South Central Colorado Restaurants

Many restaurants serve regional trout and game, as well as locally grown fruits and vegetables. In summer, look for cantaloupe from the town of Rocky Ford, the self-proclaimed "Melon Capital of the World." Colorado Springs offers unique Colorado cuisine that zings taste buds without zapping budgets.

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  • 1. Alys' Restaurant

    $$$

    Dinner at Alys' is a simple treat, where the "international eclectic" prix-fixe options feature lamb, steak, chicken, or seafood; fresh vegetables; potato, rice, or pasta; soup or salad; and soft drinks, tea, or coffee (vegetarian dinners are always available too). Wine is extra, and you'll appreciate the attentive care taken with the thoughtful wine list—you might even have the opportunity to ask chef Alys Romer what she recommends.

    604 S. Oak St., La Veta, Colorado, 81055, USA
    719-742–3742

    Known For

    • Affordable prix-fixe menus
    • Impressive wine list and cocktail menu
    • Excellent duck l'orange

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Wed. No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 2. Crave

    $$

    Pizza reigns at this Italian hot spot on Main Street, where a large, modern bar anchors the dining room and giant picture windows highlight views of the Collegiate Peaks. Choose house-made focaccia or sourdough crust and build your own pizza, or pick from a dozen specialty pies. Anything drizzled with balsamic is sure to please. This lively spot also serves up delectable pastas, salads, small bites, cocktails, and Colorado craft brews. 

    300 E. Main St., Buena Vista, Colorado, 81211, USA
    719-395–3444

    Known For

    • Central location
    • Mountain views
    • House-made focaccia and sourdough crust

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 3. Gray's Coors Tavern

    $

    Locals constantly debate where to find the city's best "slopper"—an open-face burger smothered in cheese, red or green chile, and onions—but there is no question you will find an authentic Pueblo experience at this dive bar, where the dish was first served. Bikers and families converge on the large outdoor patio during the summer to devour the messy burger. Add a pile of fries to the top for the true slopper taste, and make sure to pair it all with an ice-cold Coors in honor of the building that was once a distribution center for the state’s largest brewery.

    515 W. 4th St., Pueblo, Colorado, 81003, USA
    719-544--0455

    Known For

    • Excellent slopper (open-face burger smothered in red or green chile)
    • Ice-cold Coors served in large schooner glasses
    • Old-school Pueblo atmosphere
  • 4. Adam's Mountain Cafe

    $$

    This local favorite draws visitors to mismatched tables with drawings by regional artists hovering on the walls above. The food has an organic bent, with many vegetarian options. Vegan Mexican green chile smothers the famous huevos rancheros, and seasonal French toast specialties attract breakfast enthusiasts until late afternoon, while spicy Asian bowls and rustic Italian lasagna bring in the dinner crowd.

    26 Manitou Ave., Colorado, 80829, USA
    719-685–1430

    Known For

    • Famous huevos rancheros
    • Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options
    • Local charm

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun. and Mon. Closed Tues.
  • 5. Amicas Pizza and Microbrewery

    $

    Pizza wars endure in Salida, where the battle for the best pie becomes more difficult with each addition to town. But the wood-fired pizzas and craft brews at this downtown grub hub come highly recommended by locals. Families stop in for a giant pie that can easily feed a family of four, while white-water rafters, hikers, and bikers unwind at the next table with one of the brewery’s well-known chili beers. Artful pizzas in a variety of veggie-heavy, meat-lover, gluten-free, and build-your-own options all grace the menu. Peer into the working brewery with glass walls that is centrally located and visible from most tables in this lively space. Pies are also available to go.

    127 F St., Salida, Colorado, 81201, USA
    719-539--5219

    Known For

    • The Michelangelo, a goat cheese pizza with sausage, pesto, green chilies, and caramelized onion
    • On-site microbrewery
    • Downtown location
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Bella Panini

    $

    This popular restaurant has a heavy Italian focus, but the chefs here aren't afraid to mix things up, whipping out such creative concoctions as crawfish and blue cheese pizza. The owner also hosts food and wine pairings.

