It’s no secret that The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is known for its many restaurants – Ristorante Del Lago for its Italian cuisine, La Taverne for a setting that seemingly transports patrons to another part of the world, and the Golden Bee for its live piano music, giant glasses of beer, and pub food. That said, the destination’s most critically acclaimed spot has been a bit left out of the conversation in recent years following an extended pandemic-time closure – but now it’s reopened and perhaps better than ever before.

When The Penrose Room shut down in 2020, it wasn’t clear when or if it would be opening its doors again. To the praise of local foodies, however, the award-winning restaurant was renovated and revamped, welcoming diners back in August of 2025.

The Broadmoor website describes the restaurant as “elegant, unexpected, and rich with history” featuring “extraordinary flavors, sweeping views, and elevated service” – and it hits the mark on all of those promises.

Found at the top of The Broadmoor’s South Tower, the first aspect of the restaurant that makes it so special is the stunning and stretching view of the local landscape that greets patrons upon entering. My visit took place in early October on a moody evening as golden foliage dotting the scene – a perfect vibe for fall.

Honestly, the setting alone is worth it for a quick post-work cocktail even if one is dining elsewhere later in the evening. The bar comes with a view and has an elegant yet retro vibe – very memorable and very appreciated.

I started with an espresso martini which proved to be a great version of one of my favorite cocktails. Later in the night I’d get a dirty martini, too, with parmesan-stuffed olives – about as good as this drink gets, as well.

Our party wasn’t just there for the drinks though – we were there for the food. I’d been eye-balling the menu all week in anticipation, and while everything sounded like a win, it was the ‘Beef Wellington for two’ that caught my eye.

After our cocktails in the bar area, our party’s table was ready and we were led to our seats. First up was fresh bread with salted butter – I could have made a meal out of that alone.

For appetizers, two in our party opted for the Caesar salad made table-side. Fresh ingredients were mixed for the dressing in plain view, including anchovies, egg, a healthy amount of parmesan, and more. My eyes were set on the main course, though, and I had already roped my girlfriend into splitting the dish with me as it was built ‘for two.’

As I had planned, the Beef Wellington was my pick, a tenderloin wrapped in foraged mushrooms, a spinach crepe, and a puff pastry atop a savory Périgourdine sauce and with glazed asparagus on the side. Other people in the party got the pistachio and za’atar crusted Colorado lamb loin and the Japanese white miso-glazed Pacific halibut. The latter of those two makes for a great example of the extensive range of seafood options on the menu – not typical of most restaurants in landlocked states – with The Penrose Room also known for their sushi and raw fish.

The Beef Wellington was sliced and served tableside, much like the Caesar salad – another aspect of dining The Penrose Room is known for. I fell in love with the dish at first bite.

I won’t lie – Beef Wellingtons are not something I eat on a regular basis. When I eat steak, it’s cooked on a grill or in a cast iron skillet. The Beef Wellington, however, was absent of the grill’s char, perfectly moist and tender in a way that it almost seemed like it could melt in my mouth. The mushrooms added the perfect dash of earthy flavor without being too overpowering. Bite after bite, the dish was consistently delicious – and the asparagus was some of the best I’d ever had.

With clean plates all around, we set our sights on dessert.

I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a dessert guy. I didn’t even order anything when the server came around, figuring I’d mooch a bite here and there if I really felt the need.

That changed, however, when people at the table got the vanilla ice cream and claimed it was some of the best they’d ever had. Suddenly, the Baked Alaska, which featured vanilla ice cream and was considered one of The Penrose Room’s specialities, seemed crucial to add to the experience.

We opted to order this dessert, too, and it was also one of the ‘tableside’ options.

Prepared ‘flambé,’ our server quickly had the dish doused in flames – Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream wrapped around mango sorbet and lemongrass-infused Lady Fingers with Mango-passionfruit coulis and Italian meringue. It might have been the mix of the vanilla ice cream and the mango sorbet, but I can undoubtedly say that this was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had in my life. Much like I’d come back to simply sit at the bar with a cocktail and a view, I’d come back solely for this dessert, as well.

Overall, The Penrose Room experience lived up to the ample hype it’s received over the years, long-considered to be one of the best dining spots in the country by both Forbes and AAA prior to its closure. For those looking for fine dining and willing to pay the associated price, it’s a must-visit.

Be warned – like many fine dining spots, there’s a dress code – men must wear suit jackets and slacks and women are required to wear cocktail attire. As a flannel-loving Coloradan, this had me worried I’d feel out of place prior to my visit, but upon arrival it made sense. The dress code caters to the overall vibe of the spot in a good way – and that means a lot coming from me as someone who would put the laidback nature of Colorado among one of my top reasons for loving the state.

If you’re on the fence about visiting The Penrose Room, here’s your sign – make some reservations next time you’re in the mood for something fancy, whether you’re going there for cocktails, dessert, or a full-blown dining experience. Be warned – the prices are typical of fine-dining, but this is the perfect spot to splurge.

Learn more about the Penrose Room here.