Winter Park's dining scene punches well above what a town this size should manage. More than 60 establishments across Winter Park, Fraser and Tabernash, running from a dollar-bill-covered pizza joint that has been here since 1967 to a Wine Spectator award-winning tavern hidden ten minutes up the highway.
Read this before you plan a single dinner. Mountain-town restaurants close on days you would not expect, and hours shift between seasons. Six of the spots below are closed at least one day a week. Nothing ruins an evening faster than driving to Tabernash on a Tuesday.
Winter Park Restaurant Closed Days: Quick Reference
| Restaurant | Closed | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tabernash Tavern | Mon, Tue, Wed | Special occasion dinner |
| Fraser Valley Distilling | Sun, Mon, Tue | Cocktails and small plates |
| Idlewild Spirits | Mon, Tue | Apres and creative food |
| Durbar | Tuesday | Indian and Nepalese |
| Casa Mexico | Wednesday | Family Mexican |
| Fontenot's | Monday | Seafood, weekend brunch |
| Buddha Garden | Monday | Thai takeout |
| Everything else below | Open daily | See individual entries |
Local's Tip: sign up for a free Winter Park Experience Pass on your phone for deals, discounts and an insider's guide to local adventures.
1. Durbar Nepalese & Indian Bistro
47 Cooper Creek Way #222, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 363-7081 | durbarbistro.com
Hours: 11:00am to 2:30pm and 4:30pm to 9:30pm; closed Tuesday
Tucked into Cooper Creek Square, Durbar turns out genuinely authentic Nepalese and Indian cooking and has become a fixture in the local rotation. The menu runs momos, tandoori breads and sizzlers, rice dishes, curries and a strong set of vegetarian options. What sets them apart is spice management: they will calibrate heat across a whole table, from mild to properly fierce, so nobody suffers and nobody is bored. In summer there is live music outside.
Local's Tip: Chicken Tikka Masala is the local order, and the garlic cheese naan is not optional.
2. A-Frame Club Grill
1008 Winter Park Dr, Winter Park, CO 80482
(303) 709-1451 | aframeclub.com/grill
The most design-forward room in Winter Park, with cozy indoor nooks, a heated outdoor apres deck, and a retro sensibility that somehow avoids feeling like a theme. The kitchen does locally sourced comfort classics executed properly: short rib stroganoff and steaks are the standouts, and the cocktail list is worth arriving early for. The grill and bar are open to the public, not just guests. Call ahead before you go, since the grill runs on a seasonal schedule and hours shift.
3. The Smokehouse BBQ
78656 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 722-0227 | smokehousewp.com
Hours: Daily 11:00am to 9:00pm
All meats smoked nightly, so what arrives at your table has not been sitting around. Brisket, pulled pork, turkey and wings anchor the menu, the sides genuinely hold their own, and the Colorado Cubano has a following. There is a full bar with a solid tap list and regular live music. Open continuously from 11am, which makes it one of the few reliable mid-afternoon options in town.
Local's Tip: the outdoor patio catches the Winter Park sunset. Worth timing dinner around.
4. Tabernash Tavern
72287 US-40, Tabernash, CO 80478
(970) 726-4430 | tabernashtavern.com
Hours: Thursday to Sunday 4:00pm to 9:00pm; closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
The best special-occasion dinner in Grand County, and worth the ten-minute drive from Winter Park Resort. Chef Alberto Sapien's menu ranges across the globe alongside USDA prime aged beef, nightly specials and a rotating card, with a Wine Spectator award-winning list and a carefully chosen craft beer selection behind it. The signature paella is the one dish that never leaves the menu, and the steelhead trout and steakhouse Caesar are consistent favorites. Intimate room, warm service, live music on a regular basis.
Reservations are strongly recommended, and note the four-day week before you plan around it.
5. Fraser Valley Distilling
410 N Zerex St, Fraser, CO 80442
(970) 363-7792 | fraservalleydistilling.com
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 3:00pm to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 12:00pm to 8:30pm; closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Fraser, right off Highway 40. The spirits are made on site and they are the reason to come, but the kitchen has quietly become a draw in its own right, with everything made fresh (they do not keep a freezer on the premises) and every sauce from scratch. Brisket sandwiches, crispy Brussels sprouts, flatbreads, and a chocolate cake locals will argue is the best in the valley. The patio has heaters and a fire pit. Ask about a tour, because the owners love showing off the operation.
Local's Tip: the gin and tonic, made with their own house tonic, is the signature pour. Flights come with a logo glass to take home.
6. Hernando's Pizza Pub
78199 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-5409 | hernandospizzapub.com
Hours: Daily 5:00pm to 9:00pm, dinner only
Locally owned since 1967 and a genuine Winter Park institution. The walls are papered in thousands of decorated dollar bills, and you are encouraged to add your own and staple it up. The from-scratch menu covers pizza (including gluten free), stromboli, lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli and Italian sandwiches, plus a full bar and 25-plus wines. Loud, lively, unpretentious, and exactly right with a big group after a ski day. The cheese garlic breadsticks with marinara are the sleeper order.
