The Best Restaurants in Denver

Nestled in historic LoHi, Acova is a modern-yet-comfortable restaurant that has been offering comfort Italian food since 2018. It is the perfect place to gather with friends and share some plates of beef short ribs, lobster mac and cheese, and Tuscan pasta or enjoy a burger or turkey and brie panini with a side of sweet potato fries. Feel free to grab a seat in the dining room, at the bar, or on the outdoor patio and prepare to linger over dinner and a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine.

Located in the bustling downtown neighborhood of LoDo, Angelo’s Taverna has been serve up homemade pizzas using its original dough and red sauce recipes. The culinary team is led by chef Scott Hybbeneth, whose menu is filled with made-from-scratch pastas, including the famous papparadelle bolognese and other Italian favorites. Angelo’s Taverna also boasts a full oyster bar, where diners can get fresh oysters as well as unique char-grilled oysters that the restaurant promises will please even the most ardent non-oyster eaters in the crowd.

Delivering more than a meal, chef Radek Cerny’s dishes has been described as “edible works of art”. At Atelier by Radex, diners can enjoy Cerny’s art in a casual and unpretentious setting. Popular dishes like the bouillabaisse and steak and frites highlight the chef’s French influences on the continental cuisine. The server can suggest a complimentary bottle of wine to accompany the meal, or choose a cocktail from the full bar.

English afternoon tea is celebrated daily at Babe’s Tea Room, where the owners have created a fresh take on the traditional tea room. Diners can enjoy British favorites like scones and the iconic triangular, crustless sandwiches, or updated lighter fare such as caprese sandwiches served on a baguette or curried chicken salad with hints of turmeric and a cucumber vinaigrette dressing. Of course, tea is always on the menu at this casually elegant Highlands restaurant, along with wine and an assortment of bubbly concoctions.

Bigsby’s Folly opened in 2015, aiming to take the pretension out of local winemaking. Since then, the winery and restaurant has been offering a notable wine list, craft beers, specialty cocktails, and a full menu. Executive chef Matt Heikkila cooks up classics such as his gruyere grilled cheese sandwich with a caramelized bechamel, as well as contemporary plates like the Colorado lamb meatballs and a variety of topped flatbreads. Located in the River North Art District, the restaurant’s large, open building, which dates back to 1886, is a perfect meeting place for both large groups and intimate gatherings.

Modern food from France meets the flavors of North Africa and the Middle East in this Park Hill restaurant. Bistro Barbes inhabits a small space with only about 20 seats that manages to pull off an upscale casual vibe. chef Jon Robbins has clearly mastered French cuisine, as is evidenced by his mouth-watering lamb merguez, escargot agnolotti, and cassolout. Wine is available by the glass, and the server should be able to suggest a good pairing for any dish.

The Bon Ami restaurant in West Washington Park is a traditional French creperie and bistro where diners can enjoy their meal in a cozy and casual setting. The creperie offers over ten crepe dishes, including a Monte Cristo crepe and ratatouille crepe, and the rest of the menu features such French bistro classics as beef bourguignon, steak au poivre, and escargot. For an intimate dining experience, check out the romantic lighting on the patio behind this neighborhood gem.

With ten house beers on tap and a menu designed to pair with the beer, Jefferson Park’s Briar Common Brewery has been providing the ultimate gastro pub experience since 2016. Burgers, mac and cheese, steak and potatoes, and fish and chips are some of the common pub dishes that are made uncommon with the fresh ingredients and surprise additions, such as the pepper relish and chile aioli on the signature burger and the potato chip crust on the mac and cheese.

The Central Park ChoLon restaurant features inventive interpretations of traditional dishes from across Southeast Asia. Since the restaurant opened in 2019, chef Lon Symensma has incorporated both dim sum-style and family-style plates into his eclectic menu. Some popular dishes include French onion soup dumplings, wagyu beef skewers, and pork belly buns. There is a full bar which serves artisanal cocktails as well as sake, beer, and wine.

