91. Dino’s
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 238-7393
Address: 10040 W. Colfax Ave.
Description: Denver Post restaurant critics rave about this landmark Italian restaurant in Lakewood, a suburb west of downtown Denver. Homemade pasta, sausage, meatballs, lasagna, and spumoni are among the standouts on the menu. Lots of regulars come for the authentic Italian food; on Sunday they come right after church for a traditional family dinner.
92. Il Fornaio
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 221-8400
Address: 8000 E. Belleview Ave.
Description: A deliciously elegant dining option, Il Fornaio is a California-based restaurant chain whose specialty is breads and baked goods (il fornaio means “the baker”). Meals can be quite good, too, though not always up to par with the prices and surroundings. Ask the server what’s good and fresh to make the best selection.
93. Il Posto
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 394-0100
Address: 2011 E. 17th Ave.
Description: This hip trattoria features innovative twists on classic northern Italian dishes. Pastas are homemade and produce is local whenever possible. The gnocchi is their signature dish. Reservations are recommended. Open daily Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
94. Luca d’Italia
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 832-6600
Address: 711 Grant St.
Description: Chef Frank Bonanno was a Denver legend before he opened this Tuscan place around the corner from his Mizuna restaurant. He quickly created buzz with the wild-boar ragu, the trio of rabbit (a confit of leg, tenderloin, and braised meat with leeks), and the classic Italian bread pudding (panzanella). It’s open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
95. Maggiano’s Little Italy
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 858-1405
Address: 7401 S. Clinton St.
Description: Dark woods, brass, and red-checkered tablecloths give the feel of 1940s Little Italy at this family-style restaurant. Both places are friendly, and the large food portions are served with gusto. Salads are simple but fresh and crisp.
96. Panzano
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 296-3525
Insider Pick:
Description: Housed in the Hotel Monaco Denver, Panzano is a trip into calming dark woods and earth tones. Chef Elise Wiggins is among Denver’s finest, creating extraordinary northern Italian dishes and a strong local following. Two open kitchens fill the air with scents of baked goods. Reservations, especially at the bustling noontime, are recommended. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served weekdays; brunch and dinner served Saturday and Sunday.
97. Cuba Cuba
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 605-2822
Address: 1173 Delaware St.
Description: Two tiny historic homes were joined together to make room for this Latin American restaurant in the Golden Triangle. Enter one and find yourself in the bar. Cross over into the other and you’re in the dining room. The food is zesty and heavy on pork (Lechon Asado—or roasted pork, onions, and garlic—is its signature dish). Salads and coconut-lime rice make good vegetarian alternatives, and if cocktails are your thing, try the mojitos. They’re among Denver’s best. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner.
98. El Noa Noa
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 623-9968
Address: 722 Santa Fe Dr.
Description: Santa Fe Drive anchors one of Denver’s earliest Mexican-American neighborhoods, hence the authentic restaurants that line its streets. El Noa Noa is an elder statesman, with a series of small dining rooms inside and an exceptional outdoor patio, complete with fountain and wrought-iron chairs. The food is typical Tex-Mex with some homestyle Mexican favorites thrown in for good measure, but El Noa Noa likely is best known for the tasty enchiladas, burritos, tacos, and rellenos it dishes out.
99. El Taco de Mexico
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 623-3926
Address: 714 Santa Fe Dr.
Description: This simple restaurant holds its own, despite stiff competition from larger and better-known El Noa Noa next door. It’s more like a diner than an evening dinner destination, with ultracasual meals served at the bar or at a few tables. It’s open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Credit cards not accepted.
100. Jack-n-Grill
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 964-9544
Address: 2524 N. Federal Blvd.
Description: New Mexican dishes have made this small chain of restaurants’ reputation. With three locations, Jack-n-Grill serves a mean green chile, vaquero tacos moistened with barbecue sauce, and 7-pound burritos so big the servers will take your picture if you finish one. Open daily, but call ahead as each restaurant has its own hours. Additional locations are at 9310 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster (303-428-4788); and 2630 W. Bellevue Ave., Littleton (303-474-4242).
101. Julia Blackbird’s New Mexican Cafe
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 433-2688
Address: 3434 W. 32nd Ave.
Description: This little jewel in the charming Highland neighborhood is quickly gaining in reputation, and the weekend lines prove it. The menu is true to its New Mexican roots with blue-corn tortillas, hearty posole, light and delicious sopapillas, and pine nut chocolate cake. Lunch and dinner are served daily, though you should call to verify seasonal hours.
102. La Loma Restaurant
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 433-8300
Address: 2527 W. 26th Ave.
Description: In the up-and-coming Diamond Hill neighborhood just west of I-25 at Speer Boulevard, La Loma is rather incongruously housed in an 1887 Victorian home that has been renovated into a series of sprawling dining rooms. The restaurant is known for its big margaritas and authentic food.
103. Las Delicias
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 839-5675
Address: 439 E. 19th Ave.
Description: This family-run restaurant has five locations, and loyal customers still can’t get enough of their Michoacán-style food. House specialties include carnitas and fajitas, carne adovada, taquitos, carne asada, and steak ranchero, as well as hearty Mexican breakfasts. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For additional area location information, check out their website.
104. Lola Denver
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (720) 939-9277
Address: 1575 Boulder St.
Description: Serving both Mexican and Latin American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood, Lola is known for its creative menu and extensive, award-winning tequila bar. The menu changes frequently to take advantage of seasonal ingredients, and the ceviche bar is top-notch. Try the guacamole prepared table-side.
105. Mexico City Restaurant & Lounge
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 296-0563
Address: 2115 Larimer St.
Description: Denverites make a big fuss about authenticity when discussing the comparative merits of restaurants, but there’s no argument here. This is the real thing, served inside a well-worn building in a neglected inner-city neighborhood that only recently has begun to gentrify. The green chile and burritos are favorites, and breakfast is a real eye-opener. If you’re a fan of menudo, this is the place to go. It’s closed Monday, but serves breakfast and lunch on the other days of the week. No credit cards.