Visit Durango welcomes several new dining establishments, blending worldly flavors with Southwest Colorado’s abundant local resources

Durango, Colo. — The Durango Area Tourism Office welcomes several new and exciting dining establishments, blending worldly flavors with Southwest Colorado’s abundant local resources. With over 100 award winning restaurants to choose from, Durango is a culinary hotspot where the food scene is constantly evolving.

Nestled in southwestern Colorado’s Animas River Valley and surrounded by rugged peaks, Durango’s off the beaten path location offers unimpeded access to some of the best attractions in the state. Yet despite its relatively remote location and absence of traffic, escaping to Durango’s surrounding high desert and mountains does not mean sacrificing metropolitan tastes and flavors.

A Durango staple since 2001, Bread bakery now occupies a second location in downtown Durango. A morning hotspot for cyclists and foodies alike, Bread makes fresh homemade breads, pastries, cookies, and deli sandwiches in-house daily at its flagship location on CR 250. Bread is known for using the best ingredients and sources local ingredients whenever possible, including its famously strong coffee and espresso drinks from Durango Coffee Company, ground in-house. Other items include quiches and focaccia bread, plus gluten free pastries, brownies, macaroons and banana bread.

Durango continues to redefine “fast food” with Bird’s rotisserie neighborhood restaurant and tavern, located in Durango’s North Main District. Featuring fast-casual foods and beverages with a focus on healthy foods, chicken is prepared using a specialty rotisserie grill from France as the central part of the menu, along with sandwiches, wings, salads, and sides. The spacious building was completely renovated and features ample seating inside, an outside deck with a fire pit, plus a drive-thru window for to-go orders. Bird’s serves patrons 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The new Nugget Mountain Bar is the place to be for après ski, hike and bike enthusiasts. Located one half mile south of Purgatory Resort, the renovated historic D-Log cabin features a full bar, gourmet food, incredible views, and a cozy atmosphere. Outdoors enjoy elevated views of the surrounding Twilight peaks, Engineer and Spud Mountains from the large patio or kick back on the lawn and relax by the gas fire pits. The Nugget provides a complimentary shuttle to and from Purgatory Resort and within a 5-mile radius. Food is served from the Backcountry Gourmet, a food truck bringing unique and exciting flavors to the San Juan Mountains using fresh and local ingredients.

Coming June 2019, Primus Restaurant brings fresh seafood and wild game to downtown’s eclectic culinary scene, paired with an artfully curated wine list and seasonal or classic cocktails. In step with Durango’s local food movement, Primus spotlights locally sourced produce and grains combined in thoughtfully prepared meals, a la carte options and vegetarian selections. Primus Restaurant is the brainchild of executive Chef John J. Daly III’s 25 years in the industry, and his passion for delivering top quality crafted food without the price tag of fine dining.

Also in downtown Durango, Down the Rabbit Hole brings people together for great food, drinks and fun with its “Alice and Wonderland” themed decor. Patrons choose from seating on couches, tables, a “King’s Table”, which seats 10 people, and the “rabbit hole” booth that appears to be cored in a tree trunk. With over 70 board games and puzzles for all ages, on any given night expect to see a game of Twister, Candyland, Operation or Trivia being played at the tables and couches. Live music takes place on the weekends.

“Durango is a culinary hotspot whose food scene is constantly evolving,” says Barb Bowman with Visit Durango. “We are excited to add these unique, new offerings to Durango’s diverse culinary scene. Visitors may come Durango for its recreation and historical attractions, but they stay for the incredible restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries, farms, ranches, markets and wineries.”

Please visit durango.org/discover-durango/eat-drink for the ultimate visitor’s guide to Durango’s food and beverage scene.

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About Visit Durango 
Nestled in southwestern Colorado’s Animas River Valley and surrounded by rugged peaks, Durango is home to some of the best outdoor, historic and cultural attractions in the state. Board the historic 1880’s D&SNG Railroad for breathtaking views and old-world atmosphere, or visit archeological wonders and ancient cave dwellings at nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Downtown Durango’s National Historic District overflows with historic hotels, award winning restaurants, breweries, art galleries, museums, and boutiques. The rugged San Juan National Forest offers hundreds of miles of world-class mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and skiing, plus fishing and boating on the Gold Medal Waters of the Animas River. Located just 25 miles north of Durango, Purgatory Resort features 92 trails, five terrain parks and 1,360 skiable acres. Durango is easily accessible by US Hwy 550 from the north and south, US Hwy 160 from the east and west, and the Durango-La Plata County Airport. Visit Durango.org for more details.