Colorado Hits the Culinary Sweet Spot for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Don’t let the map fool you – Colorado is anything but square. Delivering on that promise, you’ll find a mouthwatering culinary scene that has way more sides than meets the eye. Discover bold flavors, worldly infusions, and innovative cooking styles that emphasize local ingredients for exceptional dining experiences. From the latest Michelin-star restaurants to the beloved farm-to-table hotspot making waves with food lovers of all kinds, send your taste buds on a culinary quest through the Rocky Mountains.

Award-Winning Restaurants

Your taste buds will thank you when you introduce them to Colorado’s refined culinary side, one filled with award-winning restaurants that push the boundaries of fine dining but remain authentically true to the state. First on your bucket list is Alma Fonda Fina in Denver, a warm and inviting Mexican-style restaurant serving up chef Johnny Curiel’s hometown flavors. The native Mexican brings his Guadalajaran roots to every dish – whether it's agave-roasted sweet potato or crispy pork belly carnitas. And keep the yummy flavors flowing with a delectable drink pairing featuring Guadalajara spirits like mezcal or tequila.

If you want a more romantic atmosphere, reserve a table at Bosq in Aspen, where this concept restaurant makes innovative use of the surrounding wilderness. Tucked away in a soft-lighting dining space, Bosq curates a menu sourced from the mountains just outside its doors, delivering irresistibly fresh flavors to your plate in the form of wild berries, harvested greens, and foraged mushrooms. As the menu changes with the seasons, pair your dish with the perfect glass of wine for an elevated dining experience. 

For a charming night out, The Wolf’s Tailor in Denver offers a one-of-a-kind symphony of flavors you won’t soon forget. This Michelin Green Star winner matches its outstanding cuisine with their commitment to sustainable practices. Indulge in the multicourse menu ranging from Berkshire pork dumplings to charcoal-roasted duck and grilled octopus; or try the Colorado bison loin with apricot and grilled zucchini. No matter the dish you choose, Chef Taylor Stark’s fusion of Nordic, Italian and East Asian cuisines makes this spot a top Colorado dining destination. 

Or for the best seat in town, cozy up at the bar and let Basta’s modern Italian restaurant in Boulder put on a show with its open kitchen and wood-burning oven. The Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, set in an industrial-chic space, serves up mouth-watering Italian dishes – like lamb over fairytale eggplant or fresh burrata served with authentic piada – that echo the best of Mediterranean cooking. Come with a big appetite because the plates are heartily served family style. But don’t forget to leave room for one of their indulgent dulce de leche cream desserts. 

Farm-to-Table Favorites

You don’t want to miss Colorado’s wild side, a harvest of the land’s fruits, flowers, meats, and dairy – served as sauces, soups, and more. At Annette in Aurora, Chef Caroline Glover stages her restaurant in a mini greenhouse, channeling a scratch-to-table atmosphere perfect for brunch or dinner. The James Beard Award winner is a cozy spot to find a seat at their renowned oyster bar and drink in the sights, sounds, and smells of this delightful ingredient-driven enclave. Try one of the wood-fired vegetable dishes like the tomato and Greek vinaigrette salad or share one of the large plates like the whole roasted fish with your loved ones. 

If food presentation is the flair you love, Potager in Denver makes every dish and drink a magical delight. Chef Paul Warthen uses hand-picked edible flowers to garnish the plates and drinks, a colorful way to elevate your dining experience. Beyond floral flourishes, the restaurant works with over 30 farms to source the finest local ingredients and even utilizes its own plots of land to harvest the freshest fruits, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Mix and match to craft the most scrumptious meal – from small plates like the zucchini tart and charred eggplant flatbread to large plates such as the irresistible peach barbecue pork and dill meatball. 

Perhaps Bin 707 Foodbar is most notable on our list for sustainability and a commitment to seasonal and regional cuisine in Colorado. The destination restaurant in downtown Grand Junction uses local ingredients that reflect Western Colorado and the Four Corners region flavors in every dish. Chef Josh Nierenberg, a multiple James Beard Award nominee and semifinalist with his restaurant creations, is devoted to community and excellence, which comes through in every bite. Give the Palisade Peach cobbler a try after your meal and see why this ode to the western region of the state is top-notch. Pro tip: Kick things off with TacoParty, Nierenberg’s second restaurant that’s equally thoughtful of supporting sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Try the Al pastor and let the flavors keep the festivities going all night long. 

The farm-to-table dining experience extends to the drink menu, too. At Coperta in Denver, a bistro serving authentic Southern Italian meals, the cocktail menu features handcrafted concoctions made with a simple syrup that comes from freshly juiced carrots brought in from nearby farms – along with all their savory servings. Nosh on a freshly made pasta and sip your margherita carrota cocktail to finish off a wonderful Colorado night. 

Savory Surprises

You definitely don’t want to miss out on meeting Colorado’s eclectic culinary side, filled with an off-the-beaten-path mix of dining experiences in settings that will stun you. The bright lights of Hollywood come to Colorado at The Stanley Hotel – the famed inspiration for Stephen King’s haunted hotel story “The Shining.” Tucked inside the hotel is Cascades Restaurant and Lounge, a lavish and grandiose dining space that channels the hotel’s old-timey atmosphere. Enjoy modern American fare and soak up the ambience. After dinner, grab a cocktail from the bar and meander to the front porch for breathtaking mountain views overlooking Estes Park. 

This next dining adventure isn’t for the faint of heart. Linger Restaurant in Denver, set in a former mortuary, updates the macabre remnants of the building’s former glory with posh accent pieces for a spooky yet refined experience. Head to the rooftop for more surprises: a 1970s GMC RV retrofitted to a bar and perhaps the coolest hang in all of Colorado. Don’t let the spooky glam distract from your hunger pangs because the food and drinks don’t disappoint. Pair Korean barbecue tacos with a cocktail from the RV-turned-bar and check out the killer views. 

Take a trip into the unknown at The Rabbit Hole in Colorado Springs, a Wonderland-themed speakeasy nestled in an old subway. Enter through a clandestine subway booth to a subterranean space accentuated by gothic art, moody low-key lighting, and flaming cocktails. The menu offers upscale New American cuisine, an eclectic mix of small plates like Bison lettuce wraps, brussels sprouts, and goat cheese balls to fill your hunger. 

The wild west comes to life at The Diamond Belle, an old west saloon in Durango ’s Historic Strater Hotel. Belle Girls – servers clad in corsets, fishnets and feathered headpieces – bring you classic cocktails while a local musician strums the guitar every night. There’s even a ragtime piano where a resident pianist plays the keys to the tunes of a bygone era. Old-fashioned bar food fills out the menu – from tasty appetizers and zesty salads to juicy burgers and savory entrees. 

Plan Your Visit

There are so many unexpected, delicious sides to Colorado’s culinary scene. Start planning your foodie adventure and discover all the fresh and vibrant flavors Colorado has to offer at https://www.colorado.com/.