Denver Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Denver - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Cart-Driver

    $$ | RiNo | Pizza

    Two repurposed shipping containers are the unlikely industrial backdrop for some of the best pizza and oysters in Denver. The owners of Cart...

    Two repurposed shipping containers are the unlikely industrial backdrop for some of the best pizza and oysters in Denver. The owners of Cart-Driver have modeled their casual, unpretentious spot after truck stops in Italy—the Autogrills that focus on putting out simple, easily worked menus that focus on high quality—and the result is crusts that hold their crisp all the way to the center of each pie and briny-fresh oysters, satiny mousses of tuna and chicken liver, and an odd but intriguing roster of canned beers. Much of the food from the rather short menu is served on baking sheets and in jelly jars, and the effect is not smarmy but practical, while service is friendly and chaotic in the face of an almost-always packed place. Be prepared to wait, or bring a group of eight to snag reservations—or come very late, because they serve until midnight every night. A second location in a more typical building in the LoHi neighborhood is more spacious but serves the same savvy fare.

    2500 Larimer St., Suite 100, Denver, Colorado, 80205, USA
    303-292–3553

    Known For

    • Raucous atmosphere with long waits for a table
    • Clam pizza
    • House-made chocolate pudding
  • 2. Fruition

    $$$$ | City Park | Modern American

    Well-crafted, elegant comfort food made from seasonal ingredients is served in compelling combinations, like roasted pork with fennel, sausage...

    Well-crafted, elegant comfort food made from seasonal ingredients is served in compelling combinations, like roasted pork with fennel, sausage-stuffed squash blossoms, and Colorado lamb loin served with ricotta tortellini. The bonus is that the cheese is made from sheep's milk at chef/owner Alex Seidel's own farm. A nightly offering of two courses of delightful dishes includes many vegetarian options, but many diners choose to make a meal from the amazing appetizer roster. The two small but nicely spaced dining rooms are gently lighted for a warm-toned atmosphere that fades into the background, allowing the evening to focus on the food and the expertly chosen and fairly priced wine list.

    1313 E. 6th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80218, USA
    303-831–1962

    Known For

    • Intimate atmosphere
    • Farm-raised ingredients
    • Potato-wrapped oysters Rockefeller

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 3. Mercantile Dining & Provisions

    $$$ | LoDo | Modern American

    Brought to you by the same James Beard award–winning chef Alex Seidel of Fruition, Mercantile features the same ingredients from their farm...

    Brought to you by the same James Beard award–winning chef Alex Seidel of Fruition, Mercantile features the same ingredients from their farm and creamery as well as the emphasis on fresh and local. The pretty space, with its powder-blue upholstery and milky-white walls, calms and invites lingering, ideal for a menu that includes starters doubling as small plates—the bone marrow brûlée has become legendary, and the "provisions" platter pulls from the farm's cheeses and pickles that are also available at the on-site market. But it's hard to stop there when a roasted Colorado lamb shoulder and a crispy half chicken are options for main courses. Sit at the counter for a quicker meal or to snack, and try one of the creative cocktails from a snappy list that also includes pricey but uncommon wines. Lunch, using the same tip-top-fresh produce, is also available daily.

    1701 Wynkoop St., Suite 155, Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    720-460–3733

    Known For

    • The very essence of seasonal dining with farm-fresh ingredients
    • Bone marrow brûlée
    • Creative cocktails and unique wines
  • 4. Mizuna

    $$$$ | Capitol Hill | Modern American

    Chef-owner Frank Bonanno knows how to transform butter and cream into comforting masterpieces at this cozy eatery with warm colors and intimate...

    Chef-owner Frank Bonanno knows how to transform butter and cream into comforting masterpieces at this cozy eatery with warm colors and intimate seating. His menu is reminiscent of California's French Laundry—witness the foie gras torchon—but his Italian heritage has given him the ability to work wonders with house-made pastas and gnocchi, and he often offers a ragout or other long-stewed sauce. Be sure to try the creative desserts (such as brown butter pot de crème, an update on the classic French custard), and expect to be served by the most professional staff, trained by Jacqueline Bonanno, in town.

    225 E. 7th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
    303-832–4778

    Known For

    • Fine French dining
    • Rotating menu
    • Butter-poached lobster

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 5. Panzano

    $$$ | Downtown | Italian

    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...

    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
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Rioja

    $$$ | Larimer Square | Mediterranean

    The restaurant is hip and artsy, with exposed brick and blown-glass lighting, arched doorways, and textured draperies. Chef Jennifer Jasinski...

