Live Here · Dining
Eating well in the Springs.
The food scene has caught up. Downtown is genuinely good now. Old Colorado City has a proper restaurant district. Plus more craft breweries per capita than most U.S. cities — and a coffee culture that punches well above its weight.
By category
What's worth your appetite.
The craft beer scene
30+ breweries in the metro. The depth is real — not just IPAs. Sour programs, German-style, Belgian, English bitter. Strong taprooms downtown, Old Colorado City, and Manitou.
- Bristol Brewing — local institution, Old Colorado City
- Phantom Canyon — historic building, downtown
- Cerberus Brewing — taproom + food, north side
- Goat Patch — neighborhood favorite
Where the new wave is.
Boulder Street and Tejon Street corridors. Mix of upscale, casual, ethnic, and chef-driven. Walkable from most downtown hotels and events at the Olympic Museum.
- Edelweiss — German, longstanding favorite
- Bonny & Read — seafood + cocktails
- The Rabbit Hole — date-night underground spot
- Cowboy Star — steakhouse, downtown
The historic district food scene.
Cobblestone walkable district west of downtown. Mix of pizza, tapas, bistros, breakfast spots. Tighter, more intimate than downtown. Bristol Brewing anchors the area.
- Bonny & Read (sister location)
- Til Pizza — Neapolitan-style
- The King's Chef Diner — old-school breakfast
The coffee culture punches up.
Multiple specialty roasters. Strong third-wave scene. Lots of independent shops with real espresso programs — not chain dominated like a lot of Western cities.
- Loyal Coffee — local roaster, multiple locations
- Switchback Coffee — Old Colorado City
- Building Three Coffee — neighborhood spot
For special occasions.
Mix of historic settings, modern fine dining, and view-driven spots. The Broadmoor anchors the high-end luxury scene but there are great options at every price point.
- Penrose Room (The Broadmoor) — formal, AAA Five-Diamond
- Summit (The Broadmoor) — modern fine dining, mountain views
- The Famous Steakhouse — downtown classic
The everyday spots.
The places locals actually eat at week-to-week. Not flashy, just consistently good. Each neighborhood has its own — these are starter recommendations.
- Marigold Café & Bakery — French-inspired, longtime favorite
- The Skirted Heifer — burgers, downtown
- Lazy Lion Public House — Manitou Springs pub
- Adam's Mountain Café — Manitou breakfast institution
Neighborhood matters for food too.
Pick a neighborhood close to your favorite spots.
If you're a downtown person, living north Briargate is a 25-minute commute. If you're an Old Colorado City type, the Westside puts you in walking distance. I'll match the neighborhood to your lifestyle.