Like many places in the rugged community of Nederland, Salto Coffee Works is quirky and genuine. Located in the heart of town, it makes a natural launching (or landing) pad for mountain adventures.

Husband-wife team Marcus and Karina Luscher opened Salto (Latin for leap or bound) in conjunction with adjoined Tin Shed Sports in 2012. Their vision: A local gathering place where folks could come together over free WiFI, fried-egg sandwiches ($7), house-roasted craft coffee, tap wines, Colorado microbrews, and acoustic tunes. The bike-ski-coffee-retail concept is a true community cache in the heart of Ned, a roomy, pine-beamed space for local fundraisers, art exhibits, fireside business meetings, ski waxes, and, in the summer, a haven for mountain bikers.

Photo by Lisa Blake

The chef-driven menu changes with the seasons. Breakfast consists of those fresh-made breakfast sandwiches and a selection of artisan pastries from Nederland’s own New Moon Bakery and Boulder’s Spruce Confections. Come lunch, Salto transforms into a taqueria, with a menu of tostadas, tacos, burritos, and mild to hot salsas.

Try the carnitas taco ($4) for juicy, well-seasoned shredded pork, tomatillo salsa, and the pleasant crunch of shredded cabbage and radish slices with fresh cilantro sprigs. Or the tart, citrusy prickly pear cactus taco ($4) with house-made guacamole. Larger than the average street taco, two of these corn-tortilla-wrapped delights will do for lunch or as an après snack.

For a winter warm-up, Salto serves a mighty fine posole ($8) built with pork, cabbage, and hominy. If you’re stopping by before heading the five miles down the road to Eldora, pack in pre-ski protein with the grain bowl ($10), available for breakfast or lunch. Savory layers of tomato vinaigrette, white quinoa, cannellini beans, kale, avocado, and egg should keep you amply sated for the slopes.

If you go: Catch Après Ski Saturdays all winter from 3 to 6 p.m., which includes taco and drink specials and live music. Happy hour, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, delivers $4 beer and $5 wine specials, and First Fridays feature mini art shows and groovy bands.

112 E. Second St., Nederland, 303-258-3537

Lisa Blake
Lisa Blake
Lisa Blake is a freelance writer and children's book author living in Breckenridge. When she's not writing about food and mountain adventures, she can be found on the river with her son, pug and husband.