Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar Fort Collins

The Best Fort Collins Restaurants: 12 Spots That Prove This City Cooks

By Kelly McMurtry

Fort Collins has always been known for its breweries and college-town vibes, but lately, its food scene has been elbowing its way into the conversation. You’ll find everything from indulgent cinnamon rolls the size of your head to meticulously plated dishes that look more like art than dinner. As someone who’s eaten their way through every corner of this city—from breakfast joints where regulars still read the paper to fine dining spots that make you question your wardrobe choices—I can confidently say these are the 12 places worth your appetite.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

1. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Jax somehow pulls off serving East Coast-level oysters in a landlocked state, and I’m not even mad about it. Their Old Town location feels like a bustling seaside joint, but with a Colorado chill vibe. Order the crab legs, which come out looking like they were designed to star in a seafood calendar, and pair them with something bubbly from the bar. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here—it’s the ethos that runs through everything on the menu.

The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm Fort Collins

2. The Farmhouse

Set in a restored 19th-century barn, The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm has rustic charm without veering into kitsch. The fried chicken sandwich is one of those simple-yet-perfect things: crispy, juicy, and somehow light enough that you’ll talk yourself into dessert. Their patio is the kind of spot where you can linger for hours, especially if you’re armed with one of their seasonal cocktails.

3. The Regional

The Regional is like a love letter to American comfort food, with a Fort Collins twist. The fried chicken sandwich is worth the hype, but the lobster roll is where they really shine—generous chunks of lobster tucked into a buttery, toasted bun. It’s the kind of place where the food feels familiar but still manages to surprise you.

The Emporium An American Brasserie Fort Collins

4. The Emporium

Located in The Elizabeth Hotel, The Emporium: An American Brasserie might be one of the swankiest spots in town. Don’t let the polished vibe fool you, though—the food is approachable, even when it’s something as fancy-sounding as bison bourguignonne. Their elk Wellington could convert even the most skeptical diners, and their wine list is so extensive you might want to bring a sommelier friend.

5. Waltzing Kangaroo

This little spot is dedicated to one thing: Australian meat pies. The steak & gravy pie at Waltzing Kangaroo is what I imagine every Aussie misses when they’re far from home—rich, savory, and wrapped in a flaky crust that leaves no crumbs behind. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, perfect for Colorado’s colder months.

6. The Silver Grill Cafe

The Silver Grill has been serving locals since 1933, and honestly, not much has changed—and that’s the best part. Their cinnamon rolls are legendary, as big as your face and so soft they practically melt. This is the place to grab breakfast before hitting the trails, though you’ll probably need a nap afterward instead.

Lucile's Creole Cafe of Fort Collins.jpg

7. Lucile's

Lucile’s is like a slice of New Orleans plopped down in Colorado. The shrimp and grits are buttery and garlicky, and the beignets arrive dusted in a blizzard of powdered sugar. The vibe is laid-back and vibrant, perfect for a banana pancake brunch that turns into lunch.

The Welsh Rabbit Cheese Shop Fort Collins Colorado

8. The Welsh Rabbit

Cheese lovers, this one’s for you. The Welsh Rabbit is both a cheese shop and a bistro, offering small plates that encourage slow, deliberate dining. Their build-your-own charcuterie boards are the “girl dinner” stuff of dreams, perfect for sharing among friends. It’s intimate and unhurried—the kind of spot that feels like a secret you want to keep to yourself.

Union Bar and Soda Fountain Fort Collins

9. Union Bar & Soda Fountain

Union marries retro vibes with modern twists, serving up classics like burgers and milkshakes alongside craft cocktails. Their spiked sodas are dangerously good—think root beer with bourbon or cola with dark rum. It’s fun, nostalgic, and exactly the kind of place you didn’t know Fort Collins needed.

10. Ginger and Baker

Housed in a historic mill, Ginger and Baker is part café, part casual dining, and all charm. The Cache, their upscale restaurant, serves a bison ribeye that’s perfectly seared, while the café downstairs offers comfort food like chicken pot pie that feels like a warm hug. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to taste a bit of Fort Collins’ history.

11. Tasty Harmony

Tasty Harmony proves that vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring. Their Southern Com-Fort Collins—a seitan cutlet with garlicky collard greens—feels indulgent enough to make you forget it’s plant-based. Even if you’re a meat-lover, this place has something that’ll make you reconsider your dining habits.

12. Cafe Vino

Cafe Vino boils things down to what many of us need most in life: coffee, wine, and something sweet. If you can’t decide which coffee drink, Cafe Vino offers flights of several. And the wine list? Let’s just say you won’t leave thirsty.