Taste the World in this Wyoming College Town – Best Places To Eat and Drink in Laramie and the International Flavor Festival

Are you wondering about the best places to eat in Laramie and where to find the most amazing Laramie food? Finding a destination that mixes affordable travel with incredible food can be tricky. But the food scene in Laramie is truly special.

Progressive Influence Of The University Of Wyoming

When I asked local chefs what makes the Laramie food scene so unique, the university came up a lot.

Melissa from Sweet Melissa Cafe believes the massive international influence from the University of Wyoming is something most of the state lacks.

Tim from The Crowbar and Grille summed it up perfectly. He describes Laramie as a sweet spot and a melting pot between a rustic old school mentality and a progressive educated population.

This dynamic makes locals much more willing to try new food concepts compared to other Wyoming cities.

A Strong Focus On Independent Mom And Pop Establishments

During my trip, I hung out with Deb Ross from Laramie Main Street. She is a retired pastry chef and the festival chair.

We talked about what makes where to eat in Laramie so unique, and she told me it’s the heart and soul the owners and chefs put into their work since they’re always in the kitchen cooking or baking.

Melissa also noted that the lack of chain restaurants allows local spots to survive and thrive.

Kerri from Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria pointed out that, since they’re all small mom and pop restaurants, they can just do what they want and offer interesting takes on classics.

Access To Regional Ingredients And Heritage Practices

Another thing I absolutely love about the Laramie food scene is how much these chefs value their local ingredients and heritage practices.

Tim told me that The Crowbar and Grille regionally sources all their grass fed beef from northwestern Colorado and they hand make their own pizza dough and hand-cut the fries.

At Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria, I learned from Kerri that they fresh mill heritage grains like emmer, einkorn and spelt wheat right inside their bakery.

This deep commitment to high quality regional sourcing and meticulous scratch made preparation elevates everyday comfort foods into memorable meals.

These flavor ambassadors share stories of foods that connect them to their heritage. Then the chefs create special menu items inspired by those memories.

Over 20 restaurants participate to offer specials representing over 60 nations. It is a fantastic way to taste the world right here in Wyoming.

The cultural festival debuted in 2022 by organizers Ali Grossman and Deb Ross and provides a huge economic boost to the downtown area.

Finding fun things to do in Laramie is incredibly easy during this bustling week of cultural celebration with free events happening. Learn all about it here.

Exploring Laramie Cafes And Sweet Treats

Coal Creek Coffee For Historic Laramie Breakfast And Roasts

Coal Creek Coffee is the oldest cafe in Laramie since 1993. Owners Jodi and John Guerin run this historic spot right on Grand Avenue.

They roast their own beans and make all their pastries from scratch. They even serve coffee cocktails using their house roasted beans.

I had a really wonderful cappuccino to start my morning. It is a great gathering place for locals and university students alike.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they represent Ireland, serving Guinness beef stew and Irish soda bread based on memories from ambassador Julie Blomberg.

Range Coffee Roasters For Specialty Drinks In Laramie

Range Coffee Roasters is an amazing spot on South 2nd Street for coffee especially if you love trying different brewing methods.

I met owner and master roaster Kyle Koster who started his business in a basement before opening this cafe next to his Range Leather shop. He uses a high tech Loring fluid bed roaster to roast the beans.

The barista made me a meticulous and technical pour over coffee. I drank the Colombia YCA Development Lot which is an anaerobic natural single origin bean.

It was very fruity with wonderful notes of dark chocolate, blueberry and cacao.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they are naturally representing Colombia serving this exact fruit-forward coffee I tried, inspired by ambassador Danielle Row.

Sugar Mouse Cupcake House For Whimsical Things To Do In Laramie

Walking into Sugar Mouse Cupcake House and Tea Room feels exactly like stepping into a storybook fairytale land.

Owner and baker Ruth Williams opened this beautiful spot on the corner of 2nd and Garfield in 2019.

The interior is absolutely beautiful and whimsical. Williams even runs a non profit called Heart Mothers to help rescue girls in Cambodia.

