You’ll surely find culinary delights galore on Glenwood’s Restaurant Row and in the vicinity, but Seventh Street has a history all its own. As you pull up a chair for a meal, take time to savor the story as much as the meal.
Step off the train at the historic depot in Glenwood Springs, and you’ll find you’ve landed on one of the town’s liveliest and most storied streets. Seventh Street is affectionately known as “Restaurant Row,” a place where locals and visitors come to eat, drink, and gather. But long before it became Glenwood’s unofficial dining district, this stretch of town was known for something a bit more…rowdy.
From Red Lights to Restaurants
Seventh Street is one of the oldest sections of Glenwood Springs, dating back to the late 1800s when the town was a raucous Wild West outpost. The area near the train depot was the first to see development as miners, ranchers, and entrepreneurs came seeking a bath, a meal, and a good time. In those days, this stretch was home to the city’s red-light district, a hub for the rowdy crowd that kept the saloons hoppin’ and brothels bustling.
As the decades rolled on, Seventh Street’s reputation shifted with the times. In the 1970s, it became a popular hangout for bikers, who filled the street with their motorized chrome steeds and a rebel spirit that could feel intimidating to tourists debarking Amtrak’s California Zephyr.
Fortunately, the street has been transformed yet again. What was once a raucous frontier of vice is now a culinary corridor of craft beer, fine dining, and creative cuisine. While centered on Seventh Street, the bountiful gastronomic delights of Restaurant Row even spill over onto the intersecting streets.
A Feast of Flavors
From breakfast to happy hour and dinner, Restaurant Row in Glenwood Springs is the place to go.
The evolution of Seventh Street into a dining destination didn’t happen overnight, it grew gradually, one restaurant at a time. The Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, which was once the historic Star Hotel and part of the Hotel Denver (now Hotel Maxwell Anderson), helped anchor the block in the early 1990s. As Western Colorado’s most awarded brewery, its crafted brews continually win acclaim, drawing those who appreciate a good local pour.
For a jolt of java, start the day off at Wild Coffee, also located in Hotel Maxwell Anderson. With indoor and outdoor seating, breakfast treats, and some of the best espresso-based drinks in town, you’ll be ready for whatever the day may bring.
Just steps away, The Pullman redefined Glenwood dining with its urban-bistro-meets-small-town-quirky approach. Chef-driven and inventive, the menu changes seasonally, offering unusual, but always delicious seasonal dishes, desserts, and cocktails.
A steak-lover’s paradise, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse is tried and true for beef cuts of every kind, plus elk & lamb, pan-seared to perfection. With one bite of tender ribeye or filet mignon, you’ll soon be transported to carnivore nirvana. Besides the bovine buffet, you can enjoy various fish and fowl delights.
If you’re in the mood for something ultra casual, KC’s Wing House is the place for flavorful wings and comfort eats with a Jamaican flare, while Grind serves up craft burgers that push the boundaries of creativity.
Meanwhile, Riviera Supper Club & Scratch Kitchen, known by locals as simply The Riv, is fine dining with artistic flair. Check out their menu of seasonally inspired dishes, paired with an amazing array of wine by the glass and craft cocktails. Next door, for something more down-home, CO Ranch House delivers full-on Western flavor, think bison, elk, and trout, with a side of panache.
Of course, no vibrant dining district is complete without tacos and pierogies, and Seventh Street has those, too. For multicultural flair, tuck into Slope and Hatch for inspired taco or gourmet hot dog options or stroll up to the Mama’s Pierogi food truck for a plateful of Polish home cooking.
The influence of Restaurant Row has created a ripple effect, with amazing dining choices within its proximity. In the neighborhood, you’ll also find Glenwood Springs restaurants serving up Korean pho, Japanese sushi, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, as well as a fair helping of BBQ, pizza parlors, candy stores, and ice cream shops.
The Social Scene
Throughout the year, the Restaurant Row area also becomes a natural gathering spot for community events. Bethel Plaza, the inviting space beneath the Grand Avenue Bridge, hosts year-round events from farmers’ markets and concerts to movie nights and holiday celebrations. What unites them all is a deep sense of community, grounded in food, fun, and local warmth. The pedestrian-friendly layout makes it easy to wander from one restaurant to the next, soaking up the aromas, the music, and the lively spirit that embodies Glenwood Springs.
Where History Meets Hospitality
Seventh Street has come a long way since its early days, but part of its allure is in the way the area has integrated the old and the new. Historic brick buildings coexist with modern menus to create an authentic mountain vibe that never fails to satisfy.
In Glenwood Springs, Restaurant Row invites you to pull up a chair, settle in to savor the flavors and the ambiance that make this one the town’s most character-filled dining destinations.
