Colorado Springs Restaurants

Colorado Springs has an excellent selection of restaurants, thanks in large part to its long history as a resort community. Despite its relatively small size, the city boasts a surprising number of places to eat that serve everything from Mexican to Asian cuisine. Being a true Western town, there is plenty of steak, potatoes and beer to go around. Yet even the simplest dishes are served with sophistication and attention to detail, a trait which can be traced back to its days as a popular retreat for the rich and famous. As in all American restaurants, waiters expect to be tipped between 15 and 20 per cent for their services. 

Local cuisine

Nestled at the foot of the impressive Pikes Peak, the city’s rugged frontier environment lends itself to a local cuisine, which is dominated by hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food. The average menu will centre strongly around meat, which usually means beef of the highest quality. However, Colorado is also known for serving more unusual game such as elk, buffalo and venison. Since the city is located in an alpine desert, there isn’t an abundance of fresh produce or fruit; nearly everything except the meat is shipped in from other parts of the country.

Thanks to its origins as a world-class health resort in the early 1900s, Colorado Springs has always prided itself on the quality of its cooking. The trendier restaurants in town serve a fusion-style menu where traditional western fare is paired with intriguing sauces and side dishes that are influenced by other cultures. Ethnic cuisine from around the globe is also readily available. Most notable is the Mexican food, which ranks among the best in the country.

Where to eat

The downtown area of Colorado Springs is where you’ll find the greatest concentration of restaurants, with everything from home-style diners to authentic French bakeries. Breakfast is a big part of life in Colorado Springs. There’s a wide range of cafés, bakeries and diners scattered around the city centre offering petite pastries and massive breakfast platters.

The northern part of town is also home to many of the city’s best restaurants. This is a good place to go if you’re hankering for a traditional steak and potato feast in a casual environment, like the plates served up at the County Line Smokehouse or the Country Buffet. There are also a number of ethnic places in this part of town, with good prices and authentic dishes. To the west of town, along Highway 24, you can find some of Colorado Springs’ finest restaurants. As the road stretches through Manitou Springs on its way to Pikes Peak, there are some nice spots with stunning views of the mountains.