2 Best Restaurants in Southwest Colorado, Colorado

With dining options ranging from creative international cuisine in the resort towns of Telluride, Crested Butte, and Durango to no-frills American fare in down-home communities like Montrose and Creede, no one has any excuse to visit a chain restaurant here. The leading chefs are tapping into the region’s local bounty, so you can find innovative recipes for ranch-raised game, lamb, and trout. Many serve only locally raised, grass-fed meats. Olathe sweet corn is a delicacy enjoyed across the state (and found in grocery stores and roadside stands as well as restaurants). Seasonal produce is highlighted on the best menus.

Cavallo's Restaurant

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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.

Siam

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The atmosphere is low-key, but the food is exquisite at Siam, a simultaneously authentic and creative Thai restaurant one block off main street. Seafood selections abound on the enormous menu, which also includes plenty of chicken, beef, and pork, all prepared by native Thai chefs. The innovative hand rolls are delicious (don't miss the local favorite: zesty asparagus with the addictive house "Thailandaise" sauce). A large portion of the menu items are gluten-free, and you can designate your preferred level of spiciness in most dishes. Siam also has a sister restaurant on the mountain: Siam's Talay Grille.