Editor’s note: This is the first of three stories exploring summer dining experiences. Today, we look at patios well worth seeking out for a meal.

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With 300 days of sunshine a year in Colorado, no wonder so many local restaurants open their doors and set out tables and chairs for customers to dine alfresco in summer. Some spots have a view to soak up while sipping cocktails.

Others offer ethnic atmospheres and food that transports you overseas without the price of an airline ticket. The Margarita at PineCreek even transitions its patio bar cover into a screen for projecting late-evening movies to customers munching on gourmet snacks. And nothing says “Colorado” better than a crackling fire pit to chase off the nip of a cool mountain breeze.

Outdoor dining is a relaxing, inviting experience. Here are a few places where you can enjoy award-winning dishes and drinks in the great outdoors.

– Edelweiss Restaurant, 34 E. Ramona Ave., took top honors in the alfresco category in The Gazette’s Best of the Springs. What’s not to love about this cozy, tree-covered patio that feels like a Bavarian beer garden? Readers commented, “Good atmosphere and good food” and “As close to German cooking as you can get.”

On Friday and Saturday evenings, strolling musicians perform German music.

It’s not a surprise that this patio is so popular. It’s been in the Springs a long time.

“My mom told me it’s maybe the first patio at a restaurant in the Springs,” said Dieter Schnakenberg, who co-owns the eatery with his mother, Helga.

She and her husband, Gary, bought the restaurant in 1969. Dieter joined the business after graduating from culinary school.

“When Eric Gundel, the original owner, was trying to get the outside dining approved, I guess it had something to do with the liquor license and the city thought he was crazy for wanting to serve food outside,” Dieter said. “Of course, he was from Germany so outside dining was everywhere. So he kept pushing and finally got it approved.”

Customers clearly have grown to love the atmosphere with awnings, shade sails, umbrellas and trees where it’s always cozy and cool even on really hot days.

“It’s usually the first (area) to be seated and stays full through the main hours.” he said.

Details: Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 633-2220, edelweissrest.com.

– Over Easy, A Daytime Eatery is a constant reader favorite for breakfast and lunch. It has three locations, but for outdoor dining, head to either 5262 N. Nevada Ave. or 5925 Dublin Blvd. “We have beautiful patios at both places that look out to Pikes Peak,” said Matthew Sharb, managing partner at the Powers Avenue eatery.

What better way to ease into the day than to admire Pikes Peak while sipping a Bloody Mary you concocted yourself? The Ultimate Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar is reason enough to put this dining option on your radar.

“For the Bloody Mary bar, we use a wide range of pickled items,” he said. “Pepperoncini peppers, green olives, pickled spicy Brussel sprouts, Gherkin pickles, pickled curry cauliflower, sweet drop peppers, spicy pickled okra, horseradish and, of course, bacon on request.”

Who can enjoy just one? Especially when the $7.50 drink goes for $5 from 7 to 9 a.m. weekdays?

The favorite dish at Sharb’s location: “The Chicken & The Egg, which is also available at our Denver location,” he said. “Tatum’s avocado toast with poached egg and seasonal fruit is also popular. It’s named after owner Randy’s daughter, Tatum Price.”

Details: Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 598-2969, overeasycolorado.com.

– The Bistro on 2nd, 65 Second St., Monument, is helmed by Rick Velliquette, who has won Best Waiter awards at several Springs eateries. Now, for the second year, he is showing off his business acumen at his own cozy establishment. The small, fine dining space expands to an additional 80-plus seats with the opening of the patio and deck. The spacious brick patio is dominated by a grand, round fire pit encircled with a comfy coach. Twinkling bare lights strung overhead set a perfect scene for lingering over adult libations. Live music adds to the festive atmosphere several nights a week. Don’t overlook this option for Sunday brunch.

“Our brunch has been an amazing hit,” Velliquette said. “The menu is seasonal.”

Details: Hours are 10:30 to 3 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 481-8822; thebistro2nd.com.

– Axe and The Oak Whiskey House, 1604 S. Cascade Ave., offers an impressive patio and cocktails crafted by The Gazette’s Best of the Springs Bartender, Alejandro Sanchez. It’s the go-to place for foodie Lacie Richardson, co-owner of The Local Motion – Colorado Public Party Bus.

“It might seem like a stretch to go to a distillery for the patio, but this place has an awesome outside serving area,” she said.

“And they make some of their whiskey with smoke. The cocktails are awesome,”

And the food, provided by Old School Bakery in the Ivywild School, is specially prepared by the chef to pair with the distiller’s libations. Dishes vary with the season.

Happy hour has $5 cocktails and half-price punch bowl beverages.

Details: Happy hour is held freom 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Regular hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 660-1624, axeandtheoak.com.

The Bistro on 2nd. in Monument is a cozy place to enjoy evening dining on the patio around a crackling fire pit. Courtesy photo

Bridget Daily

Trixi Alejandro, a long-time waitress at Edelweiss Restaurant, serves customers seated on the cozy pation, the popular Edelweiss Platter to enjoy with the Sampler Platter is on the table. Courtesy photo

The patios at a couple of the Over Easy, A Daytime Eatery offer stunning views of the front range for breakfast and lunch diners. Photo by Teresa Farney

Axe and the Oak Whiskey House opened in Septemer 2016 in the Ivywild School.

The patios at a couple of the Over Easy, A Daytime Eatery offer stunning views of the front range for breakfast and lunch diners. Photo by Teresa Farney