10 Best Denver Restaurants

Famous food in Denver include the Colorado-style Green Chili, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Trout, Palisade Peaches, Craft Beer and Breweries, and Bison. Colorado-style Green Chili is a pork-based stew with green chiles, tomatoes, and tomatillos. It is served with tortillas, burritos, or enchiladas at Brewery Bar II, one of the famous restaurants in Denver. Rocky Mountain Oysters are essentially deep-fried testicles from bulls, bison, or calves, served with cocktail sauce and fries at Buckhorn Exchange. Trout, grilled, smoked, or pan-fried, is available with wild mushrooms, herbs, or seasonal vegetables at Ocean Prime. Palisade Peaches are used in pies, cobblers, jams, and fresh preparations, often featured at the Palisade Peach Festival. 

Craft Beer and Breweries are a staple at the Great American Beer Festival, and these beers are served at various places including Yard House, which offers an assortment of local and national craft beers. Any list of the best food in Denver is never complete without the Bison, which is lean red meat served as steak or burger at Ted’s Montana Grill, Guard and Grace, and other famous eateries in the city.

The average cost of a meal in Denver depends on the restaurant type and meal selection. Single meals at inexpensive restaurants cost around $21 per person, with a range of $15 to $40, while fast food combo meals average $12. Mid-range restaurants offer three-course meals for two for $85 on average, with prices between $60 and $140. High-end restaurants feature tasting menus priced between $75 and $235 per person, excluding beverages, tax, and tip. The average cost of food in Denver is $73 per day per person, based on previous travelers' spending habits, with daily food expenses ranging from $31 to $147. Typical meal prices include breakfast at $7 to $22, lunch at $11 to $29, dinner at $22 to $51, coffee at $6, and fast food or street food at $11. 

Fine dining in Denver blends upscale cuisine with a mix of traditional and casual service. Fine dining restaurants in Denver, like The Regular and Alma Fonda Fina, redefine luxury dining by offering high-end dishes in a relaxed setting, making it more approachable. Michelin-starred spots such as The Wolf’s Tailor and Brutø focus on tasting menus with personalized service. For a more classic Denver fine dining experience, options include Barolo Grill and Frasca Food and Wine, where impeccable service, refined menus, and elegant atmospheres can be expected. Prices range from $95 to $215 for multi-course menus, with high-quality ingredients and expertly crafted dishes defining the experience.

The most popular fast food restaurants in Denver are listed below:

• Taco Bell: Known for Mexican-inspired fast food in Denver, including tacos, burritos, and nachos.
• Smashburger: Specializes in handcrafted burgers with fresh ingredients and signature smashed patties.
• Del Taco: Offers a mix of American and Mexican fast food, including tacos, burritos, and burgers.
• McDonald’s: Iconic for burgers, fries, and breakfast options.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill: Known for customizable burritos, bowls, and tacos made with fresh ingredients.
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers: Specializes in chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, and Texas toast.
• In-N-Out Burger: Famous for fresh, never-frozen burgers, hand-cut fries, and milkshakes.
• The Original Chubby’s: A local favorite serving Mexican-American fast food, including smothered burritos and green chili fries.
• Jack in the Box: Offers a diverse menu, including burgers, tacos, and breakfast all day.

The new restaurants in Denver as of February 16, 2025 are listed below:

