It’s no secret that Northern Colorado is home to a vibrant culinary scene that attracts chefs from across the country and hungry diners eager to be impressed. The region is home to cozy bistros, upscale eateries and everything in-between. The burgeoning farm-to-table scene has seen major success in the area due to the bounty of nearby farms and ranches. Read on to see what diners can expect from seasonal menus and culinary teams that are passionate about reflecting the area’s rich agricultural heritage onto your plate.
The Farm-to-Table Scene in Northern Colorado
Farm-to-table dining is a social movement and concept that promotes locally grown food. This not only minimizes the distance between the producers and growers and the consumer, the approach also emphasizes sustainably grown food and supporting local economies. Within the farm-to-table scene, ingredients are primarily sourced from local ranches, farms, and fisheries as opposed to larger distributors. This often means that farm-to-table restaurants will feature seasonal menus, which rely on what’s locally available during that particular season.
There are a number of NoCo restaurants that value building direct relationships with farmers and producers. The resulting transparency builds trust with consumers in the local community. Cities such as Fort Collins and Loveland have a robust offering of such restaurants that are passionate about fresh ingredients sourced from nearby farms and ranches. The region is brimming with creative chefs and culinary concepts, so check out these local restaurants and dive into seasonal menus that showcase what Colorado is really all about!
The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm
📷 Photos courtesy of The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm
Where? 1957 Jessup Drive
The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm not only specializes in serving hungry diners the freshest ingredients possible (sourced straight from their on-site farm!), but the restaurant also partners with other local producers and growers to ensure their made-from-scratch menu is covering all the bases during each season. The Farmhouse opened its doors in 2015 to share rustic-inspired modern farm fare with the community, including handcrafted cocktails and welcoming hospitality that has kept locals and visitors alike coming back year after year.
The Farmhouse’s elegant yet casual atmosphere is set in a 19th-Century farmhouse, situated in the heart of the Jessup Farm Artisan Village. The culinary team at the restaurant is led by Chef Michael Gillam and proudly brings fresh twists to the classic comfort dishes that you know and love. The restaurant values its partnerships with many local growers, producers, brewers and creators to share in their quest for delicious food and meaningful experiences. The summer 2025 dinner menu boasts a peach and burrata salad, cherry chipotle salmon with smoked paprika corn purée, ricotta dumplings with summer squash and brussels, and a rotating fruit sorbet served with gluten free homemade cookies.
Taste Local
Where? 330 Cleveland Avenue
Taste Local is a favorite Loveland eatery, serving deliciously tantalizing bites from their scratch-made kitchen. The restaurant proudly uses fresh ingredients paired with a healthy selection of in-house and Colorado-made drinks. Authentic food is the focus behind Taste Local’s mission, so diners can expect delicious, healthy food that’s crafted in unison with environmentally friendly practices. The cafe menu features lunch and breakfast anytime, so whether you’re in the mood for three buttermilk pancakes in a stack or an avocado chicken BLT, you can have it all! Remember to inquire about the rotating freshly baked goods that are being offered that day.
Taste Local has relationships with local partners, including Morning Fresh Dairy, Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese, Croft Family Farms, Harvest Moon Bakery, Erie Coffee Roasters and more. The restaurant also places emphasis on sustainability, such as a commitment to using compostable and reusable materials. Read more about their commitment to these environmentally-friendly practices here.
The Regional
📷 Photos courtesy of The Regional
Where? 130 South Mason Street
The Regional is proud to work with local Fort Collins farms and single family Colorado suppliers to craft the homegrown comfort foods that you crave. Whether that’s a juicy pork chop served with grits or oysters served on the half shell, you can savor it all at these local restaurants. The homestyle restaurant is hailed for its laid-back vibe, great cocktails and its variety of vegetarian options. Interested in the local partners that The Regional sources from? You can check out their purveyors here, such as Elevation Beef in Fort Collins, Isabelle Farm in Lafayette, Native Hill Farm in Laporte, and more.
The menu at The Regional is as diverse as the local community, with pozole mussels, salmon belly sashimi, Snake River wagyu flatiron, cauliflower curry and gluten free fried chicken on Wednesdays. Your tastebuds won’t know where to begin! No meal at The Regional would be complete without dessert, so save room for the Amish buttermilk cheesecake served with a seasonal berry compote or an affogato with Bean Cycles espresso and vanilla ice cream.
Little on Mountain
Where? 1046 West Mountain Avenue
The menu at Little on Mountain evolves daily based on what they’ve gotten in from local producer friends, so it’s encouraged to arrive with an open mind! Partners and purveyors include Belafonte Farm, Native Hill Farm, Well Fed Farmstead, Innovative Foods, Hazel Dell, Morning Fresh Dairy and many more. An example of what you may find on the menu includes tagliatelle with morels, asparagus, pecorino and mint, frog legs with salsa negra, scallions and spicy avocado, and steak served with fingerling potatoes and kale.
Treat yourself to a cocktail, such as a refreshing Aperol Spritz or a boozy bourbon old fashioned with Elevation 5003. Little on Mountain also offers white wines, sparkling wines, red wines and dessert wines. Inquire about the select bottle list! The restaurant is open for brunch Friday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and for supper Monday through Sunday from 4:30 PM to close. The restaurant does not have a phone, but reservations can be made online.
