Want to know the best foodie destinations in Colorado? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s everything you need to know to make your Colorado getaway a fantastic foodie trip!

The Centennial State boasts some of the best restaurants and chefs in the United States, with numerous James Beard Award winners (6 finalists in 2022 alone). It also has its fair share of Food Network stars and Top Chef finalists (e.g., Carrie Baird, Brother Luck, and Hosea Rosenberg).

As for specialty dishes, there’s Colorado-style pizza, invented in Idaho Springs and almost as thick as Chicago deep-dish pizza; Colorado-style Green Chili, similar to Santa Fe’s Green Chile Stew; Fried Rocky Mountain Oysters, the most exotic Colorado tradition, sliced and battered bison testicles; and Colorado’s most famous food, the Denver Omelet, ham, peppers, onions, and sometimes cheese.

I admit, none of those dishes sound destination-worthy. Luckily, we know where to find the best places to savor the flavors of authentic local foods. In other words, we concentrate on eateries that spotlight local ingredients rather than the specialty dishes above.

Some of Colorado’s most beloved food products include Pueblo chiles, Palisade peaches, trout, lamb, beef, bison, and Olathe sweet corn from the San Juan Mountains.

Read about the Famous Foods of Colorado

*

Read about the Famous Foods of Colorado *

Colorado menus demonstrate the diversity of food influences in the state. You’ll find elements from neighboring states, Native Americans, and immigrant communities.

Some restaurants rework traditional comfort foods into gastronomic marvels, some transform everyday ingredients into masterful culinary creations, and others rely on the simplicity and exquisite taste of top-of-the-line fresh ingredients.

Colorado Lamb Chops at Stoke & Rye in Avon

Boulder

For the last 10 years, Boulder has consistently ranked as one of America’s best foodie cities by esteemed outlets like “Forbes” and “Bon Appétit.” This small city of 108,000 competes with big hitters like San Francisco and U.S.’s largest metropolis, NYC.

For a town so immersed in exercise and fitness, Boulder sure does know how to eat.

Pearl Street alone offers numerous award-winning dining options. The only downside is that with a restaurant scene this hot, you need to make reservations for prime-time seating a couple of weeks ahead—at least!

From bargain happy hours (try Boulder Social) to swanky teahouses (try Dushanbe) to housemade charcuterie (try Blackbelly) to amazing mountain views (try Flagstaff House) and everything in between (see below), Boulder has a wonderful restaurant to fit your budget and mood.

Pearl Street is the heart of Boulder, offering shops of every sort and foodie destinations galore. — Bird’s-eye view of Boulder’s Pearl Street and the Flatirons from the rooftop of Avanti F&B

Foodie Highlights in Boulder

Oak at Fourteenth: This esteemed restaurant specializes in open wood-fire cooking. If you’ve read our Oregon Getaways article, you’ll know this is right up our alley! A great spot to celebrate a special occasion, Oak fills up fast. If you can’t get a reservation, walk in and hope for a seat at the bar.

Lucile’s Creole Cafe: It may seem weird for me to recommend a Creole restaurant in Colorado, but it serves the best biscuits and beignets I’ve ever had! You may even want to take beignets off your NOLA bucket list and add them to Boulder’s. Order the Eggs Pontchartrain made with mountain trout if you want to feel like you’re eating a local dish.

Eggs Ponchartrain served over local mountain trout and accompanied by buttery grits, a tasty breakfast choice at Lucile’s Creole Cafe — Eggs Ponchartrain over local mountain trout with buttery grits, a tasty breakfast at Lucile’s Creole Cafe

Frasca Food and Wine: This is the most decorated restaurant in Boulder. With three James Beard Awards under their belt, let’s just say you can’t go wrong with this fine dining spot. The menu, based on the northeast region of Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, has a high-end sophistication unlike any other Italian restaurant in Boulder.

Chautauqua Dining Hall: You can’t get much closer to the Flatirons than this historic restaurant that first opened its doors in 1898. It’s a gorgeous setting, so get a seat on the porch if you can. Go for a hike before or after your Pork Green Chili, Bison Pastrami Reuben, or Elk Burger.

