Denver is a foodie’s paradise, with a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are some of the best restaurants in Denver:
Acorn
Acorn is a highly-rated restaurant located in Denver, Colorado, in the United States. The restaurant serves New American cuisine with an emphasis on wood-fired cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. The menu features a variety of dishes including small plates, large plates, and shareable items.
Acorn is located in The Source, a repurposed industrial building that houses several other restaurants and specialty food vendors. The restaurant has a modern and sleek design, with an open kitchen and a bar area.
Acorn has received numerous accolades and awards since its opening in 2013, including being named one of the “Best New Restaurants” by Bon Appétit magazine in 2014. If you’re in Denver and looking for a great dining experience, Acorn is definitely worth checking out.
Mercantile Dining & Provision
Mercantile Dining & Provision is a restaurant located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It is a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on serving dishes made with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant is located in a historic building and features a market where customers can purchase artisanal products, including cheeses, meats, and pastries.
Mercantile Dining & Provision offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, as well as a bar menu and a happy hour menu. The menus change frequently to reflect the availability of seasonal ingredients. Some of the dishes that have been featured on the restaurant’s menus include smoked trout rillettes, roasted beet salad, grilled ribeye steak, and buttermilk fried chicken.
The restaurant has received numerous awards and accolades, including a James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in 2015. The restaurant’s chef and owner, Alex Seidel, is a James Beard Award winner and has been named Chef of the Year by both Denver Magazine and Eater Denver.
Fruition Restaurant
Fruition Restaurant is a fine-dining establishment located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It was opened in 2007 by Chef Alex Seidel, who has since gained national recognition for his farm-to-table cuisine and commitment to using locally sourced ingredients.
The menu at Fruition Restaurant changes regularly to reflect seasonal availability, but typically features dishes such as roasted bone marrow, Colorado lamb, and handmade pasta. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list and creative cocktail program.
Fruition has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2018, and recognition as one of the best restaurants in Denver by publications such as 5280 Magazine and The Denver Post.
Reservations are recommended for dining at Fruition Restaurant, and the dress code is business casual.
The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille Denver is a popular fine-dining steakhouse located in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado. The restaurant is known for its elegant atmosphere, exceptional service, and delicious cuisine, with a focus on premium steaks and seafood.
The Capital Grille Denver offers a variety of dishes, including dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, salads, and appetizers. Some of the most popular menu items include the bone-in ribeye, filet mignon, and lobster bisque. The restaurant also has an extensive wine list with options from around the world, as well as a selection of handcrafted cocktails and spirits.
The interior of The Capital Grille Denver is sophisticated and refined, with rich wood paneling, plush leather seating, and classic artwork adorning the walls. The restaurant also features a private dining room that can accommodate groups for business meetings, special occasions, or intimate gatherings.
Safta
Safta is a highly acclaimed Middle Eastern restaurant located in Denver, Colorado. It is located in the Source Hotel and Market Hall in the River North (RiNo) neighborhood of Denver. Safta is known for its modern take on Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes that are inspired by the flavors and ingredients of the region.
The restaurant is helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Alon Shaya, who has created a menu that is both inventive and approachable. Some of the standout dishes at Safta include the hummus with lamb ragout, the grilled octopus with tahini and preserved lemon, and the lamb shawarma with sumac onions and tahini.
Safta’s interior is stylish and contemporary, with a bright and airy dining room that features exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows. The restaurant also has an open kitchen where diners can watch the chefs at work.
ChoLon
ChoLon is a restaurant located in Denver, Colorado that offers modern Asian cuisine. The restaurant’s name is derived from the historic Chinese district in Saigon, Vietnam. ChoLon’s menu features a range of dishes inspired by the cuisines of China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Some of ChoLon’s most popular dishes include the soup dumplings, Kaya Toast, and the Wagyu beef skewers. The restaurant also has an extensive cocktail menu and offers a variety of wines and beers.
A friend who does Denver project controls told me ChoLon has received numerous accolades for its cuisine and dining experience, including being named one of the “Best New Restaurants” in America by Bon Appetit magazine and receiving a James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Southwest.”
Rioja
Rioja is a restaurant located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It is known for its contemporary American cuisine and extensive wine list, with a particular focus on Spanish and Californian wines. The restaurant has won numerous awards for its food and wine, and has been recognized by several publications, including the James Beard Foundation, Wine Spectator, and Zagat. Rioja offers a range of dishes, including small plates, entrees, and desserts, with many ingredients sourced locally and sustainably. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and is popular with both locals and tourists.
Vesta
Vesta Denver is a restaurant located in Denver, Colorado, USA. It offers contemporary American cuisine with a focus on wood-fired cooking and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has a modern and elegant atmosphere, and features a menu that changes frequently to showcase the freshest ingredients available. Vesta Denver is known for its extensive wine list and craft cocktails, as well as its creative and flavorful dishes such as the lamb loin, octopus, and pork belly.
Super Mega Bien
Super Mega Bien is actually the name of a restaurant located in Denver, Colorado. It is a Latin-inspired restaurant that features a lively atmosphere and a menu of creative and flavorful dishes. The restaurant is known for its delicious ceviches, empanadas, and grilled meats, as well as its extensive selection of cocktails and spirits. If you’re in Denver and looking for a fun and flavorful dining experience, Super Mega Bien is definitely worth a visit!
El Five
El Five is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located in Denver, Colorado. It offers a range of dishes that draw inspiration from Spain, Greece, Israel, and other Mediterranean countries. The menu includes small plates, mezze-style dishes, and entrees that showcase flavors and ingredients from the region.
The restaurant has a stylish and modern interior, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the city skyline. It also has a rooftop patio that provides panoramic views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains.
El Five has received numerous accolades for its food and atmosphere, including being named one of the 21 best new restaurants in America by Eater in 2018.