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Restaurant list

Denver's Most Iconic Restaurants

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by The OpenTable team
Updated 15 December 2023
Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Denver dining scene. Here are Denver’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.
Rioja
4.8 (10520)
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Downtown / LoDo
Chef Jennifer Jasinski and her team are cooking up a solid menu of consistently delicious dishes worthy of a James Beard award (that’s why they won one). Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t Spanish food, it’s American with some Mediterranean hints. Though the menu changes often, there are some staples you can count on. Try all of their yummy breads and cheeses, and if there’s a dish with octopus, order it, they really know their way around that mollusk. There’s also a tasting menu, if you want some more variety.
Top review
JenniferGVIP
Dined today
The food is always amazing. Squash soup was perfect! The ricotta gnocchi was stunning. Waiter was knowledgeable and recommended a perfect rosé to complement the pork chops. Great anniversary dinner ❤️
Chef Jennifer Jasinski and her team are cooking up a solid menu of consistently delicious dishes worthy of a James Beard award (that’s why they won one). Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t Spanish food, it’s American with some Mediterranean hints. Though the menu changes often, there are some staples you can count on. Try all of their yummy breads and cheeses, and if there’s a dish with octopus, order it, they really know their way around that mollusk. There’s also a tasting menu, if you want some more variety.
Top review
JenniferGVIP
Dined today
The food is always amazing. Squash soup was perfect! The ricotta gnocchi was stunning. Waiter was knowledgeable and recommended a perfect rosé to complement the pork chops. Great anniversary dinner ❤️
Osteria Marco
4.6 (5008)
$31 to $50
Italian
Downtown / LoDo
This adorable Italian eatery—where red brick walls line the cozy dining room—could almost be mistaken for a chic little boutique from the street. Sounds surprising, but it’s pretty much all good here. The prices are reasonable, and the pizzas are outrageous. If your neighbor orders the salumi and housemade cheeses, you’ll be saying “I’ll have what she’s having.” Pair it all with their great wine, and order from the menu confidently, you can’t go wrong.
Top review
Kevin
Dined 1 day ago
Great service and excellent food. Will be back soon.
This adorable Italian eatery—where red brick walls line the cozy dining room—could almost be mistaken for a chic little boutique from the street. Sounds surprising, but it’s pretty much all good here. The prices are reasonable, and the pizzas are outrageous. If your neighbor orders the salumi and housemade cheeses, you’ll be saying “I’ll have what she’s having.” Pair it all with their great wine, and order from the menu confidently, you can’t go wrong.
Top review
Kevin
Dined 1 day ago
Great service and excellent food. Will be back soon.
Bistro Vendome
4.7 (7523)
$30 and under
French
Park Hill
The ambiance at this French bistro, from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski, is overflowing with charm. There’s a very romantic patio and one particular indoor seating area that looks like it could be a small Parisian courtyard or alleyway, with twinkle lights strung overhead. They serve all the great staples you’d expect and even have a small section of their menu dedicated solely to steak frites, so definitely get some.
Top review
Craig
Dined on 12 Mar 2025
What an experience! The food and ambience were outstanding!
The ambiance at this French bistro, from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski, is overflowing with charm. There’s a very romantic patio and one particular indoor seating area that looks like it could be a small Parisian courtyard or alleyway, with twinkle lights strung overhead. They serve all the great staples you’d expect and even have a small section of their menu dedicated solely to steak frites, so definitely get some.
Top review
Craig
Dined on 12 Mar 2025
What an experience! The food and ambience were outstanding!
Duo Restaurant
4.7 (3658)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Highlands
Duo has been a Denver staple—for over a decade now—serving up food that people love to love. From the early days, brunch has been the star here and it still deserves to be. When you can enjoy their basket of pastries, biscuits and gravy, and beloved cider-glazed pork benedict all in one visit, there’s really no other meal as important to come for. Order a duo of each.
Top review
TomVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Great to be back at Duo! Food was delicious as always!
Duo has been a Denver staple—for over a decade now—serving up food that people love to love. From the early days, brunch has been the star here and it still deserves to be. When you can enjoy their basket of pastries, biscuits and gravy, and beloved cider-glazed pork benedict all in one visit, there’s really no other meal as important to come for. Order a duo of each.
Top review
TomVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Great to be back at Duo! Food was delicious as always!
