Came for drinks, stayed for dinner. We sat at the bar and saw so many things on the menu we wanted to try that we decided to stay and are glad we did. We got the oysters that come dressed with granita and an oil. They were east coast oysters and very good. I got the short rib & my husband got the pork chop. Almost everything on the menu was GF. Everything was delicious! The bartender told us the menu changes regularly, likely with the seasons. Although the bar was cool & comfortable the dining area was really nice too especially if you had a party of 4. Can't wait to go back & try new things! read more

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A second visit to the beautiful and historic National in central Telluride (sharing back-space with the Last Dollar Saloon) - it's upscale and cozy at once, hospitality top-tier from hello to friendly send-off. I found myself perplexed by menu choices, spanning Moroccan, Italian, and Israeli-inspired dishes - all pairing well with a finely curated wine list, but lacking cohesion. That said, certain shared plates may be paired with salad, cold bar, and highlighted (seafood; their specialty) entrees to find a through line, but I recommend dining in larger groups for a better experience. In my case, while the tartare was fresh, flavors were not unique (excess of aioli), and house-made pasta was cooked perfectly but sauce was thin and lacking depth. Carrying a whole star for the meal was an absolutely exceptional Rucola salad delicately dressed in fine EVOO, pickled grapes, shaved pecorino, and roasted almonds - an archetype if there ever was one. Kyle & Ian took good care of details (even with unexpected feedback), and teamwork (with hands-on management) keeps the place running smoothly even when the house is packed. read more

The National - Rucola - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

Amazing food, service, and drinks. I would recommend to anyone to go here if you are in Telluride! read more

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This was one of the worst dinner I've experienced. I mentioned to the waitress that the halloumi was over grilled. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when the the dorado came out even more over grilled. I tried eating it without the skin, but the over grilled flavor was burned into the fish, so it was impossible to eat. Even though it was taken off the bill, no apology was offered nor any effort to make up for the experience. The waitress said "perfect!" when I said I couldn't eat it. read more

Ambiance is upscale as one would expect of a restaurant of this level and the menu is really impressively constructed. So. Let me just say that if you dismiss the pork chop you will have forgone one of the great pleasures this place has to offer. It is a level of tender that I cannot imagine exists. They must cheat. The steak was perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned and the short ribs fell apart and tasted buttery... but still. That Pork!!! Holy cow. It was the best I've ever had by far. I mean seriously!! Don't pass this up if you eat meat. It's that good. read more

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The National was FABULOUS! It is an extremely well done restaurant that I will most certainly come back to next time I am in Telluride. The restaurant itself is small but has a very lively atmosphere. The service was great- we had a friendly server who gave great recommendations, which I think always makes the difference between a good and great restaurant. As far as food, we got the short rib, gnocchi, arugula salad, cacio e pepe, and the focaccia. Every item was fabulous EXCEPT the focaccia. I was super disappointed as it kind of seemed just like a loaf of sandwich bread... But the short ribs- amazing. The cacio e pepe was the best I have ever had... perfect amount of flavor. Both the gnocchi and the pasta itself in the cacio e pepe were great homemade pastas with perfect textures! Lastly- the arugula salad was absolutely amazinggg. It had the best nutty/zesty flavor and it is one I am going to try and make at home. So good! Make a reservation if possible, although we got lucky and walked in without one and were seated. Highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a well done flavorful meal! read more

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An exceptional restaurant - food wise, beautiful ambience and exceptional service. Walking in, I was impressed with the wine selection and the display on the walls. Our server explained how to experience their food-- shared plates. We did that. The yellowfin Crudo was beautifully presented with grapefruit and peppers. The squid ink lobster spaghetti was exceptional. Wines by the glass pair well with the food. and an impressive wine selection by the bottle. Inside the restaurant is marked with historic brick and highlighted with a new modern feel. It can get loud inside. Tip: Get a reservation well in advance and enjoy a fine dining experience. read more

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All I can say is wow! We came to the national while we were in town visiting. Everything we got was a 10/10. The focaccia is a MUST! Such light and fluffy with a great crumb. Our table ordered the ribeye special which was a 25oz steak with potatoes and greens. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The server told us they were known for their pastas so we got a couple to share. The lobster spaghetti was my favorite. We ended the meal with a couple of desserts and I like the orange yogurt cake the best! I would recommend this restaurant if you are ever in the area! read more

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Beautiful spot inside. Impressive wine list and menu. Maybe not the best place to bring your kids (like we did ). Pretty expensive but seems like the whole town is. read more

Been to The National twice now, and I hope to come many, many, many more times. Everytime I come here, I genuinely end up ordering almost everything on the menu because it's genuinely just that good. ESPECIALLY the Focaccia. I always order one, then end up ordering another just because I love it so much. The focaccia on it's own is in my eyes perfect, but with the addition of that honey and cheese, it's truly to die for. I would fight to the death for this bread. I'm serious, it's so good. And everyone I've come here with agrees. And as for the service, well it's nothing short of FANTASTIC. The staff are truly so, so kind and attentive, making the whole experience even more amazing. And perfectly match the ambiance within the restaurant. read more

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The wine selection was excellent and great ambiance. The food had great potential--just heavy handed on the salt so it burned out my palate. read more

Terrible service. Restaurant was completely empty and they couldn't accommodate our small party for drinks.

