One of the questions I get most from guests is, "Where should we eat?" Estes Park has a great mix of cozy cafes, hearty mountain food and a few special-occasion spots. Here are the places I recommend, all listed as operating as of October 2026. Almost everything stays open year-round, but hours are often shorter in winter, and some places close certain days. Check hours before you go.
Our Favorites: Don't Miss These
These are the places I tell every single guest about:
- Penelope's World Famous Burgers & Fries (229 W Elkhorn Ave): my favorite burgers downtown, including wild game like elk and bison.
- Laura's Fine Candies (129 E Elkhorn Ave): caramel apples and sweet treats. You have to get a caramel apple!
- The Taffy Shop (121 W Elkhorn Ave): the original Estes Park saltwater taffy shop, making taffy with the same recipe since 1935. Go in the morning and you might see the old wrapping machine in action.
- Breakfast, three ways: The Egg of Estes (393 E Elkhorn Ave), Notchtop Bakery & Cafe (459 E Wonderview Ave, Suite 5) and Mountain Home Cafe (457 E Wonderview Ave, Suite C-1). I love all three!
- The Spice Rack (2470 Hwy 66, between downtown and the YMCA): incredible French-style pastries. It's a morning spot, open Wednesday–Sunday until noon, so go early.
- The Post Mountain House (333 E Wonderview Ave, on the Stanley Hotel grounds): crispy fried chicken and house-brewed beer with big mountain views.
- Sweet Basilico Cafe (430 Prospect Village Dr): homestyle Italian, family-owned since 1997. Closed certain days, so check before you go.
- La Cocina de Mama (361 S St Vrain Ave): my pick for Mexican food. Great margaritas, and breakfast all day.
- The Sandwich Mafia (100 Cleave St): an Italian deli for big, fresh sandwiches (and pizza).
- Twin Owls Steakhouse (3110 S Saint Vrain Ave): when you want a fancy steak with amazing views. Seasonal hours: closed certain days in winter.
- Antonio's Real New York Pizza (1560 Big Thompson Ave): the best pizza in Colorado, in my opinion!
- Cinnamon's Bakery (920 W Elkhorn Ave): the cinnamon rolls. Go early, since they sell out by 10 a.m. and aren't open every day.
- The Bull Pin (555 S Saint Vrain Ave): bowling plus great burgers. A perfect family night or rainy day.
Coffee Shops
My favorite: Coffee on the Rocks (510 Moraine Ave). It's the cutest coffee shop! It has a beautiful outdoor setting with a pond full of ducks, mountain views, and often elk or deer wandering by. Grab a drink, sit on the patio, and watch the ducks and animals. It's a great spot for kids, and it's dog-friendly too.
Other great options (check current hours):
- Kind Coffee (470 E Elkhorn Ave): organic, fair-trade coffee since 2002, with a riverside patio and breakfast and lunch items. Elk sometimes graze in the green space next door.
- Inkwell & Brew (150 E Elkhorn Ave): a cozy coffee bar with pour-overs and slow-drip cold brew, inside a lovely stationery and pen shop. It also has a dog-friendly patio.
Breakfast and brunch
The Egg of Estes, 393 E Elkhorn Ave My go-to for breakfast or brunch: hearty, reliable, and made the way you like it. It's a breakfast-and-lunch spot, and mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. (and weekends) can have a wait, so call ahead to get on the list.
Cinnamon's Bakery, 920 W Elkhorn Ave You have to try a Cinnamon's cinnamon roll. Get there early: they sell out, often by 10 a.m., and they aren't open every day of the week, so check their days before you go.
Mountain Home Cafe, 457 E Wonderview Ave, Suite C-1 Another of my breakfast favorites: a low-key local spot for breakfast classics (try the migas!), sandwiches and homestyle plates. It's a breakfast-and-lunch spot, so go early.
Notchtop Bakery & Cafe, 459 E Wonderview Ave, Suite 5 A cozy breakfast-and-lunch cafe with fresh baked goods.
Bird & Jim, 915 Moraine Ave Rustic and casual, with locally sourced meats and produce and hearty mountain fare. It's also on the way to the park's Beaver Meadows entrance, which makes it handy. They serve brunch on Sundays.
