Skip to main content
---
Denver
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain

Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Denver

The best restaurants in Denver, from green chile institutions and historic steakhouses to Michelin-starred tasting menus, food halls and rooftop patios.

Finding the best restaurants in Denver means exploring a dining scene that has grown up fast.

The city's classic flavors, smothered green chile, Mexican diners, steakhouses and game, still define its identity, but Denver now also has Michelin-starred tasting menus, chef-driven neighborhood restaurants and lively food halls.

The Michelin Guide arrived in Colorado in 2023, confirming what locals already knew. This guide covers icons and newcomers, splurges and cheap eats, so you can eat well in every neighborhood.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

CategoryOur pick
Best overallThe Wolf's TailorReserve
By CuisineEl Taco de MexicoReserve
Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred RestaurantsThe Wolf's TailorReserve
Most Romantic RestaurantsThe Wolf's TailorReserve
Rooftop & View RestaurantsLingerReserve
Vegetarian & Vegan RestaurantsSomebody PeopleReserve
Green Chile & Iconic Denver EatsEl Taco de MexicoReserve
New & Trendy RestaurantsKizakiReserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of Denver on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Sunnyside

The Wolf's Tailor

Contemporary tasting menu$$$$· Intimate & inventive

The Wolf's Tailor became Colorado's first restaurant with two Michelin stars, recognition for a kitchen that blends influences from Japan, Italy and the American West into an inventive tasting menu. The restaurant works closely with Colorado farmers and grains, and the menu changes with the seasons. Set in a converted house in the Sunnyside neighborhood, it feels personal and relaxed despite the acclaim. Reservations are released in advance and go quickly, so plan ahead.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 RiNo

Beckon

Contemporary tasting menu$$$$· Chef's counter & intimate

Beckon is an intimate chef's counter in a small house on Larimer Street, where a small number of guests watch the cooks prepare a multi-course tasting menu. The cooking is precise and seasonal, and the conversation between cooks and diners is part of the experience. It holds a Michelin star and is one of the most sought-after reservations in the city.

What to order: Chef's counter tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 LoDo

Brutø

Wood-fired contemporary$$$$· Lively & personal

Brutø is a small, Michelin-starred counter restaurant where much of the cooking happens over a wood fire. It shares its team's focus on Colorado grains and producers with The Wolf's Tailor, and the Michelin Guide has also recognized its commitment to sustainability. Dinner here feels like a lively dinner party, with dishes passed across the counter. Book well ahead.

What to order: Wood-fired tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Highland

Alma Fonda Fina

Modern Mexican$$$· Warm & festive

Alma Fonda Fina brings refined Mexican cooking to Highland, with dishes built on regional traditions, house-made tortillas and Colorado ingredients. It holds a Michelin star and is known for its warm hospitality and lively room. The cocktail and agave spirits list is excellent. Reserve in advance, especially on weekends.

What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Union Station

Tavernetta

Italian$$$· Polished & lively

Next to Union Station, Tavernetta serves Italian cooking inspired by the regions of northern Italy, with handmade pastas, seasonal dishes and a deep Italian wine list. The bright, elegant room and patio are always busy, and it has been recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand. It is ideal before a train, a game or a show.

What to order: Handmade pasta

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Larimer Square

Rioja

Mediterranean$$$· Elegant & classic

A Larimer Square institution led by chef Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja serves Mediterranean-inspired cooking with house-made pastas, seasonal produce and elegant plating. The warm dining room, with its open kitchen, is a favorite for celebrations and dates. It is one of the restaurants that helped put Denver's dining scene on the national map.

What to order: House-made pasta

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Guard and Grace

Steakhouse$$$$· Sleek & buzzy

Guard and Grace is a modern steakhouse in a sleek downtown tower, known for its prime and dry-aged steaks, raw bar and polished service. The large, airy room is popular for business dinners and celebrations. Book ahead and save room for the sides and desserts.

What to order: Dry-aged steak

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 RiNo

Hop Alley

Chinese$$· Loud & energetic

Hop Alley serves bold, modern Chinese cooking in a former soy sauce factory in RiNo. Dishes are designed for sharing, the cocktails are creative, and the room is loud and lively. It has received a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide. Come with friends and order widely.

