15 Best Restaurants in Denver, Colorado
Denver’s food scene has been quietly leveling up, mixing Rocky Mountain ingredients with global flavors.
These 15 best restaurants in Denver prove this city knows how to eat well.
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1. Tavernetta
Tavernetta brings authentic Italian flavors to Denver’s Union Station neighborhood with handmade pastas and regional classics.
The vibe is all about genuine Italian hospitality and celebrating Italy’s culinary traditions.
The open kitchen means you can catch the chefs in action, crafting each plate with that kind of care you can taste. The space feels both welcoming and a little bit fancy, but never stuffy.
Best For: Date nights and those craving authentic regional Italian dishes in an elegant setting.
2. Jack’s on Pearl
Jack’s on Pearl is a modern American steakhouse with a pecan and oak wood-fired grill and a touch of Southern swagger.
Try the dry-aged fish here—bluefin tuna and Otoro that’ll make you do a double take.
The restaurant snagged 2023’s Best Steak in Colorado, and the menu’s rounded out with super fresh oysters from both coasts.
Best For: Celebrating special occasions with top-notch steaks and unique dry-aged seafood in an upscale setting.
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3. Guard and Grace Modern Steakhouse
Guard and Grace redefines the modern steakhouse with Chef Troy Guard’s wood-fired creations and seriously high-quality ingredients.
It’s MICHELIN Guide-recommended and even landed on the world’s top steakhouse list in 2024.
The downtown space is big and bright, with prime, certified Angus, and Wagyu cuts plus an impressive raw bar. The patio’s huge, and the open kitchen means you’re never far from the action.
Best For: Special occasions and date nights with world-class steaks and a sophisticated downtown vibe.
4. Root Down
Root Down is all about farm-to-table with a global twist, serving up seasonal dishes that change with Colorado’s harvest.
This Highlands favorite leans hard into organic, natural, and locally-sourced ingredients.
Housed in a converted gas station with mid-century flair and quirky eBay finds, it’s got dual patios, an eclectic bar, and a bunch of cozy nooks.
Their bottomless brunch gets packed, and the creative dinner menu keeps regulars coming back.
Best For: Fresh seasonal cuisine with global flavors in a converted gas station that’s way cooler than it sounds.
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5. Rioja
Rioja in Larimer Square spins Mediterranean flavors with Colorado ingredients. Chef Jennifer Jasinski, Denver’s first James Beard Award winner, crafts rustic dishes like handmade pasta and smoky grilled octopus.
The open kitchen and copper bar give the place an intimate, lively feel, and the seasonal menu means you’ll probably want to try something new every time.
Best For: Date nights and special occasions with award-winning Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Larimer Square.
6. Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings is Denver’s go-to for authentic dim sum and handmade dumplings.
Recognized as the premier dim sum spot in the Front Range, it’s grown to multiple locations.
Fresh, made-to-order dumplings with all sorts of fillings show off traditional techniques. The place has become a standout in Denver’s recent dumpling craze.
Best For: Authentic dim sum, handmade dumplings, and traditional Chinese flavors in a laid-back setting.
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7. Work & Class
Work & Class mashes up U.S. and Latin American flavors in Denver’s RiNo district. Chef Dana Rodriguez, who grew up on a farm in Chihuahua, Mexico, brings a down-to-earth approach to every plate.
The menu’s got roasted meats, rotisserie chicken, and slow-braised brisket, plus freshly baked tortillas. It’s comfort food with a Latin twist, casual, and never pretentious.
Best For: Comfort food fusion with killer cocktails in a relaxed neighborhood hangout.
8. Sushi Den
Sushi Den has been a Denver staple for nearly four decades, often considered one of the country’s top sushi spots.
Master Chef Toshi Kizaki sources the best ingredients worldwide, and it shows. Set on Old South Pearl Street, it’s ranked among Denver’s best with a loyal following.
Best For: Fresh sushi and authentic Japanese fare at a tried-and-true Denver institution.
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9. Steuben’s
Steuben’s Uptown is all about classic American comfort food with a retro twist. Think killer pot roast, brunch that lives up to the hype, and lobster dishes that surprise you in the best way.
The menu sticks to hearty classics, made from scratch and served in generous portions.
Best For: Comfort food cravings and retro vibes with friends or family.
10. Safta
Safta brings modern Israeli cooking to Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, pulling in influences from North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Chef Alon Shaya’s dishes blend Middle Eastern traditions with fresh, contemporary touches.
Set inside the Source Hotel, the space is airy and bright, with communal tables and bold patterns that make meals feel extra welcoming.
The Michelin Guide nod is well deserved, and the house-made breads are a must.
Best For: Date nights and special occasions with standout Middle Eastern food.
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11. The Wolf’s Tailor
The Wolf’s Tailor has a Michelin Star and a reputation for pushing boundaries with contemporary American cuisine.
Chef Taylor Stark’s tasting menu leans local, with Colorado ingredients front and center.
The menu shifts with the seasons—fresh produce in the summer, creative grains and fermentation in the colder months.
Sustainability’s not just a buzzword here; the kitchen uses product trim for canapés and makes the most of every ingredient.
Best For: Special occasions and those after Michelin-starred dining with creative, locally-sourced tasting menus.
12. Mercantile
Mercantile lives inside Union Station, serving up seasonal American plates with a Colorado spin.
James Beard winner Alex Seidel works with local farmers to create comfort food that feels fresh and modern.
Handcrafted pastas, hearty meat dishes, and a wine library fill out the menu in a space with wood floors and leather banquettes. There’s also an artisanal market if you want to take a little something home.
Best For: Modern American comfort food in Denver’s most iconic train station.
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13. Alma Fonda Fina
Chef Johnny Curiel brings his Guadalajara roots to Denver’s LoHi neighborhood at this Michelin-starred spot.
His contemporary Mexican cooking is both traditional and inventive, with years of training behind every dish.
The space is cozy and light-filled, with warm ceramics and woven textiles. Alma Fonda Fina’s been recognized by Esquire and the James Beard Foundation for good reason.
Best For: Elevated Mexican cuisine in an intimate, award-winning setting.
14. Linger
Linger brings Asian fusion energy to Denver’s LoHi neighborhood, set in a former mortuary that’s now one of the city’s most playful restaurants.
Street food-inspired dishes from all over—duck fried rice, Mongolian BBQ duck bao, Pad Thai—keep things interesting.
The rooftop patio has some of the best city views around. Linger ranks high for creative small plates and a lively, colorful atmosphere.
Best For: Rooftop dining with panoramic views and inventive Asian fusion street food.
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15. Barolo Grill
Barolo Grill leans into Northern Italian cuisine, and it’s tough to resist coming back for another round.
Expect refined plates—Bistecca di manzo, or Barolo-style braised duck with Kalamata olives—that feel both classic and a bit adventurous.
The wine list is one of Denver’s best, hands down, and the staff’s annual jaunts to Europe show in their recommendations.
Best For: Marking a special night or sharing a romantic meal, especially if you appreciate Northern Italian cooking.
