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4.4
(368+ reviews)
$30-50 per person
Stunning Lake Estes views with modern American fine dining. Every table features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake and mountains. Known for Steak Frites ($45), Lobster Bisque, and Elk Tenderloin. Outdoor patio for sunset dining. Read full review →
📍 Lake Estes Marina • 🍽️ Fine Dining • 🌅 Lake Views
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4.9
(7,376+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
House-brewed craft beer with exceptional food. Famous for Bison Short Ribs (10/10 ratings), Elk Burgers, and Rack of Lamb. Free beer samples at downstairs bar while you wait. Two-level space with pool tables. Read full review →
🍺 Craft Brewery • 🦬 Wild Game • 🎱 Pool Tables
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4.5
(3,120+ reviews)
$30-50 per person
Locally-sourced wild game in rustic mountain cabin atmosphere. Signature Smoked Pheasant Chowder dominates orders. Buffalo Burgers rank as best in Estes Park. Open kitchen concept with couch seating. Post-RMNP hiking favorite. Read full review →
🦌 Wild Game • 🏔️ Mountain Cabin • 👨🍳 Open Kitchen
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4.4
(563+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
Downtown Elkhorn Avenue location with wild game and craft cocktails. Mind-blowing Elk Stew as signature dish. Bison Burgers and Santa Fe Chicken Burger with amazing pepper hash cheese sauce. Open until 8pm when others close. Read full review →
🍹 Craft Cocktails • 📍 Downtown • 🌙 Late Hours
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4.3
(1,020+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🏨 Stanley Hotel
Gluten-free fried chicken inside The Stanley Hotel. Famous Chicken & Waffles 2.0 with black pepper maple syrup. House-brewed beers including smooth El Corn amber. Massive portions worth sharing. Perfect for gluten-free diners and Stanley Hotel visitors. Read full review →
🍗 Gluten-Free • 🍺 House Beer • 🏨 Historic Location
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4.3
(633+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🏞️ RMNP Gateway
Most convenient dining just outside Rocky Mountain National Park entrance on Fall River Road. Signature Elk Stew and wild game burgers including Mountain Man Burger. Integrated gift shop offers 15% meal discount. Outdoor patio with mountain views and free parking. Read full review →
🦌 Elk Stew • 🎁 Gift Shop • 🅿️ Free Parking
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4.0
(2,675+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🦬 Yak Burgers
Famous Yak Burgers and exotic wild game meats in downtown Estes Park. Unique protein experience with yak, elk, bison, buffalo, and wild boar options. Hidden outdoor patio and free dessert with cash payment. Post-hiking favorite on main street. Read full review →
🦬 Yak Burgers • 📍 Downtown • 🍰 Cash = Free Dessert
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4.3
(3,398+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🦌 Elk Burgers
Best elk and buffalo burgers in downtown Estes Park with legendary hand-cut parmesan fries. Retro 1950s Coca-Cola decor, classic rock soundtrack. Counter service, walk-ins only. The 2/3 lb burgers easily split between two. Read full review →
🦌 Elk & Buffalo • 🍟 Hand-Cut Fries • 📍 Downtown
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4.6
(3,097+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍳 Breakfast
Premier breakfast destination in downtown Estes Park. Hiker's Benedict with green chile hollandaise is the signature dish. Opens 7am for pre-RMNP fuel. Online waitlist system beats the crowd. Read full review →
🍳 Opens 7am • 🌶️ Green Chile • 📱 Online Waitlist
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4.7
(9,695+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🍛 Indian/Nepalese
Estes Park's highest-rated restaurant with authentic Nepalese and Indian cuisine. Famous jhol momos (dumplings in spiced soup) and unique elk kebob from the tandoor. Large vegetarian selection. Dog-friendly patio. Read full review →
🥟 Jhol Momos • 🦌 Elk Kebob • 🌿 Vegetarian Options
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4.1
(2,773+ reviews)
$10-30 per person
🍕 Pizza
Riverside pizza on Estes Park's Riverwalk. Straziante and Green Chile pizzas with patio seating overlooking the Big Thompson River. Order large pizzas for hand-tossed fresh crust. Family-friendly with mountain views. Read full review →
🍕 Hand-Tossed Pizza • 🏞️ Riverwalk Location • 👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
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4.1
(293+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🏨 Stanley Hotel
