Breckenridge is an amazing, exciting, and beautiful place to visit at any time of year. There’s so much to see and do. Due to the large number of tourists that visit this area – plus the fact that it’s a favorite short getaway destination for Coloradans, too – there are a vast number of fantastic local restaurants in this casual mountain town.
If you’re looking for good food to fill your belly in Breckenridge after a long day on the slopes or the trail, you’ll find everything your heart desires in this small city, and then some. It’s easy to find restaurants in Breckenridge to satisfy every palate and budget.
Read on to learn about the best restaurants in Breckenridge for every want, need, and occasion. Get ready to dive in on your next visit to this fabulous and hip high-elevation town.
The Best Restaurants in Breckenridge
1. Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon
Address: 109 Lincoln Avenue; Breckenridge
The first stop on our list, Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon, has been serving Breckenridge for decades. This steakhouse, which is only open for dinner, is perfect for those who want to enjoy some fine dining in a formal dining room setting at the end of a busy day.
Briar Rose’s simple but very complete menu includes everything you’re looking for in a chophouse. Try delectable starters like steak tartare, escargot, and bacon-wrapped scallops, and then choose from any one of five crisp salads. For your main, you can expect perfectly prepared, Certified USDA all-natural Black Angus steaks that have been aged twenty-eight days.
If you’d prefer prime rib, pork chops, or lamb chops, they have those too, of course, or you can opt for cervena elk medallions, all-natural Colorado chicken, Rocky Mountain trout, or the fish of the day. Top it all off with Briar Rose’s house-made sauces and family-style sides.
See Related: Best Places to Visit in Colorado in the Winter
2. Blue River Bistro
Address: 305 North Main Street; Breckenridge
Blue River Bistro is an upscale, lively restaurant on the north end of downtown Breckenridge that is known for its rustic American dishes and hip atmosphere. It serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, plus seriously fancy craft cocktails that taste as good as they look. There’s something for everyone here, and everything looks simply beautiful on the plate.
Lunch at Blue River Bistro features a variety of light-but-hearty salads and sandwiches as well as some full-sized entrees like salmon, Angus beef tenderloin, and slow-roasted buffalo tenderloin. The dinner menu includes more of the same plus a number of perfect appetizers like fried calamari, buffalo cauliflower, mussels, and more. Saturday and Sunday brunch is a big event at Blue River Bistro; we recommend you try one or more of the eggs benedict options, but many of their mains are also served during brunch.
This place is small but popular, so you’ll need a reservation – and one made far in advance during Breckenridge’s busiest seasons. On Monday and Tuesday nights, you can also enjoy live jazz while you eat. Plan ahead and book a table so you don’t miss out.
3. Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant
Address: 1925 Airport Road; Breckenridge
As you might guess, Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant is a distillery first and a restaurant second, but it succeeds in both areas. Even if you don’t try the spirits here, you’ll be quite pleased with your meal, but tasting concoctions like lingonberry spiced Breckenridge vodka, Breckenridge distillery bourbon, or even Breckenridge espresso vodka, will certainly elevate it further.
The spirits at Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant are made with Rocky Mountain snowmelt, and that’s a part of what makes them so special. You’ll never feel closer to these mountains than right after you take a sip.
However, if you’re a non-drinker or simply aren’t interested in drinking during your meal at this spot, that’s okay too, because Breckenridge Distillery Restaurant serves great food, too. This is one of the best restaurants in Breckenridge for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.
Choose from a parade of small plates if you seek diversity, or try one of the restaurant’s warm and filling entrees like the Breckenridge Distillery Juicy Lucy Burger or its langoustine curried ramen dish. If you’re really hungry, maybe you’ll try the Centennial Farms Wet Ages Tomahawk Ribeye – it weighs in at 45 ounces and is finished with a roasted garlic horseradish butter that’s divine.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Estes Park, Colorado
4. Twist
Address: 200 South Ridge Street; Breckenridge
This small eatery in the center of town beckons to passersby thanks to its outdoor seating, mountain views, and friendly vibe. Inside, you’ll find regional food, Colorado craft beer, and an impressive wine list. Further, you can take a step back in time here while you dine – this restaurant is inside a building that was home to the Summit County Leader newspaper in the late 1800s, which is an enjoyable bonus for those drawn to the historic aspect of this old mining town.
