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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, February 2014

by Andra Zeppelin
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by Andra Zeppelin

Whether it is cold outside or not, Denver's ever-growing food scene does not show any sign of slowing down. More restaurants seem to open each week giving the Mile High City 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 February Heatmap is all about - this dining and drinking moment in time.

IN: Work & Class, the Bark Bar

OUT: Session Kitchen, Sugarmill

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

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

1/02/14: Added: Lower 48, Voodoo Doughnut

· The Cocktail Heatmap: Where to Drink Right Now [EDen]
· The 38 Essential Denver Restaurants, January '14 [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.

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

Lower 48

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In a Ballpark location that can accommodate 98 guests Mario Nocifera and his partner, Alex Figura, are serving an eclectic mix of items ranging from chickpea fries to a braised brisket. Fermented, pickled, or smoked are descriptions you'll find in nearly every dish.
2020 Lawrence St Unit A, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 942-0262
(303) 942-0262

Work & Class

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A square meal, a stiff drink, a fair price is the motto at the new 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.
2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
Denver, CO, USA
Denver, CO, USA

Also featured in:

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

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

Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

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Few openings have taken Denver by storm as much as this one. While the Portland-based doughnut maker is still in soft-opening mode till January 15, the shop is open daily with irregular hours and the lines are still long.
1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
(303) 597-3666
(303) 597-3666

Also featured in:

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

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

The Bark Bar

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Enjoy more than 80 craft beer labels, with 12 beers on tap, and a huge variety of canned craft beers from small breweries AND bring your dog along to enjoy the sprawling play area. There are canine-themed specialty cocktails like the Pomeranian with white rum, grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice and the Bloodhound Bloody Mary - plus a full coffee bar and internet lounge.
4132 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
(720) 550-6970
(720) 550-6970

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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

Lower 48

2020 Lawrence St Unit A, Denver, CO 80205
In a Ballpark location that can accommodate 98 guests Mario Nocifera and his partner, Alex Figura, are serving an eclectic mix of items ranging from chickpea fries to a braised brisket. Fermented, pickled, or smoked are descriptions you'll find in nearly every dish.
2020 Lawrence St Unit A, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 942-0262
(303) 942-0262

Work & Class

2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
A square meal, a stiff drink, a fair price is the motto at the new 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.
2500 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
Denver, CO, USA
Denver, CO, USA

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

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

Voodoo Doughnut Mile High

1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
Few openings have taken Denver by storm as much as this one. While the Portland-based doughnut maker is still in soft-opening mode till January 15, the shop is open daily with irregular hours and the lines are still long.
1520 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80218
(303) 597-3666
(303) 597-3666

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

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

The Bark Bar

4132 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
Enjoy more than 80 craft beer labels, with 12 beers on tap, and a huge variety of canned craft beers from small breweries AND bring your dog along to enjoy the sprawling play area. There are canine-themed specialty cocktails like the Pomeranian with white rum, grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice and the Bloodhound Bloody Mary - plus a full coffee bar and internet lounge.
4132 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
(720) 550-6970
(720) 550-6970

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