By fine dining in Estes Park, I mean you're wanting to have a special, dress-up-and-impress-the-girl sort of dining experience. That doesn't mean these are the best places in town to eat, it just means that if an occasion calls for fancy, these will do the trick.
Estes Park, and heck, the whole state of Colorado, are pretty darn casual places. It's not uncommon to go to the ballet in Denver and see people wearing blue jeans. At most restaurants in Estes Park, I would feel pretty silly wearing a dress. At most places, I feel perfectly comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. You could probably get away with jeans and a t-shirt at a lot of the places on this list, too (it's a tourist town, and we don't expect you to pack a lot of fancy clothes), but these are also places where no one would think you backwards for dressing up and having a fancy night out.
Cascades Restaurant (at The Stanley Hotel) 333 W Wonderview Ave., (970) 586-3371, $$$$ Fancy schmancy. The food is good, though not outstanding. Go more for the ambience and opulence of the beautiful Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining.
Fawn Brook Inn Hwy 7 Bus. (Allenspark), (303) 747-2556, $$$$ Excellent atmosphere and excellent food. Highly reviewed Continental cuisine served in a charming cottage-like restaurant.
Grandmaison's Chalet Room (at Mary's Lake Lodge) 2625 Marys Lake Rd., (970) 586-5958, $$$ Marc Grandmaison is well-known around Estes for creating delicious food. An excellent choice for a romantic dinner.
The Inn of Glen Haven 7468 CR 43 (Glen Haven), (970) 586-3897, $$$+ You'll think you've entered Great Aunt Edna's cottage when you take in this charming, Old-world restaurant decorated in warm, antique style. Pricey, but very good. (And filling! Come empty!) Glen Haven is 15 minutes from Estes.
La Chaumiere Hwy 36 (Pinewood Springs), (303) 823-6521, $$$$ Elegant French cuisine in an intimate setting. La Chaumiere is in Pinewood Springs, about 20 minutes from Estes.
Ptarmigan Restaurant (at The Aspen Lodge) 6120 S Hwy 7, (970) 586-8133, $$$ A nice atmosphere at the Aspen Lodge, and I enjoyed the food, although I have to admit it's been several years since I've been there.
Silverado Restaurant (at Lake Shore Lodge) 1700 Big Thompson Ave., (970) 577-6422, $$$ Lakeside dining and good food. It's been awhile, but I seem to remember some baked brie with lingonberries that was to die for.
Twin Owls Steakhouse 800 MacGregor Ave., (970) 586-9344, $$$+ A beautiful, rustic building and excellent food.
The View Restaurant (at The Crags Lodge) 300 Riverside Dr., (970) 586-6066, $$$ A beautiful atmosphere in an historic lodge with fantastic views. Oh, and the food is good, too.
Villa Tatra Hwy 36 (Pinewood Springs), (303) 823-6819, $$$ Located about 20 minutes from Estes in Pinewood Springs, Villa Tatra's specialty is smoked salmon (they smoke it themselves) plus European cuisine.
My favorite? For a unique, Rocky Mountain-style atmosphere, I'd have to go with the Fawn Brook Inn. It is quaint and cozy and mountain-y. For rustic elegance, go with Twin Owls Steakhouse. For impressive views, try the Ptarmigan Restaurant at Aspen Lodge or The View Restaurant at The Crags Lodge. And for opulence, try the Cascades Restaurant at the Stanley Hotel.
