Crested Butte has a reputation for offering a diverse and enjoyable dining scene. The historic mining town, nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains, attracts visitors with its charming atmosphere, and valley restaurants cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Keep in mind that the dining landscape can evolve, so it’s a good idea to check for the latest information. Here are some reasons why Crested Butte is often considered a good place for dining:
Diverse Culinary Options: Crested Butte offers a range of dining options, from casual eateries and pubs to more upscale and fine dining establishments. This diversity allows visitors to explore various cuisines and culinary experiences.
Emphasis on Local and Fresh Ingredients: Many restaurants in Crested Butte prioritize using local and seasonal ingredients. This emphasis on fresh, quality produce often contributes to the flavor and uniqueness of the dishes.
Apres-Ski and Mountain Dining: After a day of outdoor activities, such as skiing, mountain biking or hiking, visitors can enjoy the après-ski scene or unwind with a meal at one of the mountain-themed restaurants. The cozy atmosphere and hearty mountain cuisine are highlights for many.
Quaint Atmosphere: Crested Butte’s historic downtown area adds to the charm of dining in the town. Some restaurants are housed in rustic buildings, contributing to a quaint and inviting atmosphere.
Specialty Restaurants: Crested Butte is known for having specialty restaurants that focus on specific cuisines or themes. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, gourmet noodles, or French-inspired cuisine, you can find unique dining experiences.
Local Breweries Distilleries and Pubs: If you enjoy craft beer, Crested Butte has a few local breweries and pubs where you can sample regional brews and enjoy pub-style fare.
Here is our list of some of the best dining options in Crested Butte from the mountain to town:
Paradise Warming House
Located at the base of Paradise Express, Paradise Warming House will introduce all-new pho-inspired noodle bowls for winter 2023/24, for a lighter experience that’s still comforting on a cold day. Paradise will also have your classic ski lodge eats, from burgers to soups and chili. Epic Pass Holders save 20% on food and non-alcoholic beverages at Paradise with Epic Mountain Rewards. Slide up to the bar, take a break in the Adirondack chairs on the patio and fuel up for the rest of your day.
Web: Paradise Warming House
Menu: See The Menu
Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks
The Umbrella Bar at Ten Peaks has quick comfort eats, cocktails, and signature views of the Gunnison Valley from the top of Painter Boy chairlift. New for winter 2023/24, Epic Pass Holders can get 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at The Umbrella Bar with Epic Mountain Rewards.
Web: Umbrella Bar
Menu: See The Menu
Uley’s Cabin
Located at the bottom of Peanut run off Red Lady Express, Uley’s Cabin will continue to offer its classic upscale Colorado-style menu indoors for winter 2023/24. Reservations are recommended through OpenTable and will become available in early December. Outdoors, guests can play games like cornhole and giant Jenga while enjoying creative American-style favorites on the grill.
Web: Uley’s Cabin
Menu: See The Menu
Butte 66 Bar & Grille
Butte 66 Bar & Grille offers full bar service in the base area with a barbeque-inspired menu and a lively après scene, including happy hour specials and extended hours on the weekends.
Web: Butte 66 Bar & Grille
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-2272
Jose Crested Butte
Located just steps from the mountain at Elevation Hotel & Spa, Jose Crested Butte Restaurant & Bar features a special menu of chef-crafted, Guadalajara-inspired dishes straight from the award-winning Dallas-based restaurant concept. The José lunch and dinner menu is packed with fresh, modern Mexican-style dishes from ceviche and carnitas to tacos and enchiladas. The José cocktail menu boasts top-shelf tequila and mezcals, locally crafted brews, plus the famous Squozen— a tangy and sweet, fresh-squeezed frozen margarita. It’s the perfect recipe for happy hours and bites between bikes and hikes. When the sun goes down, our fire pit heats up. Whether you’re sipping a nightcap or roasting your own s’mores, this is the perfect spot to wind down the day and cozy up with your family and friends around the crackling fire.
Web: Jose Crested Butte
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 251-3030
A Bar Above
Convenient spot for drinks, good food and live music at base of Crested Butte Ski Resort. Low key ambience, impressive interior digs, order at the bar. Top shelf liquor, beer, great bar food and live music. Located at the Crested Butte base area in Mountaineer Square.
Web: A Bar Above
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (512) 332-6096
Iron Horse Tap
The Iron Horse Tap offer an industrial open bar feeling with glass garage doors in the dining area. Check out the custom pine log table, the penny top bar or warm up by the fire in a cozy chair with a spectacular view of Mt. Crested Butte’s Peak. Have a seat on the cozy deck while listening to wood creek running by. The classic American bar food menu includes a hand tossed olive oil pizza crust that gets brown to perfection in a classic double deck stone bakers pride oven. The pizza sauce is a secret recipe cooked in house to help create a custom product that is topped with pure mozzarella cheese to create the unique Iron Horse Tap pizza that complements our selected Colorado draft beers.
