Telluride might be a small mountain town, but it’s packed with a diverse assortment of exceptional dining venues offering a wide range of cuisine. There’s something that can satisfy any type of craving, from contemporary comfort food to classic steakhouse fare, French bistro delicacies to Asian fusion, authentic Italian to you name it. Telluride’s vibrant dining scene is guaranteed to please the palates of even the most discerning diners.
Looking forward to an unforgettable culinary adventure? Below are some of the finest Telluride, Colorado restaurants for you to check out.
FOR ELEVATED SMALL PLATES
568 Mountain Village Blvd., Telluride, CO
Opened in January 2021, Timber Room is one of the newest restaurants to hit Telluride’s dining scene. Located at the Madeline Hotel & Residences, Timber Room delights diners with a menu focused on elevated small plates meant for sharing from executive chef Bill Greenwood.
Their sharable items are sophisticated yet approachable and are imbued with a distinctive old-world flair, treating diners to an unparalleled dining experience. Some of their bestsellers include baked potato topped with Russian osetra caviar and crème fraiche, dry-aged New York steak tartare with quail egg, and devilish eggs with shaved black truffle.
If you’ve spent a thrilling day on the slopes, Timber Room’s exceptional “Feast” dishes are sure to hit the spot with a variety of palate-pleasers. Line-caught wild salmon with lemon caper brown butter, Rocky Mountain elk loin topped with huckleberry jus, free range Colorado chicken with garlic herb pan jus, and prime dry-aged New York strip loin served with house-made signature steak sauce – all these are guaranteed to send your taste buds into overdrive.
Not to be upstaged are Timber Room’s expertly mixed cocktails, a stellar list of innovative creations that include the house-infused slow-dripped New Fashioned bourbon, the easy-sipping Timber Sour blend, and a variety of mocktails and hot and iced seasonal cocktails.
TO START YOUR DAY
201 E. Colorado, Telluride, CO
Kick-start your day by treating yourself to a delectable breakfast at The Butcher & The Baker, a locally owned and operated café and bakery serving a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, bowls, burritos, house-baked muffins, tarts, and other artisan pastries.
While this Main Street joint is known for their excellent breakfast dishes, they offer a terrific casual lunch and dinner menu as well featuring a variety of elevated comfort food like house-roasted turkey, organic chicken pot pie, buffalo cauliflower wings, and their signature fried green tomato burger.
In addition to their handmade organic fare, The Butcher & The Baker also has a full bar that carries a curated assortment of locally crafted small-batch spirits, biodynamic wines, and craft beers on tap from many of Colorado’s finest breweries.
FOR MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH STEAKS
231 W. Colorado Avenue, Telluride, CO
Located at the historic New Sheridan Hotel, Chop House is a classic steakhouse known for their expertly prepared melt-in-your-mouth steaks. Established in 1895, Chop House is the ideal destination for diners in the mood for meat. Among the standouts in their menu include the dry-aged bone-in bison ribeye, Rocky Mountain elk short loin, and Colorado lamb chops. Their steaks are the stuff of legend. Take a bite from their tender New York strip topped with their signature zesty green peppercorn sauce and you’ll know exactly what we mean.
Chop House is also a fantastic brunch destination, with their variety of tasty brunch dishes like classic eggs Benedict and refreshing pistachio-crusted trout salad.
FOR TRADITIONAL FRENCH CUISINE
150 W. San Juan Avenue, Telluride, CO
A beloved downtown Telluride restaurant since 1988, La Marmotte specializes in traditional French cuisine paired with a curated selection of fine domestic and international wines. Although the restaurant may look like a vintage late-1800s icehouse from the outside, its interiors provide an inviting and elegant dining atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a romantic evening or celebrating a special occasion.
La Marmotte’s exquisite appetizers are sure to whet your appetite for a delightful feast to come, with options like fromage du jour with dried fruit, blackberry compote, and Marcona almonds, or their enticing house charcuterie board with a mix of pickles and freshly grilled bread served with a tangy creole mustard.
