Best restaurants in Denver

18 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Butcher Block Cafe receives Denver recommendations, with most diners not naming an outlet and one explicitly recommending RiNo. Without specifying a branch, several diners praise cinnamon rolls, one singles out hash browns and two describe a classic greasy-spoon atmosphere. In the RiNo discussion, one diner found the food below expectations and another disliked a delivery breakfast; a supporter enjoyed the cinnamon rolls but found the other food basic.

Rino

15 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Sam's No. 3 draws repeated breakfast recommendations in Denver, with most diners not naming a branch. One diner praises its breakfast burritos and traditional breakfast dishes, while another specifically vouches for service in the downtown bar area. A further supporter wishes it still operated around the clock.

13 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

J's on Federal draws repeated praise. One diner singles out the country pad thai and says everything they have tried has been delicious; another independently praises every dish they have tried. A visitor who has traveled in Thailand ranks it among their best Thai meals, and a further commenter calls it good value.

Federal

11 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Ros Siam receives repeated Thai-food recommendations, with two diners describing it as a favorite or usual choice. One visitor recommends pineapple fried rice, pad Thai and pad see ew, while another specifically praises the pad Thai. A dissenting diner finds it only alright, so the positive consensus is not unanimous.

Highlands

10 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Moonlight Diner draws repeated recommendations for its Tower Road location near the airport. One diner calls it a favorite, another praises the chrome-heavy diner atmosphere, and a further visitor likes its greasy-spoon feel. One commenter cautions that the location may be inconvenient for people seeking a diner near central Denver.

Tower Road

10 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Potager earns strong loyalty, with several people naming it as their last-meal answer and others endorsing it. One commenter says chefs recommend it and calls it a personal favorite, and another who lived nearby returned multiple times without disappointment. The praise is enthusiastic but general, with little detail about specific dishes or the experience itself.

10 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood, r/Denver

Hops & Pie gets recommendations for pizza and its beer selection. Two diners praise the Detroit-style pizza, but another finds that style disappointing and prefers its thinner crusts. One wing enthusiast recommends the charred wings. Other reservations are specific: one diner finds the dough tastes odd, and another prefers the sandwiches to the pizza.

10 people recommend, 1 warns against itcounted across its outletsvia r/denverfood

Lucile's is recommended for breakfast and brunch across its Denver outlets, with most diners not naming a branch. One diner recommends eggs Benedict with a biscuit, another praises the potatoes, and a New Orleans native ranks it among their best meals of this kind. A Louisiana native disagrees and reports repeated disappointment. Another visitor usually enjoys the Eggs Pontchartrain but prefers a darker roux than the gumbo they tried.

10 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood

Uchi is a sushi spot that many diners recommend, with several naming it as a splurge-worthy pick and one calling it their favorite high-end Japanese meal including sushi. One diner says the omakase with a sake or cocktail pairing is the way to go, and another singles out the sushi bar as the best seat. The ambience and vibes get praise, though one visitor found everything tasted the same on a recent visit.

9 people recommendvia r/denverfood, r/Denver

D'Corazon on Blake Street receives repeated recommendations, including one diner who calls it a favorite. Another says it is worth returning to after its seasonal break. A further commenter says queso can replace green chili; that is a historical menu remark rather than a guarantee of current availability.

9 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Brooklyn's Finest receives Denver recommendations for New York-style pizza, with the downtown outlet specifically mentioned by one former nearby resident. That diner describes a satisfying slice within walking distance; another commenter from the Philadelphia area says the pizza meets their craving. A further supporter treats it as a replacement for a shop that closed. Most comments do not name an outlet.

Downtown

9 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Sassafras on West 32nd draws repeated breakfast recommendations. One supporter praises the potato casserole and bacon, and another singles out the breakfast mac and cheese. Two diners call it a favorite. The criticism is substantial too: one visitor reports disappointing food across two visits, another would not return because of the cost, and a third finds the food decent but the portions small for the price.

9 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Safta draws repeated recommendations for its brunch buffet, with several diners treating it as a worthwhile splurge. One visitor says they take out-of-town guests there, and another praises the food while disliking the bright atmosphere. The dissent is clear: one diner finds it mediocre for the cost, and another considers it overhyped.

8 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Esters receives Denver pizza recommendations, with one Virginia Village regular specifically praising consistent food, friendly service and reasonable prices there. Other comments do not identify an outlet: one diner recommends the potato pizza, while another especially likes the brunch pizza despite not considering the pizza overall among their best.

8 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Famous J's is a pizza place that several diners name as a pick, with a couple of them specifying the Original Famous J's name. One diner recommends it when in the area, especially after a show, though that same diner ranks Fat Sully's and Angelo's above it as closer to a New York slice.

