Looking for the best restaurants to eat in Denver, Colorado? I got you! Denver, often endearingly known as the Mile High City for its mile high elevation above sea level, is a city known for its beer and brewery scene and close proximity to amazing ski resorts. Fortunately, for those who are neither beer enthusiasts nor skiers or snowboarders ready to hit the high slopes, Denver has a rapidly growing food scene as well. Foodies, rejoice! The city holds so many great restaurants and eateries. These range from small hole-in-the-walls to classy full-service restaurants throughout all of Denver’s small neighborhood pockets, each with its own distinct culture and vibes. With so many options, you’re bound to find a restaurant that will please your palate!
If you’re not sure where to start, I’m here to share my top recommended places to eat in Denver! Pin or bookmark this page, because you’ll want to try out these restaurants at some point!
Best Breakfast and Brunch Restaurants in Denver
Denver Biscuit Co
If you’re anything like me and you LOVE biscuits and gravy, then Denver Biscuit Co is a no-brainer. They offer biscuit sandwiches, biscuit shrimp and grits, biscuit pot pie and even biscuit cinnamon rolls! If the dish can be made from biscuits, you’ll probably find it here. This casual eatery is well-known and perhaps one of the best breakfast restaurants in Denver.
The hearty, comfort Southern food certainly hits the spot, especially in Denver’s chilly mornings. May I suggest bringing your appetite and trying The Franklin – a biscuit sandwich with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, and cheddar cheese – smothered in sausage (or vegetarian) gravy! There are several locations, but I visited the one at Stanley Marketplace, which is a community-focused marketplace with over 50 food and drink stalls, shops, and more!
Location: Inside Stanley Marketplace, Aurora, Colorado.
2501 Dallas St., Aurora, CO 80010
Denver Biscuit Co
Onefold
Undeniably, the crowded line at the front should tell you not to underestimate Onefold, a cute breakfast and lunch nook. It’s a restaurant that serves up family-inspired recipes made from scratch. Though physically small and cozy, Onefold brings food to the table that speaks volumes in flavor and execution. Perhaps it’s because many of the dishes are cooked in duck fat, which always enhances the taste.
Here, you’ll find eggs cooked all ways, Asian and Mexican influenced flavors, and portions that will keep you stuffed. The open kitchen and bright, minimal farmhouse-styled décor make the restaurant feel a little bigger than it is, but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to share a table with strangers due to the constant inflow of customers! My favorite here was the bacon fried rice with 2 duck-fat fried eggs! It’s mixed with chili oil, soy sauce, garlic, and your choice of maple or habanero Tender Belly bacon. The comforting duck congee porridge is also a great choice. Wash it all down with a cup of fresh-squeezed juice!
Location: West City Park
1420 E. 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Onefold
Best Restaurants in Denver for a Night Out
Elway’s Downtown
If you’re looking for a delicious steakhouse, Elway’s Downtown is the perfect choice. Co-owned and named after Denver Bronco’s beloved quarterback John Elway, this restaurant combines the quality of a traditional steakhouse with the ambiance and menu options of a contemporary restaurant. Although the quality of the food and service is upscale, the ambiance is more casual and welcoming than you may expect.
Elway’s menu consists of a good variety of hot and cold appetizers, fresh salads, U.S.D.A. prime hand cut steaks with plenty of sauces and sides to add, as well as various classic meat and seafood dishes. For starters, I really enjoyed the South African lobster tails dipped in their house-made biting cocktail sauce! The lamb chop fondue was surprisingly tasty as well. I tend to shy away from lamb sometimes because of its gaminess. However, when you’re in Colorado, you have to try locally sourced Colorado lamb at least once, right? For the main meats, I tried two specials: the bison tomahawk and the Japanese A5 wagyu steak. Both were so satisfyingly delicious! Next time, I’ll want to try the rib eye and short rib!
Location: Downtown Denver, inside the lobby of The Ritz Carlton Denver.
1881 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
Elway’s Downtown
Rioja
Another restaurant to try is the beautiful Rioja which boasts of Mediterranean-inspired but locally and seasonally influenced dishes. Chef Jennifer Jasinski creates elegant dishes out of simple ingredients, bringing out the bright flavors in each dish. As a result, she won a James Beard Award for “Best Chef in the Southwest” in 2013.
Prior to your meal, the staff offers you complimentary bread service, which was one of my favorite parts of dinner. A server brings a platter overflowing with various fresh-made bread like lavender sourdough, goat cheese & rosemary biscuits, focaccia, and kalamata olive bread. Then you get to pick which ones you want to try! For appetizers, the crispy Brussels sprouts salad with roasted kabocha squash, gooseberries, shaved apples, and hazelnuts is a great choice. It’s a refreshing mix of savory and sweet that I would’ve devoured – only if I didn’t have to share. For entrees, we tried the pastas and liked both the Colorado lamb and ricotta gnocchi and the tagliatelle and clams. The pasta tasted al dente, and the dishes were lighter than I expected. If you’re looking for a date night spot, consider Rioja.
Location: Historic Larimer Square, a charming old-town neighborhood worth a leisure stroll.
1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
Rioja
Root Down
For some of the best restaurants in Denver, talk to the locals and they’ll tell you that Root Down is a neighborhood favorite! This fresh and funky restaurant converted from an old gas station and prides itself on a globally-influenced seasonal cuisine. Rather than tying itself to a specific genre of food, the chefs focus on organic and local ingredients.
Root Down’s offbeat mid-century decor, bright eclectic art and cozy ambiance are perfectly complemented by the bright and intense flavors of each dish. It’s loud, fun, and makes you feel like you’re in an underground house party. To begin with, try the roasted baby beet salad and Colombian arepas. Then move onto the mains, like the rockfish tom kha and Moroccan roasted chicken. A quick glance at these dishes instantly showcase the global influence of the menu. Every single dish I tried was delightful, and each item had its own distinct cultural taste. No wonder it’s a local favorite restaurant in Denver! Also note, the chefs also accommodate all dietary needs.
Location: Highlands, or “LoHi” Denver
1600 W. 33RD Ave, Denver, Co 80211
Root Down
Honorable Best Asian Restaurants in Denver
Viet’s Restaurant
If you happen to crave some authentic Asian food, Viet’s Restaurant is an unassuming Vietnamese restaurant tucked away in the corner of a strip mall. Granted, I haven’t visited many Asian restaurants in the city so I can’t say this is the “best” Asian Restaurant in Denver. However, some locals introduced me to this gem, and it was really delicious! From the outside, it may not look like much, but the food speaks for itself.
Viet’s offers practically every single Vietnamese dish you can think of eating! The menu is quite extensive. In fact, there are pages and pages of specials, spring rolls, noodles, rice plates, and more. Because we wanted to try a little bit of everything, we ordered family style to share. My favorites were the fresh papaya salad with shrimp and steamed pork, the Ca Kho To (sweet & spicy catfish in a clay pot) and Viet’s House 50/50, which came with deep fried softshell crab, grilled pork and shrimp, shrimp paste, shrimp tempura, egg rolls. Once the dish arrived, we rolled these into our own messy spring rolls, a fun hands-on experience for everyone! For delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine, add this one to your list.
Location: Southwest Denver
333 S. Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
Viet’s Restaurant
Without a doubt, Denver has many great food options, and these are just a few! Have you been to any of them? Or if you’ve been, what do you think are some of the best restaurants in Denver?