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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 2014

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.

by Andra Zeppelin
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by Andra Zeppelin

Deck the halls and go out to dinner this December because the Mile High City's restaurant scene is richer than ever. Denver's hottest restaurants bring a wide range of options for dining from casual joints to ethnic 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: Sarto's, Blackbelly, D Bar

OUT: To the Wind, PMG, Glaze by Sasa

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

12/05/13: Added: Sugarmill, Ste. Ellie

01/02/14: Added: Lower 48, Voodoo Doughnut

02/06/14: Added: the Bark Bar, Work & Class

03/06/14: Added: the Plimoth, the Curtis Club, Former Future Brewing Company

04/03/14: Added: Gozo, Atticus, the Roosevelt, Huckleberry Roasters

05/01/14: Added: The Kitchen Next Door, Guard & Grace, The Post Brewing Co.

06/05/14: Added: To The Wind, Bistro Barbès, the Bitter Bar

07/03/14: Added: Salt & Grinder, Argyll Whisky Beer, Sassafras American Eatery

08/07/14: Added: Stoic & Genuine, Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen, Table Top, Glaze by Sasa, Cart Driver

09/04/14: Added: Cooper Lounge, PMG Wine Bar

10/02/14: Added: The BSide, Mercantile Dining & Provision

11/06/14: Added: RiNo Yacht Club, Brazen

Editorial disclosure

· Williams & Graham Named Finalist For Spirited Awards [EDEN]
· 14 Spots for Wood-Fire Cooking in Denver and Boulder [EDEN]
· The First Cat Cafe in America To Open in Berkeley [EDEN]

Read More
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.

Acorn

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The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn gained the restaurant many accolades. In August, Acorn was named among Bon Appetit's best 50 new restaurants in the country and in October 5280 Magazine ranked the RiNo eatery #2 among the top 25 restaurants in Denver. When you go, don't miss the killer Matsutake Mushrooms.
3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

Also featured in:

Mercantile Dining & Provision

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Casual and laid-back by day and fine dining by night, the new venture from chef Alex Seidel from Fruition has quickly attracted an audience. Come early in the day for breakfast pastry and a cup of Commonwealth Coffee, at lunch for a giant Banh Mi sandwich, or in the evening for the great rabbit pappardelle.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
(720) 460-3733
(720) 460-3733

Also featured in:

Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen

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Classic New York-style bagels, house-cured fish, specialty cream cheese spreads, and more is what this new eatery in Five Points brings. Open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 6 a.m., Rosenberg's is a great breakfast or lunch destination.
725 E. 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 440-9880
(720) 440-9880

Also featured in:

Stoic & Genuine

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With a stunning interior and a creative seafood menu, this venture from chef Jennifer Jasinski and partner Beth Gruitch is a winner. Don't miss the lobster roll, the broccoli salad, and the granitas.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 640-3474
(303) 640-3474

Also featured in:

Work & Class

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A square meal, a stiff drink, a fair price is the motto at the RiNo restaurant Work & Class. With an extensive rotisserie-based menu, the restaurant features comfort food, peppered at times with Mexican influences brought by chef/owner Dana Rodriguez. Latest accolades of the busy spot include being ranked 20 among Denver's 25 best restaurants by 5280 Magazine.
2500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-0700
(303) 292-0700

Also featured in:

Cart Driver

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The menu is small and smart, the space intimate and vibrant, and the pizzas may be the best in Denver. Go in with an open mind and enjoy the Cart Driver pie, fresh oysters, and the vanilla soft serve, maybe with a shot of Underberg. Bonus: lunch service is now offered.
2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-3553
(303) 292-3553

Also featured in:

The Plimoth

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This eclectic yet approachable restaurant that opened in North City Park has quietly but swiftly acquired a loyal following. In a softy light dining room, chef Peter Ryan serves dishes grounded in classic French and Italian cuisine.
2335 E 28th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 297-1215
(303) 297-1215

RiNo Yacht Club

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This newest addition to the Source brings energy to the common area space with creative cocktails crafted by bartender Mclain Hedges, a curated eclectic wine list, and some seriously geeky beers. Try to snag some bites from the food cart that comes and goes with dishes created by the chefs at Acorn.
3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
(720) 485-5581
(720) 485-5581

Brazen

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Restaurateur veteran Chris Sargent and chef Lance Barto have created a neighborhood eatery that is approachable and charming. The dishes are thoughtful and show Barto's skill with creating stunning vegetable combinations. Don't miss the spicy deviled eggs and the roasted carrots.
4500 West 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212
720-638-1242
720-638-1242

Sarto's

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The long anticipated restaurant from chef Brian Laird and partner Taylor Swallow is buzzing with energy every single night it serves dinner. If you get a chance, sit at the cicchetti bar and let the chef create a unique dinner just for you. Bonus: the market portion of Sarto's is now open and serves lunch.
2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 455-1400
(303) 455-1400

