12 Delicious Places To Eat In Estes Park, Colorado In 2024
Where To Eat In Estes Park
From my fourteen years in Colorado and over eighty trips, I discovered where to eat in Estes Park. Nestled at the entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, this small mountain town acts as a hub for mountain adventures and serves up some of my favorite food in the state.
The town is split up into several sections along the main roads, and I find that the best restaurants in Estes Park are usually outside the main downtown area, with a few exceptions.
In this article, I tell you my absolute favorite places and what to eat. From delicious barbecue to legit Thai food, Estes Park has something for everyone.
1. Big Horn Restaurant
The Big Horn Restaurant is a family-oriented restaurant that is Estes Park’s best-kept secret. They serve American classics alongside a few unique surprises in a cozy, no-frills atmosphere. My wife and I felt immediately at home in this old-school diner.
I know it sounds strange, but I ordered their Homemade Lasagna which came filled with a blend of cheese, Italian sausage, ground beef, herbs, and house-made marinara sauce. I don’t know why, but this was one of my favorite lasagnas ever.
Yes, an American diner in a Colorado mountain town served an AWESOME lasagna. The wonderfully melted mozzarella made the whole dish sing, and I loved every moment.
If you want something else, my wife tried their Country Fried Steak, which was excellent.
Address: 401 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: estesparkbighorn.com
2. Antonio’s Real New York Pizza
I don’t say this lightly, but Antonio’s makes a pizza that ranks in my top three of all time. I absolutely love pizza and could easily eat a slice a day and never grow tired.
So when I say I love this pizza, I do!
The locally owned Antonio’s is always busy and whenever I try to grab a table, I’m left waiting for about an hour. So my wife and I decided to grab some pizza to go this time.
The Grandma’s Pizza is their house specialty Sicilian style pizza made with a thick pan crust. Topped with hand-crushed tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, garlic, basil, and olive oil on their signature homemade dough, this pizza was amazing and hit my mouth with beautiful flavors.
The pizza tasted cheesy and deep, but still maintained a lightness from the crushed tomatoes and basil. I loved the crust that stayed crispy along the edges but still pillowy and soft in the center.
Address: 1560 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: estesparkpizza.com
3. Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ
Recognized for its award-winning barbecue, Smokin’ Daves has been named one of the “Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America” by the National Barbecue News. I just happen to agree.
The menu is diverse with a wide range of options. My wife went with a classic meat platter with sliced brisket, but I wanted something a little different and tried the Heart Attack.
This behemoth came with two jalapeño biscuits, filled with hickory smoked bacon and pulled pork, topped with cheddar cheese, two fried eggs, and smothered in homemade sausage gravy.
Decadent, heavy, and extremely flavorful, I sucked down every morsel of gravy-soaked goodness. The smokiness of the pulled pork accentuated the other components nicely.
Address: 820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: smokindavesbbq.com
4. Bird And Jim
Bird & Jim is a restaurant and bar that offers a unique dining experience that focuses on Colorado cuisine with seasonal menus. The locally sourced ingredients come primarily from the Front Range of Colorado, their approach to cooking is sustainable and healthy eating.
The restaurant prides itself on using ingredients from local farms and ranchers in areas like Estes Park, Drake, Kersey, and Hygiene, Colorado.
My wife went for their Spinach and Radicchio Salad and added organic salmon to the mix. The salad was surprisingly light but had flavor punches from the vinegarette and salmon.
I went for their fried chicken sandwich which was perfect on all accounts. Crispy outside and moist on the inside, it was the quintessential chicken sandwich that everyone would love.
Address: 915 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: birdandjim.com
5. Boss Burgers and Gyros
One of Estes Park’s most popular restaurants and ranked as one of the best places to grab a burger in the United States, according to Trip Advisor, Boss Burgers and Gyros serves up classic burgers with a plethora of options packed between bread.
The ambiance feels like a classic American burger stand that is no frills and completely casual. And dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.
We love stopping here just for a classic burger. A delicious all beef patty cooked on a flat top grill for superior crust caramelization.
Juicy and perfect, I believe this may be one of the best places to grab a burger in the whole state.
Address: 861 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: bossburgersandgyros.com
6. Elevations Bar And Eatery
Most of the restaurants on Elkhorn Ave in the center of downtown Estes can be subpar with high prices. The recently opened Elevations Bar and Eatery surprised me with a refined menu that still suits the casual clientele.
