Estes is an interesting town with a few great restaurants. Here are my recommendations. I know there are only 4 on the list of food. Estes can be sparingly hard to find amazing food because it is a huge tourist town and they don’t necessarily need to draw in people – customers are a plenty.
I’d also ask locals as the town is changing quickly and there are places we haven’t been yet. The list of non-food places is much larger as we are more about the experience. A lot of the other places mentioned below in other categories have food as well (like the Stanley Hotel, Ember, Craig’s lodge, etc). We just don’t go there for the food, but it is good in those spots too.
Definitely drive up to the Visitor’s center at the top of Trail Ridge Road (if it is open – we are already getting snow).
Food
1) Bird & Jim and The Bird's Next. Laid back, Colorado feeling spot with great food:
https://www.birdfamilyrestaurants.com/bird-jim
2) Ed’s Cantina. Great Mexican food and margaritas with a laid back and fun atmosphere. Their back patio sits right next to the river.
https://www.edscantina.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ed's+Cantina+%26+Grill/@40.3775206,-105.5178747,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhDnN8twADoWDjTMTw-vy6TO!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9QaNJwrftNIXkO75hc4jcEa3CVT_J-69VaIQuPUyXOjDFWKV-GjIpktGJfnAMDHWCMa3K8KIRcRLkHquN1S2oUjcI49pEH1d0WXzaOHcGP5JwfscSYclaSePyeFj0wDCyiHEut98K5s3q0%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i5712!8i4284!4m10!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m6!1s0x876965ee0e9ce11f:0xfca53a9b854595c5!8m2!3d40.37734!4d-105.5177876!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1vyn4bmy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
3) Elevations Eatery and Bar. Great spot with great food and drinks. Has a classy, upscale, but laid back vibe.
https://elevationseatery.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Elevations+Eatery+and+Bar/@40.3764266,-105.5224129,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhD6fM1wVrfbUowmAo75qMu-!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9QbwbL73l1r7pzQZsSAf2eqnYp2aLuKorJi8vY5BQUmBsl4usip3HUvB377iHPHaDiBC_koZRgyLHAe3cRZF1KAAWoPPHG8BEsYQWvF7XL8vY3-MicADbaXE9v2XLFb7NYdFvEi3ehKNseU%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i5712!8i4284!4m11!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m7!1s0x876965bd64257873:0x63bcc270548bdcb5!8m2!3d40.3766262!4d-105.5224531!10e5!15sCgtSZXN0YXVyYW50c1oNIgtyZXN0YXVyYW50c5IBCnJlc3RhdXJhbnSaAURDaTlEUVVsUlFVTnZaRU5vZEhsalJqbHZUMnBXZVdOcVVtaGhSVTEzVFRGYU5sRnNiRk5STTA0elZURmtVMkpyUlJBQuABAPoBBAgzEDE!16s%2Fg%2F11t2968py8?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
4) Clair’s mentioned below for breakfast also as amazing food all day.
With that said, we have tried to get into Mama Roses, but have never been able to due to the wait. Estes is a tourist town, so that might just mean it was marketed well. We’ve also never been to Park Tavern or Hunter’s Chophouse.
For Breakfast
1) Clair’s is hard to beat! Great food with a great ambiance. Hard to get into sometimes.
https://clairesrestaurantandbar.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Claire's+Restaurant+and+Bar/@40.3776488,-105.5214098,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhBgvzPpLH42zbvFfjPiSYu4!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9QXTrP0KsQexHf3N9jClwF5lCLzJcb7rYaV1DylzeI1GUf1QAVlwZqPgxhQ87H2DcONReOlz2Paj3UI_zYbcQgwSQnoJv6jRjMwLlrRfz7ZGPjJXOI4PiOXIWKHEwiQQE1R2Ghp8-Z9Cm0_%3Dw203-h114-k-no!7i8160!8i4590!4m11!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m7!1s0x876965ed7c2176db:0xa751393a27b19a52!8m2!3d40.3776488!4d-105.5214098!10e5!15sCgtSZXN0YXVyYW50c1oNIgtyZXN0YXVyYW50c5IBE2FtZXJpY2FuX3Jlc3RhdXJhbnSaAURDaTlEUVVsUlFVTnZaRU5vZEhsalJqbHZUMnh3VjFsc1VuTlpiRTVxVWxSU1RsbDZRa05WYlVWMFdESmFiVlZyUlJBQuABAPoBBAgAEEY!16s%2Fg%2F1tgwn5cj?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
2) Riverwalk Café. Great food with a back patio that is sorta on the river.
