5 of the Best Places to Eat in and Around Colorado Springs
One of the best things you can offer your guests as a vacation home owner is a carefully curated guidebook that highlights your favorite places to eat. A little note on this: Make sure and include restaurants that can cater to people with dietary restrictions and food allergies. Not every restaurant that you recommend has to, but a few recommendations will go a long way to enhancing your guest’s experience. People with food allergies/intolerances tend to have a more difficult time finding places to eat in a new city - take away some of the apprehension by doing the legwork for them. Luckily for Colorado Springs vacation rental owners, there’s an abundance of restaurants here that can cater to a multitude of dietary needs.
To get you started, here’s a selection of my favorite places to eat in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments!
Jarrito Loco
Photographs by Caroline Alexander
Jarrito Loco is an authentic Mexican restaurant in Monument, CO, that is filled with delicious food, bright colors and a warm atmosphere. The food is incredibly fresh and they have an amazing selection of salsas - perfect if you just want to stop by for a margarita and some chips & salsa. Everything is homemade and you can tell that the staff love their jobs - they are so welcoming and friendly. As an extra bonus, over half of their menu is gluten free, and they use a separate fryer for gluten free dishes.
Lolley’s Ice Cream
Photographs by Caroline Alexander
Lolley’s is the cutest ice cream shop you’ll ever step foot in! As soon as you drive up to the location in Monument, CO, the bright colors and charm of the building draw you in. Inside, you’re met with a mouth watering assortment of homemade ice cream flavors, ranging from the refreshing Rainbow Sorbet, to the decadent Peanut Butter Fudge. As well as ice cream, they also offer a wide range of baked goods, including brownies, cookies and macarons. Lolley’s is 100% gluten free and also offers Vegan options.
Colonel Mustard’s Sandwich Emporium
Photographs by Caroline Alexander
Colonel Mustard’s is the tastiest sandwich stop in Colorado! Located near Old Colorado City, they are the perfect lunch spot before visiting Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs. Love everything on their menu but can’t decide what to order? Ask the staff to bring out the wheel! And don’t worry if you’re not a mustard fan - Colonel Mustard’s can customize your sandwiches to your needs. They are especially aware of cross contamination issues and will make your sandwich in a separate area if you have a gluten or other allergy. Gluten free substitutes are available with a small up-charge, and vegan options are also available.
Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics
Photographs by Caroline Alexander
Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics is one of those places where you just want to eat everything! It’s a wonderful gluten free and vegan bakery in Colorado Springs, near Old Colorado City. They offer an amazing selection of baked goods, as well as delicious pizza, veggie bowls, soups and other delicious lunch items. Everything is made in a facility that doesn’t use gluten, dairy, soy, corn, peanuts and eggs, so it is especially safe for those with these allergies.
Fern’s Diner & Drinkery
Photographs by Caroline Alexander
Fern’s Diner in Cascade, CO, has so much personality that you’ll fall in love as soon as you walk in the door. It’s 100% vegan and has many gluten free options. The food is absolutely delicious and filled with flavor and comfort, and they have delightfully colorful cocktails that will be sure to put a smile on your face. It’s the perfect place to stop in at before you drive up Pikes Peak, and has a wonderful dog friendly patio for you to bring your furry friends to.
EDIT: Unfortunately, Fern’s Diner is now permanently closed.
Have another restaurant to recommend? Let us know in the comments!