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We’re not sure if you’ve noticed, but Colorado Springs is kind of having a renaissance. The city is no longer just a military hotbed with a bunch of fast-food chains—it’s become a burg full of trendy hotels, new museums, unique outdoor experiences, and an impressive culinary scene.
From boundary-pushing chefs to cozy eateries slinging comfort food, Colorado Springs offers dining experiences that cater to every palate. Whether you’re in search of fine dining, a hidden gem in the heart of downtown, or a farm-to-table delight, these are the restaurants that are defining the Springs’ food scene right now.
Jump Ahead:
- Monse’s Taste of El Salvador
- Four by Brother Luck
- Ephemera
- Sushi Row
- MacKenzie’s Chop House
- Shuga’s
- Till Neighborhood Bistro & Bar
- The Rabbit Hole
- Summit
- Atmosphere Gastropub
- Golden Bee Gastropub
- Grand View
- Blk Mgk
- Red Leg Brewing Company
- The Warehouse
Monse’s Taste of El Salvador
With this restaurant’s lively Latin American music, patio full of lawn chairs, and garage door, we’d forgive you for forgetting you aren’t at a backyard cookout. This family-owned gem in Old Colorado City offers a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere paired with authentic Salvadoran dishes like arepas, tamales, and flautas.
The most popular item on the menu is undoubtedly the pupusa, a Salvadoran staple made of thick, handmade corn tortillas stuffed with a savory filling, such as gooey cheese, seasoned pork, and beans. Each is served piping hot with a side of house-made curtido, a tangy cabbage slaw, and spicy tomato salsa. Papusa orders also come with your choice of sweet fried plantains, yucca fries with garlic aioli, street corn, or Spanish rice. And though the prices are decidedly affordable, the portions here are more than generous—same with the amount of tequila in the margaritas, so you might consider taking an Uber. 115 S. 25th St.
Four by Brother Luck
A standout in Colorado Springs’ dining scene since 2017, Four by Brother Luck (led by James Beard nominee Brother Luck of Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay fame) offers a culinary experience rooted in the cultural heritage of the American Southwest. The dishes are strategic, balancing bold flavors with innovative techniques that often highlight local ingredients. Start with the blue cornbread topped with wojapi, Pueblo chile, honey, and crema before digging into a halibut fillet with mango jalapeño relish, mashed plantain, and coconut tuile. If you splurge on the wine pairing, expect pours that accentuate the unique flavors in each dish, like how the guava notes in a sauvignon blanc make the mango in the halibut dish sing. And we’ll let you in on a sweet secret: If you ask how the vanilla dippin’ dots on the root beer flan are made, you might get invited into the kitchen to watch a demonstration—and try your hand at making the confection yourself. 321 N. Tejon St.
Ephemera
It’s not every day you find a five-course tasting menu tucked inside a food hall, but that’s exactly where this experimental, prix-fixe experience is hidden. You’ll find Ephemera beneath a greenhouse-style roof on the second floor of Coati, where a true exploration of seasonal and local ingredients awaits. Case in point: When we visited, the cocktail paired with the first course featured apricots plucked that afternoon from a tree just down the road. The menu changes nearly every day, but expect specials like cauliflower gazpacho with pumpernickel, kale, and green apple or herb pork tenderloin with a macadamia-asparagus salsa, carrot kraut, cherries, and quinoa. Ephemera also offers an à la carte menu, as well as a three-treat dessert flight. 514 S. Tejon St.
Sushi Row
With moody lighting, live wood tables, exposed brick, and a firewall at the front of the patio, the vibes of Sushi Row alone would make it an impressive first-date spot. But it’s the creative rolls, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, and vibrant craft cocktails that might convince you to make this downtown restaurant part of your regular rotation. Try the crispy karaage fried chicken, the Surf & Turf roll (with spicy crab, cucumber, tempura shrimp, A5 wagyu beef, jalapeño, and a balsamic reduction), and the miso black cod (which is marinated for three days before cooking to enhance the flavor). Don’t forget to explore the cocktail list, which offers playful takes on classic cocktails, like the Matcha-rita, though we’re especially drawn to the light and refreshing Tokyo 23, which calls upon gin, yuzu, shiso, and sake. 316 N. Tejon St.
