10 Best Colorado Restaurants

The food Colorado is famous for includes Rocky Mountain oysters, bison, and the Denver Omelet. The state's food identity is shaped by its Rocky Mountain location and ranching history, leading to a focus on game meats like bison and elk. What sets Colorado's food apart is this emphasis on "Rocky Mountain Cuisine," which incorporates local, wild ingredients into modern American dishes. The state is also known for its green chile, a staple of Southwestern cooking that is used as a sauce for everything from burritos to burgers. The Denver Omelet, made with diced ham, onions, and green bell peppers, is a classic American dish that originated in the city.

The average cost of a meal in Colorado at a budget restaurant is between $20 and $35 for one person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $80 and $130. Meals at high-end or fine dining establishments like Frasca Food and Wine or Beckon start at $195 per person and can exceed $250, depending on the menu and selections.

Colorado is the birthplace of several major fast-food and fast-casual chains, making them extremely popular across the state. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Noodles & Company, and Smashburger all started in Colorado and are local favorites. These chains, along with national brands, are some of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the state.

• Chipotle Mexican Grill: Founded in Denver, this chain is a national leader in fast-casual Mexican food, known for its burritos and bowls.
• Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard: A Colorado-based chain famous for its all-natural beef burgers, wild fries, and frozen custard.
• Smashburger: This Denver-born chain is known for its "smashed" burgers, which are seared on a hot griddle to create a crispy crust.
• Noodles & Company: Founded in Cherry Creek, this chain offers a wide variety of noodle dishes from different international cuisines.
• Quiznos: This sandwich chain, which originated in Denver, is known for its toasted submarine sandwiches.
• Illegal Pete's: A Colorado-based chain similar to Chipotle, popular for its burritos, bowls, and full bar with a lively atmosphere.
• Santiago's: A local chain famous for its breakfast burritos and authentic, inexpensive Mexican food.
• Torchy's Tacos: An Austin-based chain with a huge following in Colorado for its creative and unconventional tacos.

The Colorado dining scene, especially in Denver and Boulder, is constantly expanding with new and exciting concepts. Recent openings include Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, which focuses on Eastern European cuisine, and Kawa Ni, a Japanese pub. These new establishments bring fresh perspectives to the state's food landscape.

• Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails: A new Denver restaurant serving a modern take on Eastern European food, particularly Ukranian cuisine with dishes like borscht and pierogies. Located at 3333 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206.
• Kawa Ni: A Japanese pub from the team behind The Wolf's Tailor, offering ramen, small plates, and cocktails in Denver's LoHi neighborhood. Located at 1900 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211.
• Hey Kiddo: A restaurant in the Asher Hotel in Berkeley featuring a creative, globally inspired menu. Located at 4337 Tennyson St, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80212.
• Corsica: A new restaurant in Denver's RiNo neighborhood inspired by the coastal cuisines of France and Italy. Located at 2801 Walnut St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80205.

Downtown Denver serves as the primary hub for many of Colorado's best restaurants, featuring a high concentration of the state's most acclaimed and innovative dining establishments. The best restaurants in this central area are listed below:

• Tavernetta: An upscale Italian restaurant next to Union Station, known for its regional Italian cuisine and sophisticated atmosphere.
• The Wolf's Tailor: A two-Michelin-starred restaurant offering a unique tasting menu that blends Italian and Japanese culinary traditions.
• Beckon: An intimate, Michelin-starred chef's counter offering a ticketed, multi-course tasting menu.
• La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal: A Michelin Bib Gourmand winner specializing in multiple regional variations of pozole and an extensive mezcal list.
• Sushi Den: A landmark Denver institution that has set the standard for high-quality sushi in the region for decades.
• Guard and Grace: A large, modern steakhouse known for its high-quality steaks, extensive raw bar, and energetic atmosphere.

Yes, there are lunch spots in Colorado worth trying, including Denver's Vert Kitchen, Boulder's Organic Sandwich Company, and the different vendors at Avanti Food & Beverage. Vert Kitchen is known for its fresh, healthy salads and sandwiches made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Organic Sandwich Company in Boulder focuses on creative, handcrafted sandwiches using organic and sustainable products. For more variety, Avanti Food & Beverage is a food hall with multiple vendors offering quick-service options from pizza to tacos, making it an ideal spot for a group lunch.

Yes, there are good places for dinner in Colorado, such as the Michelin-starred Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, the iconic Flagstaff House, and the modern Tavernetta in Denver. Frasca Food and Wine offers a premier fine-dining experience with its deep focus on the cuisine and wine of Italy's Friuli region. Flagstaff House provides a classic fine-dining experience with breathtaking mountain views and an extensive wine list. For a more contemporary but equally high-quality dinner, Tavernetta serves exceptional regional Italian cuisine in a stylish, bustling atmosphere next to Union Station.

Colorado has a strong and growing number of vegan restaurants, especially in Denver and Boulder including Watercourse Foods, City O' City, and Somebody People. Watercourse Foods is one of Denver's oldest and most beloved vegan restaurants, serving a huge menu of plant-based comfort food. Its sibling restaurant, City O' City, offers vegetarian and vegan dishes with a focus on pizza and a lively bar scene. Somebody People is a popular Denver spot known for its vegetable-focused, Mediterranean-inspired vegan menu.

Restaurants in Colorado that serve gluten-free food include dedicated bakeries like Deby's Gluten Free and restaurants with extensive gluten-free options. Deby's Gluten Free in Denver is a 100% gluten-free facility that offers baked goods, pastas, and other products. For dining out, many restaurants are accommodating. For example, The Kitchen offers a menu with clearly marked gluten-free items, and fine-dining establishments like Frasca Food and Wine and Beckon can cater to gluten-free needs with advance notice.

Colorado's most famous cuisines are New American/Rocky Mountain Cuisine and Southwestern. The state's culinary identity is shaped by its mountain environment and its proximity to the American Southwest. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Colorado.

• New American/Rocky Mountain: This cuisine emphasizes fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, with a particular focus on game meats like bison, elk, and lamb. It represents a modern, chef-driven approach to the region's natural bounty.
• Southwestern: Colorado's version of Southwestern cuisine is heavily influenced by New Mexico, with a strong emphasis on green and red chiles. Green chile is a staple, used as a sauce to smother burritos, burgers, and fries.
• Mexican: Beyond the Southwestern influence, Colorado has a large and diverse Mexican food scene, from authentic, family-run taquerias to upscale restaurants focusing on regional Mexican specialties.
• Italian: The state has a robust Italian food scene, ranging from classic red-sauce joints to high-end restaurants like Frasca Food and Wine and Tavernetta, which specialize in authentic regional Italian cuisine.
• Craft Brewery/Gastropub: Colorado is a national leader in the craft beer movement, and this has fostered a strong gastropub culture. Many breweries have full-service kitchens serving elevated pub fare designed to pair with their beers.