Make a reservation. The wait here gets long, and it is a dinner-only kitchen.
7. Idlewild Spirits Restaurant & Distillery
78737 US-40 #1000, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 281-5773 | idlewildspirits.com
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 4:00pm to 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday 4:00pm to 10:00pm; closed Monday and Tuesday
Opened in 2016 by Jeff Ruhle and recently remodeled, Idlewild has evolved from a distillery with snacks into one of the better kitchens in town. Single malt whiskey, gin, rum and vodka made in house, paired with a menu that has grown considerably more ambitious: bulgogi ribs, coconut curry soup, lettuce wraps, an unexpectedly good burger, and roasted Brussels sprouts and truffle fries that locals order on autopilot. Gluten free and vegan options are handled properly rather than grudgingly, and the staff are good with dietary restrictions. The lower-level space still has speakeasy energy, and there is a lounge with a live fire if you have to wait.
Local's Tip: the Hibiscus Gin Mule, then take canned Moscow Mules home with you.
8. Sharky's Eatery
221 N Doc Susie Ave, Unit 221, Fraser, CO 80442
(970) 726-8646
Hours: Daily 7:00am to 2:00pm
A brother-and-sister operation in downtown Fraser and the breakfast spot locals have used for twenty years. Grab a breakfast burrito on the way to the lifts or sit down for a proper weekend brunch. The hollandaise is made from scratch, the corned beef comes out tender, and the eggs are cooked right every time. Small room, lightning-fast service, affordable prices. Lunch is served too, and several regulars will tell you the lunch menu is the stronger half.
Local's Tip: Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary. A classic done properly.
9. Fontenot's Seafood & Grill
78336 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-4021 | fontenotswp.com
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:30am to 8:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 8:30pm; closed Monday
A local favorite since 1990, bringing a Cajun accent to the high country. The reputation rests on quality seafood, well-handled steaks and an ever-changing menu, with the gumbo, catch of the day, bacon-wrapped scallops and Southern chicken fried steak all doing heavy lifting. The kids menu is genuinely solid and the beer list is one of the better ones in town. Servers here know the menu and will steer you well if you ask.
The detail most people miss: the 9:00am weekend open means Fontenot's does brunch, which few Winter Park kitchens do.
10. Casa Mexico
47 Cooper Creek Way, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-9674 | More info
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 11:00am to 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00am to 10:00pm; closed Wednesday
Owner Chef Esteban Rocha and his wife Imelda have run restaurants for decades, and Casa Mexico trades on genuine hospitality as much as the food. Everything is made in house, from the chips and salsa to the warm tortillas. House specialties include the white jalapeño queso, street tacos, pork carnitas and seafood, alongside less common items like beef tongue. The margaritas are the reason a lot of people walk in, and the room is festive and well suited to families and big groups.
Local's Tip: ask about the hoof, their house-made tequila served out of an actual hoof. It is exactly as memorable as it sounds.
11. Pepe Osaka's Fishtaco
78707 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 446-8642 | pepeosakasfishtaco.com
Hours: Daily 12:00pm to 9:00pm
Japanese-Mexican fusion, which sounds like a gimmick until you eat here. The strip-mall exterior undersells it badly. Fish tacos are the headline and the spicy tuna is the one people come back for, backed by handcrafted margaritas, infused tequilas, an unusually deep mezcal selection, Mexican beers and sake. Tacos arrive with rice, black beans and a piece of plantain. Open continuously from noon, which makes it a reliable late-lunch option.
Local's Tip: ask what tequilas they are pouring. They will often let you sample before you commit.
12. Randi's Grill & Pub
78521 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-1172 | randiswinterpark.com
Hours: Monday, Saturday and Sunday 8:00am to 9:00pm, Tuesday to Friday 11:00am to 9:00pm
A proper Irish pub with a field-to-fork streak, sourcing local produce seasonally and Colorado-raised beef, lamb and chicken. The kitchen works Irish and American favorites in both directions: shepherd's pie, fish and chips and a first-rate Reuben sit alongside burgers and a hot turkey sandwich people write reviews about. The tap list runs Colorado and imported, and this is one of the few places in the valley pouring a properly slow-poured Guinness. Big screens make it the default spot for a game.
The detail worth knowing: the 8:00am open on Mondays and weekends means Randi's serves breakfast, which is rarer here than you would expect.
Local's Tip: Randi's Burger and the Irish Nachos.
13. Buddha Garden Thai Food
47 Cooper Creek Way, Unit #221, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 447-5140 | buddhagardenwp.com
Hours: 11:00am to 2:30pm and 4:30pm to 9:30pm; closed Monday
Casual, family-friendly Thai in Cooper Creek Square with a broad menu and prices that are reasonable for a resort town. Drunken noodles and the curries are the strongest orders, the crab rangoon has fans, and they will modify dishes to make them vegan if you ask. The dining room is small and the split service hours mean a 2:30pm to 4:30pm gap, so plan around it.
