'Classic' Colorado Eatery Named 'Oldest Restaurant' In The State
By Sarah Tate
May 19, 2025
Have you ever dined at the oldest restaurant in Colorado?
Restaurants open and close all the time but there are some that have lingered for decades, the establishments that have created a lasting legacy in some fashion, whether through charming decor, laid-back atmosphere or simply good food and service.
Using reviews, awards and accolades as well as first-hand experience, LoveFood compiled a list of the "oldest restaurant" in each state that is "worth seeking out and still serves great food." These are the establishments that have stood the test of time and have continued to draw in diners who return again and again to explore what the eatery has to offer.
So which Colorado restaurant was named the oldest in the state?
Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant
This Denver eatery has been around for more than a century and harkens back to a bygone era. Buckhorn Exchange, which has a 4.4 star rating on Google and more than 4,400 reviews, is located at 1000 Osage Street.
Here's what LoveFood had to say about this "classic" eatery:
"Stepping into the Buckhorn Exchange's taxidermy-stuffed dining room is a bit like stepping back into the Old West. It was opened in 1893 by Henry H. 'Shorty Scout' Zietz, an eccentric figure from the era and a friend of the famous William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. Now, the quirky spot draw in tourists rather than ranchers and miners, and it impresses them with a menu featuring buffalo steak, Rocky Mountain oysters (bull's testicles), and rattlesnake."
See the full list at lovefood.com to read more about the most historic restaurants around the country. You can also see our previous coverage of the eatery named the "best cult-favorite restaurant" in Colorado.