Delicious & Unique Restaurants in Colorado Springs

Before visiting Colorado Springs, I never expected it to be a such hub for unique restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I visited. Now that I live here, I’ve spent time checking out the most interesting restaurants I could find. This included a cyberpunk Japanese gastropub, an Alice in Wonderland themed steakhouse, a foodhall inside an old schoolhouse, and more. 

Keep in mind, this list doesn’t have ALL of the best restaurants in Colorado Springs – just the ones that are like nothing like any other restaurant I’ve been to. However, if I were to create a post on the best restaurants in Colorado Springs, each of these places would be on there. Honestly, there are soooo many amazing places to eat here that a list of the “best places” would be quite long. 

10. The Burrowing Owl

Photos: Shot inside school

The Burrowing Owl is a quirky neighborhood bar & cafe. They serve delicious vegan food in a laid-back, cabin-kitsch setting. Crowd favorites include theirtheir nachos, mac and cheese, and burrito. I usually go for their daily specials. My favorite is their vegan spin on the Taco Bell Crunchwrap which is served Weekends & Monday. I always pair my meal with a fresh kombucha (hard or non-alcoholic, depending on my mood). Additionally, their  desserts are INCREDIBLE. I regularly find myself going back for the strawberry chocolate cake.

9. Denver Biscuit Co.

• Featured on several food shows including Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives 
• Incredible and creative biscuit sandwiches
• Perfect brunch spot
• Locations throughout Denver with one in Colorado Springs
• Cool & modern
• Rooftop patio seating with views of Pikes Peak
• Giant cinnamon roll biscuit for dessert if you have room

8. Cerberus Brewing Co.

7. Ivywild School

$–$$

Ivywild is an old school building turned food hall. Wander through the hallway and rooms to find multiple food stands, bars, and spaces to hang out. My personal favorite is Bristol Brewing’s Spark Beer + BBQ. The beer is brewed in the school’s basement and the bbq is smoked right outside. They’ve turned the north end of the school into a cool brewery setting complete with tabletop games. Additionally, Ivywild has pizza, empanadas, salad bowls, and American comfort food. To spice up the experience, head down to The Principles Office for a delicious craft cocktail. Don’t forget to check out their events board in the entryway. You won’t want to miss game nights, movie screenings, or other events at the school. 

Long version:

Ivywild is an old school building transformed into a unique food hall. They have comfort food, barbecue, pizza, empanadas, & more. It’s also home to Bristol Brewing Co., Bristol’s Barrel Room, and the Axe and the Oak Whiskey House. If you’re wanting a delicious craft cocktail, then head to The Principals Office.

Although different rooms throughout the school have been converted into different restaurants & spaces, you can carry your food and drinks through most of the building. There are different seating areas throughout. There’s also a cool patio area with lawn games for warm weather.

What We’ve Ordered

I’ve been to Ivywild School once but I plan on becoming a regular. They have so many options and the set up is so cool and unique. When my fiancé and I visited, we ordered from Bristol’s Spark Beer + BBQ. I got the bratwurst and Beehive brew. Kevin got the brisket sandwich and the Laughing Lab brew. The food was great & it was an excellent spot to hang out at on a weekend afternoon. They also had several tabletop games to choose from which was fun!

We’re planning on going back soon to attend a movie screening event. Their beer garden is currently closed for renovations ( as of March 2023) but we’ll for sure check it out when it reopens! There’s lots to try at Ivywild School and we hope to make our way through all of it!

6. COATI

COATI is a modern food hall & community space in downtown Colorado Springs. It’s a brilliant mashup of everything you’d want in a weekend hangout space. They have amazing food, drinks, and events in a cool af atmosphere. COATI is housed in a large industrial space filled with plants, greenery, and neon lights. Their food selection ranges from street food to tasting menus to yummy desserts. Lunchals Soulful Seafood is a crowd favorite serving up cajun style seafood and chicken. They have everything from catfish and fish tacos to hot wings and chicken n’ waflles. Additionally, COATI has Korean and Hawaiian street food and delicious Mexian-style ice pops.   If you’re a craft beer fan, you have to grab a drink from Pikes Peak Breweing’s Lager House on the top floor. Plus, the top floor leads to a lesser-known rooftop patio 

5. 503W

503w is an Asian-American fusion gastropub. It’s elevated pub-like atmosphere is lively and as colorful as their food. They have amazing Korean tacos, short ribs, and are known for their delicious bowls. You can’t skip on appetizers here – the calamari and firecracker nachos are SO good! If you want to go all out, get the Jungle Cat. It’s a tiki-inspired cocktail in a cute Japanese lucky cat mug. Speaking of cocktails, 503w has great happy hours and daily specials. It’s the place to go for steeply discounted drinks from 3–6pm. 

