Spots to Dine Outdoors in Kalamazoo this Winter
Dining outside while snowing? Why not. COVID-19 has thrown us a lot of curve balls recently, and dining outside is another innovation among many from local business owners.
Local restaurants continue to persevere through the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, from offering carryout or delivery for the first time to now building outdoor, heated dining structures.
And for diners, the appeal of eating under the stars while supporting a local business is a win-win. If you’re curious to try out these new dining spaces, read on for a list of restaurants prepped to serve you outside.
Featured Partner
Portage Pediatric Dentistry
We have a new associate that has joined Portage Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Jackie Hwang! At PPD we like to incorporate fun and kindness every day. We aim to make all of our patients feel comfortable and have fun at their dental appointments. We have created an environment where all are welcome and work hard to meet every patients’ needs!
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Kalamazoo Restaurants with Winter Outdoor Dining + Location Search
Note: Dining laws are subject to change. Under the current order, igloos, huts or other small enclosures are permissible if the occupying group is from the same household and includes 6 or fewer people. Large tents must be open on at least three sides to qualify.
Many places require reservations, so call ahead and bundle up: although heated, it’s still winter in Michigan. Many spots recommend a “lap blanket” to stay warm while dining.
About 600 Kitchen & Bar
Located in downtown Kalamazoo's Rivers Edge Neighborhood, 600 Kitchen & Bar features a diverse menu, full bar and vibrant staff.
Outdoor Dining Details
Outdoor Dining Pods: Full-service dining for up 6 people, 1.5 hours per reservation. Electric fireplace in each pod and Bluetooth speakers.
Also available: heated outdoor patio
About Bell's Eccentric Cafe
Exceptionally executed, elevated, contemporary American pub food and world-class craft beer in a fantastic outdoor setting.
Outdoor Dining Details
Fire pit with benches, tables under tents, and Adirondack chairs that allow for outdoor dining and drinking in a socially-distanced environment.
About Bird Dog
Bird Dog is a modern American cuisine restaurant located in historic downtown Mattawan Michigan.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated igloos
These are VERY popular. Call for reservations.
About Buddy's Pizza
Where we come from, we do things a little differently. Our one of a kind square pies are built by hand with the best ingredients. No shortcuts, just a stubborn belief in doing things right. We believe in creating good food that’s meant to be gathered ‘round – from family dinner, to date night, game night and everything in between. We’ve always had a way of turning strangers into friends and friends into family.
COME ON IN AND GRAB A SLICE OF DETROIT.
Outdoor Dining Details
3 Beautifully decorated Shanties with room for 6 people!
We've cooked up a new way to comfortably enjoy Buddy's outside... Heated and covered outdoor dining now available at our Portage location. Here are a few more details on our new heated outdoor dining shanties:
•We have three heated shanties available for reservation, each shanty seats up to 6 people
•Reservations are for 90-minute time blocks and are subject to a minimum spend on weekends ($100 Fri-Sun, no minimum Mon-Thur)
•Reservations can be placed by calling us at 269-421-9233
•Shanties are aired out for 15-minutes and thoroughly sanitized between each reservation. Staff enters fleetingly or not at all.
•Full menu available
•Full beer/wine/liquor menu available for guests 21+
Book your outdoor dining reservation today by calling us 269-421-9233
Centre Street Tap House in Portage, MI
About Centre Street Tap House
Located in Portage, MI, we take our food and beer seriously. We draw inspiration from both local and international pub food traditions and 30 draft beers.
Outdoor Dining Details
Tented patio space with heaters
Clara's on the River in Battle Creek, MI
About Clara's on the River
A walk through Clara's on the River is a walk through the history of Battle Creek. Each room at Clara's On the River is filled with antiques, stories and scenic views.
The patio area is the perfect spot for summer entertainment, or during the holidays for gazing at the International Festival of Lights displays.
Banquet rooms and special banquet menus are available.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated patio
About Comensoli's Italian Bistro & Bar
Welcome, from our family to yours! A casual dining experience in a Downtown Kalamazoo restaurant with fine dining service and food!
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated, covered patio
Reservations are available Thurs-Sun. Secure your table now and enjoy a safe night out with us!
Email us and we will provide confirmation. Email must include name, phone number, # of people, which day of the week and if your party would like a 5:30PM or 7PM time slot.
