Denver’s Best
Eateries
The restaurant industry in Denver has flourished in the past years just as much as the cannabis industry. With countless locally owned businesses setting a new standard for Denver’s foodie culture, there’s no shortage of new and exciting places to try. However, both tourists and locals can find it challenging to find the prime locations to cure their munchies. As a huge advocate for supporting local businesses, I’ve compiled a list of Denver’s best eateries across a wide variety of cuisines for your enjoyment.
Be sure to always tip your servers and bartenders, and tag The Mile High Millennial on your Instagram story when you visit!
My absolute favorite restaurant in Denver, Uncle offers an elevated take on traditional ramen that you won’t find anywhere else. With sublime apps, a rotating cocktail list, and the most delectable ramen, Uncle never disappoints.
An awesome spot for shareable Japanese cuisine, Mizu is perfect for a group dinner in the Highlands with its diverse menu of elevated dishes, freshly sourced sushi, and amazing craft cocktails. An authentic izakaya experience with a stylish touch.
Easily one of the best spots in Larimer Square, Rioja has a Mediterranean inspired menu sure to amaze. With handmade pastas, innovative entrees, and a tasting menu on deck, it’s the perfect date night dinner for those who like to eat outside the box.
Nestled in Cherry Creek’s Jacquard Hotel, this academically decorated restaurant offers “storied” food with modern American dishes and a robust wine list. With oddities like lobster corn dogs & caesar salad deviled eggs, Narrative makes dinner an experience.
Heralded as one of the top sushi restaurants in the country, Sushi Den serves fish that’s flown in from Japan daily to provide the freshest and most luxurious flavors. Their sprawling menu offers a sushi dining experience like none other and is well worth any wait.
The first black-owned & family operated seafood restaurant, TK’s brings the fire with seafood boils that rival all others. Their “secret sauce”, spicy mac & cheese, and customizable meals make for the ultimate indulgence for lovers of all things cajun.
This quaint yet refined restaurant is a dedicated hub for New American cuisine. Their seasonal menu is small but bold in flavor, making every dish a standout. With a carefully curated wine list and farm-to-table ingredients, Fruition is a great date night dinner.
This trendy Japanese eatery has been a mainstay on South Broadway for well over a decade, offering a colorful assortment of sushi, sashimi, sake, cocktails, and more. Flashy presentation and hand-crafted drinks make for a great evening out.
As local hot pot lovers probably know, there aren’t many spots close to downtown, but luckily you can find this gem just south of Cherry Creek. With a wide array of broths, meats, seafood, & veggies with a full bar, The Bronze Empire has something for everyone.
A culinary exploration of Chinese-Vietnamese fusion with a nod to European techniques, this Asian eatery offers innovative dishes found nowhere else. All of their small plates, entrees, and cocktails come with a creative twist you won’t forget.
With 3 locations around Denver, the perfect tacos are always within reach. Machete’s tacos are a quintessential blend of authentic and modern, with house-infused tequilas, a flight of scratch-made salsas, and my favorite- their lobster taco.
This award-winning sushi spot offers the freshest selection of ingredients among the competition. Whether you try one of their tasting menus or pick whatever looks good, you’ll be wowed throughout the night between sips of one of their great craft cocktails.
Located at the Hotel Clio in Cherry Creek, Toro specializes in Latin American cuisine with subtle Japanese, & Chinese influences. With a large patio, creative dishes, and a great wine & cocktail selection, this place went immediately into my favorites.
One of many eateries at The Source, Safta boasts an Israeli/Mediterranean menu with a plethora of small & large shareable plates. Perfect for an intimate date night or a group dinner, their multicultural fusion cuisine is for all to enjoy.
Undoubtedly the best burgers in Denver, 5280 sources all of their ingredients locally and makes everything from scratch. With so many craft burgers to choose from, their “I Can’t Decide” option allows you to try a small version of both alongside your boozy milkshake.
For foodies craving some creativity, Señor Bear offers an eclectic Latin-inspired menu you won’t find anywhere else. Combining authentic Latin cooking with an elevated execution, they offer unique dishes, cocktails, and ambiance unlike any other in the city.
If Uncle’s wait is too long for you, you can still find excellent ramen just a four minute drive away at Sera’s. More traditional than Uncle but still more modernized than other Japanese ramen, Sera’s has a great cozy atmosphere to go with your dinner.
Located in the historic Union Station, this underrated eatery offers Spanish tapas, Portuguese petiscos, and a cocktail & wine list to match. Pretty murals, knowledgeable servers, and innovative dishes make for a great group rendezvous.
Offering over 90 whiskeys, 30 beer taps, craft cocktails, a tasty southern-inspired menu, and a timeless ambiance, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot boasts a memorable experience laced with tasteful nostalgia. A great option especially for late-night dining.
My favorite place to get poke out of all others in Denver, Menya is the best because of the customizability and freshness of their ingredients. Their poke is the perfect summertime lunch to enjoy on their patio next to Little Raven Park.
If you love dinner with a view, this restaurant has one of the best skyline views of Denver you can find! Their signature paella dishes are a must try, but all of their curated Spanish & Mediterranean inspired small plates are to die for as well.
If you’re a pho lover looking for a modernized setting, look no further than the Vietnamese-American family owned Pho & Bar. Their Haus broth brings bright new flavors to the table and the cutely decorated interior brings ultimate Instagram-ability.
For authentic Italian food, Odyssey is regarded as one of the best in town. Located in a Victorian home with an extensive menu and great wine list, you’ll be leaving full and happy without fail. Be sure to try on $12 pasta Mondays!
Tucked away in a beautiful courtyard at Larimer Square, this French eatery offers a small seasonal menu that will transport you right to Paris. With 65 selections of French wines, refined Parisian dishes, and a lovely ambiance, Bistro Vendôme is a perfect date spot.
Open for over 40 years, La Loma is a landmark family-owned Mexican restaurant with an upscale-rustic ambiance. Traditional cuisine, jumbo margaritas, and a great happy hour all lend to the reason this eatery has been a Denver mainstay for so long.
If you’re an adventurous eater that still loves classic American junk food, you’re in for a wild ride at Biker Jim’s. With hot dogs made of exotic meats like ostrich, wild boar, elk, rattlesnake & rabbit as well as a plethora of ways to top them, there’s no shortage of excitement.
A sister restaurant to Señor Bear, Mister Oso brings its Latin inspiration to a more casual setting with deconstructed tacos for you to wrap in the best tortillas you’ll ever try. With two locations in RiNo & Wash Park, Mister Oso is always a vibe.
This elegant steakhouse by acclaimed chef Troy Guard is the quintessential upscale date night spot. They feature a filet mignon flight, an extensive wine & cocktail list, and fancy appetizers & desserts to blow both your mind and palette.
A casual Italian tavern on 6th Avenue, Angelo’s offers a great happy hour, fresh oysters, handmade pasta, craft cocktails, and curated wines in a homey atmosphere. The perfect combination of traditional Italian with a laid-back setting.
One of my favorite sushi restaurants, Hapa never disappoints. Their small plates, entrees, sushi, and sashimi is always both amazingly tasty and fresh. In addition, they also offer the best sushi happy hour you can find in Denver!
Thanks for reading, Stay Mile High ✌️
