My favorite date nights with Ted include discovering new restaurants!
When we become empty nesters and have more time on our hands, I would love to visit every single restaurant in Colorado Springs (and beyond!).
I could be like Julie in Julie and Julia (I love this movie!)
Julie took a year and cooked her way through Julia Child’s cookbook and wrote about the recipes in her blog.
I could eat my way through Colorado Springs and write about it. And will someone remind me of this in about 15 years when our littlest one is out of the house? Who would like to join me in this future endeavor?!
Also – the year after I try all of the restaurants…
… I will be trying all of the gyms …
… to lose all of the weight!
Anyway …. I haven’t yet tried every restaurant in The Springs. (Not Yet!) But of all the ones we’ve tried so far, here are the ones that keep us coming back.
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Cork and Cask – This is an amazing place to come for an appetizer and a drink. The decor is fabulous.
– If you want to do a “Progressive Dinner” – Dos Santos Mexican and Frozen Gold are next door.
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2. Hacienda – Great tex-mex with a fabulous view (if you sit on the top floor).
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3. Rabbit Hole – This is an EXPERIENCE! You go down a little staircase in the middle of downtown – and find a delightful restaurant underground!
Dinner with friends at the Rabbit Hole
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4. King Chefs Diner – Come wearing your baggy pants because you will be served a BIG breakfast!
This place has two locations. I recommend the original – it’s a tiny castle with only about 20 seats inside. It’s a fun EXPERIENCE! My oldest son loves their burgers (I had a bite and they were amazing!) Another son loves their french toast – it’s delicious too! My favorite thing, though, are their HUGE breakfast burritos smothered in green chili. Food Network called this meal the best breakfast in Colorado and I’d have to agree! (Note – they only accept cash!) Oh, and the coffee is great too!
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5. Viewhouse – Great happy hour with a fantastic view!
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6. Modern Market – I wrote 7 things I love about this place here.
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7. Ivywild – A historic school that has been transformed into several restaurants.
They have a whiskey bar with live music in one section, coffee bar and baked goods in another section, then a full restaurant and brewery in a third section. This place is worth a visit! My seven year old disappeared the last time I was there. I found him sitting at the whiskey bar, chatting with the bartender, snacking on maraschino cherries.
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8. Pepper Tree Restaurant -This restaurant served the best steaks I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.
I had one of their signature steaks, and my husband had the filet. They were both amazing. It’s the PERFECT spot for a birthday or anniversary. Dinner for two will cost around $100 (not including appetizers, drinks or dessert), but it is OH so good! You should make a reservation because the dining room is small. The restaurant is unassuming from the outside, but once you get inside, the view is beautiful! I love that they cook your steak right next to your table. I honestly can’t wait to go back. How many more days til my Birthday?
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9. Restaurant 1858 (Seven Falls) – Dining at this restaurant is a memorable experience.
Park at the Broadmoor (near The Golden Bee). The shuttle will take you to Seven Falls. Enjoy a beautiful walk up to the restaurant. Some of the delicious food at 1858 is Broadmoor is served in a cast iron skillet like they would have used in 1858! I recommend the Chili Con Queso nachos! They were incredible and made from scratch (homemade wild boar chili, chips, cheese and pickled jalapeños … yum!) Loved our experience there!
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10. Shuga’s-This is a fun little date place. You MUST try the Spicy Brazilian Shrimp soup.
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11. Carrabbas Italian Grill – I love trying local, authentic restaurants but I keep coming back to this place.
I love the warm bread with the oil (and that special seasoning). I love their house salad. And the chicken marsala just melts in your mouth and has SO much flavor. I’ve ordered the marsala dishes at so many other places and it’s never the same. I’m getting hungry just typing this. Something handy we occasionally use is their carside carryout. I order online, drive up, they bring it out to my car! If you eat here, sign up for the Dine Rewards Program. You get 50% off every fourth visit.
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12. The Broadmoor Hotel – There are many places to visit at this Historic Hotel.. and each is special for different reasons.
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- The Broadmoor Brunch is an EVENT and so delicious! The Sunday brunch is about 50 dollars per person, but there’s a similar brunch on Saturday for half the price.
- The Golden Bee – Come for the good Irish food, stay for the “sing-a-long” – lyrics provided!
What do you think about what I’ve listed here. Is there a restaurant I didn’t list but must try?! Where do you love to eat in Colorado Springs? PLEASE, leave me a comment!! (In the little box beside the title of this post)
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View Comments (13)
Oh my gosh, a woman after my own heart! Your list is awesome, Kathryn. I love so many places on your list! I’d add La Casita for their breakfast burritos, Wild Ginger for their Thai (and world’s best hot & sour soup), Adam’s Mountain cafe for their healthy & delicious choices & yummy house iced tea, McKenzie’s Chop House for date nights & martinis, Borriello Brothers for their pizzas and 2 story slide, and Little Nepal on 8th for their Indian lunch buffet. Now I’m starving! 😋
Ooh, thank you for those suggestions! That two story slide is amazing at Borriellos! I love a good Thai restaurant so I'll have to check it out. I've been nervous about eating Thai because during our first visit to COS in 2015, I was craving Thai so we ordered take out on my birthday. I was SOO sick all night long. Just me because Ted had this "sense" that he shouldn't eat it, and the kids didn't want to try it. I have not eaten it since.
