Telluride Trip Guide
My favorite places to stay, eat, and drink in Telluride, CO 🏔
I just finished up the most fabulous girl’s trip to Telluride, CO. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s the most charming little town in Southwest Colorado with a fantastic ski area. As foodies, we spent most of the weekend eating and drinking our way through town. I went to high school in Durango, CO, about 3.5 hours from Telluride. Randomly, it’s where I had to go to take the SAT subject tests, and they have a great ski area, so I spent a fair amount of time there growing up.
Telluride has phenomenal food and is one of my favorite places to visit so here is my Telluride food guide of some of my favorites! I’m gluten-free, so this list also goes in-depth about the gluten-friendliness of restaurants. This list is not exhaustive but a great start if you’re planning a trip!
EATS & DRINKS
📍The Butcher and the Baker $$
Coffee, baked goods, salads, and and soups!
This spot is my go-to for coffee, gluten-free pastries, and fresh, healthy lunches. There is usually a line in the mornings, but the cafe has decent seating. The menu has tons of healthy gf food and is just across-the-board delicious. It’s a go-to for me every morning
⭐️ My go-to’s: gluten-free blueberry cream cheese coffee cake, almond milk cappuccino, chicken tortilla soup. Make sure to get the side of chips!
📍The National $$$
Upscale American dinner fare with a strong Mediterranean influence. Great cocktails and bar. It can be challenging to get a res, so call ahead!
This is a great date spot or a night for a celebratory or more upscale dinner. The restaurant recently came under new management, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a James Beard Award in the future. The restaurant vibes are great, and the food is phenomenal. It's a bit pricier but not unreasonable for the quality.
⭐️ My go-to’s: Dirty gin martini, beef tartare, half of a chicken, steak, anything with their coffee ice cream for dessert!
📍Wood Ear $$
An inviting lower-level, cozy restaurant bar with an Asian fusion menu. A full cocktail bar with unique instagrammable drinks. Big portions and interesting flavor combinations.
This place is perfect for a group dinner where you’re starving after a long day of skiing and want a big bowl of ramen or fried chicken. It’s a little easier to get a res for a big group. Cocktails are amazing and it’s got the best vibes for a girl’s dinner. The sound design of the restaurant makes it easier to have conversations and hear friends (I love the National, but it can be a bit loud and overstimulating). This restaurant is fantastic for dietary sensitivities. It had tons of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options
⭐️ My go-to’s: Their banana cocktail, fried chicken rice bowl (gf), and their avocado nigiri.
📍Brown Dog Pizza $
A cozy pizza restaurant and bar in Downtown Telluride.
This place is half a sports bar and half a pizza restaurant. It’s the best place to go after a long day of skiing and grab a beer and a slice. They have pretty much a full gluten-free menu, including gluten-free beers! It can be challenging to get a table especially after 5 so try and call ahead to put your name on the list.
⭐️ My go-to’s: Chicken pesto pizza, gluten-free ricotta cheesecake, hot garlic wings
📍The Grand $$
A new bar and restaurant by the previous owners of The National.
This super classy cocktail bar is perfect for a date night and apres with the girls. The Telluride Male to Female ratio is typically really high (think 70% men), and this bar is even more so. If I were a girl and didn’t want to pay for drinks, I’d go here.
⭐️ My go-to’s: Matcha mocktail, Kale Caesar
📍There $$$
A tiny little restaurant bar near the base of Telluride Mountain. Colorado American fine dining.
You have to fight tooth and nail to get a table here. The food is phenomenal and vibes are so cozy and fun. Great place for celeb spotting.
⭐️ My go-to’s: Brussels sprouts, Tomahawk steak, Waygu Skewers
WHERE TO STAY
📍AIRBNB $$$$
The coziest spot walking distance to the base of the mountain. I can’t reccomend enough for any big group trip.
Sleeps 8, has a hot tub, set up for a group ski weekend.
Transport
📍Tellurides $$
Telluride does not have uber and the airport is about 15 minutes from downtown. It’s a good idea to schedule transportation ahead of time because it can book up quickly and become stressful last minute. This is reasonably priced and has great professional service.
📍Hertz $$
I don’t think you need to rent a car. Telluride has a shuttle (The Galloping Goose) that’s free and runs through town. If you plan to leave downtown Telluride, don’t want to deal with shuttles, or want the convenience of a car, I recommend reserving ahead of time!
Ski
📍Telluride Sports (Gear Rental) $$$
Trying to haul my skis on a travel day is one of my least favorite things to do. I am not a good enough skier for using my skis to make a difference so I prefer to rent. This place was great. I demoed a fun new pair, prices are reasonable. It’s located at the base of the gondola so you can easily rent day of. PRO-TIP: If you rent boots on your last day don’t forget to bring a little pair of flats or shoes to change into for after you drop your rentals off. The Galloping Goose is full of people in socks in this predicament.
📍Ski Passes $$$
Telluride sells day passes for $245 or they also partner with the EPIC Pass to provide access. If you plan on skiing more than 5 days for the year the EPIC Pass is typically worth it, if not I’d just buy a day pass. I recocmend a half-day on day one, if you’te coming up from sea level the elevation is brutal
Activities
📍Wellness Spa $$$
Skiing is HARD on your body; combined with the elevation, it can take a toll. We got CBD massages here and it was genuinely lifechanging. They also have an oxygen cave which is great for altitude sickness.
I hope you enjoyed and please let me know if you have any questions or want any other recommendations!