The Top 50 Restaurants in Denver Right Now

Every year, we eat our way across the metro area in search of the best restaurants while covering the ever-changing food scene, and in 2025, a slew of notable new spots joined the lineup. But we also swooned for old favorites and found some long-established eateries that became go-to spots for memorable meals.

Throughout these experiences, we keep notes in order to compile the Best of Denver (the 2026 issue is coming on March 26), as well as our annual list of the top 100 eateries in the metro area. But this year, we’re changing our approach. As with our recently released Top Bars list, we’ve cut the number of eateries highlighted from 100 to 50: The dining scene is getting more competitive, and this reflects that shift while providing an even more closely curated list for readers to digest in the months to come.

Also new: We’ll update both the bar and the restaurant lists biannually in order to keep them fresh — though that doesn’t mean you’ll find only new, trendy places in the mix. As always, our goal is to highlight the scene’s diversity, from cuisines to price points to geographical locations — which, yes, sometimes means traveling beyond Denver city limits for an excellent dining experience.

This isn’t a stagnant, set-in-stone roundup of the all-time best restaurants — “best” is completely subjective, after all. Instead, we’ve aimed to bring you a wide-ranging list of dining options that all have one thing in common: These are the places we love right now, and the places we’d recommend to friends and family with confidence.

There’s only one ground rule: Every eatery included must have opened by the end of November 2025.

Jump to:

• Splurge-Worthy and Sophisticated
• Upscale Go-Tos
• Casual Favorites
• Humble Hot Spots
• The Full List, A-Z

Keep reading for the Top 50 Restaurants in metro Denver right now.

Splurge-Worthy and Sophisticated

Fine-dining restaurants with refined hospitality.

Barolo Grill
Cherry Creek
3030 East Sixth Avenue
If you long for simpler times, Barolo Grill is a throwback in the best way. Founded by restaurateur Blair Taylor and open since 1992, it’s been overseen by former employee, current owner and wine director Ryan Fletter for over a decade. In that time, Fletter has maintained a comforting kind of fine-dining hospitality that makes every guest feel like a regular. The four-course tasting menu is an excellent introduction to this spot’s take on Northern Italian fare from executive chef Darrel Truett, though dishes can also be ordered à la carte. And don’t overlook a seat at the bar for a nightcap and dessert: The staple torta di formaggio, a Castelmagno cheesecake, is a sweet ending to any night.

Black Cat Farmstead
Longmont
9889 North 51st Street
Eric Skokan is a chef, farmer and the humble mastermind behind the most magical dining experience you can have in the state right now. Making the trek to the farmstead in Longmont is part of the adventure; once you arrive, there’s nothing but pure, heartfelt hospitality. Though the farm dinners started as a pandemic project, Skokan made them permanent in 2024 after overhauling the property to better accommodate guests and hand-building seven private greenhouse cabanas. Each experience begins with hors d’oeuvres and an aperitif, followed by a family-style feast crafted from the bounty of the land. The creativity never stops here, the menu is ever-changing, and the scenery is captivating, no matter the season.

The Counter at Odell’s
West Highland
3200 Irving Street
We love getting a morning bite at Odell’s Bagel, and chef/owner Miles Odell recently opened a lovely East Coast-style Italian spot, Florence Supper Club, near Wash Park with partner Paul Lysek. But it’s his evening kaiseki-style tasting counter that’s captivated our attention. The Counter operates out of the bagel shop and is an intimate experience that combines high-end bites with a fun and engaging approach to a tasting menu. The meal is sushi-heavy but relies mainly on seasonality, and is imbued with some whimsical touches, like a recent starter of otoro and caviar served atop a latke — a nod to the fact that you’re eating in a bagel shop. Odell’s commitment to quality is on full display at the Counter, and guests will be rewarded with a meal that stands apart from the city’s growing tasting-menu options.

Frasca Food and Wine
Boulder
1738 Pearl Street
Diners in Denver are damn lucky to be in close proximity to the reigning James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurant. That huge honor is one of many accolades bestowed on Frasca during its twenty-year-plus run in Boulder, where it remains at the top of its game, in large part because of a long-held hyper-focus on sharing the food, wine and culture of the Friuli region of Italy. Whether you opt for the four-course Quattro Piatti menu or the more expansive Friulano tasting menu, any evening here is sure to be a special one, thanks to Frasca’s team of hospitality pros, who ensure only the best service and cuisine night after night.

Kizaki
Platt Park
1551 South Pearl Street
In 1984, brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki founded Sushi Den, forever changing the city’s dining landscape as pioneers in seafood sourcing. Over forty years later, Toshi attained the crown jewel of his long career when his new omakase counter, Kizaki, earned a Michelin Star in 2025, and it is quite an experience watching this master in action. Toshi’s quiet concentration and obvious care for his craft result in a meal that moves steadily from one bite to the next, in a refined onslaught of fish served at peak flavor as you enjoy everything from octopus and amberjack to Japanese tiger prawns, wild scallops, a variety of tuna cuts and one of the standout courses, the best uni the restaurant can get on any given evening.

