Keystone, Colorado, is famous for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, but this winter wonderland is also a delightful destination for food lovers. You’ll find a wide variety of great restaurants in Keystone, including everything from burger bars and ski taverns to fine dining venues. Here's a look at eight great restaurants in Keystone that you'll want to visit with your family and friends.
Please be aware that menu items may change depending on the season, the time of day, or whether you visit on a weekday or weekend.
LaBonte’s Smokehouse
If you like restaurants with a view, then you’ll love LaBonte’s Smokehouse. This classic barbecue house is located at the bottom of the Ruby & Santiago Lift in Keystone Resort, so you can sit outside, enjoy the scenic views, and people-watch while you eat.
Menu items include classic BBQ fare and a wide variety of smoked and grilled meats available as entrées or hearty sandwiches. You’ll also find smoked beer brats, veggie burgers, mac & cheese, and a superb house chili.
Mountain House Lodge/Food Court
Mountain House Lodge is an actual ski-style food court located in Keystone Resort, and contains a wide selection of casual restaurants with both sit-down and grab-and-go options. Located right along the slopes for added convenience, it features everything from burgers and pizzas to chili, salads, and deli sandwiches.
One spot your kids will love is Go Big Burger, which offers over-the-top portions of chili fries, pickle fries, onion rings, and lots of other favorites. Its biggest attraction, however, is the mountainous burgers, which you can order with a huge selection of toppings. Some of the more imaginative include Peanut Butter Sauce and Sriracha Mango Ketchup.
Bighorn Bistro & Bar
Sophisticated yet casual, Bighorn Bistro & Bar features panoramic windows with stunning views of Keystone Lake and the surrounding mountains. Located in Keystone Lodge & Spa, Bighorn Bistro's menu has included entrées such as Lobster Mac and Cheese and Tenderloin Steak Kabob and Fries, and a variety of chef-created sandwiches, including Black N' Blue Colorado Buffalo Burger (with blue cheese and Cajun spices), and Chicken Caprese (with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and basil pesto).
Menu items may change depending on when you’re there, but you can always count on a fantastic selection of desserts. Favorites have included Cherry Chocolate Decadence Cake and Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake.
9280’ Sake House
A favorite après-ski destination in Keystone Resort, 9280’ Sake House is situated at River Run Base in Keystone Resort, and has a huge outdoor deck for scenic views and people-watching. You can enjoy a wide range of appetizers, ramen, and rice bowls. There's something for the whole family or group of friends.
There’s also a large selection of sake, classic cocktails, and soft drinks for everyone. And with eight HD TVs inside, you can catch up on your favorite sports.
Keystone Ranch Restaurant
No list of great restaurants in Keystone is complete without including Keystone Ranch, which was given a top rating by by Zagat and honored with 4-Diamonds by AAA. Located near the resort in an authentic 1930's log-built homestead, Keystone Ranch features a gorgeous timbered dining room with a huge stone fireplace and comfortable leather chairs.
The menu features various chef creations, including hearty soups, salads, and elegant appetizers such as Tuna Tartare, Tiger Shrimp, and Crab Beignets. Depending on when you’re there, entrée items may include Beef Tenderloin, Ribeye Steak, and Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb, as well as Truffle Mac & Cheese with Gruyere.
Dishes are served with artisan sauces and butters, including Black Truffle Butter, Lobster-Citrus Butter, Bourbon Steak Sauce, and classic Béarnaise. Menu items are subject to change but typically include steaks, enticing poultry and fish creations, and satisfying veggie options.
Sleigh Ride Dinners
Any list of fun restaurants must include Keystone’s famous Sleigh Ride Dinner. While it’s not your typical restaurant, it’s nevertheless an incredible experience that you and your family will remember for the rest of your lives.
Located in town just outside the resort, Keystone’s Sleigh Ride Dinner features a one-hour trek through the spectacular snowy landscapes of Soda Creek Valley, plus a delicious dinner in a rustic log cabin, where you’ll be entertained by cowboys singing songs and telling stories.
