Where to Dine in Steamboat Springs
The Restaurant Scene In Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs punches way above its weight when it comes to food. Kathie & Wayne have traveled the world, and their test? “Would this restaurant make it in Orange County, CA, or NYC?” The first? Is further narrowed down to “Would it make it in Laguna Beach?” And yes, there are restaurants that can (and have - to whit, one of our restaurants sold out the James Beard house in NYC when they were invited).
This is a mountain town that casually serves up everything from intimate bistros and elevated sushi to classic steakhouses, craft cocktails, and après-ski pizza that somehow tastes elite at 9 p.m. Whether you’re here for a long weekend, a wedding celebration, or just following your stomach, dining out in Steamboat is part of the experience — not an afterthought.
Downtown stays lively well into the evening, while tucked-away local favorites reward anyone willing to wander a little off the main drag. Menus lean fresh and seasonal, bartenders know their stuff, and by night two someone usually remembers your name. It’s relaxed, unpretentious, and exactly the vibe you want after a day of mountain air, good views, and even better company.
For couples planning a wedding at a destination wedding venue in Steamboat Springs — especially a luxury wedding venue like La Joya Dulce — the dining scene is a major win. Welcome dinners, rehearsal nights, late-night bites, and farewell brunches practically plan themselves. Your guests don’t just attend a wedding; they get a full taste of the town.
Bottom line: Steamboat Springs dining isn’t just “good for a mountain town.” It’s just good. Come hungry. Stay longer than planned. Zero regrets.
Skip to what you are looking for by using the links below:
Breakfast
Ah yes, how to fortify yourself before the day’s activities! Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Restaurant (click for link) | Location | Reservations? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creekside | Downtown | Recommended | Huevos Rancheros are outstanding, along with Bloody Mary's. Wayne & Kathie's favorite |
| The Egg | Midway | No | Solid Omelettes |
| Winona’s | Downtown | No | There will be a line. Best waffles in town. |
| Freshies | Midway | No | Terrific locals place for food. |
| The Shack | Downtown | No | A Steamboat institution for over 50 years. |
| Yampa Valley Kitchen | Downtown | Yes | Maybe the best brunch in town! |
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Coffee
Yeah, Starbucks is all over - it might even be in your hotel lobby. Beyond Starbucks? This is where folks go to get their caffeine fix for the day. And there are some hidden gems where you can curl up with a book and unwind! Perfect for the day after a wedding.
Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Coffeehouse (click for link) | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusions Bakery | Downtown | You may well be having desserts from them at the wedding! Completely gluten free |
| Big Iron Coffee | Downtown | Two locations. |
| Unravel | Mountain | Small chain |
| Dusky Grouse | Midway | Small, locally owned. They also double as a record and art store, selling popular vinyl records and locally made artwork. |
| Beard and Braid | Downtown | Selection of coffee and tea, as well as pastries. |
| Rumor and Design | Downtown | Who would think it? A design house that has a full scale coffee and wine bar? Not only is the coffee super satisfying, but the elegant atmosphere is such a treat! The location right on Lincoln Avenue also makes it a convenient stop while you’re shopping downtown. |
| Off the Beaten Path | Downtown | What better way to spend a lazy Saturday morning than curled up with a book and a cup of Joe? You can do both right here at our favorite local book store And then? Maybe wander the Farmer's Market in the Summer. |
| Cowboy Coffee | Mountain | Located in The Range, good for a grab and go before you hit the slopes . |
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Casual
Whether it is for lunch or for a casual evening out, Steamboat has some terrific burger / lunch / casual choices. By the river? No problem. Near the mountain? Got you covered. While our list isn’t all? It’s pretty comprehensive. We’ve also included the type to make it easier to sort.
Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Restaurant (click for link) | Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taco Cabo | River | Mexican | Great for a breakfast burrito, or a healthy bowl. Margaritas are great as well. Outdoor patio. One of Wayne & Kathie's favorites for grab and go.. |
| Sunpie’s Bistro | River | Cajun | Part dive bar, part Cajun - let the good times roll! Outdoor patio. |
| Yampa River Icehouse | River | BBQ / Burger | Texas style BBQ, burgers, salads. Riverside dining with an upstairs patio. It's a perfect place to watch the river (and tubers) go by. It's also run by an LJD alum, so we're partial. Evening reservations recommended. |
| Mountain Tap Brewery | River | Brewery | Wood fired pizza and their own brewery. Outdoor patio. If you like their beer? You might just find it at the event here as well! |
| Storm Peak | Mountain | Brewery | Yes! There are two locations. The one at the base of the mountain serves food. And the original on the West Side? Is next door to How Ya Doin Pizza. |
| Mythology | Mountain | Distillery | With two locations, slopeside and west side (where the distillery is), you have multiple places to visit. Want a tour? Slides for the kiddos? Go West. Both locations feature food from Yield. |
| Moe’s | Westside | BBQ | SmalServing up Alabama style BBQ. Outdoor patio.Near Storm and Mythology, as well as on the way to the ranch. May be the only chain restaurant on our list!l chain |
| How Ya Doin Pizza | Westside | Pizza | Next door to Storm, you can order your pizza to go - which is probably how you will get it for a late night snack at the wedding as they deliver to the ranch! And for those of you who are gluten free? Their cauliflower crust is great. |
| Clyde’s Pies | Downtown | Pizza | Quite honestly, some of the best pizza around. And if you are here in the summer? From May-September on weekends, Clyde sets up at the Clark Store, and that's where we get our fix. Hint: The Palisade Peach Pie? Heaven. |
| Blue Sage Pizza | Mountain | Pizza | Laid-back pizzeria offering deep-dish, thin-crust & classic pies, plus wings, salad & beer. Outdoor patio. |
| Corner Slice | Downtown | Pizza | Colorado fresh-forward ingredients in your classic NY style pizza at your neighborhood pizzeria. Live Music and open mic nights. |
| Brooklynn’s Pizzeria | Downtown | Pizza | Longtime family-run joint offering hand-tossed pizza by the pie or slice, plus wings & hoagies. Outdoor dining. No reservations. |
| O’Neill’s Tavern and Grill | Downtown | Pub | Pub food with an Irish twist. Outdoor dining. And yes, one of Flynn's favorites. |
| Old Town Pub | Downtown | Pub | American basics and drinks served in a circa-1904 former hotel with live-music nights and a dance floor. Locals call it OTP and if you think mac n' cheese is your comfort food? You'll find it here (try the lobster mac!) |
| Slopeside | Mountain | Pub | Lunch or apres ski. Indoor or outdoor. The choice is yours. Big plates of classics, such as burgers, ribs and pizza, in a rustic eatery with slope views and a bar |
| Big House | West Side | Burgers | Totally worth the drive. A favorite for staff and locals alike. Big juicy burgers along with great fries |
| Back Door Grill | Downtown | Burgers | Tommi's favorite! Casual, funky eatery serving classic & creative burgers, hand-cut fries, beer & more. Outdoor patio. |
| Apres Burger Bistro | Mountain | Burgers | Trendy full-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Patio and greenhouse dining. |
| Los Locos | Mountain | Mexican | Various tacos & other Mexican staples doled out in a cool, industrial setting with an upbeat vibe. Outdoor dining. |
| Skull Creek Greek | Downtown | Greek | Unfussy, rustic counter-serve eatery offering Greek fare such as gyros, salads & baklava.. And if there are food trucks at the ranch? Highly likely you will have them here! |
| Commons | Downtown | Food Hall | As they say, something for everyone! From poke bars to pizza - they have it all. |
| Yampa Sandwich | Downtown | Sandwiches | Local deli chain serving gourmet sandwiches, including breakfast options, in a casual setting. |
| T-Bar | Mountain | Pub | Local favorite for years. Dine outside on some of the best pub food around. Lunch / Apres. |
| Del Mezcal | Downtown | Mexican | Also downstairs in a basement downtown, they deliver authentic Mexican food, refreshing margaritas, and a welcoming atmosphere. We don't go there often enough! |
| Talay Thai | Mountain | Thai | Cozy, informal restaurant featuring a classic range of Thai food standards & a small bar. Wayne and Kathie's favorite - but a bit far for us to drive. |
| Seedz | Downtown | Healthy | Not just vegetarian! Fresh, local ingredients at a far lesser price than you would expect in a ski town. Asian fusion. Outdoor dining. |
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Mid-Range
At a step up in pricing from our casual dining, many of these restaurants will need a reservation - all season for the winter and weekends for the summer. You will have some great choices, and a few are couples’ favorites.
Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Restaurant (click for link) | Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazzola’s | Downtown | Italian | Classic Italian - even downstairs in a quaint basement location. Locals favorite for great pizza, pasta and Italian food. |
| Tahk Omakase | Downtown | Sushi | Steamboat Springs' first traditional sushi restaurant, follows a traditional sushi concept called Edo-Mae and Izakaya. |
| Mai Thai | Downtown | Thai | Thai food prepared in an exhibition kitchen. |
| 8th Street Steakhouse | Downtown | Steak | Grill your own! While the price might be higher than most on this list? The fun and experience of grilling your own is definitely different than "fine dining." Great steaks. |
| Salt and Lime | Downtown | Mexican | Mexican with a twist. Often cited as a couple's favorite and the rooftop space provides views for miles! |
| 5th Street Kitchen | Downtown | American | From burgers to bison. Outdoor dining. Same place as Mahogany Grill (IYKYK). Something for everybody. |
| Cypress | Downtown | Southern | Southern comfort food with an edge. Our New Orleans native , Jake, swears by the blackened red fish, and when they have étouffée? That makes Mandy very happy!? |
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Fine Dining
Yes, you can expect ski town (or New York) prices. But you can also expect a great dining experience. And yes, you will need reservations - definitely in the winter and on summer weekends, but recommended at all times!
Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Restaurant (click for link) | Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mambos | Downtown | Italian | Modern twist on Italian classics. Trivia - for over 10 years, LJD supplied the beef for their meatballs (but they are so popular now, we couldn't keep up with the demand). Outdoor dining in the summer on their patio is terrific. |
| Laundry | Downtown | Tapas | Small plates and a large wine list make this a favorite for both groups and intimate shared dinners. Definitely Tommi and Mandy's favorite! |
| Aurum | River | American | Modern, upbeat American with a vibrant seasonal menu.. Outside is spectacular! |
| Primrose | River | American | Dry-aged USDA Prime beef and hand-cut Colorado black angus steaks, jet-fresh seafood and a curated wine list featuring over 300 wines from around the world. Outdoor dining (but we like it inside the best). Chef's bar kitchen side. It's a favorite! |
| bésame | Downtown | Tapas | Latin-fusion fare leads the way at Kathie & Wayne's favorite spot. Try the Tipsy Carrot for a variation on a spicy marg or the Madrid in Manhattan. The paella is terrific as well. |
| Café Diva | Mountain | American | Hearty New American dining, with some game & vegetarian options, in a relaxed yet elegant space. It will be the most expensive in Steamboat. |
| Table 79 | Downtown | American | Savory American dishes & artisanal craft cocktails in a contemporary setting with a lively chef's counter. |
| Harwig’s | Downtown | French | Seasonal, locally sourced French dishes with modern twists & a lengthy wine list in a chic space. |
| Truffle Pig | Mountain | American | Upscale mountainside dining offering New American dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor dining. Extensive bar / cocktail menu. And run by our ranch manager, Emma! |
| Periodic Table | Mountain | Varies | Periodic Table is never the same! Each season (so twice a year), they change the theme entirely. Cajun, Western, Swedish, French - it could be anything. Prepare to be surprised. Located at the Catamount Golf Course. |
| Ore House | Midway | Steak | Serving hearty steaks & seafood in a rustic former barn. The salad bar is straight out of 70's nostalgia and is amazing. |
| E3 | River | Steak | All the cuts of meat served at this steakhouse come from the family ranch in Kansas. And if you are into baseball? You will understand the name - provided by the owner, a former MLB player. Beautiful outdoor space. |
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Happy Hours
Yes, Steamboat is expensive - BUT - the Happy Hours (and Mud Season) specials are affordable. What is mud season? Well, it’s that time when the snow is melting in April and May, or we are heading into winter in late October and November. We’ve outlined some of our favorites for you. There are more - check with your favorite restaurant.
Feel free to sort by location, reservation, name! For those of you on your phones? It’s a table - so best viewed in landscape mode.
| Restaurant (click for link) | Location | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mambos | Downtown | 4:00 - 5:30 | Half Price Specialty Pizzas. Ap specials and drink specials. If you are looking for pizza at Happy Hour? THIS is the place! |
| Laundry | Downtown | 4:30-5:30 | Tacos, small bites, drink specials. |
| Aurum | River | 4:00-6:00 | Best Happy Hour in the Boat (according to Wayne and Kathie). Apps (try the cauliflower and the duck wings), cocktails, wine and beer - you can make a meal out of it. |
| Primrose | River | 4:00-6:00 | You may need a reservation for Social Hour! Oysters, apps, an amazing burger and drinks. Gives Aurum a run for their money on Happy Hour. |
| bésame | Downtown | 4:00-5:30 | 30% off all tapas, drink specials. Order all the way up to 5:30 and get Happy Hour pricing. |
| Café Diva | Mountain | Mud Season | They will have amazing specials during mud season. |
| Cypress | River | 3:00-5:30 | Deviled eggs, spare ribs, burger - anything your soul food desires along with drink specials. |
| Harwig’s | Downtown | 5:00-6:30 | Open W-Sa. Lamb sliders, oysters, drink specials. |
| Truffle Pig | Mountain | 2:00-4:00 | Winter - bites, burgers, charcuterie board and drink specials. Wind down after skiing here. |
| Periodic Table | Mountain | 5:00-6:00 | Varies with the seasonal table they have created. |
| Ore House | Midway | 5:00-6:00 | Called Sunset Hour, 20% off of select entrees as well as half off well drinks and wine by the glass. And then? Their mud season special? They opened in 1971. So twice a year in mud season, they honor that with a $19.71 Prime Rib dinner. All the same as regular, but 8 oz. cut. Other great mud season specials as well. Flynn eats here every day in mud season. |
| E3 | River | 3:00-5:00 | Apps such as bang bang shrimp,, bacon wrapped dates and sliders. Cocktails. |
| O’Neill’s Tavern and Grill | Downtown | 3:30-5:30 | Burgers, wings, salads, pub food and pub beverages! We promise Flynn isn't stalking you if you find him here. |
| Salt and Lime | Downtown | 3:30-5:30 | Margaritas, sangria, street tacos - all to satisfy your afternoon hunger. |
| Old Town Pub | Downtown | 3:00-6:00 | Rotates - so check! |
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