BREAKFAST
Here's the deal with breakfast. All the places are great and you should try
eating out at least one morning before skiing and get those carbs stored up.
We can't seem to stop going to Base Camp Bakery but the other choices below
are raved about throughout town as well.
BaseCamp Bakery - Small restaurant, but great breakfast. The owner is the baker and she makes great pies, and muffins - all fresh. This place is usually packed so get there early. Free coffee when you walk in the door on the left - help yourself. You can also get takeout at the counter. We sit at the bar sometimes which helps you get seated faster. Their breakfast burritos could feed 4 people so beware! Located in WP, far end of town on the right hand side if you are headed towards Fraser, in a shopping center with the Conoco (sign says "Bakery").
The Mountain Rose (used to be The Kitchen) (970)726-9940) - A wonderful 'homemade' breakfast, but don't be in a hurry. There are only so many tables and they take their time cooking and serving each breakfast. It is a yellow building midway through town on the left if you are heading towards Fraser. Well worth it if you have the time.
The Hungry Bear - If you want a larger breakfast, this will do. The restaurant is across the highway from Safeway in Fraser.
Carver's Bakery & Cafe (970)725-8202 - We get in debates with friends who go to this place as much as we go to BaseCamp Bakery about which is better. It's behind Cooper Creek Square serves
breakfasts, amazing cinnamon rolls and superb sandwiches.
COFFEE
Unlike the rest of the population, we don't drink coffee very much so we aren't the experts here. It does seem that everyone goes to the two spots below (and, of course, one of those is a Starbuck's!)
Rocky Mountain Roastery - A full-service coffee house featuring fresh instore roasted coffee & espresso drinks, tea, baked goods & ice cream. 2 locations: Winter Park on the right hand side if you are driving towards Fraser next to Mama Falzitto's. there is also one in Fraser. Open 7am.
****Internet Access****
Starbuck's - at the base of Winter Park, on side of Zephyr Mountain Lodge, very nice staff and you know the rest with Starbuck's. They have helped me order since I still forget the difference between a tall and a grande… There is also one in Safeway in Fraser.
Mountain Grind Coffee & Bistro (970)726-0999 - In the Cooper Creek Square shops. Winter Park's newest Coffee shop and is owner operated, very friendly. A Full service coffee shop and light bistro dining for breakfast and lunch, Items such as wraps, quiche and sandwiches. Pastries, baked goods & Gelato (Italian ice cream) too. ****Free high speed wireless internet for customers (15 minute limit)****
LUNCH
For lunch, you are usually going to be up on the mountain skiing/boarding, right? Here is one option if you aren't and one if you are.
Rudis Deli - We go here 9 times out of 10 when we dine out for lunch. I like the Avacado Turkey Melt. Make sure you ask for the side (potato salad, macaroni salad, or chips) - it's free with the sandwich but sometimes they don't ask and you get nothing. They have breakfast too until around 11am. If there is a line, don't be in a hurry. In the same shopping center as Mama Falzitto's in the middle of Winter Park.
Club Car - (970)726-1442 - on the slopes, the best lunch is here at the Mary Jane base area, it was expanded and improved for '05-06. Be sure to save room for dessert-particularly the mud pie. Go early and get great service and some locale advice. One time the bartender gave me one of the coveted Mary Jane 30 stickers.
DINNER
Lots of places to go for dinner in Winter Park and Fraser if you can stay awake long enough from a day on the slopes!
Hernando's Pizza & Pub - (970)726-5409 - we go here more than any other restaurant in Winter Park, great place for families; casual; inexpensive; central fireplace, recommended by locals, often crowded because is has great pizza and salads. There are over $20K of dollar bills on the walls. My dad likes it because they have a whole wheat crust option. I like it because they have a big antipasto salad that's yummy. My husband likes it because they have honey on each table to put on your pizza crust. Located in WP, end of town towards Fraser, stand-alone building. http://www.hernandospizzapub.com
The Ranch at Devil's Thumb (800) 933-4339 - This has become one of our favorite restaurants in the area because the drive out there, the views (make sure you arrive before sunset to see the magnificent landscape), and the food and ambience are the best around. You can eat in the fancier dining room (still can wear jeans and a sweater) or in the bar area where they frequently have live guitar music/singing. To get there, go past Fraser and turn right at County Road #83 (there will be a brown sign that says "Devil's Thumb Ranch"). You have to drive on that dirt road for about 5-10 minutes. http://www.devilsthumbranch.com
The Gasthaus Eichler (970)726-5133 - in the center of Winter Park has an Austrian/German-influenced menu; their Fondue Stube is particularly popular. Very friendly owners and staff. http://www.gasthauseichler.com
Fontenot's Cajun Cafe (970) 726-4021 - They have fresh fish dishes prepared New Orleans style. Just moved to the left side of I-40 in Winter Park as you are leaving towards Fraser. We heard it's a greatly improved atmosphere/space.
