6 Best Restaurants in Southwest Colorado, Colorado

Locals go wild for the creative American cuisine with an Asian flair here, served in the building's intimate dining space. Top options include the black-sesame seared rare tuna with baby bok choy or the garlic rib eye with sweet potato gnocchi.

The former chef for Michael Andretti's racing team runs this trendy bistro, in which every dish is cooked in one of two stone-fired ovens. The house specialty is artisanal pizza (try the four-mushroom variety and add the house fennel sausage), although pizza is only a small part of the menu. Most dishes have a Southwestern touch. Housed in a century-old building, Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen blends historic elements like restored tin ceilings and the original hardwood floor with classy, contemporary decor.

Asian food gets a bit of a Latin treatment in this inviting space. The menu has a strong Japanese bent, with sushi and sashimi, tempura, beef, and other traditional dishes elegantly presented and layered with complementary, often Southwest-inspired flavors.

The menu at this unpretentious Italian spot is surprisingly rich and complex, featuring traditional favorites, as well as surprises like the scrumptious garlic-roasted prime rib. The atmosphere is especially delightful in summer, when you can dine on the outdoor patio overlooking the Gunnison River and enjoy an after-dinner libation at the River Bar. Don't miss the popular Float & Dine package ($95 per person), which includes a mellow but scenic predinner raft trip from Three Rivers.

Live ragtime piano music welcomes you most nights to this saloon-style eatery, specializing in steak, seafood, and pasta. Portions are generous and loaded with extras (each entrée comes with rice or potato, vegetables, and bread).

In a lovingly renovated Victorian tavern awash in handmade lace and stained glass, this restaurant is just plain cozy. A menu with a comfort-food bent spotlights family-style options, such as skillet-fried chicken, rib-eye steak, and ribs, paired with sides like fresh biscuits, creamy mashed potatoes, gumbo, and mac and cheese. Southern-style offerings (po'boys, chicken and waffles) abound, while the occasional international entrée (banh mi, anyone?) dots the menu. A Creole-style weekend brunch often includes live music.