6 Best Restaurants in Cheyenne, Laramie, and Southern Wyoming, Wyoming

Historic photographs of early Cheyenne set the tone for this downtown icon, a place that seems as old as the city itself (the structure was built circa 1900). It's a bit dark, and the booths are a bit shabby, but the American food is solid. Now if only you could get the walls to tell their stories. No doubt they've heard it all, as many of the movers and shakers in Cheyenne's past (and a few in its present) have eaten here. The menu lists hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and burgers, plus prime rib, steak, pork, lamb, and seafood.

A favorite of locals, this restaurant offers tasty handcrafted ales and fine cuisine, with surprising twists on American classics, including steaks, burgers, and pizza. The decor is mountain-themed, with a beautiful bar. Beer connoisseurs should check out the best-selling Tumblewheat, a light-flavored American wheat brew.

The fanciest restaurant in Rawlins, this little steak house in a Victorian home serves hand-cut meat, seafood, and pasta, with a few Asian fusion dishes, to boot. Co-owner Lena Dirck grew up in Singapore and opened the restaurant with her husband James in the mid-1990s, back when it was hard to find a variety of restaurants in Rawlins. Aspen House remains a favorite with locals and visitors alike.

Locals and tourists alike make the 15-mile drive from Cheyenne for the live music and homey feel of this out-of-the-way spot. The dance floor is huge, and the menu is full of cowboy favorites, including steaks, burgers, and Rocky Mountain oysters. All the soups and sides are made from scratch, and there's also a full bar. For the full experience, come on Friday or Saturday night for the live music or on Sunday afternoon for a weekly jam session.

This small spot has a little bit of everything and offers a comforting, nice dinner after a long day on the road or trail. While it's best known for its pizza, the pastas, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and calzones are also excellent. You can get a big and tasty breakfast on the weekends throughout the summer.