The Mile High A-List: A Guide to Denver’s Best Restaurants
For decades, Denver’s culinary identity was inextricably linked to the rugged individualism of the Old West. Yet, a profound transformation has taken place. The Mile High City has ascended into a nationally recognized culinary destination, a dynamic landscape where pioneering chefs have flourished, culminating in the recent arrival of the prestigious Michelin Guide. This is the definitive guide to the top 10 restaurants in Denver.
This report is the result of a deep-synthesis approach, founded on a weighted combination of five core criteria to identify Denver’s culinary greatness. This list of the top 10 restaurants in Denver is not a fleeting trend report but a canon of classics and innovators. It covers everything from fine dining to affordable eats, including many of the top 10 restaurants in Denver Downtown, making it the only guide you need.
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Cuisine | Price Guide | Vibe / Perfect For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette | Aurora | Wood-Fired New American | $$$ | A James Beard-Winning, Soulful Gem |
| The Wolf’s Tailor | Sunnyside | Contemporary Italian-Asian | $$$$ | Colorado’s First Two-Michelin-Star Innovator |
| Sushi Den | Platt Park | Japanese / Sushi | $$$$ | A Legendary Vanguard of American Sushi |
| Beckon | RiNo | Contemporary Scandinavian | $$$$ | An Intimate, Michelin-Starred Chef’s Counter |
| Rioja | Larimer Square | Mediterranean | $$$ | A James Beard-Winning Modern Cornerstone |
| El Taco de Mexico | Lincoln Park | Mexican | $ | An “America’s Classic” with Legendary Green Chile |
| Barolo Grill | Cherry Creek | Northern Italian | $$$$ | World-Class Wine & Decades of Fine Dining |
| Guard and Grace | Downtown | Modern Steakhouse | $$$$ | The Definitive Reimagined Steakhouse |
| Tavernetta | Union Station | Italian | $$$ | Michelin-Recognized Hospitality & Style |
| Buckhorn Exchange | Lincoln Park | Steak & Game | $$$ | A National Historic Landmark & Living Museum |
1. Annette
📹 Video Source: Chris Mygatt – Real Estate
- 🍴Cuisine:Wood-Fired New American
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Aurora (Stanley Marketplace)
- 💰Price:$$$
- ✨Vibe:A James Beard-Winning, Soulful Gem
- 📍Location:2501 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010
Nestled in the bustling Stanley Marketplace, Annette is the near-perfect synthesis of modern culinary craft and heartfelt, homespun hospitality. As one of the premier top chef restaurants in Denver, it’s a place where the warmth of the welcome is matched only by the soulful precision of the wood-fired cooking. It’s a clear choice to lead any list of the top 10 restaurants in Denver.
Foodie Quote: “Iconic dishes include the grilled beef tongue and marrow toast and a roasted half chicken with perfectly lacquered skin and a bright, toasty sherry vinegar sauce.”Why is it our top choice?
The soul of Annette is its chef-owner, Caroline Glover, who won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Mountain Region.” This monumental achievement and the restaurant’s consistent critical acclaim solidify its status as the definitive best restaurant in the Denver area.
2. The Wolf's Tailor
📹 Video Source: 9News
- 🍴Cuisine:Contemporary Italian-Asian
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Sunnyside
- 💰Price:$$$$
- ✨Vibe:Colorado’s First Two-Michelin-Star Innovator
- 📍Location:4058 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
In a quiet corner of Sunnyside sits Denver’s most ambitious culinary laboratory, and the city’s top Michelin Star restaurant. The Wolf’s Tailor is a destination for a journey, an exploration of flavor and sustainability that pushes boundaries. The cuisine is an artful blend of Italian and Asian influences, showcased in a multi-course “entrust” tasting menu that changes with the seasons.
Foodie Quote: “Diners might encounter squid ink tagliatelle with crab or a singular pasta dish featuring green tomato, wasabi, pine nuts, and farmer’s cheese—a combination that exemplifies the kitchen’s creative spirit.”Why is it our top choice?
Its historic elevation to Two Michelin Stars—the first and only restaurant in Colorado to achieve this honor—cements its status as the undisputed vanguard of the state’s fine dining scene.
3. Sushi Den
📹 Video Source: OCN Eats
- 🍴Cuisine:Japanese / Sushi
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Platt Park
- 💰Price:$$$$
- ✨Vibe:A Legendary Vanguard of American Sushi
- 📍Location:1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
Long before Denver was a Michelin-starred city, it was a Sushi Den city. Since 1984, this institution has been the undisputed vanguard of Japanese cuisine and the benchmark for top sushi restaurants in Denver. In a land-locked state, they accomplished the impossible by flying in fresh fish daily from Japan’s Nagahama Fish Market, setting a standard for quality that remains unmatched four decades later.
