Radical candor: you know one amazing thing about visiting a place where marijuana is legal? Hint: it’s not the dispensaries. It’s the fact that there are killer brunch and foodie spots just about everywhere you look! During our long weekend, we found 4 really, really, REALLY good places to eat in Colorado Springs. Get ready to drool a little…. đ
Garden of the Gods Market and Cafe
We visited Colorado Springs months ago. As an update, we STILL reference this as our gold standard. As in, “Aw, man, I really want to go to brunch but we don’t have Garden of the Gods so everything else seems so MEHHH.”
Kid you not. It’s that good. Fresh juices, hearty comfort foods, snacks, desserts to die for – it’s all there, all good, and all encased in a really great, farmhouse ambiance that’s both relaxing and impressive. It’s probably the biggest foodie must-do we found in our time out west.
Luke, here’s your spot – go to town! (<– just noticed someone kept my editorial notes in!)
Boyfriend Perspective:Â This is has become my favorite brunch restaurant, and I am so disappointed that it isn’t in my home town. I have been thinking about petitioning the owners to move to Richmond. They have your usual breakfast sandwiches and omelettes, but there are a few things unique here.
Mountain Man Hash with eggs, shredded pork, leek hashbrowns, and you must try it with both the sausage gravy and pork green chili. It’s enough for two people to split or one very hungry person. I had this dish every time we went and have considered justifying another trip to Colorado Springs just for this dish.
Banana Bread French Toast….read that one more time, let it sink in. Served with rum caramel sauce, fresh bananas, and cream, this is a rich and decadent sweet breakfast I doubt you would find anywhere else. Two thick slices of banana bread served warm and comforting with a cup of coffee, SO good! This is such a rich brunch item, I you recommend you split this and a savory entree (see above) with someone or ask for half to go.
Mountain Shadows
When we walked outside on our first morning in Colorado Springs, our AirBnB hosts were sitting on their porch, enjoying the early hours. We chatted for a few minutes, and they recommended this place wholeheartedly. We can certainly see why.
Completely crowded with locals when we arrived (the sign doesn’t lie!), we waited for a few minutes before getting a table on the patio. Despite the cool breeze that had us both wearing our jackets while we ate, we enjoyed our basic brunch dishes very much – but definitely enjoy the people- and dog-watching even more. Luke got a breakfast burrito, and I got very competent French toast.
We even got to share space with a sweet Husky and her dad, both obvious regulars at the cafe (the waiter brought the Husky her breakfast without even having to be asked!).
Boyfriend Perspective:Â This spot has a “been in the family for decades and everyone knows everybody” home town vibe.
Over Easy
So, this is technically a chain – albeit a small one – but this is one well-kept, wonderful secret. I mean… we’ve never had cornflake-breaded French toast before, and our eyes have been OPENED. We stopped by after hiking around Garden of the Gods and couldn’t be happier with our choices!
Between their green chili juevos rancheros (with delightfully crispy hash browns) and the life-changing French Toast, we left here fat, happy, and ready for our next visit! …or maybe a nap.
Boyfriend Perspective: This food was amazing, the huevos rancheros was delicious and spicy, highly recommend it. I think we both fell in love with green chili, which was brand new to us since it’s not exactly native to Virginia. And like Meagan said, we have been converted to cornflake crusted french toast lovers – add the fruit compote, and you can’t go wrong.
Odyssey Gastropub
This was the second dinner spot we tried, and we were thrilled to have a much better experience here, on our last night in Colorado Springs, than we’d had at our previous choice.
Odyssey Gastropub seriously offers pub food done right. Crispy, tasty waffle fries, and super flavorful meat-based dishes left us both so happy. Luke even found a limited edition beer to fall in love with! (Guess who made room in her carryon for his beer bottle đ )
Boyfriend Perspective: This local spot was awesome and had a great selection of local craft beer, the limited edition sour I had was delicious. We decided to share a couple of entrees, which almost ended the vacation with fighting of who would get to finish which dish. Thankfully it was all sorted in the end.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Colorado Springs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Also, we’d love it if you’d share the pin love đ
Manitou Cave Dwellings: Cliff dwellings from Colorado’s history
Rudyâs Little Hideaway! Best ever ârealâ fresh made Mexican food! Prices are fair and coming from a âMexican cookâ, this is really the real food to feast on. Located on 8th street. Nice folks and really a little friendly, hideaway know mostly to faithful local customers.
This is a great recommendation – thank you so much! We’re planning another trip to CO Springs soon, so we’ll definitely put this on our list of places to try đ