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 the place 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