MacKenzie’s Chop House
MacKenzie’s Chop House has been a cornerstone of fine dining in Colorado Springs since it opened its doors in 1997. With a rich, wood-paneled interior, cozy leather booths, and historic black-and-white photos along the wall, it delivers on the old-school steakhouse vibes. Besides tender filets and robust ribeyes, Mackenzie’s offers a surprising assortment of seafood options, which are flown in daily, as well as a list of weekly specials like crab-stuffed mushrooms or short rib ravioli. Complementing the food is an extensive wine list, which you can explore at the intimate bar area, perfect for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap. And whatever you do, don’t turn down the ciabatta bread. Trust us. 128 S. Tejon St.
Shuga’s
Nestled in a historic home just south of downtown Colorado Springs, Shuga’s has an effortlessly eclectic feel and a menu that pulls inspiration from all over the world. One marquee dish is the Brazilian coconut shrimp soup, a flavorful bowl with just the right amount of heat, balanced by rich coconut milk and bright, fresh herbs. Stop by during happy hour to try another: the sake-ginger fried chicken, which is served with marinated cucumber. Grab a few friends to cash in on the bevy of small plates and shareable bites, such as the bruschetta topped with roasted grapes, goat cheese, and rosemary and Mully’s Picnic charcuterie board. Pair your group meal with a signature cocktail served in a carafe, or, if you’re the DD for the night, sip on one of Shuga’s many nonalcoholic sips, ranging from lavender lemonade to a coconut ginger fizz. 702 S. Cascade Ave.
Till Neighborhood Bistro & Bar
You don’t have to fly to the south of France to get away this winter—instead just hop on I-25 to Till Neighborhood Bistro. With the relaxed charm of a European sidewalk cafe, this stylish eatery feels like a spring vacation from the moment you step inside—where rustic wood furnishings and brown leather chairs meet soft lighting and fresh flowers on every table, creating a space that’s chic yet unpretentious.
The menu is small, but the plates here reflect quality over quantity, with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in every bite. Visit in late August, for example, and you’ll find that several of the dishes boast Palisade peaches. Or try the beef short rib stroganoff, which comes topped with mushrooms from the Springs’ own Microvora farm. Cap your meal with a cocktail from the seasonal menu, like the ardent Fireside Date, a concoction of tequila, rum, amaro, and sherry topped with a Medjool date. 616 S. Tejon St.
The Rabbit Hole
It’s not often that hidden gems are so, well, hidden. To reach this trendy subterranean restaurant, you’ll need to find the red British-style phone booth on Kiowa Street and descend the stairs within. Located in a former morgue, this Alice in Wonderland–inspired joint is both a nod to classic literature and a celebration of culinary creativity. Find playful yet sophisticated modern American fare on the menu. Some standouts: a rich, bacon-wrapped rabbit meatloaf served with a honey chipotle demi-glace, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and fresh herbs; and a truffle mac and cheese, which struck a flavorful balance between comfort food and gourmet indulgence.
Given the theme, it makes sense the cocktail program is rather mad. The signature martini, the White Rabbit, is made with vanilla vodka, coconut rum, a dash of cream, and topped with a flaming marshmallow. One too many of those and you’ll definitely be running late for whatever’s after your dinner date. 101 N. Tejon St.
Summit
The Broadmoor isn’t lacking in fine dining, but Summit, a French-American bistro, still stands out with its seasonal tasting menus, which helped to earn the restaurant four stars on Forbes’ highly sought-after luxury travel guide. The winter tasting menu is all about the truffle (think: truffle risotto, chocolate truffle cake), but for a less indulgent dish, go for the crispy duck confit tostada topped with Pueblo chile mole and peach brûlée. Discover other local delights in dishes like the striped bass (from Alamosa) topped with a corn blend (from Olathe) or the pan-seared salmon, served with local asparagus, caviar, and a light lemon butter sauce that lets the fresh fish shine.
