What and where to eat in Denver

One of Denver’s most famous restaurants is about 15 miles away near the world-renowned concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The building is a replica of a historic fur trading fort and the menu is inspired by what the trappers and traders would have eaten in the 19th century: bison, elk, and quail.

Address: 19192 CO-8, Morrison

Also, not in Denver but worth a little drive west of the city is El Rancho Colorado located in Evergreen. Recently revamped by celebrated chef Frank Bonanno, this is classic Colorado with fireplaces and comfy pine chairs to relax in while sipping a cold brew has a hearty menu. Try the fried catfish, trout, or bison short rib.

Address: 29260 US-40, Evergreen

The Palace Arms at the Brown Palace Hotel is a throwback to a classic coat-and-tie establishment where diners sit amongst “Napoleonic artifacts” while enjoying a meal of steak or seafood with their cocktails or champagne.

Address: 321 17th St., Denver

The Wolf’s Tailor is in the funky Sunnyside neighborhood and a darling of local foodies for its ever-changing seasonal menu of seafood, wild game, and local produce, all artfully designed on each plate.

Address: 4058 Tejon St., Denver

At Safta, Israeli cuisine – combined with other Mediterranean influences – is perfect for sharing favorite plates, such as lamb kebabs, ikra, whipped feta, and crispy eggplant. Located in the Source Hotel in the RiNo neighborhood, dining here is a chance to explore this part of town and enjoy a fabulous meal.

Address: 3330 Brighton Blvd. #201, Denver

Newer on the restaurant scene, Hey Kiddo is impressing Denver diners with its shareable menu. Word is the K-Town Fried Chicken is worth a visit here. Limited reservations are available, but walk-ins with ample patience are welcome.

Address: 4337 Tennyson St. #300, Denver

A perfect night out starts at Rioja and then moves on to the city’s theater district a couple of blocks away. Rioja has impeccable service, tasty dishes, and is right in the heart of the city in the historic Larimer Square., making it a spot that should not be missed.

Address: 1431 Larimer St., Denver

A James Beard award winner, this restaurant in the suburb of Aurora draws people from all over who crave a seasonally fresh meal of pasta, fish, and vegetables. Annette is located inside the Stanley Marketplace, a sort of modern mall with eateries and shops that serves this east side of town.

Address: 2501 Dallas St. STE 108, Aurora

Owned by a Food Network chef and his wife, D Bar started as a bakery and grew to become a restaurant that still highlights the sweets where you can order “dessertini” cocktails – sweetened up whiskey or vodka in a fancy glass – boozy shakes, and other treats.

Address: 494 E. 19th Ave., Denver

A mainstay for sushi lovers due to their impeccable fish and presentation, Sushi Den invites diners to sit at the sushi bar to watch their chefs – or grab a table for more privacy.

Address: 1487 S. Pearl St., Denver

Vital Root is in the historic Berkeley neighborhood and has people craving their yucca fries or banh mi tacos. Their vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request.

Address: 3915 Tennyson St., Denver

Watercourse Foods is Denver’s original vegan restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The kid menu, dessert menu, and thick shakes complement the main menus. This is a terrific spot for breakfast or lunch where you can indulge in specialties like souffle pancakes or “chicken” and biscuit.

Address: 837 E. 17th St., Denver

In the Capitol Hill neighborhood, you will find The Corner Beet with cold-pressed juices, fresh smoothies, and a menu with vegetarian and vegan options such as a scrambled egg burrito or a scrambled tofu burrito. Try the Thai peanut salad for a flavorful and hearty lunch. Grab a vegan cookie for a snack later too.

Address: 1401 Ogden St., Denver

The popular RiNo Arts District Food Tour by Delicious Denver Food Tours includes five food tastings (drinks are an additional cost). You’ll see historic warehouses, enjoy modern murals, and sample fun food. Meet-up details provided with the ticket.

Perhaps best combined with another food tour or after lunch, this tour can be booked through Viator and is a quintessential Denver experience that starts where the city’s microbrewery scene began. A beer aficionado escorts you through four local breweries where you get to taste the brews. Tickets include meet-up details.

A personal family go-to for all things smothered, which is our way of saying a main dish – enchiladas, burritos, chile rellenos, chimichangas–is covered in green chile sauce.

Address: 1801 Broadway, Denver

Tocabe, tells many food stories and pays a tribute to the tribes that provided their ingredients that make the unique tastes. Known for their Indian taco with signature fry bread.

Address: 3536 W. 44th Ave., Denver

Open for lunch only, Comal has a rotating menu created by immigrants and refugees who hope to have their own food business someday. It’s hard to recommend specific dishes with the ever-changing menu, which is influenced by their on-site seasonal garden ingredients. Staples on the menu are a nopales (cactus) salad, sauteed shrimp with a spicy chipotle salsa, and a traditional Venezuelan salad made with potatoes.

Address: 3455 Ringsby Ct. #105, Denver

Affordable “street food,” such as potstickers, bao, and noodles with a flavorful punch, makes this café a go-to for an affordable meal.

Address: 1625 Wynkoop St., Denver

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs started out as a food cart, but now there are multiple locations all offering some unusual hot dogs, beyond a typical beef hot dog, which is also available: ostrich, wild boar, rattlesnake and rabbit, and elk jalapeno cheddar.

Address: 2148 Larimer St., Denver

Go to the original location, wait in line, snap a selfie with the 28-foot milk can, and order salted Oreo – you’re welcome. Other delicious flavors include space junkie, blueberry honey with goat cheese, and vegan chocolate.

Address: 2620 16th St., Denver

“Sugar Science” is so popular you need tickets to get a taste of their glow-in-the-dark sweets, smoking popcorn, and other fun treats.

Address: 4433 W. 29th Ave. #101, Denver

Bison meat is leaner than beef with fewer calories and more protein, and some say it tastes “sweeter.” You will find it on menus in the form of burgers, short ribs, chile, and much more.

This “delicacy” can be found outside of Colorado, but it’s popular here. Bull testicles are breaded and fried, often served with dipping sauce.

As close as you’ll get to local seafood, Colorado trout is found on many menus here as both an entrée and mixed in with other dishes.

Coloradans are proud of the produce grown here, primarily in the Western Slope region of the state. Peaches grown in or near the town of Palisade are highly sought after in late summer and added to salads, desserts, grilled, or just fresh.