Denver Restaurants

As befits a multiethnic crossroads, Denver lays out a dizzying range of eateries. Head for LoDo, the Highland District, the RiNo Art District, or south of the city for the more inventive kitchens. Try Federal Street for cheap ethnic eats—especially Mexican and Vietnamese—and expect authentic takes on classic Italian, French, and Asian cuisines. Throughout Denver, menus at trendy restaurants focus on locally sourced, organic, and healthier options; Denver's top chefs continue to gain the attention of national food magazines and win culinary competitions, but between the increased exposure and the rapid influx of residents, prices have skyrocketed to match or exceed those of larger cities.

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  • 1. Panzano

    $$$$ | 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
    303-296–3525

    Known For

    • House-baked breads
    • Roomy bar
    • Elegant brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 2. Sushi Den

    $$$$ | South Denver

    With a sister restaurant in Japan (and another, Izakaya Den, next door) and owners who import sushi-grade seafood to the United States, it's easy to see why this chic sushi bar is the one Denverites count on to provide the best quality available. The sushi chefs here can meet your every request, and the cooked dishes are just as well prepared—don't miss the steamed fish baskets. Check out the tony crowd and feast your eyes on the luxurious fabrics and well-designed furniture. There's almost always a wait to get in, and parking can be a hassle, but for serious sushi-heads this is the place to be. Plan far in advance to sit at the Chef's Table for an even more elevated experience and special fresh-fish selections that are unavailable on the regular menu.

    1487 S. Pearl St., Denver, Colorado, 80210, USA
    303-777–0826

    Known For

    • Inviting patio
    • Impeccable sushi
    • Extensive sake list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations required
  • 3. The Fort Restaurant

    $$$$

    This adobe structure near Red Rocks Amphitheatre, complete with flickering luminarias and a pinyon-pine bonfire in the courtyard, is a perfect reproduction of Bent's Fort, a Colorado fur-trade center. Buffalo meat and game are the specialties. The buffalo filet mignon with prairie butter and grilled quail with huckleberry preserves are especially good. Intrepid eaters might try the buffalo bone-marrow appetizer, fiery peanut-butter-stuffed jalapeños, or Rocky Mountain oysters. Costumed characters from the fur trade wander the restaurant, playing the mandolin and telling tall tales.

    19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison, Colorado, 80465, USA
    303-697–4771

    Known For

    • Authentic Old West atmosphere complete with costumed characters
    • Gunpowder cocktails
    • Buffalo steaks and Rocky Mountain oysters

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 4. Barolo Grill

    $$$$ | Cherry Creek

    This restaurant looks like a chic Italian farmhouse, with dried flowers in brass urns, hand-painted porcelain, and straw baskets everywhere. The food isn't pretentious in the least, however; it's more like Santa Monica meets San Stefano—bold yet classic, healthy yet flavorful. Duck braised with red wine; fresh pastas, including veal-stuffed agnolotti; and risotto with mixed wild mushrooms are all well made and fairly priced. The reasonably priced four-course tasting menu is the only option on Friday and Saturday, but it is a smart way to sample more of the kitchen's talents; adding the wine pairings ups the cost, but it improves the value. On weekdays, the à la carte menu is available on request, in addition to the prix-fixe menu.

    3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
    303-393–1040

    Known For

    • Tasting menu with wine pairings
    • Charming fireplace table
    • Excellent duck braised in red wine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 5. Café Brazil

    $$$ | Highland

    This always-packed spot is worth the trip to Highland for such South American fare as shrimp and scallops sautéed with fresh herbs, coconut milk, and hot chilies or feijoada completa, the Brazilian national dish of black-bean stew and smoked meats, accompanied with fried bananas. With its vivid paintings and colorful traditional masks, it always seems to be a festive party here. It's frequented by locals in the know, especially those looking to try one of their 75-plus rums on hand.

    4408 Lowell Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
    303-480–1877

    Known For

    • Cozy bar
    • Extensive rum selection
    • Fresh seafood

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential
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  • 6. Dazzle at Baur's

    $$ | Downtown

    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
    303-839–5100

    Known For

    • Extensive cocktail roster
    • Mac-and-cheese
    • Sunday jazz brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Credit cards accepted
  • 7. Dazzle at Baur's

    $$ | Downtown

    This is a cozy, casual spot for live jazz and blues six nights a week downtown. The location, in the historic Baur's Building, offers a classy setting and exceptional acoustics as well as updated takes on classic comfort food before and during shows. DownBeat magazine has named it one of the 150 best jazz clubs in the world.

    1512 Curtis St., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
    303-839–5100

    Known For

    • Extensive cocktail roster
    • Excellent mac and cheese
    • All ages until 10:30 pm

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 8. Elway's

    $$$$ | Cherry Creek

    You won't see the big guy very often here—or at the company's downtown Ritz-Carlton–Denver, Denver International Airport, or Vail locations, either—but that doesn't keep sports fans from packing it in, hopeful. And when the toothy-grinned former Broncos QB (and current executive vice president of football operations) John Elway doesn't show, diners console themselves with some of the best steak-house fare in town, particularly the porterhouse (big enough for half a football team) and the huge side of chunky-creamy Yukon gold mashed potatoes. While you eat, ease back into the intimately set-up, camel-color suede booths and watch waterfalls cascade over granite slabs, choose from the pricey but appealing wine list, and save room for make-your-own s'mores.

