Six Best Places to eat in Downtown Grand Junction, Palisade or Fruita

Grand Junction may not yet be the urban mecca for world-class restaurants around every corner, but it has some excellent restaurants that cultivate far-reaching recognition. Don’t just take my word for the best places to eat in downtown Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade. Go and find out for yourself!

There are tons of restaurants that help create the vibrant vibe of each of the downtown areas in the Grand Valley. Between Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade, you can choose your own boutique boho experience of food, music, art, culture, shopping and people watching. Many of the restaurants in the downtown areas are dog and bike friendly. Small business establishments take great pride in showcasing their unique local flare. Additionally, there is a proud commitment to use local agriculture, local dairy, and highlighting the creativity of farm to table eating.

So, what are the best places to eat in downtown Grand Junction? Fruita? Palisade?

Downtown Grand Junction https://downtowngj.org

The GJ downtown is abuzz now more than ever. Not too long ago, the lights were off and the only sound was silence after about 8pm. But, no longer. New local businesses and the City of Grand Junction have put a good deal of effort into downtown revitalization. Their efforts are being well rewarded. Local art and murals are classily woven throughout the downtown area, and you can choose between a quick cold brew, kombucha, or a sipping cocktail. Local shop owners display outdoor gear (so very Colorado), boutique fashion and high quality shoes in their displays.

Bin 707

Josh Nierenberg, owner and creator of Bin 707, has had great success not just locally, but also is recognized as a top chef on a national scale. We have the great honor of having his restaurants in our own back yard. Bin 707 is one of my faves for a wagyu-beef burger, signature cocktail, and seasonal creative dishes. Definitely a fantastic dinner spot for a casual night out or a special occasion. Dad of two, Josh tells a story about an evening that his two young sons came to dinner at Bin 707. They only wanted pizza. No pizza on the menu at the time, Josh created Bin pizza. Delicious, creative and still family friendly. Bin 707 keeps it real. https://www.bin707.com/

Take a peek at our local chef talent with this interview from Forbes about Josh Nierenberg. https://www.forbes.com/sites/noelburgess/2024/06/10/chefs-table-talk-2024-choppin-it-up-with-josh-nierenberg

Cafe Sol

This is one of the best places to grab a bite for lunch. A perfect blend of hippy and chic, the seasonal, freshly made soups, paninis and salads are satisfying and healthy. On a cooler day, sitting out on the patio is a great way to spend a relaxing moment. But be warned, they’re only open until 3pm, so if you’re looking for dinner, this is not the place.

More info: https://www.cafesolgj.com

Taco Party

Slightly to the south of the main drag, is a little walk-up and order taco joint called, yes…Taco Party. And even though I’ve never actually been there for a party, the tacos (and the guacamole) make my mouth water. Fun and fresh, the atmosphere is relaxed and a bit industrial/modern. The tacos are super tasty, and if you’re feeling zany, they also have a variety of local brews and margaritas to accompany your meal.

More info: https://www.tacopartygj.com

Downtown Fruita https://gofruita.com

Community pride, mountain biking, local business support and dinosaurs are all a huge part of what makes Fruita special. Between the Dinosaur Museum and the painted roaring meat-eating dinosaur head painted on the co-op building, fossil-focused Fruita has some fantastic charm.

Filling our plates with some delicious food from Karma Kitchen

Karma Kitchen

Karma Kitchen has local Indian food that’s hot and flavorful. Right on the main thoroughfare, it’s easy to pop in for a bite of ethnic cuisine.

More info: https://karmakitchenfruita.com

The Hot Tomato

What situation isn’t improved by pizza? Yes, you Deadpool fans, that is a quote from the movie. But, The Hot Tomato doesn’t just stop at pineapple and olive. They have many-a-pie to tempt the palate from traditional to creative and even a peach-centric pizza during the summer months.

More info: https://www.hottomatopizza.com

Downtown Palisade https://www.visitpalisade.com

Palisade has an entirely different feel than the other parts of the valley. Part of the uniqueness lies in its vast collection of vineyards, wineries and peach orchards all set within the slumbering cradle of the eastern Grand Valley. The temperatures are more Mediterranean here (or so I’m told), which helps the crops grow. Romantic and picturesque, Palisade is easy to see through rose-colored glasses…and by that, I mean wine glasses.

Peche Restaurant

For a special occasion, Peche Restaurant is one of my favorites. Small and family owned, the head chef/owner takes his art of food design to a whole new level. Be sure to put plenty of time aside to enjoy the decadence of the meal and the atmosphere. Oh, and make sure you make reservations in advance.

More info: https://pecherestaurantcolorado.com

Colterris Winery

Long established Colorado vineyards are in full swing at Colterris Winery. If you’re looking for a fun and educational wine tour, then Colterris is a great place to start. Additionally, they have added a separate tasting room where you can sit for a spell, have a snack and sip a flight of their hand-selected wines.

More info: https://www.colterris.com/

Do you have some favorite or best places to eat in downtown Grand Junction, Fruita or Palisade? I’d love to hear what they are and give them a try too.

Cheers,
Alannna

Alanna Spees, REALTOR®
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