What to order: Modern Chinese dishes

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 RiNo

Safta

Israeli$$$· Bright & convivial

Chef Alon Shaya's Safta, in the Source Hotel, celebrates the food of Israel and the Mediterranean, with wood-fired pita, hummus, salatim and grilled dishes. The bright room and generous plates make it a great place for a group. The restaurant's name means grandmother in Hebrew, a tribute to the chef's family.

What to order: Wood-fired pita and hummus

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Platt Park

Sushi Den

Japanese$$$· Classic & busy

A Denver institution on South Pearl Street since the 1980s, Sushi Den is known for its fish, much of it flown in from Japan through the owners' family connections. The large, busy room and long sushi bar draw a loyal crowd. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

What to order: Sushi and sashimi

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Lincoln Park

Buckhorn Exchange

Steakhouse & game$$$· Historic & Old West

Denver's oldest restaurant has served steaks and game since 1893, and its walls are covered with mounted animals, historic photos and Western memorabilia. It holds Colorado's first liquor license, and its menu includes elk, bison, quail and the famous Rocky Mountain oysters. It is as much a museum of the Old West as a restaurant.

What to order: Rocky Mountain oysters and game

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Lincoln Park

El Taco de Mexico

Mexican$· No-frills & legendary

This small counter on Santa Fe Drive started as a food trailer in the 1980s and earned a James Beard America's Classics award in 2020. Order a burrito smothered in green chile, the chile relleno burrito or tacos, and eat at the counter. It is fast, inexpensive and a true Denver classic.

What to order: Smothered chile relleno burrito

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Downtown

Sam's No. 3

Diner$· Classic & busy

Sam's No. 3 traces its history to a diner opened downtown in 1927 by a Greek immigrant, and it is still run by the same family. Its huge menu covers breakfast, burgers and Greek and Mexican dishes, but it is best known for its spicy green chile. Expect a line at weekend breakfast.

What to order: Green chile

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Lakewood

Casa Bonita

Mexican$$· Theatrical & kitschy

This famously over-the-top restaurant in Lakewood features indoor cliff divers, caves and a waterfall, and it became a pop-culture icon. After financial trouble, it was bought by the creators of South Park, renovated and reopened. A visit is about the spectacle as much as the food; check the website for reservations and ticketing.

What to order: Sopapillas

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 LoHi

Root Down

Globally inspired$$· Colorful & laid-back

Root Down occupies a converted 1950s gas station in LoHi, with a colorful dining room and a patio overlooking the city. Its menu is globally inspired and full of vegetables, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Brunch is especially popular, so book ahead.

What to order: Seasonal small plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 LoHi

Linger

Global street food$$· Quirky & lively

Set in a former mortuary, Linger serves a playful menu of street-food-inspired dishes from around the world. Its rooftop bar offers sweeping views of the downtown skyline and is one of the most popular spots in the city at sunset.

What to order: Global small plates

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 RiNo

Denver Central Market

Food hall$$· Casual & social

Housed in a historic building on Larimer Street, this food hall gathers vendors selling pizza, seafood, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream and more. It is an easy place to eat with a group that cannot agree, and a good stop while exploring RiNo's murals.

What to order: Varied stalls

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 LoHi

Avanti F&B

Food hall$$· Social & panoramic

Avanti is a food hall in a two-level building in LoHi, with several kitchens and bars and a rooftop deck with views of the downtown skyline. It is a lively spot for a casual meal or drinks with friends, especially on warm evenings.

What to order: Varied stalls

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in Denver by Cuisine

Denver's food scene is shaped by its Mexican roots, its Western ranching heritage and a wave of chefs who have opened ambitious restaurants in the past two decades.

You will find excellent Mexican food from humble counters to Michelin-starred dining rooms, Italian and Mediterranean cooking, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and plenty of global flavors. Use this list to find the right restaurant for whatever you are craving.

Every pick here has a reputation built on doing one cuisine very well.

  • El Taco de Mexico

    Mexican $

    A classic counter on Santa Fe Drive, honored with a James Beard America's Classics award.

    What to order: Smothered chile relleno burrito

    Reserve

  • Alma Fonda Fina

    Modern Mexican $$$

    Refined Mexican cooking in Highland, holder of a Michelin star.

    What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal

    Mexican $$

    A lively spot specializing in pozole and mezcal, recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Pozole

    Reserve

  • Tavernetta

    Italian $$$

    Northern Italian cooking next to Union Station, with a Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • Safta

    Israeli $$$

    Modern Israeli food from chef Alon Shaya in RiNo.