Very good place for a nice high end dinner. Best place in Telluride for sure. Drinks and food were amazing.

I loved the modern feel of this restaurant and the menu looked great, but execution was not and our waiter really didn't deliver great service. We started with cocktails, and then a couple was seated next to us. Our waiter spent way more time with them, and took their order first and we had to tell him we were ready to order. Not professional. The food: The salad was nice, but they didn't split it for us even though he said they would. The crudo, was nice but nothing special. The carrots were delicious. The pasta dishes were a bit more of a challenge, the lobster ravioli were terrible, the flavor was just bad, the lobster was not tender and the whole dish was poorly executed. When I asked for a different dish, his response was "no one has ever given that feedback in ten months". Really? I got the carbonara, which was OK, the pasta was very tough. His tip reflected his behavior. I tip well when it's earned not expected. read more

Put my name on a waitlist- quoted 25 min - here we are 48 hours later nothing- absolutely ridiculously terrible operated business! Hosts were rude to begin with but also unprofessional and lacking simple skills like - managing correctly dining times, i understand some people might take longer than expected to finish their meals , but updating your guests on a waiting list should be something completely normal. read more

Our first time eating here and everything was utterly delicious. Very innovative dishes and beyond excellent service. We will definitely come back the next time we're in Telluride. read more

We celebrated our wedding anniversary here, such an amazing experience! Everything from the drinks, small plates, and entrees were delicious! The service was top tier, and the vibes were immaculate! 10/10 read more

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Very disappointing! Insipid half-pour $22 glass of Nebbiolo, mediocre arugula salad and tasteless wild boar rigatoni. Another guest's comment about his small salmon filet "almost as good as Costco". Service excellent and bustling atmosphere but we left hungry and unsatisfied. read more

From the moment we walked up greeted us and to the very end and our service . The place the space and the team knocked it out of the park! If going to Telluride, it's a MUST!!! read more

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My first visit to the National was last winter with a small group of friends. I left a detailed review and it was a 5 star experience all around. I recently visited a buddy and we chose the National again. We sat at the bar and enjoyed having Tabitha behind the bar mixing drinks, chatting with us and serving bar patrons. She knew the perfect wine to go with both of our meals and helped make our dining experience both top notch and memorable. The National again delivered 5 stars in food, atmosphere and service. I'm already looking forward to my third visit... read more

Great ambiance, service was very attentive n made great suggestions, and the food was delicious. My husband ordered the pork chop and I tried it(I don't usually eat pork) but it was really scrumptious!! read more

Nice ambiance. Staff is excellent. But the most important thing is the food, which we found to be delicious. My Bucatina Pesto had a great blend of pistachio and basil. I enjoyed it without the mortadella, as I am vegetarian. My companion praised the Mussels Fra Daviola. The Maple Oat Sorbet was not too sweet and the granola added a nice crunch. The wine list is extensive. All in all a worthy meal. read more

The ambiance is great, beautiful lighting and decor, clean bathrooms, full bar and a rooftop option. You do not need a reservation, but we did make one just in case. We were celebrating our wedding and they handed over personalized menus which was a nice touch. The service was top notch and the food was amazing. My husband has the Lamb Loin and I had the Rigatoni Pasta (very tasty). We also received complimentary champagne and a dessert for our celebratory night. Overall this was a great dining experience. read more

Do not make the mistake of not coming to this place to eat! As someone who has enjoyed fine dining of all types, this place has become my favorite place by far in the entire world. Our server Michael was AMAZING, the food, the cocktails, the ambiance was more than anything I've seen or known. My words here can't do this place justice, do yourself the favor and eat here, not kidding in the slightest!!! read more

The National - Lobster Ravioli and Squid Ink Pasta....SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good it's insane! - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

Super great service and the food was pretty good also. My husband and I both ordered pasta dishes and were both satisfied, bigoli carbonara and casarecce trapanese with sausage. The carbonara was very rich and salty. The casarecce was spicy, although there was no mention of that on the menu description. Slightly disappointed by that as I purposely chose that over the lobster spaghetti because I wasn't in the mood for spice. We were also seated very very close to the diners next to us despite having a reservation. Overall would recommend but also feel like it's a bit overrated! read more

This place is classy, vibrant, and fun. I came here for a solo dinner and they sat me at the bar. Immediately I was welcomed in by the bartenders and had great conversation. They were short staffed that day but that didn't stop them from working hard with positive attitudes. I got the prawns as my appetizer with the gin/mint/lime cocktail (I forgot what it was called but it was refreshing). For my entree I got the pesto. The portion looked small at first but once you're eating it your realize it's very filling and the perfect size! I ended the night with the M&M dessert cocktail - smoky and delicious. I definitely recommend this place if you want to splurge. Great staff, great atmosphere, and incredible food. read more

