50 Best American Restaurants in Fort Collins

“Delicious GLUTEN FREE FRIES (yes its a separate fryer!) and burger. Great service and vibe!“

“Absolutely loved our visit to The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm! The ambience is so cozy and charming , the perfect farmhouse vibe. I had the avocado toast (so fresh and flavorful!) and my hubby had what he called the best French toast ever. And don't even get me started on their biscuits... buttery, warm, and absolutely to die for. Service was friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. We'll definitely be back!“

“Too many choices. Will definitely be back!“

“We have been looking for a new 'go-to' place in Ft Collins, and this is it! We out regularly, and this was the best meal we have had out in a long time. The salad and soup were herby nutty, and well balanced, and the Prime Ribeye was perfect. Even the fingerling potatoes had a charred-grilled twist that we hadn't experienced before, and loved it. The wait and cook staff were the best! We look forward to coming back soon.“

“We absolutely love 415! My husband and I always split the Beat Bowl and When Pigs Fly - it is the best combo. Everything on the menu is fresh and fabulous including their drinks. This is definitely a hidden gem in FoCo and we tell everyone we can think of about this spot. We wish 415 great success and hope you’ll eat here too. The best! (And fantastic service every time of course)“

“First time there and I loved it! Great food in the heart of Fort Collins, not too far from City Park where the summertime FoCo Food Truck Rally is held and CSU!“

“I would like to give a review about Isaiah and Leah. Leah had great customer service and the atmosphere was welcoming Leah was very patient well taking our order .Isaiah has a wonderful and joyful spirit and is very great at his job, we just wanted to leave a review because they were SOO wonderful thank you“

“Nothing but love, art, inclusion, tasty food & drinks, in this place!!!!“

“I really liked everything about the Ever Open Cafe. I ordered the Longhorn which is an open faced double burger smothered in red chili and shredded cheddar cheese. I had mine with grilled onions with no lettuce or tomato and a side of onion rings. I also had a strawberry milkshake. Everything was delicious and reasonably priced. I also ordered a Denver omelette and liver and onions to go (I really don’t like cooking so I have breakfast and dinner for tomorrow). The cafe was clean and comfortable. I also appreciated the service that I received from my server (please remember to tip). I would recommend Ever Open Cafe for good comfort food that’s fairly priced and friendly service.“

“bad service but we like the chicken and ribs so we order take out. tonight we had a salad in our takeout which was awful and full of previously frozen and wilted lettuce. Called to speak to a manager to let them know to check their salad. on hold for 20 min...then they picked up and hung up on me. 3 strikes you are out. incredibly poor service for a guest service industry. and now after posting I do NOT recommend, this posts as I recommended...haha. do yourself a favor and stay away“

“I just got off my flight to DEN, drove an hour and a half, arrived right before the kitchen closes at 9 pm. They served me and made me the highest quality bison short rib that a man can ask for. I enjoyed how soft the meat was, the carrots, the potatoes and topped it off with ice cream/cookies. Definitely worth the food.“

“Great food, friendly staff, good beer….cool atmosphere!!!“

“The waiter, Ryan did an outstanding job taking care of us. Everything came out quickly and was very delicious!“

“Had a great time with my daughters. Food was delicious!“

“For any of the reviews that are saying less than stellar, y’all must’ve gone to the wrong place!! On our four day vacation we had breakfast here three days. The food is so good, servings are huge and the service is above reproach. We had rachel every time by pure chance and she was amazing!“

“Always delicious! I love the change up in the menu. Happy hour seafood and drink deals are awesome 👏“

“Best brewery in the neighborhood!“

“So it was a little odd. At first, the hostess tried to seed us at the furthest table in the back with no people, practically in the alley. And we said hey can we have one of those tables up front? She said well those servers are overburdened and it will be slower. Which was fine with us. However, we got our drinks quickly and the food came fairly quickly too. My lobster roll was great as were the brussel sprouts.“

“Great food and friendly atmosphere keep up the good work.“

“Phenomenal, phenomenal, phenomenal!!!
First off the food here is the best food that I’ve had in all of Colorado! We stayed at the Elizabeth Hotel, And usually frequent all the Marriott locations, including the Ritz, Carlton and Clio. However, the food at the Emporium is not comparable to anywhere else! The service is great! There is no hesitance or resistance from any of the servers, including Kayla, Adrienne, And Lauren! The managers are all nice and accommodating. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, I highly recommend this restaurant for breakfast and or dinner. The prices are great as well as the quantity of food served! We will be back! Thank you everyone so much“

“Both the food and service were amazing! I highly recommend it!“

“The bar keep here deserves a standing ovation. This dude is an absolute machine — moving nonstop for over an hour, serving everyone at the bar, filling tickets, cleaning, running dishes, clearing glasses, prepping for servers — without missing a single beat. It’s wild to watch. He’s got that old-school pride in the craft, handling business with total precision and speed.