    What to order: Wood-fired pita

    Reserve

  • Ash'Kara

    Middle Eastern $$

    A Middle Eastern restaurant recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Mezze and grilled dishes

    Reserve

  • Hop Alley

    Chinese $$

    Bold Chinese cooking in a former soy sauce factory in RiNo.

    What to order: Modern Chinese dishes

    Reserve

  • MAKfam

    Chinese-American $$

    Playful Chinese-American cooking, recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

    What to order: Dumplings and noodles

    Reserve

  • Sushi Den

    Japanese $$$

    A South Pearl Street institution since the 1980s.

    What to order: Sushi and sashimi

    Reserve

  • Buckhorn Exchange

    Steakhouse & game $$$

    Denver's oldest restaurant, serving game since 1893.

    What to order: Elk and bison

    Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Denver

Denver's fine-dining scene has earned national attention since the Michelin Guide arrived in Colorado in 2023. The city's top restaurants tend to be intimate, often with chef's counters and tasting menus built on Colorado farms, ranches and grains.

Expect seasonal menus, creative techniques and a relaxed rather than formal atmosphere. Reserve well in advance, as many restaurants release tables weeks ahead, and remember that Michelin's selections change each year.

These picks are the places that serious food lovers plan a trip around.

  • The Wolf's Tailor

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    Colorado's first two-Michelin-star restaurant, in Sunnyside.

    What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Beckon

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    A Michelin-starred chef's counter on Larimer Street.

    What to order: Chef's counter menu

    Reserve

  • Brutø

    Wood-fired contemporary $$$$

    A Michelin-starred counter cooking over fire, also recognized for sustainability.

    What to order: Wood-fired tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Alma Fonda Fina

    Modern Mexican $$$

    A Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant in Highland.

    What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Mezcaleria Alma

    Mexican $$$

    A sister of Alma Fonda Fina, among Denver's newer Michelin-starred restaurants.

    What to order: Agave spirits and Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Kizaki

    Japanese $$$$

    An intimate Japanese restaurant added to the Michelin Guide's starred list.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • Tavernetta

    Italian $$$

    Polished Italian dining next to Union Station.

    What to order: Handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • Rioja

    Mediterranean $$$

    A Larimer Square institution led by chef Jennifer Jasinski.

    What to order: House-made pasta

    Reserve

  • Guard and Grace

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A sleek downtown steakhouse with a raw bar.

    What to order: Dry-aged steak

    Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in Denver

Denver's most romantic restaurants combine intimate rooms, thoughtful cooking and, sometimes, a view of the mountains or the skyline.

Chef's counters and tasting menus offer a special-occasion experience, while historic dining rooms and rooftop patios set the mood for a memorable evening. Book ahead for weekend nights and ask for a quiet table or a seat at the counter when you reserve.

These picks are ideal for anniversaries, proposals or simply a special night out.

  • The Wolf's Tailor

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    An intimate, inventive tasting menu in a converted house.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Beckon

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    A shared chef's counter experience for a special night.

    What to order: Chef's counter menu

    Reserve

  • Rioja

    Mediterranean $$$

    A warm dining room on Larimer Square.

    What to order: House-made pasta

    Reserve

  • Tavernetta

    Italian $$$

    An elegant Italian dinner near Union Station.

    What to order: Handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • Alma Fonda Fina

    Modern Mexican $$$

    A warm, festive room in Highland.

    What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Sushi Den

    Japanese $$$

    A classic sushi dinner on South Pearl Street.

    What to order: Sushi

    Reserve

  • Linger

    Global street food $$

    Sunset drinks on the rooftop, with skyline views.

    What to order: Small plates

    Reserve

  • Root Down

    Globally inspired $$

    A colorful room and a city-view patio in LoHi.

    What to order: Seasonal small plates

    Reserve

  • Guard and Grace

    Steakhouse $$$$

    A sleek, celebratory steakhouse downtown.

    What to order: Dry-aged steak

    Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in Denver

With mountains on the western horizon and a skyline that glows at sunset, Denver is a great city for eating and drinking outside with a view. LoHi, across the river from downtown, has several of the best rooftop patios, while hotels and the ballpark add more options.