https://riverwalkestes.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/River+Walk+Caf%C3%A9/@40.3755536,-105.52339,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhD2tI1fpImByTjA7BQ9Iiiy!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9S-sLz3E3zxlLuYxW-DsbEmJ2BmZfvFbpaVSRp6nnNztfPlTaGMCC8lly9Ct9jlSxDA72KnXI7RMG3A8qSZAtaDpO2YQQckYXgMtJ7mxsFCMrynhRHQ2B1T08mbYr-I6gCsOQ5QtiEpPbI%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m11!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m7!1s0x876965058475f80f:0xf2e459127bdda087!8m2!3d40.3755536!4d-105.52339!10e5!15sCgtSZXN0YXVyYW50c1oNIgtyZXN0YXVyYW50c5IBBGNhZmWaAURDaTlEUVVsUlFVTnZaRU5vZEhsalJqbHZUMjFKZEdGWFVUUk9hbXhEWTFWdmVtSnViek5YVmtaeldYcFNUMWR1WXhBQuABAPoBBAhGED8!16s%2Fg%2F11s1fs9kz4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
3) Kind Coffee. Not a ton of food selections, but what they have is great. Good coffee with a back walkway that is truly right on the river.
https://www.kindcoffee.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kind+Coffee/@40.3773647,-105.5173647,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhCUEDuDEXLNa5zLjfJp2319!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9TzgxCn1fsFnnkuqW3RI2uHQizwFWBpBqpiprGW0zNeWEqIzFvkcdObDG7LB1qDoQiuzz0dwEBTTSiO7AeKx0lGnq5ftOBSwlJ1IuF3fDJHJX7aOs1mPCLsXJokKK32ZuOZGYYXzrKJzs8p%3Dw203-h158-k-no!7i1812!8i1414!4m10!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m6!1s0x876965ede2090065:0x135e042b72afec8e!8m2!3d40.377267!4d-105.517198!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1w2yvcjs?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Bar / Brewery / Winery
1) The Wheel Bar. This place has been open since 1945 and had not been closed a single day until Covid. The food is bar food, but the historic ambiance is worth a drink. Sit at the front bar near the street.
http://www.thewheelbar.com/menu.html
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wheel+Bar/@40.3761902,-105.5225798,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB64d9QbE9tYi5AV_aidobV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9S03Z52ZqIKSGPz0h7IMEsofoYFkVkykgPnj0WMlNHecVoJ30hIZTjWG4YRvpoK4FvGGFRvhd1OYLRPvmNIpdhwktVHn2WST6z5JYLkd2pMV-Fw7l8-yg-ivK3Qk0loWy7wFhDz7eRfKSEH%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m18!1m9!2m8!1sBars!3m5!2sLonigans!3s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!4m2!1d-105.5240185!2d40.3760021!6e5!3m7!1s0x876965ed3fa45aeb:0x64ff00c3ce3b9a53!8m2!3d40.3761902!4d-105.5225798!10e5!15sCgRCYXJzWgYiBGJhcnOSAQxjb2NrdGFpbF9iYXKaASNDaFpEU1VoTk1HOW5TMFZKUTBGblNVUkVMVTlIZEZaM0VBReABAPoBBAhgEDc!16s%2Fg%2F1tsr3psy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
2) Rock Cut Brewing. They have my fav beer (although I am admittedly not a huge beer guy). It is a cool little spot for a quick taster.
https://www.rockcutbrewing.com
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rock+Cut+Brewing+Company/@40.372356,-105.5227881,308m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x876965eb446dccfb:0x3ae609ae1399fd6d!8m2!3d40.3718066!4d-105.5229838!16s%2Fg%2F11c3pcsy00?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
3) Snowy Peaks Winery. Interesting little winery with decent wine and a small-batch feel. It is the only winery in Estes.
https://snowypeakswinery.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Snowy+Peaks+Winery/@40.3731997,-105.5234098,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICsurWWOg!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgrass-cs%2FAABkmLf-LvPJxefBlVZxa2MZnbxxmUV6c-fM2K0GHhh9VJcrfxlcksAA_2zbLKdQm7zcEdqsesdpEWHKbGtQSOjZlIOAmG94gHHCkJ0aKcYJvuyalw4KbPzpP4zXZUTk3kGiEdNou3u3%3Dw176-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i1960!4m17!1m9!2m8!1sBars!3m5!2sLonigans!3s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!4m2!1d-105.5240185!2d40.3760021!6e5!3m6!1s0x876965ecb1ab5993:0x16922d51314d4f78!8m2!3d40.3732241!4d-105.5233676!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1tfk4x_0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
4) The Barrel and Full Throttle Distillery. Great ambiance Although they aren't the same company, these sit right next to each other and are easier to just lump in the same spot. Both are pretty cool. They typically have live music. Fun vibes and good spirits.
