coffee lounge cups
Staying true to the notion of relaxed dining, Mugs Coffee Lounge on South College Avenue scores #1 on Yelp.com. This cozy corner restaurant is known for its exhibits of local artists, fun atmosphere, and lots of goodies. McCabe Callahan opened Mugs in 2002. This is a super eco-friendly place where they go out of their way to recycle anything. If you’re looking for the perfect place to work, they have huge desk chairs and tables, but it’s also a great place to read a book or chat with friends. In addition to traditional cafeteria food, Mugs serves smoothies, burritos, quesadillas, an extensive breakfast menu, bagels, sandwiches, and grilled paninis. There’s even a gluten-free and vegan menu. If the weather is nice, grab a table outside!
Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon
Part restaurant, part pub, Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon in Old Town Square is a must-see Fort Collins spot. Lucky Joe’s is a mix of Irish pub and Western saloon where food is only made from fresh ingredients and cooked in-house with care and pride. Joe Vader, who is a talented singer in his own right, owns this restaurant and because of that, Lucky Joe’s has some of the best live music and open mic nights in town. For a quieter atmosphere, head to the patio, which is the perfect place to just relax with a group. The burgers are the highlight at this Fort Collins eatery, with Big Mick the winner, but on a cold winter night, Guinness Stew definitely hits the spot.
Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine
When looking for exotic eats in a cozy setting, look no further than Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine on Harvard Street. Everything that comes out of the kitchen at this family-owned Fort Collins restaurant is made fresh by hand, even the injera bread. When possible, Nyala uses organic ingredients. If you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, don’t worry. The staff are patient and will explain the entire menu to you in detail, including recommendations on spice levels. Diners love wot, specifically yasa wot or yebeg wot, and alicha beef.
Lucile’s Creole Coffee
On South Meldrum Street is the Cajun-inspired Lucile’s Creole Cafe. This restaurant received four and a half out of five stars from Yelp.com. Known as the best Creole coffee in all of Colorado, Lucile’s opened its doors in the early 1980’s and began with the goal of serving the best breakfast in town in a comfortable and unique setting. They definitely achieved that and have since branched out into soups, sandwiches, salads, po’boys, and entrees like blackened salmon and crayfish etoufee, proving they’ve always stayed true to Creole culture. While they serve more than just breakfast, it’s this early meal, and specifically the biscuits, gravy, and fritters, that really keep the locals coming back again and again.