I sat down and enjoyed a cup of toasted coconut black tea with Deb Ross. It smelled wonderful with a sweet coconut aroma and tasted just as delicious. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a sweet treat.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they are representing England, serving traditional Cherry Bakewells to honor the childhood memories of ambassador Nid Collins.

Best Restaurants In Laramie For Diverse Culinary Experiences

Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria And Bakery For Texas BBQ In Laramie and Guy Fieri Approved Pizza

I met husband-and-wife duo Kerri and Ethan Smith who co-owns Alibi Wood Fire Pizzeria and Bakery. They started this downtown spot as a backyard food truck in 2016 before evolving into a permanent restaurant space.

Kerri makes all the pastries while Ethan smokes meats, including their popular briskets for 14 hours over hickory wood. Their incredible dedication earned them a feature on Guy Fieri’s Diners Drive Ins and Dives.

I tried the Cowboy Beef Brisket pizza featured in the show, and it was so delicious. They use a sourdough crust which is super special since Kerri is a pastry chef.

I also had a wonderfully buttery cardamom bun that was not overpowering at all. I also dug into a tiramisu using Deb Ross’s recipe. It had more mascarpone than ladyfingers which is exactly my kind of ratio.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they represent Jamaica, serving classics like jerk pork and curry goat, honoring the heritage of ambassador Alecia Evans.

Mizu Sushi Bringing Sushi To A Landlocked State

I had the pleasure of meeting owner and chef Travis Luu at Mizu Sushi. He opened this downtown spot on South 3rd Street in 2010 because the university vibe felt like home.

There’s an extensive Japanese food on the menu, and he made us four of their most popular rolls.

I loved the varying creativity. I tried the Alaska Roll which had lemon on top and the Rainbow Roll which had a medley of chef’s choice fishes.

The Green Caterpillar Roll was amazing with tempura shrimp and Hokkaido scallops, which I love.

But my favorite was the Cabo San Lucas Roll. It is a brilliant fusion inspired by Mexico using fresh tuna mango and a cilantro jalapeno sauce.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they represent Indonesia, cooking up a complex beef Rendang inspired by ambassador Christen Kerr.

Momo House For Authentic Nepalese And Indian Laramie Food

I was really surprised to find Momo House on South 3rd Street because it is so uncommon to find a Nepalese restaurant in North America let alone a small college town.

This sister restaurant to Buffalo Indian serves incredible authentic dishes. I ordered the Fried Chicken Momo and it was perfectly crispy outside while remaining juicy inside without tasting oily at all.

I also tried the Bison Coconut Curry which was so smooth and comforting with Himalayan spices. I paired it with a ginger honey tea which was perfect for a cold day.

This is a must visit spot if you love Nepalese classics and Indian street food.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they are serving their famous momos to represent Nepal based on stories from ambassador Shristi Neupane.

Sweet Melissa Cafe And Front Street Tavern For Award Winning Vegetarian In Laramie

Sweet Melissa Cafe is a downtown staple on South 1st Street that has been open since 1999. I met owner and chef Melissa Murphy who also added the attached Front Street Tavern space back in 2009.

The cafe and tavern are super popular among locals and was even featured on Guy Fieri’s show, Diners, Dive-ins and Dives.

If you know me, you know I love my meats so this was my first time fully experiencing a vegetarian restaurant and I actually enjoyed it.

I was amazed by the cauliflower wings. Cauliflower aside, everything from the breading to the buffalo sauce felt like real chicken wings. I also tried the banh mi where the seitan reminded me of gyro slices.

My main dish was a perfectly made vegetarian pasta of mushroom ravioli in sage brown butter. I finished with a divine fried banana bread grilled with heavy butter and topped with ice cream.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they represent Pakistan, cooking a mustard green curry among other things, inspired by ambassador Zunaira Ashraf.

The Crowbar And Grill For Social Things To Do In Laramie And Must-Try Fries

I met owner Tim Carlson and Mayor Sharon Cumbie at The Crowbar and Grill. Founded in 2012, this downtown spot has very rustic bar vibes and is totally screen free to encourage conversation.

