Eating out is about so much more than just what’s on your plate. It fosters connection, sparks curiosity and nourishes both the body and soul.
As Denver’s food scene continues to evolve, we’ve lost some longtime favorites — and each beloved spot that’s shuttered has served as a reminder to revisit those that remain. Add to that lineup a host of new spots from creative chefs and resilient operators who have persevered through myriad challenges, and this city becomes a more delicious place to dine every day.
These 100 restaurants represent the best of Denver’s eateries, from fine-dining stunners and cherished classics to hole-in-the-wall joints and exciting additions over the past year. (To be eligible for Eat Here, a restaurant must have opened by Labor Day 2022.)
So get hungry, dig in, and savor the restaurants we can’t live without in 2023. — Molly Martin
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Sam's No. 3
Molly Martin
In 1969, Sam’s No. 3 — the flagship in a then-fifty-year-old restaurant empire — finally closed, but the Armatas family returned the diner to its original downtown block in 2004, along with additional locations in Aurora and Glendale. Alongside the Coney Island favorites that made Sam’s popular in the 1920s, the voluminous, multi-page menu is fueled with diner-style American, Greek and Mexican dishes, including gigantic, green chile-smothered breakfast burritos. Pair one with a Bloody Mary and make no plans other than a long nap.
($)
1500 Curtis St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Zaidy's Deli
Jeff Fierberg
Zaidy's is a classic Jewish deli that was founded in 1985, but in 2020, its Cherry Creek location shuttered, leaving fans hungry for the memories. Thanks to a trio of new owners — Max Appel, his son Joel and Beth Ginsberg, owner of Trompeau Bakery — it was resurrected in August 2021 with the blessing of original owner Gerald Rudofsky. Its new Hilltop home is spacious, with cozy booths and a patio with extra seating out front; the menu has all the classics, from pastrami on rye and matzoh ball soup to black-and-white cookies.
($)
600 S. Holly St., Denver
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Hong Kong Station
Courtesy of Hong Kong Station
Hong Kong Station isn't a typical Chinese restaurant serving only the familiar stir-fried dishes and noodles. Nor can it be counted in the current cadre of popular dumpling shops. Instead, it's a very specific kind of eatery unique to Hong Kong called a cha chaan teng, or tea restaurant. Hot and iced teas are the specialty, some brewed strong and served with sweetened condensed milk — but there's plenty of food, too. Among the signature cha chaan teng items are the Hong Kong-style French toast and the baked rice dishes.
($$)
6878 S. Yosemite St., Englewood, 80112
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Ohana Island Kitchen
Laura Shunk
Louie and Regan Colburn launched Denver’s poke craze when they opened Ohana Island Kitchen in the back of the Truffle Table in 2016. Their tuna found so many fans that they couldn’t handle them all; fortunately, they landed a lease for a sunny space across the street. While the craze has since slowed, Ohana’s classic renditions of poke (read: not drowning in toppings) and small menu of other Hawaiian staples like spam musubi and kalua pork take it beyond trendy.
($$)
2563 15th St., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Uchi
Lucy Beaugard
It takes a lot of confidence to take a concept successful in one town and translate it for a new audience in a faraway city. But chef/restaurateur Tyson Cole exudes confidence with his repertoire, which re-envisions Japanese sushi-house fare without ever disrespecting its roots. The Denver version of Uchi remains true to the Austin original while adding just enough Colorado originality to entice dubious diners. We’ll take this Texas invasion.
($$$$)
2500 Lawrence St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Mama Lolita's
Tom Hellauer
This debut eatery from chef/owner Joe Mazzocco that opened in July 2022 brings together Mexican faves like ceviche, queso fundido, enchiladas and a tight selection of tacos with an enticing array of tequila cocktails. With colorful ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible, it’s Mexican fare elevated to delicious new heights and served in an unexpectedly charming space
($$$)
8181 Arista Place, Broomfield, 80021
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
African Grill and Bar
Molly Martin
Sylvester and Theodora Osei-Fordwuo launched their second eatery at the beginning of 2019, after the success of their Green Valley Ranch location, bringing their unique, delicious cooking to Lakewood. Though the original location is now closed, African Grill and Bar is still going strong, with bold spices flavoring uncommon dishes representing Ghana, Nigeria and other African nations, as well as warm service from the owners and their family.
($$)
955 S. Kipling Parkway, Lakewood, 80226
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Coperta
Molly Martin
In 2016, Paul and Aileen Reilly, the brother-and-sister team behind beloved Uptown eatery Beast + Bottle, opened the Roma-inspired Coperta in North Capitol Hill. Since then, Beast + Bottle has said goodbye and the Reillys have opened Apple Blossom in the Hyatt Centric Downtown, but Coperta has remained a neighborhood mainstay through it all. The dining room feels both classy and comfortable, with warm service that makes every guest feel like a regular while they're digging into housemade focaccia, classic pastas like cavatelli ragu and rigatoni carbonara, and such Coperta staples as the Pollo Alla Diavola, a half-chicken with a side of heat thanks to the addition of Calabrian chiles.
($$$)
400 E. 20th Ave., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Adobo XO
Molly Martin
After a head-on motorcycle accident derailed his career in finance, Blaine Baggao re-evaluated his professional path, ultimately launching Adobo in 2016 as a food truck that combines his New Mexican and Filipino roots. Today the business has its own spacious brick-and-mortar location complete with pool table and live music, as well as a counter operation inside First Draft in RiNo. The menu at both places boasts tacos, nachos, rice bowls and many green chile-covered items, including fries loaded with smoked carnitas and cheese; carnitas deviled eggs with lime crema, cotija and cilantro; and crispy wontons. The best way to enjoy this flavorful (vegan!) green chile: in a bowl loaded with smoked carnitas, with warm flour tortillas on the side. Don’t skip the lumpia, either.
($)
3109 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Mercantile Dining & Provision
The concept for Alex Seidel’s second restaurant was as grand and ambitious as that of Union Station itself, where Mercantile launched in the summer of 2014. The refurbished train station showed off vaulted ceilings, gleaming marble, dark woods and a variety of new bars and restaurants that fit nearly every traveler’s needs. Likewise, Mercantile offered something from morning to night, from a cup of coffee and a croissant for breakfast to an elegant dinner for an evening of refinement and exquisite service. Even as the food and drink offerings in and around the station continue to grow, Mercantile hasn’t lost its luster.
($$$)
1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Roaming Buffalo Bar-B-Que
Danielle Lirette
While many local barbecue joints specialize in Texas-style ’cue, Roaming Buffalo’s is based firmly in Colorado culinary history, with pulled lamb, huge bison ribs and venison sausage. At both its original location, which opened in 2015, and a newer outpost in Golden, it also serves more traditional meats such as pork ribs and brisket, which are available by the pound, heaped onto sandwiches or on plates, with sides such as smoked poblano cheddar mac and Southwest potato salad.
