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At Frasca Food & Wine, four-course Monday night tasting dinners cost $50
Ryan Dearth/Eater

How to Eat Cheap(er) at Denver's Finest Restaurants

And not spend an entire paycheck on one meal

by Eater Staff and Josie Sexton Updated
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At Frasca Food & Wine, four-course Monday night tasting dinners cost $50
| Ryan Dearth/Eater
by Eater Staff and Josie Sexton Updated

Fine dining establishments in Denver and Boulder can be unattainable at best, but many of the classiest joints also offer ways to indulge at a discount. At these 14 locales, there exist steals in the form of single dishes, happy hour specials, weekly tasting menus, and more. Whether in a white tablecloth dining room or at a sushi bar or steakhouse, here are some ways to go all out without draining the bank account.

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Flagstaff House Restaurant

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A special occasion kind of place, this Boulder staple does have a lodge-like bar and mountain-view terrace for those wanting just a glass of wine and a snack. Charcuterie, tartare, and paella run from $12-$16. Beers start at $6, cocktails at $10, and wines by the glass at $12.

1138 Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4640
(303) 442-4640
Ryan Dearth/Eater

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Steakhouse No. 316

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Diners at Boulder’s fancy new steakhouse will hardly recognize the former Conor O’Neill’s Irish pub. The century-old space has been completely redone with red velvet seating, gold chandeliers, and white tablecloths. For the feel of luxury without the full price tag, sit at the sizable bar that comes with its own food menu — bison burgers ($16), steak sandwiches ($19), and steak and fries ($20).

1922 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 729-1922
(720) 729-1922
Ryan Dearth/Eater

Frasca Food and Wine

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Boulder’s award-winning Northern Italian restaurant Frasca offers a $55, four-course tasting menu on Monday nights. On any other night of the week, casual customers can just grab a seat at the bar. A glass of house wine for $12 and the Frico Caldo for $10 are good places to start.

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-6966
(303) 442-6966
Ryan Dearth/Eater

Also featured in:

Bamboo Sushi

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At the LoHi outpost of this Portland-based sustainable seafood spot, diners can sit at the sushi counter and name their price for a chef’s omakase tasting experience. With a budget set, sushi chefs will prepare creative nigiri, sashimi, and rolls for every price point. See also happy hour specials from 5 to 7 p.m. daily.

2715 17th St, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 284-6600
(303) 284-6600
Lucy Beaugard/Eater

Also featured in:

ChoLon

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The French onion soup dumplings are still the stars of the show at this fancy modern Asian restaurant. Order them during happy hour for $10, along with discounted pork belly buns ($13) and Wagyu beef skewers ($11).

1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 353-5223
(303) 353-5223
ChoLon [official]

Also featured in:

Rioja

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Chef Jennifer Jasinski's James Beard Award-winning cuisine can be experienced on a budget with a bar spot at Rioja. The bar menu is offered from 4 p.m. daily. Dishes highlight different Mediterranean countries and range from $5-$19. On the dinner menu, appetizer-sized pastas cost $10-14.

1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 820-2282
(303) 820-2282
Adam Larkey

Also featured in:

Urban Farmer Denver

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Meat dishes at Denver’s newest steakhouse can easily add up. For a good overview of the offerings, a small group of diners could go in on the New York steak tasting ($75) and a few sides for $7 or $10. Those on a date could order just the table-side tartare or foie gras for $20. There’s also happy-hour and late-night beef sliders for $5.

1659 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 262-6070
(303) 262-6070
Adam Larkey/Eater

Also featured in:

Guard and Grace

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The posh Downtown steakhouse hosts a social hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. where deals abound. Beers start at $3, well drinks cost $6, and dishes like the smoked cod rilettes and charcuterie and cheese plate are $7 and $8 respectively.

1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-8500
(303) 293-8500
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Mizuna

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Chef Frank Bonanno's flagship restaurant is a great special occasion place, but it also works on any night for a cocktail at the intimate bar. The $24 lobster mac and cheese is a meal in itself.

225 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 832-4778
(303) 832-4778

Also featured in:

bittersweet

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Bittersweet's refined yet unfussy dishes are on special every Thursday night with a four-course tasting menu that costs $50 and includes wine pairings. The menu changes weekly, but guests can always expect seasonal ingredients. Some of the possible offerings include lamb bratwurst, bone marrow, Iberico pork, and a baked Alaska.

500 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80209
(303) 942-0320
(303) 942-0320
Bittersweet [official]

Izakaya Den

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The izakaya pub menu at this premiere Japanese food destination can make for a less expensive upscale experience on Old South Pearl Street. Miso eggplant is priced at $7 and gyoza at $6, and a visit during happy hour means discounted drinks too. Note: The happy hour menu is only available for bar seating.

1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
(303) 777-0691
(303) 777-0691
James Florio

Also featured in:

Fruition Restaurant

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James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Seidel’s flagship restaurant is still a neighborhood staple on 6th Avenue. For a cheaper meal, there’s $13 carbonara and a handful of $5-$7 appetizers — veal cheek, foie gras, and Maine lobster among them.

1313 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
(303) 831-1962
(303) 831-1962
Fruition [official]

Also featured in:

Barolo Grill

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The a la carte menu at this Cherry Creek Italian institution features salads and appetizers that start at $12 and pastas that range between $21 and $26. Wines by the glass start at $10. The bar is a good place to perch with wine and a few of the small plates.

