This is a hidden gem we found completely by accident! The food is fresh cooked on order, so it takes a minute but the service was friendly. The fries are fresh cut, not frozen! The bison burger is excellent! The patio is AMAZING with a creek and water feature, tall trees, and views out into nature. My son says this is the best burger he has had on our trip! 100% recommend! I wish we had found it sooner on our trip! read more

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Got a chicken Caesar wrap and Cajun fries for dinner. Good food considering it's in a tourist area. Some tables and chairs. Very friendly staff. They let my family ordered even they were about to close. read more

Balanced Rock Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Manitou Springs, Colorado

After spending half a day in summer in trails of Garden of Gods, this place was just perfect for a refueling meal. I got the southwest burger with american. It was such a good burger. The bison paddy was such good quality. With all the toppings, cheese and sauce, it made an amazing combination. Got some mac and cheese from kid's menu. It was good too. We enjoyed their cajun and regular fries as well. Since they make everything after the order, it takes some time for the order to be ready. But I am just happy to see they serve good food in a high volume tourist spot which is rare in my experience. Other side of the cafe has Starbucks drinks, ice creams and some bakery items. They don't take Starbucks membership, but the drinks are legit, since I got the strawberry acai lemonade. We liked the chocolate ice cream too. read more

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Located at the back of the Trading Post. Fairly well priced and offers a military discount. I got a turkey wrap, fries and a medium fountain soda for $14. Really enjoyed my meal and the ambience of sitting out back...peaceful...tables with umbrellas...saw a deer, squirrels...the people next to us had a dog so I guess it's dog friendly. read more

Balanced Rock Cafe - Front entrance... enter through Trading Post. Restaurant is in the back. - Cafes Near Me - Manitou Springs, Colorado

One of our favorite places...love the atmosphere inside or out ...food too. We go often and are never disappointed. Kids will love the panning for 'jewels' too, for a small fee. Dine in or sit outside under umbrellas and the sound of running water. Much to enjoy! read more

Best burger I ever tasted!!!! My wife and I and my mom really enjoyed the Bison Burger and the chili cheese was so so amazing!!!! Also we tried the Cajun fries and let me tell you what lol it sure did remind me of Louisiana so I'm very happy with this cafe! Really good food and a little expensive but very well worth it!!! The service was amazing and very fast and we had our food within 20 mins! The atmosphere is amazing and they also have outside seating with heaters! read more

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first time eating at the trading post and the balancing rock cafe is amazing!!! we got a bison burger super yummy !!!! the chili cheese fries are to DIEEEEE FOR so happy we came today ! service was quick and easy ! read more

Honestly, the food just wasn't that great. I ordered the Southwest Chicken Wrap and Potato Salad on the side. The wrap was very basic, and had shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, chicken, and salsa. It wasn't that flavorful. The potato salad didn't taste quite right either. It had too much mayo, and some pieces of potato seemed like they weren't cooked long enough. I will say that the location is nice. Balanced Rock Cafe is right inside the Garden of the Gods Trading Post, so it's great as a stop to eat after hiking around the area. There are also plenty of wooden tables and chairs for dining in. Maybe it was just the particular dish I ordered, but I probably wouldn't return to eat here. read more

Balanced Rock Cafe - Southwest chicken wrap with potato salad - Cafes Near Me - Manitou Springs, Colorado

After walking and exploring the area most of the day we decided to stop for souvenirs and noticed this place so we grabbed a bite to eat. Food was decent for what was to be a quick bite but it took much longer than I would have expected for a Turkey wrap. read more

We just stopped to check some art at the Trading Post after a hike and it was about lunch time so we thought we'd grab a bite. Don took our order and was engaging and informative with recommendations and a great attitude. We had a Caesar chicken wrap and the Artisan bison burger. The wrap was very good but the Artisan burger was amazing. My wife said it was the best burger she has ever had. We will definitely return for lunches in the future, whether we're hiking the trails or not !! read more

service was great, the bison burger was amazing, very good food for what it's priced at 10/10 would recommend

Paying for location. Slow--e-e-er service. Burger special was not a bad value and tasted OK. Enjoy the store and eat elsewhere.

I know this place doesn't have great reviews but with all the walking we decided to make a pit stop and check it out either way. Located inside the trading post, you will also find lots of souvenirs and the cafe is located in the back right corner. Pretty much everything was overpriced so my husband and I decided to share a bowl of chili. It was a little on the colder side but it was still good and had good flavor. read more

Balanced Rock Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Manitou Springs, Colorado

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Sad that this review is based off my first experience and the cashier/barista Sarah. She was so condescending and rude. I was not aware that the cafe had a "full" Starbucks drink menu. Had I known then I would have ordered my usual. I began to order and I asked if they use syrup or powder for their lattes. Every time I asked a question, there were 2, she was rude. Then I asked what topping and she waved her hand at a salt shaker that was labeled vanilla and stated chestnuts. Then she says, " if YOU ever have ordered from Starbucks, it's the same." This lady is so condescending it shocked my friend and myself. The funny thing is through the whole transaction, she thought her fake smile made her horrible attitude okay. read more

Wonderful seating area nice chairs & tables Big menu with lunch items 1 breakfast item Friendly manager The overall space is nice. Blended into the gift shop Outside patio seating Outdoor patio Not much else I can think to say Wait yes there is... Frozen egg patty on breakfast sandwich. Not thrilled. read more

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I guess you are paying for the location and the geographic monopoly. The Turkey club sandwich was minimal but tasty. The price is hefty compared to what you can get at any chain sub shop. The counter service was what you would expect from a seasonal location. Next time I'll go to Subway. read more

I am visiting Colorado springs on my own on for a conference. I did the mile hike of the Garden of the Gods and then came into the trading post to get some postcards. Everyone is so nice at the trading post. I decided to eat lunch at the balanced rock café. I had really delicious chicken club sandwich with homemade potato chips. The chicken was not overcooked! It was still warm and freshly chopped. They have a very nice variety of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, wraps and salads including a soup of the day. I wish I had room to try the ice cream. They make their own flavored popcorns and have samples. The caramel corn was very good. read more

Not terrible for what's essentially a museum cafe. Enjoyed the spinach salad and buffalo chili. They could do better with wiping the tops of the condiment bottles, which were rather crusty. Generally decent. read more

Balanced Rock Cafe - Spinach Salad - Cafes Near Me - Manitou Springs, Colorado

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We come here at least once a year because love Colorado Springs. One day is spent at Garden of the Gods with lunch at the Balance Rock Cafe. The food was never the best but enjoyed sitting outside just relaxing. After a little over a year being there we first noticed the prices had jumped up. Of course, we realize costs will go up. Then they charged a fee if had French fries. Then had to drink an awful drink. Who has diet Dr. Pepper but not regular Dr. Pepper. We will continue to go to the trading post but not the Balanced Rock Cafe! read more

Crappy quality food for the price. They could do better. Stingy on sandwiches, and the quality leaves a lot to be desired.

Great food, great prices, and fantastic atmosphere! Friendly service. Can eat indoors or out depending on weather. We love eating outside with the cute water fountains adding to the ambiance of the scenery and good tasting food! Try it! You'll like it! And, no, I do not work there or have been told to write this. read more