The Best Of The Denver Food Scene

With an influx of people comes new ideas, passions, and drives to create and contribute to the flourishing, colorful community of Denver. Lucky for us Denverites, these artistic expressions are cropping up all around us in the form of award winning and innovative restaurants and bars.

While we could never fully detail the myriad mouth-watering eateries of the Denver food scene, we highlighted some of our favorites below. Dig in!

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Eat Your Way Through the Delectable Denver Food Scene One Meal at a Time

Breakfast

• Pete’s Kitchen: Local celebrity, Pete Contos, has owned and operated a variety of eateries in Denver for over 50 years now. Open 24/7, this diner has garnered awards such as “best hash browns,” “best breakfast burrito,” and more. Soak up last night’s whiskey with a salty, greasy, breakfast scramble.
• Sassafras: This Southern-style eatery serves up Louisiana-style cuisine that will transport your taste buds straight to the Bayou. Awarded by the likes of Paula Deen Magazine, USA Today, and more, Sassafras is a must when dining in downtown.   
• Sam’s No. 3: A favorite among natives, long-time residents, and transplants, a line always forms around the block come breakfast time, and it’s well worth the wait. On average, they serve 3,900 people each weekend.
• Rosenberg’s Bagels: New York-style bagels right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains? With fresh lox, Challah bread, and salty capers, this place will fill all your East Coast bagel needs and then some.
• Olive & Finch: Olive & Finch is sweet and homey, perfect for those mornings when you miss mom’s cooking – that is, if mom was a top-notch baker, innovate barista, or methodical chef.

Brunch

• The Bindery: Uova alla Flamenca. La Emmabella. Fun to say, but even more fun to eat. Eggs in brioche with truffle butter and duck prosciutto for brunch? Yes, please. Each and every item on the brunch menu is straightforward, yet exquisite.
• Linger: Do bottomless blood orange mimosas on a Highlands rooftop overlooking Denver’s skyline and the Rocky Mountains sound like your perfect recipe for a brunch to remember? Look no further than this tasty Denver favorite.
• Señor Bear: Inspired by Central and South American cuisine, this LoHi joint offers brunch-time empanadas, queso fundido, mofongo, and more. Their bright, airy space provides the perfect locale to shake off the Sunday-scaries with friends and neighbors.
• Denver Milk Market: Not in the mood for a sit-down, 4-hour brunch in the city? Check out this open-space dining hall and indulge in decadent crepes, grab a mimosa, or wake up with a latte. There’s plenty to do, see, and eat at this market.
• Old Major: It’s all (humanely raised) meats and sweets at this Highlands eatery.
• City O’ City: Whether or not you’re vegan, this local joint serves some of the best breakfast around. From vegan Chicken and Waffles to kimchi pancakes, literally everything on this menu is a ten. With a full bar and breakfast served until 2am, City O’ City satisfies everyone.

For more brunch options, enjoy our updated best brunch spots in each Denver neighborhood.

Lunch

• Marczyk’s Fine Foods: This uptown market provides Denver dwellers with fresh, local ingredients for all their culinary needs. In addition, the deli makes insanely good sandwiches, soups, and salads.
• Las Delicias: For over 40 years, this restaurant has been serving up authentic south-of-the-border fare to hungry locals. Cheap, quick, and packed with flavor, get your fix here.
• Tavernetta: Tavernetta serves daily lunch, Italian-style. The menu is loaded with hearty pasta dishes as well as light, flavorful antipasti.  
• Tupelo Honey: Fresh, seasonal ingredients with good ole’ fashioned Southern comfort. Sweet-tea braised chicken and low-country catfish will have your tastebuds whistling dixie.
• Whole Sol Blend Bar: Affordable and healthy, give your system a boost with any one of Whole Sol Blend Bar’s blended fruit bowls. All organic, all the time.
• Star Kitchen: They dish up authentic Chinese food and Dim Sum that truly is to die for. Situated quietly in a little strip mall, this unassuming restaurant will keep you returning time and again to fill your belly.

