Ft. Collins has some very good dining options. My top recommendations include:
Silver Grill Cafe: At 218 Walnut, this is a local’s favorite for breakfast and lunch since 1933.
Backcountry Delicatessen is now named Yampa Sandwich Co. At 140 N. College, it is a great casual spot for sandwiches.
My local friends also recommends the Rio Grand Mexican Restaurant for great Mexican Food at 143 W. Mountain Ave.
The Bean Cycle Coffee House and Roasters: At 144 N. College, this is a local coffee roaster with excellent coffee! You may need to stop in twice after visiting the local craft breweries! It has a fun atmosphere with a small bookstore in the rear.
You should also check out the The Blind Pig Pub & Grub at 214 Linden, The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop and Bistro at 216 Pine St. and the new Nuance Chocolate shop at 214 Pine. They have a cafe where you can have a hot chocolate, coffee and tea plus their chocolates.
Other restaurants getting good recent press include Farm Fusion featuring cooking classes with farm-to-table ingredients. In the Downtown River District, Ginger and Baker is a large complex featuring a Market & Bakery that has coffee and pastries, the Café featuring breakfast all day and comfort food, The Rooftop for cocktails and great views and The Cache, an upscale restaurant using local Colorado ingredients.
Also recommended is RARE for classic Italian dishes at 101 S. College Ave, The Regional Hometown Food at 130 S. Mason St. and Tasty Harmony for vegan and vegetarian options at 160 W. Oak St.
For breakfast, Bon Appetit Magazine recommends Choice City Butcher & Deli at 104 W. Olive, Snooze A.M. Eatery at 144 W.Mountain Ave. and The Little Bird Bakeshop at 11 Old Town Sq. #121. In addition to The Little Bird Bakeshop, for coffee they recommend Harbinger Coffee with two locations in town, and Bindle Coffee located in the Jessup Farm Artisan Village. The Village has a number of other stores and restaurants.
For sushi they recommend Sushi Jeju at 238 S. College Ave., for Italian is it Nick’s Italian at 1100 S. College Ave., for rotisserie dishes there is Austin’s American Grill at 100 W. Mountain Ave. A fun dive bar and restaurant is Surfside 7 at 238 Linden St. in Old Town. They also have rock music on certain nights.
To stay in downtown Ft. Collins there is the Armstrong Hotel at 259 S. College Ave. which has the Choice City Butcher & Deli mentioned above, Ace Gillett’s Lounge and Mugs Coffee Lounge next door. The Elizabeth Hotel is a recent addition to Old Town Ft. Collins. It has 164 guest rooms, three suites and The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market , the Sunset Lounge rooftop bar and the Magic Rat Live Music for music including rock, folk and pop.
