Loveland is a beautiful city located in Northern Colorado, about 50 miles north of Denver. With the Rocky Mountains as its backdrop, Loveland offers stunning natural scenery and plenty of outdoor recreation. But it’s not just the great outdoors that make Loveland worth visiting – the city also boasts a thriving foodie scene, with many fantastic restaurants to choose from.
From elegant fine dining establishments to hip, modern eateries to casual but tasty family-owned spots, Loveland has something to satisfy every palate. The local food highlights the best ingredients Colorado has to offer, like perfectly seared Wagyu beef, fresh-caught trout from the rivers, and produce from the region’s farms. And the city’s talented chefs put their own creative spins on classic dishes as well.
To help you decide where to eat in Loveland, here is a list of 12 of the best restaurants that you don’t want to miss.
The Best Fine Dining: 14er Bistro
If you’re looking for a special night out with exceptional food and service, 14er Bistro is the place to go. Located downtown, the contemporary restaurant offers an extensive wine list and freshly made cocktails to complement its seasonal New American cuisine.
Standout dishes include the rotating flatbreads made in their wood-fired oven, the Rocky Mountain trout with quinoa tabbouleh, and the tender bison short ribs braised in local beer. For dessert, indulgent options like the chocolate pot de crème or the vanilla bean crème brûlée hit the spot. With its elegant but laid-back ambiance and attention to flavors and presentation, 14er Bistro is one of Loveland’s top fine dining destinations.
The Best Brewpub: Rock Coast Brewery
Beer lovers rejoice – Rock Coast Brewery is Loveland’s top brewpub, with over a dozen unique house-brewed beers on tap and a full menu of pub-style eats. From crisp lagers to bold stouts to fruity sours, their lineup has something for everyone.
Pair your pint with tasty dishes like the Rock Coast pretzel with beer cheese sauce, fish and chips battered in their IPA, or the crowd-favorite Rockin’ Mac n Cheese loaded up with bacon, jalapenos, and pulled pork. With outdoor patio seating for when the weather’s nice, this is a lively spot to enjoy good brews and tasty pub grub any day of the week.
The Best Breakfast: The Denver Omelet
There’s no better way to start your morning in Loveland than by fueling up at The Denver Omelet. This cozy breakfast and brunch cafe serves up all your favorites like fluffy pancakes, breakfast burritos smothered in green chili sauce, and their signature mile-high biscuits and gravy.
But as the name hints, it’s their monumental omelets that really shine. Stuffed with melt-in-your-mouth fillings like smoked ham, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms and multiple kinds of cheese, these omelets are a delicious way to kick off your day. Round out your meal with strong coffee and Views of the Rockies while you dine.
The Best Lunch: Black and Blues Bistro
When midday hunger strikes, head to Black and Blues Bistro in downtown Loveland. This casual eatery fuses southern inspiration with contemporary flair to create dishes packed with comfort and flavor. A couple standouts for lunch are the pulled pork sandwich topped with citrus slaw and served alongside kettle chips, and their buffalo chicken salad with fried chicken, bleu cheese crumbles, tomatoes, carrots and ranch dressing.
Or if you just need a quick bite, you can’t go wrong with their hot roast beef sandwich drowned in au jus, or their basket of crunchy fried pickles spears served with ranch. With friendly service and reasonable prices, Black and Blues is a prime lunchtime spot.
The Best Italian: Paesano Ristorante Italiano
For authentic tastes of Italy here in Loveland, Paesano Ristorante Italiano is the hot spot for homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and other Italian classics. Their menu bursts with flavors like in the lasagna al forno baked to bubbly perfection, the creamy fettuccine alfredo topped with grilled chicken, and the vitello alla parmigiana featuring breaded veal cutlets baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella.
And we can’t forget pizza – Neapolitan pies with fluffy crusts and zesty toppings like the salsiccia piccante with spicy sausage, tomato sauce, mozzarella and chili oil are what pizza dreams are made of. Layer in nice Italian wines, affable service, and rustic ambiance, and Paesano offers a delightful escape to Italy for dinner.
The Best Sushi: Umami Asian Bistro
Craving super fresh sushi and Asian fare? Umami Asian Bistro brings exotic flavors from across Asia to Loveland in style. As their name suggests, they focus on achieving the fifth taste – umami – to make Asian soul food that pops with flavor. The extensive sushi menu dazzles with specialty rolls like the Cherokee Roll wrapped in soy paper and stuffed with salmon, yellowtail, avocado, cucumber and sweet chili sauce.
Beyond sushi, don’t miss main plates like the Vietnamese pho bowls loaded with rice noodles, aromatic broth, and your choice of meat or tofu. Pan-Asian small plates, tart refreshing cocktails like the lychee martini, and contemporary vibes round out the Umami experience that takes Asian cuisine to new culinary heights.
The Most Romantic: Take a Bao Bistro
For a unique date night culinary adventure in Loveland, Take a Bao Bistro can’t be beat. Their menu centers around fluffy steamed bao buns – the fluffy Asian-style stuffed buns – transformed into flavor packed sandwiches, tacos, and bowls. Fillings range from crispy Korean chicken to five spice pulled pork to gingery BBQ tofu, mixed with cool slaws, zesty sauces, and fresh veggies.