If you still have room when it’s all said and done, the matcha lavender mousse is a must. Tip: Ask the server to pair it with one of Summit’s 500-plus international wines. 19 Lake Circle
Atmosphere Gastropub
Perfect for unwinding after a long day or celebrating with friends, Atmosphere Gastropub delivers an inviting experience without the pretension. It’s like a laid-back neighborhood grill inside, but its menu features elevated comfort food (such as lobster tater tots and a gourmet burger topped with smoky bacon jam). Find an impressive collection of signature cocktails on the drink list—plus craft beer from all over. We spied drafts from Russian River Brewing and Block 15 Brewing on our last visit. 1327 Interquest Parkway
Golden Bee Gastropub
The Golden Bee doesn’t just feel like an authentic British pub, it is one. The entire restaurant was originally brought over piece by piece (wood-paneled walls, brass fixtures, and all) from England in 1961 and rebuilt on the grounds of the Broadmoor. The atmosphere is lively with nightly piano sing-alongs and friendly servers who might gift you an embroidered bee patch as a souvenir. The nosh is of the stick-to-your-ribs British pub fare variety, with menu staples like fish and chips, Guinness short rib stew, and bangers and mash.
Guests can also enjoy an impressive selection of international beers and ales, served in signature half-yard and yard-long glasses. Interestingly, the Golden Bee is where former President George W. Bush had his last-ever tipple (and, supposedly, hangover). He returned to sign a bottle of wine, which you can find in the Broadmoor’s lobby. 1 Lake Ave.
Grand View
Located in the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, the Grand View recently finished a complete renovation that includes a brand-new bar, a sprawling dining room, and a modern terrace dotted with fire pits overlooking Pikes Peak and the iconic red rock formations of Garden of the Gods.
The menu is newly revamped, too, with dinner entrées like seared salmon (with crab fried rice, spring peas, toasted almonds, and crab butter) and seared diver scallops (with creamed corn, andouille sausage, pickled peppers, and whole-grain mustard-butter sauce). The sommelier can walk you through the extensive wine list, or you can select one of the specialty cocktails from the bar menu, like the GoG old fashioned with Milam & Green Port Finished Rye Whiskey, amaro, and plum bitters. 3320 Mesa Rd.
Blk Mgk
Opened earlier this summer inside the Mining Exchange Hotel, Blk Mgk is a full-service coffee bar and restaurant that brews locally roasted beans from Hold Fast Coffee Co. into creative concoctions like the banana s’more latte (made with espresso, steamed graham cracker whole milk, Banana Reàl syrup, dark chocolate, and garnished with a marshmallow). In addition to caffeinated beverages, Blk Mgk offers a selection of elevated breakfast and lunch bites, such as sourdough topped with English pea hummus, asparagus, quinoa, hot honey, and arugula. More of a sweet tooth? Go for the toasted slice of brioche smothered in whipped ricotta, coffee cream, and cocoa. 8 S. Nevada Ave.
Red Leg Brewing Company
Find the Springs’s best food trucks hunkered down at Red Leg Brewing Company, near Garden of the Gods. Pair your local IPA with an overflowing lobster roll from Chef Bob’s Lobstah Trap, or pick up an amber lager to go along with your bourbon-glazed portobello burger from PH Burger Bunker. You get an oatmeal pastry stout to complement a snickerdoodle from Sasquatch Cookies. And don’t forget Fido: There’s a sprawling, partially dog-friendly patio where local musicians play in the summer and impromptu games of cornhole are common year-round. 2323 Garden of the Gods Rd.
The Warehouse
Run by a husband-and-wife duo out of a building that was once used as a storage facility by both miners and wealthy Broadmoor guests, the Warehouse is a fun piece of Colorado history. It’s also an important part of chef James Africano’s history—he worked there for years, moved away, and then returned to buy it.
The Warehouse delivers a dining experience that is both sophisticated and approachable. Diners can expect a creative take on Rocky Mountain cuisine, with notable dishes like the wild boar and Pueblo green chile stew, elk strip loin, and bison ribeye. Check out the adjoining art gallery after your meal. 25 W. Cimarron St.
