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Curtis Park Deli
Curtis Park Deli
Photo: Stephen Cummings

Denver's Underrated Restaurants, Nominated by Readers

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Curtis Park Deli
| Photo: Stephen Cummings

On Friday, in an open thread format, Eater asked readers what are Denver's most underrated restaurants. Readers were encouraged to nominate the restaurants that don't get enough love from the press and those that deserve a fuller dining room for their exceptional food and service. Nominations submitted by email and through comments were compiled into a map of Denver's Most Underrated Restaurants As Nominated by Readers. Comments made with each nomination were included in the listing. Where no comments were provided, an editorial note was added for context.


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Spuntino

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"Lunch is a must! Great sandwiches and salads - quick, friendly service." "Being a newcomer to the Highlands area, I've had several people tell me about this place a couple of months ago. Finally I listened, and I was blown away. Now I eat there at least two or three times a week. The food is always fresh and vibrant, outstanding from start to end and the staff makes me feel right at home every single time. Selfishly, I'd like to keep this place a secret."

Trillium

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"Trillium is the undisputed champ of underrated restaurants! It's 5280 Restaurant Week's biggest secret. The food and service are flawless, and the cocktails are some of the most inventive in the city. There's not a single restaurant in LoDo that is more consistent (except for Squeaky Bean)."

Lou's FoodĀ Bar

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"Brunch is wonderful, and because it's underrated, there's not an hour wait."

Curtis ParkĀ Delicatessen

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"Great stuff here." Editorial note: the Curtis sandwich, made with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, house made thousand island, is a slam dunk.

bittersweet

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"Everything is spot on here. A little expensive, but great for a special night."

VertĀ Kitchen

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"Easily the best sandwiches in Denver, and it's super fresh."

Buchi CafeĀ Cubano

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"Wonderful cuban sandwiches, and they're super cheap!"

CharcoalĀ Restaurant

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"Lunch is a slammin' deal, and the food is beautiful."

VesperĀ Lounge

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"Yes, it's a bar, but the food here is just great."

TwelveĀ Restaurant

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"I know Twelve is on your 38 essential list, but I believe it is also underrated since one of the qualifications is not being full all the time. I had dinner at Twelve this evening (Saturday night, a typically busy night), prime time 7:30, and by 8:30 the restaurant was only 50% full. I believe the food is some of the best in town!"

Aoba Japanese FusionĀ Cuisine

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"AOBA in lodo is consistently getting good customer reviews but is consistently empty." "It's my favorite downtown sushi spot but never seems to have the crowd it deserves. I wonder how much the Sushi Hapa that opened 2 doors down is hurting them. Sushi Hapa has the more well known name but Aoba blows them away on quality."
Editorial note: the Asian noodle restaurant owned and operated by Frank Bonanno serves some of Denver's most sought-after steamed buns and noodle bowls.
"They have fresh made to order food, cute environment & great drink specials!"

TableĀ 6

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Editorial note: this classic American bistro, serves a selection of seasonal dishes that include highlight like tater tots, chicken liver mousse, mussels, and duck confit. The menu change menu often, the staff is attentive, and the wine list carefully selected.

El Taco DeĀ Mexico

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Editorial note: this Denver institution may not be fancy but the food never ceases to impress. Don't miss the tacos de carne asada, chile relleno burrito, and huevos rancheros.

Skoops Ice Cream andĀ More

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"Quaint little shop with lots if character and charm. They offer 20 panini sandwiches, salads, soups and ice cream. A gem! The owners put lots if heart into the shop."
Editorial note: while coffee reigns supreme here, the sweet potato waffles and burrito are very popular with the guests.

Blue Sushi SakeĀ Grill

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Editorial note: this 16th Street Mall sushi bar and sake lounge serves sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri as well as small bites and happy hour specials like shishito peppers, rangoons, gyoza.

Lucky Pie Pizza & TapĀ House

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"House made cheeses, local ingredients, best pizza in Denver, plus a bad ass draft list. Servers and Bartenders killed it!"

Denver DeepĀ Dish

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"I'm from Chicago and when I crave a deep dish pizza, Denver Deep Dish makes the cut! Wymans #5 is good as well, but pricier compared to DDD." "Incredibly accurate take on Chicago pizza."

