The National Telluride

Finest dining in the area. Creativity and execution a step above the other high end spots

First class all around with nice wine list and excellent desserts.

So we took a break but now definitely will be back !! Bartender Keenan was attentive and fun! Homemade specialty pasta and baked oyster were amazing delicious.. music was perfect too! We will definitely be back!!

My girl and I had Cacio Pepe - very small portion for price + order of poached shrimp on the side. Shrimp were huge & fantastic with cocktail sauce & lemon mmm. Great though. Noodles were perfect al dente. Beef tartare with aioli made with tuna belly & capers- topped with quail egg = Incredible!!! Hamachi yellowtail crudo was so fresh, buttery, & 10 of 10. Drank Jamaican rum cocktail- very interesting. Sat at the bar. Good experience & will be back! Made dinner reservations. Needed!

One of the best dinners I’ve had in Colorado— and I live in Colorado. Service was great, ambiance is cozy and the food was incredible. Everything was fresh with great flavor.

Our party of four had a reservation and were graciously greeted by Jenny, who led us to our booth-and-barstool combo table just across from the bar. The night kicked off with flair as Michael arrived with charisma, a couple of great stories, and took our drink order with ease. Shortly after, our server Cat stepped in—sharp, attentive, and thoroughly knowledgeable. Like Michael, she was a key part of what made the experience memorable.

We ordered a variety of dishes to share, family-style, and not one disappointed. The flavors, presentation, and creativity in every plate showcased the kitchen’s real talent. The vibe? Upscale yet casual, youthful but refined—fun energy all around without compromising the quality.

If you’re in Telluride and looking for a dining experience that delivers both style and substance, The National is a must.

Has the magic!

This is the best ski town food we’ve ever had! Our server Catherine was awesome - so knowledgeable and super friendly! We had the crudo and warm foccia for apps (DO NOT MISS THIS), the oxtail ravioli special, and the first house made pasta on the menu, I can’t remember the name. For dessert we had crème brûlée and the cheesecake which honestly is the best cheesecake I’ve ever had! The atmosphere is great, the drinks are phenomenal, this is a cannot miss! 12/10!!

We order Octopus ….. we receive a plate with a smallmoiecenofnkess than an inch full of dressing. Avoid

★★☆☆☆ | The National Telluride – If This Is the Best, I Fear for the Rest

We were told this was the place to dine in Telluride, so naturally, we made our way there with high hopes and empty stomachs. But if this is the pinnacle of Telluride’s culinary scene, the town might just be on the brink of a gastronomic apocalypse.
Let’s start with the ambiance—or rather, the lack thereof. The noise level was deafening, to the point where having a conversation felt like an extreme sport. A little buzz is charming; a full-blown shouting match just to chat with the person across from you? Not so much. Add to that the cramped tables, a single perpetually occupied restroom, and an atmosphere that felt more claustrophobic than cozy, and the evening was already off to a rocky start.

Then came the food—the second major letdown of the night. We expected high prices (it is Telluride, after all), but when you're paying a premium, you’d at least hope for portions that don’t require a post-dinner snack. The salmon was fine—just fine—but it was portioned for someone with the appetite of a sparrow. The real heartbreak, however, was the house-made pasta. I was thrilled to order the cacio e pepe, expecting silky, expertly crafted strands of perfection. What I got instead was an overworked, underwhelming disaster—so tough and sticky it clung to my teeth like an overenthusiastic ex. I’m all for al dente, but this was a whole new (and unpleasant) interpretation of the concept.

When I finally surrendered and sent it back (something I almost never do), I opted for the half-roasted chicken instead. It took ages to arrive, and while it was decent, it wasn’t remotely worth the wait.

At the end of the night, I couldn’t help but hope—pray, even—that this isn’t actually the best Telluride has to offer. Surely, somewhere nestled between these breathtaking mountains, a restaurant exists that won’t leave you hungry, disappointed, and contemplating where it all went wrong.

Had an excellent meal at the National for a special occasion. Staff/service and food could not have been any better.

Honestly, this was the worst meal my husband and I have had in a long time. We went for Valentines Day and could only have the 3 course special. There wasn't a single dish we liked across the two of us and portions were very small. We both ended up waking up with indigestion. And the bill was ridiculously expensive for what we got. Never again.

Food was fantastic. Highly recommend their pasta and the cheesecake. Service with Trevor was superb.

The food was amazing, they were great with dealing with food allergies (most of the dishes including pasta can be made gluten free), and the service was fantastic. The drinks were delicious and they made me the most amazing rum old fashioned.

We spend this much on dinner just a few times a year and this food was an unquestionable standout! We had yellowtail crudo, delicata squash salad, cacio e pepe, Vadouvan pork chop, and curried carrots & butternut squash side.