Turkish in Denver

8125 W. 94th Ave. Westminster

303-531-4992

Bar, Turkish, Sandwiches, Best Of, DrinkHere

What do lava lamps, Christmas trees and Iron Maiden have in common? Mesut Cetin, the amiable owner and chef of Aspen Lodge, loves them all, which is why his Westminster joint is packed with an impressive collection of retro lights, year-round holiday decor and odes to metal. His other passion: sharing food from his native Turkey, which he serves alongside typical bar fare and “the best Philly cheesesteak in 666 miles radius,” as the sign out front proclaims.

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Bosphorous Turkish Restuarant

3493 S. Downing St. Englewood

303-942-1267

Turkish, Best Of, Menu

Some of the best Turkish food around can be found at a strip mall in Englewood. The family-owned and -operated Bosphorus serves huge portions at extremely reasonable prices. Dig into tender lamb shish kebabs, juicy stuffed grape leaves and freshly sliced lamb and beef gyros on puffy pitas, and pair it all with strong Turkish coffee. There's limited seating for dine-in, so takeout is the safest bet, but if you do manage to snag one of the few tables, you'll get to enjoy the best feature of Bosphorus: its attentive and hospitable staff, which is willing to go to any lengths to make you feel like family.

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Istanbul Cafe & Bakery

3114 Zuni St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

720-536-5455

Bakery, Turkish

The third outpost of this little Turkish bakery opened in the Highland hood in the fall of 2023. Skip your boring morning bagel and sink your teeth into some açma, with a texture somewhere between a croissant and a bagel, or simit, which is something like a circular pretzel coated in sesame seeds. Or go for lunch and enjoy meat- or cheese-filled borek, coiled buns made of flaky pastry. And Istanbul Cafe can't be surpassed when it comes to baklava, since you can choose from seven varieties of the nut-and-honey-filled bites. Relax at a cafe table with strong Turkish coffee or tea to wash it all down.

Istanbul Cafe & Bakery

850 S. Monaco Parkway Southeast Denver

720-536-5455

Bakery, Turkish, Recommended

Head east to find delectable Turkish pastries both savory and sweet at this little bakery in a shopping center off Monaco and Leetsdale. Skip your boring morning bagel and sink your teeth into some açma, with a texture somewhere between a croissant and a bagel, or simit, somewhat like a circular pretzel coated in sesame seeds. Or go for lunch and enjoy meat- or cheese-filled borek — coiled buns made of flaky pastry. And Istanbul Cafe can't be surpassed when it comes to baklava, since you can choose from seven varieties of the nut-and-honey-filled bites. Relax at a cafe table with a strong Turkish coffee or tea to wash it all down.

Istanbul Cafe & Bakery

2350 E. Evans Ave. South Denver

720-787-7751

Bakery, Turkish

The second location of this delectable little Turkish bakery serves the University of Denver neighborhood. Skip your boring morning bagel and sink your teeth into some açma, with a texture somewhere between a croissant and a bagel, or simit, somewhat like a circular pretzel coated in sesame seeds. Or go for lunch and enjoy meat- or cheese-filled borek — coiled buns made of flaky pastry. And Istanbul Cafe can't be surpassed when it comes to baklava, since you can choose from seven varieties of the nut-and-honey-filled bites. Relax at a cafe table with a strong Turkish coffee or tea to wash it all down.