7 Best Restaurants in Glenwood Springs, Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley

Enjoy ranch-raised steaks, chops, and seafood, all of which you can wash down with specialty craft cocktails and microbrews in the Western-inspired, modern dining room with copper tabletops or out on the patio just off the pedestrian walkway. Try the grilled elk and pan-seared trout—a local take on surf and turf—or ask the extremely friendly staff for recommendations.

The owners of this burger joint—a trendy dining room with exposed brick, bright-green seating, and animal drawings on the walls—grind their own beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and buffalo for exquisite gourmet patties. The focus is on locally raised, grass-fed meats and unusual toppings: try the lamb burger with tzatziki and feta spread, or even a vegetarian option. Arcade games entertain kids while parents enjoy Colorado microbrews.

Colorful flags hang from the ceilings over the simple tables and chairs that surround a large fireplace at this little local-favorite eatery. Tucked into a strip mall by the highway on the west side of town, it serves wonderfully tasty, authentic Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian food: try fish kawab (marinated overnight and then baked in a tandoor) with a side of buttery naan.

Mix and match tacos and hot dogs at this small, chill spot near the Roaring Fork River that attracts families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to refuel after their adventures. Tacos range from fried fish with pico de gallo to unexpected Asian flavors, and the local, natural-casing dogs are equally enticing, including the Glenwood Completo with avocado and ancho remoulade. Colorado beers and margaritas offer the perfect pairing.

House-made bold and tangy, thick and sweet, and smoky and spicy sauces on every table add extra flavor to the traditional barbecue dishes, perfectly prepared in an open kitchen at this casual restaurant with neutral-hue booths, wood tables, and a wall of windows. Try the mac and cheese topped with smoked pork or load up on southern sides. Unique cocktails complement the hearty entrées.

Round doughnuts as big as your face and the equally huge square-shaped "croughnuts", both with endless sugary toppings, will make it impossible to choose just one. Old-fashioned, gluten-free, and cake doughnuts and fritters are among the many options. Grab a box, or two, and mix up the flavors: try the cinnamon roll topping and the one that combines peanut butter, strawberry, banana, and Nutella. Coffees with or without alcohol and hearty breakfast sandwiches are also delightful.

With its exposed redbrick walls, pendant lighting, loftlike high ceilings, and zinc-topped bar, the Pullman exudes a sophisticated, urban vibe at a location across the street from the Amtrak train station (thus the name) in Glenwood's historic downtown area. This laid-back restaurant welcomes all types of casual diners with a contemporary American menu that specializes in steak and pork, though the salads and pasta dishes are excellent.