Restaurants within walking distance (or a short drive)

Bird and Jim – Just a quarter mile away at the bottom of the hill and one of the best spots in town! Excellent food and cocktails with a beautiful bar and patio seating with views of the Divide. Sunday brunch and Happy Hour is 3pm – 5pm. $$ www.birdandjim.com
Scratch – Also at the bottom of the hill. Delicious handmade sandwiches and huge breakfast burritos. Homemade cinnamon rolls and treats as well. $$ Open 7am – 4pm.
The Rock Inn – A short walk across the meadow below the house. Handcrafted American food with a healthy twist and a comfy bar. They’ve got patio seating during the summer and the woodstoves make for cozy dining on cold winter days! Check the website for the schedule of live music. One of our favorites! $$ Opens at 4pm. www.rockinnestes.com
Country Market Deli – Probably the best deal in town for a big ol’ sandwich! They also have soups and daily specials. The market is a nice alternative to a trip to Safeway and has a complete selection of goods and an attached laundromat. $
Wayfinder – American classics right on a pond with ducks swimming by. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$
Spur 66 Liquor – If you want to drink your dinner. There are better selections in town but this is the closest and they’ve got a pretty good choice of libations and supplies.
Boss Burger – Classic burgers and gyros. Nothing fancy but good eats! $
Donut Haus - Delicious donuts located inside the Sinclair gas station. $
Fresh Burger – Located in the Sinclair gas station. More good burgers and a great option for breakfast burritos. $
Smokin’ Daves BBQ – Classic American BBQ and a good beer selection. Very popular!! $

Some of our other favorites in town and beyond…
The Stanley Hotel – Really good food and a cool atmosphere. The bar is amazing and a must for whiskey lovers with their selection of 700+ whiskeys. $$
Twin Owls Steakhouse – A classic and delicious steakhouse with beautiful views. $$
Rock Cut Brewery – A great place to hang out and drink a few beers. They don’t sell food inside but welcome you to bring your own take out and there’s a food truck outside. Really good beer! $
Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co. – Another great local brewery! There’s outdoor seating in a converted gas station so bring a jacket if it’s cool. No food here either but you can bring your own. $
Nepals – A bit of a hole in the wall but they have delicious, authentic Nepalese and Indian food. Also a lunch buffet to refuel after a hike. $
Ed’s Cantina – An Estes Park institution! Great Mex-American food and margaritas. $$
Notchtop Café – Huge selection of really good breakfast and lunch fare. They’ve also got a bakery on site. $
Meadow Mountain Café – About 15 miles away in Allenspark but well worth the drive. And you can combine the trip with a hike to make a day of it! Everything is homemade and very laid back. $$
Rock Creek Pizza – Also in Allenspark. Really good pizza and a nice option if you’re in the area after a hike. $
Seasoned Bistro – A Chef-owned bistro with incredible food. The menu is always changing depending upon seasonal availability. $$$
Cinnamons – Homemade cinnamon rolls and you can tell them how much icing you want! You can sip your coffee on the porch of this cozy little converted house. $
Glen Haven General Store – Another contender for best cinnamon roll in the area and a must stop if you are driving by. This sleepy little store feels like a step back in time. $