    2500 E. 1st Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80206, USA
    303-399–5353

    Known For

    • Plush seating
    • Lamb "lollipops"
    • Packed happy hour

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 9. Izakaya Den

    $$$$ | South Denver

    This larger space from the brothers who own Sushi Den next door, Izakaya Den is supposed to be like a Japanese izakaya, an informal and inexpensive drinking place where snacks are served. Instead, its menu is nearly identical to its sister eatery's, with a more extensive roster of tapas-style sushi offerings, and they share the same executive chef. That said, the high quality of fish imported from the owners' market in Japan is unparalleled in Denver, and several dishes—the hamachi, the crispy tuna, and the Wagyu carpaccio—are stellar.

    1487-A S. Pearl St., Denver, Colorado, 80210, USA
    303-777--0691

    Known For

    • Impeccably fresh seafood
    • Summer rooftop parties
    • Lively atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Reservations essential
  • 10. My Brother's Bar

    $ | Highland | Burger

    Down the street from the REI store, on the corner along the bicycle path on 15th Street, My Brother's Bar is a homey neighborhood tavern that serves microbrews, burgers—buffalo and beef—and sandwiches of all kinds until 1:30 am. The bar's name isn't on the facade, so look for the street number.

    2376 15th St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-455–9991
  • 11. New Saigon

    $$ | West Denver

    Denver's best Vietnamese restaurant is always crowded with folks trying to get at their crispy egg rolls, shrimp-filled spring rolls, and cheap but hefty noodle bowls. With nearly 200 dishes on the menu—priced and portioned for sharing—this vast eatery has everything Vietnamese covered, including 30-some vegetarian dishes and 10 with succulent frogs' legs. It's best to go at off times to ensure a seat. Reservations are accepted for parties of six or more.

    630 S. Federal Blvd., Denver, Colorado, 80219, USA
    303-936–4954

    Known For

    • Seafood dishes
    • Exhaustive menu of Vietnamese classics
    • Vietnamese iced coffee
  • 12. Pizzeria Locale

    $ | Highland

    This casual pizzeria is a franchised offshoot of the original in Boulder. They had set out to make inexpensive pizza the way it was done in Italy 150 years ago: in under two minutes in a blistering-hot oven, with a light, thin, bubbly crust, and sparingly topped with fresh ingredients. The unexpected ingredients are the ones that impress—charred broccolini, crème fraîche with corn, ricotta with Calabrian chilies. A miniature cup of butterscotch pudding is the perfect amount of dessert.

    3484 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
    720-790--7700

    Known For

    • Sausage and broccolini pizza and other unique ingredients
    • Kid-friendly setup
    • Butterscotch pudding for dessert

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 13. Sam's No. 3

    $$ | 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
    303-534–1927

    Known For

    • Heavenly milkshakes
    • All-day breakfast
    • Old-school horseshoe counter

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 14. Tacos Tequila Whiskey

    $ | 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
    720-502--4608

    Known For

    • Street-style tacos
    • Festive patio
    • Tequila cocktails

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon., Reservations not accepted
  • 15. The Nickel

    $$$ | 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
    720-889--2128

    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
  • 16. The Squeaky Bean

    $$$$ | LoDo | Modern American

    The original location was a tiny storefront in the Highland, but it was obvious early on that the popular Bean, with herbs and produce from its own gardens and a deceptively simple yet inventive menu, was going to grow. Now situated in the historic Saddlery Building in LoDo, the spacious dining room balances contemporary furnishings with a vintage setting and serves a seasonal menu that also changes monthly and is heavy on bold, bright flavors: mint and cumin on lamb with pappardelle, or yellow curry and rhubarb atop halibut. It's worthwhile to at least check out the impressive cheese cart for dessert. Service is brisk and attentive and the wine list is remarkably well priced and includes many by-the-glass options.

    1500 Wynkoop St., Suite 101, Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-623–2665

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun., Reservations essential
  • 17. True Food Kitchen

    $$$ | 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
    720-509–7661

    Known For

    • House-made soda and trendy cocktails
    • Healthy desserts
    • Innovative salads and grain-based bowls

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 18. Vesta Dipping Grill

    $$$$ | LoDo | Modern American

    Both the remodeled building and the interior space designed to house this modern grill, named after Vesta, the Roman hearth goddess, have won national architectural awards, and it's easy to see why: the sensual swirls of fabric and copper throughout the room make diners feel as though they're inside a giant work of art, and the clever, secluded banquettes are among the most sought-after seats in town. The menu is clever, too, and the competent grill masters in the kitchen put out expertly cooked meats, fish, and vegetables, all of which can be paired with some of the more than two-dozen dipping sauces that get their inspiration from chutneys, salsas, mother sauces, and barbecue. The wine list is as cool as the clientele.

    1822 Blake St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-296–1970

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential

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