Unearth The Voyage
Colorado’s mountain towns aren’t just about skiing and hiking, they’re home to some of the state’s most memorable restaurants. Whether you’re craving a perfectly charred steak, wood-fired pizza after a long day on the slopes, or farm-fresh cuisine with stunning views, these spots deliver flavor and hospitality that make any detour worthwhile. From James Beard winners to cozy cottage grills, each restaurant on this list offers something special you won’t want to miss.
1. Breckenridge — Rootstalk
Chef Matt Vawter earned the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain, yet his restaurant never feels intimidating. Rootstalk celebrates hyper-seasonal Colorado ingredients with polished technique and genuine warmth, making fine dining approachable for everyone.
The French onion soup has developed a cult following among locals and visitors alike. Tasting-counter seats offer front-row views of the kitchen’s artistry, turning dinner into an interactive experience you’ll remember long after you leave town.
Service strikes the perfect balance—attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension. Every dish reflects Vawter’s respect for Colorado’s farms and ranches, proving that award-winning food can still feel like home.
2. Crested Butte — Two Twelve
Chef Anthony Nelson brings serious ambition to Crested Butte’s dining scene with live-fire cooking that goes way beyond typical resort-town fare. Two Twelve sources locally and cooks with bold, smoky flavors that make every bite memorable.
Buffalo arepas showcase the kitchen’s creativity, blending Latin American technique with Colorado game. The rack of lamb arrives beautifully charred from the wood flames, tender inside and bursting with flavor that keeps diners coming back season after season.
Reservations fill up quickly, especially during peak ski weeks, so plan ahead. Nelson’s pedigree and passion shine through in every dish, proving Crested Butte has grown into a serious food destination.
3. Telluride — New Sheridan Chop House
Housed inside a historic hotel, New Sheridan Chop House honors classic steakhouse tradition with meticulous sourcing and an award-winning wine list. The atmosphere feels timeless—perfect for celebrating a special occasion or treating yourself after conquering the slopes.
Dry-aged steaks are the star, cooked with precision and served with simple, flavorful sides. If bison is available, order it; the kitchen treats game with the same respect as prime beef, delivering rich, tender results every time.
The French onion soup rivals any you’ll find in the Rockies, with deeply caramelized onions and melted cheese that stretches from bowl to spoon. Hours may shift slightly in the off-season, so check ahead.
4. Telluride — Brown Dog Pizza
After a long day carving powder, nothing hits quite like Brown Dog’s legendary Detroit-style pies. The Brooklyn Bridge—a thick, square masterpiece with crispy caramelized edges—has achieved near-mythical status among locals and returning visitors.
Detroit-style pizza isn’t common in Colorado, which makes Brown Dog’s commitment to the style even more impressive. The crust achieves that perfect balance: crunchy outside, airy inside, with cheese baked right to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
Service is fast and friendly, making it ideal for families or groups rolling in hungry. Open daily, Brown Dog proves you don’t need white tablecloths to deliver consistently excellent food worth planning your evening around.
5. Estes Park — Bird & Jim
Named with a nod to local history, Bird & Jim celebrates Colorado’s Front Range bounty without the resort-town price shock. Seasonal ingredients shine in dishes that feel both refined and deeply rooted in mountain tradition.
Rotating game specials bring elk, bison, or venison to the table when available, cooked with care and paired with vegetables from nearby farms. The Mountain Jim burger balances comfort and quality, satisfying carnivores with every juicy, perfectly seasoned bite.
A thoughtful wine program complements the menu beautifully, offering bottles you’d expect at pricier establishments. Estes Park visitors often stumble upon Bird & Jim by chance, then make it a non-negotiable stop on every return trip to the Rockies.
6. Ouray — Brickhouse 737
Ouray locals choose Brickhouse 737 for celebrations, which tells you everything you need to know. This small, intimate room punches well above its weight, delivering plates that rival big-city restaurants tucked into a historic mountain town.
