The Craftsman

The Craftsman is one of Colorado Springs' most reliable downtown dining destinations, occupying a restored historic space at 128 S Tejon Street in the heart of the city's walkable Old Colorado City and downtown corridor. The restaurant anchors a Tejon Street block that has seen significant dining development over the past decade as Colorado Springs has built a more serious independent restaurant scene.

The kitchen takes a locally sourced American approach, with the Colorado craft burger ($16) standing as the restaurant's signature — a beef patty from Colorado cattle operations, house-made condiments, and Colorado green chile as a topping option that reflects the state's culinary identity. The green chile chicken sandwich ($15) puts the same Pueblo-inflected chile tradition onto grilled chicken, producing a more delicate but equally flavorful result. Local craft beer ($7) from Colorado Springs' increasingly robust brewing scene complements the food program, with the bar maintaining a rotating selection of regional taps.

The cocktail program is one of the restaurant's distinguishing features — a more ambitious bar presence than most Colorado Springs casual dining establishments, with seasonally rotating cocktails built around Colorado spirits distilleries that have proliferated in the Front Range over the past decade.

The restored historic interior features exposed brick, reclaimed wood details, and a warm industrial character appropriate to the Arts and Crafts aesthetic suggested by the restaurant's name. The atmosphere is relaxed and social without being loud — a functional neighborhood gathering place that serves both the downtown lunch crowd and evening diners. The Tejon Street location positions it within walking distance of Colorado Springs' performing arts venues, making it a practical pre-show dinner option.