The Flatirons, Boulder’s famed rock formations, as seen from a trail in Chatauqua Park, which is also home to the historic Chatauqua Dining Hall — The Flatirons, Boulder’s famed rock formations, as seen from Chatauqua Park, home to the historic Chatauqua Dining Hall

Rosetta Hall: Food halls are big in Colorado, so we had to check them out. Avanti F&B seems to be more popular than Rosetta, probably because of its rooftop views. One of my BFF’s who lives in Boulder pointed us to Rosetta, and we thought the selection and the food itself was much better.

Spruce Farm & Fish: This place knows how to showcase local ingredients in a seasonal menu. You’ll find delicious dishes like Rocky Mountain Trout with brown butter, Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, and Bison Steak Diane. Start with the Prince Edward Island Black Mussels in chardonnay, vermouth, butter leeks, and garlic. With Spruce’s great service and large portions, you’re sure to leave full and happy.

Rocky Mountain Trout at Spruce Farm & Fish Restaurant in the Boulderado Hotel

Boulder Farmers Market: Saturdays (8 am–2 pm) and Wednesdays (4 pm–8 pm), from April through November, are especially great times to visit Boulder! That’s when local farmers present their bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. In addition, cheesemakers, bakers, honey producers, and all kinds of other food and beverage artisans show off their locally made products. This makes the farmers market a great place to purchase foodie gifts and souvenirs.

Peppercorn: If you’re looking for a good reason to stroll down Pearl Street, look no further than this foodie haven. Everything from salt and spices, to oils and vinegars, to chips and salsas, and the greatest cookbook section I’ve ever seen, all under one roof.

Read about the Best Restaurants in Boulder

〰️

Read about the Best Restaurants in Boulder 〰️

Where To Stay in Boulder

The best place to stay in Boulder, CO, has to be the Hotel Boulderado! The location of this historical gem can’t be beat. Smack in the middle of downtown, a stone’s throw from Pearl Street, it provides easy access to most of the foodie highlights on our list above.

On the flip-side, foodies can literally spend all day eating and drinking well without ever leaving the hotel.

Spruce Farm & Fish is housed in the Boulderado, as is the more casual restaurant The Corner Bar and the underground speakeasy License No. 1. In the morning, Spruce offers Boxcar coffee and pastries. All are terrific options!

The majestic Hotel Boulderado, still wowing guests more than 100 years after its founding.

Even if you don’t spend all day at the hotel, you will want to take time to recognize its place in history and notice some of its distinguishing features.

This Boulder landmark opened its doors on New Years Day 1909. Amazingly, the original floors, columns, and staircase in the lobby have all survived. If you take a gander at the old photographs throughout the hotel, you’ll no doubt recognize these elements still in use today.

The rooms exude the same elegant charm as the hotel itself, with all the modern conveniences tastefully integrated into the decor. Our suite was quite spacious with a separate living area and a lovely view of the city. Check Hotel Boulderado prices and availability here.

Our charming suite at the historic Hotel Boulderado

Breckenridge

Year-round, most people flock to this charming Rocky Mountain town for outdoor activities. The 9,600’ elevation makes it ideal for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing spring through fall.

Also in the fall, usually late September through October, the landscape transforms into a gorgeous swath of autumnal colors. Not being much of a skier or snowboarder, I think it’s the best time to visit.

At first glance, it may seem Breckenridge, or “Breck” as the cool kids call it, is just another mountain town full of ice cream, craft beers, and wood-fired pizzas. Dig a little deeper and you’ll discover a whole lot more!

Charming downtown Breckenridge, with its famed mountains sporting early fall foliage before the eagerly awaited winter snow arrives.

Foodie Highlights in Breckenridge

Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant: My number one culinary experience in Breckenridge was at this award-winning distiller of bourbon, vodka, and gin! I loved everything about this place: the look, the feel, the service, and, of course, the food and drinks.

