The 11 best restaurants to have dinner in Palisade (2024)

A Culinary Delight in Palisade, Colorado's Wine Country!I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fidel's Cocina & Bar, nestled in the heart of Palisade, Colorado's scenic wine country. From the moment I stepped foot into this charming establishment, I was captivated by its warm ambiance and friendly staff. But it was the incredible culinary experience that truly stole the show!Let's talk about the huevos served in a skillet — oh my, where do I even begin? The moment the dish arrived at my table, I was greeted by a tantalizing aroma that made my taste buds dance with anticipation. The presentation was rustic yet elegant, perfectly showcasing the vibrant colors and fresh ingredients. The skillet itself added a lovely touch, adding an extra layer of sizzling excitement to the whole experience.Now, onto the taste! The huevos were cooked to perfection, with the eggs retaining their delicate tenderness, complemented by a medley of flavors that harmonized beautifully. Each bite was a delightful explosion of savory goodness, with the combination of spices and ingredients weaving together effortlessly. The inclusion of locally sourced produce added a fresh and vibrant touch, elevating the dish to new heights.Beyond the huevos, I must commend Fidel's Cocina & Bar for their exemplary service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of my dining experience was exceptional, from recommending the perfect wine pairing to accommodating dietary preferences with ease.The ambiance of Fidel's Cocina & Bar is something to behold. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with the rustic yet sophisticated décor, created an inviting space that encouraged relaxation and enjoyment. Whether you choose to dine indoors or on their charming patio, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards, adding an extra layer of enchantment to your visit.In conclusion, Fidel's Cocina & Bar is a culinary gem that should not be missed when exploring Palisade's wine country. From the moment you step through the door, you'll be transported to a world of culinary delights. The huevos served in a skillet are a must-try, bursting with flavor and prepared with the utmost care. Combine that with impeccable service and a picturesque setting, and you have an unforgettable dining experience that earns Fidel's Cocina & Bar a well-deserved five-star rating.

I'm not really sure where to start with this review, so I'll start with saying DO NOT GO HERE.Upon entering "Fidel's" it seemed like a nice atmosphere and environment. However, after looking over the menu we were puzzled because it seemed like the tacos were $8 per taco. We asked the server and were reassured that the tacos were "6 inch tortillas" and "very good sized". We also heard this told to other customers around the restaurant. We asked the server which of the appetizers, guacamole or poblano fries, were better. He responded that he had not had the poblano fries, but they looked very good. He also explained that the guacamole was very good. So we ordered both. I thought it was unusual that a server had not tried, or was not required to try, everything on the menu and commented this to my girlfriend. After being reassured that the tacos were "very good sized", we took a chance and ordered two tacos each. We each ordered the elk chorizo taco and the carne asada taco.The guacamole, which was $12, was VERY small, and nothing special whatsoever. I'm not sure they even seasoned it. It tasted like chunky avocado with pistachios on top. We're pretty sure the chips came from a bag and were probably lime Tostitos with either chili powder or paprika sprinkled on top. Very disappointingThe "poblano fries" were small pieces of supposedly poblano pepper, coated in Panko breading. I'm not exactly sure what the dipping sauces actually were, but there was very little provided for dipping. Again, extremely disappointing for an $8 appetizer.The four tacos, totaling $32, arrived on a single taco tray with very small pieces of lime. The carne asada tacos ($8 each) literally had ZERO seasoning. It was like eating a piece of unseasoned meat. The "jalapeño" slaw most definitely did not have any jalapeños in it. The elk chorizo tacos ($8 each) were tiny, miniature quesadillas that had very little meat and cheese inside them and should have costed about $1 max. They included a single "avocado sauce" for dipping between the two of us, even though we both ordered elk chorizo tacos. Again, I'm almost certain they used Tostitos 'dips' avocado salsa. If it wasn't Tostitos dips salsa, I'm certain it was another store bought jared avocado sauce.Please take a look at the photos that I've included to see for yourself. Compare the photos of the food with the prices on the menu. We should have known better than to go to a restaurant named "Fidel's", which played Cuban music, but serves tacos. It was so cringey and awkward to eat at this restaurant while coming to the realization that the owner/kitchen has zero experience whatsoever with latin food. Also, they spelled "Pozole" wrong on the menu.Lastly, I want to mention that just prior to eating here, myself and my girlfriend has just completed a strenuous 4 mile hike and were starving. Usually hunger is the best sauce, but even then, this food was not good. The entire drive home, both of us had a horrible taste in our mouths, both figuratively and literally.In conclusion, I am disappointed and actually a little bit angry that I just spent $60+ on this experience. In addition to writing this scathing, but very honest review, I'm considering complaining about this restaurant at the next Palisade city council planning meeting for allowing this restaurant to operate with such deceitful practices. Although, I'm sure this won't be necessary because there is no way this restaurant will remain in business within the next 3-6 months once word of mouth gets around locally.