The food at Twist is upscale and well-prepared. Like many other restaurants in town, you can get a great steak here, but at Twist, you’ll find that it’s often a step above some of the other nearby options.
Chicken, lamb, and vegetarian mains like tempeh and seitan can also be found here. Twist’s nightly dinner specials are also pleasant surprises on a very consistent basis.
5. Hearthstone Restaurant
Address: 130 South Ridge Street; Breckenridge
Like Twist, Hearthstone Restaurant is located in a historic building in the heart of town. The Kaiser Family built and lived in this home in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and then it passed through numerous hands before Hearthstone opened here in 1989.
Since then, this place has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Executive Chef Michael Halpin takes great care to ensure that he not only uses the best ingredients available and that his dishes are beautiful, but he aims to highlight Rocky Mountain regional cuisine in each one.
From Colorado Lamb to Blackberry Elk and to a variety of seafood dishes and back again, everything here is spectacular. Diners with dietary restrictions will be thrilled to find an entire menu dedicated to gluten-free dishes – and will be even happier to learn that their menu includes almost all of the items on the regular menu.
A vast dessert menu that includes a large number of dessert cocktails, dessert wines, and aperitifs encourages you to order an after-dinner drink and invites you to sit back, stay a while, and enjoy the company of your companions.
See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Denver, Colorado
6. Aurum Food & Wine Breckenridge
Address: 209 South Ridge Street; Breckenridge
Aurum Food & Wine Breckenridge’s atmosphere is different from most other establishments in the area; it’s modern and almost urban inside, yet at the same time it still artfully presents the rustic, mountainside feel that Breckenridge travelers know well. It’s bright and airy and is a great place for happy hour, which happens daily at Aurum from 4 to 6, as dinner service begins. This spot is only open for dinner in fact, and reservations are highly recommended – especially at the peak of the summer and during ski season.
Depending on what your appetite seeks, you have numerous different dining options at Aurum. If you’re not that hungry, you might enjoy ordering from the “snacks” menu, which features happy hour small places like Korean fried chicken, the French onion burger, and spaghetti squash fritters. Alternatively, if you want to share with others, there are numerous shared plates to consider like octopus carpaccio or southwest sweet potato soup.
Finally, if you want a whole plate to yourself, mains like pan-seared duck breast or Rocky Mountain trout are sure winners. Parents will be happy to learn that Aurum also has a children’s menu, which offers kid-friendly versions of equally impressive dishes.
7. Ember
Address: 106 East Adams Avenue; Breckenridge
Ember is a warm and inviting, upscale New American restaurant that offers creative dishes from owner and chef Scotty Boshaw. This spot is bright and eclectic and is a big hit for all who try it. Appetizers here include things like Pheasant Bao Buns dressed with black garlic molasses and daikon radish or venison with honey polenta tots, feta, beet chutney, and candied cashews.
Mains are just as adventurous; you might try Jidori Chicken with crab stuffing and kaffir lime rice grits, or Black Bean & Jackfruit Empanadas with chipotle hominy and hearts of palm salad. One thing’s for sure when you eat at Ember – you won’t have the same dish anywhere else.
Further, Ember has a lengthy list of creative and familiar cocktails. It’s a great place to post up with your best friends for a few hours after a long day of fun in the great outdoors surrounding Breck.
There’s even patio seating during the warmer months. Your meal and merriment at Ember is something that won’t soon be forgotten.
See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Colorado Springs
8. South Ridge Seafood Grill
Address: 500 South Main Street; Breckenridge
Great seafood isn’t something you’ll likely expect in one of the highest towns in one of the most landlocked states in the nation, but you can get exactly that at South Ridge Seafood Grill. This bright and happening restaurant is at the south end of downtown Breckenridge, but it’s still within walking distance from all the action.
It’s very popular with all who try it – plus, it’s almost always busy since it’s one of the only dedicated seafood restaurants for many miles. You’ll feel like you’re on Cape Cod until you remember you’re surrounded by mountains.
Start with a salad or choose from numerous seafood appetizers such as Prince Edward Island mussels, New England clam chowder, or oysters on the half shell. For your main, you might try Alaskan cod fish and chips, Canadian snow crab legs, or a Scottish salmon fillet with Thai-style peanut sauce. Of course, there are also options for those who aren’t craving creatures from the sea, like Grilled Tofu with Rice Noodles or Chicken Scallopine.
