When your quarks and creativity make your food that much better and more delicious

Just a short 1-hour drive south from Denver, Colorado Springs is rapidly becoming an exciting destination for gourmands of all types. New restaurants in Colorado Springs are popping up all over the place, and many are opting to celebrate local cuisine in a way never imagined before. Here are five creative restaurants that have every foodie salivating:

Alchemy

2625 W Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

If you’re looking for a beer but not the regular brewhouse atmosphere, come by Alchemy. This Irish-influenced gastropub is a paradise for beer enthusiasts with a wide range of microbrews on tap. This pub also offers handcrafted specialty drinks that you won’t find anywhere else.

Looking for a full dining experience? Alchemy offers a seasonal menu as well as late-night specials. A few highlights include:

• Lamborghinis | Lamb meatballs served alongside a lemon-infused pesto sauce.
• Lamb Shank Redemption | A side of braised lamb served with a vegetable medley.
• Dublin Lawyer | Lobster and shrimp swim through a cream sauce with occasional islands of gnocci.
• Lamb Green Chili | Ireland meets the American Southwest in a flavor infusion.

Be sure to check their schedule to stay abreast of live music and other events featured.Reservations recommended.

The Rabbit Hole

101 N Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Rabbit Hole is a great place for night owls who appreciate whimsy. The full menu is available from 4 PM to 1:30 AM, seven days a week. This underground hideaway brings the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme to life with quirky and somewhat macabre art and a warm atmosphere. The walls are decorated with a gothic take on the book, all pieces specially commissioned for the space by local artist, Phil Lear. However, the restaurant really shines with its food and drink menu.

Thirsty? Re-hydrate with the Rabbit Hole’s signature drinks including:

• The White Rabbit | Vodka, coconut rum, and cream topped with a flaming marshmallow.
• The Mad Hatter | A Manhattan made with smooth yet fiery Colorado Bourbon.

Rabbit is a big star in the menu with standouts including:

• Bacon-Wrapped Rabbit Meatloaf | A unique twist to a traditional favorite topped with a smoked tomato demi glace and paired with mashed potatoes and julienne vegetables.
• Rabbit “Hare” Pie | Hearty slow roasted rabbit stew covered with a melt-in-your-mouth flaky puff pastry crust.

Open from 4:00PM – 2:00AM daily with last call for drinks and full food menu until 1:30AM, this is a great late night hangout. Reservations recommended.

The Burrowing Owl

1791 S 8th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Colorado has a reputation for eco-conscious fine dining. The Burrowing Owl is where you can experience all of that cooking ingenuity unleashed on locally sourced ingredients. It’s also become something of a trendy mecca for locals. Here, people whose hunger for social justice and a greener future is matched by their hunger for excellent, satisfying meals.

What can you eat at the Burrowing Owl? The better question is, what can’t you eat here? The restaurant’s nine page menu seems to cover almost everything.

If you’re just out looking for a cocktail, the Burrowing Owl has some signature drinks like:

• The Mother | whiskey, apple cider vinegar, and agave: a combination so crazy, it just might work!
• Adult Chocolate Milk | Peanut butter, bourbon, almond milk, and chocolate syrup adds a kick to your childhood memories.

Whatever you drink of choice is, you can pair classic stouts, experimental fruit beers and delightful cocktails with unusual dishes like:

• The Pueblo | The beloved Messy Sloppy topped with vibrant green chili, creamy queso, relish, mayo and red onion. For those a bit more adventurous, try the Sloppy Shepherd’s Pie—The Pueblo smothered in potato soup, a favorite for sure!
• Sasquatchos | This fun and unexpected take on nachos ups the flavor (and nutritional profile) by combining smoky green chilis with slaw.
• Neb’s Veggie Tacos | A white bean spread and vegetable slaw make a hearty filler for these soft tortillas.

The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant

733 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Fondue hit the scene in the 70s, but the Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant takes this creamy classic preparation into the present by creating a lush and romantic vibe.

If you want to learn why they’re an award-winning restaurant, try their signature four-course dinner. This sumptuous feast offers a choice of salad, cheese fondue, an entree platter, and a chocolate dessert fondue. Each course is prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients. The flavors are carefully balanced and the dinner itself has been created with all kinds of eaters in mind. Omnivores can enjoy mains of traditional fillets and chicken. Vegetarians are also accommodated with a tasty and satisfying course.

The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant offers a number of ‘build you own feast’ options. There is an a la carte menu available where you can sample:

• Cheese Fondues | Served with a selection of artisan breads, fresh fruits and vegetables for dipping.
• Dessert Fondues |  Popular flavors include cookies and cream or Almond Joy. Served with an assortment of baked cakes, marshmallows, pretzels and fresh fruit.

This restaurant also offers a robust selection of top-rated wines to pair with your dinner. Reservations recommended.

Spice Island Grill

10 N Sierra Madre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Spice things up by heading to one of our favorite local restaurants, Spice Island Grill. Located just behind the Antlers Hotel, you’ll find a colorful and lively Jamaican joint that was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” A tropical oasis in the middle of the land-locked state, Spice Island Grill serves up some incredibly unique and flavorful dishes.

The owners are vegetarian, so even though Jamaicans are known for their jerk-style pork and goat, you’ll find plenty of tofu and other goodies for non-meat eaters. And of course, no Jamaican meal would be complete with a cocktail; we recommend their classic Rum Punch or a fresh Pina Colada.

Here are some of the dishes you can try at Spice Island Grill:

• Oxtail Stew | A savory and succulent one-of-a-kind dish. Slowly simmered Oxtail meat served with a special blend of spices, traditional Jamaican roux and carrots.
• Ackee & Saltfish |  Sample Jamaica’s national dish without traveling outside of Colorado Springs! This unique dish is full of flavor; salted cod, delicate Jamaican Ackee sautéed with onions, garlic and peppers.
• Curry Goat |  Goat meat prepared with a traditional blend of Jamaican curry and spices; a Jamaican delicacy known for its exceptional aroma and flavor. Try what Guy Fieri ate!

Now that you’ve read about Colorado Springs’ exciting culinary scene, why not come and taste it for yourself? At Rocky Mountain Food tours, we offer both public and private tours of some of the best restaurants in the area. Contact us today to see what dates are available and prepare your taste buds for an adventure! ***Insider’s Tip: You can experience both The Rabbit Hole and Spice Island Grill on our Original Colorado Springs Food Tour!

Cheers, Your Rocky Mountain Food Tours Team

(So, what’s a food tour, anyway…?)

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