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Unless you're planning some serious hiking, the town-to-mountain gondola is the only way to reach this high-end, sky-high eatery with a stone-walled dining room and panoramic windows. Locally inspired fare such as elk, bison, and lamb feature prominently on the menu. Even if your wallet isn't ready for a full-dinner splurge, you owe it to your eyes to soak in the views over a drink and truffle fries in the bar.
Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Après-ski drinks and apps
- Excellent meats and fish
- Incredible views that make the high prices worth it
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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It may be housed in one of Telluride's oldest buildings, but La Marmotte provides one of the city's most modern dining experiences, with menu offerings that expertly intertwine French and local influences. The candlelight-and-white-tablecloth atmosphere and simple, contemporary decor is, like the cuisine, sophisticated without being snooty.
150 W. San Juan Ave., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Divine outdoor-patio seating
- Inspired wine list
- Romantic ambience
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
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Durango is a meat-and-potatoes kind of town, and the rustic Ore House is a splurge-worthy place to indulge (just ask the locals). The steaks are fantastic, and there are plenty of expertly prepared seafood and vegetarian selections as well.
147 E. College Dr., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Chateaubriand
- Cornbread with bacon butter
- Deep whiskey and wine lists
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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"Soup's on" (get it?) occupies two intimate rooms in a historic cabin tucked away in an alley and dishes up five courses of nouveau American cuisine with a strong French accent. Organic herbs grown on the premises accent local produce, and everything, including soups, stocks, and sauces, is made from scratch.
127A Elk Ave., Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224, USA
Known For
- Award-winning wine cellar
- Colorado lamb
- Artistic presentation
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov. and mid-Apr.–mid-May. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Seven locally owned food trucks, serving global cuisine that includes everything from breakfast burritos to pizza to sushi, surround an outdoor courtyard with picnic-table seating. Ernie's Bar anchors the eating collective and offers craft beers, tap cocktails, and a wide tequila and mezcal selection. Don't miss the Chicago-style popcorn and Thai-rolled ice cream.
1101 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Moderately priced eats
- Thai-rolled ice cream
- Fresh, contemporary vibes
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian, this classy bistro entices you to linger with its colorful artwork, two lovely garden patios, and scrumptious meals. The dinner menu changes frequently but always includes dishes made with locally sourced fish (like Rocky Mountain trout or Colorado striped bass) and meat (elk, lamb, or bison). The restaurant also offers fun cooking classes every week.
221 S. Oak St., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Sunday brunch in summer
- Full vegetarian menu
- Seasonal live music
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Apr.–May and mid-Oct.–mid-Dec. No lunch
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Locals go wild for the creative American cuisine with an Asian flair here, served in the building's intimate dining space. Top options include the black-sesame seared rare tuna with baby bok choy or the garlic rib eye with sweet potato gnocchi.
636 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Large, pretty patio out back
- Worth-it desserts
- Pistachio-crusted grouper with vanilla-rum butter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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It's 20 minutes east of Cortez, but this from-scratch bakery and café is absolutely worth the drive. Breakfast offerings are traditional and scrumptious; lunch options include flavorful soups, salads, pastas, and sandwiches; and the home-baked breads, pastries, and desserts are heavenly.
110 S. Main St., Mancos, Colorado, 81328, USA
Known For
- Local, organic ingredients
- House-specialty gluten-free macaroons
- Great value
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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This Telluride institution turns out heavenly bagels, sandwiches made with baked-in-house bread, pizzas, hearty soups, and house-made pastas (try the Alfredo), as well as huge salads. Order your meal to go or grab a seat at one of the communal-style tables, where you can enjoy displays from a local art school.
127 S. Fir St., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Front porch with views
- Delicious breakfasts
- Reasonable prices
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The atmosphere and food at this modern, airy bistro are about as sophisticated as you'll find in Gunnison. It serves an innovative selection of small and large plates, but the real gem is the happy hour (3 to 6 every day and from 9 to close Friday and Saturday), which offers hearty portions at very reasonable prices.
122 W. Tomichi Ave., Gunnison, Colorado, 81230, USA
Known For
- Delectable ramen bowls
- Innovative small plates
- Truffle fries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
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This local hangout serves a mean pizza in a pub-style atmosphere, and is one of the few places in town that will feed your family for less than the cost of a lift ticket. Brown Dog specializes in Detroit-style square pizza (an international award winner), but it also offers gluten-free, classic American, and Roman-style pies. Load your pie up with unique toppings such as prosciutto di Parma, broccoli, or various chili peppers, or try one of the expertly crafted specialty pizzas
110 E. Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Detroit-style pizza
- Always-hopping atmosphere
- Gluten-free menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Tues. and Wed.
