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$$$$ | Downtown |
This dining room in Hotel Monaco is filled with fresh flowers and windows that let in natural light, making the space cheerful and bright. The focus is on true, multilayered Italian cuisine, such as grilled flatbread topped with cheese, prosciutto, truffle oil, and balsamic vinegar; or risotto made with an ever-changing and ever-pleasing variety of cheeses and fresh produce. The breads are baked in-house. The superior service and accommodating staff make for a pleasant dining experience. The large, roomy bar is available for dining, too.
909 17th St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
Known For
- House-baked breads
- Roomy bar
- Elegant brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Downtown | American
If it's martinis and jazz you're after, come to this casually elegant space (larger and snazzier after a move to the historic Baur's Building), which features comfort foods with a twist and small plates. Live music most nights makes this a laid-back spot. The cocktail roster, printed inside old jazz albums, is one of the most intricate around, and the Sunday jazz brunch swings.
1512 Curtis St., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
Known For
- Extensive cocktail roster
- Mac-and-cheese
- Sunday jazz brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$ | Capitol Hill | Diner
This jumping Capitol Hill spot is a breakfast and lunch hangout. Weekend brunch draws crowds of bicyclists and newspaper readers in search of the croissant French toast, "health nut" pancakes, and colossal omelets. Even bigger are the scrumptious one-dish skillets; a popular one tops grilled pork chops with home fries, chili, cheddar, and eggs. They're open weekdays at 6 am and weekends at 7 am; closed each day at 2 pm.
1400 E. 18th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80218, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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$ | North Denver | Mexican
The friendly family that runs this small, pepper-decorated place moved to Denver from New Mexico, and they brought their love of chilies with them. The green chili is fire-breathing spicy, and the red is a smoky, complex brew. The best item, though, is the plate of chicken or beef vaquero tacos, slathered with a sticky-sweet barbecue sauce and served on buttery tortillas. Get it with a bowl of freshly roasted corn off the cob. Lunch is always packed, so arrive early, and don't be afraid to tackle a gigantic breakfast burrito, either. There's a mean margarita and there are cervesas, too.
2524 Federal Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Central Denver | French
A real find, this homey bistro serves excellent mussel dishes and provincial French specialties, including beef bourguignon (braised in red wine and garnished with mushrooms and onions), salmon en croûte (wrapped in pastry and baked), and steak au poivre. You can depend on Le Central for fabulous food, great service, and a surprisingly low tab. Weekend brunch is a big favorite.
112 E. 8th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$ | Capitol Hill | Asian
A complete overhaul of the menu transformed the former Parallel Seventeen into a bistro that serves Asian-inspired dishes with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, and includes a lengthy roster of small plates. The atmosphere remains casually chic, and at night, the cozy patio with its twinkly lights beckons with a happy hour devoted to fun cocktails. The popular weekend brunch also features small plates–-try the beignets with housemade apple butter–-as does lunch, where the duck confit tacos are a must.
1600 E. 17th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80218, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Downtown |
Greek immigrant Sam Armatas opened his first eatery in Denver in 1927, and his three sons use the same recipes their father did in their updated version of his all-American diner, from the famous red and green chilis to the Coney Island–style hot dogs and creamy rice pudding. The retro diner resembles a fancy Denny's, and the bar is crowded with theatergoers and hipsters after dark. Good luck choosing: the menu is 12 pages long, with Greek and Mexican favorites as well as diner classics. The chunky mashed potatoes rule, as do the pie-based milkshakes, and breakfast, which is served all day, comes fast.
1500 Curtis St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
Known For
- Heavenly milkshakes
- All-day breakfast
- Old-school horseshoe counter
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$ | Highland |
Originally a food truck, the name of this taqueria showcases exactly what it specializes in: queso a la plancha tacos and seared ahi tuna tacos, with house-made salsas and tangy margaritas. Get to know your fellow diners at the communal tables or the long bar, or sit on the patio that opens from the dining area through the garage door. There's a second location in City Park.
3300 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
Known For
- Street-style tacos
- Festive patio
- Tequila cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon., Reservations not accepted
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$$$ | Downtown |
A basic contemporary American menu offers classics done well at the Nickel, the restaurant located in the Hotel Teatro. Enjoy a top-notch burger, an entrée-sized salad, or Mediterranean-style salmon, all while kicking back in sumptuously upholstered chairs. Breakfast and weekend brunch offer some unique options like carrot cake pancakes. The room takes terrific advantage of the natural light that floods the space, making the ambience feel impressive and special. Rooftop bees provide in-house honey.
1100 14th St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
Known For
- Tasty short-rib burger
- Pre- and post-theater dining
- Barrel-aged cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon. No lunch weekdays, Reservations essential
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$$$ | Cherry Creek |
Holistic health guru Dr. Andrew Weil has opened restaurants in select locations in 17 states, and this venture in Cherry Creek, where his intensive focus is on anti-inflammatory preparations and antioxidant ingredients prepared with an international flair, has met with great success. Don't expect all-vegetarian, however; the menu offers plenty of meat, particularly lean bison and turkey, as well as fish, tempeh, and other meat substitutes. Trendy cocktails—cucumber margarita or blueberry acai mojito, for example—and natural sodas add to the appeal for the younger crowds that flock to the communal tables for small plates and thin-crust pizzas. The kids' menu is impressively healthy and appealing with its mini grass-fed burger and chicken teriyaki bowl.
2800 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
Known For
- House-made soda and trendy cocktails
- Healthy desserts
- Innovative salads and grain-based bowls
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | Highland |
Closed Permanently
This casual, modern Mexican eatery with valet parking brings in a young, hip clientele and provides a spectacular view of the city skyline from most of the sunny dining room, bar, and patio. More than 90 tequilas, superior margaritas, and a clever, glass-lined bar area are just a few of the reasons the lovely Lola remains a locals' hangout. Fresh seafood arrives in such dishes as escabeche (marinated, poached fish), ceviche (lime-cooked fish), and salads, in addition to smoked rib eye and pollofrito (fried chicken). A Mexican-style brunch is served weekends.
1575 Boulder St., Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
Known For
- Mexican-style weekend brunch
- Tableside guacamole
- Heated patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$ | Capitol Hill |
Closed Permanently
A cozy space that's just right for couples and small get-togethers, this Uptown eatery is aptly named for its constantly rotating roster of small plates and handful of entrées that focus on a fish, a couple of meat options, and always one or two vegetarian dishes. The kitchen proclaims a focus on "using the whole animal," with an attempt to introduce diners to new cuts or unusual preparations—they make all the broths and sauces from scraps and bones and offer organ meats in delectable ways. The provenance of each ingredient is shared on a large board behind diners, and the wine program endeavors to match the daring food with little-known varietals; all the wines are available by the glass, three-quarter bottle, or liter pour. The sidewalk patio and intimate bar are great dining options, as well.
719 E. 17th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
Known For
- Precision cooking
- Root beer--braised short ribs
- Unique wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.--Fri., Reservations essential