If you believe, as some do, that Rocky Mountain oysters (look them up if you don’t know) define the core of Colorado’s food climate, consider these 36 dishes that challenge that assumption. Colorado is a melting pot of food cultures that stretches far and wide, and while we’re always on the prowl for edgy, postmodern dishes that raise the culinary bar, these classics are iconic, pioneering tour de forces that beckon us back time and time again.

Editor's Note: This guide was originally published in November 2016 and has been updated with the latest information on these restaurants.

Illustration by Hello Neighbor Designs