Denver Dining

Mexican food is abundant and satisfying and takes a local Denver flavor. Green Chili is the order of the day: a brown, chunky and spicy sauce made from pork and Pueblo or Hatch green chilies that works well on everything from chorizo and eggs to tamales. Denver is also known for "western" food using ingredients such as angus beef, buffalo, rattlesnake, cutthroat trout and Rocky Mountain oysters. Denver has most types of cuisine as other large cities and has several restaurants recently noted in top food publications. A recently passed bill had outlawed smoking in bars and restaurants statewide. However, some places with outdoor patios still allow smoking there.


Some of the best food experiences are to be found in one of the following places:

Cherry Tomato
4645 East 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80207
+1 303 377 1914
This charming Park Hill eatery occupies an old pharmacy and still has the original tile floor to prove it. Over the past couple of years, the place has developed a huge following, so it is a good idea to call ahead and get on the waiting list. The cozy dining area, which is tucked between an open kitchen and the bar, seats barely 50 people, but gives the place the feel of a true neighborhood bistro.

Tommy's Thai Restaurant
3410 East Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
+1 303 377 4244
This bustling Thai joint is a neighborhood favorite. Because it is always busy the place can feel like eating in a closet with 50 strangers. The tables are cramped together and the place is loud with conversation. But if you are looking for a lively ambiance, then this is a good place to dine. The spicy food crowd will enjoy the Phad Prig Khing, a tasty mix of chicken and green beans doused in red chili sauce.

Carmine's on Penn
92 South Pennsylvania St, Denver, CO 80209
+1 303 777 6443
Make reservations well in advance or you may never experience this spirited little neighborhood bistro that specializes in inexpensive, larger than life, family-style Italian entrees. No matter what night this place is always jammed and offers a large enclosed patio year round. The eggplant parmesan makes for a wonderful main course, as do the many traditional pasta dishes.

Cafe Brazil
3611 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211
+1 303 480 1877
Cafe Brazil, located in the Highland neighborhood in a bright pink brick building, specializes in flavors of old Brazil. So if you are headed here, prepare your mouth for some of the best black bean soup in the West. The decor is nothing special and the place is tiny, but this makes for a cozy setting perfect for a romantic escapade.

Sushi Den
1487 South Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
+1 303 777 0826
This restaurant is one of the more popular places to go for sushi in Denver. Its menu also offers tempura, teriyaki, and a variety of traditional Japanese soups like Udon, but the sushi is the best bet.