Oh my gosh! You hit the nail on the head. We have lived here since 1990 and you mentioned a few of my faves! I’ll have to try the others. Peppertree no doubt is the best for pepper steak with mango and chutney cooked to order tableside—don’t forget the amazing Caesar salad prepared for 2 tableside. We love this place! Also we love Fargos thin crust pizza with amazing salad bar and pepperonis—also other pastas and meals for non pizza lovers. Definitely an experience. As you said the best Chicken Marsala definitely at carrabas!! My husband always gets the mussels and I always get the mozzarella sticks’n soo good—-bread awesome but so filling! Kings chef good especially after a night on the town-yummy!! And yes Golden Bee a must for a fun drinking time and the bees!! My husband loves Cerberus Brewery for great beer and amazing chef level pub food! Also loves Bristol Brewery and orders off the menu from Ivywild-great! So have to mention The Famous for great steaks downtown. We sit at the bar so no reservations needed and food is awesome! Also our favorite Mexican restaurant is Senor Manuels! Nothing fancy but we have been going there for years! Since our kids were in diapers! The best Chile Rellenos anywhere!! My husband loves the giant chicken enchilada with half red and green sauce. Don’t forget the best macaroni in mushroom sauce-I know crazy but we all love it! Also the best House Margarita-yes House! So good and strong. Best chips and salsa. You can even buy them by the pound and pint-we do!!! Also just down Nevada is Roman Villa. OMG! Family owned and amazing! Best pizza in town and great Italian food! A hole in the wall but sooooo worth it!!! Ok and lastly if your going to Denver my fave steakhouse is Del Frisco’s right off Orchard on the south end DTC area! Enjoy. Thanks Kathryn!
Wow, love your feedback! Thank you! I can't wait to try your suggestions - especially Señor Manuels. I LOVE mexican food - chips and salsa, enchiladas...I want to go right now!
Just discovered you. Thank you for the restaurant listing. I saved the list. Looking forward to more posts!
Awesome, thank you! How did you find me? Are you a COS local? If so, here's another post you might find helpful! https://kathrynegly.com/2017/09/12/20-free-fun-and-family-friendly-places-to-visit-in-colorado-springs/
Margarita at Pine Creek is one of those places to go for a celebration or special date night because it is pricey like Pepper Tree, but I have also found the best steaks here. They do a European style option similar to Four where you have a pick and choose for your courses and also the option to pick a 2-3-or 4 course option as well. (At least that's the way it was when we last went)
Saigon Cafe downtown of the corner of Tejon and Colorado Ave, On the NW side of the intersection(behind Thirsty Parrot) has excellent food(I love the Coconut Shrimp Satay) and is one of the few Asian restaurants I have found that has soy-free options or will accommodate the menu item by leaving out the soy in the prep.
I guess I never get to Borrielo brothers on a good day because their pizza is the most bland thing I have eaten, and Fargos is more for the family atmosphere and not the food, like Casa Bonita in Denver. Black Forest Pies and Grinders at Burgess and Black Forest Rd is ridiculously good, you have 3 crust options, and their baked ravioli are a family favorite.
Pueblo Viejo puts Hacienda to shame. They may not have the views, but the Mexican food is very good. It is the place I will take my friends from New Mexico and El Paso. Also, El Taco Rey in downtown on Colorado Avenue and between Weber and Wahsatch is very traditional, but isn't open for dinner. There is not much room for sit-down, it's a converted house, so it's more of a take-out when busy.
Shri Ganesh has Indian cuisine that reminds me of the Curry Houses in England. Fresh ingredients, wonderful blend of seasonings, and you can either visit the buffet at lunch and dinner or order off the menu. Very family friendly and reasonably priced.
The Bistro on 2nd in Monument has lots of great food options, main courses change seasonally, but the Bison meatloaf is always good, and big enough to feed two, so get an extra plate with sides. They have a decent selection of wines, and some nice desserts. It's moderate to pricey, closer to Mackenzies than Pepper Tree in pricing. Their patio is a great place to enjoy a charcuterie platter and wine when the weather is warm, and they will serve their full menu outdoors as well.
Tapateria in Old Colorado City features a 100% gluten free Tapas menu, numerous Vegetarian and Vegan options, and a lovely Sangria. There are so many things on the menu that are a treat for the palate that I can't list just one, but I always have the stuffed mushroom buttons, stuffed peppers, and caprese skewers. It is also owned by the same person who has Pizza Rustica just down the street. Their signature pizzas are a little fancier than I like( I'm a pepperoni/black olive/mushroom gal), but they are wood-fired the traditional way in a brick oven.
Bella Panini in Palmer Lake is all around good Italian food. I don't think I have gotten a bad plate there, and you get a lot of food for the money. It's not unusual for me to box up half for the next day's lunch. They do a thin crust pizza that is strong enough for toppings, but perfect if you have that friend watching their carbs. I believe they are closed Sundays and Mondays, as are most the establishments in Palmer Lake.
I have lived here going on 21 years now, and I am still discovering great little hole in the wall or family owned and operated eatieries. The Colorado Springs and Tri Lakes areas have some unique dining experiences.
Thank you SO much for your feedback and recommendations! You listed some places i've never heard of but sound amazing! Thank you! Can't wait to try each one!
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I second the recommendation for the margarita at pine creek. Oh my goodness it's so good!!! The chef is amazing!
thanks!!
Love watching sunset every night !
Thank you so much for sharing, I don't eat out that often, but when I do, I want it to be good. I know your recommendations are the bomb, and I just so happen to have an appointment for tile cleaning in Colorado Springs, CO scheduled next week. It's a good excuse to save the kitchen floors an extra day and take the husband out for a meal!