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The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Springs

January 17, 2017 by thefitchen 31 Comments

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The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Springs

This is the ultimate guide to Colorado Springs' food scene – restaurants, bars, and breweries! As a bonus, this list includes recommendations for nearby recreation, hikes, sight-seeing, and shopping.  

When most people think of Colorado, they probably think of Denver – at least, as far as cities are concerned. I may be biased, but I like to think of Colorado Springs as Colorado's best kept secret. For now, at least. The traffic is minimal. The people are friendly. The restaurants are phenomenal. It's easy to navigate.

I saw a need here – a need that was just waiting to be met. No one seems to know much about little ol' Colorado Springs – this beautiful, understated town that rests at the feet of Pike's Peak and boasts million dollar views and a quick drive to the mountains. Since moving in July (2016), we've had time to try a handful of restaurants and bars and get an idea of non-food related activities, too.

There is so much more to explore, but we've developed a pretty good list so far. Without further ado, here is our guide to Colorado Springs.

Cars Road Night Coffe Shop Colorado Springs Theater Colorado Springs Night Club Door Colorado Springs


Chillis Chips Bread
Med Cafe
Colorado Springs Food
Odyssey Gastropub
Odyssey Gastropub Food
Odyssey Gastropub

Food

Mediterranean Cafe – BOMB. Falafels. Baba ghanoush and hummus. Get the greek fries (and/or the honey harissa fries). They also have inexpensive, but good beer and wine. ($3 craft cans and $4 glasses of French wine.) This is Clark's #1 favorite place to eat in Colorado Springs.

Odyssey – Best brunch in town. Hands down. The brunch tacos are the bomb. The breakfast naan-wich is yum. The omelettes are delicious.  The appetizers are perfect for sharing. The cocktails don't skimp on booze. And best of all, the service is fantastic – always friendly.

Everest Nepal – Indian food. My true love. The naan. The curries. The channa dal. The vindaloo. This place does it right, every time. It's one of the best Indian restaurants I've ever tried. We're conveniently located within delivery range of this gem.

Tapateria – I don't order sangria often. In fact, I never order sangria unless I'm at a tapas bar. But Tapateria's recipe changes daily, depending on what fresh fruit they have on hand. And that's how you know it's good. Their tapas selection ranges from vegan to charcuterie, and includes everything in between. And did I mention? The sangria.

Spice Island Grill – Jamaican food! This is a great casual spot with amazing, spicy comfort food. The cook knows exactly how to do jerk and he does it perfectly, every day. Personally, I'm a sucker for the plantains. (PS – It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives for good reason.)

Over Easy – This place is great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. From invigorating fresh juices and vegan quinoa breakfast bowls to down-and-dirty huevos rancheros and loaded burgers, they have something for everyone. Their downtown location on Tejon Street is usually busy, no matter what day of the week. You may have to wait for a table, but it's never longer than 10-15 minutes. Once you're seated, the servers are quick and super-friendly. They do NOT skimp on the servings, so keep that in mind. If you're not starving, I recommend splitting a meal.

Rasta Pasta – This place is funky and fun. It's an entirely Rasta-themed restaurant. The colors, the music, the decor, the drinks, the appetizers, and the pasta. They have a full menu of creative jerk-flavored pasta dishes and they let you choose how spicy you want it. A word from the wise – even if you like spicy, order it a level lower than you normally would. They don't mess around.

Rabbit Hole – It's situated, literally, underground. You take the stairs down from the sidewalk through what looks to be an old subway entrance. The atmosphere is dark and moody, very speakeasy-like. It's the perfect place for a romantic date night or to bring family when they come to town.

Il Vicino – There are two pizza recommendations on this list because there are many kinds of pizza. Sometimes you want sexy, artisanal pizza with brilliant topping combinations and wood-fired crust. Sometimes you want to eat at such a pizzeria or you at least have the motivation to drive and pick it up. That's what Il Vicino is for. Perfect, wood-fired pizza with the kind of high quality ingredients that make you feel like you're in Italy.

