Top 5 Idaho Springs Restaurants & Drinkeries: A Local’s Guide

Idaho Springs, you know, it’s almost more than just a convenient stop along I-70; that place, it’s got a really cool spirit, like your favorite worn-in flannel. Very close to Denver, and set right in the middle of some of the most breathtaking mountain views Colorado can show off, that town really dishes out some unexpectedly awesome dining experiences. I’m talking restaurants and watering holes, you see, where the food’s good and the atmosphere is very friendly and super chill.

So, if you’re figuring on detouring off the main highway or just looking for a relaxed escape from the city, I want to show you around, you see. We’ll check out five of the very best spots that Idaho Springs has to show off, so you get a feel for the local flavors, right? These picks are based on my, like your, own explorations and the buzz from other locals, too it’s almost a guarantee you’ll find something that makes your taste buds pretty happy. This isn’t just a list, anyway; it’s basically an invite to eat and drink like an Idaho Springs local. Think cozy spots, delicious plates, and maybe, you see, a ghost story or two. I mean, it *is* an old mining town!

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub: Brews and Bites with a Story

If you say “Idaho Springs,” a lot of folks are going to point you toward Tommyknocker Brewery, and for pretty darn good reason. A bit iconic in the area, that brewery isn’t just another place to grab a beer, too it’s almost like stepping into a living postcard from Colorado. I mean, the brewery is named after those mythical little guys that miners used to say caused all the noises down in the dark, right? Very Colorado.

The inside, it’s cozy and sort of rustic, yet alive with chatter. That gives the place a very friendly and bustling feel that just sort of makes you want to sit down and relax, and it always makes you want to, like, sample a brew or three, so you know, be responsible! Anyway, that beer selection really stands out. I mean, they’ve got everything from light, super crisp ales all the way over to those rich, dark stouts that just warm you from the inside, right?

As for the food, you know, expect to see elevated pub fare that’s just about perfect for soaking up those tasty beers. I mean, those burgers? They are juicy. Very juicy! And those sandwiches, though, they are, in a way, just so stuffed with flavor that every bite brings its own kinda surprise, very exciting. They also, sometimes, make a fantastic creamy mac and cheese. It tends to be pretty cheesy, and if you’re lucky, they might toss in some crispy bacon, but really, whatever’s on the menu, it’s clearly been thought through to pair so well with their beers.

But here’s, basically, the real clincher: sitting there, very close to the big windows, you sort of get views of the mountains that are seriously outstanding. I mean, picture it: great beer, a seriously satisfying meal, and one heck of a mountain view all sort of bundled together. This isn’t really just eating out, too it’s almost an experience.

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Westbound & Down Brewing Company: Modern Brews in a Historic Setting

Very different from Tommyknocker, yet Westbound & Down still provides a top notch brewery experience. Right smack in the historic downtown, you see, that brewery offers some seriously slick, modern beers, so they make something interesting for almost anybody. The atmosphere gives off that contemporary vibe, but, too it’s almost blended right in with the rugged vibe of Idaho Springs, which actually tends to make it kinda special.

The place stands out because of its knack for brewing up all kinds of beers that play well on folks tastebuds. Are you into IPAs that’ll punch your taste buds into orbit with that hop bitterness? Or are you very much more of the easy-drinking lager type when you’re ready to keep things smooth? Westbound & Down has that, so it covers a range. All their beers tend to have these bold, stand-out kinda profiles that keep the place popular, so people come back pretty regularly.

About the food – that kitchen, you know, takes just as much care in thinking things through as the brewing guys, or whatever. Expect sort of surprising menu creations where each dish can stand out alone, or can complement their beers super well. I’m talking wood-fired pizzas that pop with unexpected toppings, right? Maybe some gourmet sandwiches on bread baked just right, and even fancy spins on snacks. As I was saying, all those plates they bring to the table are carefully planned to amplify your brew.

Plus, that place boasts all sorts of community events that definitely makes it sort of a local hangout, very social and friendly! Live music gigs. Beer release shindigs, you know. Trivia nights where folks’ knowledge shows off. Always something going on there that helps create this welcoming environment for tourists and your regular local folks, which always shows.

Read our full review: Westbound & Down Brewing Company Full Review and Details

Beau Jo’s: Colorado Style Pizza with a View

Ah, Beau Jo’s, so very well known across Colorado. This ain’t, anyway, just any pizza joint, very ordinary and samey. I mean, that place practically shows off that Colorado-style pizza. If you’re from out of state and you haven’t stopped at a Beau Jo’s at least once? You sort of need to!

