And when it comes to pizza, this charming mountain town certainly delivers. From Detroit-style pan pizzas baked in cast iron skillets to artisan Neapolitan pies fired in wood-burning ovens, Telluride offers an incredibly diverse pizza experience for such a small town.
In This Article
This definitive guide explores the very best pizzerias Telluride has to offer. We cover everything from family-friendly pizza joints to après ski spots, specialty local pies, and gluten-free options. Read on to discover our top picks for the ultimate pizza experience in Telluride.
TL;DR
- Brown Dog Pizza serves up authentic Detroit-style pies in a casual, laidback setting.
- Mountain Village offers stunning views and top-notch pizza restaurants like La Pizzeria.
- Locals recommend the spicy Diablo pie at Siam's Talay for a unique Thai-inspired pizza.
- Skiers flock to Tomboy Tavern for hearty pizza perfect for fueling up après ski.
- Gluten-free diners have plenty of dedicated options like the Telluride Trattoria.
The Pizza Scene in Telluride
As a world-class ski town and upscale mountain destination, Telluride attracts visitors from across the globe with its remote location and striking scenery. And while the slopes, hiking trails, and mountain vistas draw outdoor enthusiasts in, the food alone makes many travelers fall in love with Telluride. The town punches far above its weight class when it comes to culinary offerings. From Michelin-starred fine dining to food festivals celebrating talents like Wolfgang Puck, Telluride’s dining scene captivates.
And pizza specifically has carved out a niche in Telluride. The town’s small-town charm, thriving bar and restaurant industry, and hordes of visitors make it a perfect spot for pizzerias to flourish. Locals, season pass holders, skiers, and summer tourists all help these pizza joints thrive year-round.
While Telluride offers classic Colorado ski town pizza, what sets it apart is the sheer variety of high-quality pies available. Neapolitan pizza baked in wood-fired ovens, Detroit and Chicago-style pan pizzas in cast iron skillets, gourmet pizzas with creative, locally sourced toppings—the options satisfy every pizza craving.
Detroit Style Pizza at Its Best: Brown Dog Pizza
The hands-down most popular pizza joint in Telluride is Brown Dog Pizza. And Detroit pizza certainly stands out from other styles. These pies get baked in heavy cast iron pans so the crust fries up crispy on the bottom. Yellow cheddar blankets the pie instead of just mozzarella, giving the pizza its distinctive golden top. And that iconic caramelized cheese crust literally fries onto the edges of the pan, taking the term “cheesy bread” to new heights.
Brown Dog does Detroit pizza right. Their house-made sauce plays perfectly with that crispy fried bottom. And while traditional toppings like pepperoni and Italian sausage shine, their weekly special pies keep things interesting. Whether an indulgent breakfast pizza with eggs, bacon, and potatoes or a creamy chicken alfredo pizza, Brown Dog delivers. No wonder there’s always a crowd waiting outside for the first-come, first-served pizzas hot from the oven. Just be prepared to join the queue for your pie!
Picturesque Pizza and Mountain Views in Mountain Village
While many excellent pizzerias call Telluride’s historic downtown home, Mountain Village warrants its own spotlight for pizza. This newer planned community sits at over 9,500 feet overlooking Telluride, making it literally the town above the town. Connected by a free gondola, Mountain Village provides stunning Rocky Mountain panoramas along with slopeside lodging and dining.
When it comes to pizza, Mountain Village holds its own with outstanding options. La Pizzeria offers classic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza baked at over 800 degrees in a true Italian pizza oven. Their Margherita pie pairs that blistered and chewy crust with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes for the ultimate Italian pizza experience. And you can’t beat dining on their heated patio overlooking the slopes.
For a more casual Colorado-style pizza meal, locals recommend Fat Alley BBQ. Their namesake Fat Alley pizza delivers smoky barbecue chicken atop a mountain of cheese and toppings. Skiers particularly love loading up on carbs here for lunch before hitting the nearby lifts. And the views overlooking Mountain Village can’t be beat.
Gluten-Free and Artisan Pizza Options
Beyond the classic pizza styles found across Telluride, the town also accommodates specialty diets and artisan offerings. The Butcher and The Baker not only offers vegan and gluten-free pizza options, but they have perfected the crusts to live up to their artisan ethos. Their gluten-free pizza soaks up that incredible house marinara sauce just like a traditional pie. And vegans will swoon over their signature V.G. pie piled high with mushrooms, peppers, plant-based cheese and “pig” candy bacon.
For a uniquely Telluride take on gluten-free pizza, head to Telluride Trattoria. Their gluten-free pizza crust incorporates local yellow cornmeal, sorghum, and millet flours, encapsulating Telluride’s farm-to-table ethos. Toppings like foraged mushrooms, house-made fennel sausage and even Colorado-grown hemp seeds cater to the local, health-conscious crowd. And the Trattoria’s cozy atmosphere and outstanding service make it a favorite for intimate dinners.