Louie's Pizza – And when you don't want to (or shouldn't) drive, Louie's has your back. They're there for those late night pizza cravings. When you're feeling a little dirty... but not Domino's or Papa John's dirty. Just real hand-tossed dough and stringy cheese. They still hand-make the crust and use quality ingredients. And they deliver right to your door with discount if you pay with cash. Pro Tip – DO NOT pass up the cheese bread. You must order the "cheesy garlic bread," even if that means you order less pizza. There are some pizzerias where you can skip the appetizers/breadsticks/garlic bread/etc. Louie's is NOT one of those pizzerias.

Urban Steam – Best coffee in town. In fact, some of the best coffee I've ever had. They also have Taco Tuesday every week, during which they offer $2 street tacos. I'm usually a skeptic when it comes to tacos because honestly, nothing compares to Mexico. BUT – Urban Steam does a fantastic job. They mix up the tacos every week with creative ingredients and sauces, and they also offer $2 beers and $3 margaritas to go along with the taco magic.

PS – We're still on the hunt for good Thai and sushi spots, but I'll update when we find them.

Med Cafe Colorado Springs


Colorado Springs Lake Mountains Colorado Springs Train Rails Blue Sky The Ultimate Guide to Colorado Springs
Camping Colorado Springs

What To Do

Red Rock Canyon Open Space – This is our favorite place to hike nearby. It's consistently less crowded than Garden of the Gods, but it offers comparable views, rock formations, and more challenging hikes. There's a beautiful lake that you can walk around. Bonus – it's dog friendly!

Manitou Springs – It's only a 10 minute drive from downtown Colorado Springs but it feels completely different. Plan to spend an entire day here and let me tell you why. 1) They have a massive arcade with vintage games, new games, group games, pinball, skee-ball and so much more. 2) The Manitou strip is lined with eclectic shops stocked with incense, books, local kombucha, pipes, Colorado-themed gear. 3) Manitou Brewing Co. is a must-visit. They feature a wide selection of rotating craft beers and some of the best brewpub food I've ever had.

Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs – One of my absolute FAVORITE things to do near us because, honestly, who wouldn't want to feel like a kid again for a couple of hours?! This place is tucked back off the Manitou strip and it spans several small buildings, each loaded with different arcade games. They have Skee-Ball, PacMan, pinball, Space Invaders, and anything else you can imagine. This unexpected gem is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. (PS – It's been owned by the same family since the 1960's. <3)

Garden of the Gods – This is probably the most well-known attraction in Colorado Springs, and for good reason. It's located just 10 minutes from downtown and the park features paved walking trails that allow you to get up close and personal with the gorgeous red rock formations. I recommend visiting on a weekday if your schedule permits – Saturdays and Sundays can be quite crowded.

CityROCK – If you're looking for a hiking alternative or some indoor activity, CityROCK is a great climbing gym.

Poor Richard's Bookstore (and Cafe) – On the extremely rare condition that it's raining in Colorado Springs, or maybe it's just too cold? Poor Richard's is an awesome place to spend some time indoors. They have an eclectic selection of old and new books, all kinds of unique gifts, and a cute cafe adjoining it.

Old Colorado City – We love to spend weekend afternoons here. It's the oldest part of Colorado Springs and it's mostly composed of one main strip. Unique shops, pubs (see below, Alchemy), and restaurants (see above, Tapateria) make up most of the storefronts.

Farmer's Market – There are several Farmer's Markets in and around Colorado Springs, but the Saturday market in Old Colorado City is our favorite. It's HUGE! There are tons of great produce stands, plenty of things to snack on, and the smell of green chiles roasting fills the air.


Phantom Canyon Brewery
Phantom Canyon Brewery

Breweries, Booze, & Bars

Manitou Brewing Co. – Our favorite brewery! It's located on the main strip in Manitou Springs, which makes it the perfect place to stop after a long afternoon of wandering in and out of shops. They make their own pickles and then they fry the pickles in a house-made batter and serve them up with house-made sauce. AMAZING. Their truffle fries are essentially crack. The service is attentive and friendly. All around great little brewery!