Shining-themed brunch inside The Stanley Hotel. Menu items like "Room 217" and "Here's Johnny!" add horror-movie flair. Blueberry lemon pancakes and massive biscuits with mountain views. Extensive vegetarian options. Read full review →
🥞 Blueberry Pancakes • 🎬 The Shining Theme • 🏔️ Mountain Views
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4.3
(946+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🌮 Mexican
Locals' go-to Mexican spot off the tourist strip. Free chips and salsa with cumin-spiced kick. Chile relleno is the standout dish. Family-owned with fair prices, free parking, and no wait. Good vegetarian options. Read full review →
🌶️ Chile Relleno • 🍟 Free Chips & Salsa • 🅿️ Free Parking
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4.7
(379+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍛 Indian/Nepalese
Family-owned Indian & Nepalese with the best butter chicken in Estes Park. Authentic momos, garlic naan, and masala chai. Extensive GF/DF/vegetarian options clearly labeled. CLOSED WEDNESDAY. Read full review →
🍛 Butter Chicken • 🥟 Momos • 🌿 GF/DF Options
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4.8
(216+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🥃 Distillery
Free moonshine tastings plus the best cheap pizza on Elkhorn Ave. Giant slices bigger than your face, espresso moonshine, butter pecan sipping cream. Walk in, sample free, leave with bottles. Cheapest meal in Estes Park. Read full review →
🥃 Free Tastings • 🍕 Giant Pizza Slices • 💰 Budget Friendly
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4.6
(621+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍜 Thai
Best Thai in Estes Park with authentic flavors Thai natives approve. Drunken noodles that make your nose run, yellow curry for cold days. The spice is real - order a level down. All curries GF. CLOSED MONDAY. Read full review →
🌶️ Real Spice • 🍛 GF Curries • 🌿 Vegetarian Options
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4.6
(2,529+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🥐 Bakery
Everything baked fresh on-site daily at Stanley Village. Dragon's Egg Benedict with house-made hollandaise, cinnamon rolls you'll smell from the parking lot, Rocky Mountain Trout for breakfast. Extensive GF menu. Pack a sandwich for RMNP. Open 7am-3pm. Read full review →
🥖 Scratch Bakery • 🌄 Mountain Views • 🌾 GF Menu
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4.7
(172+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🆕 Newer Spot
High-rated newcomer with craft cocktails and elevated pub fare. Smash burgers, fish tacos, and creative appetizers in a modern tavern setting. Friendly service with consistent quality. Perfect for casual dining with craft drink options. Read full review →
🍔 Smash Burgers • 🍹 Craft Cocktails • 🌟 High Rated
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4.4
(1,741+ reviews)
$30-50 per person
🥩 Steakhouse
Classic American steakhouse with prime cuts and wild game. Elk medallions, ribeye steaks, and lamb chops in upscale lodge atmosphere. Full bar with extensive wine list. Perfect for special occasions and steak lovers. Read full review →
🥩 Prime Steaks • 🦌 Wild Game • 🍷 Full Bar
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4.2
(3,000+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🍺 Pub Favorite
Downtown pub with prime rib, elk burgers, and huge beer selection. Famous for Saturday prime rib specials and Rocky Mountain Oysters. River views from patio, live music on weekends. Family-friendly with kids menu. Read full review →
🥩 Prime Rib • 🍺 Beer Selection • 🎵 Live Music
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4.8
(400+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🏞️ Riverside
Riverside café with hummingbird feeders and mountain views. Best coffee in Estes Park per locals. Women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly. Paninis, focaccia sandwiches, smoothies, and boba tea. Limited hours (Fri-Mon only). Read full review →
☕ Best Coffee • 🏞️ River Views • 🌈 LGBTQ+ Friendly
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4.4
(1,369+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🌮 Mexican
Authentic Mexican with the best fish tacos in Colorado. Off main strip with free parking. Margaritas, fajitas, street tacos, and all-day breakfast. Family-friendly with kids menu. Read full review →
🌮 Fish Tacos • 🍹 Margaritas • 🅿️ Free Parking
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4.3
(623+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🥐 Bakery & Pizza
Best almond croissant in Colorado plus wood-fired pizza with mountain views. Fresh pastries baked on-site, OZO coffee from Boulder. Upstairs lounge with panoramic scenery. Opens 6am for early risers. Read full review →
🥐 Fresh Pastries • 🍕 Best Pizza • 🏔️ Mountain Views
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4.6
