10 Local Restaurants In Colorado Springs You Need To Try
Colorado Springs has some of the best local restaurants that, if you haven’t already, need to try. Supporting local business, especially today, is so important. If you want to experience something that you can’t get at a chain restaurant such as quality food, a unique atmosphere, and amazing customer service that makes you feel right at home then look no further than a local restaurant in Colorado Springs.
1. Piglatin Cocina
Location: 2825 Dublin Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Piglatin Cocina used to be a popular food truck in Colorado Springs but has now grown into an equally popular local restaurant. Their Latin-American menu puts a twist on traditional tacos and other Mexcian foods. For example, one of their delicious tacos, the Island Taco, comes with pineapple braised pork, jalapeno-habanero cilantro cream, cabbage, cotija, line, and a blue tortilla. The food isn’t also what the people come for. The drinks like mojitos and tecates are extremely addictive.
Come enjoy all these things on their open patio while listening to great music with comfortable chairs, swings, and high tables. With their daily happy hours and unique twists on tacos, this modern eatery has become a hotspot for the younger and older crowds alike.
2. Ivy Wild School
Location: 1604 S Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Yes, you read that right. This local restaurant used to be an elementary school, and they kept the layout true to its history. Walk the halls, visit classrooms, go to the gym, even get sent to the principal’s office here. However, this fun environment is anything but like school, it has been turned into an upscale, homey place where you can dine, hold events, visit the garden and more.
The Ivy Wild Kitchen, located in the school, provides “straight-up comfort food.” This includes yummy soup, salads, sandwiches and even some lunchroom classics with an upscale twist like chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese. So, go back to school and enjoy yourself.
3. Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant
Location: 733 Manitou Ave. Manitou Springs, CO 80829
If you like fondue or have never even tried it, the Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant is a great place to go. About 15-20 minutes away from downtown Colorado Springs, it’s just a short trip to experience fine dining and melted cheeses. This restaurant is considered very romantic and upscale with its intimate dining rooms, low-lighting setting, and impeccable service. It is recommended to make a reservation as it is a very popular location for anniversaries and date nights.
Mona Lisa is known for their amazing 4-course fondue dinner. This dinner begins with a salad, followed by fondue that comes with bread, fruits, and vegetables. For your entree, you will cook your choice of meats yourself on a small grill brought to your table. Finally, you will be served chocolate fondue with more fruit and sweets to go with. Talk about a romantic evening!
4. Caspian Cafe
Location: 4375 Sinton Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80907
This Mediterrane style restaurant offers dishes that are inspired from all over the world including Italy, Greece, Morocco, France, Spain and more. Stop in for lunch and start off with the Mussels in Saffron Tomato Cream, followed by a soup or salad, and enjoy the Lamb Tagine with Apricot and Almond as your entree. Caspian Cafe has is very popular with locals and tourists alike for its amazing food, impeccable service. It is one of the most highly-rated and recommended restaurants and the reviews don’t lie!
5. Shuga’s
Shuga’s is obsessed by the younger crowd for its creative cocktails and inexpensive food. This restaurant is a sleek, small but cozy, retro-style diner. The cocktails include a Lavender Blossom that is made with lavender, lime, and gin and can be enjoyed at their popular happy hour Monday through Friday 4-6pm. While you’re there, enjoy their comfort food-style menu inspired by dishes all over the world, such as their unique Cafe Tray. This tray includes a small Mediterrane salad, Caprese bruschetta, shrimp soup, and almond butter cake. Yum!
6. Edelweiss German Restaurant
Location: 34 E Ramona Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Talk about immersing yourself in the German culture. For 50 years, this restaurant has made it so once you step inside, you feel as if you are in Germany. The building is decorated in wooden furniture and floors, warm lighting, and antique German art, pottery, and nick-nacks. While this restaurant has a lot of space, it is separated from small, intimate rooms to match parties of any size. The best part is, they sometimes have an accordion player walk around the restaurant playing songs for everyone.
So come sit in the dining room and enjoy a classic jagerschnitzel, sit outside in the beer garden and enjoy a cold beer, or have some coffee and pick out something from the bakery inside. This local restaurant has it all.
7. Paravicini’s Italian Bistro
Location: 2802 W Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Once voted Best New Restaurant, Paravicini’s continues to serve us some of the best Italian food in town. These unique recipes are paired with handmade sauces that have been in the family for many generations. Enjoy appetizers like eggplant fries, followed by soup, salad or pasta. There are also entrees called Paravicini Originals that can only be found at Paravicini, like the Chicken Carsoni that has chicken simmered in roasted garlic pesto cream sauce, with broccoli and mushroom. They also have wine and cocktails as well as gluten-free options. You can enjoy all of these are their beautiful, large patio with over 50 seats, that is open year-around.
8. The Omelet Parlor
Location: 900 E Filmore St. Colorado Springs, CO. 80907
This historic restaurant is home to awards for Best Pancakes and Best Breakfast given by local news media. If you’re looking for traditional, home-style breakfast with big plates and low prices then look no further. They have everything from classic eggs, to hashbrowns, to bacon and much more. The Omelet Parlor will load up your plate and it’ll taste just like mom used to make. This restaurant also has a cozy, home-like feel complete with bright colors and intimate seating nooks. A classic is a classic for a reason, it never gets old, just like this place!
9. 503W
Location: 503 W Colorado Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80905
503w is an award-winning restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. They specialize in hand-crafted food and drinks. They have everything from small snacks like edamame, street food like Korean tacos, large plates like Thai Glazed Salmon, salads, sandwiches, and desserts like the French Prince which consists of sugar toast, vanilla ice cream, creme Anglaise, lavender honey and strawberries. This place has a full bar, a patio, is dog-friendly, has live music and entertainment and more.
10. Fargo’s Pizza Co.
Location: 2910 E. Platte Ave. Colorado Springs, CO. 80909
Frago’s has a unique Victorian-style restaurant with two levels to accommodate large parties. Along with its casual atmosphere, they also have a game room and other specialties for kids. They have a wide variety of pizzas that are anywhere between plain cheese to the Super Combination which has beef, pepperoni, salami, mushroom, olive, onion, Canadian bacon, green pepper, sliced tomatoes, and cheddar cheese. They also serve salad, pasta, sandwiches, and soup. So, come as you are and bring the whole family!
