The Best Places to Eat in Denver

With its gorgeous mountain views, scenic skyline, and crisp, fresh air, Denver is home to some of the prettiest terrain in the whole country. And the dining scene in Denver is just as diverse and appealing. These days, one can barely go a few blocks in Denver without bumping into a new restaurant, whether it’s a craft-beer-focused gastropub or a high-end Italian restaurant from a celebrity chef. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Denver restaurants have really stepped up their game lately and this formerly quiet town is buzzing with foodie destinations. Looking for a dining experience not to forget? Check out our list of Denver’s iconic dishes.

The OpenTable Team

11 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	El Five, the plimoth, Linger…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Mediterranean, American, International…
Neighborhoods:	Highlands, Central…

El Five

$$$$

Mediterranean

Highlands

4.8

3293 reviews

El Five is in the Highlands in a fifth-story restaurant covered in vintage Turkish cinema posters of beautiful people, lovers kissing and fighting, and Turkish quotes The room has a show kitchen in the center with two stunning patios on the outer edges, each offering gorgeous views of the mountains and skylines. It’s all Mediterranean flavors here, from Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon. The real star on the menu is the paella, which comes in five different varieties, each showcasing different ingredients, such as Rabbit Confit, Seafood, Basque Salumi, and Lamb Merguez. You may have to come back multiple times to try them all!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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the plimoth

$$$$

American

Central

4.8

2109 reviews

The plimoth offers an eclectic yet approachable menu based in classic French and Italian cuisine, but inspired by seasonal and local ingredients that give a modern twist to each dish. The ever-changing menus reflect the available ingredients from local farmers and artisan producers. The menu leans toward the heavier side of things, so get ready for items like sweet potato pierogies, pork rillette, and pork osso buco. The main star here, however, is the Cracklin’ Chicken, a Southern dumpling dish with "craw-daddy" gravy, spinach, bacon vinnie, and preserved tomatoes. It is hearty and delicious, and they recommend you pair it with a glass of Bertrand Machard Aligote Burgundy.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Linger

$$$$

International

Highlands

4.7

6770 reviews

Linger is an international tapas restaurant located in the Highlands neighborhood. The space has a funky design, with reclaimed boxcar floors, a Lite Brite bar top, and infinity windows with awesome views of Downtown Denver. They put a unique spin on traditional ethnic eats originating from Europe and Asia, the Caribbean and Africa, the Middle East ands India. The thing to get here is one of their menu staples, the Korean BBQ Tacos. The beef is actually a Wagyu Short Rib, which you’ll appreciate when you try it, topped with green bean slaw, radish, wasabi peas, Gochujang Aioli, ginger, and lime.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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The Nickel - Hotel Teatro

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown / LoDo

4.1

890 reviews

The Nickel is downtown in Denver’s historic Tramway Building, originally opened in 1911. The decor and setting pay homage to the space where riders used to pay their fare to hop on the tram. The menus here focus on using the highest quality ingredients from farmers, ranchers, and craft producers, and you’ll find plates that are recognizable and simple but have their own complex twist. The standout meal here is the Short Rib Main Plate. The ribs are super high-quality, melt-in-your-mouth beef and come with a Sauce Royale and Chimchurri — one of Denver’s finest meals.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

SOL Mexican Cocina - Denver

$$$$

Mexican

Cherry Creek

4.3

1409 reviews

SOL Cocina is a Mexican restaurant located in the heart of Cherry Creek. They feature a casual, elegant dining experience fronted by Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, a James Beard Award nominee. She created a menu of contemporary and gourmet interpretations of Baja street cuisine and the results are out of this world! They serve all kinds of antojitos, street tacos, cocktels de mariscos, and main dishes featuring fresh seafood, grilled meats, and local produce. Their famous dish is the Taco Vampiro — a double tortilla stuffed with melted cheese, serrano chiles, and scallions, with carne asada, guacamole, chipotle sauce, and cotixa.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Banzai Sushi

$$$$

Japanese

Virginia Vale

4.7

317 reviews

Banzai Sushi in Central Denver is like a little taste of Japan tucked away on South Monaco Parkway. They feature the highest level of Japanese cuisine crafted with a creative touch. You can select from 100 sushi combinations ranging from the usual to the outrageous — and there are rolls for every taste! They also have lunch and dinner menus with fish, chicken, and beef. One of their must-try rolls is the “Roll in the Hay,” which includes salmon and smelt roe, quail egg, and wiggly sea urchin.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Little Ollie's

$$$$

Contemporary Asian

Cherry Creek

4.6

376 reviews

Little Ollie’s in the Cherry Creek North Shopping District is a warm, inviting place to stop for lunch or dinner while you’re taking a break from retail consumption. They showcase modern Asian cuisine that features the freshest ingredients with local produce and an innovative wine list. All of their signature plates display the talents of the kitchen but the Spicy Crispy Lemon Chicken is the real star. Served with mixed vegetables and a light lemon citrus reduction, it’s the perfect fuel for a day of shopping in Denver.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Tamayo Restaurant

$$$$

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown / LoDo

4.5

3906 reviews

Tamayo is a contemporary Mexican restaurant by famed Chef Richard Sandoval, the “Father of Modern Mexican Cuisine.” Located in the Downtown area of Denver in Historic Larimer Square, the restaurant features a sleek and elegant dining area as well as a vast rooftop deck with sweeping views of the mountains. The menu has a variety of delicious Latin dishes with unique and inventive flavors. Order the Colorado Bass for a real treat of the house. It comes with hoja santa, caper honey, chile guero, sun-dried tomatoes marmalade, almonds, and Meyer lemon.

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Experiences available

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Marco’s Coal Fired

$$$$

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

4.8

1097 reviews

Marco’s Coal Fired is downtown and serves some of the best pizza in all of Denver. The idea is simple — bring the authentic taste of Italy with the finest ingredients and traditional techniques of the Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) to locals. The pizzas are all cooked in an authentic Italian hand-built wood-fired pizza oven. You’ll definitely want to go for their signature Sicilian pie here, made with ricotta, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, Genoa salami, proscuitto cotto, artichokes, mushrooms, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Venice Ristorante & Wine Bar

$$$$

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

4.6

3606 reviews

This Italian restaurant, founded in 2002, brings five-star Venetian dining straight to the Tech Center/Greenwood Village neighborhood of Denver. Executive Chef Christian Delle Fave serves exquisite authentic Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting complete with white tablecloths, a glass-windowed wine cellar, and large marble columns that give it a regal air. Their standout dish is the Pappardelle all’ Aragosta: homemade wide ribbon egg pasta with a split cold water lobster tail sauteed with roasted garlic prawns, mussels, and fresh tomatoes in a chardonnay wine light marinara sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Sushi Den

$$$$

Japanese

Platt Park

4.8

640 reviews

Sushi Den is in the heart of Denver, CO, and is the place to go for casual, elegant Japanese cuisine that hits the mark every time. The master chef gets daily fresh fish dry iced and shipped straight from Japanese fish markets within 24 hours. And they get all of their vegetables from Den Farm in Brighton, Colorado. Sushi Den is one of the nation’s top sushi restaurants located right here in Wash Park, Denver! If you’re a sushi lover, you might want to consider booking a spot at an Omakase Chef tasting, named one of the top in the United States. The sashimi grade fish arrives fresh in the morning, and the owner and master chef designs the menu and prepares the special dinner in front of you that evening. It is truly one of Denver’s most iconic dishes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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