https://thebarrel.beer/
https://fullthrottledistillery.com/estes-park/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/THE+BARREL/@40.374061,-105.5238581,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgID2jr2LaQ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9QkwA4ISQJBRg9JD4HB2DfuOfRQvK3l7mkgTJaC6IjB1_z7c2QJ0XtSXvh2xBNRSDvDP35AMzqdireLWtidvgtcvfKKlri0Hwb-MsW0VJr-YO8uSU0kkLPfnaY9BA49uq-l12Q%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m18!1m9!2m8!1sBars!3m5!2sLonigans!3s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!4m2!1d-105.5240185!2d40.3760021!6e5!3m7!1s0x876965ed38f8f821:0x1aecd3d714e9400c!8m2!3d40.374061!4d-105.5238581!10e5!15sCgRCYXJzWgYiBGJhcnOSAQtiZWVyX2dhcmRlbpoBI0NoWkRTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VSdWRsbG1lV0pCRUFF4AEA-gEECGsQPw!16s%2Fg%2F11cksfl85h?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
5) Lonigans. Fun Irish Pub with good drinks and a great vibe..
https://www.lonigans.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lonigans/@40.3759333,-105.5240479,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICR5MXuRA!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgrass-cs%2FAABkmLf23Pb3YXcQWIJKxZJ0LSEHhUDgBleOzo-JkiFM2G9Yqso7IHmWvHjBTKz2Fcetpd6y9QXZgblGQzBpE3GdGk_xdO1Uf4wVAaSk0orWqdk9iikfdbL2ZJdX-R2WaCco7QO1TI5v%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m15!1m7!3m6!1s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!2sLonigans!8m2!3d40.3759333!4d-105.5240479!16s%2Fg%2F1tls39yt!3m6!1s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!8m2!3d40.3759333!4d-105.5240479!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1tls39yt?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
5) Park Tavern. The basement tavern is a cool, old-time feeling bar.
https://parktavernestes.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Park+Tavern+Restaurant+%26+Bar/@40.3761871,-105.525962,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhD1sPl14w6mhcM7G059D6dU!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9Tfh31UyVn5DNXlBH4JYTlDxCx76Ii3-7Xlpxb2jOukQ6C_Yube1SrtpQedxihMrAcfI7eswcAO-mqNNu27As5P7_B4Yh707Nup2Hg-s_1ErAxLS1jhCwlWEtxtCHJaSna953VF-eu1a-zo%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m17!1m8!2m7!1sBars!3m5!2sLonigans!3s0x87696592cb3e2705:0xac01580737ee3d1!4m2!1d-105.5240185!2d40.3760021!3m7!1s0x876965b13941f781:0xe4820e57f5cbc058!8m2!3d40.3763003!4d-105.5259649!10e5!15sCgRCYXJzWgYiBGJhcnOSARNhbWVyaWNhbl9yZXN0YXVyYW50mgFEQ2k5RFFVbFJRVU52WkVOb2RIbGpSamx2VDJ4dmVFNHdTWHBPYlRsdVdrZEdhMXBIV2pWVWJIQndaRVpvTVZKclJSQULgAQD6AQQIIhBC!16s%2Fg%2F11xh4syw2b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Places for the View or an Experience
1) Historic Crags Lodge. Probably the best view in Estes sitting high above the town. Worth the easy drive and view even if you don't do anything but walk in and check it out. Drinks and good. Food is decent.
https://cragslodge.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Historic+Crags+Lodge/@40.3701145,-105.5235382,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgIDThPLNHg!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9SQOmx7sEeIKqmaBh6QpPsnFZcdX4zsZVtg08tKTqv1Kq65r1s9GiSYFM62fxBqQKlgJfhIRkGJ2VsonoGKs8pjXL8huZMbQiUb7MthHre5IZsBiQL2P-2FDOQyZeDqkzlA_EKR%3Dw203-h235-k-no!7i1842!8i2140!4m14!1m2!2m1!1sHotels!3m10!1s0x876965eb280c4767:0xb0ca8a7efdd9d644!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d40.3701145!4d-105.5235382!10e5!15sCgZIb3RlbHOSAQxyZXNvcnRfaG90ZWyqAToQASoKIgZob3RlbHMoADIeEAEiGop7IsRlUOdawyEcRgFmHULpw9a2Y2wsrtqgMgoQAiIGaG90ZWxz4AEA!16s%2Fg%2F11b62yc7j_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
2) Club House Fairway Tavern. This is on the golf course and isn't the greatest food, but this time of year should be great Elk watching. Stop in and check it out and if there are not Elk, maybe have one drink.