Let’s talk about the cocktails. Simply put, they have the best old fashioned ever. Surprisingly, even better than that, The Herbalist was the BOMB! My husband Mike and I both still talk about it. So much, in fact, that I made it my mission to convince the team at Breckenridge Distillery to give me the recipe for this most yummy bourbon cocktail. So, like us, you can now make it too!

Moving on to the food. With the restaurant’s mission described as crafting “modern American food with altitude,” it’s no wonder that the menu offers creative dishes with big, bold flavors. Two standout examples are Chili Buttermilk Chicken and Hazelnut Finished Braised Pork Belly. But whatever you order, leave room for the Bananas Foster Bread Pudding; your taste buds will thank me—profusely!

Fun fact: Breckenridge Distillery is the world's highest distillery! If you can’t get to the restaurant (you really should), there is a tasting room on Main Street.

Luckily, you don’t have to pick favorites between Breckenridge Distillery’s delicious food and exceptional drinks. Just enjoy it all!

Rootstalk: Who doesn’t want upscale comfort food in the mountains, especially in the colder months? And that’s what Rootstalk provides, with a mouthwatering menu offering lots to choose from.

In fact, Chef Matt Vawter is so skilled at wowing diners, he won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef in the US Mountain Region (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming). Make a reservation at Rootstalk for when you’re in town, and see and taste for yourself what all the fuss is about.

Twist: The bones of the historic building that houses this restaurant date back to 1881. Think Colorado classics like buffalo steaks and lamb shanks being served up in what used to be an old Victorian home. Many tables inside and outdoors have mountain views.

The entrance to Twist, a modern restaurant housed in a historic Breckenridge building

Aurum Food and Wine: A small yet distinctive menu of seasonal cuisine awaits you here. If not for the oversized Aurum sign in front, you could mistake it for a little house on Ridge Street. The inside feels like a cozy cabin, and the outside front patio feels like a friend’s place. Prices are a little steep, so if you don’t mind eating early, opt for happy hour from 4 to 6 pm.

Specialty Food Shops on Main Street: An array of awesome food shops dot Main Street. Peruse the aisles of Rocky Mountain Cannery for fruit butters, mustards, jams, and salsas. I don’t have to tell you what’s in Björn’s Colorado Honey. But it might surprise you that Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate also serves Ridge Street Wine.

The inviting displays at Bjorn’s Colorado Honey in Breckenridge

Where To Stay in Breckenridge

If you’re in Breckenridge for the food, stay in the downtown historic district. From the Residence Inn by Marriott, you can walk to most of the best restaurants and foodie shops in Breckenridge.

When I first opened the car door in the hotel parking lot, I heard live music coming from the nearby Breckenridge Brewery, and I knew a good time would be had.

We had booked an affordable suite with a large fridge and kitchenette, a sitting area with a comfy couch, and a separate bedroom with a dreamy bed. Don’t know what it is, but I always sleep well in a Marriott bed.

An added bonus: A hot buffet breakfast is included in the price of your room. Complete with scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, cereals, coffee, juice, and more, you’ll have everything you need to energize your morning. Best of all, saving money on breakfast helps justify any foodie splurges later in the day!

Check Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge pricing and availability here.

The kitchen and living room of our Residence Inn suite in Breckenridge

Denver

Climbing the charts under the radar of many, Denver has become an undisputed U.S. foodie hotspot in the last decade. Is it because Denver has grown by 30% since 2000, and all the new arrivals needed new restaurants to keep them fed? Is it because the mushrooming craft beer scene resulted in more and more breweries offering interesting hot food to pair with creative cold brews? Is it because Colorado’s early adoption of recreational weed made catering to the munchies a Denver art form?

Probably all three; likely even more. But whatever the reasons, Denver has devised a recipe for success, and its food and drink scene has made it to the big leagues. The city’s food culture is exciting, robust, and flowering differently in every neighborhood. If you haven’t yet tasted culinary Denver, it's time to take a bite now.

Deviation Distilling’s outdoor patio on Maker’s Alley, within the Dairy Block in Denver

Foodie Highlights in Denver

Taste of Dairy Block: Located in what was once the Windsor Dairy in LoDo (Lower Downtown), The Dairy Block is a happening Eat, Drink, Shop, & Stay micro-district packed with dozens of eateries, drinkeries, shops, and the Maven Hotel. We tried the “Taste” package, a great way to explore some of the offerings, and one of the best things to do in Denver.

