Patio Dining
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15 Best Places to Dine Outside This Summer In Kalamazoo

Looking for the best outdoor summer dining options in Kalamazoo? We’ve got you covered!

It’s no secret that Michigan has amazing summers and one of the best ways to enjoy summers in Southwest Michigan is to indulge in some great food and drinking at one of the many outdoor dining options in Kalamazoo.

When the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing and music is playing, there’s no better place to be than outside enjoying a great meal. Over the last few years, Kalamazoo restaurants have done a fabulous job of adding outdoor seating and expanding their dining options too.

Whether you’re looking for a fancy meal with top-of-the-line wine or a tasty, family-friendly casual meal, there’s something for everyone in Kalamazoo in the summer and more than a dozen great dining options you need to check out!

Patio Dining

Cosmo’s Cucina

804 West Vine Street, Kalamazoo

Located on the edge of downtown Kalamazoo, this eatery offers a serene place to enjoy outdoor dining of a locally-sourced meal on the second floor of a 110-year-old building.

Stop by for tasty menu items, including Cosmo’s famous Spinach Feta Burger or make plans for Sunday breakfast and enjoy a delectable omelet or eggs benedict. 

It’s a great place to go to catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or for date night. Make sure to stay for live entertainment on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

O’Duffy’s Pub

804 West Vine Street, Kalamazoo

After you’ve gotten your fill at Cosmo’s, head downstairs in the same building and keep the party going at O’Duffy’s. Since 1999, O’Duffy’s has been the place to go for Irish beer and good times as Kalamazoo’s only Irish pub.

Grab a seat outdoors and prepare to dig into delicious pub food and quench your thirst with an Irish pint.

WL Socialhouse

161 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo

If you want to be right where the action is, this is the place to be! Formerly called the Wine Loft, WL Socialhouse is part of the Millennium Restaurant Group and has outdoor seating just a few feet from East Michigan Avenue.

If you love people-watching and socializing, this is a perfect spot. Try and wine flight and pair it with a festive charcuterie board or any of the awesome entries off the regular menu.

Hopcat - Kalamazoo, Michigan
HopCat | photo via @a_state_of_running

Bell’s Eccentric Café

355 E. Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo

This is a great spot to visit if you want to unwind after a long week of work or for a fun family outing. Bell’s Beer Garden is a fun place to socialize; a place where parents can chat over a cold beer and kids can play in the garden.

The fun atmosphere may only be eclipsed by the food. From falafel to beer-ia tacos to deviled eggs to juicy burgers, customers can find a little bit of everything on the menu and adults can enjoy one of Bell’s famous brews too!

HopCat

300 E. Water St., Kalamazoo

Famous fries, local beer, and spacious outdoor seating all add up to the perfect way to spend a summer day in Kalamazoo. You’ll find all that here and so much more!

HopCat’s beer list contains brews from all corners of Michigan and even some from Kalamazoo.

Once you’ve selected your beer of choice, feast your eyes on the impressive menu. HopCat’s Cosmik Fries are never a bad choice, but there are burgers, sandwiches, killer mac ‘n cheese, and much more.

One Well Brewing

4213 Portage St., Kalamazoo

If you’re thirsty or hungry, you’ll leave full and happy with different weekly food specials and rotating beers on tap. You can even grab cans of beer or cider to take home!

The fun doesn’t stop there! Have a seat at one of their outdoor picnic tables and pull out a game from their board game selection to enjoy some fun while you wait.

If you’re looking for even more fun, head inside and play one of their classic pinball machines.

University Roadhouse - Kalamazoo, Michigan
University Roadhouse | photo via @universityroadhouse

University Roadhouse

1332 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo is a college town and in the summertime, there’s no better place to get a view of Western Michigan University than the patio of this longtime institution. 

While you soak in incredible views of campus, sink your teeth into the Kalamazoo Best Burger, a burger topped with bacon jam, white cheddar, and garlic aioli, or classics like the French Dip sandwich or pulled pork nachos.

Visitors can also try unique offerings like Korean chicken and waffles or Bell’s beer-battered shrimp or cod.

600 Kitchen and Bar

600 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo

Pull up a chair to one of the outdoor tables here and prepare to enjoy a locally sourced, locally crafted meal.

Treat yourself to a weekend brunch with offerings like a breakfast charcuterie, lobster grilled cheese, or a fresh salad. Or you can choose from the all-day menu, which serves up blackened shrimp and grits, juicy steaks, and so much more.