    4 Rte. 105, Palmer Lake, Colorado, 80133, USA
    719-481–3244

    Known For

    • Creative pizzas
    • Local atmosphere
    • Good service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 7. Boss Hogg's

    $

    For a quick bite, try this Western-themed watering hole and barbecue-steak joint with a quirky personality. Boss Hogg's is a local institution.

    808 E. 3rd St., La Junta, Colorado, 81050, USA
    719-384–7879

    Known For

    • Hand-cut steaks
    • Heaping portions
    • Friendly staff
  • 8. Brues Alehouse

    $$

    A large patio overlooking the Riverwalk beckons visitors to this brewery with unexpected, elevated pub food. Burgers, especially the slopper, are popular favorites, but the charcuterie board, green chile made with Pueblo's famous peppers, and carne asada tacos with tomato chimichurri exceed expectations. Shareable flights include 10-ounce pours of beer brewed in tanks visible in the main dining room, which doubles as an occasional concert venue. Keep an eye out for remnants of the building's former life as a police station and jail. The gun range is now the women's restroom, and the drunk tank was turned into the restaurant's dishwashing station. 

    120 Riverwalk Pl., Colorado, 81003, USA
    719-924–9670

    Known For

    • Historic Riverwalk location
    • Locally brewed beers
    • Elevated pub fare
  • 9. Cañon City Brews and Bikes

    $

    Centrally located on Main Street, Cañon City Brews and Bikes offers an extensive craft beer menu and pub food that attracts hikers, bikers, and locals alike. The massive outdoor space, with tables and a beer garden, offers a perfect place to wind down from outdoor activities.

    224 Main St., Colorado, 81212, USA
    719-275–2472

    Known For

    • Extensive craft beer menu
    • Outdoor beer garden
    • Casual atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
  • 10. Eddyline Restaurant and Brewery

    $$

    This casual brewpub is located by South Main River Park, so after tackling the nearby miles of hiking and biking trails, dine on burgers, sandwiches, pasta, or steak, and wash it down with ales brewed on-site. Or visit its taproom location just off Route 24 where the brewing facility is housed for a wood-fired pizza, nachos, and other pub food.

    926 S. Main St., Buena Vista, Colorado, 81211, USA
    719-966–6000

    Known For

    • Locally brewed craft beer
    • Casual atmosphere
    • Convenient location near the river

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 11. Four by Brother Luck

    $$$$

    With a focus on the historical cuisine of the Four Corners region where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado touch borders, chef Brother Luck's restaurant serves up creative tasting-style menus sure to impress his Top Chef fan base. Along with the Four Corners significance, the number four represents Luck's four key sources of ingredients—hunters, gatherers, farmers, and fishermen; the four seasonal menus; and the fact that Luck is the fourth generation in his family to have the name Brother Luck. The four-course suggestions are perfectly paired modern American dishes often featuring beef, wild game, or seafood, served up in a clean, modern dining room with a casual atmosphere for passing plates and allowing seasonal dishes to shine in flavor and presentation.

    321 N. Tejon St., Colorado, 80903, USA
    719-434--2741

    Known For

    • Lively atmosphere perfect for modern foodies
    • Four-course, themed pairings
    • Chef's table

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
  • 12. Front Range Barbeque

    $$

    Tunes, brews, and barbecue attract visitors and locals to the outdoor patio at this causal smokehouse in Old Colorado City. Guests can be overheard arguing about which homemade sauce is best and singing along to the music of live acts from across the country that can be heard throughout the block. Smells of piled-high pork sandwiches, family recipes, and slow-smoked specialties also waft through the nearby streets.

    2330 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado, 80904, USA
    719-632--2596

    Known For

    • Dry ribs
    • Century-old pecan pie recipe
    • Lively atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 13. House Rock Kitchen

    $$

    Outdoor adventurers both local and visiting gather to kick back and refuel on the fresh and healthy dishes at this lively spot on downtown's Main Street. Seasonal ingredients fill the bowls, salads, and sandwiches and are best enjoyed on the patio with a cold beer.

