Scoring a patio seat on a sunny Colorado day already feels like a win. But when that patio doubles as a secret garden it adds an extra dose of whimsy to your alfresco outing. After all, what’s not to like about an intimate space tucked away, brimming with charm, blooming with colorful flowers, and cloaked in greenery.
So where can you find these enchanting escapes now that flowers are starting to bloom? From clandestine courtyards to a patio perched on the edge of a popular Denver park, these seven spots are hidden garden oases perfect for dining and drinking in the spring and summer.
Surround Yourself With Flowers at The Garden at The Ramble Hotel
Sip frozen espresso martinis at The Garden, an elevated outdoor patio open seasonally inside the The Ramble Hotel. The Instagram-ready space is made lush with birds of paradise plants, ferns lining the top of the pergola, natural grasses, climbing vines on the brick and pops of color from flowering plants like bougainvillea and hibiscus.
An ethereal floral painting by Denver artist Joon Tajadod, known for some of the city’s most beautiful murals, stretches across the bar, adding to the space’s dreamlike atmosphere. You also can’t miss the iconic “Wish You Were Here” neon sign with the skyline in the backdrop. The casual space is open seasonally from May to October and serves cocktails and a full dinner menu. 1280 25th St. Denver; theramblehotel.com
A Serene Japanese Secret Garden at Domo
Domo’s sprawling backyard garden, dotted with cherry blossom trees that drop pretty pink petals like nature’s confetti this time of year, feels more like a tranquil swath of the Japanese countryside than a restaurant located just a few blocks from Colfax Avenue in a major Denver thoroughfare.
The serene space features water elements, a small pond with a wooden bridge, Buddha statues, and evergreen bushes. All this can be enjoyed while savoring dishes like matcha-infused soba noodles and an ever-changing rotation of side plates such as tangy pickled vegetables and stir-fried lotus roots. The rustic countryside charm continues indoors, where diners can sit on polished tree stumps with Japanese crafts and treasures filling the space. 1365 Osage St., Denver, no website
Farm-to-table Meals on Potager’s Dreamy Patios
Potager Restaurant & Wine Bar offers both a rustic, romantic covered patio that evokes the charm of a French bistro and an open-air garden where guests can dine surrounded by blooms. Fun fact, Mick Jagger enjoyed a meal on the patio in June 2024, the night after The Rolling Stones played Mile High Stadium.
“The open air garden is truly magical, like a fairy garden, with seating amongst flowers and herbs and vegetables that are all used in the Potager kitchen throughout the season,” said Potager owner Eileen Warthen.
Beyond its beauty, the garden serves a practical purpose. It allows the kitchen team to stay in tune with what’s growing and when, offering a firsthand glimpse at the ripening produce and what’s emerging from the soil throughout the spring and summer. In turn, this appears on the plate in a masterpiece of seasonal new American fare. 1109 Ogden St., Denver, potagerrestaurant.com
Enjoy Lunch Overlooking the Monet Pond at Denver Botanic Gardens
Perhaps it would be more accurate to call this a secret restaurant tucked in the botanic gardens. After traipsing near the colorful tulip beds and pausing to smell the perfumed roses, and spicy oregano, in the fragrance gardens, make your way to Hive. The menu leans fresh, with options like a toasted stacked veggie sandwich with spinach aioli and a cherry blossom salad with berries, goat cheese and balsamic cherry vinaigrette. From mid-May through mid-October, grab a slice straight from the on-site pizza station.
Some produce for the restaurant’s menu is harvested from the adjacent Le Potager garden and also from Chatfield Farms. Once seated, angle your chair towards the Monet Pond, where tropical plants like aquatic canna lilies move from the greenhouse to the sun-warmed ponds each June. 1007 York St., Denver; botanicgardens.org
Slip Away to a Tropical Paradise Hiding in RiNo at Mister Oso
RiNo may be a bit of a concrete jungle, which makes the tropical courtyard patio at Mister Oso feel like a welcome juxtaposition. One of Denver’s most visually stunning restaurants, lush greenery cascades from the low ceilings, botanical wallpaper blooms across the walls, and vibrant patterned tiles and pastel pink bar stools bring the space to life.
That tropical and transportive vibe spills over to the outdoors and onto the enclosed patio, where leafy walls, potted plants, and shaded umbrellas set a secret tropical garden scene ideal for sharing a pitcher of margaritas and passing around plates of empanadas, tacos, and churros. 3163 Larimer St., Denver, misterosodenver.com
Sip Your Coffee Among Hydrangeas at Steam Espresso Bar
Located in the backyard of Steam Espresso Bar’s Boulder location lies a destination-worthy garden escape. Sip your coffee and read a book or thumb through the newspaper among cloud-like hydrangeas, climbing clematis vines, and begonias flowing from wooden planters.
The coffee scene feels cinematic, especially when you factor in the unexpected addition of an airplane fuselage parked in the middle of it all. The fuselage has been a fixture on the property for more than two decades. When Steam opened in 2013, it became part of the landscape and incorporated into the espresso bar’s logo and merchandise. By the end of May, the flowers should be fully awake and ready to be enjoyed alongside your morning cup of joe or as part of your afternoon coffee break. 1801 S. Pearl St., Denver; steamespressobar.com
Enjoy Lunch at Cheesman Park at Secret Garden Bar & Café
Perhaps the most aptly named addition to our garden hideaways list is Secret Garden Bar & Café, which opened last August at the northern edge of Cheesman Park. Housed in the historic Tears-McFarlane House, a stunning example of Colonial Revival architecture dating back to 1899, this secret garden café melds socialite history with a laid-back park-side vibe.
The outdoor patio is bordered by blooming flowers and outfitted with picnic tables and umbrella-shaded seating. Start your day with a breakfast burrito and coffee or wind down in the afternoon with marinated olives, whipped feta, and a glass of wine or a craft cocktail. The menu also features fresh paninis, sandwiches, salads, and baked treats.
And for those strolling through the park with a dog? Leashed, well-behaved puppers are welcome on the patio if you want to make a detour on your Cheesman walk. 1290 N. Williams St., Denver; secretgardenbarandcafe.com
Looking for more patio spots? Checkout our list for dog-friendly patios and best patios for a large group.
