14 Incredible Restaurants in Laramie, WY You Need to Try
Laramie sits at about 7,200 feet on Wyoming’s high plains, a railroad town founded in 1868 when the Union Pacific arrived. The University of Wyoming, the state’s only four-year public university, opened here in 1887, and with about 31,000 residents, the town’s restaurants lean casual, creative and student friendly. Most of the best are in the historic downtown, along Second Street and Ivinson and Grand avenues, not far from the Union Pacific tracks that created the town. Five places in this guide appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2022.
This guide covers 14 places, from a steakhouse with its own brewery and an all-vegetarian café to Thai, Indian and Japanese kitchens, burger, pizza and brewpub bars, and a pink cupcake tea room. Ratings and review counts come from each restaurant’s Google listing in October 2026.
Altitude Chophouse & Brewery
Altitude Chophouse & Brewery is at 320 S. Second Street in downtown Laramie, and its slogan is “Great food at 7200 feet.” Greg Smith and Karen Robillard opened it in 1999 to pair a steakhouse menu with house-brewed beer in a relaxed Rocky Mountain setting. The dining room has been renovated, with secluded booths for quieter dinners and private rooms for larger groups.
Rated 4.3 stars from more than 900 Google reviews, it is one of the town’s anchor dinner spots. The center cut ribeye, cedar plank salmon and chicken piccata are current favorites, and Baja fish tacos and Crispy’s mac and cheese get steady mentions. Altitude Altbier, a German-style ale, won gold at the World Beer Cup in 2014 and 2018, and Tumblewheat is the cloudy wheat beer that is always on tap.
Reserve by phone or walk in. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, and the kitchen and bar close earlier on weeknights than on weekends, so check hours before you go. Prices are moderate for a steakhouse. A sampler of the house beers is a good way to start, and there is a separate vegan menu for guests who skip the steak.
Address: 320 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: altitudechophouse.com
Sweet Melissa Café
Sweet Melissa Café has served an all-vegetarian menu at 213 S. First Street since Melissa Murphy opened it in 1999, under the tagline “comfort food for the homesick vegetarian.” In 2009 she added Front Street Tavern next door, first meant as a place for customers to wait for a table. The tavern’s building was moved from Hartville, Wyoming, and set up in Laramie more than 120 years ago.
With 4.8 stars from more than 1,200 Google reviews, it is one of the best-rated restaurants in town, and it appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2022. Try the banh mi (a Vietnamese-style sandwich) with house-made seitan, or the lentil loaf with vegan mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. Cauliflower hot wings, crabless cakes and nachos with cashew queso are also popular, and the fried banana bread is a good dessert.
On busy nights there can be a wait for a table, and the tavern is the place to spend it with a cocktail or mocktail. The menu includes vegan and gluten-sensitive choices, and there is a mac and cheese of the day. Check hours before you go. The room has worn brick walls and a wooden bar front, so it feels casual and lived in.
Address: 213 S 1st St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: sweetmelissacafe.com
Born in a Barn
Born in a Barn is a burger and wings spot at 100 E. Ivinson Avenue, in the heart of Laramie’s historic downtown. Two business partners opened it on St. Patrick’s Day 2013 to bring quality burgers and wings to town. Inside are exposed brick, wood walls, an orange neon horse sign and big TVs over the bar, and vintage signs and memorabilia give it an old-school sports bar look.
Its 4.5-star rating across more than 2,100 Google reviews is more than any other restaurant in this guide, and Guy Fieri stopped in for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Start with the Barnchos, smoked pork and queso piled on housemade potato chips. Then try the Popper burger, a double patty with raspberry pepper jelly and breaded jalapeños, or wings in one of 16 sauces, including the PB&J wings.
There are no reservations, but the restaurant runs an online waitlist, which helps on busy weekends. It has bar seating, tables and booths, and the room can get loud, so go off-peak for a quieter meal. Prices are reasonable. Check hours before you go, since Sunday closes an hour earlier than the rest of the week.