Casual lunch and dinner
Penelope's World Famous Burgers & Fries, 229 W Elkhorn Ave A downtown classic for craft burgers, including wild game like elk and bison, with old-fashioned hand-cut fries. A must on every visit.
Antonio's Real New York Pizza, 1560 Big Thompson Ave In my opinion, the best pizza in Colorado. It's a big, cozy place with two fireplaces and patios. They're closed early in the week, so check their days.
Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Brew, 820 Moraine Ave One of the most-reviewed restaurants in town, with thousands of reviews on Tripadvisor and Google. Great for a hungry group after a hike. Weekend evenings can get busy.
La Mexicana, 841 Dunraven St A friendly spot for Mexican food that opens early enough for breakfast burritos.
Ed's Cantina & Grill (390 E Elkhorn Ave) A longtime downtown Mexican-American spot that's popular with families and groups.
The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (1675 Hwy 66, on the way toward the YMCA) One of our favorites: a historic mountain tavern (since 1937) with a lively, cozy feel and live music. Dinner only, with seasonal hours, and they don't take reservations, so call ahead to get on the evening wait list.
Special-occasion and date-night dining
Ember, on Lake Estes. A great choice for a special dinner with a lake setting. Check hours before you go.
Twin Owls Steakhouse, at Taharaa Mountain Lodge, 3110 S Saint Vrain Ave When you want a fancy steak, this is the place. Hand-cut steaks, wild game and seafood, with amazing mountain views (especially at sunset). Reservations recommended. Seasonal hours: closed certain days in winter.
Claire's Restaurant and Bar (225 Park Ln, downtown) A reliable downtown option for lunch or dinner, with weekend breakfast.
Sweet treats
Laura's Fine Candies, 129 E Elkhorn Ave Famous for fudge, toffee and caramel apples. A caramel apple from Laura's is a must while you stroll downtown. It's open year-round.
Tips from your host
- Summer and fall weekends are busy. Make reservations where you can, or eat a little early.
- Almost everything stays open year-round, but hours are often shorter in winter. Check hours before you go.
- Altitude note: that first drink hits harder at 7,500 feet. Pace yourself!
- Eat your way through I Spy! Food counts on our Bluebell I Spy! Estes Park & RMNP card (guests get it at the house): an elk burger or steak, green chile smothered on something, a Laura's caramel apple and saltwater taffy downtown.
Before you go, read my guide on how to safely enjoy wildlife: Estes Park Wildlife Safety Guide
FAQ
What are the best restaurants in Estes Park? My favorites include Penelope's World Famous Burgers & Fries, Antonio's Real New York Pizza, Bird & Jim, Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Brew, Twin Owls Steakhouse and The Egg of Estes for breakfast.
Where can I get breakfast in Estes Park? The Egg of Estes, Notchtop Bakery & Cafe and Mountain Home Cafe are my picks for breakfast, and The Spice Rack for pastries. Get a Cinnamon's cinnamon roll early before they sell out, and La Mexicana opens early too.
What's a good romantic restaurant in Estes Park? Twin Owls Steakhouse, with amazing views, and Ember on Lake Estes are both great for a special night.
What are the best coffee shops in Estes Park? My favorite is Coffee on the Rocks on Moraine Avenue, the cutest coffee shop, with a duck pond. Kind Coffee and Inkwell & Brew on Elkhorn Avenue are great too.
Where can I get a good burger or pizza in Estes Park? Penelope's World Famous Burgers & Fries downtown for burgers, and Antonio's Real New York Pizza, which I think is the best pizza in Colorado.
Do Estes Park restaurants need reservations? For dinner on summer and fall weekends, I recommend them wherever they're accepted.
Related guides: Dining at the Stanley? My Stanley Hotel guide lists its restaurants and bars.
After a great meal in town, it's a short, easy drive back to Bluebell Mountain House, in a prime spot very close to the Rocky Mountain National Park entrance. Bring the dog too, since Bluebell is pet-friendly. I hope you'll let me host your next Estes Park getaway.