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Wonderful meal with the most amazing flavors and dishes. Highly recommend the yellowtail tuna appetizer, the hummus appetizer, and the squid ink stone crab pasta! And the date cake dessert was wonderful! Lovely place for a special night out! read more

What an amazing dining experience. The atmosphere was warm, inviting and very stylish. The food and drinks were stellar. There was not one thing on the menu that we did not like. The Spinach Campanelle was amazing and this is coming from someone who doesn't personally love pasta. The desserts were equally as appetizing. Check it out! You will love it. read more

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Great food, and service- kind and accommodating staff Excellent food! Highly recommend!! read more

We had an amazing experience sitting at the bar. The food was phenomenal and cocktails were made perfectly. We can't wait to visit again! read more

The National - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

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Everything done right...enjoyed this experience a great deal. Well done! Chatted up some of the locals, the Moroccan tagine was delicious as was the swordfish skewers. read more

The National was by far our favorite restaurant in Telluride. Food was delicious and service was outstanding. The ambiance is nice too. Would definitely go back. Recommend the swordfish for sure. read more

The absolute BEST in Telluride. First, the waitstaff is excellent and work as a team to ensure a seamless service experience. Our waiter, Keenan, was incredible. He knew all of the dishes and made outstanding recommendations. Further, he knew wine pairings and even described each cocktail in detail. He knew what spirits were behind the bar from memory (an extensive list). He was truly one of the best waiters we have had hands down. The food... Fresh, fulfilling, creative, and delicious. The specials were unique and outstanding. The chicken was moist and flavorful and is exactly how chicken should be prepared. The quality was outstanding. The appetizers were fresh and delicious. We had the prawns, Focaccia, the hummus, and the carrot and butternut squash. Perfectly spiced. I will be back to try the pastas as they looked amazing. The ambiance was perfect. Very clean and well appointed with furnishings and lighting that fit the spirit of the building itself (a historical treasure). Details like silver under the sparkling water bottle and your martini is something you would expect from only fine dining. They do it as a matter of course. Finally, one of the owners was on the floor ensuring everything ran smoothly. I am always impressed when I see total engagement by the proprietors. The care she demonstrated obviously transcends into every aspect of the restaurant. I have dined all over the world and can say without a doubt, The National is a true Gem. read more

The National - Focaccia, hummus, and prawns... and the olive oil martini (its actually delicious) - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

Pretty amazing place with great food and excellent service. Had dinner there twice and we all enjoyed the great food and the friendly service. read more

Walked in and got two seats at the bar. The bartenders were engaging and personable. Everything was delicious! Tried the Olive Oil martini and the Solera Old Fashioned. So good! I had the special Scallops dish and my husband had the swordfish. Everything was cooked to perfection. Thank you! read more

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Everything from the food, service, to ambiance was immaculate. Julia was a phenomenal waitress as well! The prices are very affordable for the quality of food/drinks that you receive. read more

The National - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

Loved the ambiance. Staff was great. We didn't have a reservation but we felt welcomed and wanted by the host. Had to wait 40 minutes and we sat at the bar. The bartender was awesome. Even though she was busy, she made us feel welcomed and was attentive. We had the Buenas Noches, the Royal Flush, and the Gin Martini set up. All delicious drinks. We ordered the house-made focaccia and yellowtail crudo for appetizers. Both excellent. For our mains we had Pheasant Agnolotti and the Ramp Ricotta Gnocchi. Only reason for the 4 stars was for the gnocchi. We weren't excited about it. However the owner came up to us and was very receptive to our feedback. She was very respectful and made our experience even better. I definitely want to try their mussels and seafood plateau next time. We highly recommend coming here for the service, drinks, and the food! read more

The National - Yellowtail crudo Warm Focaccia - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado

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We had an absolutely amazing dinning experience at The National. The waitress was so personable and gave amazing recommendations. They also had delicious food! My husband and I enjoyed the peach and burrata salad along with the steak that came with bone marrow. Would highly recommend and would be a great place to celebrate any occasion. read more

Nice ambiance passed down from previous restaurant creator so that's something. Be warned, nothing for a vegan, the menu before had vegan options but I guess they have changed chefs. Even the hummus has to be modified to be vegan - what!? Lol. Was also told the one vegetarian option could not be made vegan. To me Mediterranean is a very veg friendly diet - not here. Just a warning. Also found staff very resistant to accommodating me. My review is authentic and they worked to have it removed so wonder what others they have removed. Beware. read more

just had a cocktail on the rooftop! Bri was amazing, helpful and recommended the perfect drink for me. 10/10 would recommend. can't wait to come back for dinner! read more

The National - Mediterranean Near Me - Telluride, Colorado