The Fairplay Restaurant Guide I'd Send a Friend!

If you’ve never spent much time in Fairplay, it would be easy to assume the restaurant scene is pretty limited. It is a small mountain town, after all. But honestly, Fairplay has more going on than people expect, and the food scene is part of that.

There’s definitely been some restaurant turnover over the last couple of years, but when we were in town this past weekend, Fairplay felt busy in the best way. Restaurants were full, patios were bustling, and it just felt like the town had a lot of life to it. So if you’re staying at D|B Dens and wondering where to eat between hikes, hot tub time, and mountain drives, here’s where I’d send you. Oh and don’t miss a little July special at the end! 💸🍕😋

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Mr. Burro Cafe

If you only try one breakfast or lunch spot in Fairplay, make it Mr. Burro Cafe.

I’ve been coming here ever since D|B Dens first opened, and it has always been one of my favorite places in town. If you’ve been to Fairplay before, you may remember their former location. Sadly, that building was lost in a fire this past spring, which was just heartbreaking. But the good news is they’ve reopened right on Front Street in a great new space, and I’m so happy for them.

We went this past weekend and the place was absolutely bustling. The service has always been so warm and friendly, and the new location has a great outdoor seating area in the back with beautiful views toward Fairplay Beach. It’s mainly breakfast and lunch, and it’s one of those places I’ll keep recommending over and over again.

Otto’s

Otto’s is another must for me.

It’s a small little spot, but the food is consistently delicious and it’s perfect for breakfast or lunch. My personal recommendation is the chicken sandwich. It’s so good. This is one of those easy places to stop on your way into town or on your way out, and it’s always worth it.

Soup Pot

And I cannot leave out Soup Pot, because every single time I go there I’m happy I did.

If you love homemade, cozy comfort food, this one is such a good stop. The soups are amazing, the homemade bread is incredible, and the cookies are worth grabbing too. It’s located in the grocery store/Ace Hardware parking lot, and while it may not scream “must-visit restaurant” from the outside, trust me on this one. It’s so good.

Casa Sanchez

If you’re craving Mexican food after a day outside, Casa Sanchez is a great option.

We ate there this past weekend and really enjoyed it. The fajitas were delicious, the margarita hit the spot, and the chips were excellent. One thing to know: the portions are huge, so this is one of those places where sharing is definitely not a bad idea.

Colorado Cantina

One of the newer spots in Fairplay is Colorado Cantina, which took over the former Salado space right on Front Street.

I haven’t eaten there yet, but the menu looks great, the reviews have been strong, and it seems like such a fun addition to town. It’s definitely on my list for our next trip.

Park Bar

Sometimes you don’t need anything fancy. You just want a burger, a beer, and a laid-back mountain town vibe. That’s where Park Bar comes in.

It’s your classic casual bar-and-grill type spot and a great go-to after a day outside when you just want something easy.

Platte River Saloon

Right next to Park Bar is Platte River Saloon, and it’s another good casual option in town.

It has a funky, fun interior, TVs for sports, really great service, and some outdoor seating too. If you want a laid-back dinner spot or somewhere easy to grab a drink, it’s a good one to keep in mind.

J.R.’s Pizza Place

One of the most exciting newer additions to Fairplay, in my opinion, is J.R.’s Pizza Place.

Fairplay has really been lacking a pizza restaurant for years, so I was genuinely thrilled to hear one had opened. It’s located next to the grocery store and Ace Hardware in the big space that used to be a brewery, and when I peeked inside this past weekend, it looked awesome.

I’ve heard really good things, and it feels like such a welcome addition to town, especially for families, casual group dinners, or those nights when pizza back at the cabin just sounds perfect.

Outpost Cafe at the Hand Hotel

Another newer spot I’m excited about is Outpost Cafe, located inside the Hand Hotel right on Front Street.

I haven’t eaten here yet, but I popped my head in while we were in town this past weekend and the vibe was very cute. It sounds like they serve breakfast and lunch, and I noticed they had very affordable mimosas on the menu, which definitely caught my attention. 🍊🍾

Dusty Boot in Alma

If you don’t mind a quick drive over to Alma, Dusty Boot is worth mentioning too.

This spot recently changed ownership, and I’ve been hearing really good things. It’s apparently the highest-elevation restaurant in North America, which is kind of a fun little claim to fame. We used to love going to this location when it was the old saloon, so I’m excited to try Dusty Boot under the new concept.

If you’re heading toward Breckenridge, or just want to venture a little beyond Fairplay for a meal, this is a good one to have on your list.

Mavericks Mountain BBQ

And last but not least, there’s Mavericks Mountain BBQ, a newer barbecue food truck in the area.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m always happy to see more food options popping up in and around Fairplay, especially ones that add something a little different to the mix.

Final thoughts

Fairplay may be small, but I really do think its food scene has gotten more fun over the past couple of years. There are still a handful of long-time favorites we return to again and again, but it’s also exciting to see new restaurants opening and the town feeling a little more lively each time we visit.

So if you’re planning a stay at D|B Dens, save this list for your trip. Whether you want a cozy breakfast, soup and homemade bread on a chilly day, fajitas and margaritas after a day outside, or pizza back at the cabin after the hot tub, Fairplay has more good options than you might expect.

We can’t wait to host you!

💜 Brooke