8 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

The Marquis draws praise as a New York-style pizza spot in Denver, with several people calling it the best slice in the city. One former New Yorker says it satisfies a craving for a classic slice joint and notes a nice char. Another diner keeps trying to recreate the BBQ & Not U, a spicy-sweet pizza, and says nothing else satisfies that craving.

8 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Swift's on Santa Fe is repeatedly recommended as an old-style diner. One commenter describes it as a genuine hole-in-the-wall, while another remembers it as good value but makes clear they have not visited in a few years. Opinions explicitly about Swift's on Colfax are not included here.

Santa Fe

8 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Suvipa Thai on Federal is a Thai spot that one diner rates as the best Thai food they have found in Denver after living in Southeast Asia. Another person says the kitchen leans into spice and fish sauce and always orders the green curry and pad kra pao, which hit every time, and a third singles out the papaya salad as a favorite. Two people say they love the place, though one diner who rates it really good still puts another Thai spot on Federal ahead of it.

Federal

8 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Nozomi in Sunnyside receives repeated recommendations in a search for casual sushi. One diner favors it for walk-ins or weeknight takeout, while another calls it a takeout standby. A further visitor rates it alongside more expensive competitors at better value, and another praises the fish and service. Those are individual experiences rather than promises about availability or waiting times.

Sunnyside

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood, r/Denver

Redeemer in RiNo receives repeated pizza recommendations, including one diner's top-three selection. The dissent is specific: one regular calls it merely okay, another finds it inconsistent but excellent on a good visit, and a third dislikes what they describe as a canned-tomato-paste flavor.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Denver

Tommy's Thai on Colfax receives repeated recommendations, with two diners calling it excellent or amazing. One visitor ranks the panang curry as their favorite in town, while a former nearby regular praises the pad thai. A dissenting diner finds it only alright, and another prefers even a grocery-store alternative.

Colfax

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood

Temaki Den is a sushi restaurant that several people recommend, with the omakase and happy hour singled out as the things to get. One diner calls it the best in town and notes it is not cheap, adding that it is not the place for rainbow or Philadelphia-style rolls. One commenter names it as a warning without further detail.

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Barolo Grill receives repeated Italian-dining recommendations, with one diner calling it their favorite high-end restaurant for quality and originality. Another praises the wine-braised duck and desserts but finds it pricey. Dissent includes a diner who found it merely okay, one who disliked the duck and uncomfortable seating, and another who stopped going after two disappointing visits in 2023.

7 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Guard and Grace receives repeated steakhouse recommendations. One diner names a favorite meal built around a New York strip, truffle mac and cheese and sticky toffee date cake; another praises the black cod. A dissenting commenter likes the food but finds the office crowd detracts from the atmosphere.

7 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Sexy Pizza receives Denver recommendations, with one diner specifically favoring the South Pearl Street outlet after trying the branches. That diner praises the quality while noting it is not cheap. Another supporter likes the slices and atmosphere without naming an outlet, and a further commenter calls it their favorite pizza choice.

7 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Kawa Ni receives repeated recommendations, including three diners who describe it as a favorite experience or top-three choice. One visitor praises a dimly lit, bustling date-night atmosphere; another enjoyed a birthday meal. A further diner recommends the shaved broccoli salad, dumplings, scallop nama and karaage don.

7 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Joy Hill is a pizza place that several diners name among their favorites in the city. One diner calls the Chilis n' Pep pie among the best they have eaten and very consistent, and another says pairing it with a salad and frozen cocktails on the deck makes for the best experience. A weekly visitor describes the pizza as amazing and perfect.

7 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

A steakhouse on Colfax west of Colorado Boulevard that one diner describes as part hole-in-the-wall and part fine dining, with a bar side for a casual experience. One diner says the sugar rub changed how they cook steak, and another calls it their go-to last meal. A commenter notes you get a lot of food for the money, and it is good.

East Colfax

7 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

El Taco de Mexico on Santa Fe draws repeated recommendations. One diner singles out the al pastor, while a longtime visitor recommends the carne asada and chile relleno burritos. Another specifically endorses the smothered chile relleno burrito. The longtime visitor says they have returned since the 1980s and still enjoy the food.

7th Santa Fe

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood

The Universal is a brunch spot that several commenters name as a good choice, with one listing it among solid options on the Westside. One diner who has been a few times disagrees with the bland-food criticism, while another diner says the food is bland and wishes it were better.

6 people recommendvia r/Denver, r/denverfood

Sliceworks is a pizza place that several diners recommend, with a few simply naming it as their pick. One visitor who has been to the downtown location says it serves the closest thing to a true New York slice they have found around Denver. A commenter says the cheese slice comes near New York style, though they note it is not always consistent.