📧: [email protected]
Cosmo's Cucina in Kalamazoo, MI
About Cosmo's Cucina
Established in 1992, serving a delicious mix of ever-changing menu items. Leaning toward Italian/Mediterranean including fresh hand-pulled pasta, and creative dishes to satisfy most every taste.
Outdoor Dining Details
Patio with heaters and fire pits
About Cove Lakeside Bistro
Cove Lakeside Bistro is the newest addition to downtown Portage's culinary scene. large outdoor patio, seasonal menu and views of West Lake.
Outdoor Dining Details
The Cove has 3 units, and each seats up to six people. If you’re interested, please call 269-350-5380 to secure a spot.
We encourage you to still dress warmly, but to give us a call and try something new! Seatings will be done in approximately 1 1/2 hour blocks so that we can sanitize and ready the pod for the next guests.
About Fieldstone Grill
In a lodge-retreat atmosphere in the heart of Portage, guests will find Fieldstone Grill. The true fieldstone fireplace is made of stones from owner Ken Miller's property, and the view overlooks the natural wetlands of the Moors Golf Club. The menu is comprised of dishes that emulate this location's 'field-to-plate' mentality.
Outdoor Dining Details
Come check out our "Giant Patio Igloo"!!! Fully enclosed and sheltered from the elements, heaters and cushioned seats with a great view! Only one table allowed inside at a time, maximum of 6 guests. Reservations taken in 1.5 hour time blocks. 6 open air tables also available on a first come, first served basis. Spots are filling up fast so call today to secure your reservation! 269-321-8480
Fletcher's Pub (Texas Corners) in Kalamazoo, MI
About Fletcher's Pub (Texas Corners)
Come to Fletcher's for a good time, great food and drinks! Big TV's for your viewing pleasure.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated outdoor patio with firepits + 2 tents available for reservations
We can’t wait to serve you outside, give us a call to reserve a tent 269.372.3188
Green Top Tavern in Kalamazoo, MI
About Green Top Tavern
Dive bar in Kalamazoo, featuring burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and munchies.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated patio
About Gull Lake Distilling Company
Gull Lake Distilling Co. is a locally-sourced craft Distillery, Brewery, and Winery in Galesburg, MI. We serve specialty cocktails and beer/wine by the glass. Almost all products are locally sourced in Michigan.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated, covered patio
Food trucks are regularly on-site, or you can bring your own food to enjoy!
About HopCat
HopCat - The Best Beer Bar in the World. Open for curbside takeout/ delivery.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated, covered patio & heated igloos
Join us by the fires and under the heaters outside on our patio starting December 9th! We plan to be open 7 days a week from 4PM - 8PM. 😻
Reserve your igloo online: https://reservations.getwisely.com/hopcat-kalamazoo?fbclid=IwAR088PXxrOTWRTanZMq7osVmWQEXe732bNQZ3VPRQC5pc-9QjEg5WetiTBI
About Jac's
For decades, Cekola’s Pizza has held a place in the community. Beginning in the 1950’s through 1972 Cekola’s Pizza was sold on the corner of North Street and Gull Road at Cekola’s Grocery.
From there you could find it on Portage Street at “The Doors” until the tornado of 1980 destroyed downtown Kalamazoo. Finally Cekola’s Pizza was sold at Star World, the first family fun entertainment place, on S. Westnedge, from 1980 until 1991.
Outdoor Dining Details
Covered deck with heaters and tvs. Outdoor dining available at both locations
269-321-2122 Portage
269-447-2194 Kalamazoo
Kitchen Proper in Battle Creek, MI
About Kitchen Proper
We are truly excited to bring tasty, fresh food and excellent service to Battle Creek and all of Southwest Michigan. We offer local, fresh tasty fare and smiling friendly faces. We look forward to serving all of you in our kitchen.
Outdoor Dining Details
Tent coming soon but we are starting our outdoor seating tonight! S’mores station, hot drink menu, dine at your table or have cocktails while you wait for to go food. We are Michiganders, we are built for this! Bundle up and come hang out with us tonight!
About Latitude 42
Latitude 42 Brewing Co. in Kalamazoo and Portage is a family-owned restaurant and brewery launched in 2013. Craft beers and growlers available. Full menu is available for Carryout. Patio is OPEN for outdoor dining. Reservations accepted at both locations (Oshtemo & Portage).
