If you're headed for the hills this weekend or season, try Steamboat Springs where the snow is amazing and the crowds nowhere near the size of those you'll find in Winter Park or Summit County. More than the great skiing, Steamboat has one of the best culinary scenes of all of our mountain towns.
This historic northern Coloradan mountain town mixes an old-west vibe with contemporary style and flair. Though the total length of the town can be driven in roughly 10 minutes, there's a diverse dining scene to be experienced throughout that span of space. Restaurants range from local brewpubs and greasy spoons to elegant, contemporary foodie finds with award-winning cuisine.These nine spots should keep you busy morning, noon, and night if you visit soon.
Note: The listings are organized in alphabetical order. If we missed your favorite spot and you'd like us to consider it for future coverage, leave a comment or send a note down the tipline.
Open since 2014, this two-story building on the Yampa River is polished but cool for a not-too-fancy mountain dining experience. With elegant presentations and meat sourced from mloyal ranchers, the menu fluctuates frequently. If you're on your way to Steamboat soon, try the marrow bone brûlée or the mushroom fondue.
This is the place to go if your'e a craft beer fan. Just below street level, check out the chalkboard for more than 30 brews that rotate on a daily basis, many of which are produced here in Colorado.
This popular spot is named after the father of Seamboat skiing and the namesake of Howelsen Hill across the river. Open for lunch and supper, we recommend trying all the teasers and trimmings.
Located in the historic Soda Creek building and the home of the Steamboat Laundry from 1910-1977, Laundry features Executive Chef Chris Randall's award-winning food, with a blend of western inspiration and urban sophistication. Rex Brice's fifth restaurant in Steamboat is a gastropub with small plates and house-infused vodkas, including, but not limited to one that is lit on fire for crowd-pleasing celebrations.
Though it might seem contradictory, comfort food in the mountains will get your warm in toasty in no time as the snow lightly falls over Steamboat Springs. Opened in 2014 by husband-wife team Katy and Brian Vaughn, this experimental southern style venture is tucked in a cozy, dimly lit space in the center of town. Try the tender ribs with Texas dry rub and Carolina style spicy sauce on local Yampa Valley pigs, or the chicken and biscuits that sizzle and delicately fall apart to the touch. The grits are another favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike. Oh, and the cocktails are influenced by the spirit of the south as well, from mint juleps to sweet tea and sazaracs.
Committed to a healthy, clean lifestyle, Rootz Cafe is a dressed down but still delicious eatery with a reduce, reuse, recycle mentality. Try the greens, grains, juices or sandwiches – most of the menu is raw, local, organic and fresh.
Open for lunch and dinner daily, fresh flavors and creative presentations define the menu at Salt + Lime, a Rex Brice operation in the center of town. Though the menu changes frequently, a significant portion of it is consistently dedicated to colorful tacos, such as the vegetales, with roasted cauliflower, cashew salsa, queso fresco and tempura fried avocado, or the chicken tinga with avocado, pickled onion and cabbage, queso cotija, cilantro, and lime mayo. Pair the vibrant atmosphere and delicious bites with a margarita and it'll feel like a real getaway.
This ski patrol trainer was converted to be a mountainside bar and lunchtime restaurant with a lot of laid back energy, apres fun and flavor. With indoor-outdoor seating, grab a Bloody Mary from the ski-in, ski-out window or fuel up with the empanadas, ramen or hot smoked mozzarella.
Opened in the former Bistro CV space, this 84-seat eatery elevates comfort food and focuses on seasonality and local Yampa Valley and Rocky Mountain ingredients. The rustic menu presently features a delightful pancetta cassoulet with cranberry and white beans and an herbed panko crust, while the roasted lamb is carved table side for two or four people, complete with masala spiced leg and grilled ribs, crisp red skinned potatoes with herbs, sautéed vegetables, rosemary jus. The cocktail of the moment that is definitely worth a try is the lunar eclipse, with Colorado-made Montanya oro, carpano, green chartreuse, chocolate bitters and cold brew espresso.
Open since 2014, this two-story building on the Yampa River is polished but cool for a not-too-fancy mountain dining experience. With elegant presentations and meat sourced from mloyal ranchers, the menu fluctuates frequently. If you're on your way to Steamboat soon, try the marrow bone brûlée or the mushroom fondue.
This is the place to go if your'e a craft beer fan. Just below street level, check out the chalkboard for more than 30 brews that rotate on a daily basis, many of which are produced here in Colorado.
This popular spot is named after the father of Seamboat skiing and the namesake of Howelsen Hill across the river. Open for lunch and supper, we recommend trying all the teasers and trimmings.
Located in the historic Soda Creek building and the home of the Steamboat Laundry from 1910-1977, Laundry features Executive Chef Chris Randall's award-winning food, with a blend of western inspiration and urban sophistication. Rex Brice's fifth restaurant in Steamboat is a gastropub with small plates and house-infused vodkas, including, but not limited to one that is lit on fire for crowd-pleasing celebrations.
Though it might seem contradictory, comfort food in the mountains will get your warm in toasty in no time as the snow lightly falls over Steamboat Springs. Opened in 2014 by husband-wife team Katy and Brian Vaughn, this experimental southern style venture is tucked in a cozy, dimly lit space in the center of town. Try the tender ribs with Texas dry rub and Carolina style spicy sauce on local Yampa Valley pigs, or the chicken and biscuits that sizzle and delicately fall apart to the touch. The grits are another favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike. Oh, and the cocktails are influenced by the spirit of the south as well, from mint juleps to sweet tea and sazaracs.
Committed to a healthy, clean lifestyle, Rootz Cafe is a dressed down but still delicious eatery with a reduce, reuse, recycle mentality. Try the greens, grains, juices or sandwiches – most of the menu is raw, local, organic and fresh.
Open for lunch and dinner daily, fresh flavors and creative presentations define the menu at Salt + Lime, a Rex Brice operation in the center of town. Though the menu changes frequently, a significant portion of it is consistently dedicated to colorful tacos, such as the vegetales, with roasted cauliflower, cashew salsa, queso fresco and tempura fried avocado, or the chicken tinga with avocado, pickled onion and cabbage, queso cotija, cilantro, and lime mayo. Pair the vibrant atmosphere and delicious bites with a margarita and it'll feel like a real getaway.
This ski patrol trainer was converted to be a mountainside bar and lunchtime restaurant with a lot of laid back energy, apres fun and flavor. With indoor-outdoor seating, grab a Bloody Mary from the ski-in, ski-out window or fuel up with the empanadas, ramen or hot smoked mozzarella.
Opened in the former Bistro CV space, this 84-seat eatery elevates comfort food and focuses on seasonality and local Yampa Valley and Rocky Mountain ingredients. The rustic menu presently features a delightful pancetta cassoulet with cranberry and white beans and an herbed panko crust, while the roasted lamb is carved table side for two or four people, complete with masala spiced leg and grilled ribs, crisp red skinned potatoes with herbs, sautéed vegetables, rosemary jus. The cocktail of the moment that is definitely worth a try is the lunar eclipse, with Colorado-made Montanya oro, carpano, green chartreuse, chocolate bitters and cold brew espresso.
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