Keystone American Restaurants: Find Burgers, Steaks and More Classics
A mountain vacation in Keystone, Colorado, welcomes visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation and fresh air. However, this popular resort city also has several restaurants that specialize in American cuisine, such as burgers, steaks, sandwiches and other hearty options. When it’s time to recharge for the next adventure, head to these top Keystone American restaurants.
Top Keystone American Restaurants for Hearty Appetites
Kickapoo Tavern
Located at the base of Keystone Mountain in River Run Village, Kickapoo Tavern claims to make the best burgers in Summit County. With indoor and outdoor seating, this restaurant offers lots of places to eat and a friendly atmosphere. For hearty dinner portions and comfort food, try the 2-mile meatloaf, Angus beef steaks, or Rocky Mountain mac and cheese with applewood bacon.
Among the most popular items at Kickapoo Tavern are burgers made with all-natural Colorado beef. Visitors can make their own, using beef, chicken, or black beans and toppings. Or select from specialty burgers such as River Run burger, fat burger or mountain burger.
Zuma Roadhouse
Another favorite among Keystone American restaurants is Zuma Roadhouse, located in River Run Village. With a focus on contemporary dishes, this spot is perfect for lunch or dinner. Lunch specialties include fish and shrimp tacos, but try short rib enchiladas or a juicy burger.
All burgers are made with hormone-free Colorado beef, and top options include roadhouse, zuma jam and Buddha. Visitors are welcome to create their own selecting from beef, chicken or portabello mushrooms. Interested in a sandwich? Try the prime dip or short rib gyro.
Haywood Cafe
Ideal for breakfast or lunch, Haywood Cafe offers a sports bar atmosphere with a long menu of pub fare. Haywood’s top breakfast items are the Benedicts, which are rich in portion size and flavor. Other hearty favorites include three-egg omelets, country fried steak or corned beef hash with eggs.
Visitors also enjoy Haywood favorites, such as Colorado cheese steak, bacon wrapped elk sausage and Chad’s burger. Make sure to pair the meal with Haywood’s well known bacon bloody Mary for an extra kick.
Keystone Ranch Restaurant
For a more upscale steakhouse experience, stop by Keystone Ranch Restaurant located at Keystone Resort. Inside, diners enjoy rustic charm representing a 1930s-style Colorado homestead.
Open for all meals, Keystone Ranch serves certified Angus beef hand-cut in house. Popular steaks include New York strip, ribeye, and buffalo and beef tenderloin, to name a few. Those looking for an alternate option will find quail, rack of lamb and beef short ribs. Due to the location and fine-dining scene, Keystone Ranch ranks as a top place for special occasions and date-nights.
Ski Tip Lodge
Another fine-dining restaurant in Keystone is Ski Tip Lodge, a hidden gem that serves only dinner. Once an 1800s stagecoach stop, this upscale option caters to twosomes and offers two-dinner seating at 5:45 and 8 p.m.
Ski Tip Lodge has a changing menu and serves a four-course dinner for adults and three-course for children. Entrees have included applewood bacon wrapped quail, Colorado lamb t-bones, Angus filet and wild boar chops. The lodge also offers small plates and drinks Friday through Sunday on select afternoons, so make a reservation well in advance.
Mountain Lyon Cafe (Silverthorne)
Mountain Lyon Cafe in nearby Silverthorne serves breakfast and lunch until 2 p.m. every day. Featuring a traditional diner-style atmosphere and fare, visitors find hearty American dishes and other options. This long-time favorite serves dozens of egg dishes and cakes, but don’t overlook hot entrees and burgers.
Burgers include traditional — such as a classic cheese burger and patty melt — or try a buffalo burger and open-face chili burger. Lunch entrees include ribeyes, hot beef, clubs and adult grilled cheese.
Sunshine Cafe (Silverthorne)
For a hearty breakfast or burgers for lunch, head to Sunshine Cafe in Silverthorne. The cafe serves breakfast all day and features dishes such as Dillon Dam, Blue River Special and local’s breakfast burrito. In addition, diners order pancakes and waffles, country-style plates, and three-egg omelets.
After 11 a.m., the cafe serves lunch until 3 p.m., when it closes for the day. For lunch, select sandwich options such as 10-mile cheese melt, Mike’s favorite or hiker’s hot hoagie. Burger lovers can keep it simple or try slopper burger, a Sunshine burger smothered in chili and shredded cheese. The slopper burger is also a Colorado food staple.
Ready to visit these Keystone American restaurants? Check out affordable vacation rentals in Keystone, Colorado. Then read about the Keystone nightlife scene for late-night options.