For many, the Mile High City might evoke more visions of beers than margaritas. However, the Mexican food scene in Denver is thriving, with seriously flavorful spots serving up tasty tacos, tostadas, and other tortilla-adjacent grub. In fact, Denver has such a hopping Mexican cuisine scene that they are even famous for creating their own take on chili verde: the green tomatillo-infused Chili Colorado. For stellar places to satisfy your salsa craving, check out our list below of the best Mexican restaurants within Denver’s city limits.
Where to Find the Best Mexican Restaurants in Denver, CO
Chili Verde
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
Address: 2311 Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80211
Cost: $
Don’t let their slick, modern interior fool you — Chili Verde is a family-owned restaurant, with a warm and friendly staff who will make you feel like you are among relatives. Located in the up-and-coming Jefferson Park neighborhood, this spot, complete with a spacious back patio, reflects its location’s hip vibe. The cuisine is inspired by the owners’ Pueblan heritage, and many of the best dishes feature the region’s specialty ingredient: the poblano. And, should you want to try something you’ve never tasted at a Mexican restaurant before, such as crab-stew tostadas or a sweet plantain dessert, the previously mentioned staff will be happy to lead you on a taste-testing adventure.
What to Eat:
Poblano is a must-have at Chili Verde, and the pepper is highlighted especially well in their rich-tasting, authentic Mole Poblano, as well as their famous, crepe-centered chicken dish, Crepas Poblanas.
Super Mega Bien
Neighborhood: River North Art District (RiNo)
Address: 1260 25th St Denver, CO 80205
Cost: $$
Combine Mexican dishes, dim-sum style, and James Beard-nominated flavor, and you get Super Mega Bien. From the mind of Chef Dana Rodriguez, this restaurant puts a spin on Mexican cuisine like you’ve never seen before, specifically, by serving it on small plates from carts similar to a Chinese brunch. If the name of the place, and its roving menu options, haven’t told you enough about the sense of playfulness in the atmosphere at Super Mega Bien, the decor, which includes posters of a hip-shaking Charo and a large, wooden ceiling installation, will clue you in even further.
What to Eat:
While you can’t go wrong with any dish picked from their dim sum selection, the comforting combination of corn and cheese in the Arepas De Queso will have you flagging down a cart for a second helping.
El Taco de México
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Address: 714 Santa Fe Dr Denver, CO 80204
Cost: $
Ask any Deneverite about their favorite spot for Mexican food in the city, and nine times out of ten they will mention this place. El Taco de México has been serving up beans, rice, burritos, and, of course, tacos to hungry stomachs in the Mile High City since 1985. And, while its outside decor might be stuck in the 80s, it more than makes up for the un-specialness of its appearance with the spectrum of flavors their dishes achieve. The fact that their dining room, which features an open kitchen, constantly buzzes with people almost 40 years after their doors opened is just one reason why the taqueria was handed a James Beard America’s Classics Award.
What to Eat:
You can’t leave El Taco de México without ordering their world-renowned Chile-Relleno Burrito. It takes all the ingredients of the classic stuffed-pepper dish, covers it in tortilla, tops it with their signature green chile, and takes your taste buds on a one-way trip to burrito nirvana.
Zocalito Latin Bistro
Neighborhood: Central Business District
Address: 999 18th St Ste. 107 Denver, CO 80202
Cost: $$$
Originally opened in Aspen, the food at Zocalito was too good to remain a secret among the ultra-rich and ski-bums who frequent the mountain town. Chef Mike Beary moved his Oaxacan-forward restaurant to Denver in 2018, and it has been a favorite of locals ever since. What makes Zocalito special is how commonplace it is for their menu to feature normally hard-to-find ingredients — a result of Chef Beary working directly with local farmers in the Southern Mexican region from which he takes his culinary inspiration. If the dishes don’t do it, the decor itself, featuring moody lighting, wood accents, and illustrations from Mexican folklore, will transport you straight to Oaxaca City.
What to Eat:
The Oaxacan Chicken Breast is a great showcase for the unique preparations and specialty ingredients that Zocalito is known for. The dish, which features the protein wrapped in a banana leaf alongside chorizo, veggies, and cheese, is topped with a spicy yellow chilhuacle mole you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Mariscos Mr. Peralta
Neighborhood: Sunnyside
Address: 3900 Osage St Denver, CO 80211
Cost: $ – $$, depending on what you order
In a place as landlocked as Denver, you may not expect to find great, fresh seafood. However, this fish-focused spot on the north side of the city will change your mind quickly. This casual restaurant employs a knowledgeable and hospitable staff who give great recommendations on everything from ceviche to aguachiles. And, don’t fill up so much on the crab and shrimp that you skip the drinks — Mariscos Mr. Peralta is famed for serving one of the best glasses of horchata you can find in the state.
What to Eat:
Creatures with fins are Mariscos Mr Peralta’s forte. So, accordingly, the Filete Al Gusto is a solid menu choice. This fish filet, which they serve with mango or tamarindo sauce, can be ordered breaded, a la mantequilla (with butter sauce), a la diabla (with a spicy sauce), or al mojo de ajo (with a garlic sauce).
Live Near Your Favorite Mexican Food in Denver
Want to live within walking distance of your favorite mezcal and burrito spot? Check in with our apartment experts to find the apartment closest to your favorite Mexican restaurants in Denver.
