When the weather heats up in Fort Collins, our usual craving for craft beer and local, artisan food combines with our need for Colorado sunshine. In FoCo, you can satisfy that desire on garden patios, around outdoor fire pits, inside beer gardens, and under cozy string lights or shaded awnings.
Pair that with a flavored margarita, a plate of southern food, pub fare or a handcrafted Mexican meal, and our excitement for summer gets even stronger!
If the sunny weather has you feeling the same way, check out our round-up of the best outdoor patios in town. Tour Fort Collins via its sunniest, coziest and most delicious destinations!
RARE Italian
Photo courtesy of RARE Italian and Kelli Kroneberger
On RARE Italian’s patio, you can taste upscale artisan food, sip craft cocktails and craft brews, soak in the sun, or lounge under the lights. It’s the ideal spot to relax on a sunny afternoon — especially if you want some of the best meals in town!
The Mayor of Old Town
The Mayor of Old Town is probably already your go-to destination for craft beer — with 100 beers available on tap every day, there’s a good reason! But this summer, make it your go-to choice for patio season. Beer and crafted pub food always look (and taste) better under the sun.
The Mainline
The Mainline is the perfect casual date spot and they serve some of the best cocktails in Fort Collins! Mix that with one of the sunniest patios by day and one of the coziest by night, and you have the perfect all-day summer destination.
Restaurant 415
If you thought the 415 simply serves mouth-watering, locally sourced food, you obviously haven’t stopped by in the summer to taste it on the patio. There’s something about Colorado sunshine that makes fresh, scratch food taste even better!
The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm
Photo courtesy of The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm
If you like seasonal menus, made from scratch food, artisan character and backyard chicken coops (with farm fresh eggs), then The Farmhouse is your sunny day destination! Their garden patio is more garden than patio, and it’s the best place in Fort Collins to wind down amidst a peaceful farmhouse atmosphere.
Equinox Brewing
The best thing about the Equinox Beer Garden is the live music every Friday and Saturday — and the craft brews, of course! Enter through the gates to find a secluded, brewery experience you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Nick’s Italian
Nick’s is a family restaurant serving homestyle Italian and New York style pizza in the heart of Fort Collins. Their patio puts you in the middle of the action while still feeling cozy and secluded. Order one of the best cocktails in town to pair with your Golden Beet Risotto or Wild Mushroom pizza!
Rainbow Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Rainbow Restaurant
Rainbow’s garden patio embraces Colorado sunshine, Fort Collins character and the vegan-friendly menu! See what’s growing and celebrate with brunch everyday of the week.
Tony’s Bar and Rooftop
Tony’s is one of the oldest bars in Fort Collins. And with a 2000 square foot rooftop patio, they also have one of the best outdoor destinations in town. The rooftop is open year-round, so grab a local craft brew in the summer or a Hot Toddy in the winter and see FoCo from above.
Cafe Vino
If you prefer to pair your patios with meticulously crafted food, upscale tapas and cocktails, then grab a table at Cafe Vino! To have the best, most FoCo experience, stop by for weekend brunch and order a Beers, Booze & Brunch cocktail made with New Belgium Citradelic and orange juice.
Odell Brewing Co.
Photo courtesy of Odell Brewing Co.
Bright, starry string lights, a roaring patio fire pit and a craft brewery right inside? No wonder Odell Brewing is on everyone’s list of Fort Collins’ best patios! This FoCo favorite serves some of the best beer and offers a cozy place to enjoy it day or night.
Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing
Whether you’re pubside or poolside, you’ll get the full Coopersmith’s patio experience! Pick a seat on the brewery patio for a burger packed menu and pub grub, or walk across the Old Town alleyway to get a spot poolside and enjoy a slice of pizza!
Black Bottle Brewery
There’s something about breweries and warm evenings that we love. Black Bottle’s Midtown brewery offers a space to enjoy their unique tap list under the stars and the string lights while the sun sets in FoCo.
The Backporch Cafe
The Backporch Cafe makes an appearance on most FoCo patio round-ups because its secluded, garden patio is ideal for summer days in the cool shade — whether you’re with the whole family or celebrating with friends. Dine beneath the budding flowers this spring while the sounds of the fountain put you at ease!
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and Kelli Kroneberger
Anyone craving some of Fort Collins’ best Mexican food and a to-die-for margarita? Then the Rio is your next must-try this summer. Celebrate all night long in the heart of Old Town — and make sure you taste the Tequila Shrimp Tacos!
Blue Agave
Contemporary Southwestern fare made from scratch and served around a fire pit on the patio with a side of house-infused tequila — count us in! Grab a cushioned seat around the roaring fire and cheers to the summer with 13 different flavors of margaritas.
Lucile’s Creole Cafe
If you’re looking for a restaurant where you can pair southern classics with sunny skies, look no further. Lucile’s Fort Collins’ menu has Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Etouffee and every other southern comfort food plate you could possibly need!
Avogadro’s Number
Avogadro’s stands out in the crowd for a lot of reasons. They serve homemade tempeh and other vegan-friendly favorites; they offer delicious breakfast everyday; and their outdoor seating includes a live concert experience! Check Avo’s music schedule and plan your outdoor dinner accordingly.
The Boot Grill
Photo courtesy of The Boot Grill
Spend the evening on The Boot Grill’s Fort Collins rooftop for live music, cold beer and a full menu of burgers, brats and other pub favorites. Try the Fish & Chips while you’re lounging under the sun and The Boot will turn into your favorite patio destination!
The Moot House
The Moot House menu is beer-inspired; the beer list is long; and the patio is warm! Gather around the fire with your friends this summer and share a plate of Cheese Curds or homemade pretzels.
The Canyon Grill
No patio round-up would be complete without a shout out to The Canyon Grill. Live music on a spectacular stage, flower beds, covered seating and an outdoor bar make it one of the best places to spend a warm afternoon!
Illegal Pete’s
We’ve mentioned Illegal Pete’s patio before — and so has everyone else. That’s because their rooftop is the best place to watch the sun go down while sipping a craft beer and eating one of the freshest burritos in town. Don’t skip the fresh sopapillas!
Where do you celebrate sunny weather and FoCo food?
If we missed your favorite local patio, let us know!
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