The server and aesthetics were great. The food is good. Some of the food is great, some of it is so so. The protein is all well seasoned and prepared. The cauliflower tacos are pretty amazing. Some of the sauces, salsa, and pickled veg are sooo close to being really good. Some lack seasoning. Some are overpowered by acid. The pickling method they're using is great for "day of" use, but not for storage and continued use. I do love the place, just a few tweaks could elevate it to the next level. I'd recommend it to anyone though.

Fantastic restaurant!Thoroughly enjoyed my time here.The drinks were refreshing and delicious.The staff was super friendly and provided great recommendations.Each dish came out wonderfully hot and scrumptious.There was so much flavor in each bite.Great recipes and execution of twists on classics.Would return if ever driving by Palisade again.

This restaurant is such a great addition here in Palisade! My husband and I have eaten at Fidel's 5 times since it has opened! We're big fans of the elote, poblano fries, carne asada tacos and the spicy cucumber margarita! Everything we have tried has been so delicious.

Worth a try—so much potential here! The decor and atmosphere are really fun! It wasn’t quite our thing though—a bit loud (peak dinner hours), not super flavorful (kept adding the salad dressing to my cauliflower taco), and generally seemed overpriced and lacking the “wow factor”…except the chips and vinaigrette salad dressing. I know it’s a newer spot, so tons of grace for these guys. Could be something really special. Will give it some time and try it again.

The tacos were great! Loved the poblano fries as well. The restaurant is small but has a great, upbeat atmosphere. Would highly recommend making a reservation; we would have had to wait for quite a while if we hadn't!

A great little spot in downtown Palisade, CO! Service and staff was very friendly and helpful, they even went out of their way to recommend Colterris winery just a 10+ minute drive away! We enjoyed their tacos, bellyful* entrees and drinks! Our favorites by far were the Oaxacan tacos. A great place to hit up when you’re in the area! 😃

Food was incredibly good and so were the drinks. It was well-worth the drive from Fruita. Seriously some of the best Mexican food I've had in the Valley. It is not cheap food, but I will definitely be going back.

Atmosphere is great, drinks were great, service was really good. Portions are small for the price. Felt like we pretty much got appetizers for $50. The kind of place where you go, “That was tasty. You wanna order a pizza when we get home?”

What an absolute gem to find in Palisade. They have an awesome staff; If you visit, say hi to Maggie or Clayton. They’re both lively and wonderful staff member’s. The owners attention to detail between concept, food, and atmosphere is welcomed. They have great deals for happy hour. Stop in, sit back, have any of their delicious drinks. Eat some tacos, and enjoy a great restaurant.

A total gem for Palisade. This was our first visit to Fidels, and surely not our last. We ordered jalapeño/cucumber margaritas, poblano fries, guacamole, elote, chile relleno, and fish tacos. All of the items ordered were delicious and well executed. My personal favorite was the Chile Relleno.Our server was very pleasant, attentive and well versed on the menu. You won’t be disappointed. Put this place on your radar for Palisade.

Good tequila and mezcal menu. Fish tacos very good. Steak tacos good but meat needs seasoning.Update 7/2023. Chile Relleno might be the best I ever had. The tempura batter was crispy and they don’t slop a bunch of sauce that makes most others soggy. I had mine with rice. Pazole also very good, but probably more of a cool weather dish. House margaritas are nice and not sweet.

The food was amazing the drinks were awesome and the owners were very nice. They checked in several times and made sure we didn't need anything. They made great suggestions about the food and the whole experience was very easy and nice. Never rushed!