7 Colorado Soft Pretzels That Locals Swear Are Worth Every Mile
Picture this: a crisp Denver evening, a golden pretzel still steaming in your hands, and the smell of butter and salt mingling with mountain air.
One bite, and suddenly everything else fades — the chatter, the clinking glasses, even the chill outside.
Colorado may be famous for its peaks and pints, but its soft pretzels might just be the state’s most delicious secret.
These spots turn simple dough and salt into something worth every mile of the journey.
1. Brockmeyer’s – Lakewood
Brockmeyer’s isn’t just baking pretzels — they’re channeling centuries of Bavarian tradition into every twist and fold. This Lakewood gem has mastered the art of old-school soft pretzels that taste like they were teleported straight from a Munich bakery, complete with that deep mahogany crust and tender crumb.
But here’s where things get wild: they also make pretzel croissants. Yes, you read that right. Imagine the flaky, buttery layers of a French croissant meeting the salty, chewy soul of a German pretzel. It’s basically carb heaven having an identity crisis in the most delicious way.
Regulars come back weekly, sometimes twice if they’re being honest with themselves. The staff knows most customers by name, and there’s always a line on Saturday mornings. Bring cash, bring patience, and most importantly, bring an appetite.
2. Auntie Anne’s – Chapel Hills Mall, Colorado Springs
Sure, Auntie Anne’s is a national chain, but the Chapel Hills Mall location has achieved legendary status among Colorado Springs locals who know exactly what time the fresh batches emerge from the oven. That aroma? It should be classified as a controlled substance because it’s absolutely impossible to walk past without stopping.
There’s something comforting about the consistency here — you know exactly what you’re getting, and sometimes that’s precisely what your soul needs. Hot, soft, twisted perfection with butter glistening on top and those satisfying pretzel nuggets if you’re feeling snacky. The cinnamon sugar version deserves its own fan club.
Weekend lines stretch halfway down the corridor, filled with teenagers, families, and solo shoppers who suddenly remembered they’re starving. I’ve witnessed grown adults nearly sprint when they catch that first whiff. No shame in the pretzel game here, folks.
3. Crestone Bakery – Westminster
Walking into Crestone Bakery feels like stumbling into your favorite aunt’s kitchen — except this aunt happens to be a pretzel wizard. Every morning before most of Westminster even hits the snooze button, bakers here are hand-twisting buttery dough into those iconic pretzel shapes that’ll haunt your dreams in the best way possible.
Locals have a saying about these pretzels: “impossible to eat just one.” Honestly, I tried proving them wrong once and failed spectacularly. The exterior has this perfect golden crispness that gives way to a pillowy soft center, and the butter? Oh, the butter practically melts into every crevice.
Whether you grab one for breakfast or sneak back for an afternoon snack, you’ll understand why regulars guard this place like a state secret. Fair warning: the aroma alone might make you order three.
4. Wetzel’s Pretzels – Colorado Mills, Lakewood
Colorado Mills Mall on a Saturday afternoon is basically a pretzel pilgrimage site, thanks to Wetzel’s Pretzels holding court near the food court like the carb royalty they are. This place nails that crucial contrast — crisp exterior that crunches satisfyingly before revealing the chewy, almost stretchy interior that pretzel dreams are made of.
Snack lovers pack this spot on weekends, clutching their twisted treasures while juggling shopping bags and trying not to drop crumbs everywhere (spoiler: they drop crumbs everywhere). The jalapeño cheese dip is dangerously addictive, turning a simple pretzel into a full-blown flavor experience that’ll have you licking your fingers shamelessly.
I once watched a kid convince his mom to circle back for a second pretzel, and honestly, I respected his negotiation skills. The variety here is impressive too — from classic salted to pepperoni twist, there’s something for every pretzel personality type.
5. Rhein Haus – Denver
Rhein Haus doesn’t mess around when it comes to pretzels — they serve them giant, buttery, and paired with house-made cheese dip that could convert even the staunchest carb-avoider.
The pretzel arrives warm enough to steam slightly when you tear into it, releasing that yeasty, buttery aroma that makes your dining companions lean in hungrily. It’s massive enough to share, but you probably won’t want to. The cheese dip is creamy, sharp, and dangerously moreish — I’ve seen people scrape the bowl clean with pretzel crumbs.
Between the communal tables, bocce ball courts, and pretzel-fueled happiness, this place captures the spirit of a Munich biergarten without requiring a passport. Just bring your appetite and prepare to loosen your belt.
6. Bohemian Biergarten – Boulder
Boulder locals don’t throw around praise lightly, but mention the jumbo pretzels at Bohemian Biergarten and watch their eyes light up like they just summited a fourteener. These pretzels are soft, salty, and ridiculously satisfying.
Sitting in the biergarten on a sunny afternoon with a pretzel the size of your head feels like peak Colorado living. The pretzel has that traditional deep brown crust from a proper alkaline bath, giving it that distinctive pretzel tang that separates the amateurs from the pros. Each bite delivers that perfect chew.
I’ve brought friends here who claimed they weren’t “pretzel people,” and by the end of the meal, they were plotting their return visit. The mountain views don’t hurt either, though honestly, the pretzel steals the show every time.
7. Pretzelmaker – Colorado Springs
Sometimes you don’t need fancy twists or gourmet toppings — you just need a damn good, honest-to-goodness soft pretzel that delivers exactly what it promises. Pretzelmaker in Colorado Springs has been that reliable friend for years, serving up simple, warm, and satisfying pretzels that hit the spot every single time without any pretense or fuss.
Soft pretzel purists appreciate the consistency here. You’re not getting experimental flavors or Instagram-worthy presentations, just a perfectly executed classic that tastes like comfort wrapped in dough. The butter melts into every crevice, the salt crystals provide little bursts of flavor, and the texture is spot-on.
I’ve grabbed pretzels here after hikes, during mall trips, and once when I was having a spectacularly bad day and needed carbs to fix my mood. It worked. There’s something deeply comforting about a place that knows its lane and stays in it beautifully.