Caribbean in Denver

1550 Blake St. Downtown Denver

303-623-3422

Caribbean, Restaurants, Recommended, Menu

In LoDo, where 8 Rivers moved in October 2008, chef/owner Scott Durrah has a decent-sized space -- not huge, but maybe three times larger than his old spot in Highland. He has a bar set with bottles of Mount Gay and Appleton Estate rum, and decorated with album covers from reggae and dub bands. He has a suitable and relaxed staff that moves easily between the widely spaced tables. He even has a fireplace. Above all, he has a nice buzz going, as customers keep coming for his wonderful and traditional Jamaican and Caribbean food.

10 articles

Bang Up to the Elephant

1310 Pearl St., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-792-4949

Caribbean, Vegan, Recommended, Slideshow

This isn’t a restaurant. It’s an all-day hangout that transports you as far away from Denver as if you had clicked ruby slippers and ended up in the tropics. Brick walls are painted two shades of blue to capture the sky/water palette of Trinidad and Tobago, the islands that inspired owner Kevin Delk, the visionary behind Beatrice & Woodsley. Light sparkles through a stained-glass wall and twirling, translucent mobiles, giving the sense of being underwater looking up at the sun. Tropical plants twist out of cinderblock walls to bring a 3-D reality to this island/jungle/otherworldly octopus’s garden. Food isn’t the main draw, but it’s refreshing in its difference from Denver’s norm.

10 articles

Canopy Grill

2770 Arapahoe, Lafayette Boulder

303-666-1130

Caribbean, Cuban, Recommended

The Canopy Grill has an open and airy tropical theme, including paper lanterns and hanging umbrellas, and wants patrons to feel like they're eating and drinking on the beach or in their own back yards. The cuisine is tropical, with many variations on both. Lunch and dinner are available daily. The sweet and gooey desserts are a treat.

1 article

The Jerk Pit Smokehouse

3210 Wyandot St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-386-3225

Jamaican, Caribbean

Longtime Denver chef Scott Durrah is known for big flavors; he previously owned Jamaican spot 8 Rivers and Southern eatery Jezebel's. The Jerk Pit Smokehouse, which Durrah opened in September 2024, includes influences from both those culinary traditions. Brisket, ribs, pork and chicken are smoked over a mix of woods that includes imported Jamaican pimento wood, with chicken and waffles, Louisiana-style rice and beans, collards and beignets adding a bit of Southern flair to the menu.

Rasta Pasta

200 Walnut St., Fort Collins Northern Colorado

970-224-4323

Caribbean

Reggae Pot

7562 S. University Blvd. Centennial

303-997-5623

Jamaican, Caribbean

The interior of this Centennial strip-mall spot, which opened in May 2021, transports you to the Caribbean, with prominent pops of green, yellow and black. A huge timeline on the wall highlights the rise of reggae music, with nods to famous Jamaican singers. The menu's top sellers are golden patties (which come in several varieties and are also available frozen) and the oxtail; Reggae Pot's version is slow-roasted in brown sauce with potatoes, carrots, butter beans and spices. Other standouts are the goat curry and Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish.

A Taste of Haiti

2622 Welton Downtown Denver

303-297-3008

Caribbean, Haitian, Menu

3 articles

Caribbean in Denver

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