    The restaurant is hip and artsy, with exposed brick and blown-glass lighting, arched doorways, and textured draperies. Chef Jennifer Jasinski's intense attention to detail is evident in her tribute to Mediterranean food with contemporary flair. The 2013 James Beard winner for Best Chef Southwest, she also partners with Beth Gruitch to run Stoic & Genuine, Bistro Vendôme, and Ultreia; Gruitch is in charge of the front of the house here too, and together the duo has maintained a remarkably loyal following. The wine list presents Riojas galore, and is well priced for Larimer Square. The tiny bar is a nice stop for dessert.

    1431 Larimer St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-820–2282

    Known For

    • Classy atmosphere
    • Rioja-focused wine list
    • Hearty portions

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon. and Tues.
  • 7. Stoic & Genuine

    $$$ | LoDo | Seafood

    Known for their eateries Rioja and Bistro Vendôme, Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch bring fresh seafood and oysters to Union Station in an...

    Known for their eateries Rioja and Bistro Vendôme, Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch bring fresh seafood and oysters to Union Station in an oddly configured but ultimately comfortable space that features two somewhat cramped raw-bar areas and a row of regular seating, as well as a spacious patio that offers excellent people-watching. The oyster roster is expansive and fresh and comes with a choice of granitas. Hot and cold seafood highlights include lobster roll and tuna tartare. There are also a couple of land-based dishes for those who prefer turf over surf.

    1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-640–3474

    Known For

    • Creative seafood preparations
    • Excellent lobster roll
    • Barbecued octopus
  • 8. Sushi Den

    $$$ | South Denver | Japanese

    With a sister restaurant in Japan (and another, Izakaya Den, a more casual version just down the street) and owners who import sushi-grade seafood...

    With a sister restaurant in Japan (and another, Izakaya Den, a more casual version just down the street) 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. From Sunday through Thursday they'll accept a reservation for parties of five or more.

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

    Known For

    • Inviting patio
    • Impeccable sushi
    • Extensive sake list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
  • 9. The Fort Restaurant

    $$$$ | Steakhouse

    This adobe structure near Red Rocks Amphitheatre, complete with flickering luminarias and a pinyon-pine bonfire in the courtyard, is a perfect...

    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
    • Gun-powder cocktails
    • Buffalo steaks and Rocky Mountain oysters

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 10. 1515 Restaurant

    $$$$ | LoDo | Modern American

    Owner Gene Tang seems to be one of the hardest-working men in the restaurant business, judging by the personal attention he gives the tables...

    Owner Gene Tang seems to be one of the hardest-working men in the restaurant business, judging by the personal attention he gives the tables in his two-story place. Walking past the first-floor bar gives diners the feeling of being someplace important, as locals hang out and take in the scene. Once upstairs, though, it's all business, with efficient servers bringing a succession of world-beat fare that's highly structural and eminently flavorful. Slow-cooked Colorado lamb shares space on the menu comfortably with duck prepared three ways, and trendy ingredients complement textbook preparations. The menu includes a few vegetarian options, meat lovers have several impressively prepared steaks from which to choose, and the wine list is a wonder—affordable and daring.

    1515 Market St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-571–0011

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Mon., Tues., Reservations essential
  • 11. Anthony's Pizza & Pasta

    $ | Downtown | Pizza

    This two-story dive, with a standing counter as well as a sit-down dining area upstairs crammed with ramshackle chairs and tables in various...

    This two-story dive, with a standing counter as well as a sit-down dining area upstairs crammed with ramshackle chairs and tables in various stages of disrepair, is the closest Denver gets to a New York slice. Fold each triangle in half, tilt it to let it drip, and inhale. Sweet- and spicy-sauced spaghetti with a side of meatballs offers an alternative for those who don't want pizza.

    1550 California St., Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA
    303-573–6236

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
  • 12. Argyll Whisky Beer

    $$ | Capitol Hill | British

    A gastropub that didn't make it the first time around in Cherry Creek, Argyll is definitely better in its second incarnation uptown, with the...

    A gastropub that didn't make it the first time around in Cherry Creek, Argyll is definitely better in its second incarnation uptown, with the ideal roomy lounge space that sprawls beyond an inviting bar. The menu, created by beloved local chef John Broening, features tender-inside, crisp-outside fish and steak-fry-style chips so good some people plan their week around them. The menu is expectedly British and a tad on the heavier side—bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, green curry—but there are salads and surprises, such as "spot of tea," a broth with ramen noodles and gooey egg. The lamb burger is a marvel of moistness and flavor, complemented by a yogurt-cucumber relish. Not surprisingly, the beer roster is brilliant and nicely priced; same goes for the whiskeys. Brunch is not to be taken lightly; the corned beef hash is the dish to have.

    1035 E. 17th Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80218, USA
    303-847–0850

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 13. Barolo Grill

    $$$$ | Cherry Creek | Italian

    This restaurant looks like a chichi Italian farmhouse, with dried flowers in brass urns, hand-painted porcelain, and straw baskets everywhere...