4. Edelweiss

$$$

Edelweiss is a family-owned authentic Bavarian German restaurant & beer garden. 

3. Shuga’s

Shuga’s is an art-deco, retro-styled cafe with globally inspired eats. It’s cute & charming with incredible food. The brightly lit cafe is full of art, pops of color, and tasteful antique-ware. It’s small yet busy. Be sure to get a reservation! Shuga’s serves delicous sandwiches, soups, salads, and snackboards. My all-time favorite is the ‘Shuga’s Favorite Cafe Tray’ on their weekend brunch menu. It comes with an assortment of some of their best items, such as their spicy shrimp soup, almond butter cake, bruschetta, and mediterranean sampler items. I have to admit – I was unsure about the shrimp soup at first. However, it was incredible. The soup base is creamy and perfectly spiced. Shuga’s also has great cocktails. If you come for weekend brunch, you have to try the lavender mimosa. Yum!

Long version:

Shuga’s it’s an art-deco, retro inspired cafe with globally inspired eats. It’s cute, charming, and the food is incredible. The brightly lit cafe is full of art, pops of color, and tasteful antique-ware. It’s small yet busy. Be sure to get a reservation!

Shuga’s has two separate menus – their regular menu plus weekend brunch thats served until 3:45. Their regular menu features an assortment of soups, salads, and sandwiches. You have to try their Spicy Brazilian Coconut Shrimp Soup. It’s absolutely iconic. Plus, you can add ‘the twist’ if you’d like. A.k.a. adding ramen noodles, chicken, and mushroom.

Additionally, they have snackboards with assortments of meat and cheese, bruschetta, and mediteranean fare. They also have a large selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. Their hot cocktails are a godsend on cold Colorado nights.

What We’ve Ordered

My fiancé and I have only been once & it was during their weekend brunch. And oh. my. god. The food was INCREDIBLE. I got the ‘Shuga’s Favorite Cafe Tray’. It’s like a sampler assortment of many of their best items. It comes with a delicious mediterranean salad, warm pita with hummus and an olive-based dip, a caprese bruschetta slice, their spicy shrimp soup, and almond butter cake.

Their almond butter cake is what they’re known for. I can certify that it was incredible. It has a very unique taste. Even if you’re not big on almonds I still recommend it.

Their spicy shrimp soup… amazing. I have to admit – I was unsure about it at first. I’m not big on shrimp, so shrimp soup sounded a little funky to me. However, it was absolutely delicious. The soup base is creamy and perfectly spiced. The large portions of shrimp were incredible too.

2. Chiba Bar

Chiba Bar is a cyberpunk-themed Japanese izakaya. It’s a relaxed gastropub serving great cocktails, shareable plates, and yummy bowls. If you like anime, you definitely can’t pass on Chiba Bar. The aesthetic is heavily inspired by Akira – an influential anime from the 80’s. The look and feel is comparable to Blade Runner. They have anime and cyberpunk inspired movies and shows playing on multiple screens at all times. 

Since moving to Colorado Springs, my fiancé and I are starting to become regulars here. My go-to dinner is Decon Fakey 180. It’s a sushi bowl with tempura shrimp, spicy mayo, white rice, and a whole lot of other goodness. My loves the fiancé Tempura Tofu Rice Bowl. He usually likes more meat-heavy foods, but he loves the mushrooms in this bowl. Plus, the tofu is very well made and flavored. You can’t pass on the cocktails while you’re here. They’re genuinely so good and well mixed. It’s also a great place to go with a group to sample their shareable small plates. 

Long version:

Chiba Bar is a futuristic, cyberpunk themed Japanese izakaya. Izakaya translates to “stay-drink-place”. Essentially, it’s a relaxed bar serving great cocktails, shareable plates, and yummy bowls. It’s the kind of place you’d go to after work to unwind with your friends. Sort of like the Japanese version of a tavern (but with a totally different kind of food and aesthetic than an American or European tavern).