Opened in 2017, El Five’s menu features Spanish tapas and other traditional fare, incorporating flashes of North African and Middle Eastern cuisine in a melting pot of flavors surrounding the Strait of Gibraltar. Chef Justin Cucci’s most popular dishes include the Iberico pork loin tapas, patatas bravas tapas, and seafood paella that is portioned for sharing. El Five is situated on the fifth floor of 2930 Umatilla in LoHi, which affords unobstructed views of downtown Denver and the foothills of the Rockies beyond.

Fish ‘N Beer delivers fresh seafood in the heart of land-locked Denver. Raw oysters, wood-grilled fish, and lager-battered fried fish are popular preparations, although the specific selection of oysters and fish changes depending on what’s seasonally available. The menu also features dishes using local cheeses, bakery items, and fresh produce. With a name like Fish ‘N Beer, it’s not surprising that there are 16 beers on tap, and the brews are selected to complement the featured seafood selections. The modern industrial space manages to feel warm and rustic, helping the relaxed restaurant fit into its RiNo neighborhood.

The Guard and Grace is a modern steakhouse that opened its doors in 2014 in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood. The restaurant’s facilities include multiple private dining areas, a large patio for outdoor dining, an oyster bar, and an open kitchen with a wood-burning oven. Chef Troy Guard’s menu features prime Angus and Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, and artisanal cheeses. There are even vegetarian offerings. The wine cellar is stocked with thousands of bottles of wine, so diners should always be able to find the perfect pairing for their meal.

“Happytizers” set the lighthearted mood at this chic LoHi pizza joint that’s inspired by the vintage Airstream camper. Since April 2020, Happy Camper has featured neon lights, disco balls, an outdoor patio, and – most importantly – Chicago-style pizzas, calzones, and those fun Happytizers. Cocktails, like the Hangover Iced Coffee with vodka or the Pink Flamingo with Tequila, beer, and wine round out the menu and also make this a 21+ establishment; kids are welcome with a responsible adult in the earlier hours of the food service, but evenings are for adults only.

Jovanina’s Broken Italian opened in 2018 amid rave reviews, and the restaurant has been fine-tuning its Italian menu ever since. Chefs tweak traditional Italian recipes to reflect Denver’s fresh produce and other local ingredients, but the menu still includes classic favorites such as wood-fired pizza, pasta prima vera and seared halibut caponata. Be sure to check out the special menus on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The LoDo restaurant also offers craft cocktails, wine, and spirits in the Sotto Voce cocktail lounge below the restaurant, which evokes an atmosphere of a prohibition-era speakeasy.

The Cherry Creek French bistro known as La Merise serves home-style meals in a cozy setting that feels like Paris, which is perfect for a date night or special occasion. Dinner options include beef bourguignon, chicken coquettes, and lamb chops Provençale. It wouldn’t be a meal in Paris without wine, and La Merise has an extensive wine list; diners enjoying a Sunday night supper can enjoy a half-priced bottle with their dinner.

LeRoux came on the Denver food scene in late 2018, showcasing chef Lon Symensma’s talent for creating both traditional and contemporary food from France. Some of the menu’s highlights include the veal Bolognese, lobster meuniere, and wagyu beef tartare, all of which are sure to please any palate. The fine-dining establishment in LoDo is cozy and comfortable, making it a popular choice for date nights and special occasions.

At his Cherry Creek restaurant, chef Nobu Matsuhisa fuses the Japanese style of his classical Tokyo training with the cuisines of Peru and Argentina, resulting in his signature dishes such as yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, black cod miso, and white fish tiradito. The fine-dining restaurant was opened in 2016 and is equipped with tables in the main dining room as well as in the three private dining areas. He also offers an omakase menu, which is served family style for parties of seven or more.