Also featured in:

Blackbelly Market

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Chef Hosea Rosenberg, winner of Bravo's Top Chef Season 5, took his time opening his own restaurant but the wait paid off. The space is warm, the cocktails are lovely, and the food is superb. Try the lamb shank and don's miss the green chili.
1606 Conestoga Street, Boulder, CO 80301
303.247.1000
303.247.1000

Also featured in:

D Bar Denver

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Just a mile away from its original location, D Bar is now open in a larger space where chefs Keegan Gerhard and Lisa Bailey offer lunch and dinner, and a limited breakfast Tuesday through Friday and brunch on weekends. Look for the ice creams and sorbets- chef Gerhard is really excited for them.
494 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-4710
(303) 861-4710

Also featured in:

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Acorn

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
The wood-fired modern American cooking and the elevated craft cocktail program at Acorn gained the restaurant many accolades. In August, Acorn was named among Bon Appetit's best 50 new restaurants in the country and in October 5280 Magazine ranked the RiNo eatery #2 among the top 25 restaurants in Denver. When you go, don't miss the killer Matsutake Mushrooms.
3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

Mercantile Dining & Provision

1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
Casual and laid-back by day and fine dining by night, the new venture from chef Alex Seidel from Fruition has quickly attracted an audience. Come early in the day for breakfast pastry and a cup of Commonwealth Coffee, at lunch for a giant Banh Mi sandwich, or in the evening for the great rabbit pappardelle.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
(720) 460-3733
(720) 460-3733

Rosenberg's Bagels & Delicatessen

725 E. 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
Classic New York-style bagels, house-cured fish, specialty cream cheese spreads, and more is what this new eatery in Five Points brings. Open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 6 a.m., Rosenberg's is a great breakfast or lunch destination.
725 E. 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 440-9880
(720) 440-9880

Stoic & Genuine

1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
With a stunning interior and a creative seafood menu, this venture from chef Jennifer Jasinski and partner Beth Gruitch is a winner. Don't miss the lobster roll, the broccoli salad, and the granitas.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 640-3474
(303) 640-3474

Work & Class

2500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
A square meal, a stiff drink, a fair price is the motto at the RiNo restaurant Work & Class. With an extensive rotisserie-based menu, the restaurant features comfort food, peppered at times with Mexican influences brought by chef/owner Dana Rodriguez. Latest accolades of the busy spot include being ranked 20 among Denver's 25 best restaurants by 5280 Magazine.
2500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-0700
(303) 292-0700

Cart Driver

2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
The menu is small and smart, the space intimate and vibrant, and the pizzas may be the best in Denver. Go in with an open mind and enjoy the Cart Driver pie, fresh oysters, and the vanilla soft serve, maybe with a shot of Underberg. Bonus: lunch service is now offered.
2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-3553
(303) 292-3553

The Plimoth

2335 E 28th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
This eclectic yet approachable restaurant that opened in North City Park has quietly but swiftly acquired a loyal following. In a softy light dining room, chef Peter Ryan serves dishes grounded in classic French and Italian cuisine.
2335 E 28th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 297-1215
(303) 297-1215

RiNo Yacht Club

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
This newest addition to the Source brings energy to the common area space with creative cocktails crafted by bartender Mclain Hedges, a curated eclectic wine list, and some seriously geeky beers. Try to snag some bites from the food cart that comes and goes with dishes created by the chefs at Acorn.
3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO
(720) 485-5581
(720) 485-5581

Brazen

4500 West 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212
Restaurateur veteran Chris Sargent and chef Lance Barto have created a neighborhood eatery that is approachable and charming. The dishes are thoughtful and show Barto's skill with creating stunning vegetable combinations. Don't miss the spicy deviled eggs and the roasted carrots.
4500 West 38th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212
720-638-1242
720-638-1242

Sarto's

2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
The long anticipated restaurant from chef Brian Laird and partner Taylor Swallow is buzzing with energy every single night it serves dinner. If you get a chance, sit at the cicchetti bar and let the chef create a unique dinner just for you. Bonus: the market portion of Sarto's is now open and serves lunch.
2900 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 455-1400
(303) 455-1400

Blackbelly Market

1606 Conestoga Street, Boulder, CO 80301
Chef Hosea Rosenberg, winner of Bravo's Top Chef Season 5, took his time opening his own restaurant but the wait paid off. The space is warm, the cocktails are lovely, and the food is superb. Try the lamb shank and don's miss the green chili.
1606 Conestoga Street, Boulder, CO 80301
303.247.1000
303.247.1000

D Bar Denver

494 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Just a mile away from its original location, D Bar is now open in a larger space where chefs Keegan Gerhard and Lisa Bailey offer lunch and dinner, and a limited breakfast Tuesday through Friday and brunch on weekends. Look for the ice creams and sorbets- chef Gerhard is really excited for them.
494 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-4710
(303) 861-4710

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