Restaurants Near Grand Junction for an Elopement Dinner

As you continue planning your elopement in Grand Junction, you’ll probably begin to consider dinner plans for the day. Whether you plan to have a catered dinner with a private chef, book reservations at a local restaurant, or dine on a picnic as the sun sets, it’s important to consider what and when you’ll be eating. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to forget! Let’s focus for now on restaurants near Grand Junction for your elopement dinner.

Choosing the perfect restaurant sets the tone for this special occasion, offering you both a chance to savor delectable cuisine, bask in romantic ambiance, and create lasting memories against the backdrop of Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes. To help you make this decision effortless, I’ve curated a list of the best restaurants near Grand Junction that cater to elopement dinners, ensuring an unforgettable culinary ending to your big day.

What to Consider When Booking a Restaurant for an Elopement Dinner

Intimate Atmosphere

If you’re like most couples, you probably chose to elope to enjoy a more intimate experience, so you will likely seek restaurants with cozy and romantic atmospheres. Look for places with dim lighting, comfortable seating arrangements, and perhaps even private dining rooms or secluded outdoor patios.

Scenic Views

Grand Junction is known for its stunning natural landscapes. You may want to capitalize on this by choosing a restaurant with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, vineyards, or rivers, providing a picturesque backdrop for your celebration.

Unique Cuisine

Offering a memorable dining experience is most important to some couples. You may be interested in restaurants that serve unique and flavorful cuisine, whether it’s locally sourced ingredients, regional specialties, or creative fusion dishes. Consider options that cater to various dietary preferences or offer customizable menus.

Capacity and Privacy

Depending on the size of your elopement party, you may prefer restaurants that can accommodate your group comfortably without feeling overcrowded. For smaller gatherings, you might opt for intimate settings, while larger parties could require larger restaurants with private dining room options. Some couples having more of a micro wedding situation will even book the whole space out.

Customization Options

You may want to personalize your dining experience further by working with the restaurant to create a custom menu or special dishes that reflect their tastes and preferences. Flexibility and willingness to accommodate special requests can be a significant selling point for restaurants if this is important to you.

Convenient Location

Accessibility is essential, especially if you are coordinating multiple activities on your elopement day. Restaurants located near popular elopement venues, accommodations, or scenic spots can make logistics easier for you and your guests.

Exceptional Service

You want your elopement dinner to be a memorable experience, and excellent service plays a significant role in achieving that. Friendly and attentive staff who go above and beyond to cater to your group’s needs can leave a lasting impression.

Flexibility with Timing

Elopements often follow a less traditional timeline, so restaurants that are flexible with reservation times or offer extended hours can accommodate couples who may be planning a sunset ceremony followed by a late dinner, for example.

Your Guide to Restaurants Near Grand Junction for an Elopement Dinner

The following restaurants are merely ideas for your elopement dinner and not considered advice. Each restaurant’s policies and offerings may change, so be sure to check with the staff about their openings for groups or if they take reservations. These are not all my own personal recommendations, either, as each person’s tastes and needs are their own. Research your options before booking!

Pêche.

Pêche. is located in Palisade in the heart of wine country’s quaint downtown district. It’s known for it’s creative cuisine and dedication to local, sustainable ingredients. Set against the backdrop of Colorado’s scenic landscape, Pêche. offers an intimate and elegant dining experience with rustic charm and contemporary flair. The menu features meticulously crafted dishes that highlight the freshest flavors of the region. Complemented by an impressive selection of wines and attentive service, Pêche. invites guests to savor a memorable culinary journey that celebrates the best of Colorado’s bounty.

Bin 707 Foodbar

Bin 707 Foodbar, located in downtown Grand Junction, is a culinary destination known for its inventive cuisine and commitment to locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant offers a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, with cozy seating and a vibrant ambiance. Led by a passionate culinary team, and James Beard Nominee, Bin 707 Foodbar crafts dishes that showcase the flavors of Colorado, from creative small plates to hearty entrées. With a focus on sustainability and seasonality, each dish is thoughtfully prepared to highlight the best of the region’s produce.

Bistro 317

Bistro 317, nestled in the heart of downtown Grand Junction, offers a French-inspired cuisine. With its cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere, the restaurant provides a charming backdrop for an intimate dining experience. The downtown location makes it a splendid spot for dinner and a night on the town to follow. Stop by the Hotel Melrose nearby for craft cocktails, or one of downtown’s breweries if you love a beer!

Devil’s Kitchen

Located on the edge of the Colorado Mesa University campus, this rooftop restaurant has stunning views of town and the Monument on the horizon! Your hotel room could be a few floors down if you wanted, as this restaurant is located on the roof of the Hotel Maverick. The campus and restaurant sit in the heart of the city, making it an easy target after a day on the Monument or nearby BLM lands. https://www.devilskitchenrestaurant.com/

Enzo’s Ristorante Italiano

Enzo’s offers Italian cuisine and wood fired pizza in an ornately beautiful setting. Located along Horizon Drive, it is a quick drive up the interstate from any part of the valley. Being so close to the airport there are also a number of hotels nearby for your stay if you choose!

Blade and Bone

This new-to-town steakhouse lies conveniently along Horizon Drive near both the airport and the interstate, giving you quick access from any part of the valley (or beyond!) You’ll find top of the line steaks and other luxury dishes to satisfy your hunger after a long adventure. https://bladeandbonejunction.com/

Ristorante Pantuso

Another Italian restaurant in Grand Junction, Ristorante Pantuso offers mouthwatering dishes of Italy. As their website states, “Forget purchasing a plane ticket or taking vacation time. You can enjoy authentic recipes, ingredients and wine from the comfort of our Italian restaurant in Grand Junction, CO.” They also specialize in events!

