10 Must-Try Telluride Eateries That Are Full of Flavor
Sitting in a valley surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks, Telluride provides year-round entertainment. In the summer, people flock to this area for the mountain views and summer festivals.
In the winter, it becomes a ski resort town where the Victorian-era buildings topped with snow look like something out of a storybook. As you plan a vacation to the mountains, you’ll want to know where to eat.
Here are some of the best restaurants in Telluride to fill you up after a busy day exploring the Rockies.
1. The Grand Telluride
100 West Colorado Ave., Telluride, CO 81435
The Grand is more than just a fine dining restaurant. It’s also a social club. You’ll find it tucked away in the mountains serving New American entrees with style.
This restaurant, which is only open for dinner, serves small plates, steak, seafood, and salads alongside colorful cocktails. The combination of brass and leather makes the space feel distinguished while also embracing the feeling of the mountain town.
2. Petite Maison
219 W Pacific Ave., Telluride, CO 81435
Serving French haute cuisine with a modern flair, Petite Maison. The menu is relatively small, but full of flavor. Choose filet mignon, halibut, gnocchi, or coq au vin for your main dish, then pair it with escargot, fresh baked bread, or truffle fries.
You can also come for dessert, where pastries and crème brûlée pair with a carefully selected wine menu or a favorite coffee drink. The dining space resembles a French chalet, providing a cozy dinner experience. If the weather’s nice, dine on the patio, where you can see the mountains from your table.
3. Allred’s Restaurant
San Sophia Station, Telluride, CO 81435
Located in the Telluride Ski Resort, Allred’s Restaurant serves American-style cuisine made from local or regional ingredients. It also boasts an award-winning wine list, including many international wines.
What makes this restaurant unique is its location. It sits at 10,551 feet elevation and has floor-to-ceiling windows, so diners see the mountains from every angle while they eat. Specifically, the restaurant is in San Sophia Station, which is at the top of the Gondola. Allred’s Restaurant is open for dinner only, and reservations are helpful to ensure a spot.
4. Counter Culture
156 Society Dr. Unit A, Telluride, CO 81435
Counter Culture partners with local farmers to create their dishes. Each one is full of flavor, and the chefs believe the freshness of the food adds to its taste. Here, you can choose from a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups, and the menu includes several vegetarian options. Some favorite dishes include the veggie burger made from locally-grown oyster mushrooms and the CC Burger with homemade buns that include locally-grown and milled flour.
Counter Culture serves lunch and dinner daily, except for Sundays when they are closed, and on Saturdays, they also offer brunch.
5. Chop House
231 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride, CO 81435
Chop House is part of the New Sheridan Hotel and offers an elegant, white-cloth dining room and the food of a classic steakhouse. You’ll find many options on the menu that include mountain game and local bison meat, as well as traditional beef options. In addition, Chop House has gluten-free and vegetarian options for those with special dining needs.
This restaurant is open for all three meals and offers a formal dining room, outdoor sidewalk tables, and café, depending on where you’d like to eat. Reservations are highly recommended for the dining room.
6. Brown Dog Pizza
110 E Colorado Ave., Telluride, CO 81435
If you’re hungry for pizza, you can get both pizza and drinks at Brown Dog Pizza. Serving Detroit-style pizza, Brown Dog Pizza has won multiple awards for its flavors. The crust is known for its light texture with a crispy edge that is the perfect base for a range of toppings.
One of the owners, Jeffrey Smokevitch, was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and continues to bring the flavors that impressed Guy Fieri to diners in Telluride. If you prefer a different style of pizza, the restaurant serves traditional and thin crust. They also have gluten-friendly options. Non-pizza choices include burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
7. Siam Talay Grille
119 Lost Creek Lane, Telluride, CO 81435
For Asian flavors in the mountains, head to the Telluride Ski Resort to eat at Siam Talay Grille. This Thai restaurant features authentic flavors in a small setting. Paired with wine or cocktails, the dishes at Siam Talay Grille are packed with authentic spices and fresh vegetables.
The restaurant also serves a traditional American breakfast including fresh fruit, baked goods, eggs, and breakfast meats. Siam Talay Grille is in The Inn at Lost Creek.
8. The National Telluride
100 E Colorado Ave Suite B, Telluride, CO 81435
Colorful plates, exposed brick walls, and delicious food combine to create a pleasing dining experience at The National Telluride. The menu focuses on local ingredients and the flavors of Morocco, Italy, and Israel, which creates an interesting mix of flavors. Choose from options like house-made pasta, oysters, Moroccan tagine, and lamb meatballs.
This restaurant sits in the Telluride National Club building, which is a historic space that’s served the community for over 120 years.
9. Floradora Saloon
103 W Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
Before Telluride was a hot spot for vacationers, Floradora Saloon was serving American cuisine to locals. Started in 1973, it remains one of the best places to eat in Telluride for locals who just want some good, made-from-scratch food. Vacationers who discover it also indicate it’s one of their favorites. In addition to the food, Floradora Saloon has a bourbon bar.
An extensive après menu makes this location a favorite for those looking for a place to unwind after a day on the slopes, but it also has brunch, lunch, and dinner choices.
10. Rustico Ristorante
114 East Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado 81435
An authentic Italian restaurant, Rustico Ristorante serves pasta, pizza, and wine in a setting that feels like you took a trip to Italy. In the center of the restaurant is an open kitchen, where you can see the chefs hard at work.
It has stone walls, a fireplace, and a villa room that feels like Old-World Europe, and it also offers an enclosed veranda for diners who want to eat outdoors. The wine menu features over 1,000 wines from Italy, allowing you to sample flavors from every part of the country.
As you plan your trip to this Colorado skiing hot spot, consider adding one of these Telluride eateries to your list. For other travel tips or for luxury rentals in and around Telluride, connect with our partners at Curate Telluride Vacation Rentals, your local experts.