Skuna Bay salmon arrives perfectly seared, flaky and rich. Braised short rib melts on the fork, paired with seasonal sides that change with Colorado’s harvests. When Palisade peaches hit peak season, the kitchen weaves them into specials that capture summer in every sweet, juicy bite.
Heavy review volume and current hours confirm Brickhouse thrives year-round. Reservations are smart, especially on weekends, when the dining room fills with couples and friends toasting special moments over exceptional food.
7. Durango — Eolus Bar & Dining
Eolus balances fine-casual vibes with a rooftop setting that makes every meal feel like an occasion. Downtown Durango’s energy hums below while you sip craft cocktails and watch the San Juan Mountains glow at sunset.
Seared scallops showcase the kitchen’s finesse—caramelized outside, tender inside, plated with colorful, flavorful accompaniments. The hanger steak satisfies meat-lovers, and daily sushi specials add unexpected variety to a menu that refuses to be predictable or boring.
Reservations and current hours make planning easy, whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just craving something delicious after exploring Mesa Verde. Eolus proves Durango’s dining scene rivals any Colorado mountain town for creativity and consistency.
8. Durango (Animas Valley) — James Ranch Grill
Imagine eating a burger made from cattle grazing steps away, cheese crafted on-site, and vegetables harvested that morning. James Ranch Grill makes farm-to-table literal, offering sweeping red-rock views alongside food you can trace from pasture to plate.
The grass-fed burger is legendary—juicy, flavorful, and guilt-free knowing the beef lived a good life. A chalkboard menu lists daily specials depending on what’s ready in the fields or aging in the cheese cave, making every visit slightly different.
Kids love watching the animals while parents savor genuinely sustainable cuisine. Current hours and an active ranch site make planning easy, and the scenic drive from Durango only adds to the experience.
9. Glenwood Springs — Riviera Supper Club & Scratch Kitchen
Live piano nights and a deep by-the-glass wine list transport diners back to the golden age of supper clubs, yet Riviera’s scratch cooking feels fresh and relevant. Classic dishes get careful treatment without feeling dated or stuffy.
Beef Wellington arrives golden and flaky, the kind of showstopper that makes fellow diners turn their heads. Colorado beef stroganoff brings comfort with a local twist, rich and satisfying after a day soaking in the hot springs or hiking nearby trails.
Finish with crème brûlée—crack that caramelized sugar crust and savor the creamy custard beneath. Reservations and current review aggregators confirm Riviera remains a Glenwood Springs staple, blending nostalgia with genuine culinary skill and warmth.
10. Pagosa Springs — Alley House Grille
A restored 1912 cottage houses Alley House Grille, where white-tablecloth polish meets small-town warmth. Elevated New American cuisine shines in this intimate space, making special occasions feel even more memorable without any big-city pretension.
Char-grilled ribeye and rack of lamb dominate the menu, cooked to perfection with seasonal sides that highlight Colorado’s agricultural bounty. The happy-hour bar menu offers a more casual entry point, perfect for travelers wanting a taste without committing to a full tasting experience.
Summer 2025 menu updates on the official site confirm the kitchen stays current and creative. Pagosa Springs may be known for its hot springs, but Alley House proves the town deserves recognition for outstanding food too.
11. Leadville — High Mountain Pies
At 10,158 feet, High Mountain Pies holds the title of one of America’s highest pizzerias—and somehow nails consistently great crusts despite the altitude challenges. Creative toppings and a true mountain-town vibe make this a local icon worth seeking out.
The San Luis and Crocodile pies showcase the kitchen’s inventive spirit, piling on unexpected ingredient combinations that somehow work perfectly. Don’t skip the Colorado-style honey drizzle on the crust; that sweet-savory contrast turns good pizza into something you’ll crave long after leaving Leadville.
A recent national write-up and active winter 2024/25 menu confirm High Mountain thrives year-round. Current review pages and the official site make planning easy, whether you’re passing through or spending the weekend exploring Colorado’s highest incorporated city.