Web: Iron Horse Tap
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-7300
A Daily Dose
A Daily Dose is naturally good. Take-out or eat in. Espresso, juice bar, delicous food. Organic air roasted espresso drinks, crafted whole fruit/veggie smoothies, sandwiches, salads and more. Fun, light atmosphere. Happy people work here.
Web: A Daily Dose
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 251-5415
Bonez Tequila Bar and Grill
Bonez Tequila Bar and Grill offers “not so traditional” Mexican food. Popular appetizers like queso flameado (melted cheeses, chorizo and green chilis, served with tortillas and fire) will get your appetite revved up.
Try fresh fish tacos or a quesadilla salad if you want to stay on the lighter side, or go big with the slow roasted Mexican pot roast. The large restaurant also offers an apres ski happy hour.
Web: Bonez Tequila Bar and Grill
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-5118
Breadery – Eatery Bar & Bakehouse
Breadery is a sourdough and vegetable forward eatery, bar, and bakehouse in Crested Butte, Colorado. Naturally-leavened sourdough pizza and bread, seasonal salads and small plates. Artisanal cocktails and natural wines. Dealings in all things gluten (and non sometimes).
Web: Breadery – Eatery Bar & Bakehouse
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 319-5118
Butte Bagels
Butte Bagels is fresh baked bagels from scratch daily, bagel sandwiches made with love, coffee, and more. Conveniently located in downtown Crested Butte.
Web: Butte Bagels
Menu: See The Menu
Crested Butte Public House
Public House is a modern Colorado saloon and eatery. A trusted meeting place in the heart of Crested Butte, Public House celebrates local food and drinks, welcoming accommodations, and the community of live music. Public House is a Modern Colorado Saloon upstairs, and one of Colorado’s premiere, intimate live music venues downstairs
Web: Crested Butte Public House
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 237-5985
The Dogwood
The Dogwood is located in an old miners cabin just off of Elk Avenue in beautiful downtown Crested Butte. Come enjoy one of our creative cocktails, which feature our house-infused liquors and simple syrups and one of our small plates in our courtyard, or cozy up inside our cabin. The Dogwood is a first come, first serve as we do not take reservations and 21+ at all times.
Web: The Dogwood
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-6338
Elk Ave Prime Steakhouse
Elk Ave. Prime Steakhouse is located in the heart of downtown Crested Butte on Elk Avenue. They feature the highest quality hand cut USDA PRIME steaks, pastas, lamb chops, elk, pork chops, fresh garden salads and more. We also have a great kids menu. Prime has a vast array of import and domestic beers as well as the largest wine selection in the valley. You can enjoy any of their drinks from our outdoor patio or cozy up next to the fireplace, it’s great after a long day of skiing, mountain biking, or hiking.
Web: Elk Ave Prime Steakhouse
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-1221
The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
The Hideout Kitchen + Bar serves up casual favorites for the whole family.
They don’t take reservations so just come on in.
Web: The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 901-5254
Izakaya Cabin – Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill
The Izakaya Cabin in Crested Butte offers both a casual and lively atmosphere celebrating it’s namesake as an IZAKAYA (Main Bar & Community Tables) as well as an exquisite sushi / fine dining experience in the Loft. The Japanese word izakaya (居酒屋) is made up of three kanji with the meaning, in order, “stay-drink-place.” A spot to grab a sake, settle in, and enjoy some fantastic sushi. (The Izakaya Fries are amazing!) Open Seating (no reservations). Izakaya Bar – Seating for 45. Sushi Bar – Seating for 10. Limited Seating (reservations only). Sushi Loft – Fine dining for 50.
Web: Izakaya Cabin
Menu: See The Menu
Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle
Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle offers a laid-back neighborhood Italian dining room for a range of classical Mediterranean flavors.
Marchitelli’s proudly features generations of special family recipes. Enjoy unique Italian sauce and pasta combinations as well as their specialty entrees with veal, elk, chicken and seafood. Reservations helpful.
Web: Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-7401
McGill’s At Crested Butte
McGill’s is a Crested Butte restaurant serving wonderfully fantastic breakfasts and excellent lunches with a creative twist. Try the best malts, shakes and floats in town. We also serve Bloody Marys, mimosas, beer, wine and more. Open early and serving full breakfast all day. Offering daily breakfast, lunch and dessert specials. Conveniently located on Elk Avenue.
