Guidebook for Denver
Essentials
Mi Pueblo Market
125 Knox CtGreat Mexican grocery - cheap produce, cheeses, pastries.
King Soopers
1950 Chestnut PlMajor supermarket for any last minute needs
Pacific Ocean Marketplace - Denver
2200 W Alameda Avegreat asian supermarket
NOOCH | Vegan Market
10 E Ellsworth Aveall vegan market!
Food Scene
US THAI CAFE
5228 W 25th AveOne of the top 2 Thai places in Denver
GB Fish and Chips
2175 Sheridan BoulevardTasty very casual fish n chips place
Taqueria Mexico #1
3800 W Colfax AveStandard inexpensive Mexican food
One of my favorite local family-owned pizza places in Denver. Great fresh pizza, tasty pasta entrees and salads as well. Fantastic Happy Hour specials (slice & a beer for very cheap).
61 locals recommend
Tony P's Bar & Pizzeria
3000 Zuni StreetOne of my favorite local family-owned pizza places in Denver. Great fresh pizza, tasty pasta entrees and salads as well. Fantastic Happy Hour specials (slice & a beer for very cheap).
A Denver icon! Shaped like a giant milk jug, great ice cream, all outdoor patio seating, and a slide for kids to slide down. The line out the door is deserved.
538 locals recommend
Little Man Ice Cream
2620 16th StA Denver icon! Shaped like a giant milk jug, great ice cream, all outdoor patio seating, and a slide for kids to slide down. The line out the door is deserved.
Trattoria Stella
3470 W 32nd AveTasty italian, many delicious pasta dishes.
One of my favorite coffee shops in town. Great pourover coffee, nice snacks, nice atmosphere, local micro-market in the back.
104 locals recommend
Black Eye Coffee - LOHI
3408 Navajo StOne of my favorite coffee shops in town. Great pourover coffee, nice snacks, nice atmosphere, local micro-market in the back.
Great coffee shop - both the coffee and the food (at least the little i've had of it) are excellent, good atmosphere.
275 locals recommend
Crema Coffee House
2862 Larimer StGreat coffee shop - both the coffee and the food (at least the little i've had of it) are excellent, good atmosphere.
Really excellent pizzeria certified by the pizza board of Napoli. Includes gluten-free options.
70 locals recommend
Marco's Coal Fired | Ballpark
2129 Larimer StReally excellent pizzeria certified by the pizza board of Napoli. Includes gluten-free options.
Fantastic artisan pizzas (including gluten-free options), good sandwiches & salads, and many excellent craft brews on tap. Love this place.
217 locals recommend
Hops & Pie/Berkeley Donuts
3920 Tennyson StFantastic artisan pizzas (including gluten-free options), good sandwiches & salads, and many excellent craft brews on tap. Love this place.
excellent, not-too-expensive Italian food and gelato. good caprese sandwich.
120 locals recommend
PARISI pizzeria, trattoria e vino
4401 Tennyson Stexcellent, not-too-expensive Italian food and gelato. good caprese sandwich.
The best vietnamese pho noodle soup in town. (and one of the few where you can choose a true vegetarian broth)
41 locals recommend
Phở 95 Vietnamese Restaurant
1401 S Federal BlvdThe best vietnamese pho noodle soup in town. (and one of the few where you can choose a true vegetarian broth)
New Saigon Restaurant
630 S Federal BlvdDelicious vietnamese food - top notch.
new orleans-inspired cuisine in an adorable victorian house.
178 locals recommend
Sassafras American Eatery, Highlands
3927 W 32nd Avenew orleans-inspired cuisine in an adorable victorian house.
Uncle
2215 W 32nd Avedelicious ramen & steamed buns!
excellent restaurant owned by a couple friends of mine. fresh seasonal cuisine.
107 locals recommend
duo Restaurant
2413 W 32nd Aveexcellent restaurant owned by a couple friends of mine. fresh seasonal cuisine.
Spuntino
2639 W 32nd Avetasty gelato & ice cream, although i think they serve food as well.
Edgewater Coffee Company
5224 W 25th Avelittle local coffee shop, occasional live music
Corner House
I haven't been here yet but the whole city is buzzing about it.
Very good, higher end mexican food. Guacamole made to order at your table. Good brunches as well.
138 locals recommend
Lola Coastal Mexican
1575 Boulder StVery good, higher end mexican food. Guacamole made to order at your table. Good brunches as well.
One of the best foodie havens. Very hip, quite pricey, but very good. Situated in a converted mortuary.