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
(303) 393-1040
(303) 393-1040
Barolo Grill [official]

Matsuhisa Denver

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This Cherry Creek outpost of the famed sushi restaurant offers starters like edamame ($5), black cod lettuce cup ($6), and the Nobu lobster taco ($7). Tempura, which comes with two pieces, starts at $3, and a bowl of chicken udon is $17. A small carafe of Junmai sake costs $15.

98 Steele St, Denver, CO 80206
(303) 329-6628
(303) 329-6628
Adam Larkey

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Flagstaff House Restaurant

1138 Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302

A special occasion kind of place, this Boulder staple does have a lodge-like bar and mountain-view terrace for those wanting just a glass of wine and a snack. Charcuterie, tartare, and paella run from $12-$16. Beers start at $6, cocktails at $10, and wines by the glass at $12.

1138 Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-4640
(303) 442-4640
Ryan Dearth/Eater

Steakhouse No. 316

1922 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302

Diners at Boulder’s fancy new steakhouse will hardly recognize the former Conor O’Neill’s Irish pub. The century-old space has been completely redone with red velvet seating, gold chandeliers, and white tablecloths. For the feel of luxury without the full price tag, sit at the sizable bar that comes with its own food menu — bison burgers ($16), steak sandwiches ($19), and steak and fries ($20).

1922 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
(720) 729-1922
(720) 729-1922
Ryan Dearth/Eater

Frasca Food and Wine

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Boulder’s award-winning Northern Italian restaurant Frasca offers a $55, four-course tasting menu on Monday nights. On any other night of the week, casual customers can just grab a seat at the bar. A glass of house wine for $12 and the Frico Caldo for $10 are good places to start.

1738 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-6966
(303) 442-6966
Ryan Dearth/Eater

Bamboo Sushi

2715 17th St, Denver, CO 80211

At the LoHi outpost of this Portland-based sustainable seafood spot, diners can sit at the sushi counter and name their price for a chef’s omakase tasting experience. With a budget set, sushi chefs will prepare creative nigiri, sashimi, and rolls for every price point. See also happy hour specials from 5 to 7 p.m. daily.

2715 17th St, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 284-6600
(303) 284-6600
Lucy Beaugard/Eater

ChoLon

1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202

The French onion soup dumplings are still the stars of the show at this fancy modern Asian restaurant. Order them during happy hour for $10, along with discounted pork belly buns ($13) and Wagyu beef skewers ($11).

1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 353-5223
(303) 353-5223
ChoLon [official]

Rioja

1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202

Chef Jennifer Jasinski's James Beard Award-winning cuisine can be experienced on a budget with a bar spot at Rioja. The bar menu is offered from 4 p.m. daily. Dishes highlight different Mediterranean countries and range from $5-$19. On the dinner menu, appetizer-sized pastas cost $10-14.

1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 820-2282
(303) 820-2282
Adam Larkey

Urban Farmer Denver

1659 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202

Meat dishes at Denver’s newest steakhouse can easily add up. For a good overview of the offerings, a small group of diners could go in on the New York steak tasting ($75) and a few sides for $7 or $10. Those on a date could order just the table-side tartare or foie gras for $20. There’s also happy-hour and late-night beef sliders for $5.

1659 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 262-6070
(303) 262-6070
Adam Larkey/Eater

Guard and Grace

1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202

The posh Downtown steakhouse hosts a social hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. where deals abound. Beers start at $3, well drinks cost $6, and dishes like the smoked cod rilettes and charcuterie and cheese plate are $7 and $8 respectively.

1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-8500
(303) 293-8500
Facebook

Mizuna

225 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

Chef Frank Bonanno's flagship restaurant is a great special occasion place, but it also works on any night for a cocktail at the intimate bar. The $24 lobster mac and cheese is a meal in itself.

225 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 832-4778
(303) 832-4778

bittersweet

500 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80209

Bittersweet's refined yet unfussy dishes are on special every Thursday night with a four-course tasting menu that costs $50 and includes wine pairings. The menu changes weekly, but guests can always expect seasonal ingredients. Some of the possible offerings include lamb bratwurst, bone marrow, Iberico pork, and a baked Alaska.

500 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80209
(303) 942-0320
(303) 942-0320
Bittersweet [official]

Izakaya Den

1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210

The izakaya pub menu at this premiere Japanese food destination can make for a less expensive upscale experience on Old South Pearl Street. Miso eggplant is priced at $7 and gyoza at $6, and a visit during happy hour means discounted drinks too. Note: The happy hour menu is only available for bar seating.

1487 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
(303) 777-0691
(303) 777-0691
James Florio

Fruition Restaurant

1313 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Seidel’s flagship restaurant is still a neighborhood staple on 6th Avenue. For a cheaper meal, there’s $13 carbonara and a handful of $5-$7 appetizers — veal cheek, foie gras, and Maine lobster among them.

1313 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80218
(303) 831-1962
(303) 831-1962
Fruition [official]

Barolo Grill

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

The a la carte menu at this Cherry Creek Italian institution features salads and appetizers that start at $12 and pastas that range between $21 and $26. Wines by the glass start at $10. The bar is a good place to perch with wine and a few of the small plates.

3030 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80206
(303) 393-1040
(303) 393-1040
Barolo Grill [official]

Matsuhisa Denver

98 Steele St, Denver, CO 80206

This Cherry Creek outpost of the famed sushi restaurant offers starters like edamame ($5), black cod lettuce cup ($6), and the Nobu lobster taco ($7). Tempura, which comes with two pieces, starts at $3, and a bowl of chicken udon is $17. A small carafe of Junmai sake costs $15.

98 Steele St, Denver, CO 80206
(303) 329-6628
(303) 329-6628
Adam Larkey

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