Angelo'sĀ Pizza

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"Best pizza in Denver in my opinion."

Kinga'sĀ Lounge

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"Kinga's Lounge has excellent Polish food."

Biker Jim's GourmetĀ Dogs

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"Amazing gourmet hot dogs, never thought the cream cheese topping would be good on a wild boar hot dog but IT IS!"

OsteriaĀ Marco

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"Their handmade buratta is the shit."

BackcountryĀ Provisions

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"The place is always jammin' at lunch, sandwiches are awesome, and the staff rocks!"

CrownĀ Burgers

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"One seriously underrated burger place."

Carl'sĀ Pizza

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"Best pizza in town! Great late night eats! Been there over 30 years with almost no love from the local press."

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Spuntino

"Lunch is a must! Great sandwiches and salads - quick, friendly service." "Being a newcomer to the Highlands area, I've had several people tell me about this place a couple of months ago. Finally I listened, and I was blown away. Now I eat there at least two or three times a week. The food is always fresh and vibrant, outstanding from start to end and the staff makes me feel right at home every single time. Selfishly, I'd like to keep this place a secret."

Trillium

"Trillium is the undisputed champ of underrated restaurants! It's 5280 Restaurant Week's biggest secret. The food and service are flawless, and the cocktails are some of the most inventive in the city. There's not a single restaurant in LoDo that is more consistent (except for Squeaky Bean)."

Lou's FoodĀ Bar

"Brunch is wonderful, and because it's underrated, there's not an hour wait."

Curtis ParkĀ Delicatessen

"Great stuff here." Editorial note: the Curtis sandwich, made with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, house made thousand island, is a slam dunk.

bittersweet

"Everything is spot on here. A little expensive, but great for a special night."

VertĀ Kitchen

"Easily the best sandwiches in Denver, and it's super fresh."

Buchi CafeĀ Cubano

"Wonderful cuban sandwiches, and they're super cheap!"

CharcoalĀ Restaurant

"Lunch is a slammin' deal, and the food is beautiful."

VesperĀ Lounge

"Yes, it's a bar, but the food here is just great."

TwelveĀ Restaurant

"I know Twelve is on your 38 essential list, but I believe it is also underrated since one of the qualifications is not being full all the time. I had dinner at Twelve this evening (Saturday night, a typically busy night), prime time 7:30, and by 8:30 the restaurant was only 50% full. I believe the food is some of the best in town!"

Aoba Japanese FusionĀ Cuisine

"AOBA in lodo is consistently getting good customer reviews but is consistently empty." "It's my favorite downtown sushi spot but never seems to have the crowd it deserves. I wonder how much the Sushi Hapa that opened 2 doors down is hurting them. Sushi Hapa has the more well known name but Aoba blows them away on quality."

Bones

Editorial note: the Asian noodle restaurant owned and operated by Frank Bonanno serves some of Denver's most sought-after steamed buns and noodle bowls.

Boa

"They have fresh made to order food, cute environment & great drink specials!"

TableĀ 6

Editorial note: this classic American bistro, serves a selection of seasonal dishes that include highlight like tater tots, chicken liver mousse, mussels, and duck confit. The menu change menu often, the staff is attentive, and the wine list carefully selected.

El Taco DeĀ Mexico

Editorial note: this Denver institution may not be fancy but the food never ceases to impress. Don't miss the tacos de carne asada, chile relleno burrito, and huevos rancheros.

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Skoops Ice Cream andĀ More

"Quaint little shop with lots if character and charm. They offer 20 panini sandwiches, salads, soups and ice cream. A gem! The owners put lots if heart into the shop."

Crema

Editorial note: while coffee reigns supreme here, the sweet potato waffles and burrito are very popular with the guests.

Blue Sushi SakeĀ Grill

Editorial note: this 16th Street Mall sushi bar and sake lounge serves sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri as well as small bites and happy hour specials like shishito peppers, rangoons, gyoza.

Lucky Pie Pizza & TapĀ House

"House made cheeses, local ingredients, best pizza in Denver, plus a bad ass draft list. Servers and Bartenders killed it!"