Margot
Platt Park
1551 South Pearl Street
From working at a Subway in Breckenridge as a teen to earning a Michelin Star at his first restaurant in Denver, chef Justin Fulton has come a long way. In 2022, he launched Margot as a tasting-menu-only pop-up. Three years later, it moved into the permanent home that it now shares with Kizaki. While its more intimate counter still follows a set tasting-menu format that highlights local ingredients in comforting yet eye-catching dishes, diners can also get a taste of Fulton’s fare in the front lounge area, where an à la carte menu is available — and reservations are not required.

Marigold
Lyons
405 Main Street
Chef Theo Adley spent years making a name for himself in the Denver dining scene before striking out on his own in an unexpected location: the small town of Lyons, between Boulder and Estes Park. Marigold debuted there in 2022, and its charm has only grown in the years since. The small eatery — housed in a red sandstone building originally built in 1885 as a train depot — is dripping with delicious details, like the table in the dining room where charcuterie is sliced to order, as well as the thoughtful use of local ingredients year-round. It’s a cozy spot serving food that elevates each ingredient without relying on overly fussy trends and techniques. Bonus: Adley will soon be cooking in Denver again, when he opens Heretík in RiNo this winter.

Olivia
Washington Park
290 South Downing Street
Making good pasta from scratch is easy, but making great pasta is hard. That’s what sets Olivia apart from the pack, since its crew boasts a rare mix of technical perfection and culinary inventiveness that fills the intimate Wash Park spot on a nightly basis. Chef Ty Leon knows exactly when to break the rules (as with the staple French onion ravioli), when to deliver the hits (like the traditional tagliatelle Bolognese), and when to elevate lesser-known classics (like the showstopping gemelli with fennel sausage). Combined with stellar service led by Heather Morrison, the cocktail program helmed by Austin Carson and a wine list curated by certified Italian wine expert Scott Thomas, this place is pasta perfection. 

Rioja
LoDo
1431 Larimer Street
Few Denver restaurants have aged as gracefully or remained as influential as this Larimer Square anchor from chef Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch. Now more than two decades in, Rioja continues to balance Mediterranean flavors with Colorado sensibilities in a space that feels refined without being stuffy. The menu still stands the test of time by focusing on handmade pastas, deliciously composed small plates, and seasonal vegetables treated with care. It remains the kind of place that works equally well for milestone dinners, a well-timed meal before a show or an impromptu happy hour at the bar. As other Denver old guards fall, Rioja proves that longevity doesn’t have to come at the expense of relevance.

Sushi by Scratch
LoDo
1441 Larimer Street
A lot has changed in Larimer Square since 2020, and there’s one new addition we fell for fast — surprisingly. In December 2024, chef Phillip Frankland Lee took over the former TAG space, opening a location of his smashburger joint NADC on the main floor. But it’s what lies underneath that diners should really pay attention to: Denver’s outpost of Sushi by Scratch, a ten-seat omakase counter that, yes, is part of a chain. But as we’ve learned over the years, “chain” isn’t always a bad word. In this case, what Denver got is a well-oiled omakase experience led by local chefs who have a fair amount of creative control over the menu, which is updated regularly to reflect the best of what’s available. We love the expert pacing, the upbeat vibes and the complimentary pre-dinner experience in the lounge. If you’re planning a celebratory night out with a special someone, this pick is hard to beat.

Wildflower
Highland
3638 Navajo Street
In 2020, when he was just 22 years old, chef Aiden Tibbetts helped open this LoHi eatery; he took on the role of running the kitchen soon after. Five years later, Wildflower was named a Michelin-recommended eatery, and Tibbetts has been billed as one of Colorado’s most promising young chef of 2025, a well-earned distinction. Located inside the recently rebranded Gravity Haus Lodging & Hotels, Wildflower is a romantic spot that’s perfect for date nights or happy-hour sessions at the bar, but you’ll also be highly rewarded if you opt for the signature Wildflower Bouquet, a shared-plate-style tasting menu that offers a no-brainer sampling of Tibbetts’s culinary style, often enhanced with ingredients grown in his mother’s sprawling garden.

Upscale Go-Tos

Elevated food and approachable ambience.