Doc's Roadhouse (970)726-5587 - At the base of Winter Park Resort in Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Great place to go after skiing and the food is quite good. Service is usually very friendly as well. Great place to watch a game and hang out for a few beers. Sample exotic appetizers and home-style meals including Doc's Blue Plate Special. Doc's Roadhouse is open daily serving lunch and dinner.
Untamed Steak House (970)726-1111 - This place is pricey but really good food and fun western atmosphere and good bar area as well. They have Wood Fire Prime Rib and other cuts of beef, as well as poultry and seafood. We heard they are changing in the 2006-2007 season to be more of an upscale burger joint, so we'll update if it's confirmed. They have pool tables upstairs as well. Located in WP, center of town, right hand side.
Mama Falzitto's - casual; good Italian, owners usually wait on you. Specials are often very good. Located in WP, center of town, right hand side (if you are going towards Fraser) near Rudi's Deli.
The Lodge at Sunspot (970)726-1446 - Winter Park's award-winning mountaintop lodge. Two restaurants and a cozy fireplace lounge. Open daily during the ski season for lunch. Evening dining take the new Zephyr Express gondola cabins available Thursday through Saturday, December through March. Reservations are required for dinner!
Deno's Mountain Bistro - Great bar atmosphere with TV's. The dining rooms are 'white table cloth dining' and the food is very good, especially the steaks. On the right about a block after you enter town.
Winter Park Sushi Bar (970)726-0447 - Sounds bizarre in a mountain town, but this place has excellent sushi and is a favorite of locals. Enjoy over 30 different sushi rolls, or if someone doesn't want to try raw fish in a ski town, they can have steak which is good as well. Located on the right side of town just as you enter town from the resort.
In Grand Lake (30-40 minute drive, but well worth it!):
Rapids Restaurant - fancy, on the river, far end of town
Grand Lake Lodge - summertime only; on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park; incredible views, great food; pricey. This is where we got married!
PIZZA DELIVERY
Pizza Hut (970)726-8101- although we recommend getting in your car and picking it up from Hernando's (see above)
NIGHTLIFE AND LIVE MUSIC
I wish we could say we frequent these places until late into the night, but we're too old! Many of the locals have told us these places are hopping.
Winter Park Pub (970)726-4929 - downtown on Hwy. 40, which offers traditional pub fare, 15 beers on tap, and "Mystery Beer Night." There are a lot of 20-somethings here but no longer smoke-filled because of the new state law banning smoking in Colorado restaurants and bars. MAKE SURE YOU CALL A CAB (or take the free shuttle if it's still running) if you've been drinking. They are strict in Winter Park and that's the last thing you want during your vacation. Call Home James Local Taxi - (970) 726-5060. You'll probably get Allen, our friend, as your driver who is a great guy!
Randi's Irish Saloon (970)726-1172 - in downtown Winter Park is a good family restaurant with plenty of traditional pub food served at lunch and dinner. It's also a good place to watch the game. We prefer the Steelers and Broncos but they let you root for whomever you want and have banners for all teams up on the walls.
Down Under Bar & Grill (970) 726-0094 - Open Mic Night, Ladies Night, Large bar area.
Crooked Creek Saloon (970)726-9250 - This is a popular bar in Fraser, and we hear Nascar is watched here on the weekends!
Smokin' Moe's (970) 726-4600 - Smokin' when it comes to live music! Check the Winter Park Chamber calendar of events for live blues music. Also has great bbq. Almost as good as what you can get in Georgia. http://www.winterpark-info.com/events/index.aspx
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