Fort Collins, Colorado is a vibrant city with a thriving culinary scene. From casual eateries to fine dining establishments, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here are the top 10 restaurants to eat and drink in Fort Collins:

1. Ginger and Baker

Ginger and Baker is a modern American restaurant that serves up creative and delicious dishes made with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently, but you can always expect to find something exciting and new to try. Steeped in the history of Fort Collins, Ginger and Baker holds true to it’s roots bringing the best seasonal baked goods and other seasonal options. The Cache at Ginger and Baker features some of the best food service in Northern Colorado. Enjoy hand-cut steaks and hand picked wine pairings for every dish. Or sip on some of the best bourbons from around the U.S. and Colorado. Before you leave, be sure to take home one of their home-made pies or pie slices.

2. Union Bar & Soda Fountain

Union Bar & Soda Fountain is a Fort Collins institution. This classic American diner has been serving up delicious food and drinks since 1927. The menu features all your favorite comfort food classics, such as burgers, fries, milkshakes, and sundaes. Union's menu is approachable and crave-able any time of the day with brunch, lunch, and dinner. Whether it be a quick bite with a colleague or an entire afternoon with friends, Union offers a fun option for crave-able foods. The bar program focuses on fun and bubbly drinks and they create serious drinks in a very playful way. Union puts their our own creative twist on recipes such as egg creams, cocktails, phosphate sodas and even milkshakes. Like any great bar, Union is capable of making any cocktail. The focus is on local products when it comes to both spirits and craft beer. Union Bar & Soda Fountain is also a great place to catch a live music performance.

3. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar

Jax Fish House is a seafood lover's paradise. This upscale restaurant serves up fresh seafood dishes from all over the world. The menu features everything from oysters and crabcakes to lobster rolls and fish tacos. Jax brings the coast to the coast-less. Focused on bringing in the freshest and highest quality product. Jax Fish House works with suppliers who harvest in ways that have a minimal impact on the marine environments. Jax now features their own proprietary oyster, the Crackerjax, that has the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Jax Fish House also has a full bar with a wide selection of wines and hand-crafted cocktails.

4. Social

Social is a locally-owned, underground, cocktail bar in Old Town Fort Collins where you can enjoy properly hand-crafted cocktails, sommelier selected wines, abundantly sliced charcuterie and small plates. Social focuses on seasonal ingredients sourced directly from local farmers that are crafted into the best seasonal cocktails in town. They have an extensive cocktail list that even includes a Non-Alcoholic ‘mocktail’ list and a desert cocktail list. The Social Plate menu features small plates for the whole table to share or to keep for yourself! At the entrance into Old Town Square, a street clock and a well-lit stairwell welcome you to a speakeasy atmosphere filled with great conversation.

5. The Emporium - An American Brasserie

The Emporium features variety, quality and a warm, welcoming staff. Located in the heart of Old Town, Fort Collins on Walnut Street, The Emporium is fast becoming the spot for casual and special occasions alike. Enjoy coffee in the Bowerbird Coffee shop or a meal with friend or business associates in the beautiful dining room. The Emporium features a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu with the freshest local ingredients. Don’t miss out on their amazing brunch menu that is featured on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are traveling from out of town, book a room at The Elizabeth Hotel and have The Emporium deliver food right to your room!

6. RARE

RARE is an Italian steakhouse located in the heart of Old Town in Fort Collins, Colorado. Inspired by travel experiences in central Italy, RARE offers a rustic, farm to table approach to dishes often found in Umbria and Tuscany. RARE’s menus feature fresh, homemade pasta and cheeses, the best, in-house dry-aged steaks in Northern Colorado, and an extensive list of New and Old World wines. RARE proudly offers local ingredients, and is committed to seasonality and serve only the best cuts of beef that they dry-age in-house for a minimum of 21 days. The RARE experience is intentionally warm and welcoming, and the focus is simple, elegant dishes made the right way. RARE is a box that must be checked for your next dinner date!

7. The Moot House

Moot house is Fort Collins’ premier English Pub that features over 30 beers on tap and some of the best burgers in town. Located in the heart of Fort Collins, The Moot House is all about fresh, local flavors and good times. The beer-inspired menu features wholesome, sustainable ingredients to mouth-watering meals that are made from scratch. Using fresh from the farm ingredients the menu features it’s own artisan flair. The pork schnitzel is a must!

8. The Still Whiskey Steaks

The Still Whiskey Steaks is the classic steakhouse with a Colorado twist. Upon entering you are greeted with log cabin inspired decor and a selection of over 50 Colorado whiskeys and flannel-clad staff. The menu features a wide array of appetizers from popcorn shrimp to steamed mussels to the best carpaccio in town. Choose from your favorite cut of steak - wagyu bone-in ribeye, dry aged bone-in New York Strip all marinaded in Elevation 5003 Distillery whisky derived from local 100% corn whiskey.

9. The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm

Since 2015, The Farmhouse at Jessup has opened its doors to share rustic-inspired modern farm fare, hand-crafted cocktails, and genuine hospitality with guests native to Northern Colorado or visiting from around the world. The Farmhouse offers an elegant, yet casual atmosphere set in a 19th-Century farmhouse located in the heart of Jessup Farm Artisan Village. The culinary team, led by Chef Michael Gillam, brings fresh twists on comfort food favorites from around America which, when paired with the bar’s curated beverage offerings, creates a dining experience to remember. The Farmhouse is a proud member of an ever-growing locally-owned restaurant and creative community in Northern Colorado and partners with many local growers, producers, brewers, and creators. The spirit of community and a shared quest for delicious food and memorable experiences drives the team at The Farmhouse to continually source exciting ingredients, hone fresh recipes, and deliver the best products to its guests.

10. The Regional

If you’re seeking an adventure to treat all your senses in your dining experience, look no further than The Regional in Fort Collins, Colorado. You would be hard-pressed to find a menu item that doesn’t pop with flavor. The use of unapologetically bold ingredients like dill, generous lemon zest and fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, smoky spices, and robust sweet and savory infusions totally make The Regional stand out as a restaurant that promises to take you on an unforgettably unique culinary adventure. The Regional works with local Fort Collins farms and single family Colorado suppliers to cook the homegrown comfort food that we all know and love. For some, that may be a juicy pork chop and grits, or prime ribeye – for others, it’s crispy fried chicken and fries or some oysters on the half shell with a glass of bubbles. Either way, no matter which corner of this country you’re from, you will find a familiar favorite coming out of their kitchen.

Fort Collins has a diverse culinary scene with something to offer everyone. Whether you're looking for a casual bite to eat, a romantic dinner, or a special occasion meal, you're sure to find the perfect restaurant in Fort Collins. The restaurants on this list are just a few of the many great options available. Be sure to check them out and experience the best that Fort Collins has to offer in terms of food and drink.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, be sure to check out some of the amazing restaurants on this list. You're sure to find something to your taste, and you'll be supporting the local community at the same time.