The kitchen uses never frozen, regionally-sourced grass-fed beef, and they also landed a spot on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

The fries here are so good and cut perfectly in between regular and shoestring.

I tried the Bulgogi Fries topped with Korean seasoned steak and kimchi which were a wonderful fusion. The truffle fries were also so popular that staff from other restaurants told me to order them.

They’re also known for pizzas. I also had the Billhook pizza with ground lamb, feta and tzatziki for a really unique Greek twist.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they honor Native American heritage serving bison dishes inspired by ambassador Cayden Hawk Ferrin.

Best Bars And Breweries In Laramie For Craft Beers And Nightlife

Altitude Chophouse And Brewery For Steaks And Great Places To Drink In Laramie

Altitude Chophouse and Brewery is a fantastic downtown spot opened in 1999 by Greg Smith and Karen Robillard.

They brew all their own beers right on site and have amassed over 25 regional awards alongside a prestigious World Beer Cup gold medal.

I have had jalapeno beer before but this was my first time trying a green chili beer. Their Chili Ale uses New Mexico green chili, and it is incredibly refreshing with a nice little kick.

If you want a great dinner and a cold pint this is the place to be.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they are representing Costa Rica and making a fresh seafood ceviche inspired by ambassador Kyra Yanchunis Gonzalez.

Bond’s Brewing Company Showcasing The Best Craft Breweries In Laramie Vibe

I met owners and brewmasters Jay and Mallory Bond at their beautiful and spacious downtown taproom. They started as homebrewers before opening this Bond’s Brewing Company location in 2019.

Their brewing skills are so good they even placed top ten at the US Open Beer Championship. I did a tasting flight of their local craft breweries creations.

My absolute favorite was the Rhubbery which is a strawberry rhubarb and raspberry ale. It is so refreshing with a nice balance of sweet and tart making it the perfect summer drink.

My second favorite was the Dark Cherry Porter. It tastes just like chocolate and makes for a great dessert replacement.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they proudly represent Austria serving a traditional Pilsner beer inspired by ambassador Philipp Gabathuler.

The RailYard Offering Exciting Places To Drink In Laramie And Game Day Eats

The RailYard is a newer bar and grill located on Grand Avenue and it is a fantastic spot for game days. I briefly met owner Chris O’Bryan while I was there.

I ordered the duck bacon wontons which were crispy and delicious, tasting a bit like a savory empanada.

My favorite appetizer was the bang bang shrimps. They were perfectly cooked and the housemade sauce is a must try.

I also had jumbo wings with the same bang bang sauce and some incredibly delicious fried brussels sprouts with balsamic and parmesan cheese.

I paired it all with a glass of 19 Crimes Uprising Red Blend.

For the Laramie International Flavor Festival 2026, they represent Italy, serving classics like tiramisu and gnocchi in vodka sauce, inspired by several local flavor ambassadors.

Where To Stay In Laramie Near The University Of Wyoming

Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn is one of the best hotels in Laramie and incredibly convenient for your food trip.

Opened in 2008, it is located right next to the University of Wyoming and is only a five or six minute drive to downtown Laramie.

I stayed in a 1 King Bedroom with a whirlpool which was the perfect way to relax after eating all day.

They offer a complimentary airport shuttle which makes getting there a breeze. I also loved that they have complimentary water in the lobby all day and free coffee in the morning.

Hilton Garden Inn in Laramie also feature a fitness center and an indoor swimming pool with whirlpool.

Planning Your What To Eat In Laramie Itinerary

Laramie is such a special destination, and I hope this guide gave you an idea on some of the best restaurants, and places to eat & drink in Laramie.

The food scene here is booming with incredible flavors crafted by passionate locals.

A trip to Laramie means you will get to experience the cultures and cuisines of the world while enjoying the charm of the American West.

I spent 2 days exploring the spots participating in the Laramie International Flavor Festival for food, drinks and fun. And it really wasn’t enough!

There is so much to love about the Laramie food scene and I highly recommend you visit and taste it for yourself.

This travel guide is made through a culinary project with Visit Laramie. As usual, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

You can learn more about Visit Laramie on their website here.