743 locals recommend
Linger
2030 W 30th AveOne of the best foodie havens. Very hip, quite pricey, but very good. Situated in a converted mortuary.
The New York Pizza Pub
4334 W 35th Avegood pizza, good people
All vegetarian restaurant, anything can be made vegan, enough to please most omnivores as well. A local favorite. Great vegan milkshakes & ho-ho cupcakes.
225 locals recommend
Watercourse Foods
837 East 17th AvenueAll vegetarian restaurant, anything can be made vegan, enough to please most omnivores as well. A local favorite. Great vegan milkshakes & ho-ho cupcakes.
Tamale Kitchen
2045 Sheridan BoulevardTasty tamales, casual/inexpensive.
Much more than a mexican restaurant. Will blow the minds of kids ~4-10. Like a low-tech chucky cheese but replace the animatronic mice with cliff divers. There's a south park episode all about it.
137 locals recommend
Casa Bonita
6715 W Colfax AveMuch more than a mexican restaurant. Will blow the minds of kids ~4-10. Like a low-tech chucky cheese but replace the animatronic mice with cliff divers. There's a south park episode all about it.
Patzcuaro's Mexican Restaurant
2616 W 32nd Avegood authentic mexican food & agua fresca
It looks like a complete hole in the wall, but the food is surprisingly good. Full-page vegetarian & vegan menu (w/ fake meat dishes -- very tasty), in addition to a regular non-veggie menu.
7 locals recommend
Sidewok Cafe
4930 W Colfax AveIt looks like a complete hole in the wall, but the food is surprisingly good. Full-page vegetarian & vegan menu (w/ fake meat dishes -- very tasty), in addition to a regular non-veggie menu.
Family greasy-spoon style diner. I havent been personally though I've been meaning to check it out -- my neighbors like it. Cash only.
Swift's Kitchen
4300 W Colfax AveFamily greasy-spoon style diner. I havent been personally though I've been meaning to check it out -- my neighbors like it. Cash only.
The Ethiopian Restaurant
2816 E Colfax AveBest Ethopian food in Denver.
My favorite restaurant in Denver. Traditional japanese. NOT your trendy glossy sushi place. They say they're not substitution friendly but nicely accommodated me being veggie. museum in back.
90 locals recommend
Domo Japanese Country Food Restaurant
1365 Osage StMy favorite restaurant in Denver. Traditional japanese. NOT your trendy glossy sushi place. They say they're not substitution friendly but nicely accommodated me being veggie. museum in back.
A well-kept secret. Good authentic mexican food, w/ a whole page of vegetarian & vegan options.
21 locals recommend
Tarascos New Latino Cuisine
470 S Federal BlvdA well-kept secret. Good authentic mexican food, w/ a whole page of vegetarian & vegan options.
Saigon Bowl Denver
333 S Federal Blvdtasty vietnamese!
Delicious vietnamese Pho soup (including vegetarian options) and boba tea.
38 locals recommend
Phở Duy Denver
925 South Federal BoulevardDelicious vietnamese Pho soup (including vegetarian options) and boba tea.
My favorite vietnamese noodles in Denver. They have vegetarian options and boba tea as well.
41 locals recommend
Phở 95 Vietnamese Restaurant
1401 S Federal BlvdMy favorite vietnamese noodles in Denver. They have vegetarian options and boba tea as well.
Delicious restaurant w/ lots of veggie (and even raw I believe) options, tasty brunch & drinks as well.
515 locals recommend
Root Down
1600 W 33rd AveDelicious restaurant w/ lots of veggie (and even raw I believe) options, tasty brunch & drinks as well.
Hip bar & restaurant. Great food, lots of veggie & vegan options, often good music playing.
118 locals recommend
Sputnik
3 S BroadwayHip bar & restaurant. Great food, lots of veggie & vegan options, often good music playing.
Thai Monkey Club
102 S Broadwaygreat thai food.
Spicy Basil
1 Broadwayyummy thai
Go Fish Sushi Denver
1 Broadwayone of my favorite sushi places.
Beatrice & Woodsley
38 S Broadwayunique restaurant, tasty desserts.
Cheeky Monk Beer Cafe
534 Colorado BoulevardTasty food, huge beer selection. Try the mussels!
Le Central Affordable French Restaurant
112 E 8th AveTruly delicious for brunch or dinner.
Tasty breakfasts, very close walk to the Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, library, etc.