Dinner items feature Rocky Mountain favorites such as hearty stews, grilled steak, chicken, or salmon (with additional veggie options), and warm comfort foods like apple pie and ice cream.
Ski Tip Lodge
As one of Keystone’s premier fine dining restaurants, Ski Tip Lodge provides a beautiful, historic ambience. A local landmark close to the resort, the building was originally an 1800’s stagecoach stop, and was eventually purchased by the founder of Keystone Resort. Today, Ski Tip Lodge is a bed & breakfast and features a nationally acclaimed, award-winning restaurant. The atmosphere is quietly elegant, with the rustic wooded charm of an antique lodge.
The four-course, prix fixe menu includes a choice of soup, a choice of appetizer or salad, a choice of entrée, and a choice of dessert. Past specialties have included chef-created entrées such as Tenderloin Bourguignon, Game Trio, and Jamaican Fried Chicken with Spiced Corn Waffles. Menu items are subject to change, depending on when you’re there and what the chef is featuring that night.
The desserts are decadent and include a signature Apple Strudel, a highlight of the restaurant.
Montezuma Roadhouse
Montezuma Roadhouse, located in River Run Village, is a perfect quiet dining restaurant in Keystone for your next romantic date night. Montezuma Roadhouse has an extensive steak menu, an intimate but fun atmosphere, and a great wine pairing list. Dinner fares include shareables like ahi tuna poke and the chef's dip. The main courses at this romantic restaurant in Keystone include prime dip, Thai peanut noodles, and short rib enchiladas. After dinner, indulge in one of the many delectable desserts on the menu. Montezuma Roadhouse accepts both reservations and walk-ins.
Vue Rooftop
The stunning views at Vue Rooftop, one of the best restaurants near Keystone, will take your breath away. This unique dining experience is a short drive from the resort, but offers the perfect destination for guests looking to get away from the hustle of the slopes and settle into a romantic dinner. The warm atmosphere of Vue Rooftop is thoroughly inviting, and the menu speaks for itself. Enjoy fares such as Scottish salmon and red wine braised lamb shank for your main course. Alternatively, the extensive après menu includes truffle fries and coconut-crusted shrimp. After dinner, guests are invited to sip craft cocktails on the patio and relish in the view. Like most romantic places in Keystone, reservations are required to get a table.
Sauce on the Blue
If you're looking for quiet dining restaurants in Keystone, you may not think a pizzeria would top the list. However, Sauce on The Blue chefs have made it their mission to bring old-world Italian food in a romantic atmosphere. Guests can enjoy single or shared plates of lamb sirloin, rainbow trout, and Colorado filet mignon. Cannoli's, cheesecakes, and chocolate tort await you for dessert once you've had your main course. At Sauce on The Blue, reservations are required. For the best chance of snagging a seat, make your reservations at least six days in advance.
Pho Bay 2
Located in Silverthorne, about eight miles from Keystone Resort, Pho Bay 2 is worth the drive. This popular eatery offers traditional Vietnamese cuisine — not easy to find in Colorado’s High Country — in a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.
You can choose from classics like shrimp and pork spring rolls, fried dumplings, grilled meats, and pho dishes simmering in your choice of broth. Pho selections include chicken, shrimp, beef (including filet mignon), brisket, and meatballs. There’s also a variety of fried rice dishes and noodle bowls.
If the kids want more traditional fare, they can order comfort foods like fried shrimp, chicken wings, and sweet potato fries. And to top off your meal, there’s a huge selection of refreshing boba drinks.
You'll find an abundance of great restaurants in Keystone, with something that will appeal to everyone in your family. If you're ready to plan the winter vacation trip of a lifetime, visit Keystone Resort to learn about all the great activities, restaurants, and entertainment venues that Keystone has to offer.