Best Affordable Restaurants in Denver
Best Restaurants in Downtown Denver
Most Fun Restaurants in Denver for Families
Cheat Sheet: What Are the Best Restaurants in Denver Right Now?
Best Restaurants in Denver FAQs
What do Michelin-starred concepts, trendy fusion hotspots, farm-to-table eateries, and bustling communal food halls have in common? They each contribute to Denver’s diverse culinary scene as a premier destination for food lovers.
Living in Denver means you can opt for a casual taqueria one day and a multi-course tasting menu the next. Or if your taste buds are feeling particularly adventurous, there’s nothing quite like a platter of iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters from Denver’s oldest steakhouse, The Buckhorn Exchange. The options are endless (not to mention delicious), but here are our picks for the best restaurants in Denver to satisfy every craving.
Top 10 Best Restaurants in Denver
The best restaurants in Denver run the gamut from intimate fine dining establishments helmed by experimental chefs to affordable lunch counters and food trucks that never sacrifice quality. No matter what you’re in the mood for, these top 10 restaurants in Denver will dish up a meal worth savoring. Consider this your crash course in the Mile High City’s food scene.
Best Fine Dining in Denver
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking to impress on a first date, you want a restaurant that combines enticing flavors with an elegant ambiance. When it comes to the best fine dining in Denver, these establishments are worth every penny.
1. The Wolf’s Tailor – Open-Flame Kitchen Experience
- Price: $$$$
- Kudos: Two Michelin stars
- Known For: Rotating seasonal menu, influenced by nature
- Website: thewolfstailor.com
The Wolf’s Tailor is the first of the seven Michelin-starred restaurants in Denver to earn two stars. Dining here feels like a sensory experience shaped by the changing seasons. Even the ambiance reflects this earthy connection through a rustic wood interior and a lush patio with tents. As for the menu, each course features local ingredients (from bison to beets) infused with Italian and Asian flavors and cooked over an open flame.
2. Kizaki – Traditional Japanese Omakase
- Price: $$$$
- Kudos: One Michelin star
- Known For: 20-course sushi menu with centuries-old techniques
- Website: kizakiden.com
If you want to set the mood for date night, reserve a table at Kizaki. This Japanese omakase spot is one of the most romantic restaurants in Denver. Soft lighting accentuates the black stone walls and sleek wood panels, while the chef’s counter invites you to linger for hours. And that’s by design, as the meticulous tasting menu spans 20 courses featuring everything from cured salmon to raw scallops.
Best Affordable Restaurants in Denver
Finding the best places to eat in Denver doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. These top-notch eateries prove you can grab a quick and cheap meal without compromising taste. On that note, here are some of the best affordable restaurants in Denver.
3. Tocabe – Authentic Indigenous Flavors
- Price: $
- Known For: Contemporary take on Native American cuisine
- Website: tocabe.com
Tocabe earns a spot among the most unique restaurants in Denver as the metro area’s only Indigenous-owned cafe. From the heirloom ingredients to the ancestral recipes, each intentional detail reflects Native American culture. But Tocabe also isn’t afraid to serve up a modern twist on this traditional fare. Think stuffed fry bread with cheese, smothered in ancho chipotle sauce. Plus, everything on the menu costs less than $20.
4. Chuey Fu’s – Latin and Asian Fusion
- Price: $
- Known For: Mexican and Asian street food in a funky atmosphere
- Website: chueyfus.com
A Mexican street market and Korean BBQ joint come together at Chuey Fu’s, one of the best restaurants in Denver for fusion cuisine. Here, ramen bowls are sprinkled with cilantro and jalapeños, while quesadillas come with a side of sriracha crema. The interior is just as quirky as the food, with industrial ceilings and colorful murals, but the real attraction is the daily special: $3 tacos and $2 off cocktails from 4–7 PM.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Denver
From luxe 1920s-era lounges to airy farm-to-table cafes, the best restaurants in Downtown Denver offer standout atmospheres, flavors, and experiences. No matter the vibe or occasion, your night on the town starts with these Downtown Denver restaurants.
5. Mercantile – Farm-to-Table Ingredients
- Price: $$$
- Kudos: James Beard-winning chef
- Known For: Sustainable, locally-sourced New American fare
- Website: mercantiledenver.com
Farm-to-table is more than a buzzword at Mercantile. It’s woven into the ethos of everything that comes out of this James Beard–winning kitchen. Nestled in the hip LoDo enclave of Downtown Denver, this restaurant is known for its sustainable produce, meats, fish, and grains, sourced from local farmers. The wine list also reflects this commitment to sustainability, while the dining room bursts with foliage for a fresh, airy ambiance.