Foodie Quote: “For a truly special occasion, the Chef’s Table Omakase offers a personalized journey through the day’s best catches, guided by a private chef.”Why is it our top choice?
For pioneering world-class sushi in the heart of the Rockies and for maintaining a high level of excellence for 40 years, Sushi Den’s place in the Denver Pantheon is secure. It’s a foundational pillar of the city’s modern food scene.
4. Beckon
📹 Video Source: 9News
- 🍴Cuisine:Contemporary Scandinavian
- 🏙️Neighborhood:RiNo
- 💰Price:$$$$
- ✨Vibe:An Intimate, Michelin-Starred Chef’s Counter
- 📍Location:2843 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
From the outside, Beckon is an unassuming bungalow. Inside, it is a portal to a new age of fine dining and a top-tier Michelin Star restaurant in Denver. With just 18 seats arranged around an intimate chef’s counter, Beckon creates an immersive and deeply personal “dinner party” experience. The prepaid, ticketed, prix-fixe dinner unfolds over two and a half hours, with chefs personally serving each course of a micro-seasonal, New Nordic-inspired menu.
Foodie Quote: “The food itself is arresting and precise, with a focus on vibrant vegetable preparations and sparing use of meat and fish, all complemented by charismatic beverage pairings.”Why is it our top choice?
Beckon’s role in introducing a new, interactive style of fine dining to the city was validated when it earned a coveted One Michelin Star for its high-quality cooking, making it an essential fixture in the modern Denver Pantheon.
5. Rioja
📹 Video Source: OCN Eats
- 🍴Cuisine:Mediterranean
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Larimer Square
- 💰Price:$$$
- ✨Vibe:A James Beard-Winning Modern Cornerstone
- 📍Location:1433 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
For two decades, Rioja has been an elegant and indispensable anchor on historic Larimer Square. As a cornerstone of the top 10 restaurants in Denver Downtown, it helped elevate the city’s culinary reputation from a regional player to a national contender. The cuisine is inspired by Mediterranean flavors, thoughtfully influenced by local Rocky Mountain products, with a focus on house-made pastas.
Foodie Quote: “The artichoke tortelloni has become a beloved signature, a delicate pasta, served in a fragrant broth, that long-time patrons mention with reverence and return for year after year.”Why is it our top choice?
Its founder, Chef Jennifer Jasinski, became the first Denver chef to win the James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Southwest” in 2013, a crowning achievement that solidified Rioja’s status as a trailblazing Denver institution.
6. El Taco de Mexico
📹 Video Source: Here we G0!
- 🍴Cuisine:Mexican
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Lincoln Park
- 💰Price:$
- ✨Vibe:An “America’s Classic” with Legendary Green Chile
- 📍Location:714 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
In a city of rising stars, the bright yellow building of El Taco de Mexico stands as a testament to the soul of Denver. This no-frills taqueria, serving since 1985, is home to the city’s most authentic Mexico City-style street food and is a legend among top Mexican restaurants in Denver. The undisputed star is its legendary green chile, generously smothered over burritos, making it one of the best affordable restaurants in Denver.
Foodie Quote: “It is a flavor that, for many Denverites, defines the taste of home.”Why is it our top choice?
In 2020, El Taco de Mexico received the James Beard Foundation’s “America’s Classics” award, an honor that recognizes not just culinary skill but profound cultural importance. It is a true American treasure.
7. Barolo Grill
📹 Video Source: DiningOut Magazine
- 🍴Cuisine:Northern Italian
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Cherry Creek
- 💰Price:$$$$
- ✨Vibe:World-Class Wine & Decades of Fine Dining
- 📍Location:3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
For over three decades, Barolo Grill has been the standard-bearer for fine dining in Cherry Creek and one of the top rated Italian restaurants in Denver. It is a bastion of old-world hospitality and authentic Northern Italian cuisine. Each summer, the restaurant closes so the entire team can travel to Italy to experience the food and wine firsthand, an incredible investment in authenticity.
Foodie Quote: “The restaurant’s cellar contains an estimated 12,000 bottles and nearly 2,000 different selections.”Why is it our top choice?
Its spectacular wine program has earned it the Wine Spectator Grand Award, the highest honor in the wine world, plus a Michelin Sommelier Award, making it a world-class destination for wine lovers.
8. Guard and Grace
📹 Video Source: DiningOutMagazine
- 🍴Cuisine:Modern Steakhouse
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Downtown
- 💰Price:$$$$
- ✨Vibe:The Definitive, Energetic Reimagining of the Steakhouse
- 📍Location:1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
Located in the heart of Downtown, Guard and Grace is a grand, soaring space that represents the definitive reimagining of the modern American steakhouse. As one of the best restaurants in Denver downtown, it shattered the dark, clubby stereotype of its genre, instead offering a bright, airy, and energetic atmosphere.
