Everybody loves an outdoor patio! You can’t beat outdoor dining while the sun is shining and you’ve got a cold beer in hand while being served food you didn’t have to cook, am I right?! And the good thing about outdoor patios in Colorado Springs? Many of them come with mountain views!
All in favor of patio season!? *Raises Hand*
Colorado Springs, located south of Denver in the Pikes Peak region, if full of fantastic options. Stroll down Tejon St and you will find exactly what type of food and drinks you are craving. Below are a list of restaurants with outdoor dining starting from the south and heading north.
The Best Outdoor Patios in Colorado Springs for 2023
Note: Overall, it isn’t too difficult to find parking spaces, even in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. You will find plenty of meter parking and go a few blocks out for free spaces. (And bonus, there are a lot of options even if you don’t want to parallel park lol.) Okay, let’s get into it, starting from the south end...
Denver Biscuit Company
Colorado Classic
This Colorado favorite is popular for both locals and tourists. And it’s a great place for Sunday brunch! It’s located on Tejon St. amongst many other restaurants in a hoppin’ part of town called the Trolley District. Grab a seat outside, order cocktails and breakfast sammys, and take in the mountain views.
Denver Biscuit Co (7 locations) serves homemade (from scratch) biscuits that they use to create fantastic sandwich combinations. I recommend The Tomahawk with Merf’s jamberry. P.S. make sure you get bacon, too!
Dos Santos
New-Age Mexican
Dos Santos is a trendy, colorful Mexican restaurant with outdoor seating and amazing food. It is right next door to Denver Biscuit Company and another quality brunch spot or happy hour option that you and your friends will enjoy.
Order one of their hand-crafted margaritas and the salsa flight to start—so fresh! Follow that up with whatever tacos sound tasty to you! They do seem expensive, but are PACKED with meat and flavorful toppings. I absolutely loved the Porky Lechon—and the House Tommy’s Margarita.
Cork & Cask
Upscale Whiskey Bar
The Trolley District is full of energy on the weekends. And another option in the area is Cork & Cask, an upscale bar that’s perfect if you’re a whiskey, wine, or cocktail drinker. All drinks are best enjoyed on their outdoor patio which includes the mountains, comfy couch seating, and mini stone firepits.
The beautiful view and restaurant’s vibe make it a great choice for a special occasion or pre-dinner cocktails. (Keep in mind that while they have food here, it’s more snack-based.) If you do choose Cork & Cask, make sure to take a peek inside as well—it’s a very well-decorated space.
Pikes Peak Lager House
Brewery
If you love beer, lagers in particular, then you need to make this outdoor patio in Colorado Springs a stop in your journey! Pikes Peak Lager House offers a rooftop space with next-level views of the mountains (including Pikes Peak), this is one of the best patios you will find. In addition to beers, there are other drinks as well as sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and other small bites.
520 Streetcar
New-American
Good food, good vibes is the slogan! If you are looking for American food with a touch of other cuisines, look no further than 520 Streetcar. This new-age spot (that rounds out the Trolley District) is a good place to sit outside and enjoy a burger with a beer. Their sidewalk patio has smaller tables with umbrellas in a perfect people-watching setting.
The Carnitas Bao Buns were a great appetizer (50% off during daily, 4-6 PM happy hour) and the 520 burger (includes short-rib) is top-notch. Also, check out the indoor space. It’s a super nice bar and gives off all of the Millennial vibes lol.
Lumen8 Rooftop Social
Swanky Rooftop
The perfect spot for signature cocktails on a brand new patio with incredible views! This place is on the 8th floor of a Marriott hotel right on S Tejon St. The outdoor space is one of the best places to get a view of the mountains, while also feeling a little swanky! It’s a good choice for special occasions, or to “wow” your guests.
Inside Lumen8 Rooftop Social, there is a full bar with spaced-out tables in a modern, aesthetic setting. It’s tough to go wrong here! Come for happy hour which is daily, 3-6 PM, and includes $7 cocktails!