16 locals recommend
Dozens
323 W 13th AveTasty breakfasts, very close walk to the Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, library, etc.
El Taco De Mexico
714 Santa Fe Dr3 words: chili relleno burrito!
Thump Coffee
1201 E 13th Avegreat coffee shop
Little Owl Coffee
1555 Blake Stfinally, a cute little independent coffee shop right downtown.
City O' City
206 E 13th AveGreat restaurant and bar (very veggie & vegan friendly)
The most delicious waffles you've ever had, run by two very very nice people, Tom and Jasmine. Let Jasmine know I recommended it and it will make her smile!
18 locals recommend
Waffle Up!
The most delicious waffles you've ever had, run by two very very nice people, Tom and Jasmine. Let Jasmine know I recommended it and it will make her smile!
TOKIO
2907 Huron StAmazing new ramen restaurant.
Tenn Street Coffee
4418 Tennyson Stcute little coffee shop that doubles as a mini used bookstore
one of my favorite coffeeshops for sitting & reading, getting some work done, or catching up w/ friends
152 locals recommend
St Mark's Coffee House
2019 East 17th Avenueone of my favorite coffeeshops for sitting & reading, getting some work done, or catching up w/ friends
love this place. have coffee, drinks, or lunch while they fix your bike (they are honest and won't over-charge). cool place even if you don't have a bike!
65 locals recommend
The Denver Bicycle Cafe
2217 E 21st Avelove this place. have coffee, drinks, or lunch while they fix your bike (they are honest and won't over-charge). cool place even if you don't have a bike!
Reasonably priced sushi nearby. Happy hour sushi deals every day (till 6 i think) & all-you-can-eat on sundays
24 locals recommend
Shiso Sushi & Oyster Bar
2255 Sheridan BoulevardReasonably priced sushi nearby. Happy hour sushi deals every day (till 6 i think) & all-you-can-eat on sundays
My favorite breakfast in Denver. Try the Hank's eggs - it's no longer on the menu but is my favorite mound of scramble/potatoes/veggies w/ fresh avocado on top.
215 locals recommend
Lucile's Creole Cafe
275 S Logan StMy favorite breakfast in Denver. Try the Hank's eggs - it's no longer on the menu but is my favorite mound of scramble/potatoes/veggies w/ fresh avocado on top.
BEST ICE CREAM IN DENVER. This is quite a hike away, but worth it!
48 locals recommend
High Point Creamery
3977 Tennyson StBEST ICE CREAM IN DENVER. This is quite a hike away, but worth it!
Drinks & Nightlife
Sloan's Bar & Grill
5850 W 25th Avenew local micro-brewery
Hogshead Brewery
4460 W 29th AveNew-ish local microbrewery
80s-style arcade! and a bar. can get crowded sometimes, but very fun. play some skeeball or frogger and re-live the 80s.
112 locals recommend
The 1UP Arcade Bar - LoDo
1925 Blake St80s-style arcade! and a bar. can get crowded sometimes, but very fun. play some skeeball or frogger and re-live the 80s.
i've been wanting to go here but havent yet, but people rave about it. vintage/old school feel.
427 locals recommend
Williams & Graham
3160 Tejon Sti've been wanting to go here but havent yet, but people rave about it. vintage/old school feel.
Paddy the Yank
3963 Tennyson Stirish pub
Strange Craft Beer Company
1330 Zuni StNew local microbrewery. outdoor patio & lawn games.
The Hi-Dive
7 S BroadwayGreat place to see live bands play.
Joyride Brewing Company
2501 Sheridan BoulevardNew brewery pretty close by
one of my favorite local micro-breweries. heavy metal themed, no pretension.
97 locals recommend
TRVE Brewing Co.
227 Broadwayone of my favorite local micro-breweries. heavy metal themed, no pretension.
one of my favorite local breweries. great beers and usually a fun vibe there.
238 locals recommend
Great Divide Brewery
2201 Arapahoe Stone of my favorite local breweries. great beers and usually a fun vibe there.
Sightseeing
Largest lake in Denver, nice to take a walk or run around, sit & read, fly a kite, or just chill. Two playgrounds - one on the north side near 26th & Tennyson, one on the south side off of 17th Ave.
