Best Restaurants in Denver

I would consider myself pretty active. That being said, I also love to eat good food. I don’t know if that makes me a foodie, but I can appreciate a great restaurant. When we find a place to love, we can’t wait to tell everyone about it. These are some of our favorite restaurants and what we’d consider the best restaurants in Denver.

If you’re more curious about brunch, check out my list of favorites. And if breweries are your thing, I have a list for that too!

Best Restaurants in Denver (aka my favorites)

Guard and Grace

Central Business District (CBD)

If you’re looking for a bit of a splurge or the perfect place for a celebration, Guard and Grace is what I’d recommend. It may not be the “right” way to order them, but if you go you have to try the Alaskan King Crab Legs… grilled. They were out of this world.

As a steakhouse, they have countless options when it comes to steak. I tried the Wagyu fillet and my husband had a New York Prime cut. As a mashed potato lover, we had to order the Whipped Potatoes. There were other options including seafood and pork if steak isn’t your cup of tea. I can’t praise this meal enough. Honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

Satchels on 6th

Cheeseman Park / Cherry Creek

One of our favorite restaurants, that we frequent quite a bit, is Stachel’s on 6th. This spot is smaller in size, so a recommendation is a good idea. It’s vibe is a nicer-neighborhood hang out spot. The bar is at the center of the restaurant and fun to sit at. On the other hand, the tables and booths are cozy.

The menu changes seasonally and always has great options. Every time we’ve been they’ve had their burger on the menu and I’d highly recommend it. The desserts and cocktails that rotate through are also so, so good!

BlueFin Sushi Bar

Central Park

My husband and I love sushi. I don’t consider us sushi “snobs” but we are a little picky about where we go. We’ve been to a lot of different restaurants around Denver and BlueFin is by far our favorite. The Kani Salad, Crispy Tuna started, and Lemon Tree rolls are amazing. Another favorite sushi restaurant is Okinawa. Sushi Den is supposed to be the best one, and we’ll try it eventually!

Happy Camper

Highland

If you’re looking for an outdoor patio, pizza, and creative cocktails, the perfect spot is Happy Camper. Across I-25 from downtown, this spot is a great spot for warmer weather. It started in Chicago, and we’re pretty happy they opened a location here. The pizzas are incredible and the drinks are fun. What could be better??

El Noa Noa

Lincoln Park / Capital Hill

There are a ton of Mexican restaurants around Denver. Most are incredible. But, if you’re looking for amazing authentic Mexican food I’d head to El Noa Noa. The margaritas are strong, and there are so many flavor options. Tacos? Burritos? Enchiladas? They have it all.

If you want more Mexican options, and no judgement if it’s all you want to eat, here are some other options: Los Chingones, North County, Machete Tequila + Tacos, Dos Santos, Tacos Tequila Whiskey. And, if you like Chipotle you have to try Illegal Pete’s.

Work & Class

RiNo

If tapas are your thing, you need to check out Work & Class. There’s a little bit of everything and you can choose small or large portions. The appetizers and salads include bruschetta and empanadas. For meats, there’s trout, short ribs, and rotisserie chicken. There’s a variety of sides and then a few desserts to choose from. It’s the perfect place to test out new things and please everyone.

Dio Mio

RiNo

For authentic Italian, homemade pasta Dio Mio should be your first stop. The menu is smaller, but there’s enough variety that there’s an option for everyone’s taste preference. There are classics including Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti, and Cacio e Pepe. Or more adventurous options including a Rigatoni with fennel sausage, Baked Fazzoletti with caramelized onions, and Casarecce with prosciutto and lemon.

El Five

Highland

Another great option for tapas is El Five. We haven’t tried this one yet since I’m still trying to convince my husband that tapas are where it’s at, but it’s supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Denver. We’ve been to some of the other restaurants within the restaurant group that owns this one and those have been incredible. El Five is a mix of Spanish and Eastern Mediterranean food, so you know the flavors and food options will be awesome.