We have stopped to eat in Woodland Park many times. It is the perfect place to grab breakfast before an adventure in the mountains or lunch or dinner before heading back to Colorado Springs. As the city has grown, so have the restaurant selections. Find a delicious and filling breakfast, a quick lunch, or an elegant dinner. There are many good places to eat, and here are 10 great ones.
Hungry Bear Restaurant
A go-to breakfast and lunch restaurant for both locals and tourists, The Hungry Bear Restaurant is famous for its large portions serving and many delicious breakfast meals.
The Hungry Bear Restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch and breakfast is their specialty. The parking lot always looks full on the weekends and no one goes away hungry due to the large portions. All pancake batters and biscuits are made from scratch. The breakfast menu includes crepes, fluffy pancakes with a variety of mix-ins and toppings, omelets, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches, eggs, breakfast burritos, oatmeal, and much more.
The lunch menu includes burgers, salads, soup, and sandwiches. The breakfast menu is served all day and the lunch menu is available starting at 11 a.m. If you want to full your belly before a big hike, this is the place to do it. The Hungry Bear Restaurant is located downtown.
Joanie’s Bakery and Delicatessen
Joanie’s Bakery and Delicatessen is another go-to restaurant of locals and tourists for breakfast and lunch. It is a popular choice because it is surrounded by several attractions in Woodland Park.
Joanie’s Bakery and Delicatessen is another stop for breakfast or lunch only. Joanie’s is best known for their hot sandwiches and the chicken pesto melt, Reuben, and turkey melt are their most popular selections. There are also deli sandwiches that are made with meat and cheeses from boar’s head and fresh bread as well as soup and salads.
Breakfast offerings include hot breakfast burritos, bagel platters, huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, and much more. If you are looking for a quick stop, pop in for a coffee and fresh-baked goods. Try a sweet or savory croissant, chocolate brownie, or fresh-baked cookie. The prices here are reasonable and there is free Wi-Fi if you are looking for a place to relax and get some work done. With an excellent downtown location, Joanie’s is close to many attractions.
Fusion Japan
If you happen to crave for fresh sushi in Colorado, you can find the Fusion Japan in the strip mall on the north end of downtown Woodland Park.
You would not expect to find fresh and delicious sushi in a Colorado mountain town, but Fusion Japan has it. In addition to the sushi, the menu has a wide section of Asian favorites, such as Panang curry, hibachi steak, crispy duck, and much more. The plating is beautiful and it is evident that Fusion Japan takes pride in its dishes.
The staff is knowledgeable and accommodating. They are ready to answer questions, make recommendations, and welcome groups. Dine-in or call in an order to take home or to wherever you are staying. Fusion Japan is located in the strip mall with City Market on the north end of downtown.
Swiss Chalet Restaurant
The Swiss Chalet Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in town, serving lunch and dinner to both locals and tourists since 1962.
Swiss Chalet Restaurant looks like, well, a Swiss Chalet. It is a cute building to drive up to. It is a great place to come to for a special occasion or just a nice meal out. Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner. Swiss Chalet has been in Woodland Park since 1962 and is a go-to restaurant for many locals. The prices are not cheap, but know that you will be getting a high-quality meal.
The lunch menu includes such dishes as a Reuben on rye, blackened trout salad, the burger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms, and jaeger schnitzel with spaetzle. Start your dinner with an appetizer such as Swiss cheese fondue, Norwegian smoked salmon, or escargot Bourgogne. Entrees include Cornish game hen, veal Zurich with spaetzle, chicken cordon bleu, and filet mignon with bearnaise. Swiss Chalet is located on Highway 24 right when you are entering Woodland Park if coming from Colorado Springs.
The Southern Lilly
The Southern Lilly restaurant serves lunch and dinner to the locals and tourists. It is on the northern end of downtown Woodland Park.
Find Southern Comfort food at The Southern Lilly, which is locally owned and operated. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu reflects a love of Southern food as well as a desire to use fresh locally sourced produce and meat. There are daily specials and dishes can be customized to your tastes and dietary needs. Sit on the patio while enjoying the mountain view, or choose to sit inside the elegantly decorated dining room.
Take out and catering are both available. The menu includes selections such as fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, fresh salads, elk chili, bison burgers, fried chicken, fried catfish, pot roast, pork chops, and much more. Choose your protein and a side such as fried okra, broccoli rice casserole, mac, and cheese, or a side salad. The Southern Lilly is located near the strip mall that includes City Market on the northern end of downtown Woodland Park
Cafe Leo
Cafe Leo is a very popular coffee shop that is beloved by both locals and tourists. They also serve breakfast and lunch alongside their specialty.
