The Denver List

Thanks to the incredible beauty of Colorado’s mountain towns, Denver has often operated as a pass-through hub for skiers, hikers and other adventure travelers. But in the past decade, this underrated capital city has experienced a wave of cultural, culinary and architectural investment that makes it worth a stay in itself. As former New Yorkers who have put down roots (and founded a business!) in Denver, we were drawn not only to the outdoor lifestyle, but also to the energy of the city’s rapidly growing community of entrepreneurs. This independent spirit has always been a defining characteristic of the Mountain West, and we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on the creativity, innovation and warm hospitality of our adopted hometown.

STAY

The Ramble: Since opening in 2018, this hotel in the River North neighborhood has been a stylish anchor of the neighborhood’s gritty, creative appeal. The soaring, chandeliered lobby is a great place for coffee or lunch meetings, and their bar Death & Co is fun for a nightcap.

The Populus: The country’s first “carbon-positive” hotel, they bring Colorado’s obsession with the outdoors to the heart of downtown, with their aspen tree-inspired facade and iconic green roof.

LifeHouse Hotel: Just up the hill a bit from downtown Denver, this intimate hotel is in the residential Lower Highland neighborhood. The aesthetic is sort of Victorian opulence meets Old West sensibilities—with rich, romantic decor. Don’t miss the hotel’s celebrated vegetable-forward restaurant, Wildflower.

The Clayton: In the polished Cherry Creek shopping district, this member’s club and hotel features upscale wellness and co-working spaces. It’s ideal for a working vacation – you’ll find Denver’s movers and shakers taking meetings at the sunlight-filled rooftop restaurant (and pool!). And on the ground floor, acclaimed local chef Johnny Curiel’s new spot Alteño, is opening this spring on the ground floor.

The Maven: For an option in the heart of downtown Denver. They have a sprawling lobby ideal for co-working over Huckleberry Roasters coffee, and there is a cluster of great shops and restaurants on “Maker’s Alley”—a pedestrian-only street just behind the hotel.

FOOD + DRINK

Restaurants

MakFam: A tiny, sun-drenched Chinese restaurant with shareable dishes – the Fancy Wong Tun, Beef Noodles and Mala Wings are a must.

Alma Fonda Fina: Chef Johnny Curiel’s Michelin-starred destination for refined Mexican cuisine is known for its earthy, complex dishes (try the camote asado). Mezcaleria Alma, his new concept next door, is also a worthy destination for cocktails and small plates.

Kawa Ni: This “nontraditional” izakaya is one of the city’s boldest new additions, and we love its creative cocktails and transportive interior design.

Stowaway Kitchen: Our favorite daytime go-to, this Japanese-Australian café has refreshing, healthyish options that we can’t help but revisit regularly.

Somebody People: Vegans and other veggie lovers rave over the tasting menu at this relaxed hotspot, where the cabbage alone is worth the detour.

Temaki Den: In a city with plenty of outstanding sushi, this aburi-focused restaurant has an impeccable omakase experience.

Xiquita: We particularly love their housemade tortillas and numerous masa-driven small plates. 

Ginger Pig: A decidedly low-key outpost playing on the bold flavors and technical precision of traditional pan-Asian street food.

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal: Delightfully divey, this temple to Mexico’s most iconic soup has five distinct variations on the classic.

Molotov Kitschen: Kitsch is the operative word at this quirky yet elevated restaurant, which serves unconventional iterations of classic Eastern European fare.

Sắp Sửa: A sleek, modern space serves as a clean canvas for pungent, yet nuanced flavors at this unconventional Vietnamese hotspot. Just trust the waiters and try everything you can.  

Uncle: A Denver mainstay, this casual ramen outpost continues to push the envelope—and we love the indoor-outdoor vibes at their West Wash Park location.

Q House: An alum of the NYC Momofuku empire, Chef Christopher Lin serves fresh, fragrant takes on classic Chinese-American cooking in a minimalist space. 

The Wolf’s Tailor: Driven more so by technique than any one regional cuisine, the tasting menu at this Kelly Whitaker establishment remains one of the city’s best splurge-worthy meals.

Restaurant Olivia: Pasta is elevated to an art form at Olivia—complemented by seasonal small plates and attentive service that even Italians would be proud of.

Lucina: Celebrating the bold flavors of Latin American cuisine, this colorful, eclectic Park Hill restaurant is a lively option for date nights or group dining in East Denver.

Redeemer: A great place to grab a single slice in Denver, Redeemer’s popularity stems from long-fermented dough and carefully calibrated toppings.

Cart Driver: If you’re sitting down for a whole pizza, the carefully sourced ingredients, natural wines and indoor-outdoor vibes at Cart Driver are always a solid choice.

Leven Deli: Denver’s take on a Jewish deli—but much friendlier and slower-paced than the NYC equivalent. Don’t skip the mezze or the memorable baked goods.

Annette: Though Aurora is technically beyond the confines of Denver, any city guide would be remiss to not include this beloved restaurant from Chef Caroline Glover. Seasonal ingredients shine year-round in her kitchen, and the sister bar Traveling Mercies is a delightful stop for oysters and other light snacks.

Bakeries + Sweets:

Hearth: This tiny yet mighty RiNo/Uptown bakery makes excellent flaky pastries, sourdough loaves, and some of the best coffee you’ll find anywhere in town.

Little Man Ice Cream: A Denver classic for a reason. The salted cookies and cream is our go-to flavor, and the vegan chocolate oreo has an equally loyal fan club.