Alma Fonda Fina
LoHi
2556 15th Street
When chef Johnny Curiel and wife Kasie opened their first restaurant, Alma Fonda Fina, in LoHi in December 2023, it sparked a culinary run that has transformed the local dining scene. Now the power couple has five eateries in the metro area, and their first tasting-menu concept is set to open in RiNo this spring; they’re also expanding outside of Colorado with a new eatery in Charleston, South Carolina. But it’s their Michelin-Starred OG that remains a must-visit. Order an avocado margarita and the signature camote asada (agave-roasted sweet potato with broken salsa macha and fennel-whipped requesón cheese) to start, then let the skilled staff guide you through the à la carte selections. And be sure to snag a seat at the counter whenever possible: If you show up right at the 2 p.m. weekday opening time, you can usually get a spot without a reservation, and you’ll catch happy hour, too.

Annette
Aurora
2501 Dallas Street
Stanley Marketplace is home to several celebrated concepts, including chef Caroline Glover’s seafood-centric bar, Traveling Mercies, and her OG spot, Annette, which opened in the fall of 2016. Wood-fired cooking, homey vibes and a rotating menu based on a “scratch-to-table” ethos landed Glover on Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs list in 2019; three years later, she was named Best Chef in the Mountain region at the James Beard Awards. Annette’s menu is built around a close working relationship with small-scale, regional producers and includes staple dishes like the grilled beef tongue with marrow toast alongside ever-changing seasonal vegetables that showcase Colorado’s bounty. Nearly a decade in, Glover continues to impress.

BearLeek
RiNo
2611 Walnut Street
Head down a neon-lit staircase to find this trendy RiNo spot that joined the scene in the summer of 2025. Chefs Rema Maaliki and Harrison Porter’s first venture as owners is a lively addition to the scene, with an urban edge and a hip-hop playlist. Named for the German word for “ramp,” it’s a culinary playground where these chefs are flexing their creativity, imbuing dishes with playful touches such as the bear-shaped butter that accompanies the buttery brioche rolls and the restaurant’s signature bear-shaped passionfruit popsicle dessert drizzled with salsa macha.

The Bindery
LoHi
1817 Central Street
The Bindery is a delightfully difficult restaurant to define. It’s got a mysterious name, an eclectic menu that changes by season, and a concept that’s impossible to pin down. All sprout from the mind of the visionary behind it all — chef Linda Hampsten Fox. A world traveler whose thirty-year career includes stints living in such culinary capitals as Tuscany, France, Switzerland, Mexico and…New Jersey (her home state), Fox has deftly funneled her influences into a restaurant that’s a fascinating peek into the mind of a true artist at the top of her game. From the award-winning weekend brunch, to a six-course chef’s table tasting menu, to Wednesday wine and pasta deals, the Bindery doesn’t really fit into a neat package. But with food this good (not to mention a stellar wine list), who cares? We’re here for every bite. 

Boombots Pasta Shop
Sunnyside
2647 West 38th Avenue
In 2025, the couple that brought us a lineup of hits at two locations of Odie B’s turned their attention to pasta with the debut of Boombots next door to their OG Sunnyside eatery. Here, Cliff and Cara Blauvelt have created a pasta shop with no rules. A martini spiked with pasta water? Check. Bucatini inspired by a dirty martini? Check. Agnolotti filled with flavors of a traditional samosa? Why not? From the elite cheese pull you’ll get when your order the Big Ass Mozz Stick to the impressive meat and cheese spread with housemade charcuterie and the grown-up version of mac and cheese made with green chile and smoked duck, everything here is stupid good.

Cimera
RiNo
3330 Brighton Boulevard
The rooftop of the Source Hotel finally has a restaurant with food, vibes and drinks that rival the stunning views. Helmed by Geoff Cox, former executive chef of Hop Alley, Cimera debuted in the fall of 2025, completely transforming the space with bright murals, rich textures and moody lighting. The Pan-Latin menu with a Peruvian focus was created with consulting chef Diego Muñoz, and it’s filled with bangers. The raw seafood dishes shine, as do the anticuchos, a variety of Peruvian coal-fired skewers. And don’t miss the papa rellena, a potato croquette stuffed with braised beef and served with an emulsion made with rocoto, a chile from the Andes. We also love that Cimera is open for brunch and lunch in addition to dinner, unlike many upscale eateries in town.

Duo Restaurant
LoHi
2413 West 32nd Avenue
When Keith Arnold and Stephanie Bonin, founders of one of the city’s first farm-to-table eateries, decided to move on, they entrusted Duo to exactly the right person. Tyler Skrivanek had been the longtime chef at the restaurant when he became owner in 2023, and he’s made the best possible move, keeping things pretty much the same while making thoughtful improvements that maintain its timeless charm. Last year, Duo celebrated twenty years of holding down its spot in LoHi, where trendy restaurants have come and gone while it continues to serve comforting seasonal fare, including some of the best fried chicken in town.