($$)
2387 S. Downing St., Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Mexico City Restaurant & Lounge
Danielle Lirette
Opened by Willie and Esther Garcia, Mexico City Lounge has been a Denver staple for over fifty years. It hasn't changed much in that time, with the exception of a slight facelift in 2012, but the area around it sure has. (And the ownership has moved down a couple of generations.) But despite the ever-evolving LoDo around it, Mexico City remains a down-home cantina full of guaranteed good food and good times — and its famous, must-try fried tacos.
($)
2115 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Spuntino
Spuntino/Instagram
Dining at Spuntino is like poetry. In fact, Elliot Strathmann, who owns the restaurant with his wife, chef Cindhura Reddy, composes playful poems about Spuntino's new dishes that he shares on Instagram. The couple has been running the intimate eatery since 2014, where hand-rolled pastas and braised meats are the stars, and Colorado-raised goat and creamy arancini (sometimes with Hatch chiles) have become signature items. At the bar, Strathmann has amassed a collection of Italian amari, the bitter after-dinner spirits (including several versions he makes himself) that give diners one more reason to linger. In recognition of the couple's efforts, Spuntino joined the ranks of nationally recognized restaurants in 2022 when it was named a semi-finalist for Outstanding Hospitality by the James Beard Foundation.
($$$)
2639 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Ginger Pig
Molly Martin
With no background in the food industry, Natascha Hess started Ginger Pig as a food truck with the guidance of her mentor, Top Chef contestant Carrie Baird. In 2020, Hess opened a brick- and-mortar location, where she cooks food inspired by her time living in China and explores the cuisines of other Asian countries; a Boulder location is in the works for 2023. The dishes are best shared with a group so that you can taste a variety of delights.
($$)
4262 Lowell Blvd., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Reggae Pot
Reggae Pot
The interior of this Centennial strip-mall spot, which opened in May 2021, transports you to the Caribbean, with prominent pops of green, yellow and black. A huge timeline on the wall highlights the rise of reggae music, with nods to famous Jamaican singers. The menu's top sellers are golden patties (which come in several varieties and are also available frozen) and the oxtail; Reggae Pot's version is slow-roasted in brown sauce with potatoes, carrots, butter beans and spices. Other standouts are the goat curry and Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish.
($$)
7562 S. University Blvd., Centennial, 80122
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Annette
Molly Martin
Located in Stanley Marketplace, Annette is a beautiful restaurant flooded with light and dotted with natural elements that make the room feel sophisticated, not stark. Chef/owner Caroline Glover, a 2022 James Beard Award winner, cooks seasonal ingredients over a wood-fired grill with equal parts reverence and panache, turning out dishes that read as home cooking even when venturing into such chef-driven ingredients as beef tongue, octopus and heirloom vegetables.
($$$$)
2501 Dallas St., Aurora, 80010
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Greenwich
Molly Martin
Originally from Greeley, Delores Tronco was one of the founders of Work & Class, which opened in 2014; Tronco sold her part of the business in 2017 and left Denver for New York City. When COVID forced the closure of Tronco's fledgling NYC venture, the Banty Rooster, she returned to Denver, and in September 2021, she and chef Justin Freeman opened the Greenwich, which Tronco calls her "ode to New York City." Here the pizzas are made on sourdough crust, the generous portions are meant for sharing, the wine list is tempting from start to finish, and the space is loaded with special NYC-inspired touches that feel totally right in RiNo.
($$$)
3258 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Famous Original J's Pizza
Molly Martin
Joshua Pollack, a New Jersey native, has been on a mission to bring a taste of the East Coast to Denver since opening his first Rosenberg's Bagels location in 2014. With Famous Original J's at the 715 Club, he's given the city a slice window of the highest quality. Yes, you can get whole pies here (both regular and gluten-free), but nothing beats standing under the neon glow of the red "pizza" sign with a cocktail in one hand and a paper plate in the other as you scarf down a hot slice.
($$$)
715 E. 26th Ave., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Pit Fiend Barbecue
Molly Martin
There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth among Denver's barbecue faithful when pitmaster Karl Fallenius closed Owlbear, his much-loved Five Points smokehouse, in January 2022. But two of his former employees took over the spot and reopened it as Pit Fiend Barbecue, with a broader focus than the Southern-style smoking in which Fallenius specialized. While Owlbear's Texas-style brisket and legendary mac and cheese remain on the menu, the new pitmasters have mixed things up, experimenting with barbecue traditions from around the world.
($$)
2826 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Hits the Spot Diner
Molly Martin
Denver’s diner scene has dwindled in recent years, but this eatery, which claims to make "the fastest egg in the West,” has been serving up old-school charm and high-quality comfort food for over a decade. Founded by Manuel and Trish Gatsiopoulos in 2011, Hits the Spot is more than just a speedy fix, thanks to specialties like cinnamon roll French toast, Polish sausage sandwiches and a six-pound breakfast burrito smothered in the diner’s excellent (and gluten-free) green chile.
($)
5637 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, 80214
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Los Dos Potrillos
Courtesy of Los Dos Potrillos
This staple in the southern suburbs that opened in 2002 is better known for its Mexican cuisine reminiscent of the food its founder Jose Ramirez's hometown of Jerez, Mexico, than for Denver-style grub, but Los Dos Potrillos knows how to make a killer green chile and much more. Now with four locations, the family-owned hospitality group is run by Jose's sons, Daniel and Luis Ramirez, who have big plans for its growth, including a massive new build in Castle Rock set to open in the fall of 2023. Bonus: You can wash down your chile with housemade beer, since the restaurant has its own brewery at the Parker location.
($$)
8251 S. Holly St., Littleton, 80122
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
La Fogata
Mark Antonation
The original location of La Fogata, on East Evans Avenue, was opened by Danette Calhoun back in 1990 and in 2004, a second spot was later added in the Denver Tech Center. Both eateries are staples in their neighborhoods, and regulars are greeted warmly by longtime staff. The thick, warming, gravy-style green chile is one of the best versions in town, and the pink-hued house margarita pairs perfectly with menu standouts like the Mexican hamburger and pollo asado bathed in a creamy sauce.
($)
5670 E. Evans Ave., Denver, 80222
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Bar Dough
Kayla Jones
The Culinary Creative Group is a powerhouse on the Denver dining scene — it's behind such heavy-hitters as A5 Steakhouse, Señor Bear, Mister Oso and more. At Bar Dough, its Italian spot in LoHi, chef Russell Stippich and his team excel at consistently delicious and creative fare, from pizza and pasta to small plates that highlight seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's most recent makeover brought in moody tones, making it a striking date-night destination, but it's equally impressive when you're sipping an Aperol spritz at the bar during happy hour or indulging in the weekend brunch.
($$$)
2227 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Plimoth
Danielle Lirette
Denver clearly has a love for tiny neighborhood eateries that turn out meals on par with those served by the big boys downtown. Under chef/owner Peter Ryan, the Plimoth captured the hearts of both City Park residents and those willing to take a drive into unfamiliar territory. Classic European technique, local ingredients and regional inspiration give guests something new to look forward to with each order.
