Top Patios to Enjoy Summer Around Southwest Michigan

TOP PATIOS

TO ENJOY SUMMER AROUND SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

BY RACHEL KIRTLEY

Rachel has worked in all levels of the food industry for over a decade. She is currently a Social Media Influencer, Content Creator and Restaurant Reviewer. You can visit her at thekalamazoofoodie.com.

Summer is here, and that means Patio Season! After this past year, Kalamazoo has really stepped up their patio game and not just for the warm weather months. Restaurants went all out with pods and tents with heaters in the snow to accommodate the ever-changing regulations. While there are plenty of excellent restaurants around Kalamazoo and Portage, there are a few that stand out with their beautiful patio views and their fun summer cocktails.

If you know me or follow my page, you know that Fisher Lake Inn has been one of my longtime favorite restaurants for over a decade. Once again, this is still my personal number one personal favorite spot to hang out on the patio, hands down. Not only because I used to work there, but because their food, cocktails, and staff are all incredible! My favorite part of Fisher Lake Inn? Their patio dining! The patio at Fisher Lake Inn seats about 12 tables and overlooks Fisher Lake in Three Rivers. The tables sit right at the edge of the lake, and there is even a dock you can take a stroll on after dinner. Pull your boat up to dock while you eat, grab food to go, or view the beautiful sunsets.

My husband & I absolutely LOVE their Rum Runners! If you have never tried one, it’s a must. It is like a Strawberry Daiquiri; only it’s made with lots of rum, strawberries, and banana liquor. If you aren’t into frozen drinks, they have a list of cocktails that would even make Jimmy Buffet proud! If you are looking for something to nosh on while you are there, the Mahi Mahi fish tacos are one of my favorite tacos around, and the Beef Lollipops with house-made bacon jam and gorgonzola cheese are the bomb! They are also introducing a NEW Chef that came over from Bravo Restaurant. Chef Allan has created an incredible new menu with some freshly made local pasta that is absolutely worth the drive. Another favorite patio with a gorgeous lake view and sunsets is The Cove Lakeside Bistro. They have a huge patio overlooking the West Lake on Portage Road. Aside from the view, they also have some fabulous, fun, summer-worthy cocktails. One of my favorites is their Parrot head Punch—a wonderful mix of rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice with a dark rum float. The Cove offers Happy Hour

Fisher Lake Inn

every weekday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. $1 OFF Draft Pours, 25% off House Wine Pours, and $4 Well Drinks. If there was ever an excuse to grab your friends and head to the patio, this is it! If you are looking for something to nosh on, I highly recommend the Sweet & Spicy Fries: steak cut fries tossed with sriracha gastrique, herbs & spices, and parmesan. I also highly recommend their Smoked Whitefish Dip: creamy, housesmoked whitefish dip, baked until bubbly and served with warm toasted baguette. If you are looking to stay downtown, we love Martini’s, located in the Vine Neighborhood. They have a quaint little patio with umbrellas, lights strung about, and their flower and herb gardens all around. My favorite cocktail there is their Rosa Martini. They are made with Ketel One Vodka, Peachello, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Prosecco, Fresh Lemon & Rosewater. I dare you to find a more unique martini! It was light and refreshing. Martini’s also offers seasonal cocktails and sangrias. I highly recommend trying their garlic bread, made fresh daily from The Victorian Bakery, and any of their pizzas are just flat-out amazing!

The Cove Lakeside Bistro

Martini’s

If you love hanging out on a patio, and your dog is your BFF, The Thirsty Hound allows you to bring your pup inside or out. To make that a possibility, however, they don’t have a licensed kitchen. No problem here though; you can bring your own food, order from a delivery service such as GrubHub, or grab food from one of the food trucks scheduled from 5:00 - 7:00 pm April through October!

The Thirsty Hound also sells pre-packaged snacks such as chips, popcorn, nuts, cookies, Ice Box brand ice cream, and Italian ices. The Thirsty Hound offers three locally made beers on tap, in addition to canned beer, a variety of red, white, and rosé wines from Cody Kresta and Lawton Ridge Wineries, prosecco and mimosas, canned cocktails, soda, water, coffee, and tea. They even have your pup covered, offering frozen plain yogurt with natural flavorings such as peanut butter & pumpkin, blueberry, strawberry, carrot, oat, apple bitesize morsels, and chicken.

Another amazing dog-friendly place is

The Thirsty Hound

Territorial Brewing Company in Battle

Creek. Territorial Brewing Company makes all of their beer with a German influence on the food! While dogs aren’t allowed on the patio, they offer 70 acres of Beer Garden area where you are welcome to bring your own blanket or chairs and your pup. Order food and beverages from the restaurant and sit anywhere on their 70-acre property. I highly recommend trying their pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich with their house-made BBQ sauce. Last but certainly not least, the most extensive stretch of patio: Bates Alley! The perfect summertime hangout to grab food and cocktails. Located downtown Kalamazoo, the alley is beautifully painted, with patios for every bar and restaurant and lots of lights strung above to add ambiance. You can find outdoor seating for Fuze, Tempo Vino Winery, Green Top Tavern, Olde Peninsula, and more. It makes for the ultimate outdoor dining experience! Summer is finally here, and I couldn’t be happier. You can most likely find me at all of these patios all summer long. Cheers!

Territorial Brewing Company Bates Alley