Best Restaurants in Denver

One-Michelin-star intimate 18-seat chef's counter in RiNo from James Beard semifinalist Chef Duncan Holmes. One of the first five Colorado chefs to earn a Michelin star when the Guide arrived in 2023. Seasonal, pre-paid tasting menu with smart-elegant dress code.

One-Michelin-star and Green Star 18-seat tasting counter hidden inside Dairy Block's Free Market. Chef Byron Gomez — trained at Eleven Madison Park — blends Japanese, Nordic, and Costa Rican influences with hearth-based cooking, local sourcing, and a dedicated fermentation program.

One-Michelin-star intimate nine-seat omakase counter from Chef Toshi Kizaki, who shaped Denver's sushi scene for over 40 years through Sushi Den. The roughly 20-course Edomae-style experience features fish sourced directly from Japan — raw, cured, seared, and dry-aged.

One-Michelin-star eight-seat chef's counter from Chef Justin Fulton, serving a 12-course tasting menu that evolves nightly. The cuisine draws from Sicilian, Japanese, French, and American influences while remaining rooted in seasonal Colorado ingredients.

One-Michelin-star LoHi gem from Chef Johnny Curiel channeling Mexico City energy with CDMX-inspired, seafood-focused small plates and over 120 mezcal and tequila expressions. Named to the New York Times's list of the nation's 50 best restaurants.

One-Michelin-star 28-seat neighborhood gem from Chef Johnny Curiel, right next door to Mezcaleria Alma. The menu reimagines Guadalajara dishes — seared hamachi aguachile, lamb shank birria, 12-hour brisket confit tacos — earning a spot on North America's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner bringing the vibrant flavors of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean to the Highlands. At its heart is a wood-fired oven that bakes authentic whole-grain pita to order — the hummus and mezze are legendary.

Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian from the James Beard Award-winning Frasca Hospitality Group, bringing "la dolce vita" to Union Station with handmade pastas, an Italian-directed wine list, and world-class hospitality. Recognized by the World's 50 Best Discovery List.

Michelin Bib Gourmand winner serving traditional regional Chinese cuisine with Sichuan leanings in a family-style setting in RiNo. Named after Denver's original Chinatown. Bartender Dustin Lawlor won the Michelin Guide Colorado Exceptional Cocktails Award.

Michelin Bib Gourmand and Denver's first pozoleria from Chef Jose Avila, named to the New York Times's list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States. Five pozole varieties — rojo, verde, white, black, and vegetarian — alongside tacos, pambazos, and an impressive mezcal program.

Three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner from Chef Blake Edmunds serving family-style Latin American food in RiNo. The menu features rotating taco dishes, bright ceviches, and the award-winning coconut rice that keeps regulars coming back.

Michelin Bib Gourmand Southeast Asian restaurant born from Chef Natascha Hess's time as an exchange student in Beijing. Evolved from a beloved food truck to this Berkeley neighborhood brick-and-mortar serving authentic Asian street food-style dishes with perfect spicy-sweet-salty-sour balance.

Michelin Bib Gourmand Chinese-American restaurant from Chef Kenneth Wan (2024 James Beard Emerging Chef semifinalist) and co-owner Doris Yuen. A love letter to their Chinese-American roots featuring hand-folded potstickers, mala chicken wings, crab rangoons, and corned beef fried rice.

Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen house named for Chef Chris Teigland's mother Gloria. Hidden in a West Highland strip mall, serving serious ramen ranging from miso bacon to brothless to the fiery "Death Wish" — all built on deeply flavorful, distinctive broths.

Denver's premier sushi destination for over 37 years on historic South Pearl Street. Master Chef Toshi Kizaki's brother sources fish daily from southern Japan, dry-iced and delivered within 24 hours.

VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzeria in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood using imported Italian ingredients, house-made mozzarella, and a 900-degree coal-fired oven. One of only a handful of VPN-certified spots in Colorado.

Chef Troy Guard's lively bi-level taqueria in Denver's RiNo Art District, featuring bold tapas-style Mexican plates, creative tacos, and a 90-seat rooftop bar with panoramic city views.

Denver's oldest Italian restaurant, a Highlands landmark since the 1940s. Originally opened by the Smaldone family, Gaetano's serves rustic homemade pasta, classic cocktails, and fresh Italian fare in a storied setting.

Colorado's first 100% wind-powered pizza company, serving thin-crust pies, true Colorado-style deep dish, and one of the best gluten-free pizzas in Denver since 2009.

A Capitol Hill brunch favorite since 2010, blending Midwest charm with Denver energy. Known for stacked pancakes, sizzling skillets, juicy burgers, and creative cocktails in a cozy neighborhood setting.