Address: 100 E Ivinson Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: borninabarn307.com
The Crowbar & Grill
The Crowbar & Grill is a funky, laid-back restaurant and bar at 202 S. Second Street, the spine of the historic downtown. It opened in 2012 around a simple idea of good drinks, good food and good atmosphere, and it changed hands in 2024 when three friends became its owners. There are 16 rotating taps, and a limited late-night menu runs until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Rated 4.4 stars from more than 1,300 Google reviews, it also appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2022. The bulgogi fries are the signature dish: fries piled with Korean-spiced steak, kimchi and sriracha mayo. The Billhook pizza has ground lamb, roasted tomato, feta and tzatziki. Burgers are named for birds, and the Kingbird adds peanut butter, banana, bacon and cheddar. Poutine and pad thai fries are other starters.
The Crowbar is 21 and over, and it is closed on Mondays. Plan to walk in. Weekend nights run late, so go early if you want a full meal, since the late-night menu is shorter. The pizzas are named for tools, from the Pitchfork to the Sledgehammer, and there is a build-your-own option too. Check hours before you go.
Address: 202 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: thecrowbarandgrill.com
The Library Sports Grille & Brewery
The Library Sports Grille & Brewery is at 201 E. Custer Street in downtown Laramie. It began as a brewpub on Grand Avenue, with its grand opening in 1995, and claims, along with Snake River Brewing, to be Wyoming’s first brewpub. After leaving that building, it reopened here in the former JJ’s Bar. Three people who had worked there bought the name in 2007, and the place is geared toward University of Wyoming fans.
Its 4.4-star rating across more than 400 Google reviews reflects a loyal local crowd. The beers are brewed in house, and the Rattlesnake rye pale ale and Big Nose ESB (extra special bitter) are the two Visit Laramie points to. For food, try the Hole in One burger, mac and cheese bites, fried pickles or one of the pizzas, and the Philly cheesesteak is another regular order.
The Library is mostly walk-in and fills up on University of Wyoming game days, when the big screens in the bar and dining room draw a crowd. The kitchen and bar run late, up to 2 a.m. on some nights, but listings disagree on days and times, so check before you go. Service can slow down when it is busy, so allow extra time before a game.
Address: 201 E Custer St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: thelibrarybrewery.com
Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery
Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria & Bakery is at 404 S. Fourth Street, a short walk from the main downtown strip. It began as Alibi Bar & Package Store, a longtime neighborhood pub. Ethan Smith bought into it in 1990, and he and his wife Kerri, a baker and chef, added a wood-fired oven, then a full kitchen and bakery in a 2019 remodel. Everything, including the breads, is built on a sourdough base.
With 4.2 stars from more than 900 Google reviews, Alibi earned a spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2022. Order the Cowboy Beef Brisket Pizza, topped with hickory-smoked brisket, red onion, béchamel and horseradish cream with honey. The Ruben, on in-house rye with house sauerkraut, is the sandwich to get. The Fun Guy pizza, with mushrooms and goat cheese, is a good meatless pick.
Alibi is closed on Mondays. The restaurant serves Tuesday through Sunday, and the bakery sells pastries such as almond croissants and fresh bread Wednesday through Sunday, so check hours before you go. There is a full bar, and the beverage list includes a mimosa board. Online ordering through Toast works for takeout.
Address: 404 S 4th St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: alibiwoodfire.com
Anong’s Thai Cuisine
Anong’s Thai Cuisine fills a corner storefront at 101 E. Ivinson Avenue in Old Town Laramie, with a bright red and gold dining room and traditional Thai artwork. Owner Anong Larsen moved to the United States in 1990 and opened her first restaurant in Rawlins. The Laramie location followed in 2007, and a Cheyenne restaurant opened in 2013.
Its 4.6-star rating across more than 600 Google reviews reflects a loyal following. Reviewers favor the Spicy Eggplant, the Pad Woon Sen (stir-fried glass noodles), Pad Thai and the curries, including green, Penang and massaman. The owner also champions som tam, a green papaya salad pounded in a mortar with chili, lime and peanuts. For dessert, try the mango sticky rice or the green tea fried ice cream.