Web: McGill’s
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-5240
Mikey’s Pizza
Mikey’s Pizza is riginal home cooking! Offering Pizzas, Subs and Pasta. Vegetarian and gluten free options. Real Good Food at real good prices. Call in your order: 970-349-1110
Web: Mikey’s Pizza
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-1110
Pitas in Paradise
When you want great food and drinks in Crested Butte, come to Pitas In Paradise. Offering a wide array of traditional cuisine such as Greek, Mediterranean, Pita and much more. They have gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options and offer take out and catering in addition to indoor and patio seating. Pita’s prides itself on the excellent service they provide to their customers and their affordable rates. The food is prepared with the freshest ingredients and the staff is friendly. For great service in Gunnison and Crested Butte, call on Pitas In Paradise.
Web: Pita’s in Paradise
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 707-4030
Secret Stash Pizza
So you’ve made it to Crested Butte + found The Secret Stash. Good job! Now that you’re here, kick back, relax + chill. Order yourself a fancy cocktail or a frozen specialty drink. Mingle with the locals and experience our pace of life and what we call CB time. The Secret Stash has been voted the Best Pizza in Crested Butte every year since opened. Come taste why! Try the wings and more too. Dine in,Take out, Delivery.
Web: The Secret Stash
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-6245
Sherpa Cafe
The Sherpa Cafe is the best place for Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian Cuisine. All orders are made fresh to order. The Sherpa Café has been a Crested Butte cultural staple since July 2010. The Sherpa Cafe offers the unique flavors of Nepali and Indian foods with prices that are very reasonable. With fresh ingredients, healthy portions, and rich flavors, the cuisine at the Sherpa Cafe appeals to the health-conscious and connoisseurs alike.
Web: Sherpa Cafe
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-0443
Soupcon
Paired with impeccable ambiance, the charm of a mining cabin, and a blended cuisine steeped in French & American tradition Soupcon is for food lovers everywhere. Single seatings are at 6:30 pm nightly.
Web: Soupcon
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-5448
Sunflower
Simple, Clean, Fresh, Delicious. Sunflower is committed to providing food that nourishes the body, mind and soul. The ambiance of their space fuels memories with friends and family. Crested Butte is a magical town and Sunflower is so grateful to have the opportunity to support the community and its wonderful farmers by highlighting their ingredients in the delicious food their talented chefs create. Everything is made from scratch and developed in house. The Supper menu revolves around what is in season and available from the farms. The wine list is an exciting blend of Old world and New world wines, with a simple yet satisfying selection of beer.
Web: Sunflower Crested Butte
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 417-7767
Teocalli Tamale
Teocalli Tamale offers fresh & fast Mexican food everyday! Voted “Best in the Butte”. Home of the Powder Day – If Crested Butte gets 6″+ of fresh snow, we open at Noon!
Web: Teocalli Tamale
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-2005
Thai Chili
Located conveniently on Elk Ave in downtown Crested Butte, Thai Chili offers a selection of classic Thai flavors to enjoy inside, al fresco (in the summer) or at home.
Web: Thai Chili
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 251-5322
The Wooden Nickel
Crested Butte’s original steakhouse since 1981. The iconic Wooden Nickel, one of the few remaining historic, ski-town bars, is known for serving the finest steaks in town. The Nickel specializes in USDA Prime graded, tender Filet Mignon, N.Y. Strip, Rib Eyes and our famous, succulent Prime Rib. Our menu additionally features Elk Tenderloin, Rack of Elk, Alaskan King Crab, Pork Chops, Rack of Lamb, fresh grilled seafood and fresh garden salads. The largest and best Burgers, Buffalo Burgers and Chicken Fried Steak add to your menu choices. Giant Lobster Tails and a variety of Surf and Turf specials are available nightly. The historic bar offers a wide range of martinis, your favorite liquors and, to compliment your meal, a select wine list at attractive prices. Please join us for your special evening out at Crested Butte’s oldest bar and steakhouse….Classic yet casual.
Web: The Wooden Nickel
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-6350
Tully’s Restaurant
Tully’s is a family-oriented restaurant in Crested Butte South, Colorado serving all-American fare. They use the best ingredients, sourced local when possible, and provide a great atmosphere.
Web: Tully’s
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-2444
The Wooden Spoon
The Wooden Spoon is a small restaurant and grocery store located in Crested Butte South. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner!!! Full bar.
Web: The Wooden Spoon
Menu: See The Menu
Phone: (970) 349-2783
Bon Appetite !