($$$)
2335 E. 28th Ave., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Potager
Molly Martin
Capitol Hill neighbors who’d frequented Potager since it opened in 1997 were worried when founder Teri Rippeto sold it in early 2019. But their fears have been allayed by the restaurant’s continued dedication to locally sourced, seasonally driven fare under current owners Paul and Eileen Warthen and Nik Brand. Potager was a bellwether for a style of cuisine that’s become almost cliché, but few new restaurants are as good or as devoted to simple, honest cooking with premium ingredients, and the back garden may be the most peaceful place in Denver to enjoy a meal.
($$$)
1109 Ogden St., Denver, 80218
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Star Kitchen
Molly Martin
Like many of Denver's best Asian restaurants, Star Kitchen is tucked into a strip mall and doesn't look very inviting. But step through the front door and you'll find yourself in one of the best dim sum joints in town, where the carts — back after a pandemic hiatus — roll out of the kitchen loaded with dumplings of all kinds, fried noodles, shrimp balls, chicken feet, sticky rice and on and on. Go early (the line to add your name to the list forms before the place opens on weekends), bring a big group that knows how to eat family-style, and feast your way to happiness doused in chile oil.
Star Kitchen offers more standard dinner fare into the later hours, too, but the real draw here is the dim sum.
($$)
2917 W. Mississippi Ave., Denver, 80219
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Savory Vietnam
Mark Antonation
Chef An Nguyen honed her skills for years at New Saigon, which her parents owned until 2017. Now Nguyen's out on her own, proving that she's a force to be reckoned with. The menu at Savory Vietnam is big, offering dozens of soups, salads, noodle and rice dishes, stir-fries, hot pots and chef's specials. Order family-style to sample vegetarian dishes and meats done using many cooking techniques; each dish comes from the kitchen vibrant with color, aroma and flavor, like a tour of a busy street market.
($$)
2200 W. Alameda Ave., Denver, 80223
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Restaurant Olivia
Restaurant Olivia/Instagram
Pasta perfection: That's what you'll find at this Wash Park restaurant opened by the culinary dream team of Ty Leon, Heather Morrison and Austin Carson in January 2020. Leon heads up the kitchen, folding pasta into intricate shapes, while Carson mixes cocktails and Morrison expertly guides the cadence of the front of the house. The result is a fine-dining meal that's completely worth the splurge, but Olivia also offers to-go options, including take-and-bake lasagna — a pandemic innovation that's become a neighborhood favorite. In 2023, Restaurant Olivia is planning to expand into the space next door, adding more seating, a larger bar and a private dining room, all of which will allow it to host more events, such as pasta-rolling classes.
($$$$)
290 S. Downing St., Denver, 80209
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Carrera's Tacos
Abbey Hough
While the Mile High is well known for Den-Mex, its regional take on Mexican fare, brothers Joshua and Ryan Carrera missed the sort of south-of-the-border food they'd grown up enjoying in California. In 2019 they launched Carrera’s Tacos as a catering business and soon moved into a food truck, though they dreamed of opening a brick-and-mortar. That vision came to life in April of 2022, when the family-run operation moved into a space next to eatertainment giant Pindustry in the Denver Tech Center. If you're craving French fry-filled California-style burritos, fully loaded street fries and queso tacos with extra-crispy griddled Oaxaca cheese, this low-key spot is more than worth the drive from anywhere in the city.
($)
7939 E. Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village, 80112
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Tikka & Grill
Molly Martin
Many Americans are stuck in a rut when it comes to Indian food, and if chicken tikka masala and saag paneer are as adventurous as you want to get, Tikka & Grill's takes are exemplary, full of fragrant spices and depth. But you can also dig further into Indian — and Nepali — cuisine at this spot, which debuted in 2020 and added a second location off East Sixth Avenue in late 2022. The street-food section of the menu offers the chance to experience the textures and bright, fresh flavor of items like bhel puri. Momo — Nepali dumplings — are a draw as well, as are a slew of curries and other dishes that will expand your taste horizons.
($$)
1300 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Beckon
Danielle Lirette
Beckon’s chef’s-counter dining room feels like a dinner party thrown by a close friend — if that friend happened to be the best cook you know. But even at the outdoor seating under the covered patio, the Beckon experience is unique, thanks to thoughtful executive chef Duncan Holmes and the entire Beckon team, which exudes hospitality. The pre-paid tasting menu changes quarterly, and the whole experience lasts about two and a half hours.
($$$$)
2843 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Cart-Driver
Molly Martin
The 2014 opening of Cart-Driver ushered in a wave of Neapolitan pizza in Denver. These perfectly charred wood-fired pies shine whether you opt for a simple margherita (called the Daisy here) or a seasonal creation. A meal in the tiny, original shipping-container location in RiNo is an intimate yet lively experience, while the newer outpost in LoHi is a little more spacious and low-key. At either location, Cart-Driver's selection of oysters and tinned fish are a great way to start any pizza party.
($)
2500 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Poppies Restaurant
Molly Martin
Tucked into a quiet strip mall, Poppies is the kind of place that’s easy to overlook. But since 1985, it’s been a neighborhood go-to. Sure, the clientele skews older, but customers here are also wiser, as they flock in for specialties like the prime rib and braised baby back ribs. The red covers on the windows make it impossible to know how light or dark it is outside, so it’s far too easy to order one more martini from the friendly, no-nonsense staff.
($$)
2334 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, 80207
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Blazing Chicken Shack II
Mark Antonation
This soul-food spot tucked a block off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard may not look particularly welcoming from the outside, with its caged-in windows and barred door, but you’ll find warm hospitality inside Blazing Chicken, along with a menu full of homestyle Southern classics. From the fried chicken to the gumbo to sides like mac and cheese and collard greens studded with shredded ham hock and bolstered with cabbage, this is comfort food done right.
($)
5560 E. 33rd Ave., Denver, 80207
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Lechuga's Italian Restaurant
Lechuga's
They don't make them like they used to — but Lechuga's marches on anyway, an old-school Italian joint where you can order pasta by the bucket, square pizzas, and Denver-style cannoli, with your choice of a meatball, sausage or sausage-and-jalapeño combo wrapped in dough with a little bit of cheese in the mix, baked and then smothered. With a $7 all-you-can-eat Tuesday night spaghetti special and lunch deals every weekday, Lechuga's is a tasty reminder that here in the Mile High City, we like our Italian food greasy and cheap, served up in a place that feels suspended in time. A second, (much) newer outpost is located in Lakewood.
($)
3609 Tejon St., Denver, 80203
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Columbine Steak House & Lounge
Erik Rangel
At night, the low-slung roof and garish yellow sign of the Columbine Steak House beckon like an Edward Hopper painting. Through the window, passersby on Federal Boulevard can witness a throng of waiting diners, queued up to order a simple and cheap steak, kissed by fire, leaking fat and blood and flecked with a touch of salt and pepper. Columbine has been serving steaks for more than a half-century, and what you'll get on your plate is exactly what your parents and grandparents would have gotten here. Bring cash and leave the coat and tie at home.