Heat can be adjusted to your taste, so tell your server how spicy you want each dish. Lunch and dinner are served with a break in the afternoon, and hours shift a little by day, so check before you go. Prices are reasonable and portions are generous. The room is on the small side, so go early on weekends.
Address: 101 E Ivinson Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: anong-thai.com
Buffalo Indian Restaurant
Buffalo Indian Restaurant is at 1502 S. Third Street, a short drive south of downtown, in the building that was once the Chuck Wagon. It had opened by 2022. The dining room has a cowboy theme, and the menu pairs Indian curries and tandoori dishes with momos (Himalayan-style dumplings). There is outdoor seating and a private dining room, and the restaurant also does takeout and delivery.
Rated 4.8 stars from more than 700 Google reviews, it is among the best-rated restaurants in Laramie. Butter chicken is the dish most often ordered, and chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) and chicken biryani are also well liked. The momos come with a sesame-tomato sauce, and garlic naan and a mango lassi, a sweet yogurt drink, round out a meal.
Heat can be set from mild to hot, so say how spicy you want it when you order. Plan to walk in, and ask about the private room if you are bringing a larger group. Portions are generous, and there are vegetarian dishes throughout the menu. Listings show it open daily, but check hours before you go.
Address: 1502 S 3rd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: buffaloindian.com
Bejo Dua Sushi & Ramen
Bejo Dua Sushi & Ramen is a locally owned Japanese restaurant at 213 Grand Avenue in downtown Laramie. The same group also runs Bejo Sushi & Asian Cuisine in Cheyenne. The menu covers sushi rolls, sashimi, poke bowls and signature ramen bowls, plus vegetable rolls and salads. The dining room is casual and family friendly, with dine-in, takeout and group dining.
It has 4.7 stars from more than 500 Google reviews. Ramen is the standout, especially the black garlic ramen with pork belly and the tonkatsu pork ramen. Among the rolls, the shrimp tempura roll, spicy tuna roll and tempura California roll are the ones people order again, and the rolls are large enough to be an entrée. Potstickers and avocado tempura make easy starters.
The restaurant can get very busy, so go a little early or expect a short wait at lunch and dinner. Hours run from late morning until about 9 p.m. most days, with Sunday ending a little earlier, so check before you go. There are vegetarian options, including vegetable rolls and poke bowls, and a kids’ menu. The website has allergen information.
Address: 213 Grand Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: bejodua.com
2nd Street Deli
2nd Street Deli is a small, locally owned sandwich shop at 123 E. Ivinson Avenue, with tall windows that look out on downtown. You order at the counter, then take your food to go or settle in with a draft beer. Homemade bread is sold on site, and the owners describe themselves as local people who love food and want to share it.
Its 4.9 stars from more than 180 Google reviews make it the highest-rated restaurant in this guide. The Reuben with potato salad is the order most people mention, and the Green Chili & Blackberry Turkey Melt is more unusual. The grilled turkey with pesto, the deluxe grilled cheese and the cherry chicken salad round out the list, and the vegan mac and cheese is a good side. Salads are big enough for a meal.
Hours are limited, with closures reported on Sundays and Mondays and early closing times on most days, so check before you go. The room is small and not ideal for large groups, and lunch can be busy. Prices are low for a sit-down sandwich, and kids’ meals are inexpensive.
Address: 123 E Ivinson Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: 2ndstreetdeli.com
J’s Prairie Rose Cafe
J’s Prairie Rose Cafe is a classic diner at 410 S. Second Street where you can sit at the counter and watch the cooks work. It serves breakfast and lunch in generous portions to a crowd of locals. Guy Fieri visited in 2022 for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and the cafe now sells T-shirts and mugs alongside its pancakes.
Rated 4.7 stars from more than 1,800 Google reviews, it is Laramie’s best-known breakfast stop. Get the 7220 burrito, named for the town’s altitude in feet, with shredded smoked pork, eggs, cheese and hash browns under homemade green chili. The chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy and fresh cinnamon rolls are also popular, and the strawberry rhubarb pie is made from scratch. At lunch, try the Western Burger with BBQ sauce, bacon and cheddar.
