Salida is a town that feels meticulously arranged by a diorama enthusiast with a penchant for the…read morefrontier. Nestled among the peaks of the Sawatch Range, where tumbleweeds might theoretically roll if they weren't caught in the spokes of a passing bicycle, sits an establishment of peculiar perfection: The Biker & The Baker. My compass has unerringly pointed to their door every single time I visit Salida over the past five years. It is a tradition forged in sugar and chain grease, where the rugged American West meets the precision of French pastry. Pairing high-desert riding with artisanal baking seems like a recipe for a pile-up, but the execution here is a sweet ride. You will find aerodynamic cyclists sitting elbow-to-elbow with flannel-draped modern prospectors, united by a singular quest for butter. The Biker handles the gears, the Baker handles the tiers. They aren't just coasting on charm; they are pedaling toward culinary triumph, baking up a storm that rivals the monsoons over the Arkansas River. The confections are miniature monuments to indulgence. I have routinely panned for gold in this valley, but the true motherlode is their lemon tart--a symmetrical marvel of citrus striking like a high-noon sun. Their charcuterie boards are arranged with the geometric exactitude of a surveyor mapping a railroad. Whether you are gearing up to summit Mount Shavano or recovering from a grueling promenade, this sanctuary provides the requisite fuel. It is the exceedingly charming destination itself.

Great good for pastry and breakfast! Nice location and…read moredecoration of the interior and outside. You can sit up on the roof area with a nice scenic view of the city of Salida. The staff attended to us very quickly and professionally. They were there too serve and make sure we were taken care of. By the way it was even more special since it was Father's Day!

Three of us stopped in for a quick grab and go meal. The brisket was actually pretty amazing. The…read morefired Avacado sandy...sounded weird but rocked my world. Who woulda thought out here you could find solid food??? If you are driving by this place will satisfy you...period!!!!

10/10 recommend! Visiting Colorado from Iowa. We were…read morelooking for a place to eat and the giant ice cream cone really caught our eye haha. Decided to stop by and try it out. I am more than happy that we did! The food was hot & fresh, it was simple yet full of flavor. The service was excellent, such a sweet/inviting man taking our order. I also loved that everyone was sitting outside enjoying their delicious food. Thank you, kind man for feeding my hangry self!!

Found this place on our way from Durango to Denver. First time here. Came on 6/12/26 for lunch…read more It is a small building. All outdoor seating. Just be prepared for that. Weather may not be favorable. You order at the window and then they'll call your name. Looks like they have hamburgers and sandwiches. We ordered corn dog meal for my kids and then a classic cheeseburger and then the double Rocky Mountain burger. Everything was so delicious! The fries were awesome. Definitely recommend and I will definitely be back when driving through. Parking could be tough but there are spots. Thanks!

#3 double rocky MT burger was fantastic. Love places like this over chains. If it was not so far…read moreaway from Texas I would come back soon

Great ole fashion pharmacy and old time soda fountain! Love…read morethe layout and rustic interior. Can get a treat while getting your prescriptions or medical needs. They have a dairy free chocolate shake that is out of this world.

The ambiance of this spot alone is worth the visit! It's…read moreunique to have a pharmacy and soda fountain shop all-in-one. It feels like a step back in time in the absolute best way! Points for the fun atmosphere! I ordered a cherry ice cream float and they made everything in house. 1. The ice cream was to dieeee for! So creamy and just what you'd want out of a vanilla soft ice cream. 2. The cherry soda lacked flavor. It felt like I was sipping bubbly water. Maybe next time I'll order with extra syrup? Or forgo the soda part & stick to ice cream only. Overall, this was a pleasant experience & something to check out on your visit to Salida!

We love the ice cream here. We stop in whenever we are in Salida. You can tell the ice cream is…read morehomemade and Dick, the owner takes such pride in that. Stop in! You won't be disappointed.

So so disappointed by the staff here. It's been a while since we've been treated so so rudely…read more We have an allergy in the family. They were snotty about getting a clean scooper for us. And then just dipped it in the same damn water as everything else and acted like they were inconvenienced. I'm so so sorry that I actually thought you were there to DO A JOB. Go somewhere else where customers are appreciated.

We went in right before they closed and the employees were still super attentive. They offered a…read morelot of unique flavors which was great. I got a regular (2 scoops) of chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle bowl. They gave me an extra scoop! It was incredibly good. It was a small shop, but it's better to take your ice cream and sit down by the river anyways. Such a great ice cream stop in Salida!

Cute little ice cream shop right in DT Salida next to the Boathouse restaurant. Really enjoyed the…read morelocal made ice cream flavors! They have a case of baked goods and beverages to supplement your treats. I got the raspberry macaroon which was super delicious. Highly recommend for post dinner dessert for the family.

Hubby and I were staying overnight in Salida a few weeks back. We went to Amicas and were not…read moredisappointed. We enjoyed one of their wood fired pizza. Plenty of toppings, right amount of sauce and perfect crunch on the crust. We also shared a bowl of potato soup, soup of the day. Which came out pipping hot. Very clean and friendly staff. We always enjoy when we go to Salida. We own a salsa business, Lynda Sue's Salsa. We left a couple of jars for the staff to try. You can find our salsa at the LaGree's in Pueblo, Poncha Springs and Buena Vista. lsksalsa@gmail.com

A very flavorful pizza out in the sticks…read more The Salsiccia is a standout favorite, and the Rex's Amber pairs with it perfectly. Service was quick, attentive, and on point. The ingredients tasted fresh, and the addition of mushrooms really elevated the dish. It's also easy to find, right in the downtown area.

Definitely a top-tier specialty coffee shop and gift store. They serve Corvus coffee, a renowned…read morecoffee roaster out of Denver. The staff are friendly and welcoming and are knowledgeable about the coffee they sell. We tried the Iced Nitro coffee, Ice flash coffee, Golden Milk and Santo Palo latte. All the drinks were excellent. We especially liked the Nitro and Flash brewed coffee. The profile was rich, full body and balanced; very refreshing and drinkable. The Nitro was, of course, a bolder, richer flavor of the two. They were some of the best iced coffees I've tasted. The shop offers many varieties of whole bean, single origin and blended coffees from Corvus Rosters; which they will gladly grind for you. They also have lots of specialty food, body products, and gift items for sale along with a vinyl record section. For excellent coffee, friendly service and a nice shop to browse while waiting for your drinks, Howl Mercantile is awesome. They also have a few tables indoors and outside.

Every time we stop in Salida, this is one of the places I have to visit. I love getting a coffee…read more(honey lavender latte this time) and walking around the shop looking at the local goods! The aesthetic is on point and everything is carefully curated - love the selection of cards they have, as well as food items and health/beauty/random gifts. Their hours are also nice - we were looking for coffee after skiing all day and was nice they were still open at 4PM to grab a coffee. The latte as always was excellent and my friend liked her cappuccino as well!