Alchemy – The mixologist is world class. And the chef is incredible. Sure, it's an Irish pub, but there's a reason their slogan is "not just another pub." Trust me, it'll blow your mind.

Phantom Canyon Brewery – This is our favorite spot to grab a beer and a snack. Their happy hour runs from 3-6pm which includes half price beer and wine. And on Tuesdays they do $5 growler fills on their flagship beers. Service can be patchy, but when it's good, it's GOOD. Sometimes it's just a little on the slow side, so keep that in mind if you're on a timeline!

Coaltrain Wine & Liquors – This place is a gold mine. They have a knowledgable and incredibly friendly staff, wines from all over the world at every price point, something like 2,000+ beers, and more liquor than you can imagine.

Odyssey – This spot makes the list twice. Above, for brunch. And now, for their drinks. They make fantastic bloody marys and a wide array of other creative cocktails. They also have an ever-changing selection of local beer and great wine.


Greenery

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably aware that Colorado offers legal recreational marijuana. What that means is that you can walk into a real life retail store, whether your visiting or a resident, and walk out with marijuana. Enjoy responsibly and don't accidentally forget any of it in your purse/backpack/carry-on when leaving the state.

Emerald Fields – Colorado Springs is not known for its pot shops. In fact, there isn't technically a recreational pot shop in the city at all (it's much more conservative than Denver and continually votes to keep them out of the city.) However, just a short drive to Manitou Springs will bring you to the fantastic Emerald Fields dispensary. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. They carry a rotating selection of strains and a wide variety of edibles, among other things. The prices are affordable – definitely the best in town. They're quite busy on the weekends, so keep that in mind!


Where To Stay 

I suggest going with an Airbnb that's located near downtown Colorado Springs. We usually opt for an Airbnb over a hotel room any time it's possible. You can walk to downtown from any of these and there are plenty more options if these don't suit your fancy.

Here's a cute one.

And another.

And another.

And another.


If you visit Colorado Springs, tell us what you think! Did you try any of our recommendations? Did you find a spot we should try/add to this guide?

Cars Traffic Lights Road Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Robles

    November 07, 2019 at 11:35 am

    Great guide. We just moved here in August and trying to make our way through the city. We have friends coming next week and want to show them all the cool places in town.
    Any suggestions on places for group gatherings? Cool bowling alleys or hang out spots?

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      November 08, 2019 at 7:54 am

      Congratulations on your move! Your best bet for group hangouts is probably one of the breweries. Oskar Blues has a cool space with shuffleboard, Phantom Canyon has billiards with a heated outdoor space, the Ivywild School has several nice areas to check out too! There are a couple of bowling alleys, but we didn't really care for the vibe of them. We moved out of the area in 2018, so some things may have changed!

      Reply
  2. Apple M.

    September 12, 2019 at 12:45 am

    Awesome guide to travel to Colorado Springs. I am planning to make a short trip in Colorado Springs with my friends, This guide is surely going to help me a lot. Thanks.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      September 23, 2019 at 9:43 am

      Ohhhh how fun! You guys are going to have an awesome time. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Rhonda S Kon

    August 31, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    We are planning a trip in September and I love to eat "fun" and well on vacay. I noticed two German restaurants in the area. I love German food and it is not available where I live. However, these places are never mentioned in the travel blogs. You seem to have a great feel for the food scene in Colorado Springs. Do you know anything about the German food experience there? Thanks for your post on the food scene. We will be using some of your recommendations.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      September 23, 2019 at 9:49 am

      Hmmm... I can't speak much on the German food scene in Colorado Springs. I've heard great things about Edelweiss though! Report back with your findings! :)

      Reply
  4. Jen

    April 30, 2019 at 10:36 am

    Excellent help on my first visit to Colorado Springs! Your food places are spot on perfect!!! Thanks!! Thank

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      May 05, 2019 at 8:50 am

      Ahhhh! I love hearing that this helped! Would love to hear where all you tried!

