Restaurants don't last for decades through the seasonality of a ski town without a strong following, and Mazzola's has maintained that even as it's moved, changed owners, managers, staff and menu items. This basement-level Italian joint has some of the best pizza in town, excellent specials and a friendly bar. Come for dinner with the family then send them back to the hotel while you grab another drink, throwing back meatball sliders once your buzz kicks in.

Cafe Diva is how you woo that special someone. With the most intimate dining experience in Steamboat, this white-tablecloth restaurant set a consistently high bar long before the rest of the town's scene rushed to catch up. The fixed menus on special nights are great ways to take in the experience for a little less coin.

Sumatera boasts fare from around the Pacific Rim, which goes beyond their amazing Thai curries to dishes from Indonesian and Singapore. The location, tucked around the side of a building, is a little hard to find the first time, and the close quarters and spices in the air might make your eyes water. But this is a Steamboat favorite not to be missed.

This is the craft cocktail bar and restaurant Steamboat needed when Rex Brice decided to start his fifth establishment in town. Jars of infused spirits line the wall behind the bar, running the gamut between practical (ginger) to zany (candy Hot Tamales) and always changing. Dining is a shared plate concept, which is good because you'll want to try everything.

Aurum is among the newcomers to Steamboat's dining scene that believed there was a food culture just waiting to be tapped in this old ranching town. Sitting on prime Yampa River real estate, the restaurant focuses on local flavor, seasonality and a killer cocktail menu. It even has a deal in place to be able to offer its own Colorado wines. Aurum brings the kind of event dining to Steamboat that we'd never have thought possible a few years ago while managing to incorporate the town's laid back vibe. Did we mention the happy hour is a steal?

The quaint red house with the big deck overlooking the Yampa River is home to Sweet Pea. On a nice summer night under the glow of lights strung overhead, there's no better atmosphere for enjoying open-air dining. Chef Pete List left Denver and the reputation he built there to take over Sweet Pea's kitchen, and he's let his creativity run wild, including this winter's new foray into multi-course farmhouse dinners on the weekends.

We're not sure how Kent Hall comes up with some of these creations (macaroni and cheese with pistachio in a burrito!), but his taco stand north of downtown on U.S. Highway 40 is definitely worth the trip. The chorizo breakfast burrito is a show-stopper, and go heavy with the sauces prepared in house.

This popular hangout is named after the father of Steamboat's skiing scene and namesake of Howelsen Hill across the river, Carl Howelsen. The menu is heavy on comfort food, and standalone sides, like the mac and cheese or crispy Brussels sprouts, can be meals unto themselves. This place can get packed, so call ahead if you can.

E3 is shorthand for an error on the first baseman, but there are no missteps in sight at this steakhouse owned by Chicago White Sox star Adam LaRoche and his brothers, Jeff and Andy. The beef comes straight from their Kansas ranch of the same name, which pioneered the E3 logo sported by country star Luke Bryan and members of the Duck Dynasty crew.

This beloved watering hole is family-friendly and a great spot for Cajun eats during the day before turning into a raucous party at night. Beware the hurricanes, which have been known to put unseasoned drinkers or visitors from sea level right on their backs. There's always NOLA-favorite brew Abita there to pace yourself.

Storm Peak just missed being the first craft brewery to open in Steamboat, but they've been working overtime since, brewing an impressive number of beers and now canning and representing Steamboat across the state. Their tap room on U.S. Highway 40 across from Taco Cabo has board games, TVs and can fill your growler.

Back Door Grill really did start life serving delicious burgers out of a window around the back of a Seventh Street venue, but since the burger joint moved to bigger digs on Oak Street, the name is more of a figure of speech. Whether you opt for a classic burger done to perfection or take a chance on something with pineapple or a fried egg, we've yet to hear of someone walking away unsatisfied.

This homage to lowcountry cuisine has received about as close to a warm Southern welcome as Steamboat can give. It helps that the owners, Katy and Brian Vaughn, had plenty of Steamboat experience from their first restaurant in town, bistro c.v. The reception has been so great that Low Country has already undergone an expansion.