All anyone wants to do right now is find a seat on a sunny patio and soak up the warm weather. Look no further than the just-opened, utterly massive patio—the largest in the city—at Stella’s on 16th. Located one block west of Union Station at the triangular junction of Wewatta, 15th, and 16th streets, the all-day restaurant has outfitted a stunning area for al fresco drinking and dining. With a view of the big swings at Tail Tracks Plaza, the 120-seat, 3,000-square-foot space is decked out with a fire pit, lounge seating, dining tables, and café lights that twinkle come sundown.

Stella's
Don’t miss the berry-topped lemon bar at Stella’s. Photo by Denise Mickelsen

We suggest grabbing your officemates, friends, or family (or all of the above!) and making a meal of it: Stella’s fried Brussels sprouts come in salad form—a welcome twist on the ubiquitous appetizer—with tangy golden raisins, a preserved lemon vinaigrette, and peanuts for extra crunch. Pair it with the juicy fried chicken sandwich and excellent, not-at-all-soggy sweet potato fries. And, if so inclined, a little something boozy to wash it all down, like the sweet-and-spicy Peppered Whiskey cocktail (bourbon, elderflower, black pepper simple syrup, and fresh lemon). Stella’s has also rolled out a new happy hour menu (available from 3 – 7 p.m.), complete with affordable bites like the delightfully spiced $6 chicken satay skewers. Or, skip the savory offerings altogether and go straight for one of pastry chef MJ Szymanski’s gorgeous treats; the berry-topped lemon bars, in particular, are out of this world and deserve to be enjoyed al fresco.

1550 Wewatta Street, 303-578-5900

Denise Mickelsen
Denise Mickelsen
Denise Mickelsen is 5280’s former food editor. She oversaw all of 5280’s food-related coverage from October 2016 to March 2021.