Taste the best of Steamboat Springs with a round-up of local favorites, family-run gems, and standout dishes that showcase the town's growing culinary scene.
There's one thing that should always be part of any vacation: exploring the local restaurant scene. No matter where you are, in mountain escapes in Colorado and Tennessee or along the beautiful shores of Florida and North Carolina, a culinary adventure usually ends up being one of the highlights of any trip.
Heading to Steamboat Springs for your next Colorado getaway? You're in for a treat! This charming mountain town has become quite the foodie destination, with more than 100 restaurants serving everything from cozy comfort food to sophisticated international cuisine. The area may be famous for its world-class skiing and hot springs, but the local food scene deserves just as much attention.
Here's a little sneak peek to get you hungry:
- Timber & Torch: Restaurant with elevated comfort food, stunning gondola views, and a lively après-ski vibe.
- Blue Sage Pizza: Creative, bold pizzas in a relaxed setting with unexpected flavor combinations.
- Mazzola's Italian Restaurant: Italian spot serving homemade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and nostalgic ambiance.
- Backdoor Grill: Local favorite for inventive burgers, crisp sweet potato fries, and a fun, casual energy.
- Yampa Valley Kitchen: Farm-to-table dining in a restored craftsman home with seasonal dishes and a garden patio.
- Talay Thai: Family-run Thai restaurant known for confident Pad Thai, rich curries, and an iconic Tom Kha soup.
At Retreatia, we have many years of local expertise in luxury rental properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodging. Many of our rentals are pet-friendly, and all are perfect for any time of the year!
We also proudly see ourselves as local experts, and in our destination blog, we cover everything from hidden gems and indoor attractions to wonderful coffee shops around town. You'll find plenty of tips that will help make your stay in Steamboat Springs a memorable one, no matter the season. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and get ready to make memories in this unforgettable corner of the American West!
In this guide, I'll share some amazing local favorites, hidden gems, and award-winning restaurants that make Steamboat Springs a true dining destination.
Let's dig in!
Mountain Base Dining
1. Timber & Torch
Elevated comfort food with a mountain-town twist.
T&T sits right at the base of the gondola and has become a favorite spot in the village since its renovation in 2019. The wraparound deck offers great views of skiers in winter and mountain bikers in summer, and the menu leans into elevated comfort food with a mountain-town twist. It's a relaxed place to unwind, enjoy a good drink, and dig into dishes that are full of flavor.
Their menu blends upscale comfort food with mountain-town sophistication. The Bison Burger is an absolute showstopper, and the Famous Bloody Mary is practically a meal on its own, piled high with generous garnishes.
Local tip: During ski season, swing by for their après-ski specials between 2-5 PM. The place buzzes with energy as happy skiers swap stories about their day on the slopes while sharing plates of their legendary nachos. In summer, grab a sunset dinner spot on the deck, you'll thank me later when you're watching the sky turn pink over the mountain while diving into their cedar-plank salmon.
Downtown Culinary Gems
2. Blue Sage Pizza
Bold flavors, playful combinations, and casual, welcoming atmosphere.
This local gem is shaking up the pizza game with some seriously creative pies. This isn't your standard pepperoni joint (though their pepperoni is pretty amazing too). These folks think outside the box with combinations that sound crazy but taste absolutely incredible. Ever tried their Thai Pie with peanut sauce, chicken, and crispy wontons? It's a game-changer!
The ambiance is casual, welcoming, and perfect for anyone craving something a little different after a day around town.
3. Mazzola's Italian Restaurant
Authentic Italian goodness since 1970.
Mazzola's Italian Restaurant is a beloved local institution that's been serving up authentic Italian goodness since 1970. The moment you step through the door, the aroma of garlic, fresh basil, and bubbling cheese wraps around you like a warm hug. The brick walls and vintage photos give this place such a cozy, old-school Italian vibe; it's like stepping into a little piece of Italy right here in Steamboat.
The homemade pasta here? So delicious. Their Fettuccine Alfredo is so creamy and rich, it'll ruin all other Alfredos for you. But the real star of the show has to be their wood-fired pizzas. The Margherita pizza, with its perfectly charred crust and fresh mozzarella, is simplicity at its finest.
Local tip: Ask for a corner booth, they're the most romantic spots in the house!
Modern American Cuisine
4. Backdoor Grill
Creative signature burgers and must-try sweet potato fries.
Serving up what many swear are the best burgers in Colorado, Backdoor Grill is an unmissable spot for food lovers.
Don't let the casual vibe fool you; these folks take their burgers very seriously. Each patty is hand-formed daily using locally sourced beef, and the toppings? They're out of this world creative.
You've got to try their famous "Twilight Zone" burger or, if you're feeling really adventurous, tackle the "Dirty Harry" challenge, a monster of a burger that'll earn you a spot on their wall of fame if you can finish it. Their sweet potato fries also deserve a mention: crispy on the outside, perfectly soft inside, and served with a maple–chipotle aioli that's absolutely addictive. Pair any burger with one of their local craft beers on tap and you've got the perfect casual dinner.
Local tip: Grab a seat at the bar if you're flying solo, the bartenders are super friendly and always up for a chat about local happenings!
5. Yampa Valley Kitchen
Rotating menu featuring comfort food with fresh, thoughtful preparation.
Yampa Valley Kitchen has become the talk of the town since opening its doors, and for good reason. Housed in a gorgeously restored 1918 craftsman home, this place takes farm-to-table dining to a whole new level. The owners work directly with local farmers and ranchers, so the menu changes faster than Colorado weather, and that's what makes it so exciting.
Their breakfast game is particularly strong (hello, banana foster French toast!). But lunch? That's when things get really interesting. The Harvest Bowl has reached legendary status among locals – packed with seasonal roasted veggies, ancient grains, and topped with a perfectly poached egg. It's healthy comfort food at its finest. The best part? You can enjoy all this in their beautiful garden patio during the summer months, surrounded by their own herb garden.
Local tip: Yampa Valley Kitchen doesn't take reservations for breakfast or lunch, so try to avoid peak hours (especially weekend brunch) if you're not up for a wait.
International Flavors
6. Talay Thai
Pad Thai done with confidence, rich curries, and a Tom Kha soup that's a local cold-weather favorite.
Tucked into a cozy space downtown, this family-run restaurant brings the vibrant flavors of Thailand to the Rockies, and boy, do they nail it! The aroma of lemongrass, basil, and coconut greets you right away, and the menu shows how much care the owners put into every dish. Pad Thai is done with confidence, the curries are rich and comforting, and the Tom Kha soup is a local cold-weather favorite. Spice levels range widely, so you can enjoy your meal exactly the way you like it.
Local tip: Their lunch specials are one of the best deals in town, and they do a fantastic job with takeout if you're too tired to dine in after a day of mountain adventures.
Make the best of your Steamboat Springs Visit
While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes Steamboat Springs offers?
Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, many of which are pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will definitely enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.