Top 5 Restaurants

If you are like us, one of the first things we get excited about when taking a vacation is FOOD! We always want to know where we can find the best vibe and some fresh, solid nutrition – before the hanger starts. It’s not always easy to find them – but, you’re in luck because food is definitely one our favorite things and we have created a top five list of eateries that really know how to serve it upright!

The Grand Valley’s agricultural roots have paved the way for a strong farm to table movement. We produce spirts, wine, fruits and veggies in abundance. Add to that, around here, we understand what free range really is. It all adds up to a culinary experience foodies like us crave!

So, on behalf of the Fruita CrashPad Crew, we invite you to come along and explore five of our favorite eateries during your adventures here… we think you will be glad you did!

Without further ado – here they are:
Starting right in the middle of our valley in Downtown Grand Junction, here are two you will love! 

• Bin 707 Foodbar
  The dining scene is hot here! You can feel the vibe as soon as you open the door… the hum of happy conversation and upbeat music fills the air, while delicious smells of roasted tomatoes and root vegetables tingle your senses. Great mixology cocktails, fresh seasonal Colorado cuisine and their polite and gracious team all put this place top on our list for lunch and dinner.

We recommend you get there early, it’s a popular place and no reservations are taken. Smart casual and $10-30 per person.

• Café Sol
  We can’t say enough about this place! You will find us here often because we crave their fresh,
  local salads and inventive soups. In addition to some amazing traditional menu items, they offer a great selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Strawberries and goat cheese…
  lentils and carrots… quinoa and chickpeas… bacon and blue cheese. And their fruit-infused waters… freshly baked cast iron cornbread… mmm… we think we will head there now…

Open for breakfast and lunch, casual and $8-15 per person.

On the East end of the Grand Valley, Palisade hosts two restaurants that you do not want to miss!

• Palisade Café 11.0
  Say hello to Shawn, the bartender. You will know it’s him because of his long dreadlocks.
  Don’t let that young hippie vibe fool you – this guy knows how to make some seriously good cocktails. If you like gin, the Nardis (Shawn’s invention) is highly recommended. The Palisade
  Cafe bar features Colorado spirits, wine, and beer – it’s a great place to check out what our great state has to offer! And don’t miss the food – the menu is local and ever-changing, they are really making a name in our valley with their authentic Spanish paella… YUM!

Open lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, casual and $15-30 per person.

• Inari’s BistroInari’s is one of the original farm to table restaurants in our valley. Before it was really a trend in the Grand Valley, they were already doing it, because it is who they are. And it shows in their seasonal, eclectic menu. We always ask to sit at the open kitchen bar – We enjoy watching the flames dance and smell the spices pop as the chef prepares our food, especially on a busy Friday or Saturday night. The whole team are food artists and it is inspiring to watch, we always leave with an idea for a new homemade dish!

Wednesday through Saturday – Dinner only. Smart Casual $15-35 per person.

Last, but not least, we are headed West to Fruita. You wouldn’t know it but tucked into this mighty adventure town is a world-famous pizza joint!

• The Hot Tomato Café – Pizza and beer…. Need I say more? Featured in the Patagonia film Life of Pie, this place serves it up with a vibe that cannot be duplicated. The sounds of funky music,
  sometimes live, (we saw The Lumineers here once upon a time) will fill your ears along with locals and tourists alike sharing stories from the days adventures. It’s a place you must experience! Bonus: the pie is of the kind you have always dreamed about – crispy and doughy in the right places with ingredients that meld together with perfection. Top it off with a great selection of Colorado microbrews and you have a mighty fine afternoon or evening! Locally, we live for peach season, when the Palisade Peach Pie is out… gorgonzola, rosemary, fresh peaches and prosciutto. Peaches on pizza? Yeah… trust me… you want it! Thank me later.

Lunch and Dinner, Tuesday – Saturday. Casual. $10-15 per person. Be sure to get there early… this place is super popular!

So, research no more my friends – if amazing vibes, great food, libations and farm to table deliciousness are what crave, we have you covered! The Grand Junction Area is full of small, locally-owned eateries like these and no matter which end of the Grand Valley your adventures lead you, great food is right around the corner!

Thank you for coming along on the ride! We are confident you will enjoy the top five, as rated by the Fruita CrashPad Crew and we can’t wait to hear about your amazing experiences!
Cheers!
Michelle and the Fruita CrashPad Crew