If you like anime, you seriously can’t miss Chiba Bar. It’s heavily inspired by Akira – an influential anime from the 80s. The aesthetic is comparable to Blade Runner. They have anime and cyberpunk inspired movies and shows playing on multiple screens at all times. It feels like you’ve wandered into a cool, local spot in Tokyo verses Colorado Springs.

What We’ve Ordered

Since moving to Colorado Springs, my fiancé and I are starting to become regulars here. My go-to dinner is Decon Fakey 180. It’s a sushi bowl with tempura shrimp, spicy mayo, white rice, and a whole lot of other goodness. My loves the fiancé Tempura Tofu Rice Bowl. He usually likes more meat-heavy foods, but he loves the mushrooms in this bowl. Plus, the tofu is very well made and flavored.

Chiba Bar is also a great place for sharable plates and snacks. Their Takoyaki (aka fried octopus balls), Edamame Dip, and Gyoza are incredible. They also have a simple sushi roll that is great for a snack or to share. Their pickled cucumbers and tempura veggies are delicious too.

For cocktails, I always get the Shiso-jito J-Type. It’s a gin based cocktail with shisho leaf, lychee, and yuzu. It’s perfectly mixed and one of my favorite cocktails in Colorado Springs. To be honest, I haven’t tried any of their other drinks because I love that one so much. The first time I went, our server asked us what kind of drinks we liked. Based on my description, that’s the one she brought me and I haven’t been able to pass it up since.

They have a large selection of gin based cocktails. If you’re a vodka cranberry person, you have to try the Razor Girl. I know LOTS of people love it. They also have sake, cognac, rye, and tequilla based drinks. They have a good selection of beer and mocktails as well. 

1. The Rabbit Hole

The Rabbit Hole is something I never would have expected to find – an Alice in Wonderland themed steakhouse. The whole experience is incredible. The artwork has more of a ‘dark’ Alice vibe to it. If you’ve ever played “Alice: The Madness Returns” you’ll get what I mean. It’s so well done yet so quirky and unique. If sophisticated and kitsch could somehow be combined, this would be it. You honestly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here. The appetizers, entrees, and cocktails are all top-notch. I’ve tried the chicken cordon bleu, seafood pasta, crispy brussels, and chicken tikka masala. It’s all incredible. If you’re wanting something sweet towards the end, I highly recommend getting the Whimsey Berries cocktail. Seriously, any other dessert cocktail I’ve ordered didn’t truly seem like a dessert to me. However, this cocktail is like drinking a fine chocolate cake that also gets you tipsy. A true win.

Long version:

The Rabbit Hole is something I never would have expected to find – an Alice in Wonderland themed steakhouse. The whole experience is incredible. The artwork has more of a ‘dark’ Alice vibe to it. If you’ve ever played “Alice: The Madness Returns” you’ll get what I mean. It’s so well done yet so quirky and unique. If sophisticated and kitsch could somehow be combined, this would be it.

What We’ve Ordered

My fiancé and I have been several times. Everything we’ve tried has been soooo good. It’s not one of those trendy places where the quality of food is compromised for the aesthetic.

To start, we always get the crispy brussels sprouts. They’re perfectly roasted and are served covered in bacon. If that’s not your thing – don’t worry. They have a great selection of appetizers. If you’re in the mood for soup, their chicken tikka masala is incredible.

They have an incredible selection of creative cocktails. Alice in Wonderland themed, of course. The Alice and The Duchess are my favorites. The Alice is a twist on a lavender french 75. The Duchess is sort of like a mimosa but with grapefruit and extra boozy. If their Whimsey Berries cocktail is on their seasonal menu when you go, skip dessert and get that. It’s the only ‘dessert’ cocktail I’ve ever had that legit tasted like dessert. It’s like drinking a phenomenal chocolate cake. Except you get pretty tipsy after.

For our entree’s, we’ve tried the seafood pasta and chicken cordon bleu. Absolutely fantastic. Again – I don’t think you can go wrong with any entree here. They also have steak, rabbit meatloaf, and ratatouille. Plates are pricey, but they are high-quality and you get large portions.

I love the attention to detail in the food. Even though it’s for sure steakhouse quality food, the Alice in Wonderland theme runs through everything. Including the food. You can tell that the ingredients in many of the dishes are Alice inspired. For example, the chicken cordon bleu that I loved is served over a bed of mashed potatoes and HUGE roasted carrots. Of course they would serve rabbit here as well.