Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Fort Collins

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Fort Collins? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mishawaka Amphitheatre Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (743)

$30 and under

American

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

The Mishawaka Amphitheatre boasts a full-service restaurant open Thursday-Monday. Dine on our scenic deck while observing the big horn sheep on the canyon hillside, or opt for our indoor seating, which features expansive bay windows for the same river and wildlife vistas. Our spotlighted Craft Micro Brewery, Odell Brewery from Fort Collins, CO, partners with us to feature the exclusive Mishawaka Ale. In addition to this, we offer a comprehensive bar selection, including a variety of craft beers, wines, and spirits.

PLEASE NOTE that reserving an outdoor spot guarantees a table outside but does not guarantee a table by the riverside. We offer a 10-minute grace period for reservations. Your party will be seated only when all members are present, due to our hour and a half limit on table occupancy. Should inclement weather arise, we cannot guarantee outdoor seating at the time of your reservation.

Our establishment is cashless. Kindly ensure you bring a debit or credit card.

Top review

John

Dined 6 days ago

It is difficult to beat the ambiance of eating on the deck at the Mish. The open air, the sound of the river and rafters passing by makes each visit memorable. The food was great too. Service was fast. Highly recommended place to take out of town visitors. Don't forget to make a reservation. It's always busy at the Mish.

Madre Cocina y Lounge

4.8

4.8 (98)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Welcome to Madre Cocina Y Lounge, where every meal is a celebration of flavor and tradition. Immerse yourself in a vibrant atmosphere that blends authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern Twist. Whether you're here to savor a delicious meal or unwind with a handcrafted cocktail, we promise an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you craving more.

Top review

EllenVIP

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Fabulous upscale Mexican cuisine. Great cocktails. Fresh ingredients.

Hearth Restaurant and Pub

4.7

4.7 (690)

$30 and under

Grill

Windsor

About the restaurant

Hearth, in Downtown Windsor, is a warm and inviting upscale pub and pizzeria to share in food, drink, and fun! Our historic building, built in 1902 now renovated, reveals its classic industrial feel, exposed brick and large windows. The Wood Stone oven is the focal point of our dining room atop the second floor that offers panoramic views of Windsor Lake and the Rocky Mountains. A 16 tap beer system featuring craft beers, a wide-ranging wine list, and a craft cocktail list are offered at Hearth. Please come join us with friends or family and experience this distinctive Hearth away from home!

Top review

Michael

Dined 6 days ago

The salmon entree was just as good as it always is, thought about trying something different, but couldn’t because it is so good. We always get the Brussel Sprout appetizer, good but missing the Hollandaise sauce they used to add.

Blue Agave Grill - Fort Collins

4.7

4.7 (2400)

$30 and under

Mexican / Southwestern

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

We are a full service restaurant serving contemporary southwestern cuisine with a full service bar. We are a scratch kitchen with many gluten free options as well as a large margarita selection, house infused tequilas, and homemade sangria. Our outdoor seating accompanied by fire pits surrounds the historic art museum in old town Fort Collins CO. From guacamole made to order to our vibrant atmosphere, come on down and try a flight of our favorite drinks.

Top review

Jackson

Dined 2 days ago

My girlfriend and I come in here for our anniversaries, and the food is amazing every time. The service is always great, very friendly staff, definitely one of our favorite spots!

Discover more

Popular dish

Tofu - Walnut Enchiladas

Austin's American Grill - Old Town

4.6

4.6 (273)

$30 and under

American

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Austin's American Grill is the quintessential taste of Colorado. With three great Fort Collin's locations-one in the heart of Old Town, another on Harmony Road and one in Greeley, we'll have you wondering why mom's food never tasted so good and when you can come back for more. Savory roasts and chicken cooked over an open flame in our front-of-the-house rotisserie. All-natural buffalo seasoned to perfection. Cornbread baked in iron skillets with honey butter. Signature cocktails sweetened with fresh-squeezed fruit juice. Plus, our decadent desserts are made fresh daily, giving you an excuse to stop in for a slice that reminds you of home. There's a reason Austin's is one of Northern Colorado's favorite destinations.

Top review

Keni

Dined 2 days ago

Service was great but I ordered medium rare ribeye and got a blackened strip steak that was over done and chewy. I'll keep going because the rotisserie sirloin and prime rib are great. I do think they should provide a free salad and rolls for the price.

The Lodge

4.6

4.6 (109)

$31 to $50

American

Windsor

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Windsor, Colorado, The Lodge offers an unparalleled dining experience that marries the spirit of exploration with the comfort of home. Featuring picturesque views of the mountains and Pelican Lakes Golf Course, our restaurant is the perfect retreat for anyone seeking a unique culinary adventure.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Food was delicious as usual. Tried more of their crafted cocktails and they were wonderful. The view over the golf course was also beautiful as the Sun was setting. Can’t wait to go back.

Simmer

4.5

4.5 (510)

$30 and under

Global, International

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Our aim at Simmer is simple – providing you with the honest-to-goodness pleasure of eating and drinking while you relax in your favorite neighborhood bar. Whether you’ve come for the food, drink, or both, we hope you will feel right at home. When you step into Simmer, you’ll be greeted with a friendly smile. We’ve fashioned a warm, comfortable dining room that spills over into a spacious outdoor patio, complete with an open fire pit and tranquil water feature. Enjoy “Happy Hour in the Round” during the warmer Colorado seasons when we open up our overhead doors at the back of our bar, creating 360° of indoor/outdoor seating. Whether you are looking for an upscale décor restaurant for a date night, a casual vibe for a business lunch, or a laid back ambiance for a fun night out with friends, Simmer is the choice in West FOCO.

Top review

John

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

The restaurant was busy and it took a while for the waitress to get to us. There was 6 of us and several or the small plates come with only 5 items. We asked if we could get one more item per plate. The waitress/manager/chef made it happen. Thank you. Thank you. The food was great.

Sugar Salt Sand

4.4

4.4 (65)

$30 and under

Hawaiian

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Take a vacation from the ordinary with Island Inspired Cuisine and Cocktails. Located above Japango, Sugar Salt Sand is a tropical oasis in the middle of Old Town. Baja Caesar, Poke and beach side fare are served alongside tropical cocktails on the best rooftop Deck in Fort Collins.

Top review

Orlando

Dined 5 days ago

My family celebrated my wife's birthday and she really enjoyed the ambiance and food.

Austin's American Grill - Harmony Road

4.3

4.3 (316)

$30 and under

American

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Top review

J.P.VIP

Dined 2 days ago

The ole fashioneds, cornbread, dips, mojitos, and various meats were great! The service was also fantastic!

Maida Trattoria

4.2

4.2 (60)

$30 and under

Italian

Fort Collins

About the restaurant

Maida Trattoria is a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant in Old Town Fort Collins. From the local team behind Mugs, with 22+ years of experience, we’re serving handmade pastas, seasonal salads, flatbread pizzas, small plates, creative cocktails, and more—made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients and family recipes. Come enjoy the flavors of Italy with a modern twist, right here in the heart of Fort Collins. We can’t wait to welcome you!
"From our family to yours!"

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Great food, nice selection of pasta and other entrees, fun drink menu, and a beautiful setting. Fort Collins needed a nice Italian option, and this nicely fits the bill. We loved it, and we will definitely return!

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