I ordered the Elk Burger which tasted good, but my wife’s Red Wine and Shallot Butter Steak came out as the winner. On par with a great steakhouse, the hangar steak came cooked to a perfect medium rare and tasted wonderful with the garlic mashed potatoes.
The real surprise came from the red wine shallot butter that coated the whole steak mixing into the juices for a superior sauce. It was so good, that I was tempted to order one for myself!
Address: 153 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: elevationseatery.com
7. The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
What looks like a picturesque log cabin, the Rock Inn takes mountain cuisine to the next level with homemade comfort food for the whole family.
The Elk Sausage started the meal on a high note with the perfect blend of spices that gave the sausage an excellent flavor. I took sips of my rustic Alpine Manhattan, sweetened with homemade pine syrup.
Tiarra ordered the New York Strip which came perfectly grilled medium rare and showed off those expertly placed diamond grill marks.
Although not an Italian restaurant, the homemade Pasta Alfredo surprised me with a creamy texture and flavors that were spot on. I enjoyed the garlic and pepper notes but it was the roasted tomatoes that brought the whole dish together.
The Rock Inn is one of the best places to eat in Estes Park and one of absolute my favorite spots that everyone should visit.
Address: 1675 CO-66, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: rockinnestes.com
8. Scratch Deli & Bakery
For an amazing lunch, stop into Scratch Deli and Bakery for sandwiches made on freshly baked bread. Take your pick from their specialty sandwich menu or make your own from their wide range of meats, cheeses, and bread.
For me, I tried the Pastrami sandwich made with house-cured pastrami topped with mustard and served on rye bread. Doesn’t get more classic than that.
I sat outside and looked at the mountains as I devoured this superb sandwich. The pastrami tasted tangy and the toasted rye bread held everything together in splendor.
Address: 911 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
9. Estes Thai Restaurant
I know Thai food pretty well and ate my fill during my two months in Thailand. Estes Thai represents authentic Thai flavors while still adapting to the Colorado palate.
I went for the Royal Fish, pan fried filets served in a pool of spicy red chili sauce. With spoonfuls of rice, I gulped down this house specialty and savored every bit of that sweet, sour, spicy sauce.
They offer all of the classics you find at any Thai restaurant but they also added a few hard to find items like this on the menu.
Address: 401 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: estesthai.com
10. Ed’s Cantina & Grill
I love Tex-Mex and Ed’s Cantina and Grill handles everything from tacos to expertly crafted margaritas. Sitting on the far east side of Elkhorn Rd by the riverwalk, most visitors often miss this gem, making it a great place to grab dinner without a long wait during the peak tourist season.
My Chicken con Crema felt creative and tasted wonderful, but my wife’s Chile Rellenos stole the show. The crispy rellenos crunched with every bite and the tomato serrano sauce astonished my taste buds with a slightly spicy and acidic addition.
Address: 390 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: edscantina.com
11. Colorado Cherry Company
About 10 minutes from Estes Park on HWY 36, a small white and red building sits on the side of the road offering cherry cider, and handmade pies. YES, please!
Since I started visiting Estes Park in 2010, I always, and I mean always, stop here for a slice of homemade pie. Depending on the season, the flavors change, but I always find myself picking a blackberry or peach pie in the summer and early fall.
I recommend getting those slices heated up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make the whole experience complete.
Address: 12311 N St Vrain Dr, Lyons, CO 80540 Website: coloradocherrycompany.com
12. Inkwell & Brew
Not only one of my favorite shops in Estes Park, Inkwell and Brew is probably the best place for coffee in town.
Serving up coffee from the reputable Huckberry Roasters in Colorado, I always go for a plain latte, which they serve up perfectly every time.
When I’m between meals and need something a bit more substantial, I go for a muffin or baked good they source from other areas around town.
Don’t forget to browse their selection of local crafts for sale in the main shop.
Address: 150 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517 Website: inkwellbrew.com
Final Thoughts On What To Eat In Estes Park
I truly love the town of Estes Park and hope to live there someday. Even just driving through Estes Valley and Lake Estes is enough to put anyone in the adventurous spirit.
Estes Park Restaurants represent more than just hearty, mountain food, but offers a variety of options from breakfast and lunch to fine dining. Yes, the bison and wild game meatloaf at some restaurants are a novelty, but the restaurants on the list are the ones you should be visiting.
Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.