North Italia – Denver
4.8 (4438)
$30 and under
Italian
Cherry Creek
You can truly feel the love they cook into their food at this rustic and authentic Italian spot in Cherry Creek, with a staff that’s exceptionally warm and gregarious. Their housemade pasta is absolutely delectable, and is even more wonderful when paired with their (house specialty) bolognese. Their squid ink mafaldine is great, and the calamari, zucca chips, and prosciutto pizza are also hugely popular. People deeply love this place, and you will too.
Top review
RitaVIP
Dined 1 day ago
North never disappoints. The food is great so as the service
You can truly feel the love they cook into their food at this rustic and authentic Italian spot in Cherry Creek, with a staff that’s exceptionally warm and gregarious. Their housemade pasta is absolutely delectable, and is even more wonderful when paired with their (house specialty) bolognese. Their squid ink mafaldine is great, and the calamari, zucca chips, and prosciutto pizza are also hugely popular. People deeply love this place, and you will too.
Top review
RitaVIP
Dined 1 day ago
North never disappoints. The food is great so as the service
Tamayo Restaurant
4.5 (4395)
$31 to $50
Contemporary Mexican
Downtown / LoDo
Just above charming Larimer Square—on the second floor of a corner building—you’ll find a lively Mexican restaurant with a fantastic and expansive terrace, showcasing great views of the surrounding mountains. The modern Latin menu, created by celebrated Chef Richard Sandoval (Top Chef Masters), has all the traditional nibbles you’d hope for, but he’s added his own creative touches. Their guacamole (which people fawn over), for example, is offered in three different preparations: traditional, tuna tartare, and bacon. Another great share plate is their queso fundido, which you can add chorizo or mushrooms to. Their super tender (chili & coffee rubbed) carne asada, pork carnitas with avocado purée, and mahi mahi tacos are all superbly delicious. Add on their huge selection of tequilas and agave cocktails, and it’s easy to understand why people love coming here for meals and many margaritas.
Top review
DawnVIP
Dined 4 days ago
LOVE the new remodel l, new menu and the service was exceptional as always.
Just above charming Larimer Square—on the second floor of a corner building—you’ll find a lively Mexican restaurant with a fantastic and expansive terrace, showcasing great views of the surrounding mountains. The modern Latin menu, created by celebrated Chef Richard Sandoval (Top Chef Masters), has all the traditional nibbles you’d hope for, but he’s added his own creative touches. Their guacamole (which people fawn over), for example, is offered in three different preparations: traditional, tuna tartare, and bacon. Another great share plate is their queso fundido, which you can add chorizo or mushrooms to. Their super tender (chili & coffee rubbed) carne asada, pork carnitas with avocado purée, and mahi mahi tacos are all superbly delicious. Add on their huge selection of tequilas and agave cocktails, and it’s easy to understand why people love coming here for meals and many margaritas.
Top review
DawnVIP
Dined 4 days ago
LOVE the new remodel l, new menu and the service was exceptional as always.
Panzano
4.7 (5779)
$31 to $50
Italian
Downtown / LoDo
Inside the Hotel Monaco, you’ll find this Northern Italian gem of a restaurant that’s hard not to fall in love with. Even though Panzano has been around for a while and Italian food is steeped in tradition, they’ve grown with the times and offer separate gluten-free versions of all of their menus (breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner). But back to Italian tradition, they make wonderful fresh-baked breads, handmade pastas, and they’re true gnocchi mavens, which is a feat in itself. Over the years, they’ve served their soft potato pillows (the way you always pray they’ll come out) with everything from duck and rabbit to pumpkin and grouper (and even a prosecco hollandaise at brunch). So get some gnocchi goodness and maybe a side of their truffle risotto and Brussels sprouts with pancetta and honey.
Top review
James
Dined 2 days ago
Old world service, attention to detail with knowledgeable staff; Carlos was great.
Inside the Hotel Monaco, you’ll find this Northern Italian gem of a restaurant that’s hard not to fall in love with. Even though Panzano has been around for a while and Italian food is steeped in tradition, they’ve grown with the times and offer separate gluten-free versions of all of their menus (breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner). But back to Italian tradition, they make wonderful fresh-baked breads, handmade pastas, and they’re true gnocchi mavens, which is a feat in itself. Over the years, they’ve served their soft potato pillows (the way you always pray they’ll come out) with everything from duck and rabbit to pumpkin and grouper (and even a prosecco hollandaise at brunch). So get some gnocchi goodness and maybe a side of their truffle risotto and Brussels sprouts with pancetta and honey.
Top review
James
Dined 2 days ago
Old world service, attention to detail with knowledgeable staff; Carlos was great.
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