Nestled amidst the picturesque peaks of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains lies a hidden culinary gem of Crested Butte. A place where the vibrant flavors of the West meet the warmth of mountain town hospitality.
So, prepare to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a mouthwatering adventure as we unveil the top restaurants in Crested Butte, CO.
In preparation for this blog post, we spent several weeks exploring this charming mountain town seeking out the best restaurants in Crested Butte, CO. From cozy bistros serving up locally sourced dishes to artisanal eateries pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity.
Our restaurant exploration will leave you craving the unforgettable tastes and experiences that define Crested Butte’s dining scene. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a memorable meal in a stunning setting, this guide will help you uncover the best eats in Crested Butte.
Secret Stash
Secret Stash is probably one of the most popular restaurants in Crested Butte, CO. Without a doubt, they have the best pizza in town!
The inside offers an eclectic vibe and has an Asian influence. When checking out their menu, you will notice a wide selection of unique pizza options.
Probably one of the most famous pizzas they serve is Notorious F.I.G. But it has blue cheese, which is not really our favorite. But the ‘Where’s The Beef?‘ Pizza is another pizza featuring figs that we can highly vouch for! You can choose to add a protein, or just keep it vegetarian.
Don’t miss out on their Crack Fries. Again, Jake and I aren’t huge fry people (I know many of you are thinking we are crazy with that statement!) But our server suggested the fries and said it was their best seller, so we gave it a try, and wow, they are legendary!
Crack Fries are covered in truffle oil, sprinkled with cheese, and cracked black pepper, plus a secret sticky icy sauce. Seriously, just take our word and give them a try.
They also have a nice covered outdoor patio, plus a few tables street side. So there are tons of places to sit in the summer. During the winter, well, the indoor seating can get a little packed.
Ryce Asian Bistro
If you are craving some Asian Cuisine, Ryce Asian Bistro is a clear winner for one of the best restaurants in Crested Butte, CO. They serve a variety of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai dishes.
Personally, we really enjoyed the Crab Wontons, Generals Chicken, and the Thai Panang Curry. But note their portions are HUGE. You can easily share one entree with another person. They offer a fairly large menu with tons of great classic Asian favorites.
And just FYI, they don’t make super spicy cuisine here, (which was confirmed by the waitress too). So if you want some true Asian spice you should make that known to the kitchen staff. Or maybe ask for some chilis on the side to add to your dish!
Public House (Irwin’s Brewing Company)
Public House is a restaurant & bar serving up beers from Irwin’s Brewing Company, one of the local breweries in town. But they also serve some bomb food as well.
The vibe inside is “rustic chic” with an assortment of historic photos and taxidermy.
We loved Irwin’s Hazy IPA. We even picked up a 6-pack to keep the Crested Butte nostalgia alive before leaving town!
They also serve unique beer-tails (aka beer cocktails), but we just stuck to their pure local brews. Public House also has a crowd-pleasing food menu (but expect to pay high-mountain prices).
I’d describe their food as elegant pub fare, with a variety of different appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. The elote dip and elk meatloaf are fan favorites.
You can also catch a live show at their venue. Check their local page for live music events, to see if anyone is playing while you’re in town. Some shows may require advanced tickets.
And if you are looking for a place to stay, there are even lofts you can rent out upstairs. Which can make for an easy “walk” home for a night after a concert!
Teocalli Tamale
Teocalli Tamale is the local affordable but delicious counter-service Mexican restaurant. Service here is similar to a “Chipotle-style” where you choose your ingredients. And yes, they even serve those massive burritos that are basically bigger than your face.
They also have homemade tamales that are amazing. You can either dine indoors or sit outside along the street on their outdoor patio.
If you are a small eater, then you can easily split a burrito with someone. Or choose something smaller like the tacos or a bowl.
Bonez
Bonez is the local tequila bar and grill that serves contemporary Mexican fare. It’s owned by the same owner of Secret Stash. It also has a unique eclectic vibe inside as well.
They have a slightly more upscale Mexican selection, from tacos, bowls, enchiladas, salads, and more.
Sherpa Cafe
If you are craving something a little different, Sherpa Cafe has some tasty Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine.
The owners are originally from Nepal, so you can trust you are getting authentic-tasting food and an enriching cultural experience.
Chicken Tikka Masala and Garlic Naan bread are always a classic for us!
They also have another location in Gunnison. So if you miss this restaurant while in town, you can always stop at their original location on your way out of town.