He pours beer perfectly — none of that “too much foam, not enough beer” nonsense — just perfect head every time, cold glass, clean prep, spotless station. It’s like watching someone run a symphony behind the bar.

Also, pro tip: the happy hour wings are worth destroying, skip the fried gouda, and just enjoy the vibe. Between the energy, the beer selection, and that bar keep, this place is an easy 5/5.“

“The tacos are amazing! Love the new location with it's fresh, clean look, too. We tried 5 different tacos and loved them all - they have all the traditional choices along with several creative selections. The staff and service was friendly and attentive. Just go :)“

“Solid pub fare, but the standout was the service and the ciders. Liam, the GM, was fantastic. He was on his own at the bar, but didn't fail to greet us with a smile when we came in, and was quick to help us whenever we approached the bar. Scrumpy's is the home of Summit Ciders, and theirs are fantastic. There really is something for every palate. Liam convinced us (it didn't take much) to try a flight of all 16 ciders for $28, which is a great value as a separate flight of 8 is $17. Each taster is good for several sips, and since we were heading back home to SD, we didn't need any other drink with our meal. We took several ciders home with us, and if they didn't have any 4-packs left they were able to provide a choice of growlers or growlettes. Liam was again amazing, juggling our cider order while helping other customers, and still helped us bring some of our ciders to our car. He even threw in a couple of cute stickers with their hedgehog logo, and some BOGO cocktail cards. We'll definitely have to try their cider based cocktails when we inevitably return.“

“The best waitress there very kind and helpful attentive very plesent lady all the girls that work there are good they all deserve a big raise they work hard l would definitely go back l give them a ,10 thank you“

“Ate here for the first time since it changed names with three other friends. Everyone liked their meal. All different menu items. I hope it is always as good as today.“

“Excellent service! Excellent, delicious food!“

“Maeve was amazing ! great service !!“

“Whiskey neat, old fashions, Irish“

“Really awesome in every way! As good as the Rio!!“

“very friendly staff, we drive from Casper wyoming and enjoy stopping every time we are in town. they have the best sweet tea in the west (coming from a former southerner)“

“Fort Collins, CO

There are restaurants that serve food, and then there are restaurants that serve identity pieces of history folded into plates, poured into glasses, and anchored deep into the culture of the place they stand in.
Penrose Taphouse & Eatery belongs firmly in the second category.

Named after Spencer Penrose, the entrepreneur, the risk-taker, the firestarter of Colorado’s early identity, this establishment doesn’t just borrow a name it honors a legacy. The man who carved a road up Pikes Peak, sparked industries, created jobs, and literally shaped the terrain of the state… that spirit is alive here. You feel it the moment you step inside.

There’s a quiet electricity in the room a sense that this place was built on the backbone of ambition, of people who weren’t afraid to roll the dice. The atmosphere is warm, grounded, and unpretentious.
A chill vibe with a pulse.

And then comes the service led, on this visit, by Ella.

Ella is one of those rare servers who doesn’t just take orders; she commands the experience. Her pace? Fast, efficient. Her precision? Sharp. Her hospitality? Effortless. There’s a grace to the way she moves, a confidence that says she knows the room, she knows the food, and she knows exactly how to make you feel taken care of.

The kind of service that makes you stop and think,
“Damn… this is how it’s supposed to be.”

Now, let’s talk about the food because Penrose doesn’t play safe.

⭐ The Goat Burger

This isn’t just a burger; this is a statement.
Cooked to peak complexity layers of richness, savor, and depth stacked neatly between buns that actually hold their integrity. It’s bold without being obnoxious, refined without losing that satisfying punch that a great burger should have.

The old fashion was absolutely Perfect! Created eitj craftsmanship and precision.

A dish Spencer Penrose himself would’ve respected daring, different, unapologetically flavorful.

⭐ The Nachos

Divine.
A chaotic masterpiece that still somehow keeps its composure.
Crisp chips, generous toppings, balanced heat, and enough cleverness in the build to keep you going back for “just one more bite” until you realize the plate is gone.

This kitchen knows exactly what it’s doing.

Penrose Taphouse & Eatery is more than a spot to grab a bite — it’s a celebration of the pioneering energy that built Colorado. A relaxed environment where you can sit back, take in the history hanging invisibly in the air, and enjoy food crafted with skill and pride.

If you want:

a chill vibe,

amazing food,

service that hits every mark,

and a place that honors the spirit of a Colorado legend…

Penrose is your place.

A gem with roots, muscle, and heart.

