Colorado shined bright on the national culinary stage in late 2023, when the prestigious MICHELIN Guide unveiled its inaugural selection for the state and honored chefs and restaurant teams at 44 restaurants. This momentous occasion celebrated the diversity, quality, and exceptional talent that define the Colorado culinary landscape. However, Colorado has long been a culinary stronghold thanks to its rich Western heritage, multicultural influences, commitment to locally sourced and sustainable food products, distinct weather and mountainous terrain that inspire unique takes on new and classic dishes.
Below is a sampling of distinct and delicious Colorado culinary experiences from across the state. For more mouthwatering inspiration, visit www.COLORADO.com.
Iconic and Only in Colorado Culinary Experiences: Colorado is home to several iconic restaurants that have stood the test of time and can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
- Casa Bonita in Denver was immortalized in the Colorado-based cartoon “South Park” for its pink exterior, immersive tropical decor, indoor waterfalls and cliff divers. The restaurant reopened in 2023 after a multi-year renovation under new ownership from South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker and with a new elevated menu from James Beard Nominee Dana Rodriguez who is showcasing traditional Mexican dishes reminiscent of her upbringing in Chihuahua, Mexico.
- The Buckhorn Exchange is Denver’s oldest restaurant, with “Colorado’s #1 liquor license,” serving buffalo, elk and other game specialties. Part of the dining experience is the decor with over 500 hunting trophies, Native American artifacts, Western memorabilia and a beautiful 150-year-old European bar.
- Woody Creek Tavern near Aspen has served as a popular spot for locals and visitors alike for over 40 years and was a favorite of lauded journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. The Tavern’s eclectic décor includes walls papered over with many years’ worth of Colorado memorabilia, Polaroids, posters and more.
- The Fort in Morrison specializes in game meat and is influenced by American Indian and Mountain Man cuisine, bringing back popular recipes from the 19th century and adding a modern twist. The Fort building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a full-scale adobe replica of Bent’s Fort, an important fur-trading fort originally in Southeastern Colorado.
- The Dining Room in the historic Windsor Hotel in Del Norte offers up food worthy of any metropolis with a seasonally rotating menu peppered with local ingredients, from beef and bison raised on nearby ranches to local honey, making for elegant fare with Old West flair.
- Pikes Peak Summit House visitor center on the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs uses a special recipe to fry donuts at 14,115-feet, where the air is thinner, and water has a lower boiling point. To get the delicious fried treats and experience breathtaking views, visitors can hike, bike, or drive up one of the tallest mountains in the state.
- The Cruise Room is Denver’s longest-running bar born the day after the Prohibition repeal in 1933, and has remained open since its founding. Drawing inspiration from the RMS Queen Mary, the space’s décor showcases a wide array of unique vintage design features including a distinctly retro Art Deco design and wine bottle-shaped layout.