There’s no doubt that Colorado Springs is on many tourists’ radars, as it’s one of the most visited cities in the state. And when you’re visiting, choosing the right restaurant is just as important as choosing the right place to visit.
To help with that, I’ve highlighted 15 hidden gem restaurants in Colorado Springs where you can savor authentic tastes of the city’s cuisine, along with flavors from different countries, making this list even more special.
Table of Contents
1. Hafa Adai Fiesta Food
Location: 109 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
The first restaurant in the list of underrated restaurants in Colorado Springs is Hafa Adai Fiesta Food, where you’ll find a range of Pacific Rim cuisines (cuisine that combines the flavors and cooking styles of different countries and islands located around the Pacific Ocean). So, if you’re someone who likes to try a variety of cuisines in one sitting, this is a place to go.
The interior of this restaurant is quite comfy. On the wall, you will see various posters and pictures related to different traditions, as well as books and other decorative items on the shelves, which makes the overall decor even more pleasing. It’s a very feel-good type of restaurant, which I really like. The dining area is also comfortable with enough open space around, which was a plus point.
On the menu, their BBQ chicken is among the must-try dishes in Colorado Springs for me. At the same time, fried rice, loco moco, BBQ ribs, empanada, kadun pika, baked salmon, latiya, and guava cake are not something you want to miss out on here.
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2. Thai Lily
Location: 319 N Chelton Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Thai Lily, as the name suggests, is for those who are craving to eat Thai food in Colorado Springs. The food has a traditional feel that is unique in its own right.
The restaurant has a cozy and warm feel. The walls are filled with countless photographs and pictures, which makes the overall decor look even better. On top of that, having both a sofa and a chair option in the dining area is also a plus point.
On the menu, you are going to have options like egg roll, tofu, shrimp ball, panag curry, red curry, a wide range of soups, salads, stir-fried, noodles, and fried rice items, along with their in-house specialties like pad poh taek, pia raad khing, and chilli cover fish.
3. Tong Tong
Location: 2036 S Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
Tong Tong is a must-visit hidden gem restaurant, especially when you are craving Korean food in Colorado Springs.
While the interior of the restaurant is simple, it’s pretty pleasing from the inside, which makes the dining experience genuinely enjoyable. The best thing about this restaurant is the room divider, which you will see along almost every side of every table. On top of that, the space between tables is also huge, which was a plus point in my view. On the walls, various pictures and photographs hang, which is a good thing.
On the menu, you will have an extensive selection of Korean food in front of you. Some of the best items from the restaurant include gamjajeon, chicken mandu, bulgogi, grilled fish, various soups, noodles, and a wide selection of chicken and stir-fried rice dishes.
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4. Black Forest Bistro
Location: 6750 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Eating at Black Forest Bistro feels like dining in a traditional South American restaurant. The restaurant has that unique feel, which made me think that way.
First, the restaurant features an outdoor seating area, which is a welcome addition. And when you go inside, you will see the walls filled with pictures, which makes the ambiance even better. Most of the decor is made of wood, which is also a reason why this place looks better.
The menu here is also fairly extensive, but the cheese wheel pasta is a must-try dish, which comes with add-ons like shrimp, lobster, grilled chicken, and meatballs. Other than that, lobster bisque, steak, lobster ravioli, miso salmon, lamb chops, chicken milanese, and southern catfish are also worth trying.
5. Julie’s kitchen
Location: 3750 Astrozon Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Whenever you crave Filipino food in Colorado Springs, Julie’s Kitchen is the place to go. Although the interior is simple, the food here is top-class.
The interior, as mentioned above, is simple, featuring various photographs on the walls, along with some flags, and the seating area is also comfortable.
The food, especially the portion size, is where this restaurant does its magic. The chicken katsu and loco moco are must-try dishes here. While Teriyaki Chicken Silog, fried rice, crispy lumpia, sesame chicken, and Bangsilog also deserve a spot on your plate.
6. La Baguette French Bistro
Location: 4440 N Chestnut St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
If you ever feel like trying French food in Colorado Springs, La Baguette French Bistro is your place to go. From ambiance to food, this place is top-class.
Inside the restaurant, you will genuinely get a vibe like eating in a traditional French restaurant. Walls are carefully decorated with pictures and showpiece materials, which give this place a unique vibe. On top of that, small chandeliers, fans, and different seating options also add to this place’s charm. There is also an outdoor seating option available for those who prefer to dine outside.
On the menu, their French onion soup and French dip are easily their signature dishes. Along with that option, other options worth trying include breakfast sandwiches, French toast, mushroom omelets, chicken falafel, tortellini pasta, steak, ravioli, and spinach salads.
7. Nacos Tacos
Location: 233 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Nacos Tacos, as the name suggests, is a Mexican restaurant. This restaurant has a very local yet Mexican vibe from the inside, which was a welcome sight.
Inside the restaurant, there are different seating options in the form of sofas and chairs. While on the wall, you will see various posters and pictures, along with some showpieces, which enhance the overall vibe of this restaurant.
The food is the main highlight of this place, and you will find an extensive menu featuring a variety of Mexican dishes. While tacos, nachos, and burritos are must-try dishes, other items, like pozole, lamb consommé, BBQ, roasted chicken, chilango chicken, shrimp, and enchiladas, are also worth trying, along with a range of dessert options.
8. Happy Time
Location: 5547 Powers Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
For Korean food lovers, Happy Time in Colorado Springs is a hidden gem restaurant you cannot miss. The restaurant has a very clean and uplifting vibe, which makes the eating experience here so pleasant.