Cafe Leo is much more than a beloved coffee shop. There are also tasty selections for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. There are also many special events that happen there such as game nights, art openings, even latte art competitions.
Be ready to have a tough decision when ordering your drink. There are so many options such as chai tea lattes, a bottomless cup of coffee, pumpkin spice lattes, chocolate orange lattes, cappuccino, Italian sodas, and much more.
The food menu is fairly limited but tasty. There are bagel sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and many delicious muffins, Norwegian sweets, and other baked goods. Sit inside, out on the patio and enjoy the views of Pikes Peak, or simply grab a coffee before heading into the mountains. Cafe Leo is located in the downtown area of Woodland Park.
Carmen, A Tapas Grill and Bar
Carmen, A Tapas Grill and Bar is a popular choice for couples who went out for a date because it is located right next to the Gold Hill Theaters. A perfect place for dinner after watching a good movie.
Carmen, A Tapas Grill and Bar is located in a fairly small space, so call ahead to make a reservation if you want to ensure a spot. Choose a few selections from the Tapas menu or order a main dish, street tacos, sandwich, or salad. The gluten-free fish and chips are especially tasty as well as the street tacos that come with a choice of chicken, pork carnitas, seared shrimp, fried cod, grilled veggies, or grilled Mahi.
There is also an extensive dessert and bar menu. Order martinis, mules, wine, margaritas, or a variety of specialties. This restaurant is a great one for a date but does have reasonable enough prices to stop in anytime for a meal. It is located right next to Gold Hill Theatres, making it easy to enjoy dinner and a movie.
Fiesta Mexicana Family Restaurant
Located in downtown Woodland Park, Fiesta Mexicana is the most popular choice for people who went to some outdoor activities and are really starving. They serve snacks right away so you can still hold your hunger while your meal is being prepared.
This is one of our favorite places to stop after a hike. I think it is because I am usually starving, and they bring chips and salsa right away. It makes it much easier to wait for my meal when I have an instant snack. Fiesta Mexicana is your typical family Mexican restaurant. The menu offers enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, burritos, combination plates, salads, and much more.
The ingredients are fresh and I find the beans and rice especially tasty. My kids always enjoy eating here, and they always feel welcome. Kids can choose from a taco, quesadilla, enchilada, burrito, chicken fingers, hamburger, or cheeseburger. The interior is bright and inviting and the wait staff is friendly, attentive, and fast.
Join the Fiesta Club to get access to birthday rewards and exclusive offers. The portions are large and filling and the margaritas are impressive. Fiesta Mexicana is located in downtown Woodland Park.
AJ’s Stone Oven American Pizzeria
AJ’s Stone Oven American Pizzeria is located in the strip mall with the City market, together with the sushi restaurant Fusion Japan. Their pizzas are very delicious and special.
AJ’s Stone Oven American Pizzeria uses fresh ingredients and has a really tasty crust. They have many specialty pizzas such as the high mountain BBQ, white combination, meatball, garden, and butcher shop, or you can create your own. The white pizza is especially unique and delicious. The prices start at $12.99 for a 10″ and go up to $18.49 for a 14″.
In addition to pizza, AJ’s offers starters such as roasted meatballs, jalapeño poppers, and breadsticks. There are also fresh salads, baked pasta, subs, and buffalo wings. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available. Order at the counter at this restaurant and seat yourself. The staff is friendly and the service is speedy. Dine-in or grab food to go. AJ’s Stone Oven American Pizzeria is located in the strip mall with City Market close to Fusion Japan.
Grandmother’s Kitchen
Grandmother’s Kitchen is a popular restaurant for kids because it is located near the Dinosaur Resource Center. The staffs are very friendly and they even offer coloring books and crayons to entertain the kids.
We enjoy coming to Grandmother’s Kitchen with our kids. The waitstaff is friendly, and they have coloring books and crayons for the kids. It is conveniently located downtown and an easy walk over to the Dinosaur Resource Center.
My husband and I usually order omelets, which are very tasty and the potatoes that come with them are especially good. Breakfast is served all day and the restaurant is also open for lunch. Some other menu favorites include eggs benedict, pot pie, chicken fried steak, French toast, and the breakfast burrito. The restaurant is on the small side, so be prepared for a wait if stopping in for a weekend breakfast. Expect large portions and good, hearty home cooking.
Marie grew up in the Colorado Springs area, moved away as a young adult, and then came back to raise her family. She and her family enjoy boating, fishing, and hiking up in the mountains near the Woodland Park area. They like to stop and eat in Woodland Park before or after an adventure in the mountains.