Friends of Eater Pick 2013's Best Dining Neighborhood

A Year In Eater continues, this time polling our survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers about their favorite food-centric neighborhoods. What was 2013's best dining neighborhood?

Lori Midson, Westword food editor: Highland/LoHi, Upper Larimer and Uptown are going to have to split the accolades; they're all diverse, inspiring and pulsating with good energy.

Amanda Faison, 5280 Magazine food editor: When the Populist opened on the corner of 32nd Avenue and Larimer Street at the end of 2012, it launched a new extension of RiNo. Within six months that more northern stretch of Larimer was transformed. Then, the movement ricocheted back toward downtown with Sugarmill and Los Chingones opening at Broadway and Larimer. Cart-Driver, Work & Class, and Amerigo's new bar and art gallery will all open in the area in 2014. Of course, on the backend of this neighborhood is the Source on the long-desolate Brighton Boulevard. In 2014, Brighton Boulevard will be the area to watch.

Laura Saffioti, Eater Denver contributor: River North- There is so much going on here. With my favorite coffee shop Crema and now the Populist next door to Ritual Chocolate. I had a great birthday dinner at Amerigo Delicatus and now Sugarmill is right next door- insanely good desserts. Plus the Source has all kinds of culinary magic inside. Everything about RiNo excites me from Nooch the excellent vegan market to the cinnamon buns at The Butcher Block Café that I've been dying to try. Oh, and Justin Hoffman's desserts at Fuel Cafe. And Tenderbelly's headquarters. And Halal food trucks. This hood is bursting with places I want to be eating at.

Emily Hutto, Eater Denver contributor and Colorado's Top Brewers author: The Platt Park neighborhood (and maybe I'm biased because I live there) is really up-and-coming, with Session Kitchen and the new Izakaya Den leading the way and old classics like Stella's and Sushi Den holding down the fort.

Bill Porter, Denver Post restaurant critic: Another toughie -- so many areas have come on strong: RiNo, the continued growth of the Platte and Highlands, the expanding Uptown and some interesting things going on, and due to begin, in the Ballpark neighborhood. Bottom line: Larimer Square is no longer the only game in town.

Megan Barber, 303 Magazine contributor, Curbed Ski editor: Lower Highlands.

PJ Hoberman, Denver Off The Wagon: RiNo/Five Points.

Jeremy Kossler, Denver Burger Battle founder: Downtown (Rioja, Squeaky Bean, TAG, Euclid, Cholon, Twelve, Osteria Marco, etc).

Kris Browning-Blas, Denver Post food editor: LoHi.

Grace Boyle, Eater Contributor, author at Grace(full) Plate: I'm loving Platt Park and LoHi.

John Lehndorff, host of Radio Nibbles on KGNU, former dining critic at the Rocky Mountain News: Havana Street, Aurora.

Adam Larkey, Eater Denver photographer: RiNo is giving LoHi a run for it's money!

Penny Parker, Black Tie Colorado: Highland, closely followed by RiNo.

Brittany Werges, 303 Magazine Food & Booze Editor: RiNo boasts some of the best new restaurants in Denver. With the Source opening this fall, the neighborhood is the essence of 'cool'. Everyone is flocking to this area to swoop up some of the prime real estate.

Tucker Shaw, Denver Post features editor: Still downtown.

Jessica Hunter, Eater Denver contributor: It was very difficult to leave the RiNo area this year. The ability to bike over to The Source for a meal at Comida or Acorn, a beer at Crooked Stave, a cocktail at CapRock Farm Bar, sandwich it up at ReFuel, or indulge at the Fuel Café bar. I could rotate each of these locations for each day of the week, and only my wallet would be unhappy.

Elaine St. Louis, Colorado Homes & Lifestyle art editor: Platt Park - Old South Pearl Street.

Pat Miller, the Gabby Gourmet: RiNo.

· All Year in Eater Coverage [EDen]
· The Top Newcomers of 2013 [EDen]
· Restaurant Experts Sum Up 2013 In One Word [EDen]