It gets busy, especially on weekends, so arrive early. The cafe closes in the early afternoon, breakfast service ends late in the morning, and Sunday hours are shorter, so check before you go. Plan on a walk-in diner meal. Prices are low and the portions are large.
Address: 410 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: jsprairierose.com
17th Street Cafe
17th Street Cafe is a small breakfast and lunch spot at 310 S. 17th Street, near the University of Wyoming dorms and the football stadium. The menu mixes classic American breakfasts with Southwestern-inspired dishes, all made fresh to order. The room is cozy, and students, families and locals fill the tables, so it feels like a neighborhood place more than a tourist stop.
With 4.5 stars from more than 500 Google reviews, it is a favorite for brunch near campus. Go for the breakfast enchiladas with chorizo or the spicy chorizo breakfast burrito, and know that the green chili is on the mild side. The cinnamon roll pancakes and the skillets are standouts, and there are also avocado basil toast, biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip pancakes and a breakfast quesadilla.
The staff and the room are small, so expect a wait on weekends and when classes are in session. The website lists hours of about 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., while another listing shows a Tuesday closure and an earlier close, so check hours before you go. Prices are low. Plan to walk in.
Address: 310 S 17th St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: 17thstreetcafewy.com
Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse
Night Heron Books & Coffeehouse is a family-run bookstore and café at 107 E. Ivinson Avenue. Its website says it has been locally owned and family run for 21 years. The quieter upstairs has extra seating, shelves of books and a nook for kids, and the shop is known as a good place to study or work with a coffee in hand.
Rated 4.7 stars from more than 400 Google reviews, it is as much a breakfast stop as a coffee shop. Order the bagel sandwich with egg, cheese, sun-dried tomato and pesto, or a breakfast burrito, then add a pain au chocolat or a cheese croissant. The Mayan Mocha, spiked with habanero and cayenne, is the signature drink, and the coffee is locally roasted.
It is open every day, from early morning until early evening, with later hours for special events, so check hours before you go. Food can take a while when the shop is busy, but pastries are ready to grab. The menu also lists beer and cocktails, and the shop sometimes hosts evening events such as poetry readings.
Address: 107 E Ivinson Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: nightheroncoffeehouse.com
The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House
The Sugar Mouse Cupcake House is a pink tea room and cupcake shop at 321 S. Second Street, just across from Altitude. British-born owner Ruth Williams started by selling cupcakes at the Laramie farmers market, with the money going to rescue work in Cambodia. The recipes reflect her English roots, and the shop now runs an English fairytale tea room for tea parties.
With 4.8 stars from more than 400 Google reviews, it is a sweet stop after any meal on Second Street. More than 20 flavors rotate through the case, including chocolate orange, blackberry lavender and triple chocolate, and there are gluten-free cupcakes and a couple of vegan options. For something more substantial, book afternoon tea, which comes with scones, pastries, fruit, finger sandwiches and a pot of tea.
Afternoon tea is by reservation only, and you book through the website. Cupcakes can be ordered ahead through the site as well. The shop is open Monday through Saturday, usually from morning into early evening, and closed Sunday, so check hours before you go. The tea room is a separate experience from the cupcake counter, so decide ahead of time which one you want.
Address: 321 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY 82070
Website: thesugarmouse.com
Final Thoughts
Most Laramie restaurants are casual and walk-in friendly, though Altitude takes reservations by phone and the Sugar Mouse requires them for afternoon tea. Plan around closed days: Altitude is closed on Sundays, the Crowbar and Alibi are closed on Mondays, and the deli and several cafés keep short hours, so check each place before you go. Breakfast spots such as J’s Prairie Rose and 17th Street Cafe fill up on weekends and when classes are in session, so arrive early, and sports bars such as The Library get crowded on University of Wyoming game days. Most of the downtown places are within a few blocks of one another, which makes it easy to walk from a meal to a beer or dessert.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our guide to the best things to do in Laramie, WY.
Main photo, from left: GoodEats YQR, engin akyurt and Natalia Gusakova / Unsplash
