New restaurants in Colorado Springs get a lot of attention. The scene keeps growing and usually improving with the addition of innovative new concepts. And we humans tend to love a shiny new thing. But that means there are plenty of great dining options that get lost in the shuffle. So we asked our food writers for their favorite under the radar Colorado Springs restaurants. Here are their picks that deliver some excellent food and comfortable, friendly vibes. Bonus: Most also rate high for affordability. Put them on your go-eat-now list.
Il Vicino
This location is the only remaining Il Vicino in Colorado, and we’re so lucky it’s in the Springs. The personal size wood-fired pizzas have the most amazing crust and perfect proportions of cheese and toppings. Pair any of their pizzas (our fave is the simple Margherita) with a salad (it’s a hard call between the Il Vicino and the Spinaci) and you’ve fallen into the quintessential meal for two. Unique ingredient choices across all menu items make it more “culinary art museum” than just another pizza joint. Order a glass of wine, a craft beer or Il Vicino’s famous root beer to complete your meal. They’ve been doing all of it right since opening in the early ’90s and that still holds true today. —Laura Eurich & Carrie Simison
5214 N. Nevada Ave., University Village Shopping Center
2 Luchos
It’s not just that a lot of people have driven past 2 Luchos, it’s that they have likely sped past it on their way to the COS airport. Wedged unassumingly in a strip mall between a Dollar Tree and a King Soopers on South Academy, the family-owned spot serves Mexican and Peruvian everything. The menu is massive, almost comically so — -enchiladas, menudo, seafood soup, enchiladas, oysters and, of course, you can order a whole fish. The vibe is warm and unhurried, with Latin music and a staff that treats you like family even if you can’t decide what to order. Get the Mole Rojo Burrito. You’ll be back. —Steven Hayward
2810 S. Academy Blvd., Southeast Springs
Curry Culture
When you find yourself in the Northgate area — say, for a concert at Ford Amphitheater like we did — don’t miss Curry Culture. It has a relatively small storefront in one of the area’s new strip malls, but it’s big on flavor throughout its menu of North Indian cuisine. Credit owner and chef Inderjit Singh who opened the restaurant in late 2024, following in the footsteps of his late father who was a chef. The flavors here are rich, and the service is excellent. —Jeremy Jones…