One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to experience local cuisine. Making frequent visits to Colorado Springs, I discovered few restaurants, from sophisticated four-course dinners to outdoor rustic dining experiences. However, if you aspire to stick to locally grown food items on the menu, download the Local Foods Network from Google Play or Apple Store. The diverse culture in the community will offer you an assortment of eateries to explore.

Here are some of my favorite restaurants to patronize while visiting Colorado Springs.

II Vicino University Village

Want a hot cheesy pizza cooked in a wood fire oven? Vicino’s is the place for those pizza lovers. Something about wood-fire on a pizza crust has a unique flavor and crispiness that you can’t get cooking at home. Starting with a Burrata Salad, consisting of arugula, burrata cheese, balsamic reduction, lemon dressing, and cherry tomatoes. Out of the many pizza selections, we chose a Margherita pizza which was served with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Other options available on the menu are calzones, Panini and flatbread sandwiches, and baked lasagnas.

Johnny’s Navajo Hogan

This National Register of Historic Places has been in operation since 1935. The owner, Nicholas Fontecchio, had a strong relationship with the Navajo Indians and incorporated the word “Hogan” in naming the restaurant, meaning a sacred home. The Navajo Hogan has operated over the years as a dance club, strip club, high-class restaurant and is now considered a landmark restaurant for the area. We ordered sandwiches and a few slices of pizza along with a few local beers. It is casual-style seating with lots of room for a large group.

Pizzeria Rustica

One of my favorite places to dine each time I visit is Old Colorado City, Pizzeria Rustica. Seating is available inside or out on the patio. However, I prefer sitting outside to enjoy the Colorado weather. The menu is straightforward with daily chef specials. We started with Insalata Mista and Insalata Canelo with house salad dressing. My husband loves pizza, so we ordered a Margherita pizza. The pizza dough is homemade daily topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, Italian pizza sauce utilizing locally grown tomatoes. Pizzeria Rustica is a friendly pizzeria with affordable prices.

Colorado Mountain Brewery at the Roadhouse

The beer business in Colorado is booming! Colorado Springs has over 20 craft breweries located throughout the city. Colorado Mountain Brewery is located in a historical location called Midland Terminal Railroad Roundhouse in 1887. Inside the restaurant are photographs of the original building with trains parked in the terminals. Depending on your mood, Colorado Mountain Brewery offers a wide range of specialty dishes such as Venison Eggrolls, Bison Poppers, or their award-winning Bison Chili. I wasn’t in an adventurous mood and so I ordered the Southwest Salad with Chicken, and my husband ordered the Ale Battered Fish Tacos. The food was tasty, and we enjoyed the atmosphere of the old train terminal.

Paravicini’s

A Gold Medalist in being the best Italian restaurant in Colorado Springs for over ten years, we decided to celebrate with our family at Paravicini’s. Original recipes are created by Chef Franco, who designed a menu featuring many of Italy’s specialty dishes. In addition, Paravicini offers a patio sitting if you prefer to enjoy the weather outside.

Noodles & Co.

If you love noodles, this place is heavenly! Every kind of noodle you can imagine is offered and prepared daily, along with fresh salads and soups. Each dish is put together in the presence and as the per customer’s choosing and creation. A casual seating makes for a perfect get-together with friends to enjoy a meal.

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

Biaggi’s is a cozy family-style Italian restaurant. Selections on the menu are specialty pasta dishes, soups, salads, pizza, seafood, steaks, and desserts. The portions are quite large, which you could either share or take home for lunch the next day. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent.

Saltgrass Steak House

If you are like my son; a meat and potatoes kind of guy, Saltgrass Steak House is an excellent choice. Although it is a chain, I find that they offer a wide selection to satisfy almost everyone. Steaks are chargrilled to perfection and to your liking. The complimentary beer bread served with sweet honey butter before the meal is scrumptious. Other menu options are pork baby back ribs, fresh seafood, fried chicken, or juicy burgers. You are sure to get your desired protein for the day here at Saltgrass Steak House.