Breckenridge
If you’re salivating for sushi, maki rolls or udon noodles, this family-run hole-in-the-wall will definitely satisfy. The chef keeps it simple and…
Must-see restaurants in Colorado
Southeast Colorado
Given the historical connection of Italian miners to the area, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there are several Italian restaurants in town. This deli is…
Breckenridge
Set in a magnificent Old West frame and on the site of Breck’s original saloon, this spot is named after the famed Briar Rose gold mine on Peak 10. And…
Southwest Colorado
Steeped in Wild West kitsch, this place serves worthy baby-back ribs basted in a secret BBQ sauce, and other Western fare. The decor, a mishmash of old…
Durango
A crowd pleaser, this tiled quasi–New Mexican restaurant dishes up local beans, savory carne adovada (red chili pork) and green chili cheeseburgers…
Aspen
This bright, tiled dining room and patio edged with flower boxes packs plenty of gourmet cheer. It does a nightly risotto, a tender grilled-octopus salad…
Southeast Colorado
If you are just passing through long enough to see a few sights and grab a bite to eat, make that bite happen here. Hopscotch does fresh pastries and…
Central Colorado
The Thai Mini Cafe is known as far away as Glenwood Springs, proving that if you want something else besides burgers in central Colorado, you may have to…
Colorado Springs
Tucked into Spencer Center, near Colorado College, this creative Hawaiian taco shack offers tasty, fast and healthy fare in the form of taco, bowl, …
Aspen & the Maroon Bells
It may not be Chiang Mai, but you're not going to find any naysayers here. Great food and cool decor – exposed brick walls, curvy counter seating – make…
Central Colorado
A stylish if sometimes erratic bistro with a Greek leaning in nearby Granby. It serves pizza, gyros, rack of lamb, and Greek yogurt and doughnuts for…
Southwest Colorado
Ouray's oldest, this convivial bar-restaurant specializes in door-stopper steaks cut and cooked to your liking. There’s a select wine list and menu of…
Colorado Springs
Hit up Poor Richard's Restaurant for an additive-free meal. The casual restaurant is well-known for its delicious, hand-tossed, New York–style pizzas made…
Central Colorado
Another of Colorado’s endless grill houses. This one serves pizza and green-chili burgers all day, and Korean BBQ ribs, lobster ravioli and tacos after…
Central Colorado
Built in 1862, this still-dark, still-dusty saloon has tons of life and character, and is known for its grill-your-own steaks. That's right. You order and…
Southwest Colorado
Scenes from the original True Grit were filmed at this appropriately named cafe and watering hole. It’s a kind of shrine to John Wayne, with pictures and…
Durango
Voted Durango's best burger by the local paper, Olde Tymers is popular with the college crowd, especially on Monday's $5.50-burger nights. Well-priced…
Breckenridge
Great jazz on the sound system, strange glowing floral-art around the room and creative combinations on the plate. Appetizers include pheasant tacos with…
Southern Front Range
On your right-hand side as you enter downtown Manitou Springs, you won't miss the historic stagecoach out front (it's usually covered with kids). Inside…
Colorado Springs
If you're hungover after a big night, do as the locals do and head here for a green chile cure. The Mexican breakfast dishes, including the huevos…
Boulder
This basement-level food court is bustling with CU students on the prowl for good, cheap eats. Inside you'll find everything from Mexican, Thai and Indian…
Aspen
Authentic Italian cooking and festive Mediterranean flair have been the mainstay of this mini-mall kitchen for more than a decade. The menu is seasonal,…
Northern Colorado
A local joint steeped in country music where the men wear cowboy hats and the women talk with a hint of Western twang. It serves breakfast all day,…
Southwest Colorado
Serving up all the standard curries in light, spicy and fragrant preparations, this tiny house of flavor is a hit. Pad Thai, crispy duck and tempura round…
Southwest Colorado
This humble, friendly diner sends out a good breakfast of big pancakes and enormous cups of coffee. For dinner, the fresh grilled trout doesn't disappoint…
Denver
Forget about ambience – this is a big yellow counter, fluorescent lights and a couple of slouching figures shoveling down tacos. But all will be forgiven…
Aspen & the Maroon Bells
Despite the cornball name, people love Lucy’s because staff cook the meat well and eschew the macho brass-fitted steakhouse posture for a small-town-cafe…
Denver
The lunch buffet ($11) attracts a load of office workers. After dark the atmosphere gets a bit more upscale, with couples snuggling into booths for a…
Southwest Colorado
Good-tasting food at bargain prices draws the crowds on any given night. Though a chain, it does a great job. The chicken mole, seafood tacos and carne…
Southwest Colorado
Somewhere between the thick soups and greasy plates, this classic pub fare gets motors started. Perhaps for the lack of pretension, or the very friendly…
Vail
It’s a splurge, but then all of Vail is a splurge – and this is a worthy one. Where else in town can you slurp black mussels and follow it up with lobster…
Aspen & the Maroon Bells
If you’re into tapas and wine, you’ll enjoy this Spanish-flavored joint set in a renovated old Victorian. It offers a range of tapas, including Manipla…
Central Colorado
The buffalo burger – all-natural, free of antibiotics and growth hormones – is the way to go at this Western-style place on the main drag. The historic…
Central Colorado
This uber-popular and superfriendly Salida sandwich shop makes for a good lunch – try out specialties like the Don Draper (pastrami, horseradish Havarti,…
Southwest Colorado
The bright booths are ornately carved, and the plates of Mexican food are moderately priced. Lunch deals, like the green chile and cheese-smothered…
Telluride
The pizza? It’s chewy and crusty, but the crowd makes the place interesting. Ten minutes after you belly up to the bar for a slice and a cheap pint of…
Southern Front Range
Midway between Cañon City and Westcliffe, this historic general store and steakhouse pours the Old West atmosphere on thick. In the summer it hosts…
Aspen & the Maroon Bells
A bakery and gourmet cafe, where you'll find fresh breakfast burritos and coffee, pastries, small plates (roasted bone marrow, steamed mussels with ginger…
Southwest Colorado
A big open space with communal guitars hung up on the wall, this is where the town comes to gossip, clack away at their laptops and sip coffee. The…
Central Colorado
Readers of the local Leadville Herald Democrat voted this steakhouse set in a historic building their favorite restaurant, and it's likely to be for the…
