Among its world-class museums, finest breweries, and numerous historical landmarks, Denver stands out for having some of the best restaurants in the country. Ranging from contemporary dining places to cosy spots and quite a few lavish Michelin-starred diners, Denver’s fine dining scene has many options that you can choose from.
Modern eateries like Fruition and Mizuna serve the finest Denver classics on their menu for the utmost experience. While lavish taverns like Frasca Food and Wine and Tavernetta promise excellent service to give you perfect satisfaction. There are also some Asian-inspired eateries like Hop Alley for those who want to try something adventurous.
When in Denver, explore these famous restaurants to savour the true taste of the city. Seek new flavours on your every visit to get the most out of the carefully crafted menu.
Explore These 7 Famous Restaurants In Denver
1) Fruition
Founded by acclaimed Chef Alex Seidel, this decade-old establishment serves elevated comfort food with a farm-to-table twist. Fruition always presents fresh meals with seasonal ingredients in dishes like bison carpaccio, kohlrabi salad and veal sweetbreads scallopini. Their carefully selected wines and craft cocktails complement every dish and elevate the entire experience. Try the Red snapper with Colorado grits, squash succotash, and grape tomato vinaigrette. The Farm Egg Carbonara with soft poached egg, house-made pancetta, and Parmesan foam is also a must-try.
Location: 1313 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Open Hours: Sun-Thu: 5–9 pm; Fri-Sat: 5–10 pm
Must Try: Bison Carpaccio, Kohlrabi Salad, Veal Sweetbreads Scallopini, Heirloom Tomatoes with Burrata, Red Snapper, Farm Egg Carbonara, Colorado Lamb T-bone
Price for 2: $100+
2) Frasca Food and Wine
Frasca Food and Wine proudly crowns its prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for its refined Northern Italian cuisine. Led by partners Bobby Stuckey, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, and Peter Hoglund, Frasca offers locally sourced ingredients paired with top-shelf wines. Friulian dishes and expertly curated tasting menus featuring seasonal delicacies like rabbit, quail, and unique pastas is sure to delight you. Savour the Risotto Di Cacio Pere, Trota, Toc'in Braide, Agnolotti and Porcini Canederli for the finest Italian flavours.
Location: 1738 Pearl St, Boulder, Denver, Colorado 80302
Open Hours: Sun: 4:30–8:30 pm; Mon-Sat: 5–9 pm
Must Try: Risotto Di Cacio Pere, Trota, Toc'in Braide, Agnolotti and Porcini Canederli
Price for 2: $100+
3) The Buckhorn Exchange
The Buckhorn Exchange, founded in 1893, is a National Historic Landmark in Lincoln Park serving delectable American cuisine. It's a journey back in time, complete with red-and-white chequered tablecloths, vintage décor, an 1850s German white-oak bar, and taxidermy displays. The eclectic menu featuring alligator tail, elk, T-bone steak, and the iconic Rocky Mountain oysters gives a delightful experience. At this place, you can meet and chat with people from your neighbourhood as well as catch a glimpse of famous guests if you're lucky.
Location: 1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204
Open Hours: Sun: 4–9 pm; Mon-Thu: 5–9 pm; Fri-Sat: 4–9:30 pm
Must Try: Rocky Mountain oysters, elk dishes, T-bone steak, alligator tail, rattlesnake dishes, Gramma Fanny's pot roast
Price for 2: $100+
4) Mizuna
Mizuna in Governor’s Park is where you can Experience French sophistication at its best. Helmed by top chef-restaurateur Frank Bonanno, this restaurant serves signature French dishes along with American eats. Exotic dishes like Burgundian escargot, Tarte Flambée, beef Wellington, and pheasant breast will etch the flavours in your memory. The signature butter-poached lobster mac-n-cheese gives a true taste of beurre-blanc heaven. Seasonal creations like lump crab salad and bison étouffée are also a must-try on the menu.
Location: 225 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Open Hours: Sun-Mon: Closed; Tue-Thu: 5–9 pm; Fri-Sat: 5–10 pm
Must Try: Burgundian escargot, Tarte Flambée, beef Wellington, pheasant breast, butter-poached lobster mac-n-cheese, lump crab salad, bison étouffée, jumbo lump crab cake, seared diver scallops with Peruvian pepper spaghetti squash
Price for 2: $100+
5) Hop Alley
Hop Alley is known as the finest bar in RiNo serving inventive twists on Asian-inspired cuisine. On the menu, you’ll find some striking Asian dishes and their complementary liquors. The Coriander Summer Melon Salad featuring seasonal melon, cucumber, and berry vinaigrette and im sum classics like turnip cake with lap cheong sausage and shrimp is a must-try if you're visiting. Expect the unexpected with bone-marrow fried rice, salt-crusted bass, and sweet-and-sour pork loin, paired perfectly with the craft cocktails.
Location: 3500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Open Hours: Sun: Closed; Mon-Sat: 5–10 pm
Must Try: Coriander Summer Melon Salad, Turnip Cake, Bone-marrow fried rice, Salt-crusted bass, Sweet-and-sour pork loin, Chongqing-style fried chicken, Beijing duck roll, Black-pepper scallops, Garlicky wok-tossed pea tendrils
Price for 2: $100+
6) Tavernetta
Tavernetta is a Michelin-starred diner known for its Italian elegance. This place is owned by the renowned team behind Boulder's Frasca Food and Win and the menu offers a broader regional Italian menu. Whether you're cosied up by the fireplace lounge or seated near the bustling open kitchen, the atmosphere is inviting. Feast on homemade tortellini or lobster tagliatelle—the perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. Try the exotic Bay scallop crudo and Lamb ragù with rigatoni, and also Bucatini with uni butter and trout roe along with Roast chicken for two.
Location: 1889 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:30 am–10 pm; Sat-Sun: 3–10 pm
Must Try: Homemade tortellini, Lobster tagliatelle, Bay scallop crudo, Lamb ragù with rigatoni, Bucatini with uni butter and trout roe, Roast chicken for two, Halibut, Sea bass
Price for 2: $100+
7) Potager
Potager, a Michelin-star French restaurant, reigns as one of Denver's finest dining spots. True to its name, meaning 'kitchen garden,' Potager crafts satisfying dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Don't miss their heavenly Twice Baked Cheddar Cheese Souffle. Enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and a diverse menu perfect for the indecisive. Since 1997, Potager has championed farm-to-table dining, offering micro seasonal delights like Maine halibut and wintertime cassoulet. Experience New American cuisine in a rustic yet elegant setting, complete with a thoughtfully curated wine list celebrating sustainability.
Location: 1109 Ogden St, Denver, CO 80218
Open Hours: Sun-Mon: Closed; Tue-Sat: 5–9 pm
Must Try: Twice Baked Cheddar Cheese Souffle, Maine halibut with cured asparagus and pea-shoot pistou, Beets and preserved mussels with fennel-seed butter and pickled shallots, Wintertime cassoulet
Price for 2: $100 approx.
Denver's culinary scene goes beyond tacos and craft beer, offering innovative cuisine from around the world. From trendy hotspots in Lower Highland and River North to cosy Asian bars, there's something to delight every palate in this city.