People from all over the world come to Breckenridge to revel in the mountain views and to take part in some of the best skiing and snowboarding on the planet. But sadly, lots of folks never hit up Breck’s main street to experience all it has to offer. Downtown Breckenridge is packed with incredible shops and world class restaurants. We’re going to tell you about some Breckenridge restaurants that are well worth leaving the resort to come try:

The Lost Cajun

If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t associate the snow-peaked mountains of Colorado with delicious Cajun food, but The Lost Cajun has been serving up the kind of incredible, intensely flavorful Cajun-inspired dishes that you’d normally only find in New Orleans right here in Breckenridge since 2012. Raymond Griffin, AKA “The Lost Cajun,” likes to joke with customers and say he ended up in the Rocky Mountains because he was drunk and got lost, but what really happened is that his Louisiana finishing lodge suffered terribly after the BP oil spill of 2010, so he decided to open up a restaurant in Colorado. Trust me folks; The Lost Cajun is a place you won’t want to miss. Relish

If you’re looking for a nice spot to take in the pristine mountain views and to try some locally-sourced game, then Relish is the place for you. Describing itself as, “Colorado-inspired cuisine,” Relish has won a slew of culinary awards since opening in 2006 and has become an example of how great small mountain town restaurants can be. Because they source game and vegetables locally, their menu changes seasonally. But right now, you can stick your fork into unforgettable dishes like Oriental braised buffalo osso buco or the Fennel pollen seared ruby red trout.

Empire Burger

Empire Burger has been voted “Best Burger” in Summit County every year since 2007, and it’s easy to see why. With unique burgers like the Kona Burger which features Swiss cheese, ham, pineapple and firecracker sauce, Empire is an awesome place to sit back and recharge after a long day on the slopes. Oh, and with burgers priced around $8-10, this is a spot ideal for folks wanting to eat tasty food on a budget.

Michael’s Italian Restaurant

For over ten years, Breckenridge has had the pleasure of eating delicious, authentic Italian food at Michael’s. Featuring an inviting outdoor patio with fresh air and mountain views, Michael’s delivers insanely tasty dishes like Tortellini with Basil Cream and Clam Linguini to its guests. Their wine list is quite versatile and will suit everyone from seasoned wine drinkers to those new to the wine game.

Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

Mi Casa opened its doors in 1981, and is now the longest standing same-owned restaurant in Breckenridge. Their delicious hand-shaken margaritas are surely a large factor behind their success. Mi Casa is obsessed with making fresh ingredients the center of their culinary identity, and they truly pride themselves on providing an authentic Mexican food dining experience to their customers. With an impressive list of tequilla options and dishes like the spicy Avocado Frito, you’ll probably feel right at home when you eat at Mi casa.

Original author: SkyRun