• Xiquita Restaurante y Bar: Erasmo "Ras" Casiano and Diego Coconati opened Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, one of the most anticipated new restaurants in Denver, featuring traditional Mexican cuisine. Located at 500 East 19th Avenue, Denver, CO.
• Little Arthur's: AJ Shreffler transformed his Philly-inspired hoagie pop-up into a permanent location inside Out of the Barrel Taproom. Located at 205 East Seventh Avenue, Denver, CO.
• Corsica: Mediterranean restaurant in RiNo offering small plates like chicken liver mousse, baked lumache in spicy crab sauce, a curated wine list, and among Denver new restaurants. Located at 2801 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205.
• Carne: Chef Dana “Loca” Rodriguez opened this RiNo steakhouse featuring globally inspired dishes like grilled achiote-rubbed octopus and Argentinian-style tri-tip. Located at 2601 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205.
• Dân Dã: Savory Vietnam returns under a new name, serving DIY spring rolls, clay pots, and periwinkles in lemongrass-coconut sauce. Located at 9945 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora, CO 80010.
• Saverina: Christian Graves leads this modern Italian restaurant inside the Kimpton Claret Hotel, serving dishes like tuna carpaccio with veal sweetbreads and octopus Bolognese. Located at 6985 East Chenango Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80237.
• Osteria Alberico: Frasca Hospitality Group brings a cozy Italian eatery to Englewood, featuring fritto misto, roast pork loin with Honeycrisp apples, and speck pizza. Located at 3455 South University Boulevard, Englewood, CO.
• La Forêt: Rustic French restaurant replacing Beatrice & Woodsley, offering escargot au Champagne, wild boar ribs, and fried frog’s legs. Located at 38 South Broadway, Denver, CO.

The must try restaurants in Denver are listed below:

• The Wolf's Tailor: Michelin-starred restaurant blending Japanese and Italian influences with a zero-waste approach, known for house-milled grains, Robata-grilled dishes, and an intimate dining experience, and among the must eat places in Denver for innovative dining
• Noisette: Refined French restaurant offering elegant dishes like foie gras and Dover sole, featuring vintage decor and an attached bakery with high-quality pastries.
• A5 Steakhouse: Modern steakhouse emphasizing sustainability and unique cuts like Japanese striploin and Denver steak, offering creative starters and a stylish atmosphere.
• Tavernetta: Upscale Italian restaurant known for handmade pastas, fresh seafood, and expertly prepared meats, featuring a chic ambiance with Italian-inspired decor.
• Denver Union Station: Historic hub transformed into a culinary destination, showcasing Snooze for breakfast, Mercantile Dining & Provision for refined cuisine, and The Cooper Lounge for cocktails.
• Café Brazil: Lively South American eatery serving bold flavors like seafood Copacabana and moqueca de peixe, featuring an extensive rum bar with unique cocktails.
• Barolo Grill: Northern Italian restaurant specializing in handcrafted pastas, braised meats, and an extensive wine selection, offering a cozy, intimate dining experience.
• Safta: Modern Israeli restaurant featuring fresh pita, hummus with lamb ragù, and Moroccan carrot salad, known for an open, airy space and unique wine selection.
• Jax Fish House: Seafood institution offering fresh oysters, king crab legs, and seasonal fish dishes, popular for lively ambiance and sustainable sourcing, a must try food in Denver destination for seafood lovers.
• The Bindery: Market, bakery, and restaurant serving globally inspired dishes like smoked rabbit pie and Spanish octopus tostada, featuring a sleek, contemporary setting.
• Hey Kiddo: Playful dining spot known for inventive dishes like wagyu short rib with pear soy glaze and house-made bucatini, including a hidden bar, OK Yeah, for cocktails.
• Annette: James Beard-recognized small-plates restaurant serving bold flavors like beef tongue with pickled carrot relish and pork schnitzel, featuring a bright, plant-filled space.

Restaurants in Denver that serve vegan food include Next Level Burger, Somebody People, Watercourse Foods, and Wellness Sushi. Next Level Burger is a vegan, non-GMO, and organic burger chain offering plant-based burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, shakes, and fries, with gluten-free options and eco-friendly packaging. Somebody People is an upscale all-vegan restaurant with a creative, chef-driven menu and a full bar. Watercourse Foods specializes in vegan comfort food, offering dishes like vegan Benedict, tofu plates, Mexican-inspired fare, and a popular weekend brunch with French toast, having transitioned to a fully vegan menu in 2012. Wellness Sushi on East Colfax Avenue is Denver’s first 100% plant-based sushi and Japanese eatery, serving sushi rolls and curry bowls since 2021.

