5 Best Restaurants in Denver, Colorado to Try

Denver’s food scene seamlessly mixes Rocky Mountain ruggedness with international sophistication—a place where inventive chefs and craft beer geeks fuel each other’s creativity. The city’s best restaurants showcase Colorado produce, bold flavors, and a vibe that’s as relaxed as it is creative.

1. Mercantile Dining & Provision

Union Station’s Mercantile is both destination and daily ritual for locals. Chef Alex Seidel’s menu swings from lavender-infused lamb to housemade pastas and garden-to-table veggie creations. Stop in for sourdough at the bakery in the morning, grab a casual lunch, or make an event of the chef’s tasting menu in the exposed-brick dining room. The wine list and inventive cocktails match the kitchen’s creativity, and service is always warm, making it the heart of Denver’s vibrant downtown.

2. Acorn

Housed in a renovated warehouse at The Source, Acorn is all about wood-fired, shareable plates and creative cocktails. Expect spicy oak-roasted carrots, crispy fried pickles, and the burger that starts debates. The industrial setting is welcoming and buzzing—equal parts date-night and foodie playground. Acorn excels at blending the familiar with the unexpected, all with Denver’s laid-back confidence.

3. Root Down

In a converted gas station overlooking city lights, Root Down is a local legend for sustainable, globe-spanning small plates: lamb sliders, Vietnamese duck bun, and famous beet salad with goat cheese. Cocktails are herbaceous and the brunch (try the Eggs Benedict with chorizo) often has a wait. The atmosphere is fun, eco-friendly, and as inclusive as Denver itself.

4. Sushi Den

A pearl on South Pearl Street, Sushi Den is chef-owned and supplies its kitchen by flying in fresh fish daily from Japan. The result: world-class nigiri, creative chef’s rolls, and some of the best sashimi in the Rockies, served by an expert, quietly passionate staff. The waits can be legendary, but insiders know it’s always worth it—especially for special or celebratory nights.

5. Steuben’s

Steuben’s is the city’s go-to for upscale takes on American comfort classics: fried chicken, green chile cheeseburgers, deviled eggs, lobster rolls, and boozy milkshakes. The retro diner decor and jovial staff make it ideal for both brunch parties and weeknight family gatherings. Local, honest, and never taking itself too seriously, Steuben’s is as “Denver” as it gets.