Colorado is home to a wide variety of charming restaurants that are sure to satisfy your appetite, keep you entertained, and maybe even teach you something about the state’s history.

From some of the state’s oldest establishments to places that offer quirky, captivating entertainment, here are some of Colorado’s most unique dining spots:

1. Buckhorn Exchange

This restaurant is a piece of Denver history, as it’s hailed as the city’s “original steakhouse.” It was founded in 1893 by Henry H. “Shorty Scout” Zietz and holds the title for Denver’s oldest restaurant.

Buckhorn Exchange represents Colorado ‘wild west’ era, as it’s filled with historic artifacts and legends, plus a 500-piece taxidermy collection. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan all dined at the Buckhorn Exchange, as well as many famous Hollywood stars of yesteryear.

The menu includes lots of meat, and a few unconventional options like rattlesnake, Rocky Mountain oysters, Cornish game hen, and more. Yelp reviewers rave about the experience, writing that “the ambiance and history alone are worth checking out.”

2. My Brother’s Bar

Although it has changed names, this bar has been in Denver since 1873. “Brother’s” has been in operation since 1970 and is known as a Denver classic. The original owners, Jim and Angelo Karagas, set out from Detroit, Michigan to Denver looking for an affordable business, settling on My Brother’s Bar. Yelp reviewers rave about the restaurant’s burgers, old-timey ambiance, and great service. It’s also worth noting that this spot claims to be ‘Denver’s oldest bar.’

3. Casa Bonita

This restaurant isn’t known for its food, but what makes it an iconic Colorado staple is the spectacle visitors will witness when they step through the doors. The restaurant features cliff diving entertainment, with divers flipping and twisting off a 30-foot indoor waterfall into a pool in the middle of the restaurant.

Casa Bonita was made even more famous when it was featured in an episode of the TV show “South Park” in 2003. And after the previous owner filed for bankruptcy in 2021, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought and reopened the restaurant after some serious renovations. Yelp reviewers seem to like the entertainment, atmosphere, and service.

4. The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

This traditional tea house was a hand-built gift from Boulder’s sister city, Dushanbe, in Tajikistan. Between 1987-1990, more than 40 artisans in cities of Tajikistan crafted the tea house’s decorative elements, including hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels.

As well as tea, the restaurant serves coffee, beer, wine, cocktails, and lunch and dinner. It has 4.2 stars on Yelp, and reviewers write about the beautiful interior, referring to its stunning ceilings and walls.

5. The Cherry Cricket

This restaurant first opened in 1945 and was named “Mary Zimmerman’s Bar.” Lloyd Page bought the bar in 1950 and changed its name to The Cherry Cricket. Bernard Ducky assumed ownership in 1963 and added the famous rotating “Duffy’s” sign. The Cherry Cricket now has three locations, in Cherry Creek, Ballpark, and Littleton.

Although it’s a black sheep among the Cherry Creek neighborhood’s fancier dining options, the restaurant still has plenty to offer. The menu includes build-your-own burgers, beer, and milkshakes. Yelp reviewers write that they enjoyed the “delightfully casual and relaxed” atmosphere and great burgers.

6. The Historic Mint

According to the restaurant’s website, the bar section of this establishment “has been through more Summit County history than any living person.” The building first opened in 1862 as a saloon that served miners. It became The Mint when it was incorporated into Dillon in 1882. The restaurant eventually moved to its current location, Silverthorne.

As well as its impressive historical legacy, The Mint offers a unique dining experience. You can cook your own meat on a grill set in the center of the restaurant. Yelp reviewers like the unique steak-cooking experience, as you can “cook it yourself just the way you like.”

7. The Fort

Modeled after Bent’s Old Fort, a famous Colorado fur trade fort built in 1833, this restaurant is located in Morrison. The adobe building was originally intended to be a home for the Arnolds family, but opened as a restaurant in 1963.

The menu includes Western fare like bison, elk, and quail, aiming to reintroduce food trends of the 1800s. Many Yelp reviews discuss the “unique old wild west vibes,” which are complimented by the food and stunning scenery.

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