In Breckenridge you will find many great dining options from coffee shops and casual cafes to microbreweries, distilleries and fine dining restaurants. My top new finds from my recent trip in September 2024 and the visit before include:
Not to be missed is Rootstalk at 207 N. Main Street. Opened in 2020, this is a modern American restaurant serving an elevated seasonal menu with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients from farmers, ranchers, winemakers, and other producers. I made sure to book my reservation over a month in advance as I saw that chef Matt Vawter won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain.
They have an a la carte menu as well as a a 7-course tasting menu. I had one of the best meals of the year. I loved the goat cheese tart with beets and candied pecans and the pan roasted duck breast with fennel pollen, Esoterra Culinary Garden brassicas, pickled mustard seed and peach miso, polenta croutons and a pistachio vinaigrette. To top it off I enjoyed the peach semifreddo. Because of the high altitude and the fact that I had just flown in, I opted for non-alcoholic mango mojito which was perfect with the meal.
It has an attractive atmosphere in an historic home, with a great staff and service. Don’t miss it when you are in town! 207 N. Main Street.
In June 2022, Rootstalk also opened a modern Italian restaurant, Radicato, at 137 S. Main Street. As with Rootstalk, it has a focus on local producers and ingredients. I look forward to trying it on my next visit to the area.
Hearthstone Restaurant: This fine dining restaurant is located in an historic home, at 113 S. Ridge Street, that was built in the early 1880’s. It has been a popular spot since 1989 and features wild game, fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. I loved the Blackberry Elk which featured elk with a garlic granola crust and blackberry demi-glace plus goat cheese farro risotto and carrots, The peach creme brulee was a great way to end the dinner.
Blue River Bistro: At 305 N. Main, this contemporary restaurant features great soups, salads, sandwiches and more. It is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The beet salad with salmon was perfect for lunch.
Next door is Daylight Donuts, at 305 N. Main. This is a fun casual spot, open for breakfast and an early lunch, featuring some great homemade donuts and their own coffee.
I really enjoyed my recent experience at the Gold Pan Saloon. After reading a review, I made a point to go for lunch before I heading to Aspen/Snowmass. Located in an historic building from 1879, this is a casual bar and restaurant with a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Known for its burgers, I had a tasty Cabra Burger which is a burger topped with pulled goat and a creamy goat cheese. It was the perfect choice before my 2 1/2 hour drive. I loved the atmosphere, the staff and service.
There are also a number of great coffee shops to try when you are in town.
On my recent trip, I enjoyed Unravel Coffee at the Gravity Haus Breckenridge boutique hotel. It has a very attractive setting. I had also enjoyed their Aspen location twice before. 605 South Park Avenue.
Before I left town, I also had a great latte at Mom’s Baking Co. at 100 N Main Street. This is a classic coffee shop in a casual space with a full coffee bar along with baked goods and breakfast and lunch dishes.
On my first trip to town, I really enjoyed Cuppa Joe, upstairs at 118 S. Ridge St. They feature coffee drinks, baked goods and several types of breakfast sandwiches and burritos. There is also The Crown at 215 S. Main St. for coffee and pastries, along with breakfast and lunch items.
Clint’s Bakery & Coffeehouse, at 131 S. Main Street, is another fun spot to try. They also have a breakfast and lunch menu.
Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon, 109 Lincoln Ave.: I loved the ambience and food of this long-term Breckenridge restaurant that features, game steaks, fish and more. My Rocky Mountain trout entrée with sautéed spinach and almonds was very good. They also have a bar that offers half-priced small plates on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Crepes a la Cart is a casual spot at 307 S. Main for a good selection of sweet and savory crepes. They have a new location at 309 South Ridge Street Alleyway.
For a snack or glass of wine stop in at Breckenridge Cheese & Chocolate and Ridge Street Wine at 304 S. Main.
Other places getting good reviews and recommendations from locals I talked to include: Ember at 106 E. Adams, The Canteen Tap House and Tavern at 208 N. Main with its fun outdoor deck and modern comfort food menu. They also like Southridge Seafood Grill for a extensive menu of “things that swim” and “things that don’t” and The Blue Fish for sushi. This is their only location in Colorado, outside of Texas. 112 Lincoln Ave.
A good friend’s son helped open an upscale restaurant, Aurum Food & Wine at 209 S. Ridge St. They are getting excellent reviews for their seasonal, farm-to-table menu. I am excited to try it on my next visit. It sounds great. I have been to their Snowmass Village, CO location and enjoyed the experience. They also have a location in Steamboat Springs, CO
Amazing Grace is a charming, casual local’s spot for breakfast, lunch and coffee drinks. Located in an historic building, it has an emphasis on healthy natural or organic ingredients. I stopped in and bought one of the best blueberry scones that I have had. It was so large that it lasted me a couple of days. They also have a nice outdoor patio in back. 213 Lincoln Ave.
I have also read several good reviews about The Carlin Restaurant – Tavern- Inn. Ustairs The Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and it has the Tavern Underground on the lower level for cocktails and classic tavern food. 200 N. Main Street.
You can also find some great local microbreweries, wineries and distilleries in town. Make sure to visit:
Breckenridge Brewery: The Breckenridge Brewery Brewpub is located downtown at the end of Main St. Here you can eat a casual meal and sample some of their line of ales, sours, lagers, porters, IPAs and wheat beer. Their current menu features, salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, and house favorites like wild game meatloaf, fish and chips and trout. I really liked the light and crisp Kolsch Style Ale. 600 S. Main Street.
Breckenridge Distillery: Make sure to stop in at the tasting room of this local distillery that features their locally produced gin, vodka, bourbon and spiced rum. My favorites were the Breckenridge Blend Bourbon and the Espresso Flavored Vodka. The downtown tasting room is located at 137 S. Main St. Their facility at 1925 Airport Rd. features tastings, distillery tours and new steakhouse restaurant.
Broken Compass Brewing Co.: At 68 Continental Court, near the Breckenridge Distillery’s Airport Rd. location, this is the newest microbrewery in town. Their taproom features their porters, ales, blondes, lagers and IPAs. They now have a second Taproom at 520 S. Main Street.
Robbie’s Tavern is a slopeside tavern offering wine, beer, cocktails and comfort food. 1627 Ski Hill Rd. For local wines, Carboy Winery makes wine locally from grapes from Colorado and California. 103 N. Main. I have been to their Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield in Palisade CO. Their Breckenridge location is attached to the historic Gold Pan Saloon which I reviewed above. I addition to tasting their wines, they have a food menu as well.
