Colorado’s culinary landscape offers more than just mountain views and craft beer. Tucked between the peaks and valleys are vegetarian eateries that locals guard like treasured secrets. These plant-based havens serve up creative dishes that impress even the most dedicated meat-eaters. Ready to discover where Coloradans go when they crave exceptional vegetarian fare?
1. Bang Up To The Elephant: Caribbean Vegan Escape
Stepping through the turquoise doorway of Bang Up To The Elephant feels like teleporting straight to a Caribbean island. This Capitol Hill gem serves ‘Calypso cuisine’ – plant-based dishes bursting with tropical flavors that rarely appear elsewhere in Colorado.
The jerk-spiced plantains arrive caramelized to perfection, while their curry-filled roti wraps transport diners straight to Trinidad. The space itself defies conventional restaurant design with its corrugated metal walls, hanging plants, and whimsical lighting that creates a perpetual sunset vibe.
Owner Kevin Delk designed the space as an ‘indoor porch,’ perfect for escaping Colorado winters. Visit during their weekend brunch to try the coconut French toast – thick-cut bread soaked in coconut milk and topped with mango compote. Fun fact: the restaurant’s quirky name comes from a Victorian-era expression meaning ‘to go all out.’
2. Watercourse Foods: Denver’s Plant-Based Pioneer
Nestled in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, Watercourse Foods has been quietly revolutionizing plant-based dining since 1998. The restaurant’s cozy interior, adorned with local artwork, feels like stepping into a longtime friend’s living room.
Regulars rave about the Southern-fried cauliflower, served with house-made ranch that converts even the most dedicated carnivores. Their breakfast menu deserves special attention – the tofu scramble with green chili rivals any traditional breakfast joint in the city.
What makes Watercourse truly special is their commitment to scratch cooking. Nearly everything, from seitan to sauces, is made in-house. Come during weekday happy hour (3-6pm) when small plates are discounted, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Denver locals unwinding after work.
3. The Corner Beet: Victorian House Turned Veggie Haven
Housed in a charming Victorian building in Capitol Hill, The Corner Beet exudes homey warmth from the moment you spot its brick exterior. This all-vegetarian cafe feels more like an artist’s living room than a restaurant, with mismatched furniture and local artwork covering nearly every wall space.
Their signature house-made beet spread – a vibrant purple concoction that’s both earthy and sweet – transforms simple toast into a memorable meal. Morning visitors flock for their cold-pressed juices, particularly the ‘Liquid Gold’ with turmeric, carrot, and ginger that locals swear cures everything from hangovers to the common cold.
The cafe becomes a community hub during weekend afternoons. Laptops close as friends gather over Buddha bowls topped with perfectly crispy tofu and house-made tahini dressing. The tiny kitchen somehow produces consistently outstanding food without pretense or fuss.
4. Fellow Traveler: Englewood’s Vegan Hidden Gem
‘We almost don’t want to tell people about this place,’ confides a regular at Fellow Traveler, a tiny vegan eatery tucked into an unassuming Englewood strip mall. Behind its modest storefront lies a culinary wonderland where plant-based ingredients transform into extraordinary creations.
The Nashville hot ‘chicken’ sandwich – made with oyster mushrooms that somehow perfectly mimic the texture of fried chicken – has developed a cult following. Savvy visitors know to order the secret menu item: loaded falafel fries topped with house-made cashew tzatziki and harissa oil.
Owners Sam and Tess opened Fellow Traveler after years of pop-up success, bringing their globally-inspired recipes to this permanent location. The intimate dining room holds just seven tables, making weekend reservations essential. Their philosophy: ‘We’re all fellow travelers on this planet, so let’s eat like it matters.’
5. Burrowing Owl: Colorado Springs’ Woodsy-Chic Eatery
Hidden on a side street in Colorado Springs’ west side, Burrowing Owl looks more like a mountain cabin than a restaurant. Rough-hewn wooden tables, taxidermy (all vintage, none commissioned), and soft amber lighting create an atmosphere that’s simultaneously rugged and refined.
This all-vegan establishment specializes in elevated bar food that pairs perfectly with their impressive craft beer selection. The buffalo cauliflower ‘wings’ arrive with house-fermented blue cheese dressing that mystifies diners with its spot-on flavor profile. A hand-written chalkboard features rotating specials, often featuring seasonal mushrooms foraged by the owners themselves.
The restaurant’s quirky charm extends to their bathroom, where a vintage record player spins classic country tunes. Local musicians often perform in the corner by the woodstove on Wednesday evenings. Arrive before 6pm or prepare for a wait – this 30-seat establishment doesn’t take reservations.
6. The Joint: Colorado Springs’ Creative Vegan Comfort Food
Behind an unmarked door in downtown Colorado Springs lies The Joint, a vegan eatery that feels like discovering a secret supper club. The minimalist space – concrete floors, exposed ductwork, and plants cascading from ceiling-mounted pots – provides the perfect backdrop for their show-stopping food.
Their mushroom birria tacos have achieved legendary status among locals. The rich, complex broth takes three days to develop its depth of flavor, and each taco comes with a side of consommé for dipping. The menu changes monthly based on seasonal ingredients, but the loaded potato nachos – crispy potato slices topped with cashew queso, black beans, and pickled jalapeños – remain a constant by popular demand.
Owners Raven and Miguel met in culinary school and bonded over their shared mission to create vegan food that satisfies profound cravings. Their chef’s counter seats are the most coveted spots, where you can watch the culinary magic happen while chatting with the creators themselves.
7. Piante Pizzeria: Breckenridge’s Vegan Pizza Revolution
Tucked inside a small mountain mall in Breckenridge, Piante Pizzeria is easy to miss unless you’re in the know. This family-owned establishment houses a massive wood-fired oven imported from Italy that produces thin, blistered crusts that would make Neapolitan pizza masters proud – all while being 100% plant-based.
The ‘Mountain Mushroom’ pizza showcases foraged fungi from the surrounding forests, topped with house-made cashew ricotta and truffle oil. Their ‘Bianca’ pie features caramelized onions, thinly sliced potatoes, and rosemary – a combination that’s converted countless skeptics to vegan pizza.
After a day on the slopes, locals crowd around the handful of tables, warming up with glasses of organic wine. The owners’ children often help serve food and charm guests. Call ahead during ski season – with just 24 seats, this tiny pizzeria fills quickly, especially on powder days when hungry skiers descend from the mountain.
8. Gladys Restaurant: Edgewater’s Market Hall Treasure
At first glance, Gladys appears to be just another counter in Edgewater Public Market’s bustling food hall. Look closer and you’ll discover Colorado’s most innovative seasonal vegan cuisine hiding in plain sight. The compact open kitchen produces dishes that change weekly based on what’s available from local farms.
Their mushroom gnocchi – pillowy potato dumplings tossed with foraged mushrooms and cashew cream sauce – sells out nightly. The Impossible Reuben has achieved cult status with its house-fermented sauerkraut and Russian dressing that somehow perfectly mimics the classic deli sandwich.
Chef Dana, a Colorado native who trained in California, returned home to create plant-based food that celebrates Rocky Mountain ingredients. The restaurant is named after her grandmother, whose black-and-white photo watches over the counter. For the full experience, grab a seat at the chef’s counter where Dana shares stories about ingredient sourcing while assembling your meal with tweezers and artistic precision.
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