    This restaurant looks like a chichi 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, healthful 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 a smart way to sample more of the kitchen's talents; adding the wine pairings ups the cost, but it improves the value.

    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
  • 14. Beast + Bottle

    $$ | Capitol Hill | Modern American

    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...

    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
    303-623–3223

    Known For

    • Precision cooking
    • Root beer–braised short ribs
    • Unique wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch Tues.–Fri.
  • 15. Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

    $ | Hot Dog

    Quite the character, Biker Jim was hawking his gourmet hot dogs—split down the middle, with Coca-Cola-caramelized onions and a squirt of cream...

    Quite the character, Biker Jim was hawking his gourmet hot dogs—split down the middle, with Coca-Cola-caramelized onions and a squirt of cream cheese as a topping option—for years on the 16th Street Mall until someone finally convinced him to open his own raucous place. Now he's got two (the second location is at Coors Field) and they're both always packed with folks eager to try a wild boar dog or a duck-cilantro dog. Sure, Biker Jim will do a plain all-beef version, but why go there when there are a dozen other delectable possibilities? On the side there's nothing healthy, but deep-fried pickles and fried mac-and-cheese beckon anyway. Chipotle-fired brownies with ice cream sandwiched inside make for an ideal ending. It's open until 3 am Friday and Saturday.

    2148 Larimer St., Denver, Colorado, 80205, USA
    720-746–9355

    Known For

    • Late-night weekend snacks
    • Bizarre but delicious toppings
    • Elk jalapeño cheddar dog
  • 16. Blue Bonnet Cafe and Lounge

    $$ | South Denver | Mexican

    Its location out of the tourist loop, southeast of downtown, doesn't stop the crowds (mostly tourists) from lining up early for this restaurant...

    Its location out of the tourist loop, southeast of downtown, doesn't stop the crowds (mostly tourists) from lining up early for this restaurant. The early Western, Naugahyde decor and fantastic jukebox set up an upbeat mood for killer margaritas and some of the best burritos and green chile in town.

    457 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 80209, USA
    303-778–0147

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 17. Breckenridge Colorado Craft

    $$ | Five Points | American

    Years before Coors Field moved in, Breckenridge Brewery set up shop with its top-notch brews and some snacks to go with. It has stayed the course...

    Years before Coors Field moved in, Breckenridge Brewery set up shop with its top-notch brews and some snacks to go with. It has stayed the course, renaming this location and now offering about three-dozen made-in-Colorado microbrews, as well as a solid roster of big, juicy burgers (which can be made with bison, too), hefty sandwiches (the pulled pork is nice and spicy) and other pub grub befitting a spacious, noisy, TV-filled sports bar.

    2220 Blake St., Denver, Colorado, 80205, USA
    303-297–3644

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 18. Brother's BBQ

    $ | Central Denver | American

    Two brothers from England traveled the southern United States on a quest to learn everything there is to know about barbecue, and they decided...

    Two brothers from England traveled the southern United States on a quest to learn everything there is to know about barbecue, and they decided to share the information with Denver. The result is some of the best 'cue in town, from St. Louis–style ribs to beef brisket, pulled pork, and chicken. The sauces are a mishmash of their favorites, including a vinegary one and a sweet one, and the baked beans use their smoked meats for extra flavor. Eat at one of the metal tables amid license plates and knickknacks from the boys' travels, or get it packed up nicely to go.

    568 N. Washington St., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
    720-570–4227

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 19. Buckhorn Exchange

    $$$$ | Civic Center | Steakhouse

    If hunting makes you queasy, don't enter this Denver landmark and taxidermy shrine, where more than 500 pairs of eyes stare down at you from...

    If hunting makes you queasy, don't enter this Denver landmark and taxidermy shrine, where more than 500 pairs of eyes stare down at you from the walls. The dry-aged, prime-grade Colorado steaks are huge, juicy, and magnificent, as is the game. Try the smoked buffalo sausage or navy-bean soup to start. The handsome masculine vibe—with pressed-tin ceilings, burgundy walls, red-checker tablecloths, rodeo photos, shotguns, and those trophies—probably hasn't changed much since the Buckhorn first opened in 1893.

    1000 Osage St., Denver, Colorado, 80204, USA
    303-534–9505

    Known For

    • Navy-bean soup
    • Cozy second-floor bar
    • Men's club look

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 20. Café Brazil

    $$$ | Highland | Brazilian

    This always-packed spot is worth the trip to Highland for such South American fare as shrimp and scallops sautéed with fresh herbs, coconut...

    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, there's a party style in the festive café. On Wednesdays to Fridays, you can try lunch, which serves smaller, less-expensive versions of dinner dishes. It's frequented by locals in the know.

    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. and Mon. No lunch Sat.–Tues.

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