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The Guide to Eating and Drinking in Capitol Hill

Explore the rich history, culture and flavor of this central pocket of town

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Flanked by the golden dome of the Colorado capitol, Capitol Hill is a quintessential Denver neighborhood, a place where politicos and hipsters alike cross paths and can even break bread. Sure, restaurants come and go, but this part of town has charm, grit, and legacy establishments that have been around for decades, a testament to the enduring but eclectic nature of the community.

From Frank Bonanno's mini-empire holding down the fort of 7th and Grant streets to coffee shops that turn into full restaurants at night and new-fangled trendy poke spots, these are our 15 favorites in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

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A chef-driven noodle bar, Bones, another Frank Bananno creation, offers lunch and dinner, as well as happy hour Monday through Friday. The lobster ramen is a perennial favorite, in addition to appetizers like steamed pork belly buns and roasted bone marrow.

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Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill

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Charlie Brown’s is the kind of neighborhood joint where everyone knows your name. The piano/karaoke bar with a range of casual food options has a storied past – supposedly, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady did a lot of drinking here once upon a time.

Charlie Browns

City, O' City

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You’ll find three meals’ worth of vegetarian and vegan fare at City O’ City, as well as numerous gluten-free options. All treats from the bakery are vegan as well, including the Samoa-esque Scout Cookie. Plus, City O’ City is one of the best options citywide for late night food and refreshments seven nights a week.

City O' City

Hudson Hill

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Classy, though not too uptight, Hudson Hill has quickly become a Capitol Hill favorite, providing Denver diners a stop for a full afternoon and evening of espresso, cocktails, charcuterie and inside-out-grilled cheese on baguette.

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Jelly Cafe

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This whimsical morning through mid-day eatery has proven so popular that a second location was added near the University of Denver in 2012. With a collection of creative takes on egg scrambles, hashed and Benedicts, there’s something for everyone.

Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria

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Lala’s takes after an Italian trattoria, serving Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta and other dishes. Wines are available by the glass, 1⁄3 bottle, 2⁄3 bottle or full bottle, providing plenty of opportunity to mix and match with a meal. This is also one of the best happy hours in town – from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close every day, get glasses of wine for $10 or more, half off, while glasses of wine $10 and less are $5. Peroni drafts are $4 and $3.50 well cocktails.

Luca celebrates Sicilian cuisine and heritage, with house-made meats and cheeses leading off a menu that boasts fresh pasta and entrees like porchetta. The menu changes often to reflect seasonal offerings.

MAX's Wine Dive Denver

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This gourmet comfort food concept with Southern roots serves up a selection of more than 90 varieties of wine alongside dishes from bison sliders, MAX ‘n Cheese and their famous southern fried chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk with a side of mashed potatoes.

MAX'S WINE DIVE Adam Larkey

Restauratuer Frank Bonanno’s flagship restaurant serves upscale American fare with French influences in a classically elegant space. You can build an a la carte meal or do it up and opt for a prix fixe menu – five courses or a chef’s tasting, plus optional wine pairings.

Rachel Greiman

Potager

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Two decades since its beginning and the fresh food philosophy that defines Potager has stuck. The restaurant menu rotates every four weeks to reflect the most timely ingredients available. Owner Terri Rippeto has focused on building community relationships to strengthen her establishment.

POTAGER

Racines

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Developing a reputation as the power-breakfast/lunch location of choice, Racines has an upscale diner vibe and a lengthy menu, including salads and sandwiches to chile relleno or chicken-fried steak.

Clyde Wine and Design

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This approachable, wine-focused restaurant – and design store with modern home accessories – spotlights vintages from across the globe on the corner of 8th and Lincoln. Features Chef Vic Arreola’s menu of shareable plates, daily $5 Happy Hours give guests the chance to try new and different wines while snacking on signature dishes, such as the polenta fries, risotto cakes with mushrooms, braised short ribs and more. On Sundays, Clyde offers a three-course supper for $25 accompanied by a selection of $25 bottles of wine.

CLYDE'S - DENVER

Black Eye Coffee

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The second edition of Black Eye Coffee attached to the Moto Apartments, focuses on coffee, baked goods and soups, salads, sandwiches, concealing the shelves of booze behind bookshelves during daylight. Black Eye’s evening alter ego, White Lies, does it up with a full sit-down menu and ambiance to boot, all to surprise and delight guests.

BLACK EYE COFFEE

Sushi Cup

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Next door to MAX’s Wine Dive on 7th Avenue, this in-and-out eatery serves poke bowls and burritos, as well as sushi rolls. Melding Hawaiian, Korean and Japanese cuisines, the restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and high-quality fish.