MBP, which stands for “Moods. Beats. Potions.”, is an upscale Five Points hotspot. Opened in summer 2021, diners can enjoy a custom cocktail such as the Watermelon Sugar High at the full-service bar or a meal in the casually elegant dining room or on the patio, where there is frequently live music. Chef Corey Smith has developed an eclectic menu with dishes like crispy jerk chicken served alongside citrus-scented Basmati rice and blackened snapper served with Cajun maux choux.

Founded in 2020, Mimosas has quickly become one of the gems of the Five Points neighborhood. Under the guidance of executive chef Corey Smith, this casual restaurant puts a fresh twist on classic breakfast and brunch dishes. On the menu, diners will find traditional homestyle breakfasts such as biscuits and gravy and shrimp and grits listed next to more innovative selections, including a fresh prosciutto and melon salad and a crab cake benedict served on griddle cakes.

The Odyssey Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar is set in a Victorian mansion, adding an air of romance to the dining experience, especially for diners seated in the violin room where roving violinists visit the tables. The Central Denver restaurant boasts its “old school” Sicilian food, which showcases chef Ignazio Mulei’s classical training from his Sicilian home. Featured are such traditional dishes as the lobster fra diavola, pappardelle and lamb shanks, and veal picatta.

This Cheesman Park neighborhood gem located in Park Plaza may blend into its strip-mall surroundings, but regulars know it’s the place to go when looking for pub-style food and craft cocktails. More than a karaoke bar, this cozy restaurant has been serving up fun favorites since 1984. Popular dishes include the anytime breakfast burrito, which features its house-made green chili, and the chicken bacon ranch Philly sub with a made-from-scratch queso cheese sauce. Don’t forget to order some deluxe chili cheese tots – loaded with green chili, an egg, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro – for the table to share.

Q House on East Colfax Avenue has been offering contemporary Cantonese cuisine since it opened its doors in 2018. Executive chef Christopher Lin’s menu reflects his Chinese-American roots and is inspired by the ingredients from Sichuan and Taiwan that make their way into many dishes. Diners will find familiar Cantonese-style dishes, as well as original offerings like the pig-ear salad with braised tofu, pork belly buns, and black-bean mussels. Seats at the chef’s counter are among the best in the house; don’t pass up the opportunity to sit there if the chance arises.

Ronin Congress Park brings the tastes of Japan to Denver with its sushi, ramen, and other creative Japanese dishes. Since December 2021, the attentive chefs, led by head sushi chef Gerson Roche, have provided an intimate dining experience at the sushi bar with additional seating at the beverage bar and back patio. The setting is perfect for the omakase-oriented service, where the chefs guide the dining choices for each person. Ronin’s menu changes with the seasons, but some staples include pork belly and mushroom tonkotsu ramen, seasonal vegetable tempura, and a wide selection of sushi rolls.

For a modern version of the classic steakhouse, visit Shanahan’s Steakhouse in the Tech Center and Greenwood Village. Named the Best Steakhouse in Colorado by Mashed in 2021, Shanahan’s serves fresh steak and seafood in a contemporary space that features glass, steel, and stone as well as comfortable banquette seating. Their signature bone-in cut selection helps set them apart from other steakhouses. Some of the house favorites cooked up by chef Josh Mingus include jumbo lump crab cakes, a wagyu tomahawk, and the marshmallow brownie sundae for dessert.

Spuntino was opened in early 2011 as a daytime cafe and gelato shop and has blossomed into an elegant Italian restaurant and wine bar. The Highlands restaurant has received national recognition for its innovative seasonal menu that frequently pushes the boundaries of traditional Italian dishes. The Executive chef is a James Beard award semi-finalist, and in 2021, Spuntino was invited to participate in the James Beard Foundation’s “Taste America” event. The menu changes often, but staples like the rosemary focaccia with house-made ricotta cheese, Colorado goat, and eggplant-tomato gratin with chickpea fritters are always popular. The romantic interior is made for an intimate gathering of loved ones or that special someone.