6. Cooper Lounge – Time-Honored Elegance
- Price: $$
- Known For: Exceptional craft cocktails, small bites, and skyline views
- Website: cooperlounge.com
The opulence of the Roaring Twenties comes alive at Cooper Lounge, where candlelit tables, plush leather chairs, and ornate chandeliers set the tone for a chic evening in Union Station. Savor a house old-fashioned as you look out through the 28-foot cast iron windows offering sweeping views of the Downtown Denver skyline. When it’s time for dinner, reach for shareable plates like whipped ricotta with pears, beets, and pistachios.
Most Fun Restaurants in Denver for Families
If there are little foodies in your crew, no need to sweat it: the best places to eat in Denver cater to palates of all ages. Whether it’s a stack of waffles for brunch or a wood-fired pizza for dinner, here are some of the most fun restaurants in Denver for families.
7. Four Friends Kitchen – Southern Comfort Food
- Price: $
- Known For: Hearty, down-home breakfast and lunch favorites
- Website: fourfriendskitchen.com
Whether it’s a leisurely brunch or a satisfying lunch, Four Friends Kitchen has you covered. This no-frills cafe serves Southern soul food classics (think creamy shrimp and grits or fried green tomato Benedict), along with kid-friendly options like PB&J waffles. Four Friends Kitchen is also one of the best gluten-free restaurants in Denver, with a menu that caters to special dietary needs. There’s even an Etch-A-Sketch wall to keep the little ones entertained.
8. Homegrown Tap & Dough – The Rockies Meet Italy
- Price: $$
- Known For: House-made pizza and pasta with a Colorado twist
- Website: tapanddough.com
In terms of the most fun restaurants in Denver, it’s hard to beat Homegrown Tap & Dough. Here, you’ll experience both the charm of an Italian trattoria and the cozy vibes of a Colorado ski lodge. Signature wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and local craft brews are served inside retro gondolas converted into family-sized booths. There’s also a vintage arcade room on the patio for children and adults alike to enjoy.
Cool Restaurants in Denver
The food scene here is buzzing with culinary hotspots that reinvent what a dining experience can be. From global fusion concepts to avant-garde menus, these must-try restaurants in Denver are trendy without feeling too gimmicky.
9. BearLeek – Creativity on a Plate
- Price: $$$
- Known For: Unique flavor combinations and artistic presentation
- Website: bearleek.com
BearLeek has only been open since 2025, but it already ranks among the best new restaurants in Denver. This underground spot reflects the creative energy of its location in the buzzy RiNo district (a.k.a. one of the best neighborhoods in Denver). Graffiti-covered walls, exposed brick accents, and neon lights lend a funky ambiance. Meanwhile, the artfully curated menu draws inspiration from Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cuisines.
10. Avanti F&B – Globally-Inspired Food Hall
- Price: $$
- Known For: Something for everyone, from burgers to arepas
- Website: avantifandb.com
We can’t talk about cool restaurants in Denver without paying tribute to its iconic food hall scene, and no place does it better than Avanti. This warehouse-turned-communal food hall is home to seven eclectic restaurants serving everything from smoked salmon arepas to ostrich hot dogs. The menu options also draw inspiration from around the globe, with German, Thai, and Venezuelan cuisine all under one roof.
Cheat Sheet: What Are the Best Restaurants in Denver Right Now?
Your taste buds won’t be able to resist these must-try restaurants in Denver. In fact, some of the most enjoyable things to do in Denver center around its unforgettable culinary scene. But if you’re looking for the standouts, here are the absolute best places to eat in Denver.
- The Wolf’s Tailor – Best Michelin-starred restaurant
- Tocabe – Best affordable restaurant
- Mercantile – Best downtown restaurant
- Kizaki – Best romantic restaurant
- Homegrown Tap & Dough – Best restaurant for families
- BearLeek – Best cool restaurant
Best Restaurants in Denver FAQs
What Is the Number One Restaurant in Denver?
Out of all the restaurants in Denver, only The Wolf’s Tailor has earned two Michelin stars. That distinction makes it the Mile High City’s number one restaurant. This innovative concept from Chef Kelly Whitaker features an impeccable menu that seamlessly blends international flavors with live-fire cooking techniques. Meanwhile, the decor strikes a balance between rustic and refined for a multi-course tasting experience unlike any other.
Where Do Celebrities Eat in Denver?
You can spot celebrities, from Denver Broncos players to former Top Chef contestants to Metallica frontman James Hetfield, at Guard and Grace. This 9,000-square-foot restaurant in Downtown Denver is known for artisan charcuterie, fresh seafood, premium Wagyu beef, and innovative cocktails. Guard and Grace also ranks among the best U.S. steakhouses.
Great Taste Deserves Space
The first step after crossing all the items off your moving checklist is to sample these must-try restaurants in Denver. Then, once those cravings are satisfied, it’s time for step two: settling into your new home. If the space feels cramped after you unpack, CubeSmart’s Denver self-storage options have you covered. We offer a wide range of solutions, from climate-controlled units to boat storage and more.* Find a CubeSmart storage facility near you.
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