This has been a long time coming. I get asked so often by friends and family that are coming here to Denver or Colorado, what they need to do, see and eat! So here’s my list of faves, including healthy eats and my favorite restaurant of all time, which I will be honest with you, was really hard to put on this list…for fear that it will be even that much harder to get a seat at when I want to go. But if you like it and you like others, sharing is key! So Thank you for allowing me to want to share it with ya’ll!
Where to Eat in Denver
PRICE RANGE $-$$
Biju’s Little Curry Shop - some of the best curry I have ever had, very casual, laid-back feel. What to know: parking is a real pain here.
Just Be Kitchen - Great for bulletproof coffees, teas and an all gluten-free menu, with paleo, keto, Whole30 and more options for everyone. And it’s pretty tasty. What to know: parking is a real pain here too.
Olive & Finch - There’s two locations, both are great. I find the food at the 1st street location a bit better, but the atmosphere of 17th street is better. Good salads and sweets!
Stowaway Kitchen - The food here is great and the decor is cool. What to know: I’ve never had good service here, it’s either really slow or rude, sometimes I think it’s a toss up, that’s how good the food is…you decide (and let me know what you think.)
Vert Kitchen - One of my all-time faves in Denver. Breakfast and lunch are amazing! I am stuck on the BLT and tomato soup. But honestly when I deviate it’s still so good! What to know: If you are going for lunch, go on the early or late side, line goes around the block most days.
Vital Root - If this place was closer to where i lived I’d be in trouble. The food is always great and nutritious. It’s 100% gluten-free, 99% vegan and honestly, if you’re not either of these things I say still go, it’s that good!
Govinda’s - One of Denver’s best kept secrets. I live around the block from these guys, so I am there often for a quick lunch or dinner. It’s run by the Radha Krishna church it’s connected too. It’s all vegan (no, I am not vegan or vegetarian, but I do want to give options, but also know if I listed it here, I don’t care who you are or what you eat, it’s good stuff!) buffet style, you just go in, grab your food, go back whenever you want and pay on your way out. These guys are so nice too!
Denver Central Market - a market with stalls of all types of food for everyone and all prices. Fun shops too, on a great street to take a walk on and grab coffee!
Milk Market - one of our newest markets here, located in Downtown, definitely fun place to hang out, eat and shop.
Nugg’s Icea Cream - Best ice cream in Denver, hands down. At least try the “double stuffed!”
Sweet Cooie’s - Like stepping into Wes Anderson’s very own ice cream shop. What to know: ice cream provided by Little Man.
PRICE RANGE $$-$$$
True Foods - Healthy, good food you probably already know about Dr. Weil. What to know: It’s in downtown Cherry Creek. So if you are visiting check it out. IF you are a local, you know it’s a pain in the a$$ to park.
Stuben’s -Love this place. Casual, good (kinda-healthy) comfort food.
Cuba Cuba - Some of the best cuban food I have had outside of Miami, still waiting on that trip to Cuba, so that’s all I got to compare it to. What to know: Don’t miss the Mojo Fries!
Lingers - Yup, this used to be an old mortuary. Go grab a drink on the roof top on a nice evening. They have amazing views. Just remember to make reservations here if you plan to eat. Big menu, big plates, something for everyone. What to know: then go around the corner for ice cream at Little Man.
The Kitchen Next Door - You know Elon Musk, well this is his brother’s restaurant. And it’s great! He envisioned a place where good healthy options weren’t outrageously expensive.
PRICE RANGE $$$-$$$$
* Make reservations at all these, with the exception of To The Wind, that’s first come first serve.
Madison on 12th - Great American-style food, service and atmosphere, stylish, sleek and modern. Very romantic.
Mercantile - Great for lunch and dinner. Lunch is casual and a completely different menu. Dinner is up-scale, artisianal American , fancy comfort food worth the price tag. What to know: it’s in Union Station, a must-see for everyone.
Safta - One of the newest to Denver. In the Source Hotel. It’s modern delicious middle eastern food. What to know: 1, Don’t leave without some hummus (best I have EVER had). 2, take a walk around the hotel shops and The Source building to the east of it, fun shops and more.
To The Wind Bistro - Ok, are you ready for this… drumroll please… this is my Best of Denver award! It’s charming, run by a couple, it’s got 4 seats at the bar a a handful of tables. They don’t take reservations. My go-to is get their a few minutes after they open to grab two bar seats where you watch the 2 cooks in their shoebox kitchen. It’s super entertaining, great food and drinks!
Best Coffee Shops in Denver
Amethyst (Cap Hill) - Great area, coffee and food, good to work at too.
Black Eye Coffee (LoHi) - Cozy place to sit and work.
Blue Sparrow (RiNo) - Coffee is ok, spot is super cute, nice shops around too. And if you want a $10 cup of coffee with CBD in it, you can get that too!
Common Wealth Coffee (NE Park Hill) - this place is legit in the middle of no where, but i LOVE it so much. The coffee is great, best oat milk latte you’ll find in town, and they are always nice.
Corvus Coffee (Wash Park) - Not a huge fan of all their coffee, but this is always cute place to stop in at
Crema (RiNo) - big space, great to have a breakfast meeting, good food and do some work
Huckleberry Roasters (Sunny side/Highlands) - coffee is ok, space is cute, baristas are always friendly
Hudson Hill (Cap Hill) - very creative space with lots of plants, also great for cocktails and snacks
Little Owl Coffee (LoDo) small place, pour over only (i believe), good just just pop in and go
Lula Rose (City Park) - cool, hip spot, small
River & Roads (North/Clayton) - newish, great food and owners are lovely
Steam (Wash Park) - always busy, but great outdoor seat for summer
Spur Coffee (Speer) - new, modern, good food
Weathervane (City Park) - like grandma’s house, but cooler, good food too
Where to Shop in Denver
Aillae Beauty - great natural beauty care and makeup. Nice staff. What to know: it’s in the Cherry Creek mall, I hate malls, I still go, that’s how much I love it.
Apothecary Tinctura - Organic bulk herbs, tinctures, locally made jewelry, gifts and more. What to know: yup, I use to work here for 3 years. Love these guys!
Homebody - fun home and clothing items
Fig + Yarrow - Organic beauty care
River North workshop - unique home goods and other fun stuff
Rosehouse - plants, herbs, fun mystical stuff
Spinster Sister - Natural soaps and lotions
Wildflower - cute plant shop, books, jewelry, cards and more
Studio Colfax - cute boutique, gifts, jewelry, cards and local goods
What to Do & See in Denver
Denver Botanic Gardens - Voted one of the best botanic gardens in the country. I’ve been a member since i moved here. Love it!
Stanley Marketplace - fun indoor market with all kinds of vendors from nails to yoga to foods and more
Union Station - In downtown, this newly renovated space is a must-see, it’s architecturally gorgeous with good food and shops.
Tattered Cover Book Store - A fun, large bookstore to get lost in
Denver Art Museum - I mean it’s an art museum, need I say more?
Museum of Contemporary Art - I love this museum and was a member for a while. It’s not too big, you can get through the whole things in a few hours and it’s always got the most interested and thought-provoking exhibits. What to know: go to the rooftop and hav e cup of coffee or a drink and watch the great views!
Clyfford Still Museum - When I first went here I thought it would be boring going to a museum dedicated to one artist. But this was far from that! I would go back again and again!
Red Rocks Amphitheater - go watch the sunrise or concert (i believe it was voted one of the best if not the best place in the country to see a concert) or take a fitness class, the views here are breath-taking.
Hike the Flatirons in Boulder - I know this isn’t in Denver, but it almost is. Boulder’s 30-45 minutes away depending on where you are in Denver. And the Flatirons…well, you have to go see for yourself!
Day trip to Idaho Springs & then take a hike to St. Mary’s Glacier - A fun quick 45 minutes day trip worth it! What you need to know: you’ll need a car for this.
Did I forget anything here? If I did or you think something shouldn’t be on here, comment below! I love to hear others thoughts on this.