($$)
300 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80219
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Misfit Snackbar
Molly Martin
Chef Bo Porytko was half of the duo behind Rebel Restaurant, which served some of Denver’s most thrilling cuisine for three years before closing in 2018. Now he’s manning his own tiny kitchen inside the Middleman, where he turns out a dizzying array of small plates and bigger dishes, with no regard for culinary tradition or international borders. Never expect the same thing twice (except for the menu staple — one of Denver’s best burgers), but always expect a balance of the delicate and the audacious.
($$)
3401 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 80206
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Angelo's Taverna
Molly Martin
Angelo's Taverna bills itself as Denver's original pizza and oyster bar — and given that it's been serving central Denver since the Nixon administration, it's safe to say that it's the longest-running restaurant of its ilk, even though it’s now on its second owners (who opened a second outpost in Littleton). Even if you’re a half-shell lover, Angelo’s makes a compelling argument for a char-grilled preparation, with oysters dressed up with garlic butter, bacon and Gorgonzola or chipotle bourbon butter. Beyond bivalves and pizza, it's got a stacked lineup of Italian fare — some classic, like chicken parm and vodka penne, while other options have an Angelo's twist, like the chile relleno ravioli. Whatever you order, don't skip the housemade limoncello.
($$)
620 E. 6th Ave., Denver, 80203
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
House of Bread
Mark Antonation
This Armenian bakery offers a full range of pastries, cakes, breads and deli products, so you'll find traditional barbari and matnakash breads along with pans of savory manti dumplings. But you can also get a full-on meal at House of Bread. Order a few lahmajun — small flatbreads topped with finely ground beef — or the ajarski, a canoe-shaped bread filled with cheese and eggs in its hollow center. If you’re somehow not full, add on kabobs, available in a few varieties as lunch specials — just be sure to plan ahead for a 35-minute prep time.
($)
2020 S. Parker Rd., Denver, 80231
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Smok
Molly Martin
Drawing from his childhood memories growing up in Kansas City and Austin, and adding his experience as a professional chef at high-end restaurants, Smok owner Bill Espiricueta turns out deeply smoked brisket, rich pork belly and spare ribs good enough to suck the bones dry, along with a wide array of other smoky options such as brisket red chili and smoked jalapeño poppers. The sides here are some of the best in town, especially the elote-inspired creamed corn and rich mac and cheese made with spiral noodles. And yes, you definitely want to add on the housemade pickles.
($$)
3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver, 80216
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Three Saints Revival
Molly Martin
Three Saints Revival looks like something from a Technicolor dream. That's fitting, since dreams are part of the inspiration fueling this eatery behind Union Station that opened in late 2021. While the design approach is all about the surreal, the food and drink menus are firmly rooted in the Mediterranean, from Spain and Italy to Israel and Turkey. The dinner menu includes just a handful of large-format entrees, leaving the focus on a long list of tapas.
($$$)
1801 Wewatta St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Woody's Wings N' Things
Molly Martin
This sparsely decorated strip-mall joint in Westminster (which is not affiliated with the Aurora or Arvada locations) sees a steady flow of diners who fill the booths and long tables. They flock here not for wings (though there are a couple of varieties available), but for the binder full of dishes with their roots in the Indochina peninsula. Much of the Woody's staff hails from Cambodia, the source of many of these dishes, but there are also items whose origins lie in Thailand, Vietnam, China and Laos.
($$)
6817 Lowell Blvd., Denver, 80221
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Somebody People
Molly Martin
This brightly hued plant-based eatery feels casual and lighthearted, but the food is serious business, built on real vegetables, nuts and grains rather than relying on fake meats. Somebody People, named for a line in a David Bowie song, opens up a whole new world of light yet satisfying fare, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or neither. Get a sample during its weekly Sunday Supper, which includes five courses for $38 per person.
($$$)
1165 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Pete's Kitchen
Danielle Lirette
Unassuming, comfortable, reliable. Though hardly the most sophisticated table in town, Pete’s Kitchen has been sobering up late-night revelers for decades. The crown jewel of the late Pete Contos’s restaurant empire — which includes the Satire Lounge next door — Pete’s Kitchen serves up breakfast staples that can soak up turpentine, as well as solid diner fare, much of which pays homage to Contos’s home country of Greece. It’s only open 24 hours on weekends these days, but Pete’s remains a Denver classic.
($)
1962 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 80206
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Noodles Express
Molly Martin
While there’s a section on the Noodles Express menu called "America's Popular," that's the least interesting part of this counter-service joint, which opened in February 2020. The bulk of the menu is a long list of Szechuan selections, and that's where your focus should be. Many of these dishes are heavy on mouth-numbing Szechuan peppercorns and chiles, providing proteins from chong qing chicken to spicy boiled fish with an addictive kick. Be sure to come with a crowd, since every dish is large enough to share.
($$)
703 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, 80246
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Cantina Loca
Hi-Rez Photography
The first solo project from chef Dana Rodriguez (the eponymous “Loca” and co-owner of Work & Class and Super Mega Bien) shines a spotlight on her Mexican heritage. The menu includes tacos, of course, along with plenty of other options, from fajitas to honey chipotle pork ribs. While you’re scarfing Mexico City-inspired snacks and street food, sip brightly flavored and colored cocktails, or opt for copitas of tequila or mezcal from Rodriguez’s own brand, Doña Loca.
($$$)
2890 Zuni St., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Carmine Lonardo's
Molly Martin
This cozy, family-owned Italian market and deli has been around since 1976, and it's way more than a sandwich shop. The shelves are lined with imported pasta of all shapes and sizes, olive oil, canned goods, frozen foods like housemade sausages, and so much more. Still, the sandwiches — huge, messy masterpieces loaded onto freshly baked rolls, which you can custom-order with that Italian sausage and a variety of other meats in hot and cold varieties — are unbeatable, and reason enough to visit.
($)
7585 W. Florida Ave., Lakewood, 80232
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal
Molly Martin
This may be the first restaurant in Denver to focus on pozole, the traditional Mexican soup, but that's not the only reason to visit. You can opt for verde, blanco, rojo, negro or vegan pozole served with chicken or cabeza de cerdo (meat from a pig's head). And if it's not soup weather, La Diabla is churning out some of the best tacos in town, served with an optional bone marrow add-on that you should always ask for. The mezcal- and tequila-heavy cocktail program is a draw, too, as is the mezcal list, with a lineup of one-ounce pours available so that you can sample your way through the Oaxacan spirit.
($$)
2233 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Cherry Cricket
Courtesy of the Cherry Cricket
Over nearly eight decades, the Cherry Cricket has morphed from smoky bar into burger institution, even as Cherry Creek has gentrified around it. The Cricket is beloved by chefs, musicians, Creekers, night creatures and neighbors for its smoky, char-grilled patties and the lengthy list of toppings with which you can personalize them, from sauerkraut to salsa to raspberry jam. (We prefer standards such as green chiles and cheese.) This is also a great place to grab wings, hefty sandwiches, enchiladas and some of the best green chile in town; you’ll find the same food (but not quite the same old-school atmosphere) at locations in the Ballpark neighborhood and in Littleton.