Summer evenings are ideal, but bring a layer, as temperatures drop quickly after sunset at this altitude. These picks put the view at the center of the experience.

  • Linger

    Global street food $$

    One of Denver's most popular rooftops, with views of the downtown skyline.

    What to order: Rooftop cocktails

    Reserve

  • Avanti F&B

    Food hall $$

    A food hall with a rooftop deck overlooking the skyline.

    What to order: Varied stalls

    Reserve

  • FIRE at the Art Hotel

    American $$$

    A restaurant with a terrace at the Art Hotel in the Golden Triangle.

    What to order: Seasonal dishes

    Reserve

  • Root Down

    Globally inspired $$

    A patio with views over the city from LoHi.

    What to order: Brunch on the patio

    Reserve

  • Coors Field rooftop deck

    Ballpark food $$

    Food and drinks with views of the field and the mountains on game days.

    What to order: Ballpark classics

    Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Denver

Denver's health-conscious, outdoor lifestyle has made it an easy city for vegetarians and vegans.

Dedicated vegan restaurants serve creative plant-based menus, and many of the city's best restaurants offer strong vegetarian options, especially Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and globally inspired ones. Food halls make it easy for mixed groups to eat together.

These picks highlight places where plant-based diners can eat very well.

  • Somebody People

    Vegan $$

    A vegan restaurant on South Broadway, known for its vegetable-forward dishes and pastas.

    What to order: Feed Me tasting

    Reserve

  • Root Down

    Globally inspired $$

    Many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.

    What to order: Vegetarian small plates

    Reserve

  • Linger

    Global street food $$

    A menu with plenty of plant-based options.

    What to order: Vegetarian street food

    Reserve

  • Safta

    Israeli $$$

    Many dips, salads and vegetable dishes are vegetarian.

    What to order: Hummus and salatim

    Reserve

  • Ash'Kara

    Middle Eastern $$

    Middle Eastern mezze with vegetarian options.

    What to order: Mezze

    Reserve

  • Denver Central Market

    Food hall $$

    Several vendors with vegetarian choices.

    What to order: Varied stalls

    Reserve

  • Avanti F&B

    Food hall $$

    A food hall where mixed groups can find something for everyone.

    What to order: Varied stalls

    Reserve

Best Green Chile & Iconic Denver Eats

Some foods simply define Denver. Green chile, a spicy pork and chile stew often poured over burritos, is the city's signature, and arguments about the best version never end.

The Denver omelet, Rocky Mountain oysters, Western steakhouses and the theatrical spectacle of Casa Bonita are part of local lore too. Add craft beer from one of the city's first brewpubs and an ice cream cone in LoHi, and you have a taste of Denver's history.

These places are local institutions, some open for decades.

  • El Taco de Mexico

    Mexican $

    A green chile institution on Santa Fe Drive.

    What to order: Smothered burrito

    Reserve

  • Sam's No. 3

    Diner $

    A family diner with roots in 1927, famous for its green chile.

    What to order: Green chile

    Reserve

  • Buckhorn Exchange

    Steakhouse & game $$$

    Denver's oldest restaurant, open since 1893.

    What to order: Rocky Mountain oysters

    Reserve

  • Casa Bonita

    Mexican $$

    Cliff divers, caves and pop-culture fame in Lakewood.

    What to order: Sopapillas

    Reserve

  • Wynkoop Brewing Company

    Brewpub $$

    One of Denver's first brewpubs, in a historic LoDo building near Union Station.

    What to order: House beers

    Reserve

  • Little Man Ice Cream

    Ice cream $

    A LoHi favorite in a giant milk-can-shaped building, with long lines on summer evenings.

    What to order: Ice cream cone

    Reserve

  • Denver Central Market

    Food hall $$

    A RiNo food hall that captures the neighborhood's energy.

    What to order: Varied stalls

    Reserve

Best Restaurants in Denver by Neighborhood

Denver's restaurants are spread across neighborhoods with very different personalities.

LoDo and Union Station are polished and convenient, Larimer Square is historic and lively, RiNo and LoHi are creative and busy, and South Pearl Street and South Broadway have a neighborhood feel. Knowing where to go helps you plan meals around the sights you are visiting.

Here is one standout restaurant for each of the city's main dining neighborhoods.

  • Tavernetta

    Italian $$$

    Union Station: polished Italian dining.

