Bird's Nest Review: Menu, Prices & Worth It?

Complete Guide to Estes Park's Mountain View Bakery & Pizzeria

Craving the best almond croissant in Colorado after hiking RMNP? Bird's Nest bakes pastries on-site and fires up wood-crust pizzas with mountain views from the upstairs lounge - all on High Drive, minutes from the park entrance.

4.3 (623+ reviews)
Bakery • Pizza • Coffee Shop
$10-20 per person
📞
📍
Address
1221 High Dr, Estes Park
🕐
Hours
6am-7:30pm
Varies by day
📅
Reservations
Walk-in
No reservations needed
🚗
Parking
Free Lot
~15 spots
What You Get
🥐 Fresh Pastries 🍕 Wood-Fired Pizza ☕ OZO Coffee 🏔️ Mountain Views 🌾 GF Pizza Crust
✨ Perfect For
Post-RMNP coffee stops • Breakfast before hiking • Casual pizza nights • Pastry lovers • Remote workers (quiet upstairs)

Menu & Pricing

☕ Classic Coffee ($3-$5)

• Drip Coffee - $3.00 / $3.75 / $4.00

• Americano - $3.00 / $3.75 / $4.25

• Latte - $4.00 / $4.75 / $5.00

• Cappuccino - $3.75 / $4.50 / $5.00

• Cortado (8oz) - $4.00

🍵 Specialty Drinks ($5-$8)

• Chai Latte - $5.75 / $6.25 / $6.75

• Matcha - $5.75 / $6.25 / $6.75

• Golden Milk Latte - $5.75 / $6.25 / $6.75

• Evergreen (Caramel & Hazelnut) - $5.00 / $6.00 / $8.00

• Meadow (Rose & Honey) - $5.00 / $6.00 / $8.00

🍕 Pizza - 12" ($15-$20)

• 4 Cheese Blend - $15

• Margherita - $16

• BBQ-22 (smoked brisket) - $18

• Fungi (portabella, fontina) - $19 (popular)

• Longs Pizza (sausage, elk pepperoni) - $19

• Carnivore - $20

• Why the Fig Not (fig jam, prosciutto) - $20 (popular)

• GF crust available +$5

What Makes Bird's Nest Special

Bird's Nest delivers something rare in Estes Park: genuinely excellent pastries baked on-site, plus pizza that locals call the best in town. With 623+ reviews averaging 4.3 stars, the almond croissant earns particular praise - the best in Colorado.

The modern cabin atmosphere features natural wood and massive windows with mountain views. The upstairs lounge offers comfortable seating, a bar, two bathrooms, and panoramic scenery that enhances every meal. They use OZO Coffee Roasters beans from Boulder, though coffee quality can vary depending on the barista.

💡 Pro Tip: I'd head upstairs for the best mountain views and quieter atmosphere. The main level gets busier, but upstairs feels like your own private lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows.

What to Order (Signature Dishes)

Almond Croissant - If you're only ordering one thing, make it this. Flaky, buttery, and loaded with almond filling. The best almond croissant in Colorado.

Fungi Pizza ($19) - White garlic oil base with portabella mushrooms, balsamic red onions, and aged fontina. The owner's personal favorite, and reviews back it up. Perfect thin crust with quality ingredients.

Why the Fig Not Pizza ($20) - Fig jam, turkey bacon, prosciutto, arugula, and caramelized onions. The sweet-savory combination works beautifully. Just make sure to eat it fresh - takeout orders sometimes arrive incomplete.

Cinnamon Rolls - Made with croissant-style dough rather than traditional dough, creating a lighter, flakier version. Not overly sweet, which lets the buttery layers shine.

💡 Pro Tip: The golden milk latte works well even for dairy-free folks - they accommodate oat, almond, and soy milk. Add mushroom or CBD for $2 if you're into wellness drinks.

🥐 Baked Fresh
🍕 Best Pizza in Town
🏔️ Mountain Views
🌾 GF Options
🌿 Vegetarian Friendly

Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)

Best for: Post-RMNP coffee and pastry stops, locals craving quality pizza, breakfast before hiking (opens 6am), remote workers wanting quiet upstairs space, and families with the $9 kids meal.

Skip if: You're a coffee purist (quality varies by barista), need guaranteed parking during peak hours (~15 spots), or want takeout pizza (dine-in quality is more consistent).

Looking for other options? Check River Walk Café for riverside coffee or Wapiti Colorado Pub for pub-style dining.

Practical Information

  • 📍Location: 1221 High Dr, minutes from RMNP entrance
  • Hours: Fri-Sun 6am-7:30pm, Mon/Thu 6am-7pm, Tue-Wed 6am-3pm
  • 🚗Parking: Free lot with ~15 spots (can fill during peak hours)
  • 📅Reservations: Walk-in only; upstairs available for private events
  • 🍕Pizza hours: Available after 11am daily
  • 🌾Dietary: GF pizza crust (+$5), GF bread (+$2), oat/almond/soy milk (+$1)
  • Coffee: OZO Coffee Roasters beans from Boulder (bags available for purchase)

💡 Parking Hack: If the main lot is full (only ~15 spots), park at the business next door and walk over. Avoid peak hours on weekends if parking stress isn't your thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bird's Nest

What's the best thing to order at Bird's Nest?

The almond croissant tops the list - the best in Colorado. For lunch, the Fungi pizza with portabella mushrooms and aged fontina is the owner's personal favorite. The cinnamon rolls made with croissant-style dough are also exceptional.

Does Bird's Nest have gluten-free options?

Yes. Gluten-free pizza crust is available for an additional $5 on any 12" pizza. Gluten-free bread for sandwiches costs $2 extra. Alternative milks (oat, almond, soy) are available for $1 extra on any drink.

Is Bird's Nest good for vegetarians?

Highly recommended for vegetarians. The Fungi pizza, Margherita, and 4 Cheese Blend are all meat-free. The Bacon Spinach Pita is specifically marked as vegetarian. Vegetarian dishes are clearly labeled on the menu.

What are Bird's Nest hours?

Hours vary by day. Friday-Sunday: 6am-7:30pm. Monday and Thursday: 6am-7pm. Tuesday and Wednesday: 6am-3pm (shorter hours). Pizza service starts at 11am daily. Check before visiting on Tues/Wed if you want evening dining.

Is parking available at Bird's Nest?

Free parking lot with approximately 15 spots. Can fill during peak hours on weekends. If the main lot is full, parking at the neighboring business and walking over is an option. RVs may need alternative parking due to limited space.

How is the coffee at Bird's Nest?

Mixed reviews. They use quality OZO Coffee Roasters beans from Boulder, and many customers love the lattes and specialty drinks like the golden milk latte. However, some coffee purists find the espresso drinks inconsistent. Hot lattes tend to get better reviews than iced.

Does Bird's Nest do takeout?

Yes, takeout is available. However, pizza quality is more consistent when dining in. Some takeout pizza orders arrived with issues (burnt bottoms, missing toppings). For the best experience, eat your pizza fresh at the restaurant.

Is Bird's Nest kid-friendly?

Yes. The $9 kids meal includes grilled cheese, cheese pita, or quesadilla with chips and a small drink. Giant cookies and pastries also appeal to children. The upstairs lounge offers more space for families to spread out.

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