($$)
2641 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, 80206
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Seoul K-BBQ & Hot Pot
Molly Martin
Seoul BBQ is a labyrinth of rooms, all filled with grill-inlaid tables beneath boxy exhaust hoods. The kitchen provides standards like bulgogi beef and galbi short ribs, along with more specialized cuts including pork jowl, beef tongue and pork collar with octopus, all arriving with an onslaught of banchan sides. Good as the meat is, you shouldn’t overlook the rest of Seoul’s menu, which spans a number of Korean specialties, from stews to snails to bibimbap and, of course, hot pot.
($$)
2080 S. Havana St., Aurora, 80014
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Safta
Danielle Lirette
Safta, which means “grandmother” in Hebrew, is a personal project for New Orleans chef/restaurateur Alon Shaya; he opened his first restaurant outside of Louisiana at Denver’s Source Hotel in 2018. Inspired by his grandmother’s recipes and the cuisine of Israel, where he was born, Shaya has given the city a new taste of Mediterranean cuisine, with wood-fired pita bread, an expansive hummus menu, and a range of other dishes including kebabs, falafel and pomegranate-braised lamb shank.
($$$$)
3330 Brighton Blvd., Denver, 80216
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Bodega Denver
Lauren DeFilippo Jackson
Chef/owner Cliff Blauvelt (who grew up on the Northside) opened this neighborhood sandwich shop with a focus on fun in August 2022. Swing by early for the basic breakfast sandwich loaded with bacon, eggs and cheese plus crispy tater tots on a squishy kaiser roll, or opt for daytime items that have become fast favorites, such as the Double Bodega Burger and the fried chicken sandwich that packs a spicy chile crunch punch.
($)
2651 W. 38th Ave., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Frasca Food and Wine
Julia Vandenoever
Frasca has long been considered one of the best restaurants — Italian or otherwise — in not just the state, but the country. Its food is inspired by Italy's northeastern-most region, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and its front-of-the-house work is also legendary: Frasca has won three James Beard awards, including one for Outstanding Service in 2019. Another winner is the wine program, led by co-founder and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey. Fine-dining restaurants became particularly challenging to keep open during the pandemic, but after shuttering for twelve weeks, Frasca made a comeback and has been thriving under new executive chef Rob Hurd, who took the reins in May 2021.
($$$$)
1738 Pearl St., Boulder, 80302
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Noisette
Molly Martin
Noisette opened in August 2022 in a revamped restaurant space that's distractingly elegant — though not in a stiff, white-tablecloth kind of way. The white decor with pops of pastel and a mix of modern and vintage is inviting and transportive. Small vases of flowers on each table add a romantic touch, as do the mismatched flatware and floral antique plates. The menu is a slightly upscale take on cuisine bourgeoise, or French home cooking, with entrees like braised beef shank and crispy duck breast. But be sure to save room for the decadent, show-stopping desserts.
($$$)
3254 Navajo St., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Sushi Sasa
Sushi Sasa/Instagram
Wayne Conwell has been slicing fish and finding new ways to upend Japanese tradition at Sushi Sasa since 2005. By synthesizing Western technique and current Denver tastes with the traditions of sushi that evolved in isolation long before it hit American shores, the chef has continued to stay relevant in a scene that shifts and changes like an undulating school of tuna.
($$$$)
2401 15th St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Brasserie Brixton
Molly Martin
“Relaxed,” “fun” and “unpretentious” are not words typically associated with French fare, but they definitely describe Brasserie Brixton. Housed in a building that’s over 130 years old and used to be a neighborhood market, the eatery is decidedly unstuffy and boasts an impressive wine list as well as a strong selection of cocktails, beer, cider and sake. Stop in for a bowl of French onion soup, or eat your way through a selection of dishes that change with the seasons and offer playful touches, all at the kind of spot we wish every neighborhood had.
($$$$)
3701 N. Williams St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Apple Blossom
Molly Martin
Apple Blossom debuted inside the Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver in October 2021, giving siblings Paul and Aileen Reilly a chance to continue the legacy of their now-closed farm-to-table hit, Beast + Bottle. At Apple Blossom, the menu ranges from comfort-food classics meant to appeal to weary travelers, like the AB Burger, to dishes that show off some of America's best ingredients, including a Benton’s Ham board and fresh seafood from Santa Barbara.
($$$$)
822 18th St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Bastien's Restaurant
Molly Martin
With its iconic sign, sunken bar and mid-century aesthetic, Bastien's is a holdover from times past — and we wouldn't have it any other way. The family-run business dates back to the 1930s, but the current incarnation was constructed in 1958. That sign outside the Googie-style building touts the famed Bastien’s sugar steak, but there are twelve other preparations to choose from. And whether or not you splurge on a full steak dinner, nothing beats sipping Colfax dirty martinis delivered by friendly servers who've been working at this classic for years.
($$$$)
3503 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 80206
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Urban Burma
Mark Antonation
Aurora’s Mango House bills itself as “a shared space for resettled refugees” and includes medical and dental offices as well as space for youth organizations and community programs. But there’s also a small food court with international vendors selling the best of their country’s food. Siri Tan launched Urban Burma here in early 2019, with the most complete roster of Burmese dishes the area has seen. But Tan’s restaurant isn’t just a novelty. The beef curry, nan gyi dok noodles and occasional mohinga, a catfish noodle soup considered the national dish of Myanmar, are all made with love and care.
($)
10180 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 80014
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Gaetano's
Danielle Lirette
Most of the red-sauce joints that once proliferated in northwest Denver have dried up, but Gaetano’s is now more than seventy years old. Of course, it’s gone through some changes over the decades after being founded by the Smaldone mob family, who installed bulletproof glass in the front door and ran illegal poker games in the basement. Gaetano’s is now run by Ron Robinson as a true neighborhood joint, one flavored by the traditions of the past but still very much ready to go another seventy years as a Denver landmark.
($$$)
3760 Tejon St., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Farmhouse Thai Eatery
Mark Antonation
Freshness and balance are the keys to great Thai cuisine, and this Lakewood kitchen, which opened in 2019, serves up both, whether in seasonal salads, rich curries and soups (don’t miss the incendiary khao soi) or enlivened classics, from the floating market noodle soup to the sublimely porky hang le curry. Everything is made from scratch and loaded with the flavors of galangal, lemongrass, garlic, tamarind, chiles and other Southeast Asian spices.
($$)
98 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, 80226
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Lucina
Molly Martin
In March 2022, Create Kitchen & Bar co-owners Erasmo "Ras" Casiano and Diego Coconati opened this Latin eatery that specializes in the food the two were raised on — which includes dishes inspired by Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Miami. Named for Casiano's mother, the restaurant is a labor of love, with a bright and airy decor and a menu that includes an ever-changing paella available on Fridays and Saturdays.
