By Brandon Ellis | May 17, 2021
Calling all foodies! One thing our Cheyenne Mountain Resort staff can all agree on is that Colorado Springs has delectable dining options in spades. But when it comes to choosing the best eatery in town … we will leave that up to you to decide! Hand-selected by yours truly and by the recommendations of our staff, here’s Part One of our insider’s guide to tried-and-true, locally approved best places to eat in Colorado Springs. Dig in!
Colorado Mountain Brewery
Well known for it’s delicious flagstaff beers, Colorado Mountain Brewery also has incredible, Colorado-inspired fine dining that lands it at the top of this list. The Roundhouse location, originally one of the Springs’ first train stations, balances an ambiance of historic tradition and modern dining. Executive Sous Chef Coco spoiled us with a sampling of their appetizers, and let me just tell you… Her Venison Eggrolls should be a sin—they are that good! I wish I could buy the signature blueberry BBQ sauce that accompanied the eggrolls by the bottle. As far as entrees, when Chef Gordan Ramsey visited he gushed over the Bison Meatloaf Wellington—however when I stopped by, I attempted the Sunshine Peak Burger which sent my tastebuds on a smoked Gouda edged journey somewhat tasting like breakfast but filling me like dinner. Colorado Mountain Brewery is a staple in our community.
Sushi O Sushi
Opened in 2012 by Kyung and Kisook Lee, this authentic, yet refined dining experience has garnered a reputation for having the best sushi in Colorado. From basic California rolls to our namesake Cheyenne Mountain roll, you’ll find something for both the adventurous and the picky. If you’re not into sushi, this Japanese Korean restaurant serves some of my personal non-sushi favorites, including the Chicken Katsu and Gyoza Potstickers. Plus, if you still have room, the tempura-fried cheesecake might just require you to be rolled (sushi-style) out of the restaurant! It was superb. Not only did their food exceed an award-winning reputation, but the service was also exceptional. Our server said that he could not imagine working for a better family—which left a lasting impression on me that the Lees put thoughtful consideration into their amazing food and take care of their kind employees.
Ivywild School
Once, a bustling 1916 elementary school where children roamed the classrooms and decorated the walls, is now a reinvented space that honors it’s history and boasts an assortment of cuisine and quality drinks. Ivywild School is the most unique location on this list and definitely one for impressing friends. Grab a pint of Beehive Honey Wheat at the Bristol Brewing Company and spend some time to explore! Each room, different in modern decorations and school memories, has space to lounge and munch on mouth-watering Detroit style pizza. The collective also features Lazo Empanadas, Salad or Bust, and classic Americana favorites at the Ivywild Kitchen. When you’re done experiencing nostalgia make sure to take a recess in their outdoor Beer Garden.
Carter Payne
Looking for another unique dining location? Take a visit downtown to this breath-taking historic building—you won’t regret it. The Carter Payne Chapel was constructed in 1897 as the first African American Church in Colorado Springs. When the church outgrew the building, it was later reimagined as a collective of like-minded food and drink experts who had the goal of maintaining a community-centered conjoint.
While talking to the owners and employees of the Carter Payne I was struck by one thing—passion. Everyone knows their craft and if you have time to talk, ask the staff to tell you about the cuisine that they are serving. Jeff could tell you about how the Local Relic only ever brews an artisan beer once, so what you are drinking is unique to today’s selection. Robin can go into detail about Crusade’s esoteric list of 48-65 wines, served by the glass, with the goal that you try something that you’ve never experienced before. Finally, Chef Brent will impress you with his working knowledge of Immerse’s farm-to-table meets contemporary Colorado charcuterie boards and various other cuisines. The Carter Payne is more than a dining outlet, it’s a complete culinary experience.
Thunder and Buttons
Our next eatery has a backstory as local as the food that’s made here. In 1888, a rowdy, Old Colorado City resident named Prairie Dog O’Byrne purchased two bull elk, hitched them to his carriage, and raced them around town. He named the elk Thunder and Buttons—and thus, a local legend was born. Here, you can enjoy scratch-made Colorado cuisines like elk chili, lobster and shrimp tortellini, and don’t forget, their addicting fries—all made on-site with the freshest local ingredients. The only thing that may upstage the food is Crazy Tony’s Karaoke! Hosted upstairs, this is a longstanding tradition and something the locals look forward to every week.
Front Range BBQ
If you’re going to enjoy some finger-lickin’ goodness during your stay, make sure to stop by the Guy Fieri-approved BBQ joint off Colorado Avenue. Front Range BBQ has been voted the Best Barbeque by the Colorado Springs Independent since 2001. And if that’s not enough to convince you, let the owners’ authentic Southern and Cajun family recipes do all the talking. Tear into pulled pork, chicken, brisket, kielbasa, and ribs, all washed down with a rotating tap of craft beers—are you drooling yet? As the weather warms up, so does the entertainment. Enjoy live outdoor music on the patio all summer long with your family and four-legged friends, too! Visit the Front Range BBQ Facebook page for their latest happenings.
Edelweiss
Looking for a warm hearty meal, a cool German beer, and a pet-friendly patio on a warm spring day? Edelweiss, an authentic German restaurant, knows a thing or two about good hospitality. Aside from the delicious home-cooked German fare—like wiener schnitzel, jager schnitzel, and bratwurst—the German Alpine memorabilia will charm you and the old fireplaces will warm you up on our cool Colorado nights.
Gates Grille and Elevations Drinks & Eats (OPEN NOW!)
When it comes to fine dining, Colorado Springs’ mountain views are the perfect way to elevate your dining experience. And luckily for our guests, two restaurants that offer both breathtaking vistas and award-winning gourmet dishes, just happen to be on-site at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort.
Surrounded by the rolling emerald fairways of our Pete Dye-designed golf course, Gates Grille offers classics like rib-eye and pan-seared Atlantic salmon. Our restaurant is perfect for celebrating a well-played game on the green or kicking back with good friends. The Grille and outdoor patio are open just in time for the most pleasant weather of the year!
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW
Did we miss your favorite Colorado Springs restaurant? Email your recommendations to brandon.ellis@dolce.com and we might feature the eatery in Part Two of this blog.