Since 2016, executive chef Jonny Masamuri has focused Sushi Ronin’s menu on traditional sushi preparation, with fresh Japanese dishes such as udon and soba bowls rounding out the offerings. Diners seated at the sushi bar are treated to a chef’s-choice menu, where the chef picks the dishes according to each person’s specific tastes and feedback. The sleek and contemporary décor of this chic gem in the Highlands has both indoor and outdoor dining, a full bar, and a casually elegant atmosphere.

The Family Jones Spirit House distillery features a tasting room that serves small plates, snacks, and sweets alongside the vodka, gin, rum, and other spirits made on-site. The heart of the distillery is the concrete bar that sits below the second-floor copper still, which is open and visible to diners. The tasting menu is designed to complement the handcrafted cocktails and spirits, with items such as a curried red lentil dip, smoked chicken salad, and spicy candied walnuts.

The Plimoth is a small but spacious casual-dining restaurant offering bar, patio, and dining-room seating. The exposed brick and fir countertops enhance the rustic décor. Chef-owner Peter Ryan works with local farmers and other suppliers to curate the seasonal, ever-changing menu. The result is a menu featuring classic Italian and French cuisine with a modern twist that is inspired by the freshest local ingredients. Depending on what’s available, diners may select dishes like patio-smoked pork chop with summer bean succotash, Alaskan halibut with golden “paella”, or crackling chicken with pest fazzoletti.

Good enough to be featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the Post Brewing Co in Rosedale is known for its family-style country food. Chef-owner Brett Smith is in charge of ensuring his famous fried chicken is brined, dipped, and dredged perfectly before being fried to a golden brown. Other traditional country dishes include cast-iron meatloaf and shrimp and grits. As expected from a restaurant with “brewing co” in the name, the restaurant’s own award-winning craft beers are on tap or bottled for sale. This location has been feeding Denver since early 2017.

Central and South American cuisine shine at the Toro Latin Kitchen + Lounge in Cherry Creek. Some of the creative favorites at this casual yet sophisticated restaurant include a ceviche bar, blackened tuna tacos, and shitake mushroom tostadas. Hand-crafted cocktails can be ordered from the full bar, which also serves local wines and brews. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, welcoming diners to enjoy the artful dishes in either the indoor or outdoor spaces.

Viale Pizza and Kitchen in Cherry Creek is a down-to-earth neighborhood pizzeria with an airy interior accented with brick and wood. Menu offerings include tried-and-true pizza recipes and traditional Italian dishes such as house-made lasagna and shrimp scampi. There are also some dishes with a creative twist, like the bison ravioli or pizzas topped with capers or truffle oil.

Located in the Highlands, the Vin Rouge Wine Bar and Tasting Room has been featuring wines, high-end ciders, and local craft beers since June 2020. The boutique wine bar’s menu includes light tapas designed to pair with the ever-changing wine flights. Charcuterie, cheeses, and marinated herbed feta and olives are some of the staples diners can select. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the selection of mini cakes, mousses, and truffles to be enjoyed in the cozy yet sophisticated establishment.

Wildflower offers locally sourced ingredients with a focus on plant-forward dishes in a romantic setting within LoHi’s Life House Hotel. The menu features contemporary dishes. Much of the food is served on shareable plates, making this an ideal date-night option. Consider the potato croquettes, wildflower focaccia, fig brulée, which are a few of the innovative dishes chef William Harris is serving at this farm-to-table restaurant opened in November 2020.

Walking through a secret door in a small bookstore to enter a hidden cocktail bar is reminiscent of entering a prohibition-era speakeasy, and it may be hard to remember that this bar has only inhabited the LoHi neighborhood since 2011. Behind the secret door is a warm and welcoming atmosphere, creative cocktails, and a menu featuring small plates and tempting desserts. The dishes reflect an eclectic international spin on traditional pub favorites. Chicken shawarma flatbread, roasted bone marrow, and the W and G burger are a few popular options to accompany the drinks.