Settled at the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park has many restaurant options for visitors and residents alike. If you’re looking for a place to grab a bite to eat, you are never lacking, but finding the best places to spend your time and money on can sometimes be overwhelming. To help you plan your time in Estes, we’ve compiled our favorites together in this list of top restaurants and best places to eat in Estes Park, Colorado. We’ve even broken our list down in terms of Breakfast / Brunch, Lunch / Dinner, Fine Dining, and Drink locations. Now let’s get some good eatin’!

BREAKFAST / BRUNCH

You surely cannot miss the “most important meal of the day!” Estes Park definitely does breakfast right in the Rockies. Here’s our top picks of breakfast / brunch locations to try before you head out on a hike into the Rocky Mountain National Park.

1. Notchtop Bakery & Café

One of our favorite breakfast spots is Notchtop. Located in the Stanley Village, near Safeway, this café is always busy, and for good reason! They focus on a breakfast and lunch menu that is created with local and organic ingredients.

2. The Egg of Estes

This town favorite is a chain diner-style restaurant, but has a surprisingly cozy feel with even more delicious breakfast and sandwich options. Even though their focus is eggs, don’t miss out on their mouth-watering waffles!

3. Donut Haus

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up before heading into the mountains, Donut Haus is the place to be! They offer delicious donuts, breakfast rolls, and breads.

4. Big Horn Restaurant

Go big, or go home! The Big Horn Restaurant offers large portions of comfort-food. They’re one of the best places to head for breakfast before you walk downtown for a day of shopping.

5. Mile High Coffee House

If you’re already on the go, head to the Mile High Coffee House right downtown to grab a quick cup of coffee and a breakfast treat.

LUNCH / DINNER

After a day of exploring Estes Park, you need some delicious food to refuel! Here’s some of our favorite lunch and dinner locations in Estes Park.

1. Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ & Brew

As someone who was born and raised in Texas, I know good BBQ, and let me tell you that Smokin’ Dave’s has some of the best barbeque that Colorado has to offer! Don’t miss this place if you love yourself some smoked meats!

2. You Need Pie Diner & Bakery

You would think that all this diner serves is, well, pie, but you would be so wrong. You Need Pie not only offers award-winning pies, but delicious American comfort-food from morning until night.

3. Boss Burgers & Gyros

Move over Penelope’s, Boss Burgers has quickly made its way to our favorite burger joint in town! You can definitely tell that all of their menu items are made with love…

4. Rock Inn Mountain Tavern

For some delicious food with live music and a cozy vibe, visit the Rock Inn! Be sure to try their delicious potatos!

5. Antonio’s Real New York Pizza

What would a town be without their local pizza place? Grab a slice of New York style pizza at Antonio’s for a slice of comfort.

FINE DINING

Like we mentioned in our previous post, Estes Park is such a romantic destination, you can’t miss out on some of the fine dining it has to offer! Here’s some of our favorite spots to have a romantic dining experience.

Related: Read Top 15 Romantic Things to Do in Estes Park Colorado

1. Twin Owls Steakhouse

Located within the Taharaa Mountain Lodge, this beautiful restaurant is the perfect date-night location.

2. Dunraven at the Estes Park Resort

The Dunraven is a staple of Estes Park. Now in it’s new location within the Estes Park Resort, you can’t miss this dining experience right on Lake Estes.

3. Bird & Jim

While described as a “rustic eatery” Bird & Jim has a classier feel when you enter the doors. Don’t miss the spot that has quickly made it onto the list of local favorites!

4. Seasoned – An American Bistro

Seasoned is a cute American bistro in the heart of downtown Estes Park that changes their menus depending on the current season.

5. The Cascades at the Stanley Hotel

For the classiest dining experience, head to the Cascades restaurant where you and your loved one can take in the beauty of the historic and famous Stanley Hotel.

DRINKS

If you’re looking to unwind with a glass of wine in the mountains, or a fun spot to grab drinks with your pals, we have the list for you…

1. The Whiskey Bar at the Cascades

We know, the Stanley Hotel makes our list twice, but we highly recommend spending some time in this historically spooky hotel. Don’t forget to try their Redrum Punch!

2. Snowy Peaks Winery

Visit Snowy Peaks Winery to taste some of the finest hand-crafted and award winning wine Estes Park has to offer!

3. The Barrel

This beer, wine, and spirit garden has a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor seating with a local food truck parked right outside for easy food access!

4. Full Throttle

Stop at the famous, Michael Ballard’s Full Throttle Distillery & Grill, right on the outskirts of downtown Estes Park for a biker-style saloon experience.

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We hope we’ve helped you decide on some delicious local spots to check out while you’re in Estes Park! Are there any other restaurants or places to eat that you expected to be on our list and weren’t? Or have you tried any of our recommendations before? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!