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The Hottest Restaurants in Denver Right Now, Fall 2023

Denver’s 2023 Michelin-Starred and Bib Gourmand Restaurants, Mapped

20 Top-Tier Denver Coffee Shops

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Updating The Eater Heatmap, December 2013

by Andra Zeppelin
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by Andra Zeppelin

Denver's dynamic food scene is bustling this season with new openings and a lot of renovations. More restaurants seem to open each week giving the Mile High City a wide range of options for dining from casual joints to ethic ones and special occasions ones. Often Eater gets this question: Where should I go for a drink right now? Where should I dine this week?

What's new, what's hot, where do the crowds flock to? That is what the December Heatmap is all about - this dining and drinking moment in time.

IN: Sugarmill, Ste. Ellie

OUT: Aviano Coffee, Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments or send 'em down the tipline.


04/04/13: Added: Beast + Bottle, Pinche Tacos Highlands

05/02/13: Added: Bohemian Biergarten, Uber Sausage LoHi

06/06/13: Added: Pizzeria Locale Denver, Izakaya Den

07/11/13: Added: Drakes Haus, Jax Fish House Glendale

08/01/13: Added: Le Grand Bistro and Oyster Bar, Harman's Eat & Drink

09/05/13: Added: Comida, Root Down DIA

10/03/13: Added: Acorn at The Source, Colt & Gray

11/07/13: Added: Aviano Coffee, Session Kitchen

· The Cocktail Heatmap: Where to Drink Right Now [EDen]
· The 38 Essential Denver Restaurants, October '13 [EDen]

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Ste. Ellie

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The bar and eatery, sister to the three year old Colt & Gray restaurant, finally opened in a sexy space with crafted cocktails and an edited food menu that is served until 1:30 a.m.
1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 547-7356
(303) 547-7356

Acorn

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The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn have made a splash in Denver since the restaurant's opening in September. Today, the restaurant also started serving lunch.
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

Williams & Graham

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Williams & Graham, Sean Kenyon's LoHi speakeasy joint hidden behind a bookshelf, is one of the harder places to get a table these days. Between Kenyon's cocktails and food from former Squeaky Bean chef Max MacKissock, this remains the hottest place to go for drinks and food.
3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 997-8886
(303) 997-8886

Uncle

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This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a spectacular kimchi stew. In a modern decor with friendly service, Uncle is a great choice for a casual dinner packed with Momofuku-inspired flavors.
2215 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Sugarmill

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The dessert lounge and eatery created by chef Troy Guard with pastry chef Noah French offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a selection of savory items and spectacular pastries and desserts.
2461 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 297-3540
(303) 297-3540

Beast + Bottle

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Beast + Bottle, one of the most anticipated openings of 2013, remains popular with the Denver dining crowds. The restaurant, owned by siblings Paul Reilly, the chef, and Aileen Reilly, the general manager, focuses on rustic, comforting American craft cuisine. Brunch is a treat at this Uptown spot.
719 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 623-3223
(303) 623-3223

OAK at fourteenth

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Between the spectacular bar and cocktail program that Bryan Dayton is leading, complete with ice carved on premises and house-bottled sodas, and the daring dishes fired by chef Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth remains the hot spot in Boulder.
1400 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-3622
(303) 444-3622

Comida

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Comida, the food truck-turned-cantina in Longmont, is now slinging tacos at The Source. The restaurant serves the now-familiar modern Mexican food influenced by Southern flavors in a large and airy space with a great patio.
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 296-2747
(303) 296-2747

The Populist

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The RiNo restaurant from Noah Price, owner of Crema Coffeehouse and chef Jonathan Power is nearly a year old and going strong. Try the cauliflower and pear soup and the curried chickpeas and don't overlook the small but smart wine list.
3163 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205

Session Kitchen

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The new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Parker formerly of Table 6 is buzzing on Old South Pearl Street for its food and more. With a thoughtful cocktail list created by Michael Cerretani and a space filled with art, there are many reasons to visit and return.
1518 S. Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210
(720) 763-3387
(720) 763-3387

Colt & Gray

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This Denver favorite just got a makeover: a renovation that includes 30 more seats and a private dining room. Folks are buzzing about Colt & Gray where owners are soon opening the bar Ste. Ellie and the butcher Viande downstairs.
1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 477-1447
(303) 477-1447

Old Major

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When chef Justin Brunson opened Old Major at the end of February, the expectations were high. The farmhouse cuisine focused restaurant has consistently impressed guests and continues to draws the dining crowds.
3316 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 420-0622
(720) 420-0622

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Ste. Ellie

1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
The bar and eatery, sister to the three year old Colt & Gray restaurant, finally opened in a sexy space with crafted cocktails and an edited food menu that is served until 1:30 a.m.
1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 547-7356
(303) 547-7356

Acorn

3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn have made a splash in Denver since the restaurant's opening in September. Today, the restaurant also started serving lunch.
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

Williams & Graham

3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
Williams & Graham, Sean Kenyon's LoHi speakeasy joint hidden behind a bookshelf, is one of the harder places to get a table these days. Between Kenyon's cocktails and food from former Squeaky Bean chef Max MacKissock, this remains the hottest place to go for drinks and food.
3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 997-8886
(303) 997-8886

Uncle

2215 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a spectacular kimchi stew. In a modern decor with friendly service, Uncle is a great choice for a casual dinner packed with Momofuku-inspired flavors.
2215 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

Sugarmill

2461 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
The dessert lounge and eatery created by chef Troy Guard with pastry chef Noah French offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a selection of savory items and spectacular pastries and desserts.
2461 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 297-3540
(303) 297-3540

Beast + Bottle

719 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Beast + Bottle, one of the most anticipated openings of 2013, remains popular with the Denver dining crowds. The restaurant, owned by siblings Paul Reilly, the chef, and Aileen Reilly, the general manager, focuses on rustic, comforting American craft cuisine. Brunch is a treat at this Uptown spot.
719 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 623-3223
(303) 623-3223

OAK at fourteenth

1400 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302
Between the spectacular bar and cocktail program that Bryan Dayton is leading, complete with ice carved on premises and house-bottled sodas, and the daring dishes fired by chef Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth remains the hot spot in Boulder.
1400 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-3622
(303) 444-3622

Comida

3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
Comida, the food truck-turned-cantina in Longmont, is now slinging tacos at The Source. The restaurant serves the now-familiar modern Mexican food influenced by Southern flavors in a large and airy space with a great patio.
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
(303) 296-2747
(303) 296-2747

The Populist

3163 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
The RiNo restaurant from Noah Price, owner of Crema Coffeehouse and chef Jonathan Power is nearly a year old and going strong. Try the cauliflower and pear soup and the curried chickpeas and don't overlook the small but smart wine list.
3163 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205

Session Kitchen

1518 S. Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210
The new restaurant helmed by chef Scott Parker formerly of Table 6 is buzzing on Old South Pearl Street for its food and more. With a thoughtful cocktail list created by Michael Cerretani and a space filled with art, there are many reasons to visit and return.
1518 S. Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210
(720) 763-3387
(720) 763-3387

Colt & Gray

1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
This Denver favorite just got a makeover: a renovation that includes 30 more seats and a private dining room. Folks are buzzing about Colt & Gray where owners are soon opening the bar Ste. Ellie and the butcher Viande downstairs.
1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 477-1447
(303) 477-1447

Old Major

3316 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
When chef Justin Brunson opened Old Major at the end of February, the expectations were high. The farmhouse cuisine focused restaurant has consistently impressed guests and continues to draws the dining crowds.
3316 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 420-0622
(720) 420-0622

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