White Pie
Woodfire Pizza
The first time I was at White Pie, I was HOOKED. It’s one of the best restaurants in Colorado Springs and my top recommendation to anyone who asks. Not only do you get delicious food in the form of woodfire pizza, but you also get a beautiful patio space with white marble picnic-style tables and string lights. Everything just feels clean and aesthetically pleasing! And the food…
Asymmetrical and charred, the crust on this pizza wins! You can’t go wrong but I definitely love the Ava Angelini. And do not, I repeat do not, skip the burrata—you’re welcome. (The inside of this place is gorgeous, as well.)
This is my favorite patio! Can’t beat this view…
The Garden
Fun, Relaxing Vibe
I love this space! An outdoor beer garden (the first in downtown Colorado Springs), serves rotating local beers, cocktails, and wine in a relaxing environment. Enjoy your drink on large picnic-table seating and add to it with a bite to eat. There is a permanent food truck (Zaatar and Olive, Mediterranean) as well as a rotating food truck for more options.
It’s great no matter if it’s a Saturday night or Wednesday afternoon. You can even enjoy The Garden in the morning when they offer a coffee shop and opportunities for yoga. It’s the perfect place any time of day!
TIP: If you’re parents with a young one, this space is big enough to bring them along and let them walk around if need be.
Colorado Craft
Trendy with Great Eats
Colorado Craft has a bit of outdoor sidewalk seating and is worth mentioning in case you’re craving a gourmet burger or upscale sandwich. It’s a trendy spot where you can pair any meal with a craft beer or specialty cocktail. And watch as the busy Tejon St bustles with locals and visitors.
In addition, their appetizer menu is mouth-watering. It includes doctored up brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, wings, and truffle fries. All of their food is made with the best ingredients so if you’re looking for an outdoor patio in Colorado Springs and prioritizing food over drinks, head here!
Jose Muldoon’s
Classic Mexican
Next time you’re looking for a breakfast burrito or huevos rancheros, hit brunch at Jose Muldoon’s (11 AM-2 PM every Sunday.) One of Colorado Springs’ Mexican restaurants, this place has a big indoor space as well as a fun, colorful outdoor patio. Outside features both big and small tables with umbrellas, plus bar seating that extends from the inside.
In addition to brunch, Jose Muldoon will cook you up some classic tacos, fajitas, or enchiladas served alongside a margarita any day of the week. Happy hour is daily, 3-6 PM if you don’t make it for brunch! Your marg will only be $4.
More Outdoor Patios in Colorado Springs
Here are a few more places with outdoor patios in Colorado Springs that I have not been to yet. I plan to go to each of them eventually, and will add a full breakdown once I do 🙂
- Pizzeria Rustica: One of the Old Colorado City* downtown restaurants with fantastic woodfire pizza. This is at the top of my list!
- Carlos Bistro: Elegant and upscale with a cute little front-side patio.
- Mountain Shadows Restaurant: Another Old Colorado City spot, this is a no-frills breakfast and lunch place with some tables outside.
- Piglatin Cocina: Latin-American tacos and plates on a super cool outdoor patio that includes swings!
- Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub: fun bar with a cool outdoor space.
*Old Colorado City is a neighborhood of Colorado Springs and is just west of downtown. It’s very quaint!
More Outdoor Patios Near Colorado Springs
- Border’s Burger Bar: If you’re in Manitou Springs, sit outside right on Manitou Ave and enjoy a delicious burger—there are PLENTY of options to choose from.
- Wines of Colorado: “Up the hill,” towards Woodland Park, you will spot this place that offers an outdoor space with overhanging trees and the sound of a rushing creek. It’s beautiful! And they have great fish tacos.
The Best Outdoor Patios in Colorado Springs
Whether you just got done hiking Garden of the Gods, shopping along Tejon St, or driving to the top of Pikes Peak, nothing will hit next like an outdoor patio. Enjoy!
Looking for more in Colorado Springs? Read these blogs:
- One Day in Colorado Springs Itinerary
- One Day in Manitou Springs (only 10 minutes from downtown COS!)
- The Incline Hiking Guide (it’s a DOOZY)
- The Best Hiking Trails in Woodland Park, Colorado (only 30 minutes into the mountains from Colorado Springs)