6 people recommendvia r/denverfood

White Pie is a pizza restaurant that several diners recommend. The puff bread and the Fromage a Trois pie both draw praise, and one visitor also highlights the burrata portion and Caesar salad. One diner describes the restaurant as very consistent, with the lasagna and the service both called out as strong.

6 people recommendvia r/denverfood

El Jefe draws brunch recommendations, with one diner also praising a dinner visit. Another specifically recommends the al pastor, a further visitor praises the salsa verde, and one commenter likes the size of the burritos. The positive comments span different meals rather than identifying a single consensus order.

6 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Cozy Cottage on Tennyson is repeatedly recommended for breakfast or brunch. One visitor describes a cute setting, and another praises the outdoor patio in good weather. A further diner considers it underappreciated. The comments offer more detail about the setting than about individual dishes.

Tennyson

6 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Spuntino is an Italian restaurant that several diners recommend, with one describing an Indian twist on Italian food that left them impressed. One commenter feels it has stayed consistently excellent through ownership changes, and others name it among their top picks, including for a splurge-worthy meal.

6 people recommendvia r/Denver

Tasty Thai receives Denver recommendations, with two diners describing consistently good experiences. One visitor likes the curry for takeout without specifying an outlet. Another specifically points to Leetsdale and Monaco and calls its lunch deal good value. Most comments concern the brand without identifying a particular branch.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood

Viva Burrito receives Denver breakfast-burrito recommendations, with one diner specifically praising the Mexican omelette breakfast burrito at Leetsdale. Another includes the brand among their best finds after years of looking. Dissenters find it mediocre or disappointing. Most comments concern the brand without identifying a particular branch.

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/denverfood

The Wolf's Tailor receives repeated recommendations, including one diner who treats it as worth an annual visit. That visitor praises the food's creativity, presentation and drink pairings, while another independently recommends the food and cocktail pairing. One supporter is less keen on set menus, and a dissenting diner considers the restaurant overhyped.

6 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Los Dos Potrillos receives recommendations for the brand, with most diners not identifying an outlet. One praises its consistently good Tex-Mex food and spice, and another recommends a strawberry margarita. The Denver outlet near Colorado and Interstate 25 is explicitly named by a dissatisfied visitor who found the food cold and undersalted and the margaritas weak. Other dissenters call the brand only okay; this is not an outlet-specific consensus.

6 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Cart Driver receives Denver pizza recommendations, with the RiNo outlet specifically praised by one regular for work lunches and focaccia with butter. Another diner ranks the business among their top three pizza choices. The dissent includes a diner who finds it overhyped and another who dislikes the rigatoni bolognese; neither identifies an outlet.

5 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Sap Sua is a Vietnamese restaurant that several people recommend, with one diner praising its take on Vietnamese food and another recalling a memorable meal at its pop-up before the restaurant opened. One visitor says the food was epic but found the lighting harsh enough to put them off returning, suggesting sitting at the bar instead. One diner felt it was so good that a Wednesday reservation had to be booked a month out.

5 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Adelitas receives recommendations for brunch and other meals. One diner recommends the molcajete with margaritas, while another praises the value and generously sauced tamales. A further visitor likes the business despite not finding the queso they wanted. Menu and specials remarks describe past visits, not guaranteed current offers.

5 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Rosso Pomodoro is a pizza restaurant that diners recommend, with one person calling it the best. A visitor who has tried several pizzas rates them all highly and mentions the burrata with prosciutto, and another diner says the crust is very good.

5 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Bistro Vendôme comes up as a brunch recommendation, and a few diners speak well of it. One calls it very good and says they love going there, another describes it as underrated and suggests sitting at the bar, and a third says it is really good with a different vibe from other brunch spots. The praise is general rather than detailed, with no specific dishes mentioned.

5 people recommendvia r/denverfood

Stowaway Kitchen receives repeated brunch recommendations. One diner names the Colorful Colorado plate as a favorite, while another particularly likes the Scram Sandwich. A further commenter praises the food, and another considers it their top brunch choice.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Denver

Anthony's receives Denver pizza recommendations, with the University of Denver area outlet identified in the comparison that generated several of the comments. One diner recommends the cheese slice. The reservations include a visitor who found waits longer than quoted and the pizza disappointing, and another who considers it acceptable rather than the best. These are brand-level opinions unless an outlet is named.

University

5 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/denverfood

Beckon draws strong praise from diners who describe it as an unbelievable experience and, for one visitor, the best meal they have ever had. Another person who has eaten at many Michelin places worldwide ranks it number one for outstanding food and service. Not everyone is won over: one diner found the food excellent but the portions too small and the service short of the price, and another felt it was not worth the money and would not return.