Dining in Telluride is a culinary delight! While you may fear that such a small town would have few great dining options – you would be wrong! Telluride has more than a dozen fun, delicious and elegant restaurants, all of which are happy to have you dine in your jeans. It really tops off your day to get back from skiing or hiking and clean up for a nice dinner out. Somehow the food tastes even better when you feel like you deserve a nice meal after being out in the mountains all day.

For a complete listing of Telluride restaurants, visit our dining guide. 

For a fun night out with friends, our first choice is Honga’s Lotus Petal, a pan-asian restaurant on the east side of main street. They offer great mojitos, sushi and curry. It is fun to order a variety of rolls and pot stickers and share all around. They have re-modeled their downstairs into a fun, relaxed bar with couches where you can lounge and dine at the same time.

For a romantic evening, we choose La Marmotte. La Marmotte is located just a block east of the gondola on San Juan Avenue, in front of the Ice House. While La Marmotte offers a prie fixe menu, which allows you to enjoy three delicious courses, always fresh, always well-prepared.

If you crave phenominal barbeque, head over to Oak, formally Fat Alley, now located at the base of the Gondola in town at the end of Oak Street.  Locals tip:  ask for the combo platter to share between 2 people.  It's plenty of food and you'll have some money leftover for peach cobbler!

A festive and delicious dinner with friends is a sure thing at Cosmo, located right across the street from the gondola. Cosmo is consistent with great service, perfectly prepared entrees, and the best selection of appetizers in town. Cosmo has a sophisticated feel with a great offering of drinks.

For the best “to-go” lunch around, try the Brown Bag for excellent salads, sandwiches, paninis and soups in the winter. It opens early, so you can get a sandwich prepared and take it on your hike!

The Sweet Life isn't just for dessert anymore.  A Telluride ice cream insitution, you can also order a bevy of food items from the grill.  I recommend the BLT.  It's the best in town.  Don't forget the curly fries!  And if you're lucky, you may get an ice cream named after you!

If it's the views you crave along with an amuse bouche, then Allred's is the place for you!  Situated atop the ski resort at the San Sophia gondola station, you get unmatched views of Telluride down below, meanwhile sampling some of the finest appetizers and entrees the town has to offer.  Make sure to order a signature cocktail to wash down your meal!