High Altitude Culinary Secrets in Durango Colorado mountain town offers best of microbrews, local products, agritourism, culinary tourism, wine, fine dining, bistros, festivals and local cuisine

From down-to-earth eateries, cafes and brewpubs to award-winning fine dining, Durango’s culinary offerings reflect the richness, creativity, talent and uniqueness of the southwest. Simmering and sautéing well above sea level is a culinary delight: from sushi to Himalayan and classic French to American Southwest. Durango is a hotbed for traditional and innovative cuisines that blend the absolute best flavors from around the world and from our own backyard.

The quantity of independent restaurants, quality of ingredients and breadth of menu selections in this town, boldly challenge the sophisticated culinary offerings of any metropolitan hub. Downtown Durango boasts as many restaurants per capita as San Francisco!*  Trail to market, you’ll find foodie favorites from the area:  Zuberfizz soda, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Durango Farmers’ Market,  Honeyville Honey, Ricky’s Lucky Nuts, O’Hara’s Jam, Fox Fire Farms Lamb and wine, James Ranch Artisan Cheese and beef, Bread artisan breads and Desert Sun Coffee.

Agriculture is at the heart of the Durango community supported by a strong “eat local” mindset and an abundance of locally grown and raised meat, vegetables and food products. Agritourism brings visitors to learn about sustainability and enjoy an agri-vacation in this fertile mountain growing region. A successful weekly farmers’ market promotes the regions products and serves as a gathering place. Competition for “Iron Horse Chef” creates a bond between local chefs, farmers and the community.

Self-proclaimed as the “Napa Valley of Beer” or the “City of Brewerly Love”, a trip to Durango isn’t complete without a pint from one of our four microbreweries and brew pubs: Carver Brewing Co., Durango Brewing Co., Ska Brewing Co. and Steamworks Brewing Co. Due to readily available “first use” water, Durango is ideal for brewing award-winning beers, ales and lagers. “Beer is 98% water so the quality of water has a huge impact on the quality and flavor profile of a beer.  Durango’s water is soft and ideal for brewing.” says Kris Oyler owner and CEO of Steamworks Brewing Co. “Our breweries offer well made, fresh, locally crafted beer.”

Already known for quality lamb, beef, eggs and produce, Foxfire Farms has uncorked its first vintage of wines and unveiled a new tasting room at their La Plata County ranch.  Made with locally grown USDA certified organic grapes, this year they are featuring Fox Fire Farm’s American Riesling.

The Durango culinary experience is renowned for innovative and seasonal menus, local produce and meats and authentic cuisine.  “We thrive on being creative with our menu-blending flavors from around the world, utilizing different cooking techniques and incorporating ingredients that are fresh and local,” says Karen Barger, owner and mastermind of Seasons Rotisserie and Grille. Numerous Durango restaurants boast world-class wine lists each with their particular area of expertise and Wine Spectator International Awards of Excellence.

The area celebrates its culinary passion with numerous festivals, seminars and events. These include the Wine Experience, San Juan Brewfest, Oktoberfest, Coffee Festival, Taste of Durango, Tour de Farms, Iron Horse Chef competition, Homegrown Festival and Durango Farmers’ Market. Cooking schools include Rylee Mac’s Cooking School, Just Asian Plus and EnoTech at Seasons.

Two new culinary destinations in Durango are Eno and the Golden Triangle. Eno is a modern-yet cozy art-infused wine bar/bistro offering a variety of wines, tapas, appetizers, coffees, teas and breakfast pastries; located next to Cyprus Café. Golden Triangle, located next to East by Southwest, serves authentic Thai cuisine in a metro-contemporary setting.

Located at high altitude and low humidity, cooking and baking in Durango adds challenges and requires some changes be made to traditional culinary techniques.  Cooking times are increased for dishes that involve simmering, boiling or a reduction because liquids boil at a lower temperature. Sauces and stews that simmer or reduce also require extra time, which means extra patience and attention to stirring and braising.

It could be the extra care and details required when cooking at high altitude, the abundance of fresh produce and meats, the picturesque mountain setting or the wonderful adventures that work up an appetite.  Whatever the reason, Durango knows how to soothe your stomach and your soul.