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…
Must-see restaurants in The Rocky Mountains
Durango
A crowd pleaser, this tiled quasi–New Mexican restaurant dishes up local beans, savory carne adovada (red chili pork) and green chili cheeseburgers…
Jackson
This Jackson mainstay serves breakfast and lunch staples as well as some creative concoctions – all of which should be chased down with a strawberry and…
Yellowstone National Park
Providing factory-style functionality rather than fine cuisine, this good-value place churns out solid choices like bison meatloaf and Asian noodle bowls…
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…
Yellowstone National Park
Changes are planned in 2019 for this rustic cafeteria at Lake Lodge. Lunch will focus on hand-ground burgers, while dinners will still center on carvery…
Grand Teton National Park
A casual and classic diner with a row of leatherette stools, the Pioneer serves up wraps, burgers and salads. For dessert, order a Mt Owen – an oversized…
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…
Boise
Breakfast here is a casual affair revolving around five different kinds of hand-cured bacon, while dinner takes on a slightly more refined persona (still…
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…
Yellowstone National Park
This quiet lakeshore spot offers casual breakfasts and dinners with the best lake views in the park. Dinner includes creative items like huckleberry…
Montana
Jersey attitude is in short supply in the service-with-a-smile at this popular pizza joint, although you might wish for a little more hustle in the…
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…
Idaho
Tiny Rickshaw has only six tables and they don't take reservations, but their eclectic menu inspired by Asian street food is worth waiting for. Everything…
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…
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…
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…
Grand Teton National Park
This Western dining room with a branded bar offers a formal setting, serving wine and beer. Going beyond steak and potatoes, there's miso salmon and…
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…
Bozeman & Gallatin Valley
If a good cabernet and hot, made-to-order panini would spice up the picnic, check out Big Sky’s favorite post-ride or pre-ski stop. There are also hot…
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,…
Montana
More coffee shop than bookstore, you'll find enough on the menu to fill you up, and just enough on the shelves to entertain you during those lazy days in…
Jackson
Fresh and unpretentious, this upstairs pizzeria serves its pizzas on the thinner side. Try topping yours with briny kalamata olives or fragrant bison…
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…