(4,801+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍖 BBQ
Best BBQ near Rocky Mountain National Park. Bison ribs, brisket, pulled pork smoked on-site. 5 minutes from RMNP entrance. Family platters, drive-through, and the highest review count in Estes Park. Read full review →
🍖 Bison Ribs • 🅿️ Free Parking • 🏔️ Near RMNP
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4.3
(3,443+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🌮 Mexican
Downtown Mexican with riverside patio on Elkhorn Ave riverwalk. Bison enchiladas, avocado margaritas, and fish tacos. Massive portions including breakfast burritos that feed two. Second-highest review count in Estes Park. Read full review →
🌮 Bison Enchiladas • 🍹 Avocado Margarita • 🏞️ Riverside Patio
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4.5
(2,138+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍳 Breakfast
The best breakfast in Estes Park since 1998. Famous green chile that rivals Pueblo, huevos rancheros, and migas. Stanley Village location with free parking. Generous portions at fair prices. Read full review →
🌶️ Famous Green Chile • 🍳 Huevos Rancheros • 🅿️ Free Parking
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4.6
(2,159+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🎵 Live Music
Locals' favorite with nightly live bluegrass and house-made pine syrup cocktails. Trout, elk sausage, and Devils on Horseback (bacon-wrapped dates). Women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly. Opens 4pm for dinner only. Read full review →
🎵 Live Music • 🍸 Pine Syrup Cocktails • 🏳️🌈 Inclusive
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3.7
(1,192+ reviews)
$50-100 per person
🏨 The Shining Hotel
Fine dining at the hotel that inspired The Shining. Wild game meatloaf (30+ years), premium steaks, and extensive whiskey. Historic atmosphere but inconsistent execution - read full review for honest take. Read full review →
🏨 Historic Hotel • 🥩 Wild Game • 🥃 Whiskey Selection
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4.2
(1,062+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🌙 Open Late
One of the few late-night spots in Estes Park (open til midnight). Sports bar with fish & chips, poutine, BBQ, and pool tables. Meet owner Cousin Pat and his award-winning margaritas. Patriotic decor with veterans tribute. Read full review →
🌙 Open Til Midnight • 🎱 Pool Tables • 📺 Sports TVs
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4.3
(3,165+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍳 Breakfast
Family breakfast institution since 1972. Famous chicken fried steak with fresh-cut fries, Mike's Heart Attack (open-faced biscuits & gravy with bacon/ham), and salad bar included with every entree. Opens 7am, breakfast served until 2pm. Read full review →
🍳 Opens 7am • 🥗 Free Salad Bar • 👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
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4.1
(537+ reviews)
$20-30 per person
🥃 Distillery
House-distilled moonshine with free tastings, massive outdoor beer garden, and craft cocktails. Smash burgers, giant pretzel, and brisket queso. Sports games on multiple screens, live music weekends. Dog-friendly patio. Read full review →
🥃 Free Tastings • 🍺 Beer Garden • 📺 Sports TVs
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3.9
(459+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🏨 Holiday Inn
Hidden gastropub inside Holiday Inn with elk chili nachos, wild game burgers, and happy hour deals. Pool table, arcade games, pet-friendly patio. Early breakfast (6:30am) and free parking. Read full review →
🦌 Elk Nachos • 🎮 Arcade Games • 🐕 Dog Friendly
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4.4
(4,173+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
☘️ Irish Pub
Downtown Irish pub with elk burgers, Irish nachos, and late-night hours until midnight. Pool tables, karaoke, foosball. 4,173+ reviews make it one of the most-reviewed spots in Estes Park. Read full review →
🦌 Elk Burger • 🎱 Pool Tables • 🌙 Open Late
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4.4
(920+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🍺 Beer Garden
Best craft beer selection in Estes Park with 64 taps. Massive outdoor beer garden, rotating food trucks, BYOF welcome. Dog-friendly patio, great for private events and weddings. Read full review →
🍺 64 Taps • 🐕 Dog Friendly • 🎉 Events
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4.6
(708+ reviews)
$10-20 per person
🥪 Deli & Bakery
Everything made from scratch - fresh focaccia, in-house smoked meats, artisan sandwiches. Italian sandwich ($14) and house pastrami are hiker favorites. Gluten-free and vegan options. Perfect pre-RMNP fuel. Read full review →
🥐 Fresh Baked • 🥪 Pre-Hike Fuel • 🌿 GF Options