2025 Best of Breckenridge Award Winners
The Best of Breckenridge team is thrilled to announce the winners of the third annual Best of Breck Awards! A huge thank-you to the 450+ locals and visitors who took the time to cast their votes. We asked for your honest opinions on the best Breckenridge has to offer—from restaurants and retail to unforgettable activities. Use this guide to uncover local favorites and must-do experiences for your next Breck adventure!
It’s no surprise that a world-class ski town like Breckenridge is home to an incredible array of restaurants. From laid-back sports bars to award-winning fine dining, Breck serves up some of the best cuisine in Colorado. After a full day of exploring the mountains, few things are more satisfying than a delicious post-hike or après-ski meal. Here are the 2025 Best of Breck Award-Winning Restaurants.
Best Happy Hour
For a casual yet upscale dining experience, look no further than Blue River Bistro. Their happy hour—featuring 2-for-1 martinis and appetizers—has been voted the best in town 3 years running. With its lively, welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for date nights, celebrations, or even a midweek indulgence. Our favorite pick? The crispy tiger shrimp—absolutely irresistible!
Best Breakfast and Best Coffee Shop
There’s no surprise why Cool River earned the 2025 Best of Breckenridge awards for Best Breakfast. With an extensive menu featuring everything from hearty veggie, sausage, or biscuits & gravy breakfast burritos and sandwiches to homemade oatmeal cream pies and pop tarts, this local favorite has been a Breckenridge staple for more than 20 years. This year, Cool River has taken the title of Best Coffee Shop as well! Try the Creamy Whiskey Cold Brew or Tequila Rose to start your day on a bold note.
Best Brunch
Located in Main Street Station, BoLD is a Mediterranean-inspired favorite that’s sure to please any crowd. Offering delicious breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, BoLD is the perfect place to fuel up before a morning hike or unwind after early mountain laps. Indulge in an elevated American-style brunch featuring French toast, fried chicken benedicts, biscuits, and more. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a Blood Orange Mimosa or a Spicy Bloody Mary for the ultimate Breckenridge brunch experience.
Best Dessert/Treat
Higgles serves bold ice cream flavors that leave a lasting impression. This Main Street gem has quickly become a crowd favorite, delighting visitors daily with inventive in-house creations that blend unexpected twists with classic fresh favorites. Known for its playful and quirky concoctions, Higgles has earned legendary local status with fruit flavors like strawberry and peach or indulgent double chocolate brownie.
Best Bar, Best Après-Ski, and Best Late Night
Rocky Mountain Underground (RMU) started as a custom ski shop, crafting skis for friends and family in exchange for just a 30 rack of their favorite beer. Today, they bring that same passion and expertise to the Breckenridge community—whether it’s tuning your skis or serving up some of the town’s best cocktails. Swing by to drop off your skis for a wax, relax with a drink at one of their four bars, or in the summer, catch live music from local bands on the back porch or new upstairs patio.
Best Date Night Restaurant
Step into a world where the mountains meet Italian culinary artistry. This romantic date-night destination, a close cousin of the beloved Rootstalk, delights guests with hand-made pastas, local ingredients, and expertly paired wines. Finish your evening on a sweet note with a decadent dessert while looking at the mountains, guaranteed the perfect ending to a memorable night.
Best Fine Dining
If you’re searching for standout fine dining in Breckenridge, Rootstalk delivers an experience that’s truly in a league of its own. Known for its James Beard Award–winning chef and owner, this culinary gem offers everything from elevated seasonal à la carte dishes to an unforgettable seven-course tasting menu. Each space whether the bar, the main dining room, or the cozy root cellar, brings its own charm, blending refined ambiance with a relaxed mountain feel.
Best New Business
The new family-owned Allberto’s Mexican Kitchen supplies authentic Mexican flavors. Kick off your meal with nachos and a refreshing margarita, then dive into a burrito or taco loaded with your choice of flavorful meats. You can’t go wrong with their Birria! Bring the whole family—there’s something delicious for everyone, including the kiddos.
Best Kid’s Activity & Best Indoor Activity
Breckenridge Recreation Center
The Breckenridge Recreation Center is one of the best places in town for indoor activities, offering families and visitors a fun way to stay active no matter the weather. With discounted winter and summer passes for locals and convenient day-use options for guests, the Rec Center is a go-to spot for everything from fitness to family-friendly entertainment. Kids especially love the indoor pools, climbing features, and a wide range of youth fitness programs making it an ideal destination for year-round fun and activity.
Best Date Night Activity
Ready Paint Fire is one of the Best of Breck team’s favorite local experiences for a creative night out. It’s an ideal date-night spot where you and your partner can choose pre-made pottery and paint your own custom pieces. The studio also offers candle-pouring experiences, a variety of souvenirs, and a menu of alcoholic beverages to enjoy while you create making it a fun and memorable way to spend time indoors in Breck.
Best Event
Ullr Fest is one of Breckenridge’s most iconic winter celebrations, drawing locals and visitors together for a fun-filled December weekend. As the snow starts to fall, the town honors the Norse god of snow with the world’s unofficial longest shot-ski, an Ullr-themed parade, and a massive bonfire that lights up the night. It’s the kind of high-energy event that captures the spirited, laid-back charm of Breck in the winter.
If you need another reason to fall in love with Breckenridge, let’s talk about shopping! As you stroll along Main Street, you’ll discover a variety of exciting stores to explore. From ski shops and souvenir shops to charming clothing boutiques, there’s something for everyone. After a day of shopping in Breckenridge, you’ll feel like a true mountain local! Check out our 2025 Best Apparel Winners below!
Best Boutique
Marigold’s Farmhouse Funk & Junk
A visit to Marigold’s is always an adventure in shopping! This family-run boutique offers a charming mix of cookbooks, clothing, handmade jewelry, candles, soaps, and unique antiques. Though “junk” may be in the name, you’ll find only high-quality treasures and one-of-a-kind finds inside this eclectic shop.
Best Apparel Shop
Mountain Goat Clothing Company is a standout boutique on Main Street, known for its premium selection of outdoor and casual apparel. Serving both locals and visitors, the shop offers a thoughtfully curated mix of clothing and accessories that blend style with functionality. Discover top brands like Cotopaxi, Toad & Co, Topo Designs, Kavu, and more. With its welcoming team and distinctive, mountain-inspired merchandise, Mountain Goat is the perfect place to embrace Breckenridge’s outdoor spirit in style.
Best Ski & Snowboard Shop
Situated on Main Street, Underground Snowboards has been a local favorite since 1988. They carry a wide range of popular brands, along with snowboards and snowboard boots. The staff is kind, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. Stop in to grab your rental for the week or pick up a brand-new board.
