Must-see restaurants in Colorado

  • Root Down

    Denver

    In a converted gas station, this is one of the city’s most ambitious culinary concepts, marrying sustainable ‘field-to-fork’ practices, high-concept…

  • Laundry

    Steamboat Springs

    This new-generation Steamboat eatery has some of the best food in town. You'll love creative takes on comfort food, charcuterie boards, big steaks,…

  • Acorn

    Denver

    The oak-fired oven and grill are the shining stars of this superb restaurant, where small plates of innovative and shareable eats make up meals. The menu…

  • 626 on Rood

    Southwest Colorado

    Elegant and inventive, this is contemporary American at its best, like whole plates of stunning heirloom tomatoes in season, house-made mozzarella and…

  • Denver Central Market

    Denver

    Set in a repurposed warehouse, this gourmet marketplace wows with its style and breadth of options. Eat a bowl of handmade pasta or an artisanal sandwich;…

  • Rioja

    Denver

    This is one of Denver’s most innovative restaurants. Smart, busy and upscale, yet relaxed and casual – just like Colorado – Rioja features modern cuisine…

  • Crosscut Pizzeria & Taphouse

    Colorado

    Crosscut serves up some of the best Italian-style pizza in the Rockies – wood-fired, thin crust, topped with gourmet treats like pancetta and crimini…

  • Frasca

    Boulder

    Deemed Boulder’s finest by many (the wine service earned a James Beard award), Frasca has an impeccable kitchen and only the freshest farm-to-table…

  • Lucile’s Restaurant

    Northern Colorado

    Snuggled in an old house, this restaurant is a cozy dream – replete with creaking floors, winsome waiters and fluffy, made-from-scratch buttermilk…

  • Civic Center Eats

    Denver

    When the weather gets warm, head to Civic Center Park for lunch. There, a huge number of food trucks – everything from BBQ and pizza to sushi and Indian –…

  • O-A Bistro

    Northern Colorado

    Located on the lower level of the Gateway Inn, this is a favorite of Grand Lake’s dining scene. Highlights are made-from-scratch soups and a long,…

  • SAME Café

    Denver

    This nonprofit cafe was founded by two former food-bank workers who wanted to provide organic and locally sourced meals for people struggling to make ends…

  • Absolute Baking & Cafe

    Southwest Colorado

    The screen door is always swinging open at this town hot spot with giant breakfasts. Try the green chili on eggs – it’s made from scratch, as are the…

  • James Ranch

    Durango

    A must for those road-tripping the San Juan Skyway, the family-run James Ranch, 10 miles out of Durango, features a market and an outstanding farmstand…

  • Meat & Cheese

    Aspen

    By all means stop by to browse the artisan offerings in the gourmet deli, but don't leave without nibbling on a plate of cheese and charcuterie, beet-and…

  • Pepperhead

    Southwest Colorado

    A haven of smoky Southwestern spice, this favorite sits in a colorful room adorned by a beautiful mural. Start with a grapefruit margarita – it's tart…

  • Oak at Fourteenth

    Boulder

    Zesty and innovative, locally owned Oak manufactures top-notch cocktails and tasty small plates for stylish diners. Standouts include the grilled bacon…

  • Breckenridge Distillery

    Breckenridge

    Served in a big-city-cool dining space, the eclectic menu at this distillery follows the delightful whims of its high-caliber chefs, jumping from the…

  • Twisted Fork

    Southwest Colorado

    This is new-school Gunnison: healthy dishes rocking Asian influences alongside craft cocktails. The Korean beef bowl combines heat and well-seasoned…

  • Pepe Osaka's Fish Taco

    Central Colorado

    You like sushi. You like fish tacos. And as it turns out, you love sushi tacos, because…why not? At this almost-but-not-quite Nikkei eatery (that's…

  • Lost Cajun

    Central Colorado

    Convivial waitstaff and a festive Louisiana soundtrack greet hungry diners here. First-timers are rewarded with five samples to help them decide (or…

  • Westside Cafe

    Vail

    Set in a West Vail strip mall, the Westside is a local institution. It does terrific all-day-breakfast skillets – like the ‘My Big Fat Greek Skillet’ with…

  • Tennessee Pass Cookhouse

    Central Colorado

    If you've never had a gourmet dinner in a yurt before, this is your chance. Diners get to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski 1 mile to the yurt, where an…

  • Amícas

    Central Colorado

    Thin-crust wood-fired pizzas, panini, housemade lasagna and microbrews on tap? Amícas can do no wrong. This high-ceilinged, laid-back hangout is the…

  • Chop House

    Telluride

    With superb service and a chic decor with embroidered velvet benches, this is an easy pick for an intimate dinner. Start with a cheese plate. From there…

  • Hop Alley

    Denver

    Hop Alley was a slur used for Denver’s hardscrabble Chinatown in the 1880s, until a race riot and anti-Chinese legislation scattered the community. The…

  • Free Range Kitchen & Wine Bar

    Aspen & the Maroon Bells

    Working uniquely with local farmers and ranchers, the recently opened Free Range Kitchen merits a trip down from Aspen. Pair a glass of peppery Gigondas…

  • Rincón Argentino

    Boulder

    Don't be turned off by the shopping plaza setting: Rincón packs a wallop of authentic Argentinean flavors. It bakes fresh empanadas – savory, small…

  • City O’ City

    Denver

    This popular vegan/vegetarian restaurant mixes retro decor with an innovative spin on greens, grains and seitan. The menu has a wide offering of items…

  • Secret Stash

    Southwest Colorado

    With phenomenal food, the funky-casual Stash is adored by locals, who also dig the original cocktails. The sprawling space was once a general store but is…

  • Brasserie Ten Ten

    Boulder

    A go-to place for both students and professors, this sunny French bistro has a refined menu and an elegant atmosphere – think fresh flowers, marble high…

  • Slope & Hatch

    Aspen & the Maroon Bells

    Glenwood is lucky enough to be blessed with not just one but two quality taco spots. This one is the funky, chef-driven place, where you can get Cajun…

  • Beano’s Cabin

    Central Colorado

    Beaver Creek’s can’t-miss destination restaurant involves a 20-minute open-air sleigh ride through the snowy night to a glowing cabin on the slopes, warm…

  • Tacos del Gnar

    Southwest Colorado

    Started by two chefs discontented with the snooty world of fine dining, this delicious riff on the taco truck delivers big time. Whether you're eating…

  • Little Man Ice Cream

    Denver

    It's impossible to miss the 28ft-high dairy jug. From its window, cones of handcrafted ice cream – including several vegan options – are doled out from…

  • Sweet Basil

    Vail

    In business since 1977, Sweet Basil remains one of Vail's top restaurants. The menu changes seasonally, but the eclectic American fare, which usually…

  • Abejas

    Colorado

    Abejas is a bustling bistro with a rustic-chic setting – reclaimed barn wood, corrugated metal, even bungee cords set the tone. The menu is farm to table…

  • Pullman

    Aspen & the Maroon Bells

    This casual industrial space is easily Glenwood Springs' hippest hangout, with bare filament bulbs hanging over the tables and an open kitchen in the back…

  • Rayback Collective

    Boulder

    A plumbing-supplies warehouse turned urban oasis, Rayback is a snapshot of Boulder. A place to feel community. A huge outdoor space with firepit and lawn…

  • Pyramid Bistro

    Aspen

    Set on the top floor of Explore Booksellers, this gourmet veggie cafe serves up some delightful creations, including sweet-potato gnocchi with goat's…