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The Park Tavern

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Reopening in April of this year with a series of renovations, the bar now allows natural light to pour through the windows, reflecting bright colors, along with a rooftop bar. Open since 1996, the menu received some rejuvenation as well, pairing well with the adult milk shakes and other behind the bar beverages.

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Bones

A chef-driven noodle bar, Bones, another Frank Bananno creation, offers lunch and dinner, as well as happy hour Monday through Friday. The lobster ramen is a perennial favorite, in addition to appetizers like steamed pork belly buns and roasted bone marrow.

Facebook

Charlie Brown's Bar & Grill

Charlie Brown’s is the kind of neighborhood joint where everyone knows your name. The piano/karaoke bar with a range of casual food options has a storied past – supposedly, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady did a lot of drinking here once upon a time.

Charlie Browns

City, O' City

You’ll find three meals’ worth of vegetarian and vegan fare at City O’ City, as well as numerous gluten-free options. All treats from the bakery are vegan as well, including the Samoa-esque Scout Cookie. Plus, City O’ City is one of the best options citywide for late night food and refreshments seven nights a week.

City O' City

Hudson Hill

Classy, though not too uptight, Hudson Hill has quickly become a Capitol Hill favorite, providing Denver diners a stop for a full afternoon and evening of espresso, cocktails, charcuterie and inside-out-grilled cheese on baguette.

Facebook

Jelly Cafe

This whimsical morning through mid-day eatery has proven so popular that a second location was added near the University of Denver in 2012. With a collection of creative takes on egg scrambles, hashed and Benedicts, there’s something for everyone.

Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria

Lala’s takes after an Italian trattoria, serving Neapolitan-style pizza, pasta and other dishes. Wines are available by the glass, 1⁄3 bottle, 2⁄3 bottle or full bottle, providing plenty of opportunity to mix and match with a meal. This is also one of the best happy hours in town – from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close every day, get glasses of wine for $10 or more, half off, while glasses of wine $10 and less are $5. Peroni drafts are $4 and $3.50 well cocktails.

Luca

Luca celebrates Sicilian cuisine and heritage, with house-made meats and cheeses leading off a menu that boasts fresh pasta and entrees like porchetta. The menu changes often to reflect seasonal offerings.

MAX's Wine Dive Denver

This gourmet comfort food concept with Southern roots serves up a selection of more than 90 varieties of wine alongside dishes from bison sliders, MAX ‘n Cheese and their famous southern fried chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk with a side of mashed potatoes.

MAX'S WINE DIVE Adam Larkey

Mizuna

Restauratuer Frank Bonanno’s flagship restaurant serves upscale American fare with French influences in a classically elegant space. You can build an a la carte meal or do it up and opt for a prix fixe menu – five courses or a chef’s tasting, plus optional wine pairings.

Rachel Greiman

Potager

Two decades since its beginning and the fresh food philosophy that defines Potager has stuck. The restaurant menu rotates every four weeks to reflect the most timely ingredients available. Owner Terri Rippeto has focused on building community relationships to strengthen her establishment.

POTAGER

Racines

Developing a reputation as the power-breakfast/lunch location of choice, Racines has an upscale diner vibe and a lengthy menu, including salads and sandwiches to chile relleno or chicken-fried steak.

Clyde Wine and Design

This approachable, wine-focused restaurant – and design store with modern home accessories – spotlights vintages from across the globe on the corner of 8th and Lincoln. Features Chef Vic Arreola’s menu of shareable plates, daily $5 Happy Hours give guests the chance to try new and different wines while snacking on signature dishes, such as the polenta fries, risotto cakes with mushrooms, braised short ribs and more. On Sundays, Clyde offers a three-course supper for $25 accompanied by a selection of $25 bottles of wine.

CLYDE'S - DENVER

Black Eye Coffee

The second edition of Black Eye Coffee attached to the Moto Apartments, focuses on coffee, baked goods and soups, salads, sandwiches, concealing the shelves of booze behind bookshelves during daylight. Black Eye’s evening alter ego, White Lies, does it up with a full sit-down menu and ambiance to boot, all to surprise and delight guests.

BLACK EYE COFFEE

Sushi Cup

Next door to MAX’s Wine Dive on 7th Avenue, this in-and-out eatery serves poke bowls and burritos, as well as sushi rolls. Melding Hawaiian, Korean and Japanese cuisines, the restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and high-quality fish.

Facebook

The Park Tavern

Reopening in April of this year with a series of renovations, the bar now allows natural light to pour through the windows, reflecting bright colors, along with a rooftop bar. Open since 1996, the menu received some rejuvenation as well, pairing well with the adult milk shakes and other behind the bar beverages.

Facebook

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