Best road-trip restaurants in Colorado

$$ · Great Sand Dunes National Park

San Luis Valley institution famous for its sprawling Mexican buffet and smothered plates — the calorie reload you want after climbing High Dune. Portions built for sandboarders.

$$$ · Sundance

Michelin Bib Gourmand Oaxacan spot nixtamalizing corn flown in from Mexico. (Downtown)

$ · Mesa Verde National Park

Cortez diner-meets-Mexican breakfast spot with local loyalty and generous plates, ideal before a full Mesa Verde ruins day.

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James Beard America's Classics winner and a beloved Lincoln Park counter widely called the G.O.A.T. of Denver green chile.

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Half-century-old north Denver institution founded by the late state senator Paul Sandoval, prized for tamales and green chile.

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Woman-owned family restaurant serving thick, warming pork and vegetarian green chile in Denver for over 35 years.

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Award-winning taqueria and agave bar pairing inventive street tacos with a deep tequila and whiskey list.

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Reader-voted best taco in the metro area, slinging slow-braised, cheesy quesabirria dipped in chile-rich consomme.

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Elevated modern taqueria bistro in Golden earning citywide acclaim for refined, regional Mexican cooking and creative tacos.

$ · Mesa Verde National Park

No-frills family-run Mexican just off Mancos's tiny main drag, seven minutes from the Mesa Verde entrance road. Big plates, small prices, zero pretense.

$$ · Pikes Peak Highway

A Manitou Springs meal that pairs naturally with the Pikes Peak Highway approach.

$$ · Pikes Peak Highway

A Manitou Springs margarita-and-Mexican stop at the base of the Pikes Peak Highway.

$$ · Montana & San Juan Skyway

Creative taqueria slinging inventive tacos and Baja-leaning street food that locals and road-trippers rank among the area's best.