Denver, Colorado Hotels and City Guide

Denver - Restaurants

Dining - Local Cuisine & Customs

When you think of fining dining, you may think Paris, London, New York. Now, think Denver. Cuisine-wise, this is an exciting, up-and-coming city that has been receiving national accolades for its innovative dishes. That is what makes Denver unique. Says Tucker Shaw, Denver Post’s Food Editor, “Denver's restaurant world is fearless. Our cooks are audacious and creative, but their restaurants are very accessible – no foodier-than-thou attitude here.”

This is a city where you can be free to experiment and try new dishes without being intimidated. Denver is unpretentious, even though it can afford to be. Chefs are creative and down-to-earth and have an easy collegiality with each other. They are competitive, always trying to create the best new dish, but they also exchange ideas, tips, and talk about the restaurant industry. They even dine at each other’s restaurants. Who benefits most? Those dining in Denver reap the rewards of collaboration, friendly competition, and an overwhelming desire to provide innovative, exciting, real food.

But the food – the food is what will draw visitors again and again to Denver’s restaurants. Grab a casual bite at The Cherry Cricket for a famous Cricket Burger and brew or slip on some fancy duds for a meal at Fruition. This was named one of America’s Top Ten New Restaurants in 2007. Here you can enjoy a delicious Carnaroli Risotto with grilled arugula and smoked duck prosciutto and a red onion marmalade with a glass of one of Fruition’s many fine wines.

Enjoy authentic Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, and French cuisine from the area’s ethnic communities. From traditional Mexican dishes and innovative fusion cuisine to traditional diners and Colorado favorites, like Rocky Mountain Oysters, you can find wonderful stimulation for your palette. There is a wealth of variety that is astonishing – and delicious.

Don’t miss Denver Restaurant Week, which is usually held in February. This is a week-long celebration of Denver’s culinary offerings. If you eat at one of the 208 participating restaurants, you can get a fabulous multi-course dinner for a fixed price of $52.80 for two or $26.80 for one. You will get several courses with your meal and even drinks, including wine. This is an incredible price, and an incredible opportunity to try something new.

Restaurants by Cuisine

American

CityGrille
Address: 321 E. Colfax Ave., Capitol Hill, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/861-0726
Price range: $
Cuisine: American
Location: Capitol Hill
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V

Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge
Address: 930 Lincoln St., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/839-5100
Price range: $$
Cuisine: American
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V Closed: No lunch

Sam's No. 3

Address: 1500 Curtis St., Downtown, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/534-1927
Price range: $
Cuisine: American
Location: Downtown
Reservations not accepted.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Address: 1634 18th St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/297-2700
Price range: $$
Cuisine: American
Location: LoDo
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Chinese

Imperial Chinese
Address: 431 S. Broadway, South Denver, Denver, CO, 80209
Phone: 303/698-2800
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: South Denver
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch Sun.

Little Ollie's
Address: 2364 E. 3rd Ave., Cherry Creek North, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/316-8888
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Cherry Creek
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V

French

Aix
Address: 719 E. 17th Ave., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/831-1296
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: French
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun. No lunch

Le Central
Address: 112 E. 8th Ave., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/863-8094
Price range: $$
Cuisine: French
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Indian

India House
Address: 1514 Blake St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/595-0680
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Indian
Location: LoDo
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Little India
Address: 330 E. 6th Ave., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/871-9777
Price range: $$
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: MC, V

Italian

Barolo Grill
Address: 3030 E. 6th Ave., Central Denver, Denver, CO, 80206
Phone: 303/393-1040
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Central Denver
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V Closed:
Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

Campo de Fiori
Address: 300 Fillmore St., Cherry Creek North, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/377-7887
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Cherry Creek
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch

Luca d'Italia
Address: 711 Grant St., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/832-6600
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Central Denver
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch

NoRTH
Address: 190 Clayton La., Cherry Creek, Denver, CO
Phone: 720/941-7700
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Cherry Creek
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Japanese

Domo
Address: 1365 Osage St., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/595-3666
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun.

Sushi Den
Address: 1487 S. Pearl St., South Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/777-0826
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: South Denver
Credit Cards: AE, D, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends

Sonoda's
Address: 1620 Market St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/337-3800
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: LoDo
Credit Cards: MC, V
Closed: No lunch Sun.

Mediterranean

Restaurant Kevin Taylor
Address: 1106 14th St., Downtown, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/820-2600
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: Downtown
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun. No lunch

Rioja
Address: 1431 Larimer St., Larimer Square, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/820-2282
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: Larimer Square
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V

Mexican

Blue Bonnet Cafe and Lounge
Address: 457 S. Broadway, South Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/778-0147
Price range: $$
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: South Denver
Reservations not accepted.
Credit Cards: MC, V

Jack 'n' Grill
Address: 2424 Federal Blvd., North Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/964-9544
Price range: $
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: North Denver
Reservations not accepted.
Credit Cards: MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon.

Lime
Address: 1424-C Larimer St., Larimer Square, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/893-5463
Price range: $
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: Larimer Square
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun. No lunch

Tamayo
Address: 1400 Larimer St., Larimer Square, Denver, CO
Phone: 720/946-1433
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: Larimer Square
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends

Pizza

Anthony's Pizza
Address: 1550 California St., Downtown, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/573-6236
Price range: ¢
Cuisine: Pizza
Location: Downtown
Credit Cards: MC, V Closed: Closed Sun.

Pasquini's Pizzeria
Address: 1310 S. Broadway, South Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/744-0917
Price range: $
Cuisine: Pizza
Location: South Denver
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V Closed: No lunch Sun.

Seafood

Jax Fish House
Address: 1539 17th St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/292-5767
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: LoDo
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch

Steak

Capital Grille
Address: 1450 Larimer St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/539-2500
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: Larimer Square
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch Sun.

Morton's of Chicago
Address: 1710 Wynkoop St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/825-3353
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: LoDo
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch

Palm Restaurant
Address: 1672 Lawrence St., Downtown, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/825-7256
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: Downtown
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends

Sullivan's Steakhouse
Address: 1745 Wazee St., LoDo, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/295-2664
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: LoDo
Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends

Buckhorn Exchange
Address: 1000 Osage St., Central Denver, Denver, CO, 80204
Phone: 303/534-9505
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends

Vegetarian

WaterCourse Foods
Address: 837 E. 17th Ave., Central Denver, Denver, CO
Phone: 303/832-7313
Price range: $
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Location: Central Denver
Credit Cards: MC, V

Tipping

Tipping in Denver, as well as the rest of the United States, is voluntary. While you do not have to tip wait and hotel staff or drivers and bellhops, tips are very much appreciated and also somewhat expected. Waitstaff is tipped 15 to 20 percent, and counter service people are tipped 10 percent. Tips are usually not included in the bill unless, perhaps, you are dining with a large party. Bellhops and baggage handlers should be tipped $1-2 per bag; hotel housekeepers should be tipped $1-3 per day; hairdressers receive 10-15 percent; valets get $1-2; and never forget the bartender. He should receive $1 per drink.

Hotels in Denver, Colorado