Our flight of tasty Blanchard Family Wines accompanied by a delicious charcuterie and cheese board was a great kick-off. Blanchard pours their own Sonoma, California-produced wines, the best of other makers’ Colorado wines, and will soon add Blanchard’s own Colorado-produced vintages.

Dinner at Foraged was a blast! We enjoyed amazing sushi and Asian hot plates paired with great sake and wine in an upbeat, lively venue. Every bite and sip was a winner!

But more sips awaited at Deviation Distilling. We savored a diverse flight of Deviation gins that each shone in its own light—and they all come in sublimely beautiful bottles. Our night cap was a shared Spanish-style G&T. Wow! What a night!

The Kitchen American Bistro: A charmingly rustic stone, brick, and wood dining room with wrap-around windows accented by perfect lighting casts an incredibly inviting glow. The manager sends over complimentary glasses of the house’s best bubbly when you let slip to your server that you’re celebrating your anniversary. The Savory Cruller appetizer melts in your mouth and reminds you of learning to make French gnocchi from scratch. Dozens of options on the share-centric menu mean you can’t possibly try everything you want to, but you end up loving everything you choose. I can’t guarantee this experience for everyone, but this was our night at The Kitchen.

Woodie Fisher Kitchen and Bar: I’d eat here just for the back story and architectural charm: This spot is located in the lovingly restored Hose House #1, one of Denver’s original fire stations and the oldest building in the hot Union Station neighborhood. The red-brick beauty has a cavernous interior with giant skylights that welcome the sun in the daytime and shelters a fun-loving crowd all day and night.

But I also got fired up over the food and drink. The beautiful bar with great drinks and the kitchen’s house-made burrata and grilled tomato jam provided a hearty hello. A lovely pan-roasted halibut and New York Strip with foraged mushrooms also hit all the right notes. A baseball’s throw from Coors Field, this place really sizzles during Rockies game days.

Whether in its exciting indoor space or just beyond the firehouse doors on the outside patio, Woodie Fisher serves up fine meals and good times.

Denver Beer Company: You haven’t done Denver if you haven’t done its beer. The Denver area has the most craft breweries per capita in the nation. Its Great American Beer Festival is the biggest in the country, and it’s been serving up a great time for more than 40 years!

All that makes finding great beer an easy assignment in Denver, and we completed our assignment at DBC’s Platte Street Taproom. It has tons of indoor and outdoor seating, a fun crowd, plenty of great-tasting beers on tap, and a rotation of food trucks offering plenty of bites to match up with pints. All in all, it was a great afternoon at the intersection of RiNo (River North Art District) and LoHi (Lower Highland).

Urban Farmer: This steakhouse does steak right. I know because I ate 5 different steaks over the course of 1 dinner—and they were all delicious!

The New York Steak Tasting provides one 5 oz. sample each of a grass-fed, a grain-finished, and a 21-day dry-aged steak to compare and contrast. For a couple supplements, Mike and I added the Colorado Wagyu and a bison steak to round things out.

It was fun to explore all the differences in taste and texture. Although we had different favorites, Mike and I agreed that any of the steaks would make for a delicious meal on its own. The sides were so tasty and portions so generous, thoughts of dessert went out the window. Great fun, great food, great service!

Five marvelous meats and two generous sides make for a supremely satisfying exploration of steaks at Denver’s Urban Farmer.

Where To Stay in Denver

Denver is a kaleidoscope of neighborhoods amidst an alphabet soup of abbreviations. And as Colorado’s biggest city and capital, it has a great array of hotels in different areas of town. We had the pleasure of enjoying different perspectives of the city by dividing our stay between three super, unique properties.

The Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station is one of the newest hotels in Denver. It not only puts you in the thick of the action among the diverse attractions of the thriving Union Station neighborhood, but it’s less than a 10-minute walk from Coors Field. In fact, if the Rockies had been in the midst of a homestand during our stay, we could have literally seen half a box score’s worth of infield plays from our room.

