Gunnison Dining

Gunnison’s Dining Scene

Fuel your adventures in the Gunnison Valley

Gunnison’s dining scene offers a variety of options. Most restaurants have affordable prices and down-to-earth vibes characteristic of Gunnison. Some choices include pizza, Mexican, American, tapas and Nepalese. Enjoy a sit-down breakfast or grab a sandwich before hitting the trails. End your day with a drink and a hearty meal before the following day’s adventures.

Breakfast in Gunnison

W Cafe

W Café has classic diner vibes and affordable food. This restaurant serves breakfast classics such as chicken fried steak, omelets, French toast and pancakes. Order a coffee, hot chocolate or juice to enjoy with your food. Breakfast is available all day. W Café also has a lunch menu.

Backcountry Cafe

Back Country’s menu has a variety of skillets, egg benedicts, pastries, waffles and egg dishes. Try the breakfast nachos, a breakfast gyro or the bread pudding. Back Country also serves cocktails and beer. Some options include a pina-colada mimosa, a heavily garnished Bloody Mary and a morning margarita. All these tasty bites can be eaten on the patio.

Coffee shops in Gunnison

Tributary Coffee Roasters

Tributary roasts its coffee on-site. Choose from traditional espresso drinks or drip coffee. Other drink options include hot and iced tea, chai, golden milk and hot chocolate. Tributary also has pastries and baked goods made on-site

Double Shot Cyclery

Double Shot is a coffee shop, bar and bike repair shop. Double Shot has a robust menu of specialty coffee drinks. Some examples include the Klunker (chai and espresso), Need a Fixie (caramel and chai), and the Big Loop (vanilla maple latte), all named after local trails and geographic features. You can also get toast, a smoothie, pastries and breakfast sandwiches at Double Shot. Get your bike fixed at the full-service shop while you’re at it!

Mochas Coffeehouse and Bakery

Order inside at the counter or in the drive-through. Mochas has coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, bagels, sandwiches and bakery items.

Gunnison Coffee Company

Gunnison Coffee is a small drive-through coffee shop off Highway 50. Order chai, coffee, tea and smoothies. The huckleberry smoothie is Gunnison Coffee Company’s specialty.

Coffee Trader

Coffee Trader has an extensive menu of hot and cold coffee drinks. They also serve tea, Italian sodas and smoothies.

Bakeries in Gunnison

Cake Me Away

Cake Me Away serves an array of baked goods, including sweet and savory croissants. Treat yourself to a decadent mini cake, fluffy cream puff or flaky turnover. Cake Me Away also offers custom cake services for events and special occasions.

Best Places to Eat Lunch in Gunnison

Get a sandwich from the grab and go case or enjoy one made to order at the Dilly Deli. The Dilly Deli serves hot and cold sandwiches. Side salad options include kale salad, Moroccan carrot salad and chickpea salad. The Dive offers elevated pub-fare such as trout dip, duck salad, and fish and chips.

Pitas in Paradise makes traditional Greek pita dishes such as gyro and falafel. More eclectic offerings include a shrimp po’boy pita and a teriyaki tofu pita. Patcharee’s Kitchen serves authentic Thai. Try the hand rolled spring rolls, a Thai omelet, Thai curry, waterfall steak and other traditional rice country dishes.

Build your own protein bowl or choose from options such as the vegetarian garden bowl or salmon river bowl at Delektabowl. Enjoy homey vibes and comfort food at Mario’s Pizza and Pasta. This Gunnison institution has delicious pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads.

Happy Hours in Gunnison

Many of the restaurants in Gunnison have happy hour deals from 3-6 p.m. Check social media or call the restaurant you’re interested in trying for exact times.

Are there food trucks in Gunnison?

There are several food trucks that set up in Gunnison during the summer. Some are local and some travel through. Food trucks are often parked at the farmer’s market, events around town and local businesses.

Dinner options in Gunnison

High Alpine is Gunnison’s only craft brewery. High Alpine offers four core beers and a rotating seasonal collection. Food includes made-from-scratch pizza, salad and appetizers. 1880 Tapas and Spirits serves Spanish-inspired tapas and craft cocktails. The menu rotates seasonally. Types of dishes include marinated goat cheese, fried calamari, pork chop a la plancha and basque cheesecake.