Hey Kiddo
Berkeley
4337 Tennyson Street
Id Est Hospitality is a powerhouse, operating such spots as the state’s only two Michelin-Starred restaurant, the Wolf’s Tailor, and Brutø, which has one star. But we love the ease and excitement of visiting the ever-intriguing Hey Kiddo (and its adjoining bar, Oh Yeah), which debuted in 2023 in a third-floor space that overlooks the Berkeley neighborhood. This Michelin-recommended eatery offers à la carte selections, but it also features a “Walk With Us” menu option of chef’s picks built around your choice of Korean fried chicken, wagyu beef or pork belly paired with curated sides like kimchi, chicken liver mousse, chili crunch cucumbers and red miso ice cream. A globally inspired wine and spirits list — plus oyster and caviar offerings — add even more depth to Hey Kiddo, which fully lives up to its mission to be “good and fun.”

Kawa Ni
LoHi
1900 West 32nd Avenue
In 2023, restaurateur Bill Taibe brought his vibrant Japanese izakaya, founded in Westport, Connecticut, to a former fire station that had been converted into apartments in Denver, and it has been a thriving hotspot ever since. The high-energy atmosphere is matched only by the highly addictive bites, which include the aptly named Addictive Cabbage, cold sesame noodles in a punchy peanut sauce, fried onigiri served in a red curry sauce, and kung pao karaage (try the curry version served with a creamy coconut sauce). In early 2025, former Fruition executive chef Jarred Russell landed in Kawa Ni’s kitchen, raising this LoHi spot even higher.

Molotov Kitschen
City Park
3333 East Colfax Avenue
While we still miss chef Bo Porytko’s long-gone Rebel Restaurant and the more recently closed Misfit Snack Bar, we love digging into whatever he’s cooking at Molotov, which he opened in 2023 as a gushing love note to his Ukrainian heritage and Eastern European fare. The tiny dining room is packed with personality, including a cuckoo clock collection, and the ever-changing menu manages to make even the unfamiliar feel like comfort food, from smoked trout dip and short rib borscht to rabbit in a clay pot and pumpkin blintz. Pair your meal with a creative house cocktail or an infused frozen vodka shot, and you’ll be enjoying a moment only Molotov can deliver.

Pig and Tiger
Five Points
2200 California Street
A friendship led to the launch of the original Pig and Tiger inside Avanti’s Boulder location in 2020, which may explain why the brick-and-mortar iteration that debuted in Five Points in August has so much heart. Taiwanese American chef Darren Chang (born in the year of the pig) met Top Chef alum Travis Masar (born in the year of the tiger), while working in Los Angeles. Masar’s Colorado roots led them back to the Centennial State, and now Denver is lucky have easy access to this duo’s talents. The menu is filled with personal touches, like the salted plum spritz named for May Mei Chang’s mother, and the food is as punchy is it is thoughtful, including the star: double-fried Taiwanese fried chicken sprinkled with the restaurant’s signature spice mix, drizzled with orange honey and served with luscious chicken fat rice.

Potager
Capitol Hill
1109 Ogden Street 
Executive chef Paul Warthen and his wife, Eileen, took over ownership of farm-to-table OG Potager in 2019 from longtime owner/chef Teri Rippeto, but their shared mission to serve a superbly prepared menu built around carefully sourced ingredients and paired with a precisely curated wine list has not wavered. The menu at this spot, which will celebrate 29 years in business in 2026, changes seasonally, with specials rotating more often than that depending on what’s fresh and intriguing to the kitchen team. Classic hospitality and a reverence for the simple pleasures in life are all the more reason to visit this classic Capitol Hill eatery for the first time, or the hundredth. 

Sap Sua
City Park
2550 East Colfax Avenue
Since its debut in 2023, Sap Sua has carved out a distinct place in Denver’s food scene with its non-traditional take on Vietnamese cuisine. The Colfax staple has a knack for transforming deceptively simple dishes like trứng và trứng (a humble pairing of soft-scrambled eggs and trout roe over rice) or tàu hũ ky cuộn tôm (a delicate shrimp cake) into some of the most memorable bites in the metro area. To the delight of its devoted following, the restaurant recently revived its Saturday morning bakery program after a two-year hiatus, with tasty treats like oxtail hand pies, pecan monkey bread and apple fritters. 

Som Dee Thai Kitchen & Bar
City Park West
1598 East 17th Avenue
There’s no shortage of Thai restaurants in the metro area, even in the neighborhood surrounding Som Dee, but it stands out for its dine-in experience. Orrapan Botthaisong moved to Denver from Thailand a decade ago with little money and little knowledge of the English language. Now, she’s the owner of the more casual La Mai Thai in Edgewater as well as this newer venture, which opened in late 2024 and is named to honor her father. Botthaisong put a lot of care into designing a special occasion-worthy spot complete with light fixtures from Thailand, cozy booths and an expansive bar. Even familiar dishes like green curry and pad Thai deliver a satisfying experience, but you’ll be well rewarded if you order less common options, like the pineapple duck curry that was recently added to the menu.

