Restaurant restaurants in Denver
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A
Rocky Mountain Diner
If you're into things 'old-fashioned' and 'chicken-fried', then yee-haw yourself to this comfy-boothed, family-friendly restaurant. It serves sandwiches, salads and hearty American fare, and for the curious (and very hungry), more exotic dishes such as venison soup or buffalo meatloaf.
reviewed
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B
Wolfe's Barbeque
Owner Louis Wolfe sunk his life savings into building a custom smoker near Capitol Hill and his hickory-smoked platters of ribs have stained the oxfords of Denver's power brokers for two decades. After ordering at the counter (likely from the curmudgeonly Wolfe himself) find a red-checkered table and begin the lunchtime entertainment: eavesdropping on the Colorado's wheelers and dealers.
Also, vegetarians take note: Wolfe's is far more accommodating to the meatless than most; while your carnivorous friends pig out, you can enjoy BBQ tofu and vegetarian baked beans.
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C
El Taco De Mexico
Forget about ambiance – it's a big yellow counter, florescent lights and a couple of slouching figures shoveling down tacos – but it's all too easy to forgive when you rip into the chilli relleno burrito – a glorious disaster of peppers, cheese, refried pinto beans and salsa verde.
Remember, when the nice lady asks: yes, you want it smothered and yes, you want salsa and onions. This is the best place to get cheap eats in the Santa Fe Arts district, to the west of Capitol Hill.
reviewed
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D
H BurgerCo
Sure, the formidable burgers at this futuristic diner get raves – especially the Angus beef, chili-infused, cheddar-crowned H Burger – but the visionary milkshake menu might be worthy of skipping the main course altogether. The Nutella Marshmallow variety, topped with roasted marshmallows and infused with liquid nitrogen(!) is an icy, creamy wonder. If you're into something with a bit more kick than a milkshake, fear not; there's a full bar.
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E
Rosa Linda's Mexican Cafe
For more than 20 years the Aguirre family has been serving reasonably priced authentic Mexican comfort fare with a side of old-fashioned hospitality. Winner of numerous awards – including Top 15 nachos in the nation by the Wall Street Journal – Rosa Linda's also does excellent chiles rellenos and mole, and plenty of vegetarian and health-conscious choices (check out the wholewheat grilled-cactus burrito).
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F
Palace Arms
The patriotic pioneer decor inside the award-winning restaurant of the Brown Palace Hotel dates back to the 1700s – check out the silver centerpiece the British royal family commissioned. The food is as impressive as the old-world ambiance, and the wine list features 900 bottles. Signature dishes include Kobe rib-eye steak and seared bison tenderloin.
reviewed
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G
Rioja
This is one of Denver’s best restaurants, lauded in foodie media and patronized by the city’s glitterati. Smart, busy and upscale, yet relaxed and casual, Rioja features select regional wines and an interesting menu of cocktails. Starters include a superb fresh bacon and a flight of artisan goats cheese. For mains, try the plump, juicy, seared nori-wrapped scallops or the sublime handmade artichoke tortellini.
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H
Mizuna
Mizuna is exclusive, expensive and exquisite. The small dining room only adds to the rarefied atmosphere and there's a certain pride knowing you're eating at one of the country's most renowned dining rooms. The menu is eclectic and ever-changing, with an emphasis of fresh seafood and locally sourced seasonal produce. Try the pan-roasted ostrich loin with glazed beets or the signature soft-shell crab.
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I
Hornet
At first glance it might seem uninspiring – standard sandwiches, grilled meats and pasta plates dominate – but this elegant corner diner punches things up with wide-ranging Southern, Latin American and Asian influences (the shells and cheddar includes lobster and bacon). It’s atmospheric too, with tall windows, classic black-and-white tiles and fans that spin lazily overhead the brunch crowd.
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J
Hard Rock Café
The food isn't the focus at these ubiquitous rock pubs; Denver‘s branch stands out for the caliber of memorabilia cluttering the place. Hanging the walls is a blouse worn by Jimi, a voided check of young Linda Ronstadt (for $10!) and guitars from Willie, Clapton and the Clash. The real treasure is upstairs: a pair of patent leather shoes Johnny Cash wore at the venue in 1965.
reviewed
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K
Bistro Vendôme
When you discover Vendôme, tucked behind the storefronts of Larimer, it feels like your own little secret. Brunch is more casual than dinner, but both are done with scrupulous French technique: mussels in white wine and herb-roasted chicken are well-executed standards, while things get a more adventurous with the avocado and scallion omelets and blackberry glazed pork loin.
