Colorado has plenty of fancy mountain lodges, but some of the best dessert in the state comes from small cafes, roadside stands, and neighborhood pie shops. The seven stops on this list bake their pies from scratch and keep slices ready from morning until evening, so you never have to plan dessert around a dinner reservation.
You will find orchard-country peach pie on the Western Slope, cherry everything in the foothills, savory pot pies in Colorado Springs, and a Denver shop whose family pie story goes back to 1929. Save this list for your next road trip, or send it to the friend who always orders pie first and asks questions later.
1. The Pie shop-Palisade Pies, Palisade, CO
Palisade is famous for its fruit orchards, so a pie stand sitting right in the middle of them feels like the town’s natural dessert headquarters. The Pie shop-Palisade Pies keeps things simple, friendly, and very fruit-forward.
Apple, peach, pumpkin, and strawberry rhubarb all show up on the lineup. The crunchy peach pie with a crumb topping is the one to grab if you want a true taste of the area, and the crust leans flaky in the best way.
Pies are sold by the slice or whole, and they travel well if you want to carry one home after a trip through the valley. The shelves also hold coffee cookies, homemade pork sausage, salsa, queso, relishes, and canned fruits and veggies.
Outdoor seating puts you right next to the orchards, which makes a slice and a cup of coffee an easy break during a day of exploring the Western Slope. Ice cream is on hand too, if your pie needs a scoop on top.
Hours run 9 AM to 5 PM every day, with a free parking lot out front. Weekends get busy, so a weekday morning is the calm window for a quiet slice.
2. Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons, Lyons, CO
If cherries had a fan club in Colorado, its clubhouse would probably look a lot like this roadside stop on North St. Vrain Drive. Colorado Cherry Company at Lyons builds nearly its whole personality around one little red fruit.
The cherry pie slice is the headliner. Expect a rustic pie with a flaky crust and a filling that balances sweet and tart, which is exactly what a good cherry pie should do.
Not in a cherry mood? Apple pie is on the menu, along with cherry hand pies, cherry pockets, scones, cookies, and ice cream.
The savory side is a real reason to stop at lunchtime. The chicken pot pie gets a lot of attention, and the bison chili makes a hearty pairing before dessert.
After eating, the retail shelves are where the cherry theme goes all in. You can browse jams, jellies, preserves, cherry juice, pie filling, chocolate bars, honey, and even chocolate cherry coffee.
Lyons sits at the edge of the foothills in Boulder County, so this makes a natural stop on the way to or from the mountains. The cafe opens at 8 AM daily and stays open until 7 PM most days and 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with free Wi-Fi and free parking options.
3. You Need Pie! Diner, Estes Park, CO
The name makes a pretty bold claim, and after a long morning of hiking near Rocky Mountain National Park, most people would agree with it. You Need Pie!
Diner on Big Thompson Avenue is known for award-winning pies and classic American comfort food.
The pie case carries a big selection every day. Strawberry rhubarb, coconut cream, German chocolate, and chocolate silk are all regulars, so fruit fans and cream pie fans can share a table without any arguments.
Breakfast is a strong play here too. Biscuits and gravy and breakfast burritos are menu highlights, and the green chili has earned a loyal following around town.
The room has a fun 1950s diner look, and portions run generous. Dogs are allowed inside, which is a nice perk in a town where so many visitors travel with four-legged hiking buddies.
I would save this one for the end of a park day, when you want real food first and a slice right after. Delivery is available as well, including to local lodging, if you would rather have pie brought to you.
Hours run 8 AM to 8 PM daily. Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings and evenings tend to be quieter.
4. Me Oh My Coffee and Pie Laporte, Laporte, CO
Coffee at 7 AM, pie at 7 PM, and a solid lunch somewhere in between. Me Oh My Coffee and Pie Laporte keeps the same hours every single day, which makes it one of the easiest pie stops in northern Colorado to fit into a schedule.
The pies are the reason for the name. They come with a sturdy, well-made crust and a generous filling that does not lean too sweet.
The rest of the menu holds its own. Breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches, and a vegan sweet potato hash bowl cover the savory side.
Bakery fans can look for Noosa coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, and sticky buns in the case. That makes it just as good for a morning pastry run as for an afternoon slice.
Laporte is a small rural community just outside Fort Collins, and the cafe has a laid-back, unhurried pace. Free Wi-Fi, curbside pickup, and free parking add to the easygoing appeal, and Wednesday or Thursday mornings are the quiet times to drop in.
5. 14 Pi Bar, Colorado Springs, CO
Math class never tasted this good. 3.14 Pi Bar on Centennial Boulevard leans into the pun, and it backs up the name with pies that come both savory and sweet.
Savory pot pies are the big draw. They arrive with a golden, flaky crust over a hearty filling, often sitting in a pool of gravy.
Julia’s Child is a vegan pot pie with a devoted fan base, and Cluck N’ Shrooms brings chicken and mushrooms into the mix. Sides like housemade mashed potatoes and a basket of fries round out the plate.
Dessert slices change things up nicely. The Blueberry Fields slice is a menu highlight, and the Nutella silk pie is a strong pick for chocolate lovers.
Pies are made fresh daily, and the kitchen gets creative with flavors beyond the usual lineup. For a lighter bite, the bacon and cheddar mini quiche and an Italian soda make a quick, satisfying combo.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating area. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Saturday evenings.
One note before you go: the shop is closed Mondays. It opens at 11 AM Tuesday through Sunday, closing at 8 PM Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 PM Thursday through Sunday, with plenty of free parking.
6. Granny Scott’s Pie Shop, Lakewood, CO
More than 25 housemade pies. That number alone puts Granny Scott’s Pie Shop in a category of its own, and picking just one slice can take a few minutes of serious thinking.
Cream pies are a specialty here. Coconut cream and banana cream are menu favorites, and the meringue-topped pies look like they came straight out of a family recipe box.
Caramel apple pie is another highlight for anyone who prefers fruit. The pies are rich without going overboard on sweetness, which keeps that old-fashioned, homemade quality front and center.
This small storefront in Lakewood has a vintage, grandma’s-house look with a handful of seats. It is a true mom-and-pop shop, and the staff are known for being warm and helpful.
Lunch is an option too, with sandwiches, salads, soup, and chili on the menu. Ice cream is available if you want to turn a slice into a proper dessert.
Whole pies hold up well on the road, so this is a smart stop before heading into the mountains for the weekend. Hours are 7:30 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 8 PM on Saturdays, but plan around Sundays, when the shop is closed.
7. Legacy Pie Co.- Tennyson St., Denver, CO
Some family recipes get handed down for a generation or two. Legacy Pie Co. traces its family business all the way back to 1929, and that long history shows up in every flaky crust.
The Tennyson Street location sits in one of northwest Denver’s busiest shopping and dining strips. It is an easy place to grab a slice while walking the neighborhood.
Pies come in all sizes and flavors here, from cherry to key lime. Blueberry, apple, and mixed berry are also in the rotation, and the fruit pies are made with real fruit and a crumbly topping.
Hand pies are a fun option if you want dessert on the go. The mixed berry and cherry hand pies are menu highlights and fit nicely in a coffee run.
Savory fans are covered as well, with chicken pot pie on the menu. Coffee is available all day, and free Wi-Fi makes it a comfortable spot to linger over a slice.
The shop opens at 10 AM Monday through Thursday and at 9 AM Friday through Sunday. It stays open until 8 PM most nights and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so an after-dinner pie stop is always on the table.
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