. Their menu shifts with the seasons, but you can always order the classics, as well. Prefer to sip without the booze? Opt for a delicious mocktail, specifically tailored to your favorite flavor profiles, whether that be sweet or spicy, or with herbal or floral notes.
This is just one of the many options you have for a progressive food tour in Loveland. For this one, we focused on downtown. With all of the dining options at your fingertips, you have nearly limitless options to craft your own throughout other parts of Loveland as well! From more-exotic options like Nepalese and chuckwagon cookouts to the classics like diners and chicken joints, we have it all. Bon Appétit!