    What to order: Handmade pasta

    Reserve

  • Rioja

    Mediterranean $$$

    Larimer Square: a long-running favorite.

    What to order: House-made pasta

    Reserve

  • Hop Alley

    Chinese $$

    RiNo: bold flavors in a former factory.

    What to order: Modern Chinese dishes

    Reserve

  • Linger

    Global street food $$

    LoHi: rooftop views and global flavors.

    What to order: Small plates

    Reserve

  • Alma Fonda Fina

    Modern Mexican $$$

    Highland: Michelin-starred Mexican cooking.

    What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Sushi Den

    Japanese $$$

    Platt Park: South Pearl Street's sushi institution.

    What to order: Sushi

    Reserve

  • Somebody People

    Vegan $$

    South Broadway: creative vegan cooking.

    What to order: Feed Me tasting

    Reserve

  • El Taco de Mexico

    Mexican $

    Santa Fe Drive: a green chile classic.

    What to order: Smothered burrito

    Reserve

  • The Wolf's Tailor

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    Sunnyside: Colorado's first two-star restaurant.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

  • Guard and Grace

    Steakhouse $$$$

    Downtown: a sleek modern steakhouse.

    What to order: Dry-aged steak

    Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurants in Denver

Denver's dining scene changes quickly, with new openings and closings every month. The Michelin Guide's arrival in Colorado has drawn attention to a new generation of chef-driven restaurants, many of them small, personal and focused on local ingredients.

Recent Michelin additions and Bib Gourmand picks are a good guide to what is generating buzz. Openings and closings move fast, so check current hours and reservations before you go. These picks combine newer stars and places that keep drawing crowds.

  • Kizaki

    Japanese $$$$

    One of the newer additions to Denver's list of Michelin-starred restaurants.

    What to order: Omakase

    Reserve

  • Mezcaleria Alma

    Mexican $$$

    A newer Michelin-starred sibling of Alma Fonda Fina.

    What to order: Agave spirits and Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Alma Fonda Fina

    Modern Mexican $$$

    Still one of the hardest tables to book in Highland.

    What to order: Seasonal Mexican plates

    Reserve

  • Beckon

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    A chef's counter that remains in high demand.

    What to order: Chef's counter menu

    Reserve

  • Brutø

    Wood-fired contemporary $$$$

    A small, fire-driven counter with a loyal following.

    What to order: Wood-fired tasting menu

    Reserve

  • MAKfam

    Chinese-American $$

    A playful Bib Gourmand favorite.

    What to order: Dumplings and noodles

    Reserve

  • La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal

    Mexican $$

    A buzzy spot for pozole and mezcal.

    What to order: Pozole

    Reserve

  • The Wolf's Tailor

    Contemporary tasting menu $$$$

    Colorado's first two-star restaurant keeps evolving its menu.

    What to order: Tasting menu

    Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Denver known for?

Denver is known for green chile, often served smothered over burritos, the Denver omelet, Rocky Mountain oysters at old-school steakhouses, Colorado lamb and bison, and craft beer. Mexican food has deep roots in the city, especially along Santa Fe Drive and in the western neighborhoods.

Does Denver have Michelin-starred restaurants?

Yes. The Michelin Guide Colorado launched in 2023. The Wolf's Tailor holds two stars, the first in the state, and several Denver restaurants hold one star, including Beckon, Brutø and Alma Fonda Fina. Michelin's selections change every year, so check the current guide.

Where is the best neighborhood for food in Denver?

LoHi and Highland are packed with restaurants and rooftop patios, RiNo combines food halls, breweries and chef-driven spots, and LoDo and Union Station offer polished dining near downtown hotels. South Broadway and Santa Fe Drive are good for casual and Mexican food.

Do I need reservations at Denver restaurants?

For Michelin-starred restaurants and popular spots in LoHi, LoDo and Larimer Square, yes, especially on weekends. Tasting menus often release reservations weeks in advance. Food halls, taquerias and casual places generally do not take reservations.

Is Denver a good city for vegetarians?

Yes. Denver has dedicated vegan restaurants, such as Somebody People, and many restaurants with strong vegetarian options. Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and globally inspired menus are especially easy for vegetarians.

How much should I tip at Denver restaurants?

At sit-down restaurants, 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is standard for good service. Some restaurants in Denver add a service charge or fee, so read the bill before adding a tip.