https://clubhouseestes.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Club+House+Fairway+Tavern/@40.3622393,-105.4990832,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhCOMfGTpyG01Shl8sXbpASp!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9SVNu80SLMOt-cM__ivbZ1KMWWt5mWI7JlmGjKsz-bu3LRXRR53dDYg8j3NFR0hlAcFQcpUq0rP8KcHutpJK2l61J8bze17sDqTn_oYy6JlUNE6PHGopAPF_8CpcagGOtccso4BPPcq0AmA%3Dw203-h439-k-no!7i1848!8i4000!4m15!1m7!3m6!1s0x876967a55aa5e1cb:0x1a8a1267520e32a6!2sClub+House+Fairway+Tavern!8m2!3d40.3622393!4d-105.4990832!16s%2Fg%2F11z6nmxmyy!3m6!1s0x876967a55aa5e1cb:0x1a8a1267520e32a6!8m2!3d40.3622393!4d-105.4990832!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F11z6nmxmyy?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
3) The Stanley Hotel. Room 217 is where King wrote The Shining. Very majestic historic hotel worth walking around in. Check out the basement for all things Shining related. The wine bar and the whiskey bar are both very cool spots. The Whiskey Bar at Cascades (the name of the bar in the Stanley) is my favorite bar in Estes.
https://www.stanleyhotel.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Whiskey+Bar+At+The+Cascades+Restaurant/@40.3829164,-105.5195457,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgICHmPmlUQ!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9RIG9TsYIcr8jFs9SqpZHghIvX64jZaWLIKi39JsSqo17AmwvILHpFtxYVhT7GAemPpDT-AhnF3TQNh16YI2WIXQyfAHWC49Nr1d3TDtuTInOra9AbO7asRpSkTfAa7z6m40XQz%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m7!3m6!1s0x876965f3ffd1f029:0x27861c798ce4ef51!8m2!3d40.3829164!4d-105.5195457!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F11fz9x3049?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
4) Ember Restaurant and Bar. This is a cool lodge-feeling spot sitting right on Lake Estes. It has a great ambiance and an amazing view of the lake and the Indian Peaks (Rocky Mtn National Park), The food is actually pretty good as are the drinks.
https://emberestespark.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ember+Restaurant+%26+Bar/@40.3780265,-105.4938165,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhDcirmmuvWP4Xj6QyoG2HY3!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9SjhdLLesyZ0pEVQa0qOjCI8NUuMiWOcIPIgQ4fTisLRmQd7e4NjWE8z2L3IMuXos1uAcV1ahCjpb3MyAy5jeHimGg4JWIs4uV3nLxf-1oO2vnNtJnx6BMhbGm-CAMU-McAv39NJ4pn7aYu%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4080!8i3064!4m7!3m6!1s0x876967900c67a1df:0x6e4c949aa29033ec!8m2!3d40.378013!4d-105.4934459!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F11vy45yps9?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
5) SOLE Rooftop Cantina. Go for the view and the interesting walk up to it. Has a view looking East over the east part of town.
https://www.soleestespark.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/SOLE+Rooftop+Cantina+%26+Tequila+Bar/@40.3777065,-105.522014,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhBY7uJeHm20lcngBbzAeQCG!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FANWiy9TYJmCt_eU9BtNK0MFiVdMzHDufZZkOlIeY5C3nN36dHUONKwNU4xdVnQnrJskAsfKk1KQM1MI28sTDhcnPUW6fDLBunX9c64q74SG36l1FIHe70yDnmJEPwuZkJUNV_9JTrO25rc2nOvgp%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m11!1m2!2m1!1sRestaurants!3m7!1s0x876965511c1f26c3:0xaa68c4d08537424!8m2!3d40.3773686!4d-105.5222204!10e5!15sCgtSZXN0YXVyYW50c1oNIgtyZXN0YXVyYW50c5IBCnJlc3RhdXJhbnSaAURDaTlEUVVsUlFVTnZaRU5vZEhsalJqbHZUMnhhY0ZJd1pIUmFSa1pzVkZaV1YyUkZSbkppTTBwU1ZtNVJkMlF3UlJBQuABAPoBBAgAEDg!16s%2Fg%2F11z48n35w2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D