    421 E. Main St., Colorado, 81211, USA
    719-966–2326

    Known For

    • Downtown location
    • Healthy dishes
    • Outdoor patio

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed. and Thurs.
  • 14. Milagros Coffeehouse

    $

    The coffee is full-bodied at this coffeehouse and café where all profits go to local charities. Amish baked goods reign on the menu with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

    529 Main St., Alamosa, Colorado, 81101, USA
    719-589–9299

    Known For

    • Vegetarian options
    • Charitable donations
    • Excellent coffee
  • 15. Mutiny Coffee

    $

    Comic books, murals, film posters, and board games embellish the simple pleasure of smooth coffee at this eclectic coffeehouse downtown. The coffee is roasted in-house and a pop-up bakery is usually stationed at the front but runs out of goodies fast. Not to worry; a cereal bar offers a snack to pair with your brew. Game nights are hosted in corners of the shop where black lights create a fun mood.  

    135 E. Main St., Trinidad, Colorado, 81082, USA

    Known For

    • Game nights
    • Cereal bar
    • House-roasted coffee
  • 16. Nana and Nano's Pasta House

    $

    The aroma of garlic and tomato sauce saturates this tiny, unpretentious eatery. Pastas, including standards like ravioli with homemade sauce and penne rigate with luscious meatballs, are consistently excellent. If you don't have time for a sit-down lunch, stop at the deli counter for sandwiches or take-outs of imported cheeses and olives.

    418 E. Main St., Trinidad, Colorado, 81082, USA
    719-846–2696

    Known For

    • Authentic Italian pasta dishes
    • Deli with sandwiches and imported cheeses
    • Informal and welcoming atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
  • 17. Nosh 121

    $$ | Eclectic

    Small plates are the focus at this popular restaurant. People often share the more than 25 "noshers," ranging from the char sui Ramen bowl to rainbow trout. The koi murals represent the restaurant's flow of energy and good service. Happy hour specials are offered on weekdays.

    121 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903, USA
    719-635–6674

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sat.
  • 18. Odyssey Gastropub

    $$

    Upside-down lamps hang from the ceiling and local art for purchase decks the brick walls of this downtown gastropub, where you can find a menu filled with southern comfort dishes with a dash of Asian flare. Sweet chili tartar sauce and a bed of Asian slaw level up the crispy fish-and-chips. Pulled pork covers the banh mi nachos—the star of the appetizers. And the sriracha buttermilk fried chicken adds some kick to the popular sandwich. Bartenders at a bar spanning nearly the entire length of the room mix up craft cocktails and pour a variety of craft beer. 

    311 N. Tejon St., Colorado, 80903, USA
    719-999–5127

    Known For

    • Local hot spot
    • Downtown location
    • Banh mi nachos
  • 19. Osaké Steak and Sushi Bar

    $$

    Steaks served with three Japanese sauces sizzle on cast-iron platters in this centrally located sushi and steak house. Traditional tempura appetizers and sushi rolls join noodle bowls, fried rice, and curry on the varied menu. The dining options are just as eclectic, with a few casual tables and a sushi bar up front, a large table with pillow seating in the next room, and a formal dining room open for dinner only in the back. For lunch, try a filling bento box with soup, salad, appetizer, sushi, and entrée. 

    137 E. 1st St., Salida, Colorado, 81201, USA
    719-207–4645

    Known For

    • Japanese-style steak
    • Historic building downtown
    • Lunch bento box
  • 20. Paravicini's Italian Bistro

    $$

    Named for the proprietor's grandmother, Paravicini lives up to its Italian name, which translates to "for the neighborhood." Locals of all ages gather in the colorful and well-lit space that provides a balance of fun and romance to sip glasses of wine and share the family-style salad, fresh bread, and heaping piles of noodles. Pasta reigns on this traditional Italian menu highlighting classic and surf-and-turf options.

    2802 W. Colorado Ave., Colorado, 80904, USA
    719-471–8200

    Known For

    • Great spaghetti and meatballs
    • Authentic Italian
    • Perfect date-night setting

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