Parents with children will be pleased to also find a six-item children’s menu with options that are diverse enough to please even the pickiest eater. Be sure to save room for dessert, too – the apple cake, vanilla creme brulee, and dark chocolate fudge cake are all very scrumptious, indeed.
See Related: Best Restaurants in Vail, Colorado
9. The Canteen Tap House & Tavern
Address: 208 North Main Street; Breckenridge
Many of the restaurants we’ve listed here are on the high-end side, so if you’re looking for something more comfortable, laid-back, and casual, then you might want to stroll on into The Canteen. This tap house and tavern pride itself on its vast selection of Colorado craft beer and wine and modern comfort food that will please any hungry adventurer. This is one of the best restaurants in Breckenridge for people who want to enjoy an informal and unpretentious meal in an easygoing atmosphere, in this case in one of the oldest buildings on Main Street.
Start your meal here with a pint of local brews and follow it with a burger, a flatbread, a sandwich and fries, or a great big bowl of mac & cheese. If you’re craving something even more substantial, try the Canteen House-Smoked Ribs with house-made barbeque sauce or the Grilled Salmon with hoisin glaze, peanuts, and scallions. Finish off your dining experience with a canteen cup cocktail in the bar’s special signature cups, or if you have to run, also for a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail to go to take back to your hotel – it’s legal!
See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Vail, Colorado
10. Tin Plate Pizza
Address: 110 South Ridge Street; Breckenridge
If you find yourself craving pizza during your stay in Breckenridge, CO, then Tin Plate Pizza is the best choice in town. This pizza joint is located in a 138-year-old mining cabin in the heart of the historic district.
Colorado isn’t generally known for having great pizza, but Tin Plate challenges this concept by creating unique and creative pizzas that even New Yorkers will enjoy. Of course, there are pizzas with standard toppings like mushrooms or sausage or pepperoni available, but the more adventurous might want to try the Braised Buffalo Short Ribs pizza or the Fig & Prosciutto or Butternut on for size.
This spot is relatively new – it just opened in June of 2021 – but it’s become one of the city’s most popular restaurants in short order. The atmosphere at Tin Plate is quite pleasant; there’s a patio and outdoor seating is very popular at this centrally located establishment during the warmer months. It’s a great spot for people watchers, pizza lovers, and friends and families alike.
See Related: Best Restaurants in Estes Park, Colorado
11. Columbine Cafe
Address: 109 South Main Street; Breckenridge
It’s wise to make sure you fill your belly with a hearty meal in the morning before you head out for a day of skiing or hiking, and there’s no better place in Breckenridge to do exactly that than the Columbine Cafe. This breakfast spot is one of the most popular restaurants in Breckenridge and for good reason – the breakfasts are big and excellent, and the service is quick and friendly, too.
The menu at Columbine Cafe includes all the breakfast dishes you’d expect, and they’re all excellent. However, the biggest draw here is the Columbine Cafe breakfast burrito.
These breakfast burritos may seem pricey at first glance, but they are huge, and they are worth it. The menu at Columbine Cafe also offers lunch after 11:00 am, but it’s doubtful you’ll have room for anything else after that breakfast burrito.
In true breakfast restaurant fashion, the Columbine Cafe closes daily at 1:30 pm, but it’s open every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Keep in mind that they don’t take reservations, so you may have to wait a bit for a table during the busy season.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Colorado & Places to Visit
12. Downstairs at Eric’s
Address: 111 South Main Street; Breckenridge
Right next door to the Columbine Cafe is Downstairs at Eric’s; in contrast, it celebrates the other half of the day. This family-friendly pub and sports bar – which is downstairs, of course, and which has been open since 1989 – is the perfect après-ski destination. It’s casual, comfortable, and welcoming, and the foods served here will warm you up as needed and relax you after a long and busy day.
Further, if you’re into watching some sports while you dine, there are plenty of HDTVs for that purpose. You’ll also find a rather large arcade if you want to blow off some steam – or to get the kids out of your hair for a bit.
Downstairs at Eric’s has thirty beers on tap and forty-eight bottled beers, so you’ll have a wide selection from which to choose if beer is your thing. Foodwise, you’ll also find plenty of options – more than almost anywhere else in town, in fact.
