Best Restaurants in Golden

Golden's restaurant scene punches above its weight. For a small town, there's impressive variety - from creative farm-to-table cuisine to solid pub food, excellent Mexican to upscale steakhouses. The Colorado School of Mines student population keeps prices reasonable and kitchens busy. Most restaurants cluster along Washington Avenue in downtown Golden, making it easy to stroll and choose.

Upscale Dining

Abejas is Golden's best restaurant, period. Chef-driven farm-to-table cuisine with a menu that changes seasonally. The space is intimate, the service polished, and the food consistently excellent. Reservations essential for dinner. Not cheap, but worth it for a special occasion.

Bridgewater Grill offers upscale American cuisine with Clear Creek views. The patio overlooking the creek is one of the best dining spots in town. Steak, seafood, and a solid wine list. Good for business dinners or anniversaries.

Table Mountain Inn restaurant serves Southwestern-influenced cuisine in a historic adobe building. The ambiance is distinctly Colorado, and the patio has mountain views. Brunch is particularly popular.

Casual & Family-Friendly

Bob's Atomic Burgers serves what many consider the best burgers in Golden. Creative toppings, quality beef, and a fun retro atmosphere. The green chile burger is a local favorite. Often busy - the small space fills up fast.

Woody's Wood Fired Pizza has been a Golden staple for years. Thin-crust pizzas with creative toppings, solid salads, and good beer selection. Great for families. The original location on Washington Avenue has more character than the newer spots.

Ali Baba Grill serves excellent Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food - gyros, shawarma, falafel, and kabobs. Fast, fresh, and affordable. Popular with the Mines students for a reason.

D'Deli is the go-to for sandwiches. Huge portions of quality deli meats on fresh bread. Good for grabbing lunch before a creek walk or hike.

Mexican

Miners Saloon combines solid Mexican food with a fun, divey atmosphere. Street tacos, burritos, and strong margaritas. The building has history - it's been a bar in various forms since the 1800s.

El Dorado Mexican Restaurant serves more traditional sit-down Mexican. Family-run with generous portions and reasonable prices. The green chile is excellent.

Breakfast & Brunch

The Windy Saddle Cafe is a breakfast institution. Hearty portions, good coffee, and friendly service. Nothing fancy but consistently satisfying. Popular on weekend mornings - expect a wait.

Sassafras American Eatery does creative breakfast and brunch with Southern influences. Biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, creative benedicts. Worth the wait on weekends.

Table Mountain Inn brunch is popular for special occasions. The Southwestern-influenced menu stands out from typical brunch fare.

Quick Bites

Sherpa House serves Nepalese and Tibetan food - something different from the usual options. Momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), and curries. Worth seeking out.

Golden Dough Pizza does solid by-the-slice pizza if you need a quick bite between activities.

Meyer's Bagels serves proper New York-style bagels - a rarity in Colorado. Good for a quick breakfast grab.

For Drinks

Golden has an excellent craft brewery scene if you're looking for beer. For cocktails, Abejas has a sophisticated bar program, and the Golden Hotel bar serves classic drinks in a historic setting.

Dining Tips

Reservations: Make them for Abejas and Bridgewater Grill. Most casual spots are first-come, first-served.

Parking: Street parking downtown is limited. Allow time to find a spot, or park in the lots behind Washington Avenue.

Combine with Coors: If you're doing the Coors Brewery tour, plan lunch downtown before or after. The brewery doesn't have substantial food options.

Busy times: Saturday lunch during nice weather gets crowded. Sunday brunch at popular spots means a wait. Weekday dinners are most relaxed.