16 Unusual Colorado Restaurants Serving Meals You Won’t Forget
Colorado serves up more than just spectacular mountain views and world-class skiing. The state hosts some of America’s most unusual dining experiences that go way beyond typical restaurant fare.
From airplane-themed eateries to underground speakeasies, these distinctive spots prove that memorable meals come with unforgettable atmospheres and stories worth sharing.
1. The Rabbit Hole
Step through the looking glass into this Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant where everything feels delightfully topsy-turvy.
Oversized teacups hang from ceilings while playing cards decorate walls in this whimsical underground space. Menu items carry playful names that match the magical atmosphere perfectly.
Servers dress in costume and the cocktails arrive in bottles labeled “Drink Me” for maximum fantasy immersion.
2. Buckhorn Exchange
Wild West history comes alive at Colorado’s oldest restaurant, where buffalo heads and antique firearms cover every wall surface.
This 1893 establishment serves exotic game meats like rattlesnake, elk, and alligator tail alongside traditional steaks. The taxidermy collection numbers over 500 pieces creating an authentic frontier museum atmosphere.
Presidential signatures grace the guest book while vintage cowboy memorabilia tells stories of Denver’s rough-and-tumble past.
3. Casa Bonita
Pink adobe walls house Colorado’s most famous dinner theater experience, complete with cliff divers and mariachi bands.
Waterfalls cascade through dining rooms while performers leap from 30-foot cliffs into pools below. The massive complex includes caves, arcade games, and puppet shows for endless entertainment.
Mexican food takes second place to the spectacular shows, but the sopapillas remain legendary among longtime visitors.
4. Linger
Former mortuary buildings rarely become hip restaurants, but this converted funeral home proves anything’s possible with creative vision.
Industrial chic meets global street food on a rooftop terrace overlooking downtown Denver’s skyline. The menu travels worldwide with small plates from Thailand, Morocco, and beyond.
Craft cocktails flow while DJs spin tunes in spaces where somber ceremonies once took place, creating surprisingly lively energy.
5. The Fort
Adobe walls recreate Bent’s Old Fort while servers dressed as mountain men deliver plates of Rocky Mountain oysters and buffalo steaks.
This 1963 establishment pioneered Colorado’s game meat dining scene with authentic frontier recipes and period atmosphere. Tepees dot the grounds while Native American artifacts line restaurant walls.
Trade blankets cover tables as candlelight flickers, transporting diners back to 1830s trading post days along the Arkansas River.
6. Flying W Ranch
Cowboy chuckwagon suppers come with live Western entertainment under Colorado Springs’ starry skies every summer evening.
Ranch hands serve barbecue beef and beans from authentic chuckwagons while musicians strum guitars around crackling campfires. Guests sit on wooden benches eating off tin plates for genuine frontier dining.
Horse-drawn wagon rides and gunfight shows complete the Old West experience that’s entertained families since 1953.
7. Restaurant 1858
Gold rush history flavors every bite at this Georgetown establishment where miners once gathered after long days in mountain tunnels.
Victorian decor fills the restored 1860s building while servers share stories of the town’s boom-and-bust mining heritage. Steaks and seafood arrive on antique china in candlelit dining rooms.
Ghost stories add extra seasoning as staff whisper tales of supernatural encounters in the historic building’s shadowy corners.
8. Juniper Valley Ranch
Working cattle ranch hospitality shines through family-style dinners served in a rustic barn surrounded by grazing livestock.
Guests pass platters of ranch-raised beef and homegrown vegetables while country music plays softly overhead. Picture windows frame mountain vistas and pastoral scenes of horses roaming green pastures.
Hayride appetizers and barn dance desserts make every meal feel like stepping into authentic Colorado ranch life.
9. Lumen8 Rooftop Social
Eight stories above downtown Boise’s hustle and bustle, this sky-high eatery serves craft cocktails with panoramic Rocky Mountain views.
Glass railings and modern furniture create sleek outdoor dining spaces perfect for sunset dinners and late-night socializing. Fire pits warm guests during chilly mountain evenings year-round.
Small plates pair with creative mixology while city lights twinkle below, making every meal feel like a special celebration.
10. Yellow Mountain Tea House
Tranquil Buddhist philosophy meets exceptional vegetarian cuisine in this peaceful Boulder establishment decorated with prayer flags and meditation bells.
Servers pour premium loose-leaf teas while guests sample plant-based dishes inspired by Asian monastery traditions. Soft chanting music and incense create meditative atmosphere perfect for mindful eating.
Garden seating among flowering herbs allows diners to connect with nature while savoring carefully prepared vegan specialties.
11. Airplane Restaurant
Boarding passes aren’t required, but this Boeing KC-97 tanker turned restaurant delivers mile-high dining without leaving the ground.
Cockpit controls still function while passengers-turned-diners sit in original airline seats enjoying burgers and milkshakes. Aviation memorabilia covers every surface of the converted aircraft’s interior spaces.
Flight attendant uniforms and pilot announcements complete the airborne illusion that makes every meal an adventure in aviation history.
12. Stage Stop Cantina
Saddle up for dinner at this Western-themed eatery where bar stools are actual horse saddles and cowboy boots hang from ceiling beams.
Mechanical bulls challenge brave diners between courses of Tex-Mex favorites and ice-cold beer served in mason jars. Line dancing lessons happen nightly on sawdust-covered floors.
Country bands perform on weekend stages while servers sporting cowboy hats deliver platters of nachos and margaritas to boot-stomping crowds.
13. Louie Louie’s Piano Bar
Sing-along dining reaches new heights when talented pianists take requests while guests enjoy comfort food and flowing cocktails.
Vintage sheet music wallpapers intimate dining rooms where strangers become friends through shared musical moments. Birthday celebrations turn into full-room performances with enthusiastic audience participation guaranteed.
Late-night energy builds as alcohol flows and inhibitions fade, creating unforgettable evenings of food, music, and spontaneous entertainment.
14. Ivywild School
Former elementary school hallways now buzz with brewery activity and food truck vendors serving everything from tacos to gourmet grilled cheese.
Original chalkboards display beer lists while students’ desks become dining tables in converted classrooms. The gymnasium hosts live music and community events most evenings.
Playground equipment remains outside where families gather for picnics and children play while parents sample craft beers and local cuisine.
15. Chiba Bar
Hidden speakeasy vibes flow through this intimate sushi bar where skilled chefs slice fresh fish behind authentic Japanese wooden counters.
Reservation-only seating ensures personal attention while omakase menus showcase seasonal ingredients flown directly from Tokyo fish markets. Sake pairings complement each carefully crafted course perfectly.
Minimalist decor and soft lighting create meditative atmosphere where conversation flows as smoothly as premium Japanese whiskey and beer.
16. The Burrowing Owl
Underground dining takes literal meaning at this subterranean restaurant where guests descend into cozy cave-like spaces for intimate meals.
Stone walls and candlelight create romantic ambiance while locally-sourced ingredients shine in seasonal farm-to-table menus. Wine cellars naturally maintain perfect temperatures in the below-ground environment.
Reservation waiting lists stretch months ahead as couples discover this hidden gem perfect for proposals and anniversary celebrations.
