7 Unique Colorado Restaurants For A Memorable Meal
Colorado’s food scene is as diverse and breathtaking as its mountain landscapes.
From historic dining establishments to innovative culinary hotspots, the Centennial State offers unforgettable eating experiences that go beyond just good food.
I’ve spent years exploring these gems, and now I’m sharing my favorite spots where atmosphere, history, and flavors combine to create truly memorable meals.
Pack your appetite for these extraordinary Colorado dining adventures!
1. The Fort: Wild West Dining In A Stone Castle
Walking into The Fort feels like time-traveling to the 1830s frontier. This Morrison landmark, constructed as a replica of Bent’s Fort, serves up authentic frontier cuisine that once fueled fur trappers and pioneers.
Buffalo steaks sizzle on the grill while servers in period attire explain historical dishes like “prairie butter” (bone marrow). My first bite of their game meat platter—featuring elk, buffalo, and quail—completely changed my understanding of American cuisine.
The roaring fireplaces, adobe walls, and stunning Red Rocks views create an atmosphere you simply can’t find elsewhere. After dinner, don’t miss sipping traditional “trade whiskey” while watching the sunset paint the mountains gold. It’s living history on a plate!
2. Penrose Room: Five-Star Elegance At The Broadmoor
Perched atop The Broadmoor’s south tower, Penrose Room dazzles with old-world sophistication. Colorado Springs’ only Five-Star, Five-Diamond restaurant combines breathtaking mountain views with impeccable service that made me feel like royalty.
Servers glide across the polished dance floor (yes, there’s live music and dancing!) while delivering artistic plates that showcase Colorado’s finest ingredients. I still dream about their Colorado rack of lamb with huckleberry jus.
The dress code demands your finest attire, but trust me—sipping champagne while watching the sun set over Cheyenne Mountain justifies breaking out that special outfit. When the maître d’ pulled out my chair and placed that damask napkin, I knew this wasn’t just dinner but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
3. Denver Biscuit Company: Breakfast Revolution In A Funky Setting
Forget everything you thought you knew about biscuits! Denver Biscuit Company has transformed these humble Southern staples into towering monuments of deliciousness. Located in several funky locations across Denver, their converted-garage atmosphere buzzes with energy.
My jaw literally dropped when my “Franklin” arrived—a massive buttermilk biscuit sandwich stuffed with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, and smothered in sausage gravy. The biscuits themselves achieve the impossible: crispy exteriors with cloud-like, buttery interiors that melt instantly.
Pro tip: arrive early or prepare to wait, especially on weekends. While standing in line, I bonded with strangers over shared biscuit anticipation. By the time we got our tables, we were trading bites and recommendations like old friends!
4. The Kitchen: Farm-To-Table Pioneer With Community Soul
Nestled in downtown Boulder, The Kitchen revolutionized Colorado dining with its farm-to-table philosophy long before it became trendy. Sunlight streams through tall windows illuminating simple wooden tables where magic happens on plates.
Seasonal menus showcase Colorado’s agricultural bounty with minimal intervention. My favorite memory? Watching my server explain how the tomatoes in my salad were harvested that morning from a farm just six miles away. The farmer himself was actually seated at the next table!
Beyond exceptional food, The Kitchen’s community table concept encourages conversation with neighbors. I arrived alone but left having shared wine and stories with local professors and artists. Their “Community Night” dinners donate proceeds to plant gardens in local schools—proving good food can nourish both body and community.
5. Avanti Food & Beverage: Culinary Playground In Shipping Containers
Imagine seven restaurants packed into industrial shipping containers, spread across two floors with Denver’s skyline as your dining backdrop. That’s the brilliance of Avanti, a food hall that revolutionized the city’s dining scene with its choose-your-own-adventure approach.
During my last visit, I embarked on a global feast: Venezuelan arepas, followed by authentic Detroit-style pizza, and finishing with artisanal ice cream—all while nursing a craft cocktail from the central bar. The rotating vendor concept means there’s always something new to discover.
The rooftop deck offers Instagram-worthy mountain views that had my out-of-town friends speechless. What makes Avanti special isn’t just the food but the freedom to mix, match, and mingle. Groups with different cravings can all find happiness here, making it my go-to spot for reunions with picky eaters!
6. Root Down: Converted Gas Station Serving Global Eclectic Cuisine
Pulling up to Root Down, you’d never guess this 1950s gas station now houses one of Denver’s most innovative restaurants. The retro-meets-modern space buzzes with energy, while airplane windows serve as quirky room dividers.
Chef Justin Cucci’s globally-inspired menu emphasizes sustainable practices with 80% of ingredients sourced within Colorado. The carrot thai curry changed my life—I literally asked for the recipe and now make it monthly! Vegetarians and meat-eaters equally swoon over the creative dishes that never feel like compromises.
The patio offers spectacular downtown views, but the real magic happens at the bar where mixologists create cocktails using herbs grown in the restaurant’s own garden. I accidentally discovered my favorite drink when the bartender asked about my mood rather than my usual order. “Something surprising,” I said—and that’s exactly what Root Down delivers with every visit.
7. Casa Bonita: Pink Palace Of Kitsch And Cliff Divers
Famous long before its South Park feature, Casa Bonita delivers the most outlandish dining experience in Colorado. The flamingo-pink façade houses a 52,000-square-foot Mexican wonderland where cliff divers plunge into blue lagoons every fifteen minutes. Yes, you read that right—cliff divers!
Recently rescued and renovated by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the food has improved dramatically from its notorious past. The tableside-made guacamole and slow-roasted carnitas now match the entertainment value. Black Bart’s Cave still terrifies children (and some adults—I may have screamed), while mariachi bands serenade diners in the various themed rooms.
Is it gourmet? Absolutely not. Is it an only-in-Colorado experience you’ll be talking about for years? One hundred percent yes! Bring quarters for the arcade and an open mind. Where else can you watch gorilla shows, gunfights, and magic acts while eating endless sopapillas signaled by raising a tiny flag at your table?