Happy Hour

• Uchi Denver: Fresh seafood and good prices are what make this happy hour a must. While Uchi is a fantastic dinner spot as well, you can score big from 5:00 – 6:30pm on fish flown in daily from Japanese markets.
• Cart-Driver: With $5 Prosecco on tap and market oysters, you can wash away the work day at this locally loved spot.
• Ultreia. Come to this Union Station location for cheap eats and drinks. For just a few bucks, guests can enjoy sangria, olives, shishito peppers, and other small plate offerings.
• Steubens Uptown: Their inventive take on home cooking always delivers in the Happy Hour category. Dollar wings, dollar Highlifes, and for just a few more dollars, you can grab a mini shrimp po’boy and Moscow Mule.  
• Adrift: Styled after your grandma’s beloved 1950s backyard Tiki Bar, Adrift on South Broadway is a blast from the past, with fruity, tropical drinks to put your mind on island time.
• Ignite: You really can’t beat eating Philly cheesesteak mac and cheese on this downtown rooftop. The menu is packed full of options and boasts some of the best Mac and Cheese in Denver.

Dinner

• Ash’Kara: From falafel to dolmas, and wood fired carrots to duck tagine, this Israeli restaurant spotlights dishes meant to be enjoyed, shared, and celebrated.  
• Chook Charcoal Chicken: What’s better than a hot, juicy rotisserie chicken? Chook Charcoal Chicken believes the answer to that question is, nothing. Just one bite of their savory, succulent chicken, and we have to agree.
• Watercourse: A sister restaurant to previously mentioned City O’ City, check out this restaurant’s take on traditional vegan dishes. Inspired, unique, and filling – Watercourse will delight even the most die-hard meat lovers out there.
• Table 6: Lovingly curated and thoughtfully run, nothing speaks to hospitality quite like Table 6. The wine list is not only impressive, but also speckled with quirky one-offs that resemble the owner’s eccentric taste and individual style.
• Root Down: Can’t decide what you’re in the mood for? Check out Root Down. Their internationally inspired menu contains a bit of everything, for every craving. They focus on local sourcing and a slow, meaningful dining experience. Come to sip and taste, tell stories, and kick back.
• Domo: Stepping into this restaurant feels like stepping back in time, walking through a small, countryside Japanese village. Plates meant for sharing will cover the table, inviting guests to sample everything from earthy sides to spiced meats. 

For more dining options, read our top picks for Cherry Creek restaurants.

Dessert

• D Bar Denver: With cakes, cookies, milkshakes, and more, this dessert bar is decadent and varied. Satisfy your sweet tooth by cracking into their creme brûlée, or downing a salted caramel martini.
• Bonnie Brae Ice Cream: Touted as a Denver tradition, this corner ice cream store south of Cherry Creek is a neighborhood favorite. With zany flavors on rotation all the time, come in for a scoop of anything from classic mint chocolate chip to tart pineapple pistachio.
• The Long I Pie Shop: Who doesn’t love pie? The Long I Pie Shop packs their pies full of goodness and crafts some of the most unique pies this side of the Mississippi. Oh, they bake some pretty fantastic cakes too.

The Late Night Denver Food Scene

• Atomic Cowboy: Buy pizza slices as big as your head! Strategically located next to some of Broadway and Colfax’s best bars, head on over to either location for a delicious, greasy slice of pizza after a night on the town.
• Vesper Lounge: Eat some of the best burgers in town here. Dive into a fully loaded cheeseburger in the low lighting and secluded, comfy booths.
• Jerusalem Restaurant: Just a short walk down from DU, this Middle Eastern restaurant dishes up hot falafel, creamy hummus, and more.

Whether you’re moving to Denver, visiting Denver, or just looking for a new favorite spot, we hope this list gives you a few new places to check out. Living in Denver, we often feel spoiled by the delicious food, creative plates, and cozy atmospheres. There’s a dish for every craving and every mood here in the Mile-High City.  

Eat Your Way Through the Delicious Denver Food Scene 24/7

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* The original version of this article was first published on March 27, 2019.