As it was, our spacious corner accommodations gave us not only a great view of the stadium but also a panorama of a large swath of the city below and the mountains beyond. And even with all of the choices for great eats and drinks just a short walk away, it was a treat having Woodie Fisher just steps from our lobby. Check The Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station pricing and availability here.

The view of Coors Field and the surrounding skyline from our room at The Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station

The Oxford Hotel is Denver’s most historic hotel. Not surprisingly, it’s located in the heart of Denver’s oldest neighborhood, LoDo. But while the Oxford is historic, it keeps pace with the times. And although LoDo is old, today it’s one of the most vibrant districts in all of Denver, with some 100 restaurants, bars, breweries, galleries, and shops—many in revitalized historic buildings dating back to Denver’s earliest days.

We loved the Oxford’s graceful architecture, vintage furnishings, and storied heritage, but we were also impressed by all the modern conveniences one would expect from a top-notch hotel. We also enjoyed the hospitality exemplified by the complimentary breakfast in the lobby and the delicious afternoon bourbon tastings. We found the Oxford to be a refined blend of the old and the new. Check The Oxford Hotel pricing and availability here.

The genteel lobby at the historic Oxford Hotel in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood

The Maven is the Dairy Block’s patron saint of craftsmanship and creativity. Part and parcel of this dynamic downtown micro-district, the boutique hotel’s lobby seamlessly blends with the myriad offerings assembled in its orbit.

Just beyond the Maven’s own Kachina Cantina Restaurant and Poka Lola Cocktail Lounge, the collection of tastemakers continues, with exciting options in food, drink, fashion, home goods, accessories, and other artisanal endeavors just steps away from the elevators that whisk you up to your room.

Our loft-like aerie was playful and creatively appointed, offering lovely vistas of the vibrant street scene outside. It was a pleasure to be not only at the center of the Dairy Block but so close to all that LoDo, LoHi, and RiNo had to share with us. Check The Maven pricing and availability here.

Our loft-like accommodations at The Maven, in the center of the Dairy Block

Golden

If you’re a beer-loving foodie, Golden is the small town for you. Founded in 1859 during the gold rush, Golden became home to Coors Beer 14 years later, and the brewery headquarters remain there today.

While Coors may not be my favorite beer, it does have an impressive history, and it paved the way for the many craft breweries currently residing in Golden.

And while I appreciate that, and the fact that the Coors Brewery tour is one of the most popular things to do in Golden, I thought their humungous brewery facility was such an eyesore at the foot of the scenic Table Mountain that I boycotted it while in town.

We spent our time eating and drinking at Golden’s smaller breweries. And to avoid drinking and driving, we walked to as many as we could, some even a couple of miles away—uphill, in the heat! What we won’t do to find the best food and beverages!

Read about the Top 10 Best Breweries in Golden

〰️

Read about the Top 10 Best Breweries in Golden 〰️

Shops and restaurants line Washington Avenue in the heart of downtown Golden.

Foodie Highlights in Golden

Cannon Ball Creek Brewing Company: Let’s start with the 2-mile uphill walk in the heat, because it was worth it. As I mentioned in our Mendocino article, I prefer Belgian-style beers to hoppy IPAs, and Canon Ball Creek’s Solid Gold Belgian Blonde hit the spot after that hot hike. The brewery’s daily list changes continually, but you’ll always see a variety of styles on tap. Food trucks change as well; a schedule can be found on Cannon Ball’s website.

New Terrain Brewing Company: We had to drive to this brewery, but it was also worth it. From the outside, the stone and wood facade appears a little fancy, but step through the doors, and casual takes over. Go with a flight for the opportunity to try five different beers—and because of the fun tower the beers come nestled in! Food trucks are on rotation here; a schedule can be found on New Terrain’s website.

Barrels & Bottles: Located in downtown Golden (so, no complaints about sweating or driving), this Golden brewery is one of the few that actually has a food menu. I really liked our French Dip Dough Nips. Pro Tip: Ask for extra horseradish on the side. The Camp George Märzen, which is described as bready and yeasty, pairs perfectly!