Old Burdick’s Bar and Grill/Wings West

100 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo (Old Burdick’s) & 5076 Sports Drive Texas Township, Kalamazoo (Wings West)

There’s just something so satisfying about dining outdoors at a bar, enjoying a cold drink, and digging into your favorite comfort food.

So grab a seat and a drink at either location and prepare to dig into a delicious plate of wings, a juicy burger, a sandwich, an appetizer, or even street tacos.

If wings are your thing, you can choose from 13 different flavors including maple bourbon, hot honey, and Burdick’s Inferno.

If you’re craving a burger, try a classic cheeseburger or other offerings like the Clucker (a hot honey chicken burger) or the Western Burger, packed with bacon, cheddar, jalapeno, and more.

Patio Dining

Benny DiCarta’s

232 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo

One of Kalamazoo’s favorite (and best) pizza joints has deep ties to the area and offers up deliciousness by the slice.

Order a slice (or a whole pie if you’re with a group) and grab yourself a seat along Bates Alley. With the sun shining, good food, good vibes, and maybe even some live music, this makes for an absolutely perfect Kalamazoo outdoor dining experience. 

The Stamped Robin

124-128 Portage Street, Kalamazoo

It’s no secret that Michigan can get hot during the summer months. This is a great spot to cool off and joy some wine or a cocktail on a comfortable patio.

Enjoy favorites like mimosas and bellinis or try of one of Stamped Robin’s signature cocktails like Boat Shoes, made with Jamaican rum, raspberry liqueur, amaretto, soda water, and lemon.

There’s also plenty of red and white wine available to pick from, hard seltzers, beer, cider, and so much more. No matter what you choose, you’ll feel refreshed and you can’t beat sitting on a covered outdoor patio on a hot day.

LFG Gaming Bar

116 Portage Street, Kalamazoo

You won’t find a five-star full restaurant experience here, but you’ll find plenty of fun at Kalamazoo’s only video game bar.

In between noshing on grilled cheese, wings, and other bar favorites, let your inner child loose as you enjoy retro arcade games on a video game cabinet and favorites on systems like the Nintendo 64 or the Sega Genesis.

LFG offers outdoor seating, including tables and video game barrels, so come prepared to have a blast!

The Root Beer Stand - Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Root Beer Stand | photo via Rod Detty

The Root Beer Stand

4400 S. Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo

Sometimes the best summer meals are the most simple ones. You can have an old-fashioned drive-in experience here and eat outside or in your car.

Order a hot dog for yourself or bring the whole family for a meal everyone can enjoy. You’d be hard-pressed to find too many meals that go down easier than a hot dog and french fries paired with a frosty mug of root beer.

Martell’s

3501 Greenleaf Blvd, Kalamazoo

Located in Parkview Hills, this family-friendly eatery is big on good food and good times. You’ll feel like you’re among old friends as you enjoy a menu that features a scrumptious blend of American and Italian food that will have your tastebuds dancing.

If you love outdoor dining, you’ll love The Terrace. This outdoor hangout features walk-up service, a fully-stocked bar, mouth-watering Neapolitan pizza, salads, and even gelato. 

If you really want to make the most of your summer dining experiences, this is what place you don’t want to miss!

Green Top Tavern

250 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo

This downtown beer and burger joint was established in the 1920s and has been a favorite of Southwest Michiganders for decades.

In the summer months, it’s the perfect place to stop in for a cold brew and one of Green Top’s many burgers, including the Mushroom Swiss Burger, the BBQ bacon burger, and your classic bar burger.

Grab a table outdoors and enjoy an affordable, delicious meal.

Patio Dining

Plan Your Next Outdoor Dining Experience in Kalamazoo Today

With so many outdoor dining options available, Kalamazoo is the perfect spot to visit this summer for a great meal. No matter if you’re craving a burger, a fancy meal, or even just a hand-crafted cocktail, you’ll find a Kalamazoo eatery to satisfy your hunger and thirst.

A great meal in Kalamazoo is matched only by the beautiful weather and beautiful scenery you’ll encounter around you. As you enjoy your meal and sip your glass of wine at one of Kalamazoo’s outdoor restaurant options, you’ll find yourself at peace and soaking up every moment of bliss.

So if you find yourself in Kalamazoo this summer, take a walk down Michigan Avenue and find yourself an open amazing patio. The food will be delicious, the weather will be immaculate, and the joy you’ll have will be immeasurable!

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