Looking for incredible dining in Estes Park? You’re in luck, this charming mountain town at Rocky Mountain National Park’s entrance serves up everything from award-winning barbecue to authentic Thai cuisine.
Whether you’re craving breakfast after a sunrise hike, lunch along the Big Thompson River, or dinner with mountain views, Estes Park restaurants deliver.
I’ve explored every corner of this town, from bustling Elkhorn Avenue downtown to hidden gems along the Riverwalk, discovering family-oriented spots and craft breweries that locals swear by.
Big Horn Restaurant
Best For: Classic American comfort food
The Big Horn Restaurant is Estes Park’s best-kept secret, a family-oriented spot serving American classics with unexpected flair.
Tucked away at 401 W Elkhorn Ave, this old-school diner surprised me with their Homemade Lasagna, layered with Italian sausage, ground beef, and house-made marinara sauce under gloriously melted mozzarella.
The cozy, no-frills atmosphere feels genuinely welcoming, perfect after a mountain adventure. Their Country Fried Steak delivers proper comfort food satisfaction.
This unpretentious gem serves generous portions without the downtown tourist prices.
Opening: Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Atmosphere: Cozy old-school diner with warm hospitality and relaxed, no-frills family-friendly vibe
Menu Highlights:
- Homemade Lasagna with Italian sausage and melted mozzarella
- Country Fried Steak
- Classic American breakfast items
Address: 401 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Antonio’s Real New York Pizza
Best For: Authentic New York style pizza
Antonio’s serves what I genuinely consider top-three pizza of my life, and I’m serious about pizza.
This locally owned gem at 1560 Big Thompson Ave crafts authentic New York style pies that draw massive crowds (expect hour-long waits).
Their Grandma’s Pizza is legendary: Sicilian style with thick pan crust, hand-crushed tomatoes, homemade mozzarella, fresh garlic, and basil on signature homemade dough.
The crispy edges give way to pillowy soft centers with perfect cheesy depth. Grab takeout if you’re impatient, this pizza perfection travels beautifully.
Opening: Lunch and dinner daily
Atmosphere: Always busy locally owned pizzeria with casual New York style vibe and takeout friendly service
Menu Highlights:
- Grandma’s Pizza (Sicilian style specialty)
- Hand-crushed tomatoes with homemade mozzarella
- Signature homemade dough pizzas
Address: 1560 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ
Best For: Award-winning barbecue specialties
Named one of the Best of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in America by National Barbecue News, Smokin’ Dave’s lives up to every accolade.
Located at 820 Moraine Ave, this award-winning spot serves seriously impressive barbecue with diverse menu options.
I tried The Heart Attack, jalapeño biscuits stuffed with hickory smoked bacon and pulled pork, topped with cheddar cheese, fried eggs, and smothered in homemade sausage gravy.
This decadent, heavy masterpiece delivered incredible smokiness in every gravy-soaked bite. Their sliced brisket platters showcase proper BBQ expertise too.
Opening: Daily lunch and dinner service
Atmosphere: Casual BBQ restaurant with diverse menu and award-winning American barbecue tradition excellence
Menu Highlights:
- The Heart Attack (jalapeño biscuits with pulled pork)
- Sliced brisket platters
- Hickory smoked bacon specialties
Address: 820 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Bird And Jim
Best For: Sustainable farm-to-table Colorado cuisine
Bird and Jim champions Colorado cuisine with seasonal menus built around locally sourced ingredients from Front Range farms in Estes Park, Drake, Kersey, and Hygiene.
This restaurant and bar at 915 Moraine Ave takes sustainable dining seriously while keeping things delicious.
Their fried chicken sandwich is absolute perfection, crispy exterior, impossibly moist interior, quintessential sandwich quality.
The Spinach and Radicchio Salad with organic salmon surprised me with its light vinaigrette and flavor balance. Their farm-to-table commitment shines through every dish.
Perfect for carry-out after hiking or relaxed dining downtown.
