Dining in Crested Butte
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A wide selection of excellent dining opportunities awaits the hungry gourmand in Crested Butte with over 40 restaurants and nearly 30 bars to choose from. Menus cater for every palate - Italian, French, Asian, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, seafood, vegetarian and of course good old American fare.
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Whether you’re looking for a quick burger in a casual setting or five-star gastronomic splendor, you won’t be disappointed and if you would rather dine in there’s a good selection of take-out options.
If you’re staying at our condo during the winter months you can take advantage of the complimentary San Moritz shuttle which will deliver you to and from restaurants and bars until midnight.
A word of warning – don’t imagine that you can take a stroll down Elk Avenue and walk straight into the restaurant of your choice.
Crested Butte is humming with activity in the evenings and the bars and restaurants enjoy a cracking trade both in summer and winter so make a reservation!!
The following are some of our favorites …
Mount Crested Butte
The Avalanche – in the heart of the base area this is a family favorite for both lunch & dinner (I hear they do a great breakfast too) with a no-nonsense menu, sensible prices and snappy service that gets you back out on the mountains in double-quick time.
Camp 4 Coffee – in the base area and also at the top of the Painter Boy lift is a great spot for a fine shot of caffeine and they have splendid hot chocolates, snacks and cookies as well.
The Bakery – a good lunchtime option with a wide selection of baked goodies, a ‘happening’ bar and deck seating overlooking the slopes.
The Ice Bar – fine dining on the mountain (by the Twister lift) with a bar made entirely from.. yes, you guessed it… ice. Upscale American menu with a French twist: this is not the best place to take the kids. Reservations for lunch and ‘last tracks’ dinner are required: 970-349-2275.
Historic Crested Butte
Paradise Café – a big favorite with locals (always a good sign) it is sometimes hard to get a table at lunchtime at this quirky venue in the middle of Elk Avenue, but it’s worth persevering if you’re looking for a quick lunch, charming service and reasonable prices.
Pitas in Paradise – the name says it all – a great spot for lunch but they’re open until 9pm for evening diners too.
The Secret Stash – located in a century-old miners cabin at the very end of Elk Avenue this extraordinary, funky restaurant serves seriously delicious, made-from-scratch pizzas. Hugely popular for both dinner (doors open at 5pm) and take outs (they will usually deliver). Reservations essential – 970-349-6245.
The Brick Oven in the middle of Elk Avenue – an alternative good pizza venue: they also offer a delivery service – 970-349-5044
Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle – authentic, upscale Italian dining on 3rd Street with elegant yet relaxed atmosphere & a menu which deftly caters for both adults and children alike. Our family’s firm favorite for dinner. Extremely popular so reservations crucial: 970-349-7401
Timberline – Widely regarded as the one of the most sophisticated dining experiences in Crested Butte with a superior wine menu and matching prices. A great destination for a special meal, (don’t take the kids!). 970-349-9831
Lobar – aptly-named subterranean restaurant (under the Company Store on Elk Avenue) serving splendid sushi (take out available) in a trendy setting with a definite ‘late night’ scene. Great cocktails too! 970-349-0480
Ginger Café – tiny café located just off Elk Avenue specializing in a delicious selection of Indian and Thai cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner + take-out and delivery. 970-349-7291
Bacchanale on Elk Avenue is by far and away the firm favorite with our young kids who adore the pasta-orientated menu and are fascinated by the handsome antique bar and aluminum-foil effect ceiling! The fine menu and splendid setting make this equally popular with adults. 970-349-5257
Le Bosquet/Why Cook? Located on Red Lady Avenue near the cinema and Clark’s supermarket. Le Bosquet has been family owned and operated for over 25 years and enjoys a solid reputation for consistently great food and a wine list that boasts a Wine Spectator award. Their adjacent store – Why Cook? – offers prepared dishes to take home. 970-349-7291
The above is by no means a definitive list of the restaurants worth patronizing – indeed a poor dining experience in Crested Butte is a rare thing – and you can be assured that unless you are burning some serious calories during the day you’ll be traveling home several pounds heavier!