($$)
2245 Kearney St., Denver, 80207
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Vinnola's Italian Market
Molly Martin
This nearly fifty-year-old spot has a crew of friendly staffers ready to greet you like a family member they just met. The small menu board lists a variety of options, but most people come for one thing: the Italian sausage sandwich. Don't expect a huge, messy, red-sauce-soaked situation here. Instead, Vinnola's serves a housemade, flat Italian sausage patty on a super-soft yeasty roll baked on site. It comes topped with peppers and onions and a large side of red sauce for dipping or smothering, as well as a bag of Lay’s. Pair it with an Italian soda, and plan to spend some time post-meal checking out the selection of Italian goodies, from pasta to pizzelles.
($)
7750 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, 80033
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
La Fiesta
Danielle Lirette
La Fiesta has lasted through many changes since it opened in 1964 (in what had once been a Safeway), including the loss of founder and patriarch Michael Herrera, who passed away in February 2020. But the Den-Mex mainstay has carried on, with members of the extended family serving timelessly tasty chiles rellenos fried in giant wonton wrappers and smothered in hot, hot green chile. La Fiesta's version is old-school, roux-thickened, Denver-style green chile at its best. The spice hits hard up front but mellows quickly, leaving you warm and satisfied. Close enough to downtown that it has often been a lunchtime choice for business deals and meetings of city officials, the restaurant — once a full-blown supper club and dance hall — still feels like a neighborhood joint in tree-lined Curtis Park.
($$)
2340 Champa St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Comal Heritage Food Incubator
Linnea Covington
Comal is a restaurant on a quest: It opened in as a lunch spot in RiNo in late 2016 with the goal of training low-income women (many from Mexico, El Salvador, Syria, Ethiopia and Iraq) in restaurant and business skills, and some of its graduates have moved on to open their own food endeavors. In July 2023, it moved to a larger Five Points space that substantially increased the number of diners it can accommodate and added breakfast service. Stopping for a meal here, which varies from Mexican to Syrian to other regional specialties depending on the day, is the best thing you can do to lift your spirits — and fill your belly.
($)
1950 35th St., Denver, 80216
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Sushi Den
Sushi Den
Denver has a longstanding love affair with sushi, thanks in large part to Sushi Den, the pristine house of Japanese seafood that brothers Yasu and Toshi Kizaki opened in 1984. As testament to Sushi Den’s status, chefs at just about every other revered sushi restaurant in town have spent time working here. Rather than resting on reputation, though, Sushi Den stays at the top with its commitment to the freshest seafood available.
($$$$)
1487 S. Pearl St., Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs
Molly Martin
How does a humble hot dog cart rise to the status of one of Denver’s top dogs in the restaurant business? Chalk it up to the creative and obsessive mind of Jim Pittenger, who started out with Coca-Cola-braised onions and cream cheese shot out of a caulking gun as a topping combo that elevated his wieners above the competition. Wild-game and specialty sausages have drawn food celebrities including Anthony Bourdain, Ludo Lefebvre and Andrew Zimmern, as well as long lines of tube-steak tourists and frankfurter fanatics.
($)
2148 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Fish N Beer
Molly Martin
Bigger may be better for certain things, but smaller and louder are no-brainers when it comes to instant ambience — and Fish N Beer, from Kevin Morrison of Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey fame, has it in spades. The kitchen hums with confident precision; grab a seat in front of the wood-fired grill and watch as oysters and other wood-fired entrees are prepared with skill.
($$$$)
3510 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Joy Hill
Molly Martin
When Joy Hill opened in early 2020, owners Julia Duncan-Roitman and Andy Templar wanted the spot to be beverage-focused. But when the pandemic closed dining rooms just weeks later, they reconsidered their strategy. Almost three years later, the result is a place where the main draw is the sourdough-crust pizza, bolstered by a cocktail lounge-worthy beverage program. Grab a seat on the rooftop patio and settle in for a pie (or two) and anything served with the housemade sourdough.
($)
1229 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Blue Pan Pizza
Molly Martin
Denver embraced Detroit-style pizza when Blue Pan Pizza debuted in 2015 in West Highland. Chef Jeff “Smoke” Smokevitch and partner Giles Flanagin now run two Blue Pan locations, serving rectangular pies built on an airy, crackly crust with Wisconsin brick cheese and a thick, tangy sauce. And while the pizza competition — Detroit-style and otherwise — continues to grow in the Mile High, Blue Pan remains a slice above the rest.
($)
3930 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 80212
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
La Chiva
Molly Martin
La Chiva got its start as a food truck in 2015 and moved into its original brick-and-mortar location on South Broadway in 2017. In November 2020, when the space across the street became available, owner and native Colombian Jorge Aguirre relocated his operation, gaining double the seating, an upstairs area and a large back patio. The menu is small, but the portions of traditional Colombian fare are generous — especially the heaping Picada platter for two.
($)
1446 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Bakery Four
Shawn Bergin
Shawn Bergin moved to Denver with dreams of starting a bakery business, but he never imagined it would take off the way it did. Bakery Four quickly outgrew its small Highland home, and now it's in an expansive space that allows Bergin to make much larger quantities of his sought-after pastries, bread, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more, all made using sourdough starter. Show up early for the best selection.
($)
4150 Tennyson St., Denver, 80212
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar
Molly Martin
Kristy Socarras Bigelow, who opened Cuba Cuba in the heart of the Golden Triangle in 2001, is a poster child for the American Dream. A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college and who had little restaurant experience, she decided to create a Cuban-influenced eatery in two little conjoined Victorian houses. Socarras Bigelow has since opened several fast-casual spinoffs, but the original still charms with its tiny but friendly bar that specializes in mojitos and a fabulous shaded patio.
($$)
1173 Delaware St., Denver, 80204
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Efrain's of Boulder
Molly Martin
The original Efrain's opened in Lafayette over three decades ago, but its namesake owner now operates only the Boulder outpost, which moved in May 2022 from its longtime home in south Boulder to a space near McGuckin Hardware. While the restaurant might have new digs, the pork-studded green chile remains as fiery as ever, and the sweet-and-sour house margarita is still a must-order alongside any of the dishes, from hefty burritos to customizable combos.
($)
2480 Canyon Blvd., Boulder, 80302
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Oak at Fourteenth
Evan Semón
Bryan Dayton and Steve Redzikowski opened Oak at Fourteenth in 2011 and almost immediately suffered a three-month closure because of a fire. But in the decade since, Oak has grown to the top of Boulder’s dining scene. Today the kitchen is helmed by executive chef John Bissell, who comes with an impressive résumé; at Oak, he shows off his penchant for a seasonal approach, with a menu of wood-fired foods inspired by the many cultures that make up American cuisine.