Eldo Brew Pub
Eldo Brew Pub not only has some tasty beers and an epic balcony patio, but they also serve Himalayan food. So what’s not better than grabbing a tasty brew and some homemade Himalayan momos?!
Their Himalayan menu is small but offers a nice selection to keep your taste buds satisfied.
Butte Bagels
Butte Bagels is one of the best restaurants in Crested Butte for breakfast or lunch. They have a wide selection of hot breakfast sandwiches made on their fresh bagels. Or of course, you can get a classic bagel with cream cheese.
All their bagels and cream cheese are homemade. You can either choose a traditional bagel or one of their pretzel bagels. We tried one of each, both were pretty tasty. Although, we will admit, we weren’t a huge fan of their bacon (it was more like Canadian Bacon which we are not huge fans of).
They also serve coffee and other drinks.
Sunflower (farm-to-table)
The Sunflower is a farm-to-table dining establishment that is praised as one of the most elevated culinary experiences in Crested Butte. Their cuisine is meticulously crafted to showcase the seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, with everything prepared in-house.
Their menu is dynamic, adapting to the changing seasons, and this extends to pricing as well. The Sunflower, being a high-end restaurant that doesn’t purchase ingredients in bulk, commands a higher price point, typically averaging around $150 per person.
However, if you seek a culinary experience featuring fresh, unconventional ingredients, The Sunflower promises to captivate your taste buds.
Pitas In Paradise
We visited Pitas in Paradise on a whim when one of these other restaurants was overly crowded. And boy were we happy with our choice. Pita’s in Paradise combines Greek, Mediterranean, and American into one diabolical menu.
They offer many different pita variations, rice bowls, salads, and more. Of course, you can’t go wrong with The O.G. Pita which has slow-roasted lamb.
They also have a killer Happy Hour from 2pm-5pm where you can get discounts on a few popular food items and great deals on select drinks.
Camp 4 Coffee
In town, you’ll find the beloved local coffee haven known as Camp 4 Coffee. This charming little cafe offers a variety of both hot and cold beverages, accompanied by a delectable array of pastries. For those looking to savor the taste at home, they also offer freshly roasted coffee beans you can purchase.
While their outdoor seating area provides a charming ambiance for enjoying your beverages in the warmer summer months, but when winter sets in, the open-air experience might be a bit on the chilly side. There is no indoor seating, so it’s more of a grab-and-go experience during the colder months.
Rumors Coffee & Tea House
A cozy little coffee shop in the heart of Crested Butte sits Rumors Coffee & Tea. It’s connected to a local bookstore called Townie Books. So pair your coffee with a nice read while you enjoy the nice scenery.
They serve delicious specialty coffees and have a great variety of different loose-leaf teas.
They also serve Crested Bucha here, which is a must-get if you enjoy kombucha. At the time we visited, they were serving Strawberry Basil, and it might literally be one of the best kombuchas I’ve ever had.
Rumors Coffee & Tea also organizes a variety of artistic gatherings, such as live music performances and art exhibitions!
Tin Cup Ice Creams & Dessert
Grab a scoop of Third Bowl Homemade Ice Cream at Tin Cup Ice Creams & Dessert. This place is a local stop you do not wanna miss!
Tin Cup and Third Bowl partnered together after the pandemic. Third Bowl is a local company that makes their ice cream in small batches from scratch.
Besides ice cream, they also serve custom fine chocolates, cakes, cookies, cupcakes and so much more.
Breadery
Breadery is the local flatbread restaurant. They are known for their famous naturally-leavened sourdough pizza and bread.
All of their breads, pasta, and sauces are made from scratch daily in their kitchen.
Plus they are a very vegetable-heavy restaurant, therefore, you won’t find many meat items on the menu.
Here, you can expect more of a family-style dining experience. With many different sharable plates.
Many visitors start with basic sourdough bread chunks with their choice of dipping sauce. They serve many different gourmet flatbreads that will delight your taste buds. And a variety of different sharable dishes.
They also have a divine dessert menu if there is room left after all the other amazing food.
Baldy’s
Baldy’s is an artful sandwitchery in downtown Crested Butte. You can choose from their selection of hand-crafted sandwiches or build your own.
This place can be a great option for taking a sandwich up on the mountain or out on a hike.
Wooden Nickel
The Wooden Nickel is a cozy classic Western steakhouse restaurant, with options such as filet mignon, lobster, elk tenderloin, etc. But they also have a few great sandwich options that can fit the bill for more budget-conscious visitors.
