12 Must-Try Colorado Restaurants Offering Breathtaking Mountain Views
Colorado combines amazing food with some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in America. Picture enjoying your favorite meal while snow-capped peaks stretch across the horizon outside your window. Many restaurants across the state have found the perfect spots to serve delicious dishes alongside jaw-dropping views that make every bite even more special.
1. The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
Five-star dining reaches new heights at this elegant restaurant perched high above Colorado Springs. The Penrose Room has earned awards for both its incredible French cuisine and panoramic mountain vistas that stretch for miles.
White tablecloths and crystal glasses create a fancy atmosphere perfect for special occasions. Chefs prepare dishes using fresh, local ingredients that taste as amazing as the views look.
Reservations fill up quickly, especially for sunset dinners when the mountains glow golden. The dress code requires nice clothes, making this spot ideal for anniversaries or celebrations.
2. Meander Riverside Eatery in Pagosa Springs
Right along the San Juan River, this cozy restaurant serves comfort food with a side of mountain magic. Large windows frame the rushing water and towering peaks that make Pagosa Springs famous.
The menu features hearty American favorites like burgers, steaks, and fresh trout caught from local streams. Families love the relaxed atmosphere where kids can watch the river while parents enjoy craft beers.
Outdoor seating lets you dine right beside the water when weather permits. The sound of flowing water mixed with mountain breezes creates the perfect background for a memorable meal.
3. Restaurant 1858 at Seven Falls, Colorado Springs
Named after the year gold was discovered nearby, this restaurant sits in one of Colorado’s most scenic locations. Seven Falls cascades down red rock cliffs while diners enjoy creative American cuisine inside or on the patio.
The building blends modern design with rustic mountain elements like exposed wood and stone. Menu highlights include elk medallions, rainbow trout, and vegetarian options made with organic produce.
Getting here requires a short scenic drive through Cheyenne Canyon, adding adventure to your dining experience. The waterfall views are especially stunning during spring snowmelt season.
4. Mountain View Restaurant at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs
Golf course greens roll toward distant mountain peaks at this resort restaurant that lives up to its name perfectly. The dining room’s huge windows showcase Cheyenne Mountain and the entire Front Range in stunning detail.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus change seasonally to feature the freshest Colorado ingredients available. Sunday brunch draws crowds with its impressive buffet and bottomless mimosas.
Even non-golfers can enjoy meals here, though watching players on the course adds entertainment. The sunrise breakfast special offers incredible value when mountains catch the first golden light of day.
5. Altezza at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Telluride
Perched at 8,750 feet elevation, this rooftop restaurant offers some of Colorado’s most dramatic mountain dining. The 360-degree views include famous ski runs, alpine meadows, and peaks that tower over the historic mining town below.
Italian-inspired cuisine features handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and locally-sourced meats and vegetables. The wine list includes selections from Colorado vineyards alongside Italian classics.
Outdoor heating keeps the rooftop comfortable even on cool mountain evenings. Watching sunset paint the surrounding peaks in brilliant colors while enjoying expertly-prepared food creates unforgettable memories for every visitor.
6. West End Social in Aspen
This trendy gastropub brings casual elegance to one of Colorado’s most famous mountain towns. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the dramatic peaks that make Aspen a world-renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts and food lovers alike.
The menu mixes elevated pub favorites with sophisticated entrees, all made from scratch using local ingredients. Craft cocktails feature Colorado spirits, and the beer selection includes many regional breweries.
The atmosphere stays lively without being overwhelming, perfect for both romantic dinners and friend gatherings. Winter views of snow-covered mountains are especially magical when enjoyed with their famous truffle mac and cheese.
7. The Fort in Morrison
Built to look like an authentic 1800s frontier fort, this unique restaurant serves wild game and Western cuisine with sweeping views of Red Rocks and the Front Range mountains beyond.
Buffalo steaks, elk chops, and rattlesnake appetizers offer adventurous dining experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Traditional options like beef and chicken are also available for less daring appetites.
The building’s adobe walls and wooden beams create an authentic Old West atmosphere that matches the spectacular Colorado scenery. Staff members dress in period costumes, adding to the fun historical experience while you dine with mountain views.
8. Grand View Dining Room at Garden of the Gods Resort, Colorado Springs
True to its name, this elegant dining room provides grand views of the famous red rock formations and Pikes Peak beyond. The restaurant’s sophisticated atmosphere complements the natural beauty visible through every window.
Contemporary American cuisine emphasizes Colorado-grown ingredients and creative presentations that match the spectacular scenery. The chef’s tasting menu changes seasonally to highlight the best local produce and meats.
Breakfast here is especially popular, as morning light makes the red rocks glow like fire against the blue mountain sky. The outdoor terrace extends dining into the fresh mountain air during warmer months throughout the year.
9. Lumen8 Rooftop Social at Hyatt Place, Colorado Springs
Eight stories above downtown Colorado Springs, this rooftop bar and restaurant offers 360-degree mountain views that include Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain, and the entire surrounding range in stunning panoramic detail.
The modern menu features shareable plates, craft burgers, and creative salads perfect for casual dining with friends. An extensive cocktail menu includes drinks inspired by Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle and local ingredients.
Fire pits and comfortable seating areas create cozy spots to enjoy drinks while watching the sunset paint the mountains in brilliant colors. The downtown location makes it easy to walk here after exploring Colorado Springs’ other attractions and shops.
10. Grizzly Grill at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs
Combining wildlife viewing with mountain dining, this unique restaurant sits inside America’s only mountain zoo at 6,800 feet elevation. Cheyenne Mountain and the entire Pikes Peak region spread out below your table.
The casual menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads that appeal to families visiting the zoo. Large windows let you watch for local wildlife while enjoying lunch with some of Colorado’s best mountain scenery.
Zoo admission is required, but the restaurant provides a perfect break during your animal-viewing adventure. Kids love eating here because they might spot elk, deer, or even bears roaming the mountainside while they finish their meals.
11. The View Bar & Grill at Mountain Lodge, Telluride
Perfectly positioned at the base of Telluride’s famous ski slopes, this restaurant lives up to its name with incredible views of the box canyon that surrounds this historic mining town.
Hearty mountain fare includes steaks, burgers, and comfort food favorites that satisfy hungry skiers and hikers. The bar features local Colorado beers and cocktails inspired by the surrounding wilderness.
During ski season, you can watch expert skiers carve down the mountain while you warm up inside. Summer brings hiking trails and wildflower meadows that create equally beautiful scenery for outdoor dining on the spacious deck overlooking the dramatic mountain walls.
12. Allred’s Restaurant at Telluride Ski Resort, Telluride
Reaching this mountaintop restaurant requires a gondola ride that’s half the adventure, carrying diners 10,540 feet above sea level for truly breathtaking Colorado mountain views in every direction you look.
Fine dining meets alpine adventure with a sophisticated menu featuring game meats, fresh seafood, and creative vegetarian options. The wine cellar includes bottles from around the world, carefully selected to complement the elevated cuisine.
Sunset dinners are especially popular when the surrounding peaks glow pink and gold in the fading light. The unique location and incredible food make this one of Colorado’s most memorable dining experiences for special occasions and romantic evenings.