Pizza for the Whole Family
Quality family-friendly dining can be hard to find in a ski town like Telluride, which is teeming with adventure seekers. But pizza restaurants help fill that gap, offering casual environments and menu options even picky kids gobble up.
For families staying slopeside, Revelry Pizza in Mountain Village can’t be beat. Their outdoor patio accommodates stunning views and plenty of room for kids to roam while parents enjoy a local Palisade wine. Kids especially love customizing their own personal pizzas with unlimited toppings. And the adults appreciate house specialties like the spicy Thai pie with peanut sauce and crushed peanuts.
Down in town, The Floradora Saloon offers a more rustic, Old West setting for families but the same outstanding pizza. Kids can sip on handmade sodas or milkshakes while coloring the special activity sheets. And their crispy crust pies layered with cheese satisfy even voracious appetites after a long day outdoors. Parents will appreciate the laidback environment complete with a mechanical bull for after kids turn in for the night!
Apres Ski Pizza Perfection
While skiers and snowboarders flock to Telluride for the world-class terrain, many say the après ski scene steals the show. And pizza plays a key role fueling these mountain celebrations at the base of the slopes.
For decades, Tomboy Tavern has been the spot for skiers ending their day with drinks, friends and pizza. Their big, foldable slices served with ranch cater perfectly to the après crowd looking to refuel at a great value. Specialties like The Greek with gyro meat and tzatziki sauce also satisfy more adventurous appetites. And their epic patio delivers front-row seats to the gondola action.
Inside the heritage mountain lodge Madeline Hotel and Residences, Black Iron Kitchen and Bar offers a more upscale après scene centered around their wood-fired oven. Skiers staying slopeside pack the place to watch big games on TV while enjoying craft beers and blistered wood-fired pizzas heaped with toppings like wild boar sausage and caramelized onions. With stunning views of the slopes and an outdoor fire pit, Black Iron nails mountain pizza.
Pizza Delivery and Takeout
While most visitors want to soak up the dining ambiance in Telluride, pizza takeout and delivery provide convenient options for meals on the go. Top pizza joints like Fat Alley BBQ, The Floradora, and Brown Dog Pizza all offer take-out.
When it comes to delivery, The Paragon Pizza Kitchen dominates the Telluride scene. Their crispy thin-crust pies hold up remarkably well for delivery and are still hot and crispy upon arrival. Locals recommend ordering the white pie with olive oil, garlic, and ricotta for a decadent but simple crowd pleaser. Online ordering makes Paragon pizza just a few clicks away.
Pizza Reviews From Locals
With so many excellent pizzerias calling Telluride home, picking the perfect spot can get overwhelming. So we asked Telluride locals about their favorite pizza places in town. Here’s where they told us you absolutely have to try:
Sarah from Mountain Village says:
“We eat at Revelry Pizza at least once a week! The owner, Paul, really cares about using high-quality, local ingredients and techniques to create an incredible pizza experience. I always get the El Jefe with spicy salsa verde, and their gluten-free crust is the best GF pizza I’ve ever had!”
Mark, who manages a ski shop downtown, raves:
“After a long day working at the ski hill, Tomboy Tavern just really hits the spot. Their pizza by the slice is thin and crispy, loaded with toppings. And they pour one of the cheapest beers in town. The vibe is fun and lively, perfect for relaxing after work.”
And Julie, who runs a local motel, recommends:
“For visitors looking for a uniquely Telluride pizza experience, I always send them to The Butcher and The Baker. Their gluten-free and vegan pizzas are just mind-blowingly good. And the rest of their food stands up to the best farm-to-table restaurants in town!”
FAQ About Telluride Pizza
What’s the most popular pizza topping in Telluride?
Pepperoni and mushroom top the list according to most pizzeria owners. But given Telluride’s adventurous, locally-sourced food scene, unique toppings like foraged mushrooms, house-made fennel sausage and Colorado-grown hemp seeds have been gaining popularity.
What pizza crust style is best in Telluride?
It depends on personal preference, but Detroit-style pan pizza seems to have the most buzz around town. Locals and tourists line up out the door at Brown Dog Pizza for their crispy-edged, deep-dish pies loaded with cheese. The high altitude actually improves the crust by drying out and crisping up the outside to perfection.
Does anywhere offer pizza and beer specials?
During happy hour (4 pm – 6 pm), The Floradora Saloon offers $6 Margherita pizzas paired with $3 draft beers. Black Iron Kitchen and Bar also offers 20% off wood-fired pizzas during their daily happy hour special.
What restaurants offer gluten-free or vegan pizza options?
The Butcher and The Baker accommodates both dietary needs with incredible vegan and gluten-free pizza crusts and dairy-free cheese options. Other spots like Telluride Trattoria and Revelry Pizza also cater to gluten-free diners with house-made crusts.
Are there any pizza restaurants with views of the slopes?
Fat Alley BBQ in Mountain Village provides epic views looking out over the slopes and Telluride valley below. Their heated outdoor patio soaks up the sunshine all afternoon. And Revelry Pizza’s Mountain Village location affords stunning panoramas of the surrounding peaks.