      Reply
  5. Anit

    January 08, 2019 at 11:03 am

    What is the name of the coffee shop that is pictured before Kimball's Peak Theater? I would love to try some of the restaurants pictured and it would help if the name and picture would go together. Thanks.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      January 09, 2019 at 6:30 am

      Hi there! That is Story Coffee, it's located in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs. Thank you for your suggestion – I'll add notes under the photos!

      Reply
  6. Shannon

    July 11, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    Na rai - best Thai food I’ve had anywhere in the US, Jasmine the owner is amazing. Yoo Mae for sushi - 50 state rolls.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      July 12, 2018 at 7:50 am

      Thank you for the recommendations! <3

      Reply
  7. Marlene Thomas

    June 28, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    Plan on visiting in September. Thank you for all the great information.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      June 29, 2018 at 8:32 am

      Fantastic! You'll have an awesome time. :)

      Reply
  8. Emily

    June 13, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    Any restaurants to avoid if we have kids with us?

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      July 20, 2018 at 7:58 am

      I wouldn't recommend Rabbit Hole with kids, and probably not Tapateria. Both allow kids, but they don't have the most kid-friendly menus.

      Reply
  9. Rocky

    April 25, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    Margarita at Pine creek in northern COS is a very good restaurant with a great atmosphere and service.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      April 26, 2018 at 10:14 am

      Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation – we'll have to try it!

      Reply
  10. Erika

    April 02, 2018 at 8:17 pm

    Thai Mint near Chapel Hills Mall is wonderful! :)

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      April 03, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      Thank you! We will try it!

      Reply
  11. Aubrey

    February 16, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    My all time favorite Thai restaurant in the springs is Lana Thai!!

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      February 16, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      Good to know! Thank you for the recommendation! <3

      Reply
  12. Tere Langford

    January 22, 2018 at 1:58 am

    I lived in the springs foe 10 years I miss it so much. My son LIVES there so I want to visit soon. I love old Colorado City, so much fun.

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      February 06, 2018 at 4:45 pm

      It's a beautiful, fun town! You should definitely head back out for a visit – it's changed a lot in the 2 years we've lived here!

      Reply
  13. Madison

    October 16, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Eim Thai is my fav in the city!! It’s near garden of the gods and is run by thai’s... it’s SO GOOD.

    Reply
  14. Katherine

    October 05, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    I love love love this blog ! ME and my boyfriend are going to Colorado Springs in November and I’m so glad I got the inside scoop of places we need to check out. Thanks for the insight love

    Reply
    • thefitchen

      October 06, 2017 at 11:52 am

      Hi Katherine! I hope you guys have a blast on your trip – hopefully some of the beautiful fall colors are still hanging around! Let me know if you have any questions. I'm actually about to add a couple more places we recently discovered, so pop back over in a couple of days!

      Reply
  15. Danielle Schmidt

    January 18, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    If you're looking for good Thai food, you should try Thai Mint near the Chapel Hills Mall (not to be confused with Thai Basil). It is a hidden gem. Their Penang Curry and Pad Thai are killer, plus amazing egg rolls and thai tea. We try to go for lunch at least once a week. We're hooked.

    Reply
    • Kaki Crystal

      January 19, 2017 at 5:52 pm

      Sushi O Sushi, Star Ranch Road and Narai Thai, Broadmoor location....our faves.

      Reply
    • Kaki Crystal

      January 19, 2017 at 5:53 pm

      Sushi O Sushi, Star Ranch Road and Narai Thai, Broadmoor location....our faves.

      Reply
      • thefitchen

        January 25, 2017 at 10:37 am

        Hi Kaki! Thank you so much for the sushi recommendations – we will DEFINITELY be trying them out soon! :D

        Reply

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