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Where Denver Food Writers Loved to Eat in 2018

Dining experts share their restaurant standbys

Multiple food pros listed Bamboo Sushi in LoHi as one of their go-to dining spots this year
Lucy Beaugard/Eater

Following an Eater tradition, we asked a group of restaurant writers, journalists, bloggers, and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Their answers to the annual “Year in Eater” survey will be revealed in several posts this week. First up, the dining experts share their restaurant standbys from 2018.

Allyson Reedy, contributor, The Denver Post: I always love Chang Thai in Broomfield for curry, Lao Wang Noodle House for the soup dumplings, whatever they’re making at Bamboo Sushi, pizza at Pizzeria Locale, and Tarascos for the tamal Oaxaqueño. Oh, and ice cream anytime at Glacier and High Point Creamery.

Ruth Tobias, freelance food and wine writer, multiple outlets: As per the whirlwind food-writing usual, I’m lucky to get to any place I love more than a couple of times in one year. But the Bindery, Comal, Spuntino, and Bar Helix come the closest.

Brittany Werges, Editor-in-Chief, 303 Magazine: Although I can’t afford to dine there as much as I’d like, Tavernetta was always on my mind this year and was the place I constantly recommended (everyone always loves it). I also spent a lot of time at Death & Co’s Cafe DC/AM. Although not really a “restaurant,” their service and the space feels so high-end and it makes an incredible spot to get work done. Also I ate at Cart-Driver twice last week because I can’t get enough of their pizza.

Linnea Covington, freelance writer, Westword: Bamboo Sushi and Little Man Ice Cream, no joke.

Lucy Beaugard, photographer and writer, Eater: Bamboo Sushi, Call, Tacos Tequila Whiskey, El Five.

Denise Mickelsen, Food Editor, 5280 Magazine: The spots I regularly recommend (which is as close as I can get to repeat dining): Annette, Blue Pan, Comal, Q House, Smok, Safta, Call, 12@Madison, and Arcana.

Callie Sumlin, Associate Food Editor, 5280: Honestly? Yak and Yeti, Vinh Xuong Bakery, Busaba, Sushi Den, Blue Pan Pizza, Amir Grill, Funny Plus, and Bonfire Burritos.

Laura Young, Founder, New Denizen Blog: No surprise from me — Coperta is still one of my favorites in Denver. I go to this restaurant at least once a month, and ordering items from their rotating TrenCoperta menu always results in eating something absolutely delicious. I feel like their pastry program doesn’t get enough love, but chef Jodi Polson is spinning magic each night. I’m constantly surprised by how much complexity she packs into her seemingly simple-looking desserts, but they have become one of the highlights of eating at Coperta.

Arcana

2512 Mission Street, , CA 94110 (415) 795-3842 Visit Website

El Five

2930 Umatilla Street, , CO 80211 (303) 524-9193 Visit Website

Tacos Tequila Whiskey

1514 York Street, , CO 80206 (720) 475-1337 Visit Website

Death & Co Denver

1280 25th Street, , CO 80205 (720) 330-2660 Visit Website

LAO Wang Noodle House

945 S Federal Blvd, , CO 80219 (303) 975-2497 Visit Website

Coperta

400 East 20th Avenue, , CO 80205 (720) 749-4666 Visit Website

Tavernetta

1889 16th Street Mall, , CO 80202 (720) 605-1889 Visit Website

Safta

3330 Brighton Boulevard, , CO 80216 (720) 408-2444 Visit Website

Smok

3330 Brighton Blvd #202, Denver, CO 80216 (720) 452-2487 Visit Website

Pizzeria Locale

1730 Pearl Street, , CO 80302 (303) 442-3003 Visit Website

Sushi Den

1487 South Pearl Street, , CO 80210 (303) 777-0826 Visit Website

Annette

2501 Dallas Street, , CO 80010 (720) 710-9975 Visit Website

bar helix

3440 Larimer Street, , CO 80205 (720) 449-8587 Visit Website

Cart-Driver

2500 Larimer Street, , CO 80205 (303) 292-3553 Visit Website

Bamboo Sushi Denver - LoHi

2715 17th Street, , CO 80211 (303) 284-6600 Visit Website

Blue Pan Pizza

3930 West 32nd Avenue, , CO 80212 (720) 456-7666 Visit Website

12 at Madison

1160 Madison St, Denver, CO 80206 (720) 216-0190 Visit Website

Q House

3421 East Colfax Avenue, , CO 80206 (720) 729-8887 Visit Website

Call

2845 Larimer Street, , CO 80205 (303) 954-0230 Visit Website

Comal Heritage Food Incubator

1950 35th Street, , CO 80216 (720) 500-3455 Visit Website

The Bindery

1817 Central Street, , CO 80211 (303) 993-2364 Visit Website

Yak and Yeti Restaurant and Brewpub

7803 Ralston Road, , CO 80002 (303) 431-9000 Visit Website

Spuntino

2639 West 32nd Avenue, , CO 80211 (303) 433-0949 Visit Website

Vinh Xuong Bakery

2370 West Alameda Avenue, , CO 80223 (303) 922-0999 Visit Website