Steamboat Springs has many good restaurant choices. I went back in August 2026 after several years and found some excellent new spots. My focus was downtown. My recommendations include:
Table 79 Foodbar: This is a restaurant offering craft cocktails and a menu of elevated comfort food using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients I went for dinner on my first night in town and had a great seafood black linguini with squid ink pasta, shrimp and scallops cherry tomatoes in lemon cream sauce. It also as a great staff. 345 Lincoln Ave.
Owned by the same restaurant group as Table 70 Foodbar is Aurum Steamboat. This is a popular restaurant offering seasonal American cuisine in a lovely spot along the Yampa River. They have a large outdoor patio as well. I have been to their location in Snowmass Village several times. I went for dinner on a Saturday night and enjoyed the experience. My pan-seared halibut entree with pearl couscous in a tomato broth with summer squash and basil oil was very good. Their original location is in Breckinridge, CO and is on my list to visit on my next trip there. 811 Yampa St.
Bésame: Opened daily for dinner, this is a Latin fusion restaurant at 818 Lincoln Ave. It has a large menu of tapas and entrees like tacos and paella. I went for dinner and enjoyed the mussels with coconut cream, saffron, scallion, lemongrass and kaffir lime along with some croquetas de jamón made with serrano ham, queso fresco, bechamel, pimentón aioli and scallions. It is a very attractive restaurant.
Yampa Valley Kitchen: This is a charming local restaurant at 207 9th St. that is open for brunch and dinner daily. I was impressed with their large menu and enjoyed the garden frittata with fresh eggs, cream, gruyère, zucchini, heirloom cherry tomatoes, scallion, herb salad, lemon, olive oil and sea salt along with breakfast potatoes for Sunday brunch. They also have an outside patio. I really enjoyed the staff.
Owned by the same group as Bésame and Yampa Valley Kitchen is Mambo. This is an Italian restaurant downtown at 521 Lincoln Ave. I went for dinner on my last night in town and enjoyed it. They have a seasonal menu with great pasta dishes along with pizza and entrees. My favorite part of my dinner was the yummy tiramisu. They also have a bar and outdoor patio seating.
Yampa River Ice House: Located at 751 Yampa St., this is a popular spot along the Yampa River with great views. They are known for their smoked meats like brisket, ribs and pulled pork. I went for lunch and loved sitting on the patio where I even saw a moose in the river. I had a great pulled pork sandwich. My server was excellent.
After lunch I went to Inclusions Pastry and Dessert Bar at 1125 Lincoln Ave. This is a small bakery offering gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options for breakfast and dessert. In 2025 it was rated number one by Best of the Boat, the annual contest sponsored by the local newspaper, the Steamboat Pilot & Today as the Best Bakery, Best Dessert and Best Barista in town. I enjoyed my chai latte and the toffee shortbread cookie.
Winona’s Restaurant and Bakery: I saw Winona’s on my first trip, so in 2026 I went for brunch before heading to the airport to fly home to Chicago. This is a casual cafe and bakery serving a large menu of breakfast and lunch fare at 617 Lincoln Ave. They have a great staff. I enjoyed my smoked salmon eggs benedict and a latte before my long trip. I recommend the experience. It is small, so be prepared for long waits on weekends.
Big Iron Coffee is located at 635 Lincoln Ave. This is a small coffee shop offering coffee and tea drinks, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. I enjoyed my latte.
Another fun coffee shop is Off The Beaten Path Good Books, Good Coffee, Good Friends. This is a cozy local, independent book store that has a coffee bar that sells coffee, tea and pastries. Make sure to stop in at 68 9th Street in downtown Steamboat.
Causeway Coffee House. Located at 427 Oak St. This is a small, cozy coffeehouse in an old house, serving coffee, loose-leaf teas along with breakfast and lunch items. I stopped in for a latte before my Sunday brunch.
Beard & Braid is a downtown coffee shop with a menu of coffee and tea drinks, pastries, ice cream, sandwiches and other food items. They also feature music and cocktails on Friday nights. I stopped in for a latte and enjoyed it. 116 9th St.
The Homesteader and Chocolates by Daniela: I stopped in at this attractive store featuring food items from coffee, dressings, sauces, honey, kitchenware and gifts. They also feature handcrafted sweets and chocolates made inhouse by Daniela from Switzerland who makes truffles, toffee, turtles and barks. I enjoyed the dark chocolate bark with sea salt and almonds. 817 Lincoln Ave.
Mountain Tap Brewery: Located at 910 Yampa St. #103 this is a local craft brewery featuring their hand-crafted beers and artisanal wood-fired cuisine. They make a number of ales, IPAs, lagers, sours, wheat beer and pilsners. I enjoyed trying the Summer Heat Ginger Wheat and the Locals’ Lager.
Old Town Pub & Restaurant: This is a classic bar located downtown in the former Albany Hotel building from 1914. It is open for lunch, happy hour and dinner with live music events. They have a food menu of classic pub food including starters, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees. I went for lunch and enjoyed the fish and chips. 600 Lincoln Ave.
Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails: At 127 11th St., this is an excellent restaurant and gastro-pub located in a converted laundry that operated from 1910 to 1977. With its warm and lively atmosphere, it features small plates including cured meats and cheese plus a good number of salads, vegetable sides and fish and meat entrees. On my first trip to the area, I enjoyed the braised octopus/pulpo with spanish potatoes, capers in a sherry vinegar, and a very good roasted beet salad.
Creekside Cafe & Grill: At 131 11th St., this is the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch along the Soda Creek with both indoor and outdoor seating. It is popular, so I suggest making a reservation online in advance.
Take the Gondola in the summer for incredible mountain views, hiking and biking. At the top there is the Oasis Sundeck for casual dining and stunning views. They have a great menu of salads, burgers and sandwiches along with beer, wine and cocktails.
Other places to check out include Lil’ House Country Biscuits and Coffee, Freshies for coffee, breakfast and lunch dishes using local partners, Cafe Diva and the Truffle Pig has received great press also near the ski mountain 2250 Après Ski Way. Food & Wine Magazine calls it one of the best ski resort restaurants.
For more casual dining spots, Back Door Grill at 825 Oak St. is a great local spot for beer, fries and burgers while Salt & Lime is known for tacos and margaritas. 628 Lincoln Ave. Powder Day Donuts at 941 Lincoln Ave. is known for its great selection of donuts. Other options receiving good press and reviews include The Barley Tap & Tavern for craft beer and cocktails and Johnny B. Goods Diner. This is a 1950’s-style diner serving breakfast, lunch an dinner that opened in 1994 at 738 Lincoln Ave.
