Downtown Denver Restaurants is the theme for our January meeting. In our chosen work, whether paid or volunteered, the question can be asked at almost any moment: “What local restaurant would you recommend for lunch or dinner?” Sure, you can sound like an amateur, or someone from the suburbs who really doesn’t know the City, and say you don’t know. Or, you can be the real professional you profess to be and have some solid recommendations. By sharing information, we can help each other with this important but often overlooked part of our work.
Increasingly, visitors want unique local restaurants or regional chains they don’t see in their home city. When working with convention attendees or attraction visitors, they want a location within walking distance or with convenient public transportation. Our January meeting and discussion will emphasize Downtown Denver Restaurants.
Downtown Denver Restaurants
Guide Line Review
DINING IN DENVER: “WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?”
Larry Ralston introduced our three guest’s speakers from VISIT DENVER: Roberta Platte-Jacobin and Leo Jacobin, and Jeff Miller. In his introduction, Larry stated that to be a good tour guide, we need to know for certain two things: location of restrooms and restaurants! A number of restaurants exist along and adjacent to the 16th Street Mall, plus many more outside the immediate Downtown/ Lower Downtown (LoDo) Denver area.
East of Broadway, North of Colfax Ave.
City Grille, 321 E. Colfax (Colfax & Logan Sts), ph:303-861-0726, has been voted as “America’s Best Hamburger (in Denver)”. A block from the State Capitol, it’s popular with legislators, locals, and visitors alike and is highly recommended, so RSVP for parties of six or more. They are open 11 am to 11 pm/midnight, Monday - Sunday.
Steuben’s, 523 E 17th, ph: 303-830-1001. Comfort food; macaroni & cheese for kids; Peruvian & Regional American foods.
City O’ City Restaurant, 206 E. 13th Ave. (@ 13th & Sherman Sts.), ph: 303-831-6443. Vegetarian
East of Broadway, South of Colfax Ave.
The Spicy Pickle Sub Shop, 988 Lincoln St.,303-860-0730. Deli
Le Central, 112 E. 8th St., ph: 303-863-8094. So. French cuisine, Lunch/Dinner, Sunday brunch. Prices: Moderate plus
Racines Restaurant, 650 Sherman St, ph: 303-595-0418; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Healthy food/American/Mexican/Bakery Breakfast: $4 - $12; Lunch/Dinner: $4 - $20.
Jelly, 13th Ave. & Pearl St., www.eatmorejelly.com.
West of Broadway, South of Colfax Ave.
Pint’s Pub, 221 West 13th Ave., ph: 303-534-7543, offers a British atmosphere, even to the flying of the British flag and red telephone booth as identifying signs. Beverage and food are served in separate areas--the price is right, the food ample and tasty, beverages tend to the British taste, with a number of Scotches available for the discerning palate.
Downtown Area
Ship’s Tavern at the Brown Palace, 321 - 17th St. (17th & Tremont Place), ph: 303-297-3111 (one block off 16th St. Mall. Lunch and Dinner with Bar open ‘til Midnight. Dinner: $30 and under. Features Prime Rib, Steak, Seafood, Microbrew; casual dining in Vintage Pub atmosphere. Live Entertainment Wed - Sat, beginning at 8:30 pm. (Afternoon Tea with Music; Tours offered).
The Old Spaghetti Factory, 1215 - 18th St. (18th & Larimer Sts.), ph: 303-295-1864, caters to singles and families alike. A Victorian decor includes an old cable car (with tables), plus most kids like spaghetti--Lunch: Mon - Fri, 11:30 am - 2 pm, Dinner: 5 - 9:30 pm; Open Sat/Sun: Lunch/Dinner. Cost: Reasonable--$9 - $12 for entree,bread, salad/soup &dessert.
Le Chateau, 1040 - 15th St. (15th & Arapaho Sts, 1 block off Mall). ph: 303-534-0404. French/Continental and American. Dinner Only; upscale/intimate atmosphere. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, diverse menu of pastas, veal, lamb, fresh meat, seafood, fondue, irresistible desserts, wine list. Prices average $14 - $22 per person; $60 - $78 for four-course meal for two--one block to Denver Center/Performing Arts.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., 1437 California St., ph: 303-623-4867. Seafood; burgers, pasta, kids, shrimp
Wild Bangkok Bar & Grill, 1630 Welton St., ph: 303-623-4999. Thai/Asian, upscale
Marlowe’s, 501 - 16th St. Mall, ph: 303-595-3700. American, New American, Seafood & Steaks; Lunch/Dinner: $16 - $25 Patio service weather permitting--watch Downtown Denver go by! Private Mezzanine room.
Paramount Cafe, 519 - 16th St., ph: 303-893-2000, around the corner from Marlowe’s
Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwich Shop, 622 - 16th St., ph: 303-623-3370. Sandwich/Salad/Deli.
Thai food carts near Daniel & Fisher Tower, 16th and Arapahoe Sts.
