The Most Fun Restaurants in Denver

Denver’s dining scene has steadily been on the rise over the past few years. The Mile High City has seen tons of spots open up with exciting new culinary options. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert. Find a whole range of cool restaurants, from fancy jacket-and-tie spots to the tiny diners serving up classics. Diners can opt for cheap or expensive, divey or fancy—Denver has it all. Read on for our list of some of the most fun restaurants in Denver.

The OpenTable Team

10 Restaurants

Updated January 14, 2020

Restaurants:	Linger, El Five, SOL Mexican Cocina - Denver…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Unspecified, Mediterranean, Mexican…
Neighborhoods:	Highlands, Cherry Creek…

Linger

$$$$

Unspecified

Highlands

4.7

6923 reviews

Linger is one of the most lively and fun restaurants in Denver. They feature incredible vegan and vegetarian food, amazing hospitality, and a lively atmosphere to enjoy. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner here, so you can drop in for a meal anytime throughout the day! The sopapillas here — one of the house favorites — are light and delicious. Chorizo tacos have Soyrizo topped off with avocado aioli, and are so delicious vegans and carnivores alike will want to eat more than one! The Tom Kha Soup, bao bun,s and Colorado lamb kabobs are also worth trying. Plus, the location is amazing with a rooftop bar and fantastic views of downtown Denver.

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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El Five

$$$$

Mediterranean

Highlands

4.8

3447 reviews

El Five is a cool restaurant that sits high above LoHi on the fifth floor. They offer spectacular views of the Downtown Denver skyline and a fantastic sunset view if you come here for dinner. The large open-air patio is the perfect place to hang out for a drink and a few bites. El Five's menu features sharing platters, like the Jamon Iberico, The Mediterranean Spread, and the El Five Snack Mix. They also have great tapas dishes like the goat cheese croquettes, Turkish pizza and Dungeness crab. It is fun to get a bunch of plates to share with your friends!

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

Experiences available

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Takeout available

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SOL Mexican Cocina - Denver

$$$$

Mexican

Cherry Creek

4.4

1481 reviews

SOL Cocina is in Denver’s exciting Cherry Creek North neighborhood and is home to a tiny slice of Baja. The setting is modern Mexican and you may find yourself transported south when you take a seat by the fire pit on the indoor-outdoor patio or hang out in the lively bar with live entertainment. They have a whole menu of delicious Mexican food to choose from, including guacamole, specialty tacos, peel and eat shrimp, enchiladas, skirt steak, and so much more. Come in for their happy hour to take advantage of great prices on snacks and margaritas and enjoy the fun and lively crowd!

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

3997 reviews

Located in Historic Larimer Square, Tamayo is a chic spot with a giant rooftop deck and sweeping views of the mountain. They have an innovative Latin menu by Chef Richard Sandoval, who is often called the “Father of Modern Mexican Cuisine.” The menu has savory and authentic Mexican dishes, as well as over 100 tequilas and agave-based spirits, making it a go-to spot for margaritas and specialty cocktails. It has an extensive menu filled with Latin delights, including chili and coffee rubbed carne asada, alambre skewers, smoked short ribs, tacos, enchiladas, and more. Come with a group and order a table full of plates to share.

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

The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar Denver

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown / LoDo

4.1

3221 reviews

The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar is in the swanky Hotel Curtis downtown, right near all of the big conference centers. That makes it a big hit with traveling business folks. They are a cozy place to dine — just grab one of the big booths and peruse the large menu over a martini. They have a full menu of eclectic dishes, including the Buttermilk Fried Chicken plate, Chicken Tikka Masala, Bibimbap Rice Bowl, and the Office Burger And, of course, the martinis are one of the main reasons to check out the Corner Office.

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

the plimoth

$$$$

American

Central

4.8

2156 reviews

The plimoth, located in Central Denver, has a menu that draws on classic French and Italian cuisine. They take inspiration from seasonal and local ingredients that offer a modern twist on each dish. The ever-changing menus reflect the restaurant’s partnerships with local farmers and artisan producers. You never know exactly what you’ll find here but past menu options have included a crispy pork and white bean hummus tartlet, herb roasted beet "carpaccio," market squash gnocchi, Pacific opah, and cracklin’ chicken with Southern dumplings.

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

The Capital Grille - Denver

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown / LoDo

4.8

4354 reviews

What could be more fun than going to a fancy steakhouse with a group of good friends? The Capital Grille is nationally renowned for their dry aged and hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, creative sides, and amazing desserts. They also have a wine list that would wow even the most seasoned sommelier. The Denver Capital Grille is a fancy establishment located right downtown, with swanky booths and stately decor. Grab a table and order one of the chef’s suggestions, like the seared tenderloin with butter poached lobster tails or the sliced filet mignon. It will definitely make for a memorable night out!

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

Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown / LoDo

4.8

1950 reviews

Fancy some live music with your dinner? Check out Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, a multi-level “gastro-brothel” with an open pit at the center that features a stage for live performances. Guests can see the stage from all over the restaurant. It’s a brilliant way to combine dining and musical performances in one funky space. Order the Stone Fire Skillets and Boards, which include Green Chili Goat Cheese Cornbread and Scandinavian Duck Meatballs, or an entree like the Chicken and Waffles or Grilled Hangar Steak.

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Experiences available

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Casa Bonita

$$$$

Mexican

Denver

0 reviews

If you’re in the mood for fun AND Mexican food, look no further than Casa Bonita in Lakewood. This restaurant features a complete Mexican village with performances by pirates and gorillas, a 30-foot waterfall designed to look like the cliffs of Acapulco, caves, game rooms, puppet shows, and more. It’s no wonder they are one of the top roadside attractions in Denver. Order one of the fun Casa platters such as the Green Chile burrito platter or the enchilada platter, which come with chips, queso, salsa, and sopapillas with honey.

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Experiences available

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Den Restaurant

$$$$

Japanese

Denver

4.6

1679 reviews

Izakaya Den is a popular gastro pub serving global cuisine on South Pearl Street. They offer Japanese plates along with dishes infused with international flavors. This cool restaurant has the idea of being an easy place to let loose after a hard day’s work. They honor the "slow food" tradition and offer the chance to stretch out the dining experience and really savor your meal. The menu offers Japanese small plates, sashimi, nigiri, dumplings, noodle dishes, and more — they're a perfect place to order a slew of small plates for a group of friends.

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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The Most Fun Restaurants