Beyond the creative bao offerings, Take a Bao impresses with Asian small plates like delicate shumai dumplings, tender potstickers, or crispy Vietnamese egg rolls. Pair your meal with something from their inventive cocktail list like the fun Dragon Fruit Mojito. With its intimate, modern ambiance and standout cuisine, Take a Bao sets the stage for the perfect date night.
The Best Outdoor Dining: City Star Brewing
What better way to soak up Loveland’s beautiful Colorado weather than dining al fresco at City Star Brewing? This locally loved restaurant and brewery offers a huge patio overlooking Lake Loveland, making it one of the best spots for outdoor wining and dining.
Of course, their handcrafted beers brewed on-site are perfect for sipping in the sun. To eat, City Star impresses with gourmet pub grub like the City Star burger stacked with applewood smoked bacon and blue cheese, the Rocky Mountain trout fish and chips, and their epic Star Wings drenched in spicy buffalo or tangy dry rub flavors. When the weather’s fine, the City Star patio with tasty food, great brews, and stunning views is the ultimate place to be.
The Best Vegetarian/Vegan: Door 222 Food & Drink
Vegans and vegetarians rejoice – Door 222 Food & Drink proves that plant-based dining can be exciting and delicious. This downtown eatery offers separate vegan and vegetarian menus packed with mouthwatering meatless dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Highlights include their chickpea panisse fries served with vegan aioli, the roasted beet salad loaded with pistachios and goat cheese over arugula, the crispy cauliflower tacos stuffed with tangy slaw, avocado crema and sriracha, and the chickpea curry bowl with coconut milk and served over brown rice. With inviting ambiance and creative cuisine, Door 222 makes vegetarians and vegans feel right at home.
The Best Barbecue: Georgia Boys BBQ
Melt-in-your-mouth smoked meat that falls off the bone – that’s what you get at Georgia Boys BBQ, Loveland’s top spot for authentic southern barbecue. Their specialty is slow cooking juicy cuts of meat for hours over a smoking wood fire until its tender perfection. From smoky baby back ribs basted in zesty BBQ sauce to pulled pork shredded into tasty strands to Texas-style beef brisket burnt to a beautiful crispy bark, the meat at Georgia Boys is stuff BBQ dreams are made of.
Homey sides like mac n cheese, cornbread and coleslaw complete your Southern feast. Smoked meat not your thing? Georgia Boys also plates up fried fish, shrimp, chicken and more, so all appetites leave happy. For finger-lickin’ barbecue done right, Georgia Boys can’t be matched.
The Best Coffee: Brewing Market Coffee House
Nothing starts the day off right like an expertly brewed cup o’ joe from Brewing Market Coffee House. This cozy coffee shop pours premium cups using Direct Trade beans sourced from top growers around the world. Sip it black or enjoy specialty drinks like nitro coffee poured from the tap, cold brew flavored with housemade vanilla or chocolate syrup, golden milk lattes simmered with turmeric and spices, or their popular London Fog tea latte.
Beyond amazing coffee, Brewing Market offers fresh pastries and desserts like croissants, scones, tarts and cakes to satisfy any sweet tooth. Free wifi and a chill vibe make this caffeine-fueled hangout spot a neighborhood staple.
The Best Splurge Restaurant: 5th Street Steakhouse
When it’s time to indulge, 5th Street Steakhouse is the place to do it. Carnivores, get ready for Prime steaks and chops cooked over an open wood grill by skilled chefs. Bite into specialty cuts like the bone-in ribeye, the beef tenderloin filet wrapped in bacon, and succulent lamb chops served with savory au jus dipping sauce that melt in your mouth. Fresh seafood like lobster tails and seared scallops add lighter yet still luxe options.
Beyond incredible cuts of meat, sides like truffle parmesan fries, creamed corn with bacon, and lobster mac and cheese take your meal to further decadence. For the ultimate splurge, try their dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye for two – this giant, bone-in cut is a breathtaking centerpiece sure to impress your guests. From start to sweet endings, 5th Street Steakhouse offers a special dining experience worth every penny.
Conclusion
With mouthwatering cuisine spanning juicy steaks, flavorful international dishes, creative comfort foods and more, Loveland’s dining scene has something for all tastes. For elevated fare in elegant settings, spots like 14er Bistro, Paesano Ristorante Italiano and 5th Street Steakhouse fit the bill.
Casual but tasty local favorites like Rock Coast Brewery, Black & Blues Bistro and Georgia Boys BBQ offer delicious grub without pretense. And eateries like Take a Bao Bistro, City Star Brewing and Door 222 cater to niche tastes with pan-Asian flavors, great craft beer and veg-focused menus respectively.
Wherever your Loveland food adventures take you, bring a hearty appetite – with its talented chefs spotlighting Colorado’s bounty of fresh ingredients, this northern city serves up cuisine almost as stunning as its Rocky Mountain views. Bon appétit!