The Wooden Nickel is certainly a piece of history in the small mountain town of Crested Butte. While there was a building originally built in 1880 in the Wooden Nickel location, it was later dismantled to be rebuilt in 1929 into the building you see now. (You can read more about the history in-depth via their webpage).
If you are interested in history or just want to have nostalgia for what the town of Crested Butte once was, you should definitely check out The Wooden Nickel.
Elk Ave Prime
Elk Ave Prime is a luxury steakhouse restaurant in the heart of town. And you probably guessed it, it’s located on Elk Avenue.
You can choose from a variety of hand-cut steaks. Plus a few different options for Colorado’s Wild Game. They also offer many different house-made sauces to pair with the meat of your choice.
Additionally, they offer a few different tasty sides to share. You can expect a fine dining experience, but also the price will certainly reflect the level of service.
Elk Ave. Prime also has an extensive list of specialty wines.
If you are looking for one of the best steak dinners in Crested Butte, you will certainly want to dine here.
Slogar Bar
The Slogar Bar is a Prix-fixe (three-course, family-style dinner). It’s a great place for the entire family to enjoy. Each guest chooses their main course, and the sides are served to share with the rest of the table.
When entering into The Slogar Bar, you are stepping into a building that was originally built in 1882. The building originally started as a family home, but later the family slowly added on rooms for a more comfortable home for their family. Eventually, it was formed into the Slogar Bar & Restaurants.
A tradition since 1983 is the skillet-fried chicken dinners. Therefore, if you are having a hard time choosing your main course, then you might as well consider sticking to a true Crested Butte original of Skillet-Fried Chicken.
You also can choose all sides as your main course, and split a main course with another diner.
Izayaka Cabin
Izayaka Cabin is the Japanese restaurant in town offering fresh bites to eat. The meaning of Izayaka means informal Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks.
Therefore, they serve three different styles with a price-fix menu. You pay per person rather than for each item.
The least expensive price-fix option offers a few different appetizers and sushi rolls which are served family-style. The number of items is altered depending on the amount of people at the table. A step up from this menu is the sashimi, nigiri menu which has more fresh fish sushi items to share.
Of course, if you are less into the family-style price-fixed menu, you can have a more traditional menu option. But this does cost quite a bit more than the family-style options. But each person will receive their own plate for each course.
Lastly, if you want to just grab a few sushi rolls and specialty cocktails, there is a menu for that too. So the Izayaka Cabin offers a diverse menu with a few unique options for dining.
Also, between 5-6pm, they have a local Happy Hour offering discounts on drinks, appetizers, and classic sushi rolls.
Izakaya Cabin has a great modern indoor seating area, great bar seating, and outdoor seating on their patio.
Crested Butte Burger Company
One of the last places to grab an affordable meal in Crested Butte is at the Burger Company. You can snag a burger for under $10. Plus they have a variety of tasty hand-cut fries, and umm…. Yes! CHEESE CURDS!!! (sorry Emily always gets extra excited when a restaurant out west has cheese curds).
The patties are thin, but you can ask for a double patty for just $2 more.
The Crested Butte Burger Company is located right at the base of the ski resort. So you can either stop here for lunch out on an epic ski day or after a long hike or bike ride up on the mountain. And they have a stunning view of Mount Crested Butte to enjoy as you devour a greasy burger.
Their hours differ in summer and winter. So check this website or call ahead to see if they are open.
Bonus Cocktail Bars To Visit in Crested Butte, CO
Dogwood Cocktail Cabin
The Dogwood is a great pre-dinner stop before heading into one of the best restaurants in Crested Butte. It’s nestled within an old miner’s cabin, where it serves up Craft Cocktails and small plates.
With its charming patio, courtyard, and inviting indoor seating, the Dogwood exudes a cozy atmosphere. Don’t miss their happy hour, which runs from 4 to 5 pm.
Their menu boasts a wide array of inventive cocktails, tailored to your preferred liquor, along with a selection of beer and wine.
Montanya Distillers
Montanya Distillers is a standout if you want a local custom-made cocktail. But they don’t serve food, so it’s another ideal pre-dinner destination.
Their rum is crafted in the unique setting of the Rocky Mountains, a true rarity in the region. Notably, Montanya Distillers is proudly woman-owned, you can explore the owner’s inspiring journey here.
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Save These ‘Best Restaurants in Crested Butte, CO’ For Later
