The Best Restaurants in Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park · Local Guide

From a chef-driven tavern in Tabernash to a pizza pub with thousands of dollar bills stapled to the walls, the Fraser Valley eats better than you'd expect for a small mountain town. Here are our team's favorite places to eat in Winter Park, Fraser and Tabernash, sorted by what kind of night you're having.

Plan ahead: Many Winter Park restaurants change hours with the seasons and close a day or two midweek, especially in spring and fall. The popular spots fill up fast on powder days and holiday weekends, so book or call ahead when you can.

Quick picks

If you want…	Go to
A special-occasion dinner	Tabernash Tavern
Tapas and paella	Paella's Restaurant
A classic steakhouse	Deno's Mountain Bistro
Craft cocktails after skiing	Idlewild Spirits Distillery
Pizza with the whole crew	Hernando's Pizza Pub
Breakfast before first chair	Wake N' Bacon
Green chile everything	The Ditch on 40

Date night and special occasions

Tabernash Tavern

Tabernash · Chef-driven American

Ten minutes north of the resort in a historic building, Tabernash Tavern is the valley's go-to for a big night out. The menu changes often and leans on international flavors and prime aged beef, and the wine list has earned a Wine Spectator award.

Know before you go: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.

Paella's Restaurant

Winter Park · Spanish

Tucked into a little white house just past the playground at Cooper Creek Square, Paella's serves shareable tapas like ceviche and scallops, homemade sangria and several kinds of paella, plus heartier plates like lamb chops and beef tenderloin. It's one of the highest-rated restaurants in town.

Know before you go: The dining room is intimate and fills up in ski season and summer, so book ahead. A private back room seats around 20 for groups.

Deno's Mountain Bistro

Downtown Winter Park · Steaks and wine

Open since 1976, Deno's is a Winter Park institution right on Main Street. Come for the center-cut steaks and a wine list that's earned national recognition, including Wine Spectator awards, in a relaxed, come-as-you-are dining room.

Know before you go: Ask about the private wine room for a small celebration.

Solstice Bistro

Fraser · Seasonal small plates

A cozy Fraser spot with a seasonal menu of small plates and creative cocktails, with vegetarian options and accommodations for vegan and allergy needs. Now open year-round under new owners, it's a local favorite that's worth the short drive from Winter Park.

Know before you go: Typically open Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Call (970) 531-5400 to reserve.

Après-ski and casual nights

Idlewild Spirits Distillery

Downtown Winter Park · Distillery and comfort food

A working distillery with a full restaurant, Idlewild pours cocktails made with its own spirits alongside elevated comfort food. The truffle fries with manchego are a must.

Know before you go: It's one of the busiest spots in town after the lifts close. Call (970) 281-5773 for reservations.

Hernando's Pizza Pub

Winter Park · Pizza

Every inch of the walls and ceiling at Hernando's is covered in dollar bills left by guests, more than $40,000 by the restaurant's count. It's a Winter Park tradition and an easy win for families and big groups.

Know before you go: Bring a dollar and a marker to leave your mark. The staff will help you find a spot.

Randi's Grill & Pub

Downtown Winter Park · Irish pub

A cozy Irish pub with a fireplace, slow-poured Guinness, Irish coffee and a menu made almost entirely in house, from shepherd's pie to Irish nachos with Guinness cheese sauce. They serve breakfast too.

Know before you go: The patio is dog friendly, and the TVs make it a good spot to catch a game.

Vertical Bistro & Tap

The Village at Winter Park Resort · Après

Right at the base of the resort, Vertical is the easy first stop when you click out of your skis. Expect 14 beers on tap, craft cocktails, big windows and seasonal comfort food.

Know before you go: Happy hour has typically run 3 to 6 p.m.

Tacos and green chile

Pepe Osaka's Fishtaco

Downtown Winter Park · Tacos and margaritas

A longtime valley favorite for creative tacos, spicy tuna nachos, poke tacos and infused margaritas.

Know before you go: It's often packed and parking is tight. Call ahead or come early.

The Ditch on 40

Winter Park · New Mexican

This family-run roadside grill brings in its green chile from Hatch, New Mexico. Order the El Ultimo Burrito or the Ditch Burger topped with chopped Hatch green chile, and grab a seat for weekday happy hour.

Know before you go: Open year-round and a reliable lunch stop between ski days.

Breakfast

Wake N' Bacon

Downtown Winter Park · Breakfast and brunch

Start with the table bacon, a flight of three styles to share, then pick from breakfast burritos, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, or the breakfast pot pie. Bloody Marys and mimosas round it out.

Know before you go: Expect a wait on weekends and powder days. Arrive early or order takeout at (970) 726-TOGO.

On the mountain

The Lodge at Sunspot

Top of the gondola · Winter Park Resort

Sunspot sits at the top of the gondola with sweeping views of the Continental Divide. It's a memorable lunch stop on ski days and hosts special holiday dinners during the season.

Know before you go: Sunspot opens with the ski season. You'll need a lift ticket or a scenic gondola ticket to ride up, and reservations are needed for special events like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Stay close to the good stuff

Stay Vara manages homes and condos across Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash and Granby, many within walking distance of downtown restaurants. Book direct for the best rates.

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