Favorites in Denver, Colorado

Favorites in Denver, Colorado

After calling Denver, CO for 5 years, I've accumulated a pretty large list of favorites in the city that I love recommending to visitors! While Denver doesn't have the same foodie recognition that many large cities do, there are some fantastic gems in the different neighborhoods that deserve more recognition!
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Table of Contents

◦Tips

◦Hotels

◦Restaurants

◦Ice Cream & Bakeries

◦Bars

◦Dive Bars

◦Breweries

◦Music Venues

◦Coffee Shops

For information about the ski resorts in Colorado, check out:

Tips

◦ Altitude - The city of Denver is, as everyone knows,  a mile high (~5,280').  Altitude seems to effect everyone different, with some people getting headaches and being short of breath from very minimal physical activity.  Alcohol can effect people much quicker here, so be mindful about your consumption.  One universal effect for everyone seems to be dryness - lips, skin, eyes, etc.  To help combat this, drink a ton of water.

◦ Public Transportation - Unfortunately, public transportation here is seriously lacking.  However, one good thing is the train from the airport to Union Station.  It's $10.50, so a great economical option if you're alone since Ubers can get pretty expensive from the airport.  There are a few light rail lines that run throughout the city that are worth researching to see if your accommodation is within walking distance.

◦ Sports Teams - Denver has the big 5 sports teams - football (Denver Broncos), basement (Colorado Rockies), hockey (Colorado Avalanche), basketball (Denver Nuggets), and soccer (Colorado Rapids).  You can often catch a game at one of the downtown arenas so be sure to look at the schedules if that's one of your interests!

Hotels

LoDo (Lower Downtown)

The Rally Hotel at McGregor Square
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Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver
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Limelight Hotel
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The Oxford Hotel
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Four Seasons Hotel Denver
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RiNo (River North Arts District)

The Ramble Hotel
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Golden Triangle

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection
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The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Restaurants

Pizza

Blue Pan Pizza Congress Park
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Walter's303 Pizzeria & Publik House - Uptown
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Cosmo's Pizzas
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Beau Jo's Idaho Springs
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Hops & Pie
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Italian

Angelo’s Taverna
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Tavernetta
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Shells & Sauce
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Japanese

Sushi Den
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Go Fish Sushi
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Kobe An LoHi
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Temaki Den
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Located in The Source Hotel in RiNo, this unique sushi restaurant is known for it's temaki hand rolls - everything here is delicious.
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Koko Ni
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Vietnamese

Pho on 6
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Ramen

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Vegan

City O' City
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Somebody People
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Amazing vegan food - get the tasting menu and thank me later.
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Bang Up To The Elephant
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My favorite vegan restaurant in the city - the decor and atmosphere is unmatched!
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Tapas

El Five
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French

Chez Maggy
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Mediterranean

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Kini's
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American

Cherry Creek Grill
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Steuben's Uptown
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The Plimoth
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Linger
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Chinese

Hop Alley
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Elevated Chinese food in RiNo that is absolutely incredible. Fun fact - "Hop Alley" was the name of Denver's Chinatown in the 1800s.
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Thai

Daughter Thai Kitchen & Bar
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Elevated Thai food downtown - I can't guarantee it'll beat the Mom & Pop shops in the city, but the atmosphere and location is amazing.
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Breakfast

Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen
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Ice Cream & Bakeries

Sweet Cow
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Sweet Cooie's Ice Cream and Confectionery
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Little Man Ice Cream
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Bakery Four
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Suzette Bakery and Café
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Noisette Restaurant & Bakery
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Bars

The 1up - Colfax
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Stoney's Uptown Joint
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Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting Bar
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The Retro Room Salon and Lounge
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The Front Porch
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The Refinery
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ViewHouse Ballpark
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The Ginn Mill
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Forest Room 5
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Finn's Manor
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Green Russell
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Williams & Graham
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Berkeley Untapped
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Hell or High Water Tiki Bar
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Upstairs Circus LoDo
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Rino Country Club
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Dive Bars

Don's Club Tavern
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Candlelight Tavern
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P S Lounge
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Lakeview Lounge
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Star Bar
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Hi-Dive
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Berkeley Inn
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Breweries

Wynkoop Brewing Company
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FATE Brewing Company
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Left Hand Brewing Company
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Grandma's House
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Denver Beer Co
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Odell Brewing Sloan's Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria
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Joyride Brewing Company
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Ratio Beerworks
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Our Mutual Friend Brewing
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Improper City
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Bierstadt Lagerhaus
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14er Brewing & Beer Garden
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Edgewater Beer Garden
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Music Venues

Bluebird Theater
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Ogden Theatre
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Red Rocks Amphitheatre
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Fillmore Auditorium
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Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
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Summit
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The Mission Ballroom
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Boulder Theater
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Food Halls

Edgewater Public Market
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Stanley Marketplace
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The Denver Central Market
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Denver Milk Market
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Avanti Food & Beverage
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The Golden Mill
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Junction Food & Drink
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The Source Hotel
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Zeppelin Station
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Coffee Shops

Brew Culture Coffee
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MiddleState Coffee
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Hudson Hill
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Sati Coffee Co
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Formerly Griffin Coffee, this place has the best infused cold brews.
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Side Pony Coffee & Cocktails
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One of those fantastic coffee shop by day, cocktail bar by evening places - and right next to the best gym (Duality) on the west side of town.
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The Bardo Coffee House
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A quirky coffee shop in the funky South Broadway neighborhood.
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Blue Sparrow Coffee
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Convivio Café
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Dandy Lion Coffee Co.
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Huckleberry Roasters
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Ti Cafe
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Whittier Cafe
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Rivers and Roads Coffee - Curtis Park
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Pablo's Coffee - 6th Avenue
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi! I'm Bethany, an explorer with a passport stamped in 52 countries. Having called three different nations home, I've cultivated a deep appreciation for the cultures our world offers. By day, I navigate a full-time job outside the travel sphere, which fuels my passion for crafting concise yet insightful guides to the remarkable places I've been lucky enough to travel to. Embarking on a journey with me means embracing a blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersion in local customs. As a solo female traveler, I've ventured through 21 countries, and I'm here to share insights on safety and the empowering experience of navigating the globe alone. A glimpse into my roots reveals an American spirit born in Seoul, nurtured in Germany during my childhood, and blossomed in the United States. A decade in the vibrant DC area enriched my life with a wealth of experiences that I'm eager to recommend. Now, I find myself based in Denver, Colorado, brimming with tips for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer. Whether it's strolling through historic cityscapes or savoring the diverse flavors of the world, I'm an enthusiast for walking tours and foodie adventures. Balancing a demanding full-time job with an insatiable wanderlust, I make it a goal to take at least three international trips a year, and monthly domestic trips. Join me on this adventure, and let's explore the world together—one destination at a time!
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