Restaurants in Denver that serve gluten-free food include Rivers and Roads Coffee, Quiero Arepas, Moore Bread Bakery, and Sweet Izzy. Rivers and Roads Coffee is a dedicated gluten-free café and bakery offering sandwiches, breakfast items, fries, and avocado toast. Quiero Arepas is a food truck serving Venezuelan arepas. Moore Bread Bakery specializes in gluten-free baked goods like donuts, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and beignets. Sweet Izzy is Denver’s first plant-based, gluten-free ice cream shop, featuring brownies, cookies, and house-made ice cream cones.

Yes, many restaurants in Denver are healthy, as the city ranks 7th out of 182 cities in the U.S. for healthiness, according to WalletHub's 2024 analysis. The ranking is based on a score of 61.99, with high marks in food (11th), green space (16th), and fitness (19th). Several health-conscious restaurants contribute to the ranking, including Vital Root in Northwest Denver serves vegan and vegetarian dishes made from organic ingredients. Watercourse in Uptown offers a vegan menu with locally sourced, plant-based comfort foods. Turtle Boat on Broadway focuses on sustainably sourced fish and offers vegan and vegetarian options. 

The famous Denver cuisines include:

• American Cuisine: Denver is well-known for dishes like bison burgers, Rocky Mountain oysters, and hearty stews.
• Mexican Cuisine: The city’s Mexican food scene thrives, with green chili, burritos, tacos, and tamales. El Five offers a unique blend of Mexican and Mediterranean flavors, while Safta serves Israeli-Mexican fusion.
• Vietnamese Cuisine: Denver boasts a growing Vietnamese scene with pho, banh mi sandwiches, and fresh spring rolls, found at Pho 95 and Vietnam Grill.
• French Cuisine: French bistros like Bistro Vendôme serve classic dishes such as croissants, escargot, and coq au vin.
• Thai Cuisine: Denver’s Thai restaurants are worth a try, with authentic dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and tom yum soup at spots like Thai Pot and Chada Thai.
• Japanese Cuisine: Japanese restaurants in Denver serve sushi, sashimi, and ramen, with Uchi Denver offering upscale sushi and creative dishes.
• Mediterranean Cuisine: El Five blends Mediterranean flavors with a vibrant atmosphere.

The best restaurants in Denver typically feature bison, Rocky Mountain oysters, craft beer, Palisade peaches, and green chili on the menu, which are all considered the best food in Denver. Bison is featured in dishes like burgers and steaks. Rocky Mountain oysters are often deep-fried and served with sauces. The city’s craft beer scene includes a wide range of styles, with many restaurants pairing local brews with meals. Palisade peaches are used in both savory dishes and desserts. Green chili is served on different items, from burgers to pizza.

The best restaurants in Denver serve bison and Mountain Pie, which are unique to the city. Ted’s Montana Grill offers bison, which is 84% lower in fat than other red meats, making it a healthier option. It is best cooked medium-rare. Beau Jo’s serves Mountain Pie, a thick-crust pizza with a honey-sweetened crust, topped with cheese and various toppings. This Colorado-style pizza is a local specialty. Beau Jo’s also features the 14er pizza challenge at their Idaho Springs location, where you can try to eat a 14-pound pizza in under an hour to win $100 and two free t-shirts. 

The most unique restaurants in Denver like FlyteCo Tower and Linger are a must-visit. FlyteCo Tower, an establishment situated in a former airport control tower, features bowling lanes, mini golf, and a full arcade, offering unique dining experiences Denver like wonton-wrapped fried pickles and Beer Cheese Soup, with beers served on an airplane-shaped tray. Linger, which is a restaurant in a repurposed mortuary, serves global street food like bao buns and grilled kebabs. The quirky décor and rooftop bar add to the experience, with cocktails such as the Mortuary Margarita enhancing the vibe.