Sherpa Café cooks up authentic Himalayan dishes such as samosas, lamb korma, chicken jalfrezi, saag, vegetable thukpa and khir. El Paraiso’s menu has a variety of authentic dishes, margaritas and Mexican beers. Stop by on Tuesdays for Taco Tuesday. Blackstock Bistro makes elevated American fare in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Choose from chorizo and shrimp fettuccine, seared scallops with beet chips, French onion soup, and steak dishes.

Bars in Gunnison

Crested Bucha Fermentation Lounge

Sample kombucha made right in Gunnison. Crested Bucha Fermentation Lounge has craft kombucha and beer on tap. You can also order wine, cocktails and small bites. The lounge often hosts open mic nights and live music. Bring the whole family to enjoy the show or play a board game in the cozy seating area.

The Alamo Saloon

Shoot pool over a beer or cocktail at this down-home dive bar. The Alamo is the last place to close in Gunnison (around 2 a.m.). It also still allows smoking.

The River Bar

The River Bar at Garlic Mike’s is open seasonally. It is usually open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Order a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Gunnison River. Visit on a Friday or Saturday for live music. The River Bar also features a pared down menu of food offerings.

Fast food and chain restaurants in Gunnison

There are a few familiar chains in Gunnison.

McDonald’s
Arby’s
Domino’s Pizza
Subway
Starbucks

Are restaurants open late in Gunnison?

Most restaurants in Gunnison close at 9 p.m.

Do you need a reservation to eat in Gunnison?

Reservations are not necessary to eat in Gunnison. However, reservations are recommended for large groups and during the busy seasons. Summer, particularly around the Fourth of July, is a busy time of year in Gunnison. The winter holidays and spring break season are also busier times of year.

Is dining affordable in Gunnison?

Gunnison restaurant prices tend to be slightly lower than Crested Butte. Cocktail prices average from $10-$14 and beer prices average around $5-$10. A meal at a mid-range restaurant costs around $15-$25.

Is there allergen-friendly dining in Gunnison?

Many restaurants provide information about vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food. Ask your server for more information.

Is there ice cream in Gunnison?

Jermaine’s, Mochas and Spenny’s Ice Cream Stand all sell ice cream. Spenny’s serves Third Bowl ice cream and is only open in the summer. Jermaine’s and Mochas have ice cream year-round.

What is eating out like in Gunnison?

Restaurants in Gunnison tend to be casual. You’re likely to see people getting a meal after a ride at Hartman Rocks still in their biking clothes.

Can you eat outside in Gunnison?

Many restaurants have outdoor seating in the warmer months. Enjoy summer’s long temperate days by eating outside in the sunshine.

Restaurants with outdoor seating:

The Dive
1880 Tapas and Spirits
Sherpa Café
High Alpine Brewing Co.
Blackstock Bistro
Delektabowl
Pitas in Paradise
Palisades
Back Country Café
Garlic Mike’s
5 B’s BBQ
El Paraiso
Pie Zan’s Pizzeria
Café Silvestre
Tributary Coffee Roasters
Mochas Coffeehouse and Bakery
Double Shot Cyclery
Buckel Family Wine
Powerstop

Places to eat in Pitkin

Pitkin is about 27 miles northeast of Gunnison. This small community is surrounded by Gunnison National Forest and is a recreation paradise for outdoor lovers.

Restaurants in Pitkin:

Bon Ton Bistro in the Pitkin Hotel
Stumbling Moose Lodge
Silver Plume Grill
Frenchy’s Tin Cup – on the other side of Cumberland Pass

Places to eat in Almont

Almont is located on Highway 135 between Gunnison and Crested Butte. It is the headwaters of the Gunnison River and the gateway to Taylor Canyon and Taylor Park. There are lodging and recreation opportunities in Almont.

Restaurants in Almont:

Almont Resort
Three Rivers Smokehouse

Visit Gunnison

You should enjoy your meals on vacation just as much as your adventures. Sample all Gunnison’s dining scene has to offer on your trip. Plan things to do, book flights and lodging, and get more trip ideas with our trip planning guide. Learn more about the food scene in Crested Butte and Gunnison, including unique dining experiences, on Colorado.com. Learn more about dining in Crested Butte.