Spuntino
LoHi
2639 West 32nd Avenue
“The heart of Italy possessed by the spirit of India” is how a server at Spuntino recently described this downright delightful Highland eatery. Open since 2011, it was purchased by husband-and-wife duo Elliot Strathmann and Cindhura Reddy in 2014. He orchestrates the front-of-house — and has an impressive knowledge and collection of amaros — while she leads the kitchen, imbuing notes from her Indian heritage to small plates, pastas and larger entrees, all served in a charming atmosphere driven by old-school hospitality. This place has loads of neighborhood regulars; if you’re not one yet, it’s highly likely you’ll want to become one after visiting.

Xiquita Restaurante y Bar
North Capitol Hill
500 East 19th Avenue
Chefs Erasmo Casiano and Rene Gonzalez Mendez opened Xiquita in 2024 and have since helped usher in an undeniable appreciation of Mexican fine dining in Denver. Their world-class standards and hyper focus on traditional nixtamalization for the eatery’s masa plates have earned them numerous local and national culinary-industry accolades, including Xiquita being named Westword‘s Best New Restaurant in 2025. The duck carnitas taco has reached legendary status, the happy hour is killer, and the heart and soul of the team is on full display nightly.

Casual Favorites

Comforting food in a comfortable atmosphere.

Cart-Driver
LoHi
2239 West 30th Avenue
After a long hiatus, Cart-Driver’s LoHi outpost returned better than ever in 2025, bringing wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, carb-tastic pastas and a sharp wine and cocktail program to the former Z Cuisine space’s effortlessly cool neighborhood vibe. The spacious LoHi patio, an airy dining room and a menu built for sharing make for an ideal setting to enjoy a slice of wonderfully leopard-charred sourdough pizza topped with seasonal produce. Pro tip: Try the pickle pie, but don’t skip the housemade charcuterie, tinned fish or raw oysters. Happy hour hits strong here, especially if you snag a seat outside as the neighborhood gears up for the evening.

Dan Da
Aurora
9945 East Colfax Avenue
Before you even taste her food, chef-owner An Nguyen’s pedigree in Colorado’s culinary landscape whets your appetite. Her parents owned the now-closed-but-legendary New Saigon (the family still operates the bakery and deli arm of that business), and her sister Thoa owns the sandwich shop/bakery Banh & Butter next door to Dan Da. But Nguyen needs no family ties to impress with the fare that’s been wowing diners at this small space since its 2024 debut. Dan Da — pronounced “yuhng-yaa” and named for rustic Vietnamese dishes meant to foster togetherness — leans hard into shareable plates, including build-your-own spring-roll towers, wonderfully savory clay pots, whole fried fish, baby clams and snails prepared multiple ways. The menu encourages exploration, whether you’re there solo or with a group. Come hungry, come curious, but don’t rush. This is a meal worth savoring — and repeating. 

Domo Japanese Country Food Restaurant
La Alma/Lincoln Park
1365 Osage Street
Few Denver restaurants inspire the kind of reverence reserved for this deeply personal Japanese institution. Founded by Gaku Homma — who also established the aikido dojo under the same roof — Domo has long been a cultural touchstone, blending traditional Japanese cooking with a sense of ceremony and place, designed more as an opportunity for cultural exchange and education than purely as a for-profit eatery. So when it briefly closed after receiving unwanted (and disrespectful) crowds following a 2021 viral video on social media, fans were gutted. Fortunately, Domo soon reopened in a more limited but no less meaningful form. The serene garden setting remains, as do the dishes prioritizing regional authenticity and technique over flash and fashion. It’s all served with intention, and deserves to be enjoyed with such. So put the phone down, and treat your visit as the immersive experience it’s meant to be.

Insee Father Noodle House
LoHi
1700 Platte Street
In November 2025, this new spot debuted next door to its sister (or should we say daughter?) concept, Daughter Thai. “Father and daughter, side by side,” as owner Ounjit Hardacre put it. The fast-casual eatery dishes out a variety of authentic Thai street food staples, like noodle and rice bowls, Thai dumplings, moo tod (fried pork jerky), mango ice cream with sticky rice, and Thai tea. Cozy, homey vibes pay homage to the Thai hometowns of business partners Hardacre and Dueanphen “Pom” Rungrueang, even featuring a replica of the grocery store sign that hangs above Hardacre’s family shop in Kanchanaburi.

MAKfam
Baker
39 West First Avenue
After moving to Denver from NYC, chef Kenneth Wan and his wife, Doris Yuen, hit the scene in 2020 with the impressive Meta Asian Kitchen inside the Avanti food hall. Three years later, they opened their “fine casual” brick-and-mortar, MAKfam, in Baker, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand designation the following year. The menu is proudly laced with umami-toting MSG and filled with sentimental, unabashed takes on the family-style southern Chinese food of their upbringing. The mala-spiced chicken wings are simply outstanding, while the chicken-and-chive Chinatown potstickers and the various spicy noodle dishes are personalized nods to classic Cantonese cuisine.  