Opening: Lunch and dinner, seasonal hours
Atmosphere: Restaurant and bar featuring sustainable Colorado cuisine with relaxed farm-to-table neighborhood vibe
Menu Highlights:
- Fried chicken sandwich with crispy exterior
- Spinach and Radicchio Salad with organic salmon
- Seasonal locally sourced ingredients
Address: 915 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Boss Burgers and Gyros
Best For: Classic American burgers done right
Ranked among the best burger spots in the United States by Trip Advisor, Boss Burgers and Gyros at 861 Moraine Ave absolutely deserves the recognition.
This casual, no-frills establishment serves classic American burgers cooked on a flat top grill for superior crust caramelization.
Their all beef patty achieves burger perfection, juicy, simple, done right. I genuinely believe this might be Colorado’s best burger.
Dogs welcome in the outdoor seating area makes it ideal for post-hike meals. The atmosphere stays relaxed and the quality remains consistently excellent.
Opening: Daily lunch and dinner
Atmosphere: Casual no-frills American burger stand with pet-friendly outdoor seating and relaxed local vibe
Menu Highlights:
- All beef burger with flat top grill cooking
- Gyros specialty
- Classic burger preparations
Address: 861 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern
Best For: Elevated mountain cuisine and steaks
This picturesque log cabin at 1675 CO-66 elevates mountain cuisine into something truly special.
The Rock Inn delivers homemade comfort food excellence in a rustic setting that feels authentically Colorado. Start with Elk Sausage, the perfect spice blend amazed me.
Their New York Strip arrives with diamond grill marks and medium rare perfection.
Surprisingly, their Pasta Alfredo rivals Italian restaurants with creamy texture, garlic and pepper notes, plus roasted tomatoes bringing everything together.
Sip an Alpine Manhattan sweetened with homemade pine syrup. This remains my absolute favorite dining experience in Estes Park.
Opening: Dinner nightly, reservations recommended
Atmosphere: Picturesque log cabin with rustic Colorado charm and homemade comfort food excellence throughout
Menu Highlights:
- Elk Sausage with perfect spice blend
- New York Strip with diamond grill marks
- Pasta Alfredo with roasted tomatoes
- Alpine Manhattan with pine syrup
Address: 1675 CO-66, Estes Park, CO 80517
Scratch Deli & Bakery
Best For: Fresh sandwiches and baked goods
For amazing lunch made with freshly baked bread, Scratch Deli and Bakery at 911 Moraine Ave delivers sandwich perfection.
Their specialty sandwich menu impresses, but you can build custom creations from wide meat and cheese selections.
I ordered their house-cured Pastrami sandwich, tangy pastrami with mustard on toasted rye bread, absolutely classic and superb.
Enormous sandwiches mean you’ll definitely get your fill. Grab outdoor seating with mountain views or order ahead for take-out before hitting trails.
This neighborhood gem does scratch-made quality right.
Opening: Breakfast and lunch daily
Atmosphere: Casual neighborhood deli with outdoor mountain views and scratch-made sandwich excellence for takeout
Menu Highlights:
- House-cured Pastrami on rye bread
- Custom sandwich building options
- Freshly baked bread daily
Address: 911 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Estes Thai Restaurant
Best For: Authentic Thai flavors and specialties
Having spent two months eating through Thailand, I recognize authentic Thai flavors when I taste them, and Estes Thai Restaurant at 401 E Elkhorn Ave delivers admirably.
They balance traditional preparations with Colorado palate adaptation beautifully.
I ordered Royal Fish, their house specialty: pan fried filets swimming in spicy red chili sauce with perfect sweet, sour, and spicy balance.
Served with rice, every bite sang with proper Thai complexity. Beyond standard Thai classics, they include hard-to-find specialty dishes.
Finding quality Thai food in a mountain town feels like discovering treasure.
Opening: Lunch and dinner daily
Atmosphere: Downtown Thai restaurant with authentic flavors and traditional preparations adapted for Colorado palate
Menu Highlights:
- Royal Fish with spicy red chili sauce
- Thai classics menu
- Hard-to-find specialty dishes
Address: 401 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Ed’s Cantina & Grill
Best For: Tex-Mex and margaritas downtown
Ed’s Cantina and Grill serves excellent Tex-Mex with expertly crafted margaritas at 390 E Elkhorn Ave by the Riverwalk.
This east side location gets missed by tourists, making it a great dinner spot without peak season crowds.
I enjoyed their creative Chicken con Crema, but the Chile Rellenos stole the show, crispy texture with every bite, topped with tomato serrano sauce that delivered slightly spicy, acidic excellence.
Their Mexican food selection covers tacos to more complex preparations. Outdoor seating overlooks the Riverwalk beautifully.
A hidden gem worth seeking out.
Opening: Daily lunch and dinner service
Atmosphere: Riverwalk location with outdoor seating, less crowded dining, and excellent Tex-Mex hidden gem status
Menu Highlights:
- Chile Rellenos with tomato serrano sauce
- Chicken con Crema
- Expertly crafted margaritas
- Tacos and Mexican classics
Address: 390 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Elevations Bar And Eatery
Best For: Refined steaks in downtown location
Most downtown Estes restaurants disappoint with inflated prices, but Elevations Bar and Eatery at 153 E Elkhorn Ave breaks that pattern.
This recently opened spot delivers refined menu offerings while keeping things casual and approachable.
Their Elk Burger satisfied, but the Red Wine and Shallot Butter Steak absolutely shined, hangar steak cooked to perfect medium rare with garlic mashed potatoes.
That red wine and shallot butter sauce achieved steakhouse quality, mixing beautifully with steak juices for superior sauce perfection.
Downtown dining done right, proving Elkhorn Avenue can deliver excellence.
Opening: Lunch and dinner daily
Atmosphere: Recently opened downtown spot with refined casual dining and steakhouse quality downtown gem excellence
Menu Highlights:
- Red Wine and Shallot Butter Steak
- Elk Burger specialty
- Garlic mashed potatoes
Address: 153 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Favorite Coffee Shops in Estes Park
Estes Park’s coffee scene delivers quality beans and charming atmospheres.
Kind Coffee is a popular local shop that moves lines quickly despite crowds, enjoy your cup by the Big Thompson River or strolling the Riverwalk.
Coffee on the Rocks features a duck filled pond with outdoor seating that kids adore.
But Inkwell and Brew at 150 E Elkhorn Ave serves probably the best coffee in town, sourcing from reputable Huckberry Roasters.
Their plain latte comes perfectly crafted every time. Browse local crafts while grabbing muffins and baked goods for between-meals fuel.
Top Coffee Spots:
Inkwell & Brew
- Best coffee with Huckberry Roasters beans
- Plain latte specialty
- Local crafts and baked goods
- 150 E Elkhorn Ave
Kind Coffee
- Big Thompson River location
- Quick-moving lines
- Riverwalk strolling access
Coffee on the Rocks
- Duck filled pond
- Outdoor seating
- Kid-friendly atmosphere
Favorite Breweries and Winery in Estes Park
Estes Park’s craft beverage scene offers excellent local options beyond restaurants.
Rockcut delivers laid back vibes with friendly staff, outdoor patio seating, and food trucks on nice evenings, perfect post-hike relaxation.
Lumpy Ridge crafts well-made beers served on a small outdoor patio with gorgeous mountain views.
For wine lovers, Snowy Peaks Winery provides tastings while kids play in the adjacent toy and art area within hands reach supervision.
Each venue captures Colorado’s brewery culture authentically while welcoming families and beer enthusiasts equally.
Craft Beverage Destinations:
Rockcut Brewing
- Laid back atmosphere with friendly staff
- Outdoor patio with food trucks
- Perfect evening destination
Lumpy Ridge Brewing
- Well-crafted Colorado beers
- Small patio with mountain views
- Local brewery excellence
Snowy Peaks Winery
- Wine tasting experience
- Children’s play area adjacent
- Family-friendly winery atmosphere
Final Thoughts
Estes Park’s dining scene genuinely impresses with incredible variety, from hearty mountain breakfasts to fine dining experiences that rival city restaurants.
While bison and wild game meatloaf exist as novelty items, the quality establishments on this list represent where locals actually eat and what visitors truly remember.
The adventurous spirit of Estes Valley extends beyond Rocky Mountain trails into culinary excellence.
Whether you’re grabbing coffee before sunrise hikes or celebrating summit success with craft beers and steaks, these restaurants deliver authentic Colorado dining that enhances every mountain adventure beautifully.
