Locations in Denver: Critics' Pick

3601 Arapahoe Ave. Boulder

303-997-8775

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor

Chef Kelly Whitaker opened Basta, his first restaurant, in 2010, and has since built a menu based on Colorado meats and produce, a dedication to old-world methods, and freshly milled whole grains from Dry Storage, the company he started with a mission to change the world's food systems (no small task). From top-notch pizza and puffy loaves of piada to whole fish, nearly everything is cooked in a single wood-fired oven. Basta reopened in January 2022 following an eight-month closure, during which the restaurant completed its first-ever remodel, complete with private outdoor yurts and more spacious seating inside.

42 articles

Bastien's Restaurant

3503 E. Colfax Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-322-0363

Steakhouse, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, Essentials

With its iconic sign, sunken bar and mid-century aesthetic, Bastien's is a holdover from times past — and we wouldn't have it any other way. The family-run business dates back to the 1930s, but the current restaurant was constructed from scratch in 1958. That sign outside the Googie-style building touts the famed Bastien’s sugar steak, but there are many other preparations to choose from. And whether or not you splurge on a full steak dinner, nothing beats sipping Colfax dirty martinis delivered by friendly servers who've been working at this classic for years.

23 articles

Bistro Vendome

2267 Kearney St., Denver Park Hill/Mayfair/Lowry

303-825-3232

French, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

Bistro Vendôme rises above kitschy French shtick with an alluring menu and warm hospitality typical of the restaurants run by chef Jennifer Jasinski and business partner Beth Gruitch. Timeless classics like onion soup, steak frites and escargot vie for attention alongside more modern, seasonally driven creations, giving guests plenty of options. The eatery also introduced a new kids' menu ("Oui Chefs") when it moved from its longtime Larimer Square location to the more family-friendly Park Hill neighborhood in February 2023. There, Bistro Vendôme maintains its charm with fresh interiors and an expansive, shady patio. Whether you’re stopping for some happy-hour bubbly or a brunchtime croque madame, Bistro Vendôme is as close as you’ll get to Paris in the Mile High City.

98 articles

DiFranco's

955 Lincoln St., Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

720-253-1244

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow

When it comes to Italian cuisine, simplicity, craftsmanship and unassailable ingredients are what count — and DiFranco's, an unassuming, low-key joint in the Golden Triangle that opened in 2012 as an Italian deli, then expanded into a (tiny) restaurant, embraces all of those attributes. It serves a lovely selection of housemade pastas, including a terrific penne specked with fresh parsley and dusted with sharp Pecorino, as well as a textbook-perfect spaghetti and meatballs. The subs, stacked on fresh-baked bread layered with fresh mozzarella, super-high-quality Italian meats and vegetables just plucked from the earth, are equally transcendent, and even the salads deserve your attention. And don't even think about waltzing out the door without trying the meatballs, cannoli or ricotta cookies. But fair warning: With only two tables and a community counter, you could be in for a long wait if you want to eat inside the spot.

21 articles

El Taco De Mexico

714 Santa Fe Dr., Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

303-623-3926

Mexican, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Essentials

Perhaps no Mexican spot in the Mile High is as beloved as El Taco de Mexico, a no-frills joint that offers little in the way of ambience and even less in the way of service. But that hasn’t deterred the crowds that have been coming here since 1985 for tasty tacos and anything smothered in the lip-tingling green chile. In 2020, El Taco was honored by the James Beard Foundation as one of America’s Classics, a well-deserved honor.

37 articles

Fruition

1313 E. 6th Ave. Central Denver

303-831-1962

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Sponsor, Slideshow

It’s been seventeen years since James Beard Award-winning chef/restaurateur Alex Seidel opened Fruition, and if you think this spot is only for fancy nights out, it’s time to visit again. Despite its reputation as a celebration spot, Fruition has always aimed to be more of a neighborhood bistro. Its current chef, Jarred Russell, came from a three-year stint at Thomas Keller's lauded French Laundry, but he’s committed to Seidel’s mission of catering to regulars and newcomers alike with fun twists on familiar favorites.

64 articles

Grateful Bread Company

429 Violet St., Golden Northwest Denver Suburbs

303-681-5406

Retail, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

If you've found yourself swept off your feet recently by an extra-crisp baguette or focaccia with just the right amount of oil and rosemary, there's a good chance it was made by Grateful Bread. This family-owned bakery in Golden supplies artisan loaves twice daily to a list of metro-area eateries that reads like a who's-who of the restaurant industry, including a disproportionate number of Best of Denver winners. The bakery's operation is primarily wholesale, but it opens its doors to the public every Saturday (holidays excepted), so you can buy sticky buns and jalapeño-cheddar pretzels to eat now, and levain and ciabatta to nosh on later. Don't miss the chewy quinoa bread, which toasts up wonderfully for a protein-packed start to the day. The bakery will also sell its loaves, buns and rolls this summer at the Union Station Farmer’s Market.

21 articles

Los Carboncitos

3757 Pecos St. Northwest Denver

303-458-0880

Mexican, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor

This small, family-friendly neighborhood cafe is warm and crowded during the day and loud and crowded after dark. The big kitchen is constantly at work banging out food that may not yet be ubiquitous in Denver, but certainly should be. The house specialty is huaraches: long, open-faced slabs of corn masa topped with whatever is close at hand -- steak, hot dogs, bacon, cactus, chicken, mushrooms. But Los Carboncitos also offers everything from tacos to tortas to real Mexican Coca-Cola, and an excellent range of fiery salsas.

12 articles

Oak at Fourteenth

1400 Pearl St. Boulder

303-444-3622

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Bryan Dayton and Steve Redzikowski opened Oak at Fourteenth in 2011 and almost immediately suffered a three-month closure because of a fire. But in the years since, Oak has grown to the top of Boulder’s fine dining scene. Today the menu boasts a seasonal approach, with wood-fired foods inspired by the many cultures that make up American cuisine.

67 articles

Osteria Marco

1453 Larimer St., Denver LoDo/Ballpark/Commons Park

303-534-5855

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

In 2007, things like burrata, housemade salumi and Sunday pig roasts weren’t part of the Italian-restaurant lexicon in Denver, but restaurateur Frank Bonanno made them household phrases, serving less common regional dishes alongside pizza and panini to help demystify the more esoteric side of Italian cuisine. These days, Negronis, fresh Italian cheeses and boards of cured meats are popular all over town, thanks in part to Osteria Marco, which is still among Denver’s best.

41 articles

Pizzeria Alberico

1730 Pearl St. Boulder

303-442-3003

Pizza, Critics' Pick, Sponsor, Menu

There have been some big changes since Frasca Hospitality Group debuted the first Pizzeria Locale in January 2011 in Boulder, next door to its award-winning fine-dining eatery, Frasca Food and Wine. The most recent, in February 2023, was an interior refresh and name change to Pizzeria Alberico. The change-up also includes upgrades to some familiar pies (pancetta instead of ham on the Mais pie, for example) as well as an expanded beverage program with cocktails, mocktails and amari flights. Each detail in the new space, from the wall decor to the service to the branded matchbooks, feels fully intentional and well thought out — but we'd expect nothing less, considering the caliber of the group behind this rebrand.

52 articles

Potager

1109 Ogden St., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-246-7073

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Essentials

Started by Teri Rippeto in 1997, this Capitol Hill eatery ushered in Denver’s obsession with farm-to-table eating. In early 2019, Potager was sold to Paul and Eileen Warthen and Nik Brand, who have stayed true to its spirit, carrying Rippeto’s commitment to connecting with local farmers and the community. From the cozy dining room to the hidden back garden, there’s not a bad seat in the house, and one meal here will show why this eatery has claimed a special place in so many people’s hearts for over 25 years.

29 articles

Tocabe: An American Indian Eatery

3536 W. 44th Ave., Denver Berkeley/Sunnyside

720-524-8282

Southwestern, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu, Essentials

Matt Chandra and Ben Jacobs are behind Denver’s only American Indian-owned and -operated restaurant. They were inspired to open the fast-casual restaurant by Grayhorse: An American Indian Eatery, which was established in 1989 by the Jacobs family. Tocabe made its debut in 2008 and since then has continued to serve an affordable menu of salads, fry bread tacos, bison ribs and more, all while supporting the Native and Indigenous producers that supply the restaurant and sell products directly to the public through Tocabe’s online marketplace.

11 articles

Abejas

807 13th St. Golden

303-952-9745

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Slideshow, Essentials

Since Abejas opened in downtown Golden in 2015, the intimate eatery has become a standout for fine dining in the western suburbs. The name is Spanish for “bees,” after founders Brandon Bortles and Barry Dobesh, who were called “the Bs” by their friends — and it’s still buzz-worthy, thanks to its eclectic, seasonal roster of clever yet grounded dishes incorporating global influences and bolstered by playful cocktails and a succinct but smart list of wines by the glass.

9 articles

Ace Eat Serve

501 E. 17th Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-800-7705

Asian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, Essentials

Ace owners Josh and Jen Wolkon, who also run Steuben’s, had a fast hit on their hands when they opened their ping-pong hall and pan-Asian eatery in 2012. The menu at Ace Eat Serve has just gotten better over the years, and in 2024, it continued its evolution under new executive chef Khamla Vongsakoun. While he kept some staples, like the crispy beef and broccoli, Peking duck carved tableside and the spot’s popular wings, he’s also leaned more into snackable, shareable dim sum-style fare such as pork hot and sour xiao long bao and Sichuan lamb dumplings.

113 articles

Adelitas Cocina y Cantina

1294 S. Broadway South Denver

303-778-1294

Mexican, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Adelitas won the hearts of Platt Park neighbors and South Broadway commuters with its raucous Taco Tuesdays and potent house margaritas that far surpassed the typical pre-mixed standard. But it hasn't rested on its tortillas; instead, the spot continues to present alluring dishes representing regional Mexican cuisine while building a jaw-dropping selection of tequila and mezcal bottles behind the bar. Adelitas stands as proof that Denver diners are hungry for far more than just smothered burritos and ground-beef tacos.

74 articles

African Grill and Bar

955 S. Kipling Parkway Lakewood

303-985-4497

African, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice, Essentials

The menu isn’t limited to a specific African region at this restaurant owned and run by Sylvester Osei-Fordwuo and his wife, Theodora. Instead, it offers a variety of foods from across the continent. If dishes like fufu, South African pap and chakalaka sound unfamiliar, don’t worry: The knowledgeable staff is happy to help guide you, delivering plenty of warm hospitality along the way.

3 articles

American Elm

4132 W. 38th Ave., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

720-749-3186

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of

American Elm opened in 2019 with a seasoned pro calling the shots. Taking inspiration from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where owner Bob Reiter previously lived, the restaurant is a neighborhood bistro with an elevated approach that makes it worth a trip to Highland, if that doesn’t happen to be your neighborhood. And the bar offerings are among the best in town.

3 articles

Americatus Restaurant and Market

2449 Larimer St. Downtown Denver

303-862-9850

Italian, Deli, Critics' Pick

Iain Chisholm, chef/owner of Americatus Restaurant & Market, which opened in the summer of 2012 in the Ballpark neighborhood, is the epitome of an entrepreneur. His first food venture was a lemonade stand when he was in elementary school; he went on to earn two degrees from Johnson & Wales and work for local restaurateur Jenna Johansen. Then he got a gig in the construction industry for three years, learning skills that would help him save lots of money when he finally opened his own place. Although he scrimped on the buildout and still focuses on manageable food costs, he’s dedicated to serving new-world Italian cuisine at affordable prices. The highlights are his housemade pasta dishes; the roster always changes, but the high quality is a constant. Other reliable deals: the sandwiches at lunch, the Monday-night dinner special of roasted suckling pig or linguini, and the Tuesday Cheap Date Night with a $50 dinner for two, wine included.

23 articles

Annette

2501 Dallas St. Aurora

720-710-9975

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

In 2022, Annette chef-owner Caroline Glover became Aurora’s first James Beard Award winner, five years after she opened her first solo venture. During its run, this Stanley Marketplace anchor has only gotten better as Glover plays with seasonal ingredients to keep things fresh while also revisiting past favorites from time to time. The beef tongue remains a staple, the happy-hour steak frites are swoon-worthy, and we always save room for whatever dessert the kitchen is dishing out — especially if it’s a Paris-Brest pastry.

23 articles

Argyll Whisky Beer

1035 E. 17th Ave. Central Denver

303-847-0850

Bars and Clubs, British, Critics' Pick

Those of us who lamented the closing of restaurant mogul Robert Thompson's groundbreaking Argyll in Cherry Creek worried about how the concept would survive the transition to Uptown, where the restaurant finally reopened in June 2014. Would his gastropub -- now named Argyll Whisky Beer -- feel passé? Had the city moved on, even if the owner hadn't, as evidenced by the words "non oblitus" (Latin for "not forgotten") written on the new bar? But Thompson has demonstrated a commitment to evolution and adaptation, completing another renovation in 2015 to expand the bar space and streamlining the menu to include such modern pub staples as flatbreads (check out the version with bacon, onions and a fried egg) along with traditional fish and chips. Fortunately, the menu still includes the Scotch egg from the original Argyll, as well as a mind-boggling selection of whisky. Some things are simply too good to go out of fashion -- just like Argyll itself.

36 articles

Atelier by Radex

2011 E. 17th Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

720-379-5556

French, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

For a chef who’s been in the restaurant business as long as he has, Radek Cerny still manages to bring a sense of fun and whimsy to some seriously French cuisine. At Atelier, you can luxuriate in rotating classics like rillettes, escargot, foie gras and lobster, but Cerny also has a way with Western favorites such as elk, salmon and bison. Be sure to throw in a few extra bucks for a bottle of wine; the list here is dazzling, and the food is built to match the best of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

8 articles

Axios Estiatorio

3901 Tennyson St. Northwest Denver

720-328-2225

Greek, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

When Brasserie Felix closed the doors on its prime piece of real estate on Tennyson, the location was quickly snatched up by Telly Topakas, a veteran restaurateur who also owns a Greek spot in Colorado Springs. Topakas wanted a more upscale restaurant in Denver, and the menu at Axios Estiatorio captures the joy of Greek culture without strictly adhering to tradition -- and the food, like the place, is fresh, interesting and incredibly tasty. Opa!

24 articles

Babettes Pizza & Pane

2030 Ionosphere St. Longmont

720-204-7420

Pizza, Bakery, Critics' Pick

Steve Scott had worked at numerous restaurants, bakeries and even as a pastry chef at the University of Colorado before he decided to open his own place, Babettes, in the Source in 2013. “The bakery is all mine, I make all the decisions, I’m not making anyone else’s formulas, and there’s no compromise in quality,” he says. “Our breads are 100 percent artisan, handmade products made by me, and I’m baking breads that I truly want to make.” And that's what bread lovers truly want to eat, judging from how popular Babettes quickly became. In 2019, Babettes moved to Longmont and added a wood-fired pizza oven.

11 articles

Bamboo Sushi

2715 17th St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-284-6600

Sushi, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

When Bamboo Sushi first landed in Denver from Portland, it operated out of a stall at Avanti Food & Beverage, giving the city a tantalizing taste of its sushi. It initially garnered praise mostly for its sustainable sourcing; Bamboo's deep commitment to good ocean stewardship is particularly admirable in a category that relies heavily on over-fished specimens. But that stall turned out to be a rather limited glimpse of the restaurant's capabilities. Bamboo's permanent LoHi location is sleek and modern, with a wide-ranging list of sushi served both traditionally and innovatively, a well-rounded sake list, and an array of izakaya fare that carries Bamboo's sourcing commitment from water to land. Also worth noting is Bamboo's omakase, for which you can set your own price. It feels like a steal, especially paired with the Wednesday night deal on sake, when every single bottle is half price.

14 articles

Bar Dough

2227 W. 32nd Ave., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

720-668-8506

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Open since 2015, Bar Dough feels like a longtime staple in LoHi, where the Italian eatery offers pasta, pizza, small plates and a top-notch happy hour. In the summer of 2024, chef Stefy Devita took the helm, bringing a fresh take on this spot's impressive fare.

41 articles

Barolo Grill

3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver Cherry Creek

303-393-1040

Italian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Since 1992, Barolo Grill has served upscale Northern Italian fare in Cherry Creek with charm and sophistication — and a generous amount of vintage wine. Ryan Fletter, who worked there for nearly as long as it's been open, took over from Blair Taylor as owner in 2015 and quickly installed executive chef Darrel Truett in the kitchen, where he continues to oversee upscale favorites available either à la carte or as a four-course tasting menu. Fletter has also continued the tradition of taking the staff on annual trips to Italy, and Barolo's truffle dinner remains one of Denver's most indulgent culinary nights of the year.

43 articles

Beckon

2843 Larimer St., Denver Five Points/RiNo

303-749-0020

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Essentials

When Beckon opened in 2018, it was the city’s first chef’s-counter restaurant. Now, more and more high-end tasting-menu options are available, but Beckon continues to stand out with a menu created by chef Duncan Holmes and his team that changes quarterly, an approach inspired by the Earth’s connection to the moon. Tucked off busy Larimer Street, this is an intimate dining experience that earned the Beckon team its first Michelin star in 2023.

7 articles

Biju's Little Curry Shop

950 Broadway Downtown Denver

Indian, Critics' Pick

The third outpost of Biju Thomas's popular curry house opened in Broadway Marketplace in February 2019 serving its crowd-pleasing South Indian curries and chapati wraps. Housemade sauces with tamarind, toasted coconut and fiery bird's-eye chiles add screamingly fresh bursts of flavor to the already complex and layered vindaloo, Kerala garlic beef, coconut curry chicken and other house specialties. Colors and flavors collide in the food, with biryani boasting rich saffron yellows and deep browns. "This is the stuff me and my brothers grew up eating," says Thomas, and now he's sharing it with Denver.

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs

Denver Metro Area Central Denver

303-550-8231

Hot Dogs, Food Trucks, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Biker Jim, aka Jim Pittenger, a former repo man who slings Denver's best wieners from his polished stainless-steel carts, knew he'd struck culinary gold when acerbic food mouthpiece Tony Bourdain declared publicly, to a full audience at the Temple Buell Theater, that he'd "been to the mountaintop and found enlightenment" at Jim's stand at 16th and Arapahoe, where Bourdain had spent the afternoon stuffing weenies down his throat. All of Biker Jim's sausages are creatures of beauty, but the Alaskan reindeer showboat takes top dog for its mildly gamey flavor, woodsy earthiness and slightly spicy kick. As with all of his offerings, Jim splits it down the middle, sears it on a blazing grill and tucks it into a crusty roll speared with a shot of cream cheese from a rifle-sized caulking gun, then heaps it with a mound of grilled onions soaked in Coca-Cola. Hot dog!

17 articles

The Bindery

1817 Central St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-993-2364

Modern American, Bakery, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, Essentials

Linda Hampsten Fox opened her LoHi eatery — part market, part all-day dining destination — in 2017. Seven years later, the menu continues to show off her passion for highlighting seasonal ingredients in unexpected ways as she composes dishes inspired by memories from her childhood, her travels and a thirty-year-plus career in restaurants.

28 articles

Bistro Barbes

5021 E. 28th Ave., Denver Park Hill/Mayfair/Lowry

720-398-8085

French, Critics' Pick, Best Of

Jon Robbins combined his experience as Mizuna’s chef de cuisine and his time in Michelin-starred French kitchens to launch Bistro Barbès in Park Hill in 2014. The tiny eatery transcends neighborhood-joint status with a menu that touts exacting French technique while experimenting with ingredients introduced to Parisian fare by North African immigrants. Over the past few years, Robbins has continued to expand his repertoire into the various traditions of the Mediterranean and beyond, defying easy categorization while continuing to delight. Bistro Barbès is the perfect date-night adventure for those who think they’ve figured out the Denver dining scene.

18 articles

Blackbelly

1606 Conestoga St. Boulder

303-247-1000

Modern American, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

After winning Top Chef in 2009, chef Hosea Rosenberg launched a food truck and catering company before opening Blackbelly in 2014. Now he’s expanded the business even more, creating what the team calls a “culinary campus” complete with an upscale dining area, private dining room, two patios, and a market that showcases its in-house butchering, charcuterie and baking programs. It also serves daytime fare such as sandwiches and one of the best breakfast burritos in the metro area. In 2023, Blackbelly’s efforts were rewarded when it earned a Michelin green star for excellence in sustainability.

37 articles

Locations in Denver: Critics' Pick

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