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L
Snooze
In Denver's brunch wars, Snooze is a super power. Apple and pear pancakes top the sweet list and savory recommendations include the pot pie topped with a sunny side egg. Regardless, just smother whatever you order with the smoked cheddar hollandaise sauce. You can thank us later. The home store is in LoDo.
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Señor Burrito
If you need a quick bite to fortify you before drinking down the South Broadway strip, Señor Burrito is adequately quick and cheap. Authentic? Not so much. Morning options include an egg- and ham-loaded, Denver-style breakfast burrito, while the crunchy tacos – filled with ground beef, cheddar, lettuce and tomato – are just like mom used to make...back in Michigan.
reviewed
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N
Fruition Restaurant
Alex Seidel and Blake Edmunds are heavy hitters in Denver's fine dining scene, pulling off their contemporary American plates (potato-wrapped oysters Rockefeller, duck with red onion marmalade) with understated panache. The food is simply conceived, carefully executed and elegantly presented. Many of the greens, the chickens and the eggs come from Seidel's farm.
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O
Squeaky Bean
Shake N Bake Veal Sweatbreads gives you a sense of the bipolar approach to high dining here – this is contemporary American cuisine with good humor and technique. Somehow, the drink list is even better. Try the 'Drinkable Molly Brown' – Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, Rothman Orchard Apricot Liqueur, Tawny Port, cinnamon extract, and a Drunken Apricot.
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P
Avenue Grill
On a quiet street corner a short walk from Downtown, the Avenue Grill has been dishing up interesting fusion dishes for more than 20 years. Clam chowder, baby spinach and octopus salad, and tempura prawns are some of the offerings given special treatment. The bright space is surrounded by windows with pleasant lunchtime views of passing pedestrians.
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Z Cuisine
It'd be better if you could look at the bill before you ate at this self-styled neighborhood bistro, because when your mouth melted with any variety of braised lamb dishes or a simple, perfect steak and fries combination, you'd forget it. There's no better place around for (fancy) casual French fare, a fact well noted by national critics.
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R
WaterCourse Foods
The unrelentingly meaty menus of Denver can be a chore to navigate for vegetarians, so the smart, straightforward fare at WaterCourse is a welcome reprieve. The breakfasts are cherished by locals (people go off about the banana bread french toast) but dinner options – many of them with an Asian or Mexican influence – are uniformly well done.
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Barolo Grill
This deluxe Italian restaurant is one of Denver's best. It offers a shifting à la carte menu as well as a five-course degustation menu featuring the flavors of Italy's Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto districts. The signature dish is a braised duck with olives. There's a select wine list and an outstanding dessert menu. Bookings essential.
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Wahoo's Fish Taco
A converted corner gas station done out with skater-surfer-snowboarder decor, TVs showing video loops of rad maneuvers and stickers adorning every surface. And then there's the food. Tex-Mex, yes, but fish tacos? And in landlocked Denver? Go on: try one. We did and they were brilliant.
Wahoo's has two other locations in Denver.
reviewed
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U
Illegal Pete’s
Around lunch, you'll cue to the door at Pete’s, the best option for quick Mexican on the 16th St Mall. With rock posters plastering the window, a worn-plank floor underfoot and an inked-up staff behind the counter, the place has charm galore. Margarita specials, beer-battered fish tacos and shredded beef tacos keep ’em coming back.
reviewed
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Walnut Room Pizzeria
Good, chewy thin crust and several inventive house specialties (such as the meaty, pineapple- and jalapeño-dressed Mile High Club Pie and pesto-covered Walnut Special) make this Broadway newcomer impressive. Framed photos of jam bands and local rockers playing at the associate Walnut Room venue line the tall walls of the booths.
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W
Duo
All the lip service about the city's best brunch can be a little overwhelming, but Duo's cider glazed pork 'Benedict' – poached eggs and a savory pile of slow-roasted pork, sourdough and wholegrain mustard – is the city's best brunch dish. With some french press, the bright corner cafe makes a perfect start to the weekend.
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Los Cabos II
Start things off at this popular Peruvian lunch with an excellent Pisco sour before getting into their perfectly seasoned lomo saltado (grilled strips of steak with peppers, onions and veggies over fries) or their distinctly Peruvian take on chow mien. And before you leave, be sure to pet that giant stuffed llama.
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Arada Restaurant & Bar
You'll use soft, slightly sour injera bread as the vehicle to shovel down tomato fit-fit (diced tomato, onion and jalapenos in vinegar-based sauce) and combination platters like Arada Six (which includes delicious siga wot, a spicy beef stew ). The tile floor means no frills, but for those keen to share, it's loads of fun.
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