For entrees, the restaurant’s distinguished menu has an abundance of choices that can satisfy any craving. They offer a superb selection of light fare including Idaho trout amandine, salmon poele, and tasty vegetarian options like chicory salad and whole roasted cauliflower. But if you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, their popular dishes like coq au vin, Colorado chicken, short rib provencal, and prime beef striploin are guaranteed to satisfy.
FOR THE BEST OF NEW AMERICAN CUISINE
221 South Oak Street, Telluride, CO
221 South Oak is an upscale bistro housed in a historic Victorian home adorned with beautiful artwork and two picturesque garden patios. Nestled among trees just steps away from the gondola, this top-rated restaurant in Telluride, Colorado is renowned for its intimate ambiance, amazing food, outstanding wine list, and first-class customer service.
Owned by local restaurateur and award-winning Chef Eliza Gavin, 221 South Oak serves thoughtfully prepared New American cuisine influenced by a dynamic range of styles including Creole, classical French, Calypso, and Californian. They specialize in homemade ingredients. Sauces, salad dressings, reductions, soups, pastries, pasta, sausages, and even cheese and ice cream are all crafted onsite.
One of their standout dishes is the seared scallops, a delightful concoction served with smoked sweet potato puree and topped with parsnip and apple relish and crispy Maitake mushrooms.
221 South Oak also offers Sunday brunches and appetizer and wine pairing classes led by Chef Eliza herself.
FOR AWARD-WINNING DETROIT-STYLE PIZZAS
110 E. Colorado Avenue, Telluride, CO
Craving pizza? You definitely can’t go wrong with Brown Dog Pizza, one of the most popular restaurants in Telluride, Colorado. The renowned pizzeria is owned and operated by award-winning pizzaiolo Jeff “Smoke” Smokevitch, winner of several international pizza-making competitions including the World Pizza Championships, International Pizza Challenge, and the Campionato Mondiale della Pizza in Parma, Italy.
Brown Dog’s menu features a tasty assortment of classic American pizzas, together with an array of burgers, wings, salads, subs, wraps, pasta, and daily specials. The main highlights are their famous Detroit-style pizzas, winners of the aforementioned international competitions.
Brown Dog Pizza is the perfect venue for watching the big game – they have large-screen HDTVs for live games and a full bar with an extensive selection of beer from Colorado’s top breweries.
TO DINE AT THE TOP OF THE GONDOLA
San Sophia Station (exit at the mid-station from either Telluride or Mountain Village)
Savor delicious contemporary American fare along with a stunning eagle’s eye view of the Telluride valley against a backdrop formed by the majestic San Juan Mountains. Allred’s Restaurant offers a soaring dining experience at an altitude of over 10,500 feet above sea level.
Allred’s operates with a prix-fixe three-course menu highlighted by exceptional entrees like Colorado rack of lamb, togarashi-crusted Hawaiian bigeye tuna, and bourbon-marinated elk strip loin with black cherry compote and sunchoke puree, all of which are exquisite when paired with their handcrafted cocktails or fine wines from their award-winning wine list.
Be sure to cap your meal off with their delicious freshly made desserts like vanilla crème brulee and sticky toffee pudding cake along with a cup of their excellent espresso or one of their delicious dessert wines.
TO ENJOY THE FLAVORS OF NEW ORLEANS
Top of Plunge Lift 9
Giuseppe’s specializes in New Orleans-inspired comfort food such as gumbo, creole pasta, po’boys, and black bean saute, which diners can savor while taking in panoramic views of the alpine landscape stretching as far as the La Sal mountains in Utah.
Giuseppe’s is open only during the winter season, so don’t miss an opportunity to dine in this top-rated on-mountain restaurant when it’s available.
FOR INNOVATIVE RAMEN WITH JAPANESE WHISKIES
135 E. Colorado Avenue, Telluride, CO
Located in Telluride’s historic Roma Building, Wood Ear is a subterranean modern ramen bar and cocktail lounge opened in 2018 by friends Kevin Bush and Matthew Arnold.