Right Cream: This quirky, tiny shop features unconventional mix-ins (and excellent smash burgers), sharing a kid-friendly sideyard with Denver Beer Co.

Bakery Four: It’s hard to compete with the croissants—not to mention the airy, tangy herb sourdough—at this beloved (and always busy) Tennyson Street bakery. Hot tip: The same owners more recently launched an outstanding wild leavened bagel concept, Rich Spirit, in nearby Wheat Ridge.

GetRight’s: This family-run bakery in Wheat Ridge, just outside Denver proper, has the best Maritozzi (Rome’s iconic pastry) and tiramisu we’ve found. Their new pizza offering and focaccia-style sandwiches are also well worth the detour for those who prefer savory bites over sweet treats.

Reunion Bread: This James Beard-nominated bakery makes extra-crusty loaves and some less common (for Denver) pastries—like their signature pasteis de nata.

Gelato Boy: It’s hard to beat the rich, velvety texture and elevated flavors at this ice cream shop—which also serves an unusually wide range of dairy-free flavors.

Coffee:

Aviano Coffee: One of the first third-wave shops in the city, both of Aviano’s Cherry Creek locations have long-term street cred and enviable outdoor patios.

Middle State Coffee: Housed in an industrial, understated space, this Denver roaster and café serves some of the most interesting, complex beans in town.

Crema Coffee House: A River North mainstay since before the neighborhood was cool, this gritty, graffitied shop is an absolute classic in the Denver coffee scene.

Little Owl Coffee: Sleek design and attentive service, this downtown café and local roaster has rapidly expanded to a handful of locations.

Huckleberry Roasters: Playful, funky and friendly, Huckleberry Roasters has become one of the city’s most iconic local brands—with six locations beloved for their bold decor.

Steam Espresso Bar: Having potentially the best real estate of any coffee shop in Denver comes with its perks—like a gorgeous Highlands space in a former firehouse.

Queen City Collective Coffee: This small business owned by three brothers has deep roots in rural Africa, and prioritizes equitable, sustainable sourcing.

Wine, Cocktails + Beer:

Williams & Graham: An award-winning, dim-lit speakeasy in the Highlands, this James Beard-nominated bar still serves some of the best cocktails in the city.

My Boy Tony: A cozy cocktail haven on Tennyson Street, this bar is a favorite for both after-work and date night drinks.

Noble Riot: Many of the city’s best somms moonlight at this natural wine bar, where the scene is welcoming and completely unpretentious.  

Fort Greene Bar: A dive with vintage decor, this hidden spot has maintained a loyal local following for a reason.

ESP Hifi: This low-key, records-only listening lounge, is just as perfectly suited for early evening drinks or the last round of the night.

Bierstadt Lagerhaus: Beer purists flock to try the Pilsner at this lauded local brewery, which has an expansive warehouse for larger groups.

Our Mutual Friend: While other breweries rapidly expand, OMF has proudly stayed small, with an understated space and a down-to-earth culture that locals love.

Cerebral Brewing: Proudly nerdy, this brewery takes “a scientific approach to brewing” and always pushes the envelope with innovative methods.

SHOPPING

Carbon Knife Co.: The curated cookbook section alone will draw in serious foodies, but you’re really here for the chef-tested selection of knives, barware and cooking tools.

Modern Nomad: A two-story shop stocked with unique home goods sourced from around the world, plus locally made jewelry and vintage finds.

New Americana Home: This elegant-yet-rustic boutique has expanded from furniture and home decor to include stylish kitchen and lifestyle products.

Lady Jones: A chic women’s store which pulls off put-together in a distinctly Denver way—lots of youthful colors and cozy fabrics.

Dona Forta: A more reserved, timeless aesthetic can be found at Dona Forte, where the selection of sustainable pieces offer elevated, evergreen style.

Earnest Paper Supply: Just off Tennyson’s main drag, this beautiful shop has great design-forward stationery, office supplies and organization tools.

Berkeley Supply: One of the rare shops dedicated to menswear, this store embodies the “rugged luxury” of the Denver aesthetic with high-end, utilitarian goods that look great and play hard.

Miller Lane Mercantile: This inviting kitchen and home goods shop sells stylish, elevated goods at prices that make it easy to indulge—or to find a gift for a friend.

Mondo Vino: Lovers of natural wines and small producers will be right at home in this neighborhood liquor store, where the trusted team makes top notch recommendations.

THINGS TO DO / EXPLORE

Denver Botanic Gardens: From Japanese gardens to xeriscaped paths and wild meadows, these stunning gardens are beautiful in every season. 

Clyfford Still Museum: If you’re going to spend time indoors, you could do far worse than this museum that houses more than 3,000 works.

Live Music: If you can catch a show at Red Rocks, the views cannot be beat. But Denver is also home to a handful of charming small venues like Dazzle, Nocturne and Two Moons Music Hall—and there are no bad seats in the symphony’s Boettcher Hall.

Green Space: If you want to mix and mingle with Denver locals (and their dogs!), go for a stroll in one of the city’s incredible parks. City Park and Washington Park stand out as favorites (with excellent playgrounds and walking paths), and Cheesman Park has a smaller, shadier loop closer to downtown.

Hiking: While there are plenty of epic peaks and alpine lakes within 1-2 hours of Denver, travelers of all fitness (and motivation!) levels will enjoy the expansive views at Matthews/Winters Park in Morrison or North Table Mesa in Golden—both of which are within a short drive of downtown.