The Winery

The Winery, ironically located in Grand Junction and not Palisade, is one of the restaurants many locals flock to for anniversaries and special meals. Its elevated ambiance and intimate setting offers a fine dining experience with a focus on wines and an outstanding culinary experience. It really is a restaurant filled with warmth. https://winery-restaurant.com/

The Goat & Clover Tavern

This English Pub located in the heart of Downtown Grand Junction is a fun and down-to-earth restaurant with hearty food and lively atmosphere. Catch “football” (soccer) games on the TV and grab a photo with the phone box outside. Being downtown, it is a great location to come back to after sunset on the Monument or if you’re staying in the multitude of lodging in the area. They have a private room to celebrate in, with a beautiful sky light too!

Jojo’s Dinette

Owned by the folks who run Bin 707 and Tacoparty, Jojo’s Dinette is now a private event space for gatherings of 15-75 guests. Experience elevated dining in a private and intimate atmosphere perfect for your post-elopement dinner adjacent to Downtown Grand Junction!

Ocotillo

Ocotillo sits at the top of the hill of the Redlands Mesa Golf Course and features incredible views of the nearby Colorado National Monument. With elevated dining and a very intimate atmosphere, they also feature a private room available to book if needed. https://ocotillogj.com/

Moody’s Lounge

This intimate setting is tucked away in the historic Kress building in downtown Grand Junction, Moody’s Lounge is a 1920’s speakeasy-inspired lounge that features an intimate space and timeless ambience. Their site remarks, “Lovers of fine whiskey and spirits can come together and revel in the artistry of a bespoke cocktail from our ample selection of hand crafted libations.” Due to its intimacy reservations are highly encouraged. https://www.moodyslounge.com/

626 on Rood

Known for its Seasonal American Dining and Wine Bar, 626 on Rood is a quaint and intimate setting with fine local cuisine. Boasting an elegant yet inviting ambiance, the restaurant sets the stage for a memorable culinary experience. Led by a passionate culinary team, 626 on Rood offers a diverse menu of innovative American cuisine, expertly prepared using the finest locally sourced ingredients.

Caroline’s

Located in Palisade’s Wine Country Inn, this cozy and elevated dining experience will enhance your Palisade celebration in our wine country. Their site says, “Our culinary emphasis is on fresh local foods prepared in the classic French tradition. We strive to refine the marriage of local Palisade and Colorado foods with local wines.”

 

Strayhorn Grill

Located in Fruita on the west side of the Valley, Strayhorn Grill boasts a “ranch to table” philosophy behind their dining experience. “Our mission at the Strayhorn Grill is to simply bring the very best quality from the farmers & ranchers to your table. We believe the true backbone of this great country are those incredible folks raising & growing our food.” 

Base Camp Provisions

A sophisticated and modern restaurant in Fruita, Base Camp Provisions is a great option for those celebrating their elopement day exploring the Monument or surrounding areas, making its “Base Camp” name ring true. https://www.basecampfruita.com/

Fidel’s Cocina

For a more casual and cool dining experience, Fidel’s Cocina in Palisade offers the “best tacos and margaritas in Palisade” in a fun and modern setting. This is a lively and vibrant taqueria serving clean, Latin-inspired dishes and thoughtful craft cocktails. There are some cute lodging options nearby, including the Spoke & Vine Motel up the road, if you’re hopping around Palisade’s wine country for your elopement day.

Tacoparty

Another Latin-inspired restaurant in the Valley is located in downtown Grand Junction. Tacoparty, as they say on their website, “is a tribute to the ingredients grown, made, and sourced from the heart of Colorado’s Grand Valley. Inspired by our relationships with the farmers, ranchers, brewers, and producers in our local region and what they’re offering at that moment, our menu is infused with elements that give your plate a distinct sense of place.” This is a very intimate setting, with some incredible tacos and sides!

Edgewater Brewery

This local brewery near the Riverfront district has a large room that could host a small post-elopement gathering. The location is near cool activities and lodging like Camp Eddy, the Riverfront Zip Line Adventures, Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, and more. The riverfront is also centrally located in town! The Edgewater location offers typical brewery faire like sandwiches, burgers, wraps, etc.

Ale House

The Ale House lies in the heart of Grand Junction, with a huge lawn and airy indoor seating as well. It’s best known for its handcrafted food, beers, and cocktails, and their menu features a variety of savory dishes, complemented by a wide selection of craft beers. The Ale House also hosts events and has options for parties and special gatherings, making it a popular spot for elopement dinners.

13 Brix Cider Bistro

This cider bistro in downtown Palisade is a European-style bistro that also serves as a cider and wine bar. The establishment offers a curated menu of European-inspired dishes alongside a selection of craft ciders and wines. The ambiance combines modern elegance with a cozy atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for casual dining or special occasions. The bistro emphasizes quality ingredients and a unique dining experience.

Citrola’s Italian

The cozy ambiance you’d expect from a local Italian eatery, Citrola’s is conveniently located near the interstate and airport for easy access after your elopement ceremony or before your sunset photo adventure on the Monument or BLM lands. They even have a private space for events. https://www.citrolasgj.com/private-events

I will try to continue adding to this as more and more new restaurants pop up in town! In the meantime, if you know a great spot I’ve missed let me know in the comments below!  If you’re looking for a local Grand Junction elopement photographer to capture your adventure, click here for more info about me and my services!

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