Outdoor Dining Details
Tented Winter Wonderland: outdoor tented patio space with heaters
•Limited Reservations Available with a maximum of 6 persons per table.
•To secure a reservation, please contact us via FB Messenger anytime or call during normal business hours.
👉🏽Oshtemo 269.775.7242
👉🏽Portage 269.459.4242
Louie's Corner Bar in Kalamazoo, MI
About Louie's Corner Bar
Louie's Trophy House has opened a second location in Texas Corners! Same menu for both restaurants.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated patio
About Louie's Trophy House
Located at the Corner of North and Walbridge. Serving Kalamazoo since 1918. Louie's doors were open through Prohibition and the Great Depression as a speakeasy, a convenience store, and a soup kitchen. The past 70+ years have been dedicated to friends, cold drinks, delicious food, and live entertainment! We have weekly events that include trivia, open mic, music bingo, karaoke and special events. Follow us on Instagram: LouiesTrophyHouse or visit our website Louieskzoo.com.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated, covered patio with windwalls
About Main Street Pub- Portage
We live to serve at Main St. Pub - Portage.
Let us wow you with our good food, great service and value.
Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials. Homemade soups and sauces.
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated patio (firepits, heaters) - first come, first served seating
Plus two canopied, heated tents available for reservations
About NEDS on Gull Lake
NEDS is a pizza, grinders and burger joint with liquor and beer!
We offer take-out beer & wine & We deliver to the boat launch!
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated igloos
We’re open daily 11-9. ❄️Igloo dining call 269-671-5700 to reserve ❄️takeout/curbside ❄️and a delivery option added 3:30-8:30!
Niskers Char-Grill & Slap Shot Hockey Bar in Kalamazoo, MI
About Niskers Char-Grill & Slap Shot Hockey Bar
NISKERS is a specialty restaurant offering a variety of Char-Grilled selections; Beef, Chicken, Fish, Turkey, Beefalo and Veggie Burgers. Prepared to YOUR liking! Never frozen or precooked. Buns baked daily. Always FRESH and DELICIOUS!
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated patio
About NONLA
NONLA Vietnamese street food
Outdoor Dining Details
Heated igloos. First come, first served.
O'Duffy's Pub in Kalamazoo, MI
About O'Duffy's Pub
O'Duffy's Pub is Kalamazoo's only real pub. A place to meet friends, both old and new, share stories, all without the distraction of television. Non smoking since we opened in 1999. Serving Gold Standard Award Guinness everytime!
Outdoor Dining Details
Patio with heaters and fire pits
About Old Burdick's Bar & Grill (Downtown)
At Burdick’s we take pride in crafting delicious meals with fresh ingredients. From pub fare to gourmet burgers and fresh salads, we have a variety of menu items that will satiate almost every palate and appetite.
Our true claim to fame isn’t the number of beer taps, but the amazing variety of local craft beers we offer on tap including specialty beers by Michigan breweries that are in limited supply.
Try a new craft beer with us!
Outdoor Dining Details
*NEW* Greenhouses!
Greenhouse Details:
✨ 3 Greenhouses Available - Each can fit up to 6 guests
✨ Reservations Required
✨ Reservation Time Slots: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
✨ Greenhouses will be cleaned and sanitized between guests
✨ Last time slot for seating is 8pm
To Reserve: Call (269) 343-0032
Also, heated patio: Patio seating is by reservation only - Please call 269.343.0032 to ensure a table.
Reservations will be allotted a timeframe of 1h 45m, allowing 15m to sanitize tables between seatings.
Really disappointing you would leave out both Jac’s locations who have gone to great lengths to add tents and heaters and make their patios feel very homey.
Thanks for the heads up! We keep adding them as we find out about them and have invited restaurant owners to submit their info in our form as well. We’ve added Jac’s now!
KZoo Bistro has outdoor dining as well! Thanks for publishing the list!
We added ZooCity! Thanks 🙂
Please don’t forget Clara’s on the River in Battle Creek!
https://www.facebook.com/clarasontheriver/photos/a.10152657293109935/10159204838969935/
Added. Thank you!
Nonla Vietnamese in Mattawan has heated igloos!
Added. Thank you!