Best Places to Eat in Northern Colorado

Restaurants 

When it comes to good restaurants, Fort Collins truly shines. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, pasta, sushi or steak, there are endless options to choose from. 

Beau Jo’s 

A Colorado tradition for over four decades, Beau Jo’s serves up homegrown mountain pies, sandwiches, wraps and salads in Old Town Fort Collins. Famous for their dough, make sure to dip your crust in honey for an extra delicious treat! 

Blue Agave Grill 

The Blue Agave Grill features contemporary southwestern dishes made from scratch, including several gluten-free options. Love guacamole? Then you’re in luck! Blue Agave’s guac is made to order, so it’s exactly the way you like it. Plus, the restaurant features a large tequila selection and house-made sangria to compliment your meal. Enjoy it all on the patio at one of the five fire pit tables with deep cushion seating. 

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar 

Jax Fish House has been “bringing the coast to the coastless” in Fort Collins since 2011. With a focus on sustainable seafood, Jax delights visitors with mouthwatering dishes and an extensive oyster bar. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the New England Scallops are especially delicious. 

Lucile’s Restaurant 

Named for the owner’s mother, Lucile’s has been providing one of the best breakfasts in Colorado since 1980. A unique creole cafe housed in a signature pale yellow building, patrons can enjoy a beignet while listening to zydeco, jazz or Cajun music flowing throughout the restaurant. Close your eyes and you’d swear you were in New Orleans! 

Nimo’s Sushi Bar & Japanese Restaurant 

Hailed as the only Japanese owned and operated Japanese restaurant in the city, Nimo’s Sushi has some of the best sushi around. For those who prefer their meal to be cooked, Nimo’s also has a lunch and dinner menu with soups, noodles and varying teriyaki dishes. Pair your entree with some sake or plum wine for a truly flavorful experience. 

Rainbow Restaurant 

Serving colorful dishes made with love, the Rainbow Restaurant lives up to its name. One of the best breakfast and lunch eateries in the city, visitors can enjoy healthy traditional, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals in cozy indoor or patio seating. If you’re really in the mood to spice up your day, try one of their legendary Bloody Mary’s. Their house mix is one of the best in the city! 

RARE Italian 

Located in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins, RARE Italian serves up fresh local ingredients in tasty traditional dishes. Plus, their in-house dry-aging room ensures their steaks are some of the best in town. With a commitment to seasonality, they also offer seasonal specials and over 60 in-house wines. Still not convinced? Then try their Rosemary Olive Oil cake, which is sure to have you coming back again and again. 

Sonny Lubick Steakhouse 

Featuring live music every Friday and Saturday in a “polished casual” atmosphere, the Sonny Lubick Steakhouse offers a fresh take on traditional steakhouse fare. Located in downtown Fort Collins in the former Nico’s Catacombs building, Sonny Lubick’s also has one of the most impressive wine cellars in Northern Colorado. Just one more thing patrons can come to celebrate. Cheers! 

Tom & Chee 

Appearing on Shark Tank, Man vs. Food and The Chew, Tom & Chee has a cult following of die-hard grilled cheese and tomato soup enthusiasts. The chain’s location off Harmony Road serves up inventive takes on the traditional grilled cheese sandwich such as the Grilled Mac + Chee and the Hippy + Chee. What really puts Tom & Chee on the map though is their famous Grilled Cheese Donut. Made from a glazed donut in a variety of flavor combinations, it’s a delicacy that’s simply too good to pass up! 

Urban Egg 

The Urban Egg offers a menu full of made from scratch breakfast and lunch recipes using organic Colorado ingredients whenever possible. From gourmet pancakes to eggstraordinary scrambles, the meals are a perfect way to start your day. Perhaps their biggest crowd please, however, is the Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar. Throw in a stick of celery and count us in! 

Breweries 

Fort Collins certainly has its fair share of breweries, many of which partner with local food trucks for their cuisine. However, a few have their own food menus with bites that are every bit as enticing as what’s on tap. 

Black Bottle Brewery 

With an extensive menu that features everything from savory to sweet, the kitchen at Black Bottle Brewery has something for everyone. Their Fresh Cheese Curds are especially mouthwatering. Half a pound of traditional Wisconsin curds paired with a blueberry bourbon reduction and horseradish cream sauce, it’s the stuff dreams are made of! 

Intersect Brewing 

Sourcing as much of their food from local suppliers as possible, the menu at Intersect Brewing features wood-fired pizzas, burritos, handmade gourmet pretzels and a variety of cheeses. Coupled with their 18 rotating tap beers, it’s the perfect place to grab a bite and a brew. 

Jessup Farm Barrel House 

Farm fresh flavors are highlighted with Jessup Farm’s delectable small bites menu. The Giant Bavarian Pretzels are especially delicious (and go well with anything on tap!) In the mood for something a little sweeter? Then don’t miss their four artisan chocolate truffles paired with seasonal beers. They’re to die for! 

McClellan’s Brewing Company 

Featuring an elaborate menu of artisan eats, the McClellan’s Brewing Company is a feast for your senses. Whether you want something light like a hummus plate or charcuterie board, or something more filling like a gourmet sandwich with chips, this scrumptious selection has you covered. 

Festivals 

Looking for some food with a side of celebration? Then check out one of the many local festivals that combine eats and entertainment for a memorable experience. 

Food Truck Rally 

Food trucks and free live music? Sign us up! The Food Truck Rally happens every Tuesday in the summer from 5:30pm to dusk along Sheldon Drive in City Park Fort Collins. The event features a different musical act every week and numerous food trucks that cater to every taste and dietary restriction. 

Peach Festival 

Love peaches? Then the Fort Collins Peach Festival is for you! The event boasts every conceivable peach bite and beverage, from peach pancakes and pies to peach beer and margaritas. Plus, the Peach Festival also features a 5k race, live music, mini-golf, and activities in the Kids Zone, so it’s fun for the whole family. 

Taste of Fort Collins 

Food, drinks, live music and more! The Taste of Fort Collins is an annual event that truly has it all. And when it comes to cuisine, there are countless options. With food vendors and food trucks galore, you can enjoy BBQ and Indian fare alongside tacos and waffles. Why not try it all! 

With so many amazing places to eat in Fort Collins, the only question is what do you have a taste for? Explore our website to learn more about where to eat and drink in Northern Colorado.