88 locals recommend
Sloan's Lake Park
1700 N Sheridan BlvdLargest lake in Denver, nice to take a walk or run around, sit & read, fly a kite, or just chill. Two playgrounds - one on the north side near 26th & Tennyson, one on the south side off of 17th Ave.
Great art museum, unusual architecture (designed by Libeskind), plenty for even young kids to do, great multi-media event called "Untitled" the last Friday of each month.
1293 locals recommend
Denver Art Museum
100 W 14th Ave PkwyGreat art museum, unusual architecture (designed by Libeskind), plenty for even young kids to do, great multi-media event called "Untitled" the last Friday of each month.
Shopping
One of the best used bookstores in Denver. This whole area is a total local hotspot - too many restaurants etc to tag, but 32nd from about Julian to ~Mead is basically all restaurants & bars.
13 locals recommend
West Side Books
3434 W 32nd AveOne of the best used bookstores in Denver. This whole area is a total local hotspot - too many restaurants etc to tag, but 32nd from about Julian to ~Mead is basically all restaurants & bars.
Sweet Cow
3475 W 32nd Aveneighborhood's newest handmade ice cream shop. very tasty!
Target
1985 Sheridan BoulevardIn case you have any last-minute household needs.
Capitol Hill Books
300 E Colfax Avegreat little used bookstore
One of my favorite shops in Denver. Neat plants & succulents, art, books, oddities.
19 locals recommend
Ironwood
14 South BroadwayOne of my favorite shops in Denver. Neat plants & succulents, art, books, oddities.
2nd location of fabulous bookstore you can get lost in.
153 locals recommend
Tattered Cover Book Store - Colfax Avenue
2526 East Colfax Avenue2nd location of fabulous bookstore you can get lost in.
Fahrenheit's Books
1415 S Broadwayone of my favorite used bookstores in the area
fantastic little used bookstore w/ a great selection of comics & graphic novels, and very knowledgeable staff.
9 locals recommend
Kilgore Books
624 E 13th Avefantastic little used bookstore w/ a great selection of comics & graphic novels, and very knowledgeable staff.
City Stacks Books and Coffee
1743 Wazee Stcute new bookstore w/ coffee & pastries
Everything Else
Good old-fashioned bowling alley. Lots of fun. Different special deals most nights of the week. (you may need to call ahead & reserve a lane on some nights, it gets hopping!)
Elitch Lanes
3825 Tennyson StGood old-fashioned bowling alley. Lots of fun. Different special deals most nights of the week. (you may need to call ahead & reserve a lane on some nights, it gets hopping!)
Wooden Spoon Cafe & Bakery
2418 W 32nd Avetiny little place w/ yummy baked goods
Denver Bread Co
3200 Irving Stamazing breads & baked goods
Beet Box
1030 E 22nd Aveall vegan bakery & cafe!
Auraria Higher Education Center
Local university campus
long & narrow park w/ a little creek, running alongside the light rail line. my little boy loves exploring here. there's also a disc golf course.
6 locals recommend
Lakewood / Dry Gulch Park
1100 Perry Stlong & narrow park w/ a little creek, running alongside the light rail line. my little boy loves exploring here. there's also a disc golf course.
Walgreens
801 16th St Mallfor any last minute needs
Fun little place - tons of household artifacts from the 50s & 60s.
82 locals recommend
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
1201 Bannock StFun little place - tons of household artifacts from the 50s & 60s.
fantastic bookstore (new and used), w/ coffee shop/cafe
93 locals recommend
Tattered Cover Book Store - Union Station
1701 Wynkoop Stfantastic bookstore (new and used), w/ coffee shop/cafe
Perry Station
Light Rail train station just 3 minute walk away!
Knox Station
2nd light rail stop near my house
Entertainment & Activities
I love this old run-down amusement park. Feels like something out of an old Alfred Hitchcock movie. only $2.50 to get in and rides are 0.50 to maybe $2.
134 locals recommend
Lakeside Amusement Park
4601 Sheridan BoulevardI love this old run-down amusement park. Feels like something out of an old Alfred Hitchcock movie. only $2.50 to get in and rides are 0.50 to maybe $2.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
2121 Children's Museum Drgreat place for kids
This museum is more kid-friendly than you'd think. My 7 year old has really enjoyed it since he was around 5 or so.
212 locals recommend
History Colorado Center
1200 N BroadwayThis museum is more kid-friendly than you'd think. My 7 year old has really enjoyed it since he was around 5 or so.