Molino Chido
Aurora
2501 Dallas Street
Chefs Michael Diaz de Leon and Tommy Lee teamed up to open Molino Chido inside Stanley Marketplace in November 2025, following a series of sold-out chef’s-table-style pop-ups at Lee’s Hop Alley. Their mutual admiration led to the working partnership behind this spot, which focuses heavily on the handmade masa used to make the nearly 1,000 tortillas that are made daily in front of guests in a windowed room near the front entrance. Those tortillas are filled with high-end ingredients and served in a casual taqueria setting inspired by Diaz de Leon’s Mexican heritage and love for the nation’s iconic food culture. Among its taco-centric menu, the Colorado bison lengua has become an instant hit. 

Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
Aurora
1951 South Havana Street
For decades, this Aurora institution has been a gathering place as much as a restaurant, serving deeply comforting Ethiopian dishes rooted in tradition and hospitality. Under new ownership by the founder’s sister, Nile has remained true to its foundation, offering generous platters of injera topped with richly spiced stews (wot), fried meats (tibs) and vibrant vegetable preparations meant to be shared communally. The dining room is modest, but the experience is expansive, built around warmth, conversation and food that rewards slow, hands-on eating. Order a mixed platter if it’s your first visit, and let the table decide what disappears first. And don’t skip the coffee ceremony, or buna, where the beans are roasted tableside before being brewed and served with incense and popcorn. 

Somebody People
Platt Park
1165 South Broadway
What do you get when you combine a stylish, light-filled space with an all-vegan menu that leans Mediterranean and a coastal-heavy wine? The answer is an experience that even the most die-hard carnivore would covet without missing a beat. Chef Justin Freeman works in close partnership with owner and wine director Sam Maher to build a creative and subversively technical menu featuring not only vegetables, but also housemade pastas, toasted grains and naturally fermented doughs through a series of constantly evolving seasonal plates that showcase Colorado produce at its peak. For a pleasant entry, don’t miss the weekly Sunday Supper four-course tasting menu, the regularly scheduled winemaker dinners, or the bistro-style Somebody’s Enoteca. 

Temaki Den
RiNo
3350 Brighton Boulevard
While a high-end omakase experience is a treat, Temaki Den offers the chance to nosh on top-notch sushi in a more low-key, à la carte setting for a build-your-own-adventure type of meal. In 2020, five years before he earned a Michelin Star at Kizaki, Sushi Den co-founder Toshi Kizaki ventured beyond Den Corner on Pearl Street for the first time when he joined forces with chef Kenta Kamo to open a temaki-focused counter inside the Source. Since then, Temaki Den has expanded its footprint to meet demand for its signature hand rolls (temaki) and aburi (flame-seared sushi). For an even better deal, visit during happy hour, when you can order temaki sets and other bites at a discount.

Tofu Story
Aurora
2060 South Havana Street
Tofu Story puts tofu front and center — not only in its name, but with the placement of a glass-encased “tofu lab” at the corner of the dining room for all customers to watch the tofu they’re enjoying being made from scratch. From there, it also makes a convincing case for why the often overlooked ingredient deserves the spotlight. The in-house tofu is served across a menu that spans comforting stews, sizzling plates and dishes designed to appeal even to dedicated meat-eaters. With textures ranging from silken and delicate to hearty and substantial, the tofu is backed by the big, bold flavors for which Korean cuisine is known: It’s approachable, affordable and quietly educational, showing just why it has become such a foundational component of so many cuisines. Get started with the tofu stew at a rolling boil and add beef short ribs, soy-marinated crab and pork bulgogi as you build around the vast array of banchan side dishes. 

Humble Hot Spots

The simple, solid and soulful joints we love.

Chivis Tacos
City Park West
2101 East Colfax Avenue
After a dozen years operating his food truck, Chris Heredia opened a brick-and-mortar outpost of Chivis Tacos on East Colfax in October 2024. Open daily at 9 a.m., it slings a deep menu of burritos (including a solid breakfast rendition), fully loaded tortas, quesadillas, tamales, flautas and main entrees as late as 3 a.m. on the weekends. We also appreciate its deft exploration of birria formats, served as tacos, ramen or hefty, crispy fried egg rolls that redefine the power of those savory flavors we crave, especially in the wee hours on the ’Fax.    

