The British Bulldog is where soccer fanatics come to gather. Streaming soccer and rugby matches from across the pond, this sports bar welcomes fans as early as 7 a.m. They cheers to every goal scored with local and imported beers, and sober up with pub grub like wings and burgers.

Playing host to poetry slams, swing dancing, and even opera, Mercury Cafe embraces the eclectic. But beyond the neon-colored, themed rooms and rotating door of events, the cafe serves as a solid option to cure hunger at any time of the day. From brunchy egg omelets to Colorado sourced chicken and fish for dinner, the organic menu also has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. 

Serving the area since 1964, La Fiesta is a family-owned favorite. Housed in a former Safeway, the massive restaurant serves up large platters of burritos, chiles rellenos, Mexican hamburgers, and enchiladas smothered in red or green chile. 

Moving to the “the rhythm of tea,” a visit to TeaLee’s Tea House & Bookstore encourages patrons to slow down and sit a spell. Bottomless pots of tea and afternoon high tea with sandwiches are available — with the option to spike your tea with tea-infused spirits — plus a quaint menu of soups, quiches, and various pastries. 

Nearing a decade of service on the corner of 26th and Welton, Coffee at The Point is a haven among java lovers and the local community. Integrated within the historical district, the coffee shop hosts a number of events including book clubs and writer’s groups, while also functioning as a calm retreat to get some work done. A.M. warriors can energize with Coda Coffee and a selection of breakfast sammies. By afternoon, find hot and cold sandwiches, salads, local beers, and wine glasses.

Steadily becoming its own slice of New York — in part thanks to Rosenberg’s Bagel & Delicatessen around the corner — Famous Original J’s tackles another facet of classic East Coast eats: the coveted NY pizza. Introduced as a walk-up counter for midnight revelers, the pizzeria recently expanded its hours to serve rectangular “grandma-style” pizzas, regular pies, and individual slices sprinkled with the likes of Taylor ham (or Taylor Pork Roll, depending on where you’re from) with an earlier crowd. 

Crusty loaves of freshly baked bread, croissants stuffed with ham and gruyére and apricot almond, and desserts like eclairs and layered cakes — this European-styled bakery never looked so good. Diners can grab a pastry and espresso to go or snag a chair and admire the collection of rolling pins on the wall. 

Raised in the burbs of New York, Joshua Pollack is serious about his bagels. That much is made clear at his original Denver deli. Coloradans and transplant East Coasters alike looking for their carb fix find it here; Rosenberg’s recreates the chewy bagels revered across New York and New Jersey. Topped with house-cured lox, gravlax, pastrami, or just a healthy amount of cream cheese, they draw a serious crowd no matter what time of day. 

Goed Zuur is Denver’s only beer bar dedicated to everything sour, wild, and tart, across two dozen taps and more than 100 bottles. But most recently, the bar added a nominal selection of non-acidic brews, and even wine and liquor, to please all drinkers. Continental snacks and small plates like a full-on butter flight with French bread can be paired, or ask for the secret-ish menu of ramen — served only on Sundays — swimming in a broth made up of leftover charcuterie.

Solving the problem of staffing in the restaurant industry, as well as diners who needn’t be bothered by humans, is the tech-driven restaurant Birdcall. Trading out wait staff for kiosks, hungry patrons who hate socializing only need to tap and swipe through a number of fried chicken sandwiches — including crispy chicken with pimento cheese and Nashville-hot birds — along with salads, and a few side dishes. After checking out, diners sit tight and watch the order countdown on the big screen.

Filling the niche for a casual neighborhood bar comes Dunbar Kitchen & Tap House. Subbing out subpar bar snacks, Dunbar nails it when it comes to down-home eats. Some of the Southern staples are buttermilk-brined birds and shrimp po’ boys on challah bread, paired with a beer on tap or local spirit (straight) poured behind the reclaimed bar.