At some point while planning various road trips, I realized that Denver — a world-class destination in its own right — is perfectly situated to reach other dining hotspots by lunchtime.
And while it might make more sense to stay the night, it does seem somewhat glamorous to just hit the road for lunch in a place that is essentially its own brand, with enough history, character, and natural beauty to draw travelers from across the country and the globe.
Here are four places you can be in time for a mid-day meal.
Santa Fe, N.M.
Consider this: if you are on the road by 6 a.m., and traffic is reasonable, you could arrive in Santa Fe in just under six hours. With its rich history and distinctive adobe-style architecture, New Mexico’s capital is a one-of-a-kind place to visit.
La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza in the bustling historic center would be my first choice for lunch here. I love their interpretation of northern New Mexican cuisine, so my recommendation is the crispy chile rellenos made with New Mexico’s Hatch green chiles.
Other lunch options in Santa Fe include the Coyote Café or The Shed, both of which will dish up a memorable meal of flavorful New Mexican spice.
Moab, Utah
A slightly closer, and very scenic option, is to drive west over I-70 to Moab, which takes about five hours by car. This mining and farming town is best known today for outdoor recreation and its proximity to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Dead Horse Point State Park.
Lunch in and around Moab will be casual, but if you’ve stopped for a hike in the desert, you will have worked up an appetite. In town, you can head to the Trailhead Public House & Eatery and try a “Polygamy Burger” (a wink to historic Mormon practices) with two beef patties.
For a more upscale dining spot just outside of Moab, stop at the River Grill at Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa on Scenic Byway 128, which hugs the Colorado River. There is seasonal outdoor seating that overlooks the river and skyward to the red rock cliffs across the river. You can also opt for a burger here, or see what’s fresh from their on-site garden on the menu.
Sheridan, Wyo.
A six-hour drive north on I-25 will get you to this quiet Western city near the Bighorn Mountains. Sheridan might seem like it doesn’t fit into this list of well-known cities, but in addition to its classic cowboy culture, you will find even more appeal. This college town of about 20,000 people is also home to two polo clubs where internationally recognized players can be found on the fields at the Big Horn Polo Club and Flying H Polo Club each season.
For lunch, I recommend the Brinton Bistro inside the Brinton Museum on the grounds of the historic Quarter A Circle Ranch just outside of Sheridan in Big Horn. In honor of the local polo clubs, I recommend ordering a Bistro Club sandwich. The Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Building where the restaurant and Western and American Indian artwork are housed, includes the tallest rammed earth wall in North America, according to the museum’s website.
Or try the Cowboy Café for a bison burger, drop by the Sheridan Inn and sit on the historic porch to imagine what it was like when William “Buffalo Bill” Cody was holding auditions for his “Wild West” shows on this lawn between 1894 to 1902.
Aspen
Closer than the other destinations, and still in-state, Aspen is a 3.5- to 4-hour drive, and is chock-full of worthy destinations. (Some are closed during the spring off-season, though, so be sure to check ahead.).
The menu at Element 47 at the Little Nell Hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain offers a sophisticated take on American classics such as a Wagyu burger with pineapple. J-Bar at the historic Hotel Jerome has a welcoming Western vibe and a matching lunch menu with items like Colorado trout croquettes, smoked trout salad, and more.
And then there’s the Michelin-starred Bosq, helmed by foraging and fermentation specialist Barclay Dodge, along with Mawa’s Kitchen, which is owned by James Beard-nominated chef and author Mawa McQueen, who also owns a famed crepe eatery nearby.
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