Chopstix Fusion
Southeast Denver
2020 South Parker Road
In 2024, Wendy Tong opened this strip-mall spot, serving a smattering of Thai dishes on a menu that otherwise offers a deep taste of Hong Kong – a real rarity in Denver. Last year, the strip mall nearly burned down when a fire broke out at a neighboring restaurant, but Chopstix made it through unscathed, and continues to be a hot spot for specialties like sizzling clay pots, tempting scallion pancakes and vivid greens in flavorful sauces, plus off-menu surprises such as pillowy cubes of fried tofu. The icing on top: Tong also creates beautiful baked goods, so save room for a slice of multi-layered crepe cake.

Com Nha Kitchen & Bar
Harvey Park
2133 South Sheridan Boulevard
Lucy Nguyen grew up in Harvey Park, where Rosemary Cafe was a beloved diner for over two decades before shuttering in 2022. After a short-lived reboot as Harvey Park Grille, the space got a rebirth of a totally different kind when Nguyen opened Com Nha, a Vietnamese eatery that puts the fun in pho (pho tacos!) and much, much more, with a sprawling menu that delves deep into the cuisine. There are options like tiger moon snails stir-fried with salted egg yolk, garlic butter or tamarind; chicken wings stuffed with pork and lime leaves; and a banh mi version of bún bò Huế — not to mention colorful cocktails, shot flights,and boozy specials with names like Tequila Tower of Terror and Sweet Dragon Monument.

El Taco de Mexico
La Alma/Lincoln Park
714 Santa Fe Drive
For forty years, El Taco de Mexico has been serving a genuine taste of Mexico City cuisine in Denver, starting with its rendition of street tacos: corn masa tortillas filled with fantastic meats, including traditional favorites such as grilled beef tongue or cheek, then sprinkled with diced onion, cilantro and a drizzle of homemade salsa verde or roja. Simple. Classic. Unique. Just like the restaurant itself, which also serves one of the city’s most celebrated versions of green chile. Enjoy it on its own, or atop any of the hefty burritos (we love the carnitas and the chile relleno variations).

GetRight’s
Wheat Ridge
6985 West 38th Avenue
From pandemic-era cottage bakery to a brick-and-mortar that opened in 2023 to established neighborhood go-to, GetRight’s keeps evolving, and that’s just one of the reasons we love it. It’s a bakery with delectable pastries, from vanilla cream-filled maritozzi to salted maple cinnamon buns and chocolate hazelnut cake; it’s home to our reigning best sandwich, the oh-so-buttery jambon beurre, and even launched an expanded pizza program in 2025. While that project has been scaled back (slices are still available during the day), fans can expect “some big things” in 2026, according to co-owners Matt Dulin and his wife, Lindsey Judd. Whatever changes are coming, we’ll be there for a taste, because GetRight’s consistently gets things right while not being afraid to take some steps back in order to grow in new ways.

Lucy’s Burger Bar
Berkeley
4018 Tennyson Street
A glowing marquee above the door beckons guests to Lucy’s, the burger joint that Michelle “Meesh” McGlone opened in the Berkeley neighborhood in 2021. In the nearly five years since, McGlone’s passion for creating the kind of neighborhood spot that welcomes all with a side of fries and a smile has only grown. The eatery’s menu has grown over the years, tooL Now, in addition to its signature standard Juicy Lucy, the molten-cheese-stuffed burger made famous in Minneapolis, it offers a dreamy version for blue cheese lovers dubbed the Blucy, as well as breakfast sandwiches that are available all day, raw oysters on Shuck Me Up Saturdays, and even fried Snickers bars for desserts. It also offers a whole lotta heart and a damn good time, whether you’re popping in for a quick burger fix or partying it up during events like themed trivia nights or comedy shows. Just remember to follow the Juicy Lucy ground rules, because that cheese is, indeed, very hot.

Mama Jo’s Chicken, Biscuits, BBQ
City Park
3525 East Colfax Avenue
Creamy pimento mac and cheese, slow-cooked collards, buttermilk biscuits piled high with Carolina-style barbecue and fried chicken, and addictive apple fritters with salted butterscotch dipping sauce are just some of the reasons to visit this low-key favorite that opened in the former Steve’s Snappin’ Dog space in early 2025 after a four-year run as a food truck. Ben Polson and his pastry-chef wife, Jodi, have created the kind of place that feels like an instant neighborhood classic. With casual counter service but plenty of space to sit inside if you’re dining in, Mama Jo’s brings Southern soul to Colfax with charm, care and a whole lot of tasty eats.

Ohana Island Kitchen
LoHi
2563 15th Street
Perhaps the poke craze has passed, but a decade ago, the Hawaiian favorite was nowhere to be found in the Mile High until Louie and Regan Colburn opened a small walk-up window in the summer of 2016, serving simple bowls that gained a cult following. By that November, it had moved into a brick-and-mortar across the street, where it’s consistently served fare that pays homage to Louie’s island upbringing. You won’t find a laundry list of toppings here — in fact, the modest menu hasn’t changed much over the years, and we hope it stays that way. The pared-down poke bowls, available in a shoyu or spicy version, are perfection, and the kalua pork is a slow-cooked delight. Add a scoop (or two) of mac salad and a Spam musubi, then close your eyes and let this food transport you to paradise.