Basically, here’s that Colorado-style difference that really makes Beau Jo’s special, right? You get this mountain pie pizza thing with super thick crusts – arguably kinda like an edible wall. It’s typically built big and hearty that tends to feed like three hungry miners, or even more, right? Very useful after a long hike. And that sauce they drizzle? Slightly sweet, which almost always feels pretty amazing with whatever kind of cheese you get on top. Honey? That tends to get added later on as that super common topping once the pizza comes out from that oven so you sweeten those crusts when you eat.

Now that restaurant, in particular, the Idaho Springs one? They are pretty rustic, very cabin-esque. That’s only because, frankly, it’s situated so well into its gorgeous environment. When you sit to eat you always see sweeping mountain scenery all around you. It turns out, that Idaho Springs branch becomes very much like an ideal place for tourists needing scenic spots and those families trying to enjoy super comfortable, not fancy, outings.

Beau Jo’s really provides much more than, that is, the perfect location – and its own delicious style, anyway, in pies. It gives out a taste when the heart, very literally, of Colorado, its dining landscape feels inviting as we get taken in for good fun by just these stunning, panoramic landscape beauties near at hand. Therefore with either the local population searching after these comfortable reprieves after rough hill strolls by, while the tourists can grasp genuine mountain flavors for the place. Actually going to such place becomes crucial or central on many lists on where those food items stay authentic!

Read our full review: Beau Jo’s Full Review and Details

The Buffalo Restaurant & Bar: Classic American Comfort

Okay, here’s something that the Buffalo Bar stands out, very noticeably, for being very different: its classic American comfort food but right under the gorgeous Idaho Spring Sky. Really thinking over where you would find a regular dining restaurant in that town which gives simple stuff really brings it with warmth along that nostalgic Americana kick then I should take notice regarding such area. They do give very honest cooking together really close here!

Buffalo provides what you would have probably thought that familiar menus look actually: So juicy half pound burgers could almost win over just any foodie whereas some slow smoked barbeque meats will often win high ratings to the general eating person overall. You also might love one seriously filling meat loaf dish alongside really mashed mashed potato items that definitely taste homely together. Overall on many sides such food stuff there gives satisfaction while always providing great taste within those common-centered eats by America today so basically such meals seem very popular when getting that reliable cooking style with the Colorado foothills on backdrop for those travelers out that drive here or either local friends to consider regularly nearby right!

What exactly differentiates that very local place tends not at those meal parts only because on atmosphere but such experience gets very comfortable too: Buffalo has what generally looks comfortable decor along to these lighting situations allowing folks just wanting calm eats while with loved ones also these close ones or anyone seeking some nice evening just where people will dine right. Very similar inside such a restaurant it almost showcases regular diner setups whereas guests could have both seats under covers in booths by doors at times otherwise enjoy social drinking right in which it’s very suitable according whichever events folks seek or choose generally speaking with Idaho Spring location at its spot.

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Clear Creek Cidery: Sipping Local Flavors

Alright, for any seeking something off the expected routine drinks which usually come from restaurants while that one spot serves different experiences Clear Brook cidery could be your spot exactly; instead regarding all those brew offerings there, that shop does some homemade batches on flavorful fruity items, such as what often happens with such refreshing orchard flavor that shows it uniquely!

Clear water Creek Cider is known as well as giving all such unique drinks right nearby for there really can occur these kinds fruity flavors during that time too: Their menus get fully listed by apples too although sometimes could start introducing small harvests, probably those from the best pears on market so its customer could enjoy great fruit flavor choices from there all seasons whenever visiting or attending parties near! So very good is one refreshing swig during any summers day right beside somewhere else during colder nights as everyone usually enjoy that cider because they taste awesome when drank overall whatever months for some certain reasons in years either days either!

On such aspects of Clear-Channel’s bar design? A design to look more for how those drinks look when everyone are ordering right beside! Those folks inside look toward having somewhat of light rustic side although you definitely are very sure if one visits; one doesn’t typically come upon large or bold scenes although a place here might sometimes create great conversation amongst customers right on who generally might like the best kinds off available fruit refreshments while those near can mingle!

I feel this location does seem much of small cozy area providing chances upon different friends or strangers looking to catch up around that evening after they just do a lot stuff outside near one local park so people could finally cool from here drinking cider tasting nice during this location either getting drinks tasting with their closest acquaintances under any clear cool days nearby!

Read our full review: Clear Creek Cidery Full Review and Details