Downstairs at Eric’s offers great salads, soups, sandwiches, nachos, wings, bar appetizers, pizzas, burgers, calzones, chicken sandwiches, and more. Your whole family will love this place; this is one of the best restaurants in Breckenridge for families.
13. Yo Mamma’s Cantina
Address: 1900 Airport Road; Breckenridge
Sometimes all you want after a long day of having fun is a few fistfuls of tacos. Yo Mamma’s Cantina can make that dream a reality. This spot opened in 2019 and has been taking Breckenridge by storm.
The owners and staff take great pride in offering the best tacos and burritos for miles. All the meats used in their recipes are slow marinated for days, and you can taste the love and time put into it in every bite. The tortillas are house-made, too.
Yo Mamma’s Cantina is on Airport Road, a bit north of town and a bit outside of the downtown area, but it’s worth the trip. Everything at Yo Mamma’s is excellent. Of course, try a few tacos for sure, as they’re the signature dish, but the enchiladas, burritos, and appetizers are also great.
If you’re not feeling like standard Mexican dishes, Yo Mamma’s Cubano or the Pambazo Mexican Street Sandwich are two sandwich-style options that will also have you wanting to come back to Yo Mamma’s for more. This place is special. Don’t miss it.
See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Fort Collins, Colorado
14. Michael’s Italian Restaurant
Address: 326 South Main Street
For those looking for an excellent Italian meal at a family-owned-and-operated restaurant, Michael’s Italian Restaurant will do the trick. Michael’s has been serving fresh, authentic Italian cuisine in this mountain town for over a decade. It’s open every night for dinner and there’s deck seating available during the summertime.
You’ll find all your favorite Italian dishes at Michael’s including lasagna, stuffed shells, ravioli, spaghetti, and a particularly impressive chicken parmigiana. Appetizers include bruschetta, meatball sliders, salads, and more.
Many people rave about Michael’s hand-tossed pizzas; the wine list is extensive as well. Everything about Michael’s is traditional, mouth-watering, and filling, and you’re sure to leave feeling satisfied. Also, this is a perfect place to bring a date – or the whole family. Bring your appetite!
15. Mimo Fancy Tapas
Address: 216 South Main Street; Breckenridge
Sometimes you just want a little bit of everything, and that’s why so many people love tapas. This Spanish restaurant and bar lives up to its name; the tapas is certainly fancy and looks beautiful on the plate, but it’s not at all pretentious nor inaccessible.
The menu items are all listed in Spanish, but the descriptions will explain it all. Whether you order from the “With Hand,” “With Spoon,” or “With Fork” sections of the menu or choose to have a little of each, you’ll feel like you’re experiencing a little bit of Europe in Breckenridge in every bite.
Pair your plates with creative cocktails in this warm and welcoming establishment and you’ll be pleased with your night out on the town. Plan to spend a lot of time here enjoying your small plates as they arrive as well as the company of your companions.
FAQ
What’s the best part of Breckenridge for eating and drinking?
The downtown area of Breckenridge (the historic district) is the busiest and most popular part of Breckenridge, and the restaurants nearby are the best in town.
If you don’t have a specific plan regarding where you plan to eat when you leave your hotel or vacation rental, it’s easy to walk around this area to get a feel for your options and see which places have seating available.
If I find that Breckenridge is a bit too crowded for me at some point during my visit, what other towns are nearby where I can get a good meal?
Breckenridge can get very busy at the peak of the summer and especially during ski season. As a result, it may feel kind of overwhelming to find the perfect place to eat or drink while battling the crowds, and you may have a hard time getting a reservation at the best places, too.
A great alternative, if you have a rental car or if you’re willing to take a cab or the bus, is to get out of town. Breckenridge may seem quite isolated, but it’s not at all far from the towns of Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon, all of which have many great – and far less busy – restaurants from which to choose.
What’s the best time of year to visit Breckenridge?
Breckenridge is a wonderful vacation destination at any time of the year. It’s busiest during the middle of the summer and throughout the winter season, but don’t let that sway you – those are very fun times of the year to visit.
The spring and fall seasons are a bit more low-key if that’s what you seek. Either way, Breckenridge is a destination that is primarily known for winter sports, but which remains active, lively, and happening all year, so plan your trip any time you wish to go and you won’t be disappointed.
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