Southwest Colorado Restaurants

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.

Sort by: 9 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Allred's

    $$$$

    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
    970-728–7474

    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
  • 2. La Marmotte

    $$$$

    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
    970-728–6232

    Known For

    • Divine outdoor-patio seating
    • Inspired wine list
    • Romantic ambience

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 3. Ore House

    $$$$

    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
    970-247–5707

    Known For

    • Chateaubriand
    • Cornbread with bacon butter
    • Deep whiskey and wine lists

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
  • 4. Soupçon

    $$$$

    "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
    970-349–5448

    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
  • 5. 221 South Oak

    $$$$

    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
    970-728–9507

    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
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Cosmopolitan

    $$$$

    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
    970-728–1292

    Known For

    • Fresh fish dishes
    • Excellent wines by the glass
    • Lively atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 7. New Sheridan Chop House

    $$$$

    This upscale steak house is arguably Telluride's best. Here you can choose your meat (sirloin, filet mignon, and succulent bison rib eye are among the choices), then your topping (think caramelized onions, blue cheese, or glazed wild mushrooms), and then your sauce (anything from béarnaise to chimichurri).

    231 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
    970-728–9100

    Known For

    • High-quality beef and game
    • Hearty daily brunch options
    • Popular wine bar

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed mid-Apr.–mid-May and mid-Oct.–late Nov.
  • 8. Siam

    $$$$ | Thai

    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.

    200 S. Davis, Telluride, Colorado, 81435, USA
    970-728–6886

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 9. Sunflower

    $$$$

    This small, simple-looking restaurant on Crested Butte's main street serves up perhaps the valley's best gourmet farm-to-table fare. New menus are printed regularly—creatively crafted to accommodate the fresh, organic meats and produce available that day from local farm suppliers—but they always feature a few delicious entrées, along with a generous selection of smaller plates. Because the restaurant's space is so limited, guests must choose between an earlier (around 6 pm) and a later (around 8 pm) seating time, but the close quarters makes for a convivial atmosphere.

    214 Elk Ave., Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224, USA
    970-417–7767

    Known For

    • Extremely fresh ingredients
    • A well-curated wine list
    • Delicious homemade desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video