31. Ship Tavern
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 297-3111
Description: In the Brown Palace Hotel (but accessible through its own entrance off Tremont Place), the Ship Tavern is modeled after a classic English pub and is crammed with replicas of actual ships from America’s clipper period. The food is classic, too: prime rib, Rocky Mountain trout, chicken, lamb, and sandwiches. Lunch and dinner are served daily; live entertainment is booked Wednesday through Saturday evenings.
32. The Squeaky Bean
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 623-2665
Address: 1500 Wynkoop St.
Insider Pick:
Description: One of the new stars on the Denver culinary scene, the Bean earned a four-star review from the Denver Post within months of opening. The small menu of meat, fish, and vegetables rotates monthly to offer seasonal foods, and the vegetable dishes are exceptional. The bar serves a variety of innovative craft cocktails.
33. Steuben’s
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 830-1001
Address: 523 E. 17th Ave.
Description: Once a run-down auto shop, Steuben’s is in one of the hottest areas of town. A trace of the old garage decor lingers in the renovated space, although there’s nothing run-down about it now. Don’t expect diner prices for dishes that mix nostalgia—tomato soup, deviled eggs, iceberg wedge with blue cheese dressing, milk shakes, grilled cheese, butterscotch pudding—with new takes on regional specialties—cayenne étouffée, Maine lobster roll, spicy pinto bean sloppy joe. The chocolate cake is epic. Open daily for lunch and dinner, with Sunday brunch. Its kitchen stays open until 11 p.m. on Sunday and weekdays, and until midnight on weekends.
34. Strings
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 831-7310
Address: 1700 Humboldt St.
Description: Diners rate this classy spot as one of Denver’s best. They like its distinctively eclectic California-Italian menu of pasta, seafood, warm salads, and grilled dishes; appreciate the artistic presentation; and enjoy its extensive wine list. The place is a perfect example of Denver’s vibrant restaurant spirit. It’s open for lunch on weekdays, and daily for dinner.
35. Tom’s Urban 24
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (720) 214-0516
Address: 1460 Larimer St.
Description: Tom’s Urban 24 brings quality comfort food to LoDo with round-the-clock dining. Sourced from more than 30 Colorado farmers, Tom’s menu satisfies appetites with cuisine ranging from Mexican-influenced plates and Asian fusion to tasty salads, char-grilled burgers, artisan pizza, and a host of comforting side dishes.
36. Trillium
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 379-9759
Address: 2134 Larimer St.
Description: This casual urban bistro near Coors Field offers cuisine that blends American and Scandinavian culinary traditions. The menu changes seasonally and uses fresh ingredients whenever available. Choose from small plates, smorgasbord, and large plates. Dinner and happy hour service is offered Tuesday through Sunday.
37. Trinity Grille
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 293-2288
Address: 1801 Broadway
Description: A popular spot for lunching businesspeople, the Trinity Grille is brisk and shiny with polished wood, brass railings, and a black-and-white tile floor. Steaks, soups, salads, sandwiches, and fish are the mainstay of the menu. The crab cakes, in particular, are highly recommended. It serves dinner Monday through Saturday and lunches on weekdays only. Closed Sunday.
38. Vesta Dipping Grill
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 296-1970
Address: 1822 Blake St.
Description: One of the city’s longtime favorites, Vesta offers Denver diners relaxed yet upscale dining in a renovated warehouse with exposed brick walls, high-backed booths, and funky lighting. Guests start off with a variety of appetizers, and move on to either skewered dinners or more traditional entrees, all served with a choice of three homemade sauces that give the meal spice, pizzazz, and variety. Sharing is encouraged. Dinner is served nightly, with the kitchen open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. weekends.
39. Wazee Lounge & Supper Club
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 623-9518
Description: It’s back to the ’40s, or some other unspecified prior decade, at this laid-back pizza-and-burgers joint that has been open since the 1970s. A LoDo favorite for years, it’s hard to say just what makes this place so cool. The diverse crowd? The bohemian ambience? The pizza? Regardless, it remains popular year after year. Lunch and dinner served daily, with late-night until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
40. BD’s Mongolian Barbecue
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 571-1824
Address: 1620 Wazee St.
Description: Once you choose your meats, vegetables, and sauce, the cook stir-fries it while you watch. BD’s is a no-frills way to dine when you’re tired of all the upscale joints around town. Lunch and dinner daily.
41. ChoLon Bistro
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 353-5223
Address: 1555 Blake St.
Insider Pick:
Description: ChoLon translates to “big market” in Vietnamese, and this popular bistro offers delicious twists on traditional Asian fare. Much of the menu is based on street food, including wok dishes, dumplings, spring rolls, and pot stickers. Start with the small bites menu, then move on to small plates, and finish with a large plate or wok dish. Sharing is encouraged.
42. Domo Restaurant
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 595-3666
Address: 1365 Osage St.
Insider Pick:
Description: No sushi. No upscale see-and-be-seen surroundings. Domo is all about an authentic Japanese country food experience. Teriyaki meats and fish, for example, are flavored like the real thing, not layered in gooey sauce. Reservations are accepted only for parties of six or more; everyone else is seated on a walk-in basis.
43. Imperial Chinese Restaurant & Lounge
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 698-2800
Address: 431 S. Broadway
Description: Imperial does indeed live up to its name, with opulent decor that resembles the set of The Last Emperor. And better, the food matches the quality decor. The restaurant specializes in seafood, but don’t pass up the sesame chicken or, if you’re in the mood for the royal treatment, the fabulous Peking duck. Lunch and dinner are served daily except Sunday, which is dinner only.
44. J’s Noodles Star Thai
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 922-5495
Address: 945 S. Federal Blvd.
Description: A standout among the many Asian restaurants along South Federal, J’s Noodles has been successful for many years. For many Thai aficionados, this plain storefront restaurant in the heart of Metro Denver’s Asian restaurant area tops the list for its combination of outstanding food and low prices. Try a noodle bowl at lunch or a curry for dinner.
45. Little Ollie’s Asian CafE
City: Denver, CO
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (303) 316-8888
Address: 2364 E. 3rd Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Long one of Denver’s best Asian restaurants, Little Ollie’s puts a new twist on old favorites, with dishes such as stir-fried lobster, Shanghai shrimp, and steamed sea bass. Vegetarians will be pleased with the variety of nonmeat entrees. With a patio that’s open year-round (heated in winter), you can always indulge in some sidewalk dining. Lunch and dinner are served daily, with rotating daily lunch specials offered as well.