Cripple Creek Restaurants

Dining in Cripple Creek

With Cripple Creek located a fair bit from larger towns and cities in the Pikes Peak region, it’s good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the local restaurants before you head up the mountain. Fortunately for visitors, Cripple Creek’s dining options are growing every year. With events like the Ice Festival and Ice Castles in the winter and Donkey Derby Days, rodeos and celebrations in the spring, summer and fall, this tiny town has had to grow to greet all the new visitors who are just discovering this Southern Colorado gem. Even better, it makes a great stopping point for travelers heading along the Gold Belt Scenic Byway, exploring the Florissant Fossil Beds or spending a day in Mueller State Park. Let’s take a look at some local eateries for your next Cripple Creek adventure. We’ve picked a couple for every price point!

Note: Many of these restaurants are located in, or attached to, gaming establishments with age restrictions. However, the restaurants themselves welcome guests of all ages and encourage everyone to stop in and dine between their family-friendly adventures all over town.

Quick & Casual Dining in Cripple Creek

Gold Camp Cafe

333 E. Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO

Featuring a made-from-scratch breakfast and tasty coffee, the Gold Camp Cafe is a popular, standalone restaurant located beside City Hall and the fire station in the heart of town. It’s popular year-round, with a cute, clean decor, classic American fare and a friendly staff. The vibe is casual, with easy ordering at the counter and indoor and outdoor seating. The hours are limited to breakfast and lunch, with a 3 p.m. closing time — keep that in mind while you’re roaming around town. This is a great spot to stop for coffee on leaf peeping tours or for an early lunch after a visit to Rita Rock Planter.

Guests report enjoying the coffee, breakfast burritos and paninis.

Fan Favorites at Gold Camp Cafe:

• Chicken Pesto Panini
• Mediterranean Greens and Goods Salad
• Cuban
• Lattes
• Baked goods

Pioneer Pizza

427 W Carr Ave.

Fast food isn’t easy to find in Cripple Creek. In fact, Pioneer Pizza boasts the town’s only drive-thru option! Get fresh take-and-bake pizzas and subs made to order daily. The shop uses fresh ingredients, cheese, sauce and crust to create any pizza your heart desires (and that will bake properly). Pioneer Pizza does not offer in-house seating, but they do offer extremely fast service. If you’ve rented a cabin in town, or you want a fresh and easy dinner you don’t have to prepare yourself, you should definitely make their adorable pizza cabin your last stop on the road home. Need suggestions? Reviewers rave about the meats on the Scooby Doo sub, and also recommend the Pioneer pizza — sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and black olives. Check out these other highlights!

Top Eats on the Pioneer Pizza Menu:

• Pizza Sub
• Hawaiian
• Philly Cheese Pizza
• Chicken Delite Pizza

The Tipsy Pig BBQ Food Truck

This food truck’s hot and ready barbecue has made its way deep into the Rockies from the southerly state of Texas and they have brought the full flavor of that distinctive Texas style right along with them. Look for top smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork, as well as everyone’s favorite side, mac and cheese. It’s smoked! Follow the Tipsy Pig on Facebook to get their times and locations. Local’s tip: You can always catch this food truck at the biggest special events in Cripple Creek. If you’re up in the area for the Veteran’s Ride, Cruise Above the Clouds or one of the local festivals, you’ll likely find them serving up the goods.

More Tipsy Pig Favorites:

• Smoked Creamed Corn
• Tipsy Bowls
• Ribs
• Sausage Wraps

Sit-Down Restaurants in Cripple Creek

Relaxed and Family-Friendly: The District Kitchen and Saloon

367 East Bennett Ave.

Enjoy friendly fare in the heart of Cripple Creek when you pay a visit to the District Kitchen and Saloon. This newer local restaurant offers ample seasonal outdoor seating, a pub menu packed with scratch-made cooking and a collection of burgers that will absolutely satiate your hunger after a long day in the mountains. In addition to stacked handhelds, hot wings and towering plates of nachos, the District also has ancient grain bowls and huge salads. Did we also mention they have multiple types of mac and cheese? If that menu has you stoked for a visit, be sure to plan ahead because this place gets busy!

Favorites at the District

• Smoked Brisket Mac
• Steak Grain Bowl
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Loaded Tots
• Giant Jalapeño Pepper Jack Stuffed Pretzel

Classic & Cozy: Maggie’s

300 E Bennett Ave.

Maggie’s has been a staple in the town of Cripple Creek years, offering hearty classics like burgers, chicken fried steak and pot roast to hungry guests visiting the Pikes Peak region. While the restaurant is technically connected to a local casino, it has an outside entrance along the street and a cozy, old-fashioned atmosphere that fits the local vibe perfectly. The staff is friendly and the comfort food will definitely help restore any lost calories, be they from hiking, petting donkeys or enjoying the gorgeous Colorado scenery.

Maggie’s Best:

• Smothered Green Chili Burger
• All-Day Breakfast
• Patty Melt
• Roast Beef Au Jus

Upscale Dining: 980 Prime

201 E Bennett Ave.

980 Prime is an upscale-casual steakhouse located in the sparkling new Chamonix Casino along the main avenue in Cripple Creek. It boasts the touch of renowned chef Barry S. Dakake, who is known for the popular Las Vegas N9NE Steakhouse. If you’re looking for an elevated date night with a lot of class (and red meat), you owe it to yourself to at least take a peek at the menu. You’ll have to drive at least an hour to Colorado Springs to find anything even close to as nice for your special evening. Steaks at 980 prime are pricey — but they can also tell you the exact ranch where the animal was raised.

Top Selections at 980 Prime:

• Joël Robuchon Potato Purée
• Colorado Lamb Chops
• Chilled Shellfish Platter
• Colorado Bison Filet