Two honest notes: the medium spice level runs hot and builds, so order down if you are unsure. And confirm your total when ordering takeout, since menu prices and quoted prices have not always matched.
14. Deno's Mountain Bistro
78911 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 726-5332 | denoswp.com
Hours: Monday to Friday 3:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 10:00pm
Happy hour: Daily 3:00pm to 5:30pm
The kind of place where ski boots, steaks, pizza and a serious wine list all somehow belong together. Deno's has been a Winter Park staple for decades, running from Gorgonzola fondue and hand-tossed pizzas to Angus steaks, seafood, mussels and burgers with a Mediterranean lean. The award-winning wine list and full bar make apres dangerously easy, and happy hour runs seven days a week. Live music turns up regularly and the bar area gets genuinely fun.
Reservations recommended. This place fills, though bar seating is usually findable.
15. Vertical Bistro & Tap
130 Parry Peak Way, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 363-7053
Hours: Daily 11:00am to 9:00pm
Right in the base village and the most convenient sit-down dinner if you are staying slopeside. The menu is broader and more interesting than base-area dining usually manages: wild mushroom ravioli, elk steak, rainbow trout, Thai lettuce wraps and firecracker shrimp, alongside burgers and a genuinely good kids menu. There is a strong wine and cocktail program, and the service reputation here is one of the best in town. Open continuously from 11am, so it works for a mid-afternoon meal when the mountain kitchens have closed.
16. Stoney's Winter Park
120 Parry Peak Way, Winter Park, CO 80482
(970) 363-7744
Hours: Monday 11:00am to 6:00pm, Tuesday to Thursday 11:00am to 8:00pm, Friday 11:00am to 9:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday 10:00am to 8:00pm
The base village apres pick, and a favorite of anyone who wants a burger and a beer without ceremony. Smashed burgers, wings, cheese curds, tots, wraps and a Philly cheesesteak, served fast by staff who are good at their jobs. There is a patio with cornhole, and the room handles large groups well enough that people book rehearsal dinners here. Note the early Monday close at 6:00pm.
Bonus: Eating on the Mountain
Winter Park has spent the last few seasons rebuilding its on-mountain dining, and it shows.
- Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, 160 Sunspot Way, (970) 726-1444. Reachable by gondola with enormous windows and a view that does most of the work. Open daily 9:00am to 4:00pm, and Thursday through Saturday until 7:30pm, which makes a gondola-access dinner genuinely possible.
- Lunch Rock Restaurant & High Craft Bar, at Mary Jane, (970) 726-1628. Daily 9:00am to 3:30pm at 11,222 feet. Fresh pizza, green chili and a big sun patio. The best food on the mountain if you are skiing the Jane.
- Ptarmigan Kitchen + Bar in the base village, in the old Doc's space. Sunny patio across from the Gondola, approachable seasonal food and a natural gathering spot at the bottom of the hill.
- Refreshed food stations at Mary Jane Cafe, Sunspot and Moffat Market added grilled items, Indian and Himalayan options, empanadas and street tacos. Considerably better variety than mountain food usually offers.
How to Actually Eat Well Here
- Reserve everything you care about. During holiday weeks, Presidents Day and spring break, walk-ins are a gamble. Tabernash Tavern, Deno's, Hernando's and Blue-chip dinner spots all book out.
- Check the closed day. See the table above. It is the number one reason people end up eating gas station snacks.
- Watch the service gaps. Several kitchens close between lunch and dinner. If you come off the mountain at 3:30pm hungry, aim for Smokehouse BBQ, Pepe Osaka's, Vertical Bistro, Stoney's or Deno's happy hour.
- Take the bus. The free town shuttle connects Winter Park, the base village and Fraser, so nobody has to skip the wine list. See our getting around Winter Park page.
- Cook a night or two. Every one of our rentals has a full kitchen, and after three restaurant dinners a home-cooked night is both cheaper and genuinely welcome.
Stay Where the Food Is
Our Winter Park vacation rentals put you within easy reach of all of it. Stay in the Town of Winter Park to walk to Hernando's, Randi's, Deno's and Cooper Creek Square. Choose Winter Park Resort or ski-in ski-out for base village dining steps from your door. Or head to Fraser and the surrounding area for Sharky's and Fraser Valley Distilling.
Every property comes with a full kitchen, and many of our private homes and Luxury Collection properties have the kind of kitchen worth cooking in, plus a private hot tub for afterward.
Check current lodging deals and activity discounts around town, then browse all rentals or call our local team at 970-722-0707. We eat at these places. Ask us what is good this week.
More Winter Park reading:
- 6 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Winter Park
- 1-Day Ski Itinerary at Winter Park
- Winter Park Lift Tickets & Passes
Restaurant hours in Winter Park are seasonal and change frequently. Addresses, phone numbers and hours were verified as of publication. Please confirm directly with each restaurant before you go, especially in shoulder season.