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This simply decorated restaurant serves some of Montrose's most creative cuisine, such as its famous green chile chicken and potato soup or shrimp, avocado, and prosciutto pasta (gluten-free options available too). At lunch, salads with house-made dressings, hearty sandwiches, and blue-corn enchiladas fuel hungry hikers. The green and red chile is mild, so ask them to spice it up if you prefer it with a kick.
1515 Ogden Rd., Montrose, Colorado, 81401, USA
Known For
- New Mexican dishes
- House-made salsa and desserts
- Shaded patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
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The "Brews Brothers," Bill and Jim Carver, have about 12 beers on tap at any given time at this Durango favorite. If you're hungry, try one of the signature handmade bread bowls filled with green chile, soup, or chicken stew.
1022 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Hearty, creative breakfasts
- Lovely shaded patio out back
- Elevated pub cuisine
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$$ | | Cajun
From street level, wind down a spiral staircase to the little slice of Bourbon Street that is Cavallo's, a New Orleans–style eatery that provides a nice departure from Ouray's typical steak and burger establishments. Cavallo's delivers perhaps the town's best breakfast (served until closing time), with creative Cajun omelettes and Benedicts, as well as "daily inspirations" such as strawberry-basil–cream cheese French toast. The lunch menu offers soups, salads, and sandwiches, while the heavenly dinners (served Friday through Sunday) range from seafood étouffée to black-pepper and sage–crusted duck breast. Peruse Cavallo's signature cocktails list to find a nice complement for your entrée.
630 Main St., Ouray, Colorado, 81427, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon.–Thurs.
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The former chef for Michael Andretti's racing team runs this trendy bistro, in which every dish is cooked in one of two stone-fired ovens. The house specialty is artisanal pizza (try the four-mushroom variety and add the house fennel sausage), although pizza is only a small part of the menu. Most dishes have a Southwestern touch. Housed in a century-old building, Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen blends historic elements like restored tin ceilings and the original hardwood floor with classy, contemporary decor.
862 Main Ave., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Delectable cornbread and focaccia bread
- Specialty cocktails
- Classy decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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The dough is house-made (with Italian-imported flour) and the beer is home-brewed at this trendy downtown pizzeria with high ceilings, brick walls, and contemporary decor. Sit at the pizza bar in the back and enjoy an English-style ale while you watch the chefs craft your tasty pie. You can also visit the original Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery in downtown Ridgway or the Colorado Boy Southwest Pub in Ouray.
320 E. Main St., Montrose, Colorado, 81401, USA
Known For
- Home-brewed ales
- Growlers and cans to go
- House-made sausage
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
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The trendy Cosmopolitan lures guests with starters like sushi rolls and lobster corn dogs and keeps them here for some of Telluride's finest dining. Both surf and turf are expertly prepared and presented, and the wine selection is widely acclaimed. Fresh sustainable seafood is flown in regularly, which is obvious in dishes such as the seafood-loaded fish stew and the barbecued salmon. "Turf" options include ultratender Colorado braised lamb, Wagyu beef, and Colorado Angus center-cut filet. Locals rave about the bread, and an exhaustive wine list means there's a proper pairing no matter which dish you choose. Finish with the New Orleans–style beignets with a cappuccino for dessert, cheekily listed as "coffee and donuts" on the menu.
301 Gus's Way, Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
Known For
- Fresh fish dishes
- Excellent wines by the glass
- Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Stop in here for what's fittingly billed as "thought-provoking beer." Choose from a wide selection of craft ales and stouts to wash down a slice of tasty wood-fired pizza.
100 S. 4th St., Dolores, Colorado, 81323, USA
Known For
- House-brewed craft ales
- Live, local bands–especially in summer
- Pleasant back patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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Asian food gets a bit of a Latin treatment in this inviting space. The menu has a strong Japanese bent, with sushi and sashimi, tempura, beef, and other traditional dishes elegantly presented and layered with complementary, often Southwest-inspired flavors.
160 E. College Dr., Durango, Colorado, 81301, USA
Known For
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Bento boxes and poke bowls for lunch
- Sake, beer, wine, and tea lists
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.
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The menu at this unpretentious Italian spot is surprisingly rich and complex, featuring traditional favorites, as well as surprises like the scrumptious garlic-roasted prime rib. The atmosphere is especially delightful in summer, when you can dine on the outdoor patio overlooking the Gunnison River and enjoy an after-dinner libation at the River Bar. Don't miss the popular Float & Dine package ($95 per person), which includes a mellow but scenic predinner raft trip from Three Rivers.
2674 Rte. 135, Gunnison, Colorado, 81230, USA
Known For
- Live music on Friday nights in summer
- Float & Dine predinner raft trip
- Riverside patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
