Top Après-Ski Restaurants in Breckenridge, Colorado

While it’s a favorite among skiers, it was also the first ski resort in Colorado to allow snowboarders, hosting the World Snowboard Championships in 1986. So, after a long day shredding the high-altitude terrain, why not head to one of these top 10 restaurants in Breckenridge?

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Situated in downtown Breckenridge, Briar Rose Chophouse & Saloon has been serving high-quality aged beef and fresh wild game since 1963. Usually, chophouses serve big plates of meat – which, of course, Briar Rose does – but it also serves small plates for those who just want a taster. Sit at the saloon bar for a casual bite, or reserve a table at the fine-dining restaurant. Happy hour runs from 4pm to 6pm everyday. Some say it serves the best steak in Breck; you’ll have to decide for yourself.

With dramatic mountain views, it is no wonder that Breckenridge Brewery & Pub is one of Breckenridge’s most popular après-ski destinations. It opened in 1990 and remains the only brewpub in Breckenridge, serving up its own craft beer – including the Hop Peak IPA and Avalanche Amber Ale. The eclectic menu features traditional pub food, including burgers, nachos, pork chops and meatloaf. It’s even got BreckBrew merchandise, so you can rep the brand back home.

Founded by Italian Giampietro DiMarchi, this pizza and pasta restaurant has been feeding ravenous skiers and snowboarders for over 50 years. Fresh, top-quality ingredients characterize the dishes at Giampietro. From proper Italian cheeses (mmm, Taleggio) to a choice between New York-style pizza and Sicilian deep-dish, you certainly won’t leave here feeling hungry. You can’t reserve a table, but it does offer delivery.

If you want a fine-dining experience in a town that’s awash with history, Hearthstone Restaurant is the place for you. Housed in a Victorian building dating from the 1880s, diners are treated to views across the town, mountain and Tenmile Range. Ingredients are sourced from family farms around Colorado, and the seafood is sustainably sourced. It also recently won a Diners’ Choice 2020 award from Open Table. Hearthstone is certainly one of the fancier places to eat in town, so dress for the occasion.

Sevens is nestled at the bottom of Peak 7 lift, making it easy to transition from skiing to eating. It’s one of the few on-mountain restaurants in Breckenridge, ideal for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The restaurant is casual and family-friendly, offering “mountain cuisine” heavy with steak, burgers and seasonal fish, in a modern setting inside the Grand Lodge, while there’s also an express takeaway stand, the Coop, meaning you can grab your food without even taking your skis off. Just a warning – the main restaurant closes at 9pm, so get your orders in early.

From grilled Rocky Mountain red trout to baked Alaskan halibut, the seafood offering at Southridge Seafood Grill is extraordinarily good, despite its location miles from the sea. The decor is traditional, stylish and unpretentious, and the fully stocked bar, which is often filled with locals, acts as the restaurant’s centerpiece. If you don’t fancy a full meal, just drop in during happy hour for a plate of oysters.

Long-time residents George, Mike and Greg met 25 years ago in Breckenridge. They set up the Canteen in 2014 with the aim of bringing comfort food, Colorado beer and funny stories to the table. Now it’s a cozy, wood-clad hangout, attracting those looking for a casual bite to eat. Grab a 90 Shillings amber ale and smoked-salmon dip with pita chips to share – or tuck into the ’Merica Burger. It’s definitely a good place to crash after a long day on the mountain – but be warned, once you sit down, you won’t want to get up.

Just off the main street in Breckenridge, Twist opened in 2011 on a mission to bring creative food to the town. From scallop risotto and lobster rolls to vegan tempeh stir-fry, it has the kind of menu that makes you want to order it all and, with a super cozy, informal vibe, it’s ideal for a casual date night. We’d definitely recommend trying the oak-smoked old fashioned cocktail. Patio seating is also available, so you can take in the mountain vistas on those sunny days.

For fast, reasonably priced food, head to Pho Real, Breckenridge’s Vietnamese drop-in restaurant. It serves pho, of course, alongside other traditional offerings, such as bánh mì sandwiches and fresh spring rolls. There are a couple of tablest, but this is definitely a quick eat-and-dash kind of place. Definitely a good antidote to the pizza and burger offerings that often dominate ski towns.
Additional reporting by Nina Zietman.