($$$$)
1400 Pearl St., Boulder, 80302
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Point Easy
Molly Martin
When Point Easy opened in June 2022, the bright and airy space was hardly recognizable to those familiar with the former occupant, the Whittier Pub, a dark neighborhood bar. Though one of its three co-owners, Denn Phelps, passed away just three months after the eatery debuted, the creative and seasonal fare, funky and experimental cocktail offerings and commitment to welcoming, friendly service are a testament to his legacy, carried on by his friends and colleagues.
($$)
2000 E. 28th Ave., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Adelitas Cocina y Cantina
Danielle Lirette
Adelitas won the hearts of Platt Park neighbors and South Broadway commuters with its raucous Taco Tuesdays and potent house margaritas that far surpassed the typical pre-mixed standard. But it hasn't rested on its tortillas; instead, the spot continues to present alluring dishes representing regional Mexican cuisine while building a jaw-dropping selection of tequila and mezcal bottles behind the bar. Adelitas stands as proof that Denver diners are hungry for far more than just smothered burritos and ground-beef tacos.
($$$)
1294 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Bourbon Grill
Molly Martin
Colfax Avenue is the ideal place for a budget lunch counter that’s as adept at turning out char-grilled chicken and mac and cheese as it is egg rolls and barbecue sandwiches. A native of Vietnam, founder and chef Lien Vo has lived and cooked in New Orleans, Los Angeles and elsewhere — and it shows on the eclectic menu where the signature bourbon chicken, sweet with soy and smoke, is the star. In 2017, Bourbon Grill graduated from its original walk-up window to a larger spot complete with a dining room, where Vo continues to dish up big portions at low prices for Colfax denizens looking for good value and good food.
($)
571 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 80203
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Split Lip
Molly Martin
After getting its start during the pandemic as a patio pop-up, Split Lip moved into RiNo’s Number Thirty Eight in September 2021. The team, made up of longtime fine-dining pros, serves a menu filled with fun takes on comfort food and hyper-regional dishes inspired by the city’s many transplants, like the Mississippi slug burger loaded with "too many pickles,” the Oklahoma fried onion burger and a Southern favorite, boiled peanuts.
($)
3560 Chestnut Pl., @ Number Thirty Eight, Denver, 80216
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
El Taco De Mexico
Molly Martin
Perhaps no Mexican spot in the Mile High is as beloved as El Taco de Mexico, a no-frills joint that offers little in the way of ambience and even less in the way of service. But that hasn’t deterred crowds of customers (many of whom are hospitality-industry workers themselves), who have been flocking here since 1985 for burritos, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles all smothered in a deeply flavored, dark-greenish-brown chile verde. And in February 2020, this bright-yellow landmark in the middle of the city got national recognition when it was honored with an America's Classics Award by the James Beard Foundation — a well-deserved accolade, but one that hasn't changed a thing about El Tac.
($)
714 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, 80204
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery
Molly Martin
The Gnome opened in 2018, and while cold beer is a great reason to visit the spacious brewpub, the sandwiches are the headliners here. Chopped cheese, Taylor ham and housemade meatballs are some of the standouts in the wide selection of New York- and New Jersey-inspired options, all of which you can enjoy while listening to a soundtrack of Phish and Billy Strings (or live music, which the Gnome often hosts on weekends). The huge variety of top-quality meats and cheeses coupled with the relaxed atmosphere make this the kind of place where you'll soon be a regular.
($)
4369 Stuart St., Denver, 80212
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Bindery
Mark Antonation
Linda Hampsten Fox opened her LoHi eatery — part market, part all-day dining destination — in 2017. Five years later, the menu continues to show off not only her intimate knowledge of Italian cuisine, but also Mexican and New American influences that reflect experiences throughout her thirty-year career. Throw in a penchant for unusual proteins and brash flavor combinations, and you get a spot that’s a true standout even in one of Denver’s trendiest neighborhoods.
($$$$)
1817 Central St., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Cattivella
Mark Antonation
Chef Elise Wiggins opened her dream restaurant, Cattivella (“naughty girl” in Italian), on the eastern edge of Denver in 2017, creating a place that reflects her many experiences traveling, working and eating in Italy. The wood-fired pizza oven is used for far more than pizzas, and an adjustable charcoal grill gives meats (many of them brought in whole and butchered on site) and vegetables a rustic, old-world depth of flavor. Housemade breads and pastas separate Cattivella from the standard bistro or trattoria, too, making for a sensuous experience — whether you’re naughty or nice.
($$$)
10195 E. 29th Dr., Denver, 80238
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Blackbelly
Danielle Lirette
Chef Hosea Rosenberg turned his 2009 victory on Bravo’s Top Chef into a culinary business that started with a food truck and catering company, then added Blackbelly in 2014. The butcher-driven eatery encompasses all of the chef’s passions: charcuterie, top cuts from locally raised animals, and Southwestern flavors from his childhood in New Mexico. Blackbelly’s next-door market and butcher shop provides an endless supply of cured meats and fresh cuts for the restaurant as well as your home kitchen.
($$$$)
1606 Conestoga St., Boulder, 80301
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Nurture
Molly Martin
Nurture is a "wellness marketplace" that opened in May 2020 in a former elementary school. It houses around sixty businesses centered on the theme of self-care, but you can also simply stop by for the concept's food offerings, which include Nest Cafe by day and Rewild by night. While Nest features pastries, fresh-pressed juices, coffee and larger plates like dosas and tartines on thick slices of bread, Rewild serves up a more refined selection of dishes that are veggie-heavy, but full of unexpected flavors and textures that elevate them way beyond the average bowl of greens.
2949 Federal Blvd., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Taste of Thailand
Mark Antonation
Taste of Thailand was one of metro Denver’s first Thai restaurants when it opened in Englewood in 1994, and since its move to South Broadway in 2015, it’s remained one of the best. Chef/owner Noy Farrell visits her home country regularly, touring Thailand on the hunt for new flavors and trends. Light and vibrant salads share space on the menu with blazing-hot preparations and complex soups — all with the fresh flavors of Farrell’s kitchen garden.
($)
2120 S. Broadway, Denver, 80210
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Ultreia
Tapas, gin and good times have turned a once-dark corner of Union Station into a destination for folks seeking Spanish cuisine. While the interior is tight at this restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch, a table outside makes for a pleasing outing when accompanied by rounds of small plates filled with the flavors of the Iberian Peninsula.
($$$$)
1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Ros Siam
Molly Martin
Ros Siam opened in the Victorian bungalow that was formerly home to Sassafras in March 2020, just as the pandemic shuttered indoor dining. But the first restaurant for owner Attawut "Wut" Intongkam managed to survive on takeout and delivery business. Now you can enjoy such Thai dishes as pad prik khing (stir-fried chili paste with bell peppers and green beans) and neau nam tok (warm sliced beef with onion and romaine) inside as you admire the wood floors, stained-glass windows, colorful wallpaper and spacious porch.