Pizzeria Leopold
Lakewood
1990 Wadsworth Boulevard
A three-decade-old Italian deli got the ultimate makeover when Chris and Lindsay Lyons purchased Deli Italia in 2018 and transformed it into not just a great pizzeria, but a full-on restaurant that’s only continued to get better over the years. In 2022, the couple rebranded the spot, naming it for their son, a reflection of how dear the establishment is to them. That’s the kind of care you can taste in every bite, whether you order one of the impressive sandwiches built on housemade focaccia; dig into small plates, like the seasonal rotating burrata; or stick with the pies, which range from such classics as the pepperoni-packed Rony! Roni! Rone! to more creative combos like the Inspektah Speck, with garlic sauce, speck, spinach, pecorino and goat cheese. Coming in 2026: a second location in Colorado Springs.

Riot BBQ
Overland
2180 South Delaware Street
Fueled by friendship, Riot BBQ rose from the proverbial ashes of AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in 2025 to become one of the year’s standout new restaurants. Co-owner Patrick Klaiber brings extensive pitmaster experience, while Top Chef alum and co-owner Manny Barella has infused the recipes with flavors from Mexico — with smokin’ good results. Arrive early for the best selection of meats, which include classics like Texas-style brisket and al pastor-inspired ribs. And don’t skip the sides, especially the esquites-topped cornbread. Picnic tables fill the large dining room, and there’s plenty of room on the large back patio, too, so bring a group, order a platter piled high, and enjoy one of the city’s best barbecue feasts from a talented pair who know how to capitalize on culinary teamwork.

Welton Street Cafe
Five Points
2883 Welton Street
Before 2022, it was hard to imagine Five Points without Welton Street Cafe, which the Dickerson family opened in the neighborhood in 1986. But fans had to wait for the return of the soul-food spot for nearly three years after it closed its longtime home and began building out a bigger, better version. Welton Street 2.0 debuted in late 2024, and the new location has all the warmth of the original, with the bonus of a fresh start, more space and a full bar. Fried chicken, catfish, wings, smothered pork chops…it’s impossible to go wrong. Come hungry and you’re sure to leave with a full stomach and a smile.

Woody’s Wings & Things
Westminster
6817 Lowell Boulevard
Let’s be clear: You’re here for the “things,” not the wings (unless you’re ordering the lemongrass variety). What was once a typical wing joint never got new branding when it was taken over by new owners. Instead, Woody’s became something totally different: a bare-bones strip-mall joint that has what might be the most extensive menu of Asian specialties in the state. Spanning cuisines from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Laos, the menu comes in the form of a loosely organized binder that can be intimidating to newbies. Some go-tos include the duck larb, whole fried fish and any of the regional soups, but this place is best enjoyed with a big group that likes to share and isn’t afraid to try dishes that may be unfamiliar.

The Full List, A-Z

Alma Fonda Fina, LoHi
Annette, Aurora
Barolo Grill, Cherry Creek
BearLeek, RiNo
The Bindery, LoHi
Black Cat Farmstead, Longmont
Boombots Pasta Shop, Sunnyside
Cart-Driver LoHi
Chivi’s, City Park West
Chopstix Asian Fusion, Southeast Denver
Cimera, RiNo
Com Nha Kitchen & Bar, Harvey Park
The Counter at Odells, West Highland
Dan Da, Aurora
Domo, La Alma/Lincoln Park
Duo Restaurant, LoHi
El Taco de Mexico, La Alma/Lincoln Park
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
GetRight’s, Wheat Ridge
Hey Kiddo, Berkeley
Hop Alley, RiNo
Insee Father Noodle House, LoHi
Kawa Ni, LoHi
Kizaki, Platt Park
Lucy’s Burger Bar, Berkeley
MAKfam, Baker
Mama Jo’s Chicken, Biscuits, BBQ, City Park
Margot, Platt Park
Marigold, Lyons
Molino Chido, Aurora
Molotov Kitschen, City Park
Nile Ethiopian, Aurora
Ohana Island Kitchen, LoHi
Olivia, Washington Park
Pig and Tiger, Five Points
Pizzeria Leopold, Lakewood
Potager, Capitol Hill
Rioja, LoDo
Riot BBQ, Overland
Sap Sua, City Park
Som Dee Thai Kitchen & Bar, City Park West
Somebody People, Platt Park
Spuntino, LoHi
Sushi by Scratch, LoDo
Temaki Den, RiNo
Tofu Story, Aurora
Welton Street Cafe, Five Points
Wildflower, Highland
Woody’s Wings & Things, Westminster
Xiquita Restaurante y Bar, North Capitol Hill