French Dip Dough Nips team up with a couple of beers during an enjoyable visit to Barrels & Bottles.

Table Mountain Grill & Cantina: Spoiler alert: We stayed at the Table Mountain Inn. So, after a day of sight seeing and beer drinking, the Cantina & Grill was the perfect place to unwind on the patio and enjoy a good meal.

The menu focuses on Southwestern specialties, with a mix of Mexican and American dishes sprinkled in. Inspired by the Mexican street food Elote (grilled corn), the Elote Empanadas made a tasty appetizer to enjoy before our cooked-perfectly ribeye. For breakfast, the burrito and jalapeño cheddar biscuits with chorizo gravy were excellent choices as well!

A hearty and delicious Yucatan Ribeye with Sweet Corn Fritter, Roasted Carrots, and Grilled Asparagus at Table Mountain Cantina & Grill

Cafe 13: We stumbled upon this cute café in the historic Armory Building, and we wanted to eat there before we even knew what they served. The outdoor space is very inviting, with white metal chairs and tables tucked into a courtyard of the stone building. Enticing pastries line the counter, but we both went with the Loaded Avocado Toast. Yum!

Cafe 13’s beautiful patio in a welcoming nook outside the Armory Building

Where To Stay in Golden

You’ll want to stay in the downtown historic district of Golden, and Table Mountain Inn has the best location there. It’s right on Washington Avenue, Golden’s main street, and directly across from the impressive Table Mountain. Many rooms in the adobe-style hotel have fabulous views of this natural Golden icon, including ours.

No other hotel in Golden can come close to matching these views. We could see Table Mountain from both of our balconies, and from every window in our suite, even the bathroom!

Iconic Table Mountain, as seen from the balcony of our suite at Table Mountain Inn, Golden, Colorado

Sound like a large room? Even for a suite, it was immense! We had everything we could possibly want, and more: fireplace, desk, wet bar, couch, dining table, refrigerator, and two balconies.

And in addition to our mountain view, we could see a good chunk of the town too.

Exit the front door of this boutique hotel, and you have historic downtown Golden at the ready. From the Table Mountain Inn, you can easily stroll to the local shops, the Golden History Museum, and, of course, many breweries.

And whether you’re just starting out, or done for the day, the Table Mountain Grill & Cantina will serve you well. They do happy hour too!

Check Table Mountain Inn prices and availability here.

A view of Washington Avenue and the mountains beyond, from our Table Mountain Inn balcony

Vail Valley

Everyone knows that Vail Valley is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, but it’s also a great place to indulge in some top-notch dining experiences. However, it all comes at a price. Nothing here is cheap.

The good news is that the people with the wherewithal to play and stay in the valley expect the best from their eateries: interesting flavors, locally sourced fresh ingredients, and attentive service. As a result, fine food choices abound!

Hiking along the Eagle River in Vail Valley

Foodie Highlights in Vail Valley

Vin48: Perhaps technically a wine bar—with a daily happy hour, more than 40 wines by the glass, over 30 beer choices, and too many liquors to count—this Avon hotspot dishes out great meals as well. Featuring ingredients fresh from the chef’s private gardens, complex flavors, and artistic presentations, the food does not take a back seat to its pairing partners.

The Little Diner: Beloved by locals and visitors alike, The Little Diner is the rare Vail casual, family-owned restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, with everything made from scratch. Sitting in the counter seats that ring the large open kitchen, watching the busy crew cranking out quality meals is an entertaining prelude to enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Swiss Chalet: For an authentic taste of the Alps in Vail, there is no place like Swiss Chalet. Schnitzels, sausages, fondues, and raclettes are among the many tasty options in this upscale restaurant. Owned and managed by a family that still runs a resort in the mountains of Germany, this is not a kitschy imitation but a heartfelt homage to old-world gemütlichkeit.