($)
2637 W. 26th Ave., Denver, 80211
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Ace Eat Serve
Courtesy Ace Eat Serve
Ace owners Josh and Jen Wolkon, who also run Steuben’s, had a fast hit on their hands when they opened their ping-pong hall and pan-Asian eatery in 2012. The menu at Ace Eat Serve has just gotten better over the years, especially since chef Thach Tran joined the team, adding a Peking duck special, hearty noodle soups and new flavors from Vietnam, Thailand and China.
($$)
501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, 80203
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
The Denver Central Market
From your morning coffee run to lunch meetings on the patio and evening cocktails at Curio Bar, this circa 2016 food hall is an all-day destination for all things delicious in the heart of RiNo. Its eleven vendors sell everything from pizza, raw oysters and charcuterie boards to ice cream and gourmet chocolate — but this isn't just a place for dining in. The vendors here also offer baked goods, meats, specialty foods and pantry items for home use so that you can pick up dinner essentials while grabbing lunch items to go.
($$)
2669 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Hop Alley
Danielle Lirette
Building on the success of Uncle, his ramen joint, Tommy Lee opened Hop Alley in 2015. Lee’s exhilarating take on Chinese food, with interpretations of Cantonese, Sichuan and Beijing-inspired dishes, among others, paired with a hip-hop playlist create a lively atmosphere and a memorable experience. It’s best enjoyed with a group for a fast-paced spin through longtime favorites like bone marrow fried rice and la ji zi, fried chicken loaded with mouth-numbing Sichuan chile spice.
($$$)
3500 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Carm & Gia Metropolitan
Molly Martin
This mid-mod joint opened in February 2020 in a refurbished beauty parlor, where it offers an expansive menu that includes juicy burgers, hot dogs, breakfast burritos and much more. The eatery pays homage to the things that owner Razz Cortes-Maceda cherishes, including Chicago, her hometown, and Denver, her adopted hometown for over 25 years. Its first two years were fraught, though, as it weathered the height of the COVID pandemic only to fall victim to a fire in June 2021 that resulted in a seven-month closure. Carm & Gia reopened in March 2022 with the same high-quality food and friendly service we fell for at first bite.
($)
9598 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, 80010
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Vinh Xuong Bakery
Molly Martin
Banh mi are big these days, but the Huynh family that founded Vinh Xuong Bakery served the sandwiches decades before son Duc Huynh opened his stylish and sunny cafe in 2011. He’s continued his family’s banh mi tradition of using baguettes baked in the shop every morning, then loading them with barbecued pork and chicken, pâté, meatballs and other housemade meats. Vinh Xuong is also a full Vietnamese bakery cafe, so you can grab coffee drinks to take out with your moon cakes, sesame balls and other delights.
($)
2370 W. Alameda Ave., Denver, 80223
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Stone Cellar Bistro
Tom Hellauer
These days, exciting openings aren't confined to restaurants within city limits: The ’burbs are getting some stunners, too. Such is the case with Stone Cellar Bistro, which debuted in June 2022. The stylish spot that serves the best local products the kitchen can get its hands on, prepared using an arsenal of French techniques. From the foie gras parfait with huckleberry to whatever fish is on the seasonally changing roster to the cocktail menu filled with classics, this restaurant is bringing a whole lot of culinary hits to Arvada.
($$$)
7605 Grandview Ave., Arvada, 80002
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe
Linnea Covington
Banh & Butter, where have you been all our lives? Pastry chef Thoa Nguyen, whose family formerly owned New Saigon restaurant on South Federal Boulevard, debuted her own bakery in April 2022. It's an excellent emporium of flaky sweet nothings, including green tea cruffins, French apple tarts, crêpe cakes, savory Danish and other pretties piled high with ube (purple yam) cream. It's also a banh mi sandwich palace and an East-meets-West coffeehouse where you can order an espresso or a Vietnamese coffee poured over housemade flan. Don't think twice: This East Colfax gem is going in the right direction.
($)
9935 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora, 80010
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Glo Noodle House
Monica Lloyd
This playful, noodle-centric eatery from chef/owner Chris Teigland and his wife, Ariana, debuted in March 2022 and made a big first impression thanks to its mastery of big flavors, from miso bacon ramen with a broth that takes 48 hours to prepare to super-crisp karaage served atop a bright yuzu aioli. The bar program is Japan-inspired, with Japanese gin, whisky and shochu making appearances, and the bathroom doubles as a bodega stocked with small bouquets of flowers, Pocky sticks, Cup Noodles and more random finds.
($$)
4450 W. 38th Ave., Denver, 80212
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
A5 Steakhouse
Molly Martin
While Denver was once known as a steakhouse town, that reputation gave way over a decade ago as the city tried to shed its cowtown image. But A5 is no step backward. Instead, it offers just the right balance of retro-inspired design elements with a modern approach to sourcing. A5 is primed for special occasions and blow-your-budget meals, but it’s also conducive to after-work drinks, so don't be intimidated by the "steakhouse" label. This is a place you’ll want to bite into, whether you’re looking for a porterhouse or just a properly made Manhattan.
($$$$)
1600 15th St., Denver, 80202
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Redeemer Pizza
Molly Martin
When Spencer White and Alex Figura, the owners of fast-casual pasta hit Dio Mio, started toying with the idea of getting large deck ovens in order to expand their baking capabilities, the concept morphed into a pizza place, and Redeemer was born, debuting in July 2021 in RiNo. An entry through the back alley marked by a neon slice sign leads to the slice window, where you can pick up one of that day's specials: New York-style and thick, Sicilian options are both available. In the front dining room, you can order whole pies along with appetizers, wine, cocktails and more. All of the pizza is made on sourdough crust, but Redeemer mixes its artisan approach to dough with classic, craveable components like ooey, gooey, low-moisture mozzarella. Don't forget to order sides of both the hot honey and dilly ranch.
($$)
2705 Larimer St., Denver, 80205
The 100 Best Denver Restaurants
Corrida
Molly Martin
This Spanish-style eatery is known as much for its killer rooftop views of the Flatirons as its stellar food and drink. In 2021, the restaurant partnered with the Savory Institute’s Land to Market regenerative agriculture program, through which it sources sustainably raised beef for its steak-focused menu; that’s rounded out by a vast array of tapas and pintxos to keep nibblers happy. Outstanding gin tonics, an impressive wine list and a surprising selection of vermouth by the glass make this an ideal place to relax over sips and snacks, or go all out for a truly indulgent dining experience.
($$$$)
1023 Walnut St., Boulder, 80302
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The Wolf's Tailor
Jeff Fierberg
A zero-waste mission with an emphasis on grain drives this tasting-menu restaurant from Kelly Whitaker’s Id Est Hospitality group, which includes its own milling operation, Dry Storage. In the fall and winter, the menu is spurred by a focus on fermentation and other preservation methods inspired by centuries-old techniques from around the world, while fresh, local produce is the highlight in the spring and summer. But no matter when you go, expect visually stunning dishes rooted in a larger purpose of strengthening local food systems.
($$$)
4058 Tejon St., Denver, 80211
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