Every “best restaurants in Colorado Springs” list is written by someone who visited for a weekend. This one is written by someone who has lived here for over 20 years.
Want to see what AI can do for your life?
Health discoveries, money opportunities, and life improvements — found by AI, shared weekly by a 62-year-old IT pro. Free newsletter.
These are not the places I recommend because they are trendy or because they paid for placement. These are the places I actually go to — repeatedly — because the food is good, the prices are fair, and I keep coming back.
Il Vicino — Best Pizza in the Springs
Il Vicino is where I go for pizza. It is a wood-fired brewpub that does thin-crust pizza, calzones, and salads with house-brewed beer. The atmosphere is casual, the pizza is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable for what you get.
This is not a deep-dish Chicago joint or a New York slice shop. It is its own thing — crispy, wood-fired, with quality toppings. If you want one pizza recommendation in Colorado Springs from someone who has tried most of them, this is it.
Good for: Casual dinner, date night without breaking the bank, lunch with friends.
Price range: $12-18 per pizza
Local tip: The house-brewed beer is worth trying. Get a sampler if you are not sure what you like.
Front Range BBQ — Old Colorado City’s Best Kept Secret
Front Range BBQ is in Old Colorado City, the historic district on the west side of town. If you have not spent time in OCC, this is a good reason to start. The neighborhood has galleries, shops, and a laid-back vibe that feels different from the rest of Colorado Springs.
The barbecue is legit. Smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs — all done right. The portions are generous and the prices are fair. It is not fancy and it does not try to be. You order at the counter, sit down, and eat good barbecue.
Good for: Lunch after browsing Old Colorado City, family meals, takeout.
Price range: $12-20 per plate
Local tip: Old Colorado City is walkable and less crowded than downtown or Manitou Springs. Combine Front Range BBQ with an afternoon exploring the galleries.
Shuga’s — Downtown’s Underrated Gem
Shuga’s is downtown, it is well-reviewed, and it is surprisingly affordable for the quality. The menu leans creative American with cocktails that are a step above the typical downtown bar scene.
This is one of those places that pops up on “best of” lists but still manages to feel like a local spot rather than a tourist destination. The vibe is relaxed, the food is thoughtful without being pretentious, and the prices do not punish you for eating downtown.
Good for: Dinner downtown, cocktails, impressing out-of-town visitors without spending $100/person.
Price range: $14-25 per entree
Local tip: Reservations are smart on weekends. Weeknight dinner is easier to walk in.
The Broadmoor — When You Want the Special Occasion
The Broadmoor is Colorado Springs’ five-star resort, and yes, it is as impressive as the reputation suggests. You do not have to be a hotel guest to dine there — and as a local, it is worth going at least once or twice a year for a special dinner.
The Broadmoor has multiple restaurants on property, from the fine dining at Penrose Room to more casual options at the Golden Bee (an English pub) and the golf club. The grounds alone are worth walking through even if you are just having drinks.
Good for: Anniversaries, birthdays, hosting family visiting from out of town.
Price range: $30-80+ per entree (fine dining), $15-30 (casual venues)
Local tip: The Golden Bee is the most approachable Broadmoor experience — English pub atmosphere, live piano sing-alongs, and you do not need a jacket. It is a Colorado Springs institution.
Why These Four?
Colorado Springs has hundreds of restaurants. These four cover the range that matters: great pizza at a fair price, real barbecue in a walkable neighborhood, creative food downtown without the markup, and a world-class resort when you want to celebrate.
They are all places I have been going to for years — not months, years. That is the difference between a tourist recommendation and a local one. Trends come and go. These places stay good.
If you are visiting Colorado Springs and want one evening to remember, eat at Shuga’s for dinner and walk to the Broadmoor grounds after. If you are here for a weekend, hit Il Vicino for pizza one night and Front Range BBQ for lunch the next day.
Either way, skip the chains on Powers Boulevard. You did not drive to Colorado Springs to eat at Applebee’s.
Springs Local Guide is written by a 20-year Colorado Springs local. These are real recommendations from real experience — no sponsored content, no paid placements. For more local picks, explore springslocalguide.com.
