Top Telluride Restaurants: 9 Places to Satisfy Your Craving

Although this top ski town is tucked inside a canyon in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, it packs a big punch with its raved-about dining scene. So much so, Telluride was named in the top 20 Best American Cities for Foodies by Conde Nast Traveler. With more than 50 restaurants, Telluride has a spot to satisfy cravings for quick snacks or sit-down meal. Ready to dig in? Check out the top Telluride restaurants.

Telluride Restaurants to Add to Your Colorado Dining Bucket List

Breakfast: Baked in Telluride

Baked in Telluride ranks as a top pizza restaurant, however many know it as a hot spot for sweet treats and breakfast. As the name suggests, Baked in Telluride features fresh-baked goodies made by local Jerry Greene, who has served Telluride food lovers for more than 40 years.

For breakfast, visitors have a huge selection of fresh donuts, bagels and specialty sandwiches. Before heading out on the slopes, order a breakfast croissant with ham, bacon or turkey, and eggs. Those really hungry should bite into the potato and egg burrito. If breakfast isn’t an option, don’t worry. Baked in Telluride stays open until 10 p.m., and serves daily down-home favorites for dinner.

View: Allred’s Restaurant

Dine with a view at Allred’s Restaurant. This signature Telluride restaurant sits at the top of the gondola with window seating that overlooks the town. Open for dinner only, Allred’s serves seafood, elk, beef, lamb and several more selections. The restaurant also sources many ingredients from Colorado, infusing local flavors that showcase contemporary American themes. Popular choices include juniper-bourbon marinated elk strip, Colorado rack of lamb and all-natural roasted chicken.

Not only does Allred’s rank as among the top Telluride restaurants, but it also provides a great place to watch the sunset. Both the bar and dining room offer seating near windows, and availability is first-come, first-served.

Upscale: Chop House Restaurant

Located in New Sheridan Hotel and only open during summer and fall, Chop House Restaurant serves breakfast lunch and dinner. This upscale restaurant sits directly off the hotel lobby and has seating indoors and outside.

Chop House offers a large menu but specializes in Western-aged beef and bison. For dinner, try Rocky Mountain elk short loin, Chop House steak burger, or from ribeye, strip and porterhouse steaks.

Burger: Steamies Burger Bar

Head to Main Street to try a spin on an American favorite, the hamburger. Steamies Burger Bar – a contemporary burger restaurant in Telluride – serves juicy stacks that have been steamed rather than fried, grilled or charbroiled. This spin creates a healthier burger option without losing the flavor.

Diners will find the signature Steamie, spicy zonie, vegetarian ‘bello and gobbler made with turkey. In addition, Steamies also serves sandwich melts, chicken dishes and hot dogs. They even have a full breakfast menu, too.

Pizza: Brown Dog Pizza

Who doesn’t enjoy a big slice of pizza? Award-winning Brown Dog Pizza serves just that and more Italian favorites. For pizza, select American classic rounds, Chicago deep dish, Detroit square style and gluten-free Roman style. The pizza is so good, it won first place at the 2015 Pizza World Championships in Parma, Italy.

Diners looking for something extra have a selection of salads, pastas, burgers, subs and wraps. To ensure the freshest flavors, all pastas and breads are made in-house. Don’t forget to pair the meal with a glass of wine or beer.

Nightlife: Smugglers Brew Pub

For over 20 years, Smugglers Brew Pub has delighted skiers and night owls. This restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients in dishes, sauces, cocktails and dressings. Open in winter from noon to 9 p.m., Smugglers serves traditional pub food, such as burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pasta and other entrees. To fill up, try BBQ rib sliders, jumbo hot wings, white truffle burger or filet mignon.

In addition to food, visitors also enjoy treats from the brewery or bar. All brews and drinks are made to reflect Colorado culture and celebrate flavors from around the world.

Thai: Siam

Among the best Telluride restaurants is family-owned and -operated Siam, which specializes in Thai food. Every dish is made from scratch, to order with recipes uniting international flavors. The restaurant employees are native Thai chefs who use local ingredients to create signature dishes.

Siam House specialties include a main ingredient coupled with a stir fry selection, so guests create their own dishes. One option is the high-wire ranch elk and Siam stir fry. Guests can also select from hand rolls, lettuce wraps and soups.

French: 221 South Oak

This favorite Telluride restaurant serves French-inspired dishes in an upscale atmosphere. 221 South Oak sits inside a refurbished historic home with traditional seating and intimate areas. With a focus on fresh ingredients, guests find a large selection of dinner options, including salads, seafood, beef, poultry and bison.

For the main course, try Rocky Mountain trout, elk t-bone, smoked wild boar tenderloin or maple leaf duck breast. Looking for something lighter? 221 South Oak also offers a full vegetarian-friendly menu. Try tofu cooked different ways, or order one of the rich vegetarian dishes, such as roasted beets with spaghetti squash or cauliflower steak with asparagus.

Mexican: La Cocina de Luz

Find both Mexican and southwestern dishes at La Cocina de Luz. Open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner, La Cocina de Luz serves traditional favorites with local ingredients. For breakfast, visitors enjoy burritos, omelets and egg specialties, which pair well with a glass of organic juice. The lunch and dinner menu features tacos, burritos, combination plates, enchiladas and other traditional dishes.

If there’s room, savor handmade organic ice cream. Flavors cater to most diets and include vegan and sugar-free options. Popular choices are: vegan chocolate almond, strawberry jam, cafe con leche, salted caramel and banana chocolate pecan.

Learn more about Telluride, and start planning your Colorado getaway. Then discover the best Telluride hiking trails.