At the end of a long road that dead ends in a remote mountain valley, travelers will find the 1,600-resident town of Crested Butte. One of the most picturesque places in Colorado, regardless of the season, one might expect a town this small to lack in great dining options – but that couldn’t be farther from reality.

Spots like Secret Stash, The Slogar, and Butte Bagels keep the crowds coming back, but there’s another spot that any aficionado of fine dining should add to the mix during their next trip to Gunnison County.

Tucked inside a restored mining cabin originally constructed in the late-1800s is Soupçon, described as a “French-leaning” fine dining restaurant with an intimate atmosphere of only nine tables and a menu built around seasonal ingredients. A spot that can hang with the best of them, it’s fair to say that the recent announcement that all Colorado restaurants will now be eligible for Michelin stars has owners excited.

Even a quick glance at some of Soupçon’s offerings is sure to make an impression, and with a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews, guests have no shortage of good things to say: a “hidden gem and unforgettable experience,” wrote one patron; a “truly amazing culinary experience,” wrote another.

Guests can opt for a multi-course prix fixe tasting menu experience or build their own meal from the standard menu, created by chef and owner John Leonardi – a Culinary Institute of America graduate. While dishes do change seasonally, a few of the current entree options include a duck breast with a pink banana squash and vanilla puree, the bison osso buco lasagnette, and the Hawaiian Kanpachi.

In addition to the food, Soupçon offers a wine and cocktail menu that matches in excellence, with general manager and sommelier Joel Grill focused on tracking down small-production and difficult-to-find options.

“As Michelin broadens its lens across Colorado, Soupçon represents the kind of small, mountain-town restaurant that highlights how deep the state’s culinary talent runs beyond major metros,” reads a statement about the spot.

And it is true, Michelin’s staff will indeed be busy tracking down places like Soupçon across Colorado’s high elevation terrain. In a state that attracts tourism from around the world, mountain town locales indeed offer a wide range of notable restaurants.

Michelin has yet to announce what places they’ll be visiting now that consideration for their prestigious recommendation program has expanded statewide, but one spot that would be a good inclusion on their itinerary would be Soupçon in Crested Butte.

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