-Sidd Captures“

“Awesome family owned tavern with great pizza and beer selection! Check it out!“

“First time and treated like royalty lol I appreciate the hospitality that Mike provided. The food was great, got the brother’s sandwich which was delicious, love the sweet bbq sauce went perfectly together. Mike went above and beyond to make sure the meal was superb. I enjoyed the time spent here it was a chill clean environment.
Thank you for making my day. 😁
You know the foods good when you do the lil happy food dance. 💃
This restaurant deserves 5 stars for sure.“

“We were treated so wonderfully! Knowledgeable staff walked us through each dish and recommendations from appetizers to desserts. Everything was prepared to perfection and was so flavorful and rich. And even though we were stuffed we had to have dessert! The four of us each ordered something and shared and it was on point! We will absolutely be back! Our server Arianna and the GM Kyle made our night and each get 5 stars! Thank you so much for the best night :)“

“I can’t say enough good things about this place. The food, atmosphere and staff are top notch. I’ll definitely be back and if you’ve never been - what are you waiting for?! 😋😎“

“The staff at Ace Gillett’s is what makes it truly exceptional, but their cocktails are as good as they come - and the food, delicious! It’s a place I consider home. Love it.“

“For over 20 years now, LJs has been a regular hangout for me. I’ve met many people there and look forward to the next 20. (If Deano can still hang with us at 86 yo, then so can I!!) Their food menu has a nice variety and daily specials are always well done. This pub truly emanates a feeling of family. It’s amazing how many long-term employees are there, which is a direct reflection of the ownership and managers caring for their staff and customers. If you’ve never been to LJs or you’re just visiting FC, please stop in and join us for a pint! Cheers and Slainte!!“

“Had an amazing time at the bar joking around with staff and patrons. Everyone seemed to know each other and were very welcoming. Great prices. Loved the whiskey Mexican coffee on tap. Best bacon wrapped jalapenos I've ever had. Definitely get the Pint O Bacon.“

“bad service but we like the chicken and ribs so we order take out. tonight we had a salad in our takeout which was awful and full of previously frozen and wilted lettuce. Called to speak to a manager to let them know to check their salad. on hold for 20 min...then they picked up and hung up on me. 3 strikes you are out. incredibly poor service for a guest service industry. and now after posting I do NOT recommend, this posts as I recommended...haha. do yourself a favor and stay away“

“We come here all the time, this will be the last time. I called at 12, party of 11 people, I was told to call back at 3 for a reservation at 4pm and talk to a manager. The manager told me they don't do call ahead on weekends and they also will not move tables together so my son's birthday party will need to sit at separate tables. Once we arrived they sat 4 separate parties that came after us. They then told us they would not seat us until more staff comes in, for 11 people. They went to seat us at 2 separate tables after waiting for 20 minutes. We then requested the big table in the back that sat all of us comfortably, and we are not small people. This was a joke. 2 of the steaks were inedible they had so much seasoning on them and my plate was drenched in oil. Horrible experience and manager. also there was a 10 month old puppy at the table next to us, sitting in the bench and barking. seriously disappointed. we have eaten here for years and sadly will not be back, we will drive to the one in Thornton“

“Thank you for the amazing food and service!! Our softball team from Oklahoma are here after a long tournament and we had such a great experience here!“

“Great place! Relaxed atmosphere with superb service. The homemade Bloody Mary's ranked #1 for my taste buds!! Thank you Tim!!“

“Hubby & I just found this place and WIW! DO GOOD! I had the PB&J hamburger with sweet Potato fries and a Coconut Porter beer with lunch. Everything was absolutely delicious! Our server was above and beyond in her personality, help ordering and service. I wish I hot her name. She did print me a menu from another satellite restaurant as well. I will be back!!“

“Waiting, Food, Service, Cocktalis Fast, Friendly, Delicious.“

“Great food service the manager and rest of the staff were awesome. Will be back again!“

“We stopped in for lunch today and to watch the game and had a very nice time! With this being my first time I didn’t know what to expect. The food was great-fresh and came out fast. I really enjoyed how many tvs there were for all the nfl games on and hung around to play a few rounds of pool. We will definitely be back!“

“Great beer and friendly staff.“

“I recently moved away from Fort Collins so I am going through and leaving reviews for all of my favorite eats places. MCHC is god-tier! Their food is great and their support of local artists through their block party event is fantastic. I had the privilege of meeting their owner a few years back when I was driving for Lyft and got a ride request from him when he needed to go make sure their Prospect location was locked up properly after he received notification that a door was left open. he tipped me very generously and it was genuinely a fun ride. It never surprised me that the atmosphere of MCHC had the same fun appeal whenever I ate there. I am definitely gonna visit next time I am in Fort Collins!“

“Great food and amazing service!! Drinks were fabulous and we WILL be back!!!“