I know I am not the only one frustrated with all the COVID restrictions. Everything is always changing, and it’s tough for us to stay updated. So, I made it a point to go to several different restaurants with heated patios. Below is my latest list of restaurants in the Denver Metro area with heated patios.
My Favorite Heated Patio Restaurants in Denver
Los 3 Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
5175 W 68th Ave. Arvada, CO 80003
www.Los3GarciasRestaurants.com
Open Monday – Sunday
Los 3 Garcia’s is by far one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Denver Metro area. Specifically, it’s in Arvada, Colorado. The Mexican restaurant is on Hidden Lake with two large patios overlooking the lake. During the summer, it’s the perfect time to visit, but this year they’ve installed outdoor heaters, so now you can sit on the patio year-round.
The most popular dishes they have are crispy rellenos, combination plates, breakfast hash, Mexican hamburger, and green chili smothered burritos. Yes, these plates are all delicious and worth the visit. However, my favorite dishes are less common, but they are by far the best dishes they have.
Molcajete
A molcajete is a pestle and mortar dish. They have several different molcajete variations, but my favorite is the cielo, mar y tierra. The molcajete is full of chicken, shrimp, and steak smothered with tomatillo sauce and asadero cheese. A side of tortillas comes with every meal. I promise you, the flavors in this dish will want to make you lick your fingers. Another molcajete contender is the molcajete de mariscos. It’s a seafood dish that is perfect for the winter.
Tacos Arrieros
This dish only comes with three tacos, but trust me, it’s enough. The corn tortillas are stuffed with chopped steak, chicken, ham, and chorizo, then topped with lettuce and pico de gallo. Trust me, they are the best tacos in Arvada.
Torta Ahogada
The restaurant owners are from a small town close to Guadalajara, so making a torta ahogada is second nature. What is a torta ahogada? It’s a type of sandwich filled with beans and carnitas smothered with extra hot homemade red sauce. It’s a little spicy, but a must-try.
This restaurant in the Denver Highlands neighborhood has quickly become one of my favorite spots to hang out for an outdoor glass of wine. I was turned to this restaurant by my sister Yesi Casas. First off, the staff is very friendly and welcoming. The second I walked in, I felt a sense of warmth. Due to COVID, I decided to sit out on the patio, and to my surprise, every table had a heater.
What I Love:
What I love: Bruschetta. Bruschetta. Bruschetta. All of them are finger-licking good, but my favorites are the brie, apple and fig bruschetta, the prosciutto di parma, fig, and mascarpone bruschetta, and the ricotta, dates and pistachio bruschetta. These plates are shareable and the perfect size to order several dishes. I love the crispy cauliflower, tuna tartare, and the NYC grilled cheese in the menu’s snacky section.
On Tuesday’s you can grab any bottle of wine for $20.
My Brother’s Bar
2376 15th St. Denver, CO 80202
Open everyday except for Sunday
My Brother’s bar is the oldest bar in Denver and worth visiting. Yes, this is a bar, but they have food and a fun igloo setup that will somehow make you feel normal. Yes, it’s sounds contradictory to be in an igloo in the middle of the city as normal, but what is normal is the feeling you get when you sit down with your group, chatting with no worries.
Heated Igloos
My brother’s bar set up an outdoor patio that makes it so desirable to sit outside. The outdoor bar has a limited amount of igloos, and it is first-come, first-served. Every igloo has different furniture and feel, and they all have a small electrical fireplace to keep you warm. They have a one-hour restriction, so make sure you order quickly. It’s perfection. However, if you don’t care to sit inside an igloo, they have outdoor seating and covered seating, which gives you a chic laid back vibe. It feels like an actual bar.
The Fifth String
3316 Tejon St. Denver, CO 80211
Closed Monday and Tuesday. 3pm-9pm Remainder of days.
Now, this is a restaurant that you go to treat yourself. It’s a restaurant you take a date, an out of town friend….or in my case, you go because they have a heated patio. When I went, I didn’t know much about this restaurant. I went to have appetizers and drinks out on the patio. Let me tell you, the moment you try the food, you immediately fall in love. The food is delicious.
The concept is small plates, appetizers, and family-style meals. As I mentioned, we ordered appetizers and an old-fashioned. My craft cocktail was delicious, so I was off to a good start. My favorite part of the menu was the tallow candle bread service. You need to try it.
UPDATE: I looked at the online menu to look at the names of appetizers I ordered, but they have changed the menu since I last went. Fifth String added prix fixe menus, which look very appetizing. Check out the menu here.
Also, they have a private outdoor heated house style seating. Probably about ten heated spaces in total. The private outdoor seating is also new from the last time I visited. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. Every other day the restaurant is open from 3 pm-9 pm.
That’s is guys. This is my list of restaurants I have visited during all our Denver COVID restrictions. Remember, support local businesses. They need us to show up because we want to make sure all of the amazing restaurants we have will be around next year.
Gracias corazones!