Seasoned — An American Bistro
Where? 205 Park Lane
Seasoned is a small chef-owned seasonal bistro that’s situated in Estes Park. While small, the restaurant yields big flavors. Diners can expect an exciting dining experience complete with locally sourced ingredients and seasonally grown elements. The ever-evolving menu ensures that dining at the restaurant is never a boring experience. The atmosphere is best described as cozy and relaxed, making this the perfect spot for a romantic dinner with that special someone or for catching up with a small group of friends or family over a quality meal.
Examples of menu items at Seasoned include Colorado rainbow trout with smoked oyster mayonnaise, fried capers and a green bean salad, as well as rabbit & rattlesnake meatballs with carrot, grits and pickled red onions. Brunch is served on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner service is offered Wednesday through Saturday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Reservations are not accepted via email, so call ahead!
Bistro Nautile
📷 Photos courtesy of Bistro Nautile
Where? 150 West Oak Street
Almost two decades ago, FoCo native Mike Reeves opened a fresh seafood market and restaurant in Old Town. There, Mike and Kat Reeves ran the operation for 15 years selling fish so fresh, someone might get slapped! When it was time to make some changes, Reeves founded a new French-inspired bistro concept with an expanded selection of menu fare. Together with Ryan Damasky at the helm of the kitchen, who is described as being a “seed to table” and “scale to tail” chef, Bistro Nautile has been a wild success in NoCo. More than just a farm-to-table restaurant, Bistro Nautile also emphasizes the importance of zero waste kitchen preparations.
Chef Damasky partners with an array of local vendors to provide consumers with the freshest seafood possible, as well as Colorado certified Angus beef and local poultry, eggs, and vegetables. The menu offers a raw selection, such as East and West Coast oysters and à la carte options like a goat cheese croquette and Chesapeake Bay jumbo crab cakes with local greens. Diners will be delighted at the entrée options, with tempting plates such as the West African-style lamb t-bone chops and the Belper Knolle gnocchi.
Bird & Jim
Where? 915 Moraine Avenue
Bird & Jim is situated in Estes Park, also known as the Gateway to the Rockies. Indulge in modern mountain dining in an ingredient-driven scratch kitchen. The menu evolves with the seasons, so expect to find ingredients thoughtfully sourced from the Front Range and beyond. Diners will notice influences of the artisan approach that Bird & Jim takes to cooking, as well as their philosophy around real food, fresh ingredients and sustainable, healthy eating. Partners include local farms and ranchers from Estes Park, Drake, Kersey, and Hygiene.
The menu at Bird & Jim includes snacks and bites, such as edamame with a blood orange chili sauce, pulled pork tacos, and a variety of spreads and charcuterie options. For your main, peruse the salad offering or opt for a handheld, such as the Mountain Jim Burger with Angus beef or the sweet potato gnocchi bowl with roasted mushrooms and vegetables. Walk-ins are welcome, though reservations are encouraged. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service seven days a week, with varying hours — so check the schedule ahead of time!
Cafe Vino
📷 Photos courtesy of Cafe Vino
Where? 1200 South College Avenue
Cafe Vino presents diners with the finest local and organic ingredients and decadent desserts that are crafted from scratch. The restaurant also serves local craft beer and 200+ wines, so make reservations and stay awhile! The dinner menu at Cafe Vino features decadent small plates, such as bacon wrapped dates and pork belly, followed by specialty pizzas and mains such as the chicken piccata with seasonal veggies and the cafe wagyu burger using locally sourced meat. No dinner out would be complete without something sweet, so save room for the flourless chocolate molten cake or the vanilla bean crème brûlée.
Cafe Vino also hosts popular Wednesday wine dinner experiences, marketed as “from the fields to the plate!” Reservations are priced at $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The dining experience includes five high-quality wines paired with a three-course dinner. Featured cuisine is sourced from local farms, ranches and artisanal producers. Learn more about these events here and snag a reservation for an upcoming special occasion or just because! Seating is limited and the dinner experiences are notoriously very popular.
Tasty Harmony
Where? 160 West Oak Street
Tasty Harmony is owned and operated by couple Sacha and Jill Steinhauser. The restaurant first opened its doors in early 2009 and in 2015, they relocated to a new and improved location on 160 West Oak Street. Hailing as a friendly botanical eatery, Tasty Harmony serves up a range of healthy and creative plant-based cuisine. The menu features a soup of the day, seitan hot wings, vegan caesar salads, coconut curry, oyster mushroom linguini, and a range of refreshing smoothies blended with tasty fruit, nut milk, and even espresso if you’re looking for an energy boost!
Jill Steinhauser tends to a large garden on a quarter acre in her spare time, which is used to supplement the restaurant during the growing season. Swing by for happy hour, which is from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the bar only, Tuesday through Friday. Something to note about dining at Tasty Harmony is that there are an abundance of nuts used throughout various dishes, so those with a nut allergy are urged to dine elsewhere for their safety and health.
Now You’re Ready to Experience Farm-to-Table Dining in NoCo!
Farm-to-table restaurants throughout NoCo have tight-knit bonds with partners, farms, and consumers to help to spearhead environmental initiatives and to support local food systems, both of which are integral to a more sustainable future. Next time you’re planning a date night or when you simply want to enjoy a delicious and thoughtfully-curated meal with close friends, check out these local options!