For being such a small river town, Buena Vista does a fabulous job keeping folks well fed. There are a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner before and after rafting!
Breakfast
The Evergreen Café is a favorite among River Guides and locals alike. Its cozy atmosphere consists of a lot bright natural lighting, local art adorns the walls and a hodgepodge of colorfully decorated tables invite you to settle in for a delicious meal. If you make it there before 8:00 am they have an early bird special for $5!
The Rooster’s Crow has perfected the art of country breakfast skillets. The portions are hearty and their quirky theme of rooster décor gives it a unique personality.
Jan’s Restaurant is your classic diner experience. If you are hankering for French toast and eggs after your full day on the river, you’re in luck – they serve breakfast all day!
Lunch
If you join us on one of our many full day trips, you will get to enjoy the riverside dining at its best! We provide a deli sandwich spread with a variety of options including gluten free and vegan friendly sandwiches.
If you aren’t joining us for lunch, but still craving deli sandwiches, Biggies Subs is your answer. Known for their extremely generous portions for fries, they have also perfected the art of deli sandwiches. Biggies exclusively features local meats and cheeses from Salida’s Scanga Meat Company.
A more upscale option, House Rock Kitchen is perfect if you are craving a sit down dining experience on Main Street. They embody the farm to table concept, almost everything on their menu is local to the Buena Vista area. They are known around town for their mouthwatering bowls – a bed of greens topped with your choice of protein like house-braised beef brisket, grilled chicken, or even vegetarian friendly Indian curry.
Dinner
Our Arkansas River dinner float is by far the most unique and fun dinner option in town. We depart from our headquarters in Johnson Village and take on a gentle portion of the Arkansas River that features the best views of the collegiate peaks. After cruising for 3.5 miles, we eddy out at the delicious Riverside Grill known for their amazing fish tacos and specialty cocktails.
Asian Palate is the answer if you find yourself craving sushi or Southeast Asian inspired dinners. The ambiance is very modern for Buena Vista with contemporary artwork decorating the walls and warm cozy lighting. In addition to their sushi, my favorites are their Thai and Indian curries – such a satisfying meal after a day on the water!
Quincy’s steakhouse offers a fixed menu featuring Filet Mignon Sundays – Thursdays, Prime Rib or Slow Roast Sirloin Fridays – Saturdays, and a veggie lasagna option is available every day. Their dinner menu includes a baked potato and side salad so you certainly won’t go hungry!
Happy Hour
If you are looking for whiskey or a creative cocktail Deerhammer Distilling Company on Main Street is the place to go. This distillery has ample outside patio space, fire pits, and there is often live music featuring local artists on the weekends.
Eddyline Brewery is so popular there are two locations! You can’t go wrong at either one if you’re seeking a friendly atmosphere and some beer and pizza.