Food Courts on 16th St. Mall
Lower Downtown (LoDo)
Dixon’s Downtown Grille, 1610 - 16th (16th & Wazee Sts,, next to Tattered Cover Bookstore), ph: 303-573-6100. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Open 7 am - Mid-night daily. Menu superb, prices reasonable. Group reservations required. Windowed-Banquet Room seats up to 45; package buffet options for 20 or more @ $25 pp (Fiesta, BBQ or Tuscan Buffet). Main area offers easy access, 2 steps-up, separated area for up to 25 (orders from menu & separate checks accepted). Open-face Mushroom sandwich to die for!
Cafe Colore, 1512 Larimer St. (Writer’s Square), ph: 303-534-6844. Gluten Free available; Lunch and Dinner, Contemporary Italian, & Pizza. Casual attire, sit-down service, delivery and take-out. RSVP for groups.
Wazee Supper Club, 1600 - 15th St. (15th & Wazee Sts.), ph: 303-623-9518. Great Pizza and more in “Chicago” style, historic building!
Blake Street Vault, 1526 Blake St., ph: 303-825-9833; Open Sundays 11:00 am - 8:00 pm--Dinner Only. Happy Hour: 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Monday - Saturday Visitors, careful of the alcoholic intake at this altitude!
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 1415 - 15 St ph: 303-260-7222 or 866-PFCHANG. Traditional Chinese with American hospitality. Online ordering & RSVP @ www.pfchangs.com
Wynkoop Brewery, 1634 - 18th (18th & Wynkoop); ph: 303-297-2700. Pub Food, Colorado’s 1st Brewpub. Food and Beer good! Cost: Up to $15/entree; Monday - Thursday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am. Brewing Tour: Sat. 1 - 5 pm, Pool hall with food and bar on 2nd floor. Weekends: Comedy Club in basement.
8 Rivers, 1550 Blake St., ph: 303-623-3422 offers Jamaican/Cuban food at 4:30 pm, Mon - Sun. Snacks: $6 - 16, and Entrees $17 - $25. Great service and food!
Tamayo, 1400 Larimer (14th & Larimer Sts.), ph: 720-946-1433. Not Tex-Mex, mid-scale. Rooftop patio
Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake St, ph: 303-296-1970. Unique to Denver, World grill cuisine, ethnic entrees, exotic dipping sauces. Relaxing
The Market Deli, 1445 Larimer St., (Larimer Square), ph: 303-534-5140. Great Sunday Brunch! Food good anytime
Rocky Mountain Diner, 800 - 18th St (18th & Stout Streets), ph: 303-293-8383. Reasonable-something for everyone.
9th Door, 1808 Blake St. (18th & Blake), ph: 303-292-2229. Spanish foods
Rodizio Grill, 1801 Wynkoop St. (Ice House Bldg), ph: 303-294-9277. “Denver founded”!. Brazilian steakhouse--Meat carved tableside, great food
Ted’s Montana Grill, 1401 Larimer St. (14th & Larimer Sts.), 303-893-0654. Buffalo Burgers!
India House, 1514 Blake St., ph: 303-585-0680. India/Southeast Asian Food (in historic Barney Ford Bldg.)
Lime, 1424 Larimer St., ph: 303-893-5463. Mexican
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, 1525 Blake St., ph: 303-623-5432
RTD Light Rail:
Many guests/visitors to Denver don’t mind taking Light Rail and/or City Buses
The Buckhorn Exchange, 1000 Osage St. (across from an automatic RTD Light Rail stop), 303-534-9505. Food and atmosphere are both unusual at Denver’s oldest (since late 1800s) restaurant. Once patronized by yesteryear’s notables: Horace Tabor, uffalo Bill Cody, railroad workers, and even Native Americans, it has Denver’s No. 1 liquor license and “in-time appropriate decor” if you don’t mind “eyes” watching you! Entertainment often is by western singer Roz Brown RSVP Recommended for both Lunch and Dinner!
Is the Sushi Den/Bar more to your taste? Try this Asian restaurant (out of the downtown area) at 1487 So. Pearl St, ph: 303-777-0826. Open for lunch and dinner, Monday - Friday; Dinner only Saturday and Sunday. Prices: moderate. 3 blocks from RTD Light Rail Line.
Out of Downtown Area
Mataam Fez Morrocan Restaurant, 4609 East Colfax Ave., ph: 303-399-9282. Open nightly, Dinner only. 4 specials/ evening @ $32/person; 5 course meals--$29.99/person
Texas de Brazil, 8390 E. 49th Ave, ph 720-374-2100. Brazilian Steakhouse--Where you can actually hear yourself talk.
Duo Restaurant, 2413 W. 32nd & Zuni), ph: 303-477-4141. Highlands area. American, Mediterranean. Dinner. Weekend Brunch. High Quality, organic when possible, definitely local!
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant, 7225 E Colfax Ave., ph: 303-399-9442
. . . . . these are only a few . . . there are so many more . . . . .
Thank you Kay Willson