Known as the Mile High City, Denver offers visitors breathtaking mountain views and a vibrant dining scene rooted in local flavors and sustainable practices. From historic steakhouses to modern farm-to-table bistros, Denver’s culinary landscape celebrates the city’s cultural heritage while pushing boundaries with innovative techniques and artisanal ingredients.
In This Article
This article explores the richness, variety, and excitement Denver’s local restaurants bring to the table. We’ll highlight everything from the city’s iconic eateries to its hidden gems, guiding you to an authentic and unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Colorado.
TL;DR
- Denver's local restaurant scene offers award-winning farm-to-table cuisine, historic steakhouses, cocktail bars with entertainment, and more.
- The city's chefs lead a sustainable food movement focused on regional produce and ranched meats. Beyond its proximity to ski resorts and national parks, the city boasts a thriving arts, music, and food scene fueled by youthful energy and cultural diversity.
As the acclaimed “Napa Valley of Beer,” Denver offers craft brewery tours and beer-focused events like the Great American Beer Festival. The city’s 250+ sunny days a year mean plenty of outdoor dining patios to enjoy a locally brewed pint. From downtown’s pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall to the chic independent boutiques of Cherry Creek, visitors can explore Denver’s charismatic neighborhoods before settling in for an exceptional meal.
Local Experiences and Culture
To fully immerse yourself in Denver’s best restaurants, join locals in celebrating the city’s beloved traditions. Attend a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, tour the urban street art scene in the River North (RiNo) district, or try your hand at green chile and chipotle-inspired dishes.
Part of embracing Denver’s local flavor means learning about the city’s ranching history while supporting ethical regional agriculture. Get to know the area’s sustainably raised meats by signing up for a farm dinner with outstanding views. You can also visit urban farms like Denver Botanic Gardens’ community-oriented and educational Sustainable Food Program.
Farm-to-Table and Culinary Innovation
At the forefront of Denver’s sustainable food movement is a passionate community of chefs and farmers who let the quality ingredients speak for themselves. Seasonal and regional are the name of the game at these farm-to-table restaurants, with menus changing based on mountain-sourced produce, humanely raised meats, and artisanal preparations.
Award-winning Denver chef Alex Seidel sources from his own farm at Fruition Farms for his flagship Frasca Food and Wine restaurant. His team hand-rolls pasta and dry-ages Colorado lamb for sublime takes on Italian cuisine. Elsewhere, renowned chef Troy Guard’s Japanese-inspired steakhouse Guard and Grace plates the finest local Wagyu beef and ocean-fresh seafood with an artistic flair.
Historic and Iconic Eateries
Beyond the modern farm-to-table establishments, Denver restaurants have made their mark on the city’s identity over decades of changing tastes. Historic venues like The Fort evoke Denver’s frontier era with their rustic architecture and menus of buffalo, elk, quail, and other wild game.
The Buckhorn Exchange carries on Denver’s ranching legacy as Colorado’s oldest restaurant. Since 1893, locals and visitors have gathered in its log cabin walls for prime dry-aged steaks and Rocky Mountain Oysters. No matter how trends come and go, these heritage institutions preserve beloved culinary traditions.
Romantic and Special Occasion Dining
With its intimate ambiance and exceptional service, it’s no wonder Guard and Grace is ranked among the most romantic restaurants in Denver. Hand-cut steaks and seafood are prepared tableside, accompanied by sides like truffle mac and cheese or lobster mashed potatoes. The elegant atmosphere sets the stage for celebrating special occasions in style.
Odyssey Italian Restaurant offers a refined yet welcoming environment for a romantic night out with Italian fare. With dishes like seafood risotto and braised short ribs over pappardelle, the menu features homemade pastas and classic culinary techniques perfected over 35 years. Add a wine and cheese pairing, and you have an indulgent date night covered.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Beyond intimate venues, Denver restaurants like Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club integrate live music and entertainment into the dining experience. With a speakeasy vibe and Blue Note-style jazz performances, Nocturne’s stage has showcased talents like Sheila Jordan and Kurt Elling while patrons enjoy their inventive American cuisine menu and handcrafted cocktails.
The continental-inspired menus at Panzano incorporate ingredients from Italy, France, and beyond. But the lively ambiance and nightly jazz performances make this Union Station restaurant a local favorite. With a lively bar scene and ample room for dancing, Panzano brings a taste of cosmopolitan nightlife to Denver’s dining culture.
New and Trending Spots
The latest Denver restaurant openings reflect several rising movements in the city’s dining scene. Culinary innovation hubs like Zeppelin Station have introduced new chef-driven fast-casual concepts to locals. Food halls like The Source bring local artisans together under one roof for grazers to sample Denver’s diversity of flavors.
Several newcomers have already earned Denver’s admiration and critical acclaim. Contemporary bistro Mizuna received a coveted “Very Good to Excellent” review from 5280 Magazine’s tough restaurant critic for its seasonally inspired dishes and craft cocktails.
Reviews and Recommendations
To discover true local favorites, refer to Denver’s most trusted dining guides and reviewers. 5280 Magazine provides insightful monthly spotlights on the city’s restaurant openings and closings. Their annual Top 25 Restaurants list is highly anticipated, especially among the chefs and restaurateurs honored.
For the inside scoop on the tastiest tacos in town, the Denver Taco Trail guides locals and visitors to the city’s 30 most authentic taquerias. The local experts behind this guide point enthusiasts towards hidden gems.
Near Larimer Square, Dairy Block, and the 16th Street Mall, you’ll find more great dining spots, including Il Posto, Denver Milk Market, Palace Arms, Chez Maggy, and Mercantile Dining.
Other Denver restaurants worth experiencing are El Five, Hop Alley, Le French, and Barolo Grill.
FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dining in Denver local restaurants:
What is the local Denver specialty I should try?
Green chile is a regional staple served atop Denver omelets, smothered burritos, and even in milkshakes. The Pueblo chile pepper adds mild spice and roasted flavor to Colorado’s favorite dishes.
Where can I find award-winning restaurants in Denver?
Refer to 5280 Magazine‘s annual Top 25 Restaurants list or winners like Guard and Grace Steakhouse, which took home a Best New Restaurant award in 2018.
What should I wear to high-end restaurants like Guard and Grace and Palace Arms?
Most fine-dining restaurants in Denver enforce a smart casual dress code – think button-downs and dark jeans or slacks rather than t-shirts and sneakers.
Are reservations required for popular romantic restaurants?
Yes, you’ll want to book your table in advance for the best date-night spots. Use OpenTable to find availability at venues like Guard and Grace or Odyssey Italian Restaurant.
Can kids join us for dinner at historic steakhouses?
Some heritage venues like Buckhorn Exchange welcome families, but other landmark restaurants have age restrictions or prefer an adult ambiance. Call ahead about any special restrictions.
What’s the best dining in downtown Denver?
Critics agree that the best downtown Denver restaurants are A5 Steakhouse, Bruto, Guard and Grace, Jovanina’s Broken Italian, Rioja, Tavernetta, and Water Grill.