Foodie Quote: “Reddit forums are filled with rave reviews for the pillowy gnocchi, the oak-fired carrots, the wagyu gyoza, and the Alaskan black cod, which one user called ‘maybe the best fish dish I’ve ever had’.”
Why is it our top choice?
As a Michelin Guide-Recommended restaurant and voted onto the “World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants” list, Guard and Grace is the city’s undisputed king of the modern steakhouse.
9. Tavernetta
- 🍴Cuisine:Italian
- 🏙️Neighborhood:Union Station
- 💰Price:$$$
- ✨Vibe:Michelin-Recognized Hospitality & Style
- 📍Location:1889 16th St Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Situated next to Union Station, Tavernetta brings the spirit of la dolce vita to the city. As a key part of the acclaimed Frasca Hospitality Group, its pedigree guarantees world-class service, making it one of the top Italian restaurants in Denver. The menu is a journey through Italy’s regional cuisines, with a focus on fresh, handmade pastas that allow high-quality ingredients to shine.
Foodie Quote: “Dishes like the beef carpaccio, lamb ragu, and lobster pasta are frequently praised by diners for their authentic and delicious flavors.”Why is it our top choice?
Its excellence was formally recognized by the Michelin Guide, which awarded it a Bib Gourmand for high-quality food at a good value. This, combined with what many consider the best service in Denver, makes it an essential dining destination.
10. Buckhorn Exchange
📹 Video Source: Denver7
- 🍴
Cuisine:Steak & Game
- 🏙️
Neighborhood:Lincoln Park
- 💰
Price:$$$
- ✨
Vibe:A National Historic Landmark & Living Museum
- 📍
Location:1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204
Foodie Quote: “For the truly adventurous diner, the menu offers exotic appetizers like fried alligator tail and the infamous Rocky Mountain Oysters (deep-fried bull testicles).”Why is it our top choice? Its inclusion is non-negotiable for its unparalleled historical significance. While the culinary experience is debatable, its status as a living piece of Colorado history makes it a permanent fixture on any list of top restaurants in Denver.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Based on a synthesis of critical acclaim, historical significance, and public adoration, the top 10 restaurants in Denver are: 1. Annette, 2. The Wolf’s Tailor, 3. Sushi Den, 4. Beckon, 5. Rioja, 6. El Taco de Mexico, 7. Barolo Grill, 8. Guard and Grace, 9. Tavernetta, and 10. Buckhorn Exchange.
The Mile High City has several Michelin Star restaurants. The Wolf’s Tailor leads the pack as the state’s first and only two-star restaurant. Beckon, an intimate chef’s counter, holds one star. While not on this list, a few other new restaurants like Alma Fonda Fina also earned stars in the inaugural guide.
Downtown Denver is packed with top-tier options. Guard and Grace is the definitive modern steakhouse for a power dinner. Rioja on Larimer Square is a James Beard-winning cornerstone of modern dining. Tavernetta by Union Station offers incredible Italian food and hospitality, making all three essential choices among the top 10 restaurants in Denver Downtown.
Buckhorn Exchange, founded in 1893, is Denver’s oldest restaurant and a National Historic Landmark offering a true Old West experience. For a more food-focused historic meal, El Taco de Mexico (1985) is a James Beard “America’s Classic” winner with legendary green chile.
For world-class fine dining and an incredible wine list, Barolo Grill is a top choice. For stylish, impeccable hospitality and handmade pasta, Tavernetta by Union Station is a Michelin-recognized favorite. Both are considered among the top Italian restaurants in Denver.
While Denver has many rooftop restaurants, the fine dining restaurants on this list are known more for their food and interior ambiance. However, for a classic steakhouse experience downtown that impresses, Guard and Grace offers a grand, soaring space with a vibrant city feel and is considered one of the best Denver restaurants with a view of the downtown architecture.
El Taco de Mexico, a no-frills taqueria serving since 1985, won this prestigious award in 2020. The honor recognizes beloved, locally-owned establishments with timeless appeal that are essential to their community’s character.
You have several great options. For a modern, energetic experience, Guard and Grace in downtown is a world-ranked steakhouse. For a taste of Old West history, Buckhorn Exchange is a landmark.
Sushi Den is the undisputed pioneer of world-class sushi in Denver. Since 1984, it has been flying fish in daily from Japan, setting a standard for freshness that has made it a legendary institution and one of the top sushi restaurants in Denver for decades.
Absolutely. El Taco de Mexico is one of the best affordable restaurants in Denver, offering its legendary, James Beard Award-winning green chile and burritos at a great price.
