Outdoor spaces pairing standout food and drinks with just the right atmosphere, and every reason to stay past your first round.
Osteria Marco
Striped umbrellas line the patio at Osteria Marco, signaling one of Larimer Square’s most coveted seats. The setting does the work, with historic brick and a steady hum of foot traffic providing the energy. But the food is what keeps you there. Start with the restaurant’s famous house-made burrata, then move into fresh-rolled pastas or a crisp, hand-tossed pizza. The patio offers a front-row seat to one of Denver’s most iconic stretches, ideal for wine and people-watching on a warm evening. It’s unfussy in the right ways, polished where it counts, and always feels like a good idea.
Forget Me Not
Set behind a white picket fence, Cherry Creek’s Forget Me Not feels like its own little world. The patio leans into its past life as a flower shop, with fire pits, soft lighting, and a layout made for lingering. Drinks pull from herbs, florals, and spices in a way that feels intentional rather than overdone, with many ingredients sourced from local farms. The food menu matches the lounge’s elevated-but-relaxed energy, with shareable bites designed to pair naturally with the cocktails. It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a quick bite as it does for settling in and letting the night unfold.
Ash’Kara
In the Highlands, Ash’Kara’s patio has a way of quieting things down. Tucked beneath mature trees strung with twinkling lights, it trades city buzz for something a little more grounded, with the feel of a tucked-away Mediterranean escape. Settle in, order a spread of mezze, and before long, the table fills in around you with hummus, falafel, and warm pita. Everything is meant to be shared, which keeps things moving and easy. Add a crisp cocktail or something non-alcoholic and bright, and it starts to feel less like dinner and more like a reset.
Comings & Goings
Fridays at The Vineyard bring free tastings from 4-6 p.m. with themed pours, weekly picks, and visiting winemakers. It’s a relaxed way to ease into the weekend.
Celebrating 40 years, City Park Jazz returns with free Sunday concerts. After the March bandstand fire, performances continue as rebuilding efforts begin.
Civic Center EATS turns weekday lunches into an outdoor hangout with food trucks and live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It’s an easy way to stretch patio season into the afternoon.
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