clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

24 Essential Tacos in and Around Denