Mediterranean in Denver

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

Basil Flats

2900 Baseline Rd. Boulder

Mediterranean, Pizza

3 articles

Bixo Mexiterranean Bites

3200 Pecos St. Northwest Denver

Fast Casual, Mediterranean, Mexican, Small Plates

1 article

Boychik

2501 Dallas St. Aurora

303-997-8402

Mediterranean

Boychik opened inside Stanley Marketplace in early 2024, in the space that was formerly a Chook Chicken outpost. Its Mediterranean menu includes a variety of dips and spreads, veggie-centric smaller plates, and larger entrees like lamb gyro wraps and a chicken shawarma plate.

Cafe Brazil

4408 Lowell Blvd., Denver Berkeley/Sunnyside

303-480-1877

Brazilian, South American, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Menu, Readers' Choice

Cafe Brazil has been a haven for Mediterranean-inflected South American cuisine for more than thirty years. If you’ve been in Denver long enough, you probably knocked back your first caipirinha here — possibly even at the eatery’s original Highland location (long before folks started calling the area LoHi). Come for the slow-roasted meats, baked sweet plantains and satisfying seafood stews, like the coconut milk-enriched moqueca de peixe, and stay for a rum flight and warm hospitality from owners Tony and Marla Zarlenga.

32 articles

Cafe Byblos Mediterranean Grill

400 Corona St. Central Denver

303-777-7553

Mediterranean, Slideshow

No matter how gloomy the weather might be, Cafe Byblos has walls the color of sky and sunshine, with blue mosaic tiles that glint like light dancing on waves. The service is equally cheerful at this Mediterranean spot. And just a look at the menu -- full of creamy dips and pita, seven-spice blends, marinated meats and lemon-spiked sauces -- puts you on a plane to a place far away, a land of sandals and shorts. Your first stop: hummus, silky smooth, with just a whisper of lemon and garlic. Other destination dishes include the kibbi aras -- akin to fried, stuffed meatballs, with a lamb-walnut filling and a shell of cracked wheat and lamb -- and the ever-popular lamb, beef and chicken kabobs.

8 articles

CAVA

4084 E. 8th Pl. East Denver

970-713-2084

Mediterranean, Health

CAVA

2023 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 101 Southeast Denver

303-539-6937

Mediterranean, Health

Chloe Discoteque and Mezze Lounge

1445 Market St. Downtown Denver

720-383-8447

Mediterranean, Small Plates, Dance Clubs, Menu, Slideshow

Named after a fictitious, jet-setting socialite whose favorite food, favorite design trends, favorite art and favorite music the club embodies, Chloe is a 6,600-square-foot space that's divided into Chloe's Mezze Lounge, Garden and Discotheque. The super-deluxe venue, which is part of Francois Safieddine's Lotus Concepts group of nightclubs, features exotic snakeskin wallpaper, an under-lit onyx bar, a twenty-food LED screen for custom visuals, plush couch-style seating, fireplaces and a whole lot more. There's an outside patio and courtyard component that is the first of its kind, with a high-top fire pit communal table, cabana-style U-shaped couch seating and a fountain. The Mezze cuisine concept executed by Chef Jose Guerrero includes Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

13 articles

Corsica

2801 Walnut St., Denver Five Points/RiNo

Wine Bar, Mediterranean

The island of Corsica has its own culinary identity, blending French, Spanish and Italian influences, which you can taste your way through at RiNo's surprisingly affordable Corsica. Most appetizers — like ricotta toast, warm olives with garlic confit and lemony gigante beans — cost around $7, with larger plates topping out at under $20. Add the expansive wine list, and Corsica is a can't-miss stop in the neighborhood.

Crave Mediterranean Grill

1000 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale Southeast Denver

720-379-8465

Mediterranean

Deno's Moutain Bistro

78911 US HWY 40, Winter Park Mountains

970-726-5332

Bar, Bistro, Brunch, Burgers, Greek, Mediterranean, Pizza, Seafood, Steakhouse, Menu

Winter Park's original chophouse & watering hole! Originally constructed in the early 1900's of log, stone and brick, the building was a stage coach stop. Sometime in the 1940's, it was converted into a restaurant called the Village Inn, then later the Swiss House of Fondue and the name stuck. In 1976, a young kitchen manager named Deno Kutrumbos bought the restaurant, naming it Deno's Swiss House and Coachman Tavern. Over the past four decades Deno has transformed the old building into a historic icon, satisfying thousands of patrons over the years. In 2007, Nick Kutrumbos, then later in 2009, Teddy Kutrumbos become partners with their father. Together they are paving the way for new generations of customers by improving what their father passed on. This second generation business is the longest running family restaurant in Winter Park. We believe that dining at Deno's should not only be full of flavor but also be an experience. We take pride in the details of our service and food while offering our customers great value. After a long day in the mountains, our goal is to provide a warm inviting atmosphere, intended to create long lasting memories.

Desmond Bar & Grill

2230 Oneida St. East Denver

720-542-9035

Mediterranean, Small Plates, Critics' Pick, Slideshow

What neighborhood wouldn't want a Sean Kelly restaurant as its local spot? Lucky Park Hill is home to chef Kelly's latest offering, a spacious and inviting neighborhood eatery that feels like it's been here all along — even though it opened in December 2015. Park Hill resident Kelly — long ago the opening chef for Barolo Grill, followed by stints at his own Aubergine Cafe, Clair de Lune, Somethin' Else and LoHi SteakBar — has always been particularly adept at Mediterranean fare, and at Desmond he takes longtime favorites from the region and turns them up a notch: hummus made tangy and aromatic with the Middle Eastern spice blend za'atar; rich, mustardy potted salmon balanced by peppery radishes; soft-centered falafel broken into pieces and tossed in a tahini-drizzled salad. The shared plates can be paired with an interesting wine from the short but globally inspired list — nearly all of the bottles are available by the glass — and are served in a dining room of dark woods and exposed brick. In other words, it sports the Kelly decor hallmarks of simple, warm and comfortable.

10 articles

El Five

2930 Umatilla St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-524-9193

Tapas, Mediterranean, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow

Chef/owner Justin Cucci didn’t build El Five just as a restaurant, but as an experience. It debuted in 2017 atop a five-story building in LoHi, with breathtaking views of downtown and the mountains. But the food — a variation on Mediterranean tapas — is dramatic enough on its own, making dinner a fascinating journey through the food of the Asian, African and European cultures surrounding the sea.

21 articles

Falafel King

303 16th St. Downtown Denver

303-573-7203

Mediterranean

You're probably familiar with Falafel King's line of dips and pitas, which are ubiquitous in grocery stores around town. This downtown food-court outpost of the Boulder-based mini-chain serves up a reliable and tasty lunch for downtown workers. For less than ten bucks, you can stuff yourself with many Middle Eastern delights, including that smoky baba ghanouj you've almost certainly bought for a party; fresh tabouleh; crispy, soft-centered falafel and the 4 x 6 combo plate, featuring six falafel and four side dishes.

1 article

Gaia Masala & Burger

609 Grant St. Central Denver

720-532-0417

Indian, Burgers, Mediterranean, Best Of, Essentials

A fast-casual restaurant that started in Boulder and now has two Denver outposts, Gaia Masala is a savior for anyone seeking late-night eats. It offers straight-up Indian dishes, a smattering of Mediterranean entrees like falafel and shawarma, and a handful of burgers. But dig deeper into the menu and you'll find the really exciting stuff: neon-orange tikka masala cheesesteaks; a burger topped with mint, cucumber and tikka masala sauce; and (our fave!) cheesy masala fries served plain or loaded up with a choice of chicken, lamb or cheesesteak. While others in the area have tried to follow suit with similar offerings, Gaia Masala does them best.

2 articles

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill

630 S. Colorado Blvd. Southeast Denver

303-757-5900

Greek, Mediterranean, Menu, Slideshow

This homegrown chain is the brainchild of Alon Mor, a native of the Mediterranean region who opened the first Garbanzo in Denver in 2007. The chain has grown quickly since then, attracting fans of high-quality Mediterranean food served at reasonable prices in a fast-casual environment. You pick your style of entree -- pita (white or whole wheat), plate, salad or laffa -- then add chicken, steak, falafel, hummus, greens or any combination thereof, finally topping the whole thing off with salads, sauces, dressings and extras. The result is a tasty, filling and surprisingly healthy made-to-order meal. When Garbanzo eventually takes over the nation, you can proudly say that you're an old friend.

4 articles

Granby Ranch Grill

1000 Village Rd., Granby Mountains

970-887-5200

Mediterranean, Restaurants

1 article

Gyros Town

2276 S. Colorado Blvd. Southeast Denver

303-835-2684

Mediterranean

This no-frills strip-mall spot offers typical Greek and Mediterranean fare: kabobs, hummus and falafel on a typical round, slightly thick pita. But what you really want here is the Syrian shawarma. You won't find the dish listed on the online menu; a laminated card on the counter is the only sign that shawarma is an option at Gyros Town. But despite its low-key billing, it's a thing of beauty. Available in beef or chicken, it comes tightly wrapped in a much thinner, almost flaky oblong-shaped flatbread loaded with toum (a garlicky condiment), hummus, pickles and tomatoes. Sliced into enough pieces to share (though you won't want to) and served with fries or a sumac-dusted salad, it's a top-notch meal at a budget-friendly price.

House of Kabob

2246 S. Colorado Blvd. Southeast Denver

303-756-0744

Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu

House of Kabob is a diminutive Persian restaurant located in a South Colorado Boulevard strip mall and surrounded by other Middle Eastern restaurants and markets. For nearly thirty years, House of Kabob has been serving customers marinated fava beans, lamb tongue, gyros and the house-special Lebnee pita bread dip: Lebanese cream yogurt, sprinkled with olive oil and mint and garlic. The atmosphere is aged but comfortable, with lots of purple and pale-wood furniture, perfect for a relaxing lunch or dinner while sipping a guava juice or a Lebanese coffee. House of Kabob is a good spot to bring out-of-town guests for a taste of Persia in Colorado; the restaurant gets busy on the weekends, so reservations are recommended.

4 articles

Mazevo Mediterranean

3961 Tennyson St. Northwest Denver

303-955-8256

Mediterranean, Menu

Nissi's

1455 Coal Creek Dr., Lafayette Boulder

303-665-2757

Mediterranean, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues

One of the few full-fledged music venues in Lafayette, Nissi’s brings in a variety of local and national live acts most nights of the week, offering everything from jazz and rock to a cappella, comedy and cabaret. The intimate venue, which has a decent sound system and acoustics, is a classy spot for an evening of dinner and entertainment. The dinner menu includes burgers, pasta, steak, stuffed eggplant, seafood and appetizers.

1 event 5 articles

Olivea

719 E. 17th Ave. Central Denver

303-861-5050

Mediterranean, Restaurants, Critics' Pick, Menu

Chef John Broening scores again with another beautiful little neighborhood place in another neighborhood badly in need of just his kind of cuisine. Here it's Spanish/Italian/Mediterranean food with a little bit of French thrown in for good measure -- a restaurant that does small plates with huge flavors and big plates with a restraint and artistry that typifies Broening's command and balance in the kitchen. The room is small, so reservations aren't a bad idea, but everything about Olivea, from the menu to the service to the bar, is excellent, and a welcome addition to the 17th Avenue neighborhood.

23 articles

Opus Fine Dining

250 Josephine St. Central Denver

303-355-5853

Fine Dining, French, Italian, Mediterranean

In June 2012, Opus left its original home in Littleton and moved to Cherry Creek, where it joined forces with Aria to become Opus Restaurant & Wine bar. Since then, renovations have merged the two entities and expanded the bar area. The menu at Opus emphasizes elegant preparations of local produce (some from the restaurant’s own garden) as well as meat from Tender Belly in Denver and Two Mile Ranch in Sterling. Opus and Aria are making some beautiful music – and very good food -- together.

13 articles

Phoenician Kabob

5709 E. Colfax Ave., Denver Park Hill/Mayfair/Lowry

720-477-0046

Mediterranean, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

On East Colfax Avenue, restaurants tend to get lost in the long procession of storefronts, many in various states of disrepair. But Phoenician Kabob has managed to stay in people’s memories despite its setting. Silky hummus, housemade pita and perfectly prepared Middle Eastern standards (don’t miss the namesake kabobs) are all draws, but the details — a rusty-red dusting of sumac, a savory sprinkling of za’atar, an unmistakable hit of fresh herbs — are what stick in the mind long after a meal is over. Little pastry boats called fattayer convey cheeses and meats for a unique appetizer, while bigger plates exhibit an expertise with chicken, beef and especially lamb. Food is one of the surest triggers of memories, and at Phoenician Kabob, those memories are all good.

6 articles

Saj Mediterranean Grill

6955 S. York St., Littleton Southeast Denver Suburbs

303-797-8000

Mediterranean, Restaurants, Menu

This breezy, fast-casual Middle Eastern joint inhabits a prominent corner of the Streets at SouthGlenn, serving up shawarma, kabobs and hummus to patrons passing through its line. Those diners then fill wooden tables in the dining room or, in the warm months, crowd the patio, spilling onto the streets. The spot's name comes from a Middle Eastern flatbread that is baked on a griddle over a wood fire. Since the place doesn't serve alcohol, it caters to a lunch crowd and an early-dinner crowd mostly made up of families. This location in Littleton is just the first; the owner opened it with the intention of expanding into a local chain.

2 articles

Shish Kabob Grill

1503 Grant St., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-837-8800

Mediterranean, Syrian, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow

Shish Kabob Grill, a modest spot that opened almost a decade ago, is across the street from the State Capitol — and a million miles from Syria. The exterior of the storefront is peppered with bossy signs, but one bite of the hummus, and your tastebuds will override your brain. The hummus is not the only must on this menu, however. The sandwiches are large and well-priced, and the chicken shawerma is so nicely spiced that you’ll find yourself picking stray bits of chicken off your plate after the sandwich is gone. You can get falafel in a sandwich or as an entree; studded with nubs of chickpeas and flavored with a pleasantly floral Syrian seven-spice blend, the golden discs clearly do not come from a mix. And if you don’t want to commit to a single dish, try the vegetarian or meat-combo platters for a broad sampling of what the open kitchen is turning out.

8 articles

Shondiz

16th and Glenarm Downtown Denver

303-351-4492

Mediterranean, Turkish, Street Food, Menu

2 articles

Shondiz

8000 E. Quincy Ave., Unit 1000 Southeast Denver

720-541-7742

Persian, Mediterranean

1 article

Mediterranean in Denver

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