On the inside, you will see a very calm and cozy interior with hanging lamps, decorative artificial plants, and some paintings on the wall, which made the ambiance even better. The seating area is also comfortable, which, along with dividers, looks even better.
On the menu, you are going to have a range of Korean food options to choose from. Galbi and Bibim Naeng (BBQ short ribs with spicy noodles), beef bulgogi, topokki, spicy squid, and kimchi are all must-try dishes. At the same time, gyoza, chicken katsu, salmon, and Sundubu-jjigae are worth trying out here.
9. Shah Kabob House
Location: 829 Cheyenne Meadows Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
For those eager to try some delicious Arabic and Turkish cuisine, Shah Kabob House is a perfect choice. This underrated restaurant has one of the finest ranges of kabobs that you won’t want to miss.
The ambiance is quite comfy from the inside. And the restaurant has that very clean vibe, which makes the experience of eating fairly pleasing. The seating area is also comfortable, which was a good thing.
On the menu, they offer a range of kabobs in chicken, lamb, and beef, which you can either try with rice or with flat bread. In addition to kabobs, they also offer samosas, hummus, Afghan carrayee, a variety of wraps, and dessert options like baklava, cream roll, and phirni.
10. Ephemera
Location: 514 S Tejon St, Suite 250a, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
If you are looking for a cozy yet romantic place to eat in Colorado Springs, then simply head to Ephemera.
As you enter the restaurant, you will feel a sense of coziness in the environment. The overall decor is full of class and elegance, featuring lamp lighting, artificial plants, and other decorative pieces. The seating area also deserves massive praise, which is super comfortable and is in various forms, including chairs and sofas.
Their menu is quite extensive, featuring items like oysters, soup, pasta, steak, and various dessert options, including cake and ice cream. However, the must-try item here is the tasting menu, which changes regularly and consists of five dishes, and is surely the main highlight of Ephemera.
11. Schnitzel Fritz
Location: 1830 Main St #120, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
If you want to try German food in Colorado Springs, then head to Schnitzel Fritz. This underrated restaurant and bakery offers one of the finest selections of German food, which you are sure to enjoy. This is a relatively small restaurant, featuring food display counters at the corners and a seating area in the center. Overall, it has a very local restaurant vibe, but in a German style, which was a pleasant experience.
On the menu, they have a wide range of bread on display, which is easily a must-try item here. Apart from this, they also offer other options, like burgers, French fries, seafood gumbo, and various sweet treats.
12. The joint
Location: 19 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
For vegans, The Joint is like a must-visit restaurant in Colorado Springs. And it’s not like other boring vegan restaurants, which lack in both ambiance and food quality, but this place has ticked all the boxes for both atmosphere and food.
Starting with the ambiance, this place has a very cool, college-café type vibe inside, which is refreshing. With artificial plants and a variety of seating options, the dining experience here is truly outstanding.
On the menu, they have only a veg menu. In the menu, Brussels sprouts are a must-try item. Along with that, fried plantain, truffle fries, sandwich, and tacos are also worth trying.
13. Oliver’s Deli
Location: 6602 Delmonico Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
If you love sandwiches, then eating at Oliver’s Deli should definitely be in your itinerary. This isn’t a fancy place, but a modest one at best; however, the food quality is top-notch.
The place is not huge, and inside is filled with dining tables and a food counter, much like what a local restaurant looks like, with different pictures hanging on the walls.
Sandwiches mainly dominate their menu, but the sweet bread is easily the best thing to eat in Oliver’s Deli. In the sandwich, you are going to have a wide variety, a wide bagel sandwich, turkey tuna sandwich, French dip, roasted beef sandwich, and their special, the Olvers’ local favorite sandwich. Apart from that, they also offer soups, salads, wraps, as well as various breakfast and dessert options.
14. High Rise Pizza
Location: 6660 Delmonico Dr F, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Whether veg or non-veg, the High Rise Pizza should definitely be on your radar if you are a pizza lover in Colorado Springs.
The restaurant has a very clean and sophisticated vibe indoors, much like what a pizza restaurant should have, and the experience of eating inside is surely a must-try one.
On the menu, you will get a fine range of pizzas to choose from in both veg and non-veg options. You can even build your own pizza with toppings chosen explicitly by you, which is the best thing about this place. Along with pizza, they also offer salads, pepperoni rolls, garlic knots, and ricotta rolls, which are nice options to start with.
15. Purple Onion
Location: 1840 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
The last underrated restaurant in this list is Purple Onion, which is for Turkish food lovers.
As you enter, you will find a lively atmosphere that is truly pleasing to see. On top of that, the large lamp bulbs on every table made the experience of eating inside even more special. When it comes to seating, they offer both sofa and chair options, allowing you to choose your preferred style.
When it comes to food, they offer a variety of Turkish food, with the rice bowl easily being the best dish on the menu. Along with that, you should also try their falafel, fried dorade, gyros, Philly cheesesteak sandwich, Greek burger, Hawaiian burger, chicken kabob, beef kofta kabob, and meat platters.
FAQ’s
1. Are reservations required for these restaurants?
While you can reserve a table in some restaurants mentioned above, it’s surely not necessary to always reserve one.
2. Do these restaurants accommodate dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan, gluten-free)?
Not every restaurant mentioned above accommodates dietary restrictions, but some do.
3. Among the restaurants mentioned above, which are suitable for a special occasion?
Restaurants like La Baguette French Bistro and Ephemera can be ideal for special occasions.
4. Is food expensive in Colorado Springs?
While it depends on the place you are eating at, but overall food prices can seem a bit higher in Colorado Springs.