One of the most innovative restaurants in Telluride, Colorado, Wood Ear delivers a tight selection of Asian and classic American fare with fun twists. With Bush and Arnold both hailing from the Lone Star State, you can find Texan BBQ staples like smoked brisket and pork shoulder included in their ramen options. The Hill Country ramen is highly recommended, an absolutely perfect fusion of chopped smoked brisket, smoked bone broth infused with garlic oil, sweet and spicy pickles, roasted corn, wood ear mushrooms, and cured soft egg. Another superb choice is their buttermilk chicken, a flavorful rice dish with buttermilk-battered chicken breast on top of coconut jasmine rice drizzled with wasabi honey mustard.
Wood Ear’s bar boasts a selection of more than 50 tequilas and mezcals and over a hundred whiskies with a focus on Japanese varieties. They have an extensive menu of innovative house-made cocktails as well, all bottled in reusable plastic flasks ready for the trails or the slopes.
FOR ON-MOUNTAIN DINING OF FRENCH COUNTRY FARE
Top of Polar Queen Express (Lift 5)
Bon Vivant is one of Telluride, Colorado’s favorite restaurants and a must-visit dining destination for anyone looking forward to a first-class on-mountain dining experience. Nestled at the top of Lift 5, the restaurant treats diners to captivating vistas of the Wilson and Palmyra peaks, two of the highest points in the enchanting San Juan Mountains.
Their menu is overseen by award-winning Chef Brian Hartman and focuses on traditional French country fare, with a broad range of specialties such as beef bourguignon, croque monsieur and madame, salade de betterave with horseradish cream, and wild boar and duck cassoulet.
Complementing their delectable cuisine is an all-French wine list curated by Wine Director Andrew Shaffner, which offers a superb selection of pinot noirs, chardonnays, Bordeaux, and champagnes.
FOR ALL THAT’S IN SEASON
301 Gus’s Way, Telluride, CO
Located at the Hotel Columbia, Cosmopolitan is a fine dining restaurant and lounge with rustic interiors and an expansive wooden deck al fresco dining area. The restaurant is one of the most top-rated fine dining establishments in Telluride and was launched by Chef Chad Scothorn, who has garnered praise from numerous publications like The New York Times, Connoisseur, Town & Country, and Esquire for his innovative cuisine and creative approach. In 2002, Scothorn was invited to cook for the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, a career milestone and an aspiration for culinary professionals throughout the world.
Cosmopolitan’s fare reflects Scothorn’s expertise and range of influences, with a menu inspired by Italian, French, Asian, and American cuisine. The restaurant’s menu changes daily depending on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients available, allowing diners to enjoy a unique experience with every visit.
Be sure to leave room for their delicious desserts like coffee and hazelnut torte, warm wild Maine blueberry pie, and house-made ice cream and sorbet.
FOR CONTEMPORARY FRENCH DELECTABLES
219 West Pacific Avenue, Telluride, CO
Tucked away just off Telluride’s main street, Petite Maison is a bakery, deli, and happy hour hangout all rolled into one. Opened back in December 2021, the establishment features modern chalet interiors with a garage door that opens up to its cozy al fresco dining area, creating a chic indoor-outdoor setting.
Whether you’re ordering a cold-case salad to go, refueling after a day at the slopes with a delicious pot pie, or savoring a steak with a glass of wine for dinner, Petite Maison’s contemporary French culinary creations are all on point. Don’t forget to cap off your meal with one of their delectable desserts – their profiteroles are a crowd favorite.
These are just some of the many exceptional restaurants you can discover in Telluride, Colorado!
FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN TELLURIDE TODAY!
Owning a home in Telluride gives you easy access not only to these incredible restaurants, but to an endless array of year-round outdoor activities, exciting festivals, and unique recreational destinations.
Whether you’re searching for a vacation home, a permanent residence, or an investment property, owning real estate in Telluride is always a worthwhile endeavor.
Top local expert TD Smith and his team of experienced real estate pros at Team TD Smith are ready to help you navigate Telluride’s exciting market. TD and his team have the “Mountains of Experience” needed to help you find a Telluride residence that perfectly matches all of your preferences and requirements.
Get in touch with TD Smith and his team today at [ai_phone href=”+1.970.729.1577″]970.729.1577[/ai_phone], or send an [mail_to email=”td@tdsmith.com”]email[/mail_to].