Mountain Standard: Helmed by 2020 Colorado Chef of the Year Mario Busato, this Vail eatery is anything but standard. With the menu revolving around the magic of a well-tended live fire, bold rich flavors take center stage, complemented by a rustic, relaxed setting and friendly, first-class service.

Stoke & Rye: This Avon gem is one of the best new restaurants in Vail Valley. World-renowned Chef Richard Sandoval’s newest creation boasts a go big, go bold approach. A capacious space with jaw-dropping views of the Rocky Mountains; over 100 whiskeys at the bar; a globe-spanning wine list; and dishes with flavor and flair to spare.

For Mike and me, the 52 oz. Tomahawk Steak was too ambitious, but it looked impressive when it was set artfully ablaze in a tableside presentation for a foursome just feet away. Luckily, our Sakura Pork Loin, Colorado Lamb Chops, and Pork Belly Mac & Cheese were more than decadently delicious enough for a great meal.

Sakura Pork Loin at one of our favorite foodie destinations in Colorado, Stoke & Rye

Where To Stay in Vail Valley

Nestled along the Eagle River in Avon, The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa is a truly impressive property. It offers a plethora of possibilities year-round. During snow season, the hotel’s gondola provides direct access to Beaver Creek Mountain for skiing and snowboarding. Nearby sleigh riding, skating, and snowmobiling can be arranged through the hotel’s concierge. Spring through fall offers hiking, biking, fly fishing, and golf at numerous locations in the Vail Valley.

Throughout the year, the Westin offers treatments and massages at its Spa Anjali and access to its state-of-the-art fitness center, mammoth heated pool, and multiple infinity hot tubs. We stayed in early autumn, hiked in the mornings, then swam in the pool and relaxed in one of the hot tubs in the afternoons while watching the dazzling fall foliage flutter on the slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain.

The view from one of the infinity hot tubs at the Westin Riverfront Resort, in Avon

In addition to our wonderful dinner at Stoke & Rye (which also serves breakfast), we enjoyed our lunches on the terrace of The Lookout. The Westin’s second restaurant, The Lookout serves lunch, dinner, and drinks indoors and, when seasonable, out.

We loved our quiet, comfortable room that looked out onto the beautiful mountainscape. With the wealth of its onsite offerings, gorgeous setting, and easy access to all that Vail Valley has to offer, the Westin won us over. Check The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa prices and availability here.

View from the lobby terrace of the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, in Avon, Colorado

Vista Verde Ranch

Ranked as one of “The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.” by both “Travel & Leisure” and “Forbes” (while being lauded with oodles of accolades by many others as well), Vista Verde Ranch in Clark, Colorado, is an amazing place to visit for so many reasons—and world-class cuisine is absolutely among them.

A luxury dude ranch in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Vista Verde offers epic scenery, magnificent accommodations, lots of exhilarating activities, and heartfelt hospitality. But the marvelous meals, tantalizing treats, and sublime snacks that are on offer every day are not just a way to fuel up for all the other fun in store, they’re heady highlights in their own right.

The Main Lodge at Vista Verde Guest Ranch, an ideal pick for an amazing Colorado ranch vacation

Foodie Highlights at Vista Verde Ranch

Mike and I recently visited this gorgeous resort about an hour from Steamboat Springs and fell in love with it! With so many features to enjoy at Vista Verde, it’s great that their food is not just adequate or an afterthought but a sensationally satisfying attraction of its own.

The talented chefs do an amazing job of providing gourmet meals every day of your stay for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—but that’s not all.

Breakfasts are a mix of delicious buffet items like fresh fruit and berries; oatmeal, granolas, and cereals; and scratch-made pastries, muffins, or scones. Griddle items include made-to-order pancakes, waffles, omelettes, and other egg dishes.

Menu items feature specials of the day that are always impressive. Some of our favorites were amazing eggs benedict, crazy-good biscuits and gravy, and a creative corned beef hash with shitake mushrooms, Colorado sweet corn, pickled ramps, and roasted russets!

Generous portions of incredible food are a hallmark of Vista Verde meals.

Lunches feature a different soup and specialty salad every day in addition to a splendidly stocked salad bar for make-your-owns.

Entrée choices change daily and are also reliably top-notch. Personal highlights included lobster rolls better than anything I’ve had in Boston and a Cubano sandwich that had me thinking I was on Calle Ocho in Miami’s Little Havana.

Evening meals alternate between fine dining affairs featuring delectable options chosen from an ever-changing menu and gourmet buffets offering a cornucopia of incredible dishes. Either way, dinners are always special.

Our first night included a locally sourced and perfectly prepared beef tenderloin as part of a wonderful Vista Verde Steak Oscar creation and ended with a crème brûlée that would have been right at home among the best foods of France. Every night’s creations continued to impress from there.

As if the decadently delicious desserts at lunch and dinner aren’t enough of a treat, freshly baked cookies are also available every afternoon. These are genuinely awesome and new flavors appear every day!

But save room, because before dinner, the daily happy hour serves up creative hors d’oeuvres and showcases special wines and beers.

But wait, there’s more: Vista Verde also offers cooking classes and weekly wine tastings that are both informative and lots of fun. The simple truth is this: If you love great food, you’ll love Vista Verde.

If you plan to spend any time in Steamboat Springs, read: Happy Hour in Steamboat Springs

Savory sesame ribs kick off a Vista Verde Happy Hour.

About Your Stay at Vista Verde Ranch

Lodging: As you’d expect from a luxury dude ranch in Colorado, the rustically elegant accommodations at Vista Verde Guest Ranch are first rate and ideal for a cozy stay in the mountains.

Picturesque cabins dot the property and range in size from 1 to 4 bedrooms. Each features handmade log furniture and a living room warmed by a wood-burning stove or gas fireplace. In addition, each cabin boasts a private hot tub on the deck for refreshing soaks to enjoy while soaking up the gorgeous scenery.

Back inside, a snack bar is perpetually stocked with plenty of goodies, and the fridge features an array of complimentary drinks, including plenty of adult bevvies. Bathrooms provide spa robes and the best of fine toiletries.

It’s easy to unwind at Vista Verde with your own private hot tub on your deck.

Activities: It may not surprise you that this tip-top Colorado dude ranch offers horsemanship clinics and trail rides in both summer and winter, but there is also a wide variety of other activities specifically tailored to whatever season is at hand.

Summer fun includes mountain biking, paddle boarding, hiking, and fly fishing. While indoor yoga is offered in the winter, summer brings outdoor yoga too. Archery is also offered during both seasons.

A couple of the gorgeous horses available for trail rides, no matter the season, at Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado

Winter offers backcountry skiing in the wilderness surrounding the ranch and over 15 kilometers of groomed trails for cross country skiing. If snow shoeing is more your style, that’s available too. So is snow tubing, fat biking on snow-packed trails, ice fishing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Gear for all these activities is available as part of the all-inclusive price of your stay.

If downhill skiing or snowboarding is a must, Vista Verde will be happy to shuttle you to and from the slopes of the nearby Steamboat Resort with a specially prepared lunch. You pay for your lift tickets; everything else is on Vista Verde.

If all that is not enough for you, supplemental over-the-top adventures are also available for an additional fee. These include snowmobiling, dog sledding, and powder cat skiing.

In addition to providing expert help selecting the right equipment for any activity, VVR staff expertly train and guide participants in all the disciplines offered.

Besides all the sports activities, there is also a photography workshop and instruction in leather work and other crafts that vary with the season.

No matter when you choose to visit Vista Verde, you can rest assured that a wonderful experience awaits you!

Cross country skiing along some of the 15 kilometers of groomed trails at Vista Verde Ranch

The Best Foodie Getaway in Colorado

I was surprised both positively and negatively by different places we visited. For some reason, I didn’t expect to find so much to like in Denver, and we wound up having incredible experiences there. Conversely, I was really looking forward to Grand Junction, and I just didn’t find enough there for it to make our list.

I really loved taking our time traveling through this state, and I can make a case for all of these destinations to be a top foodie pick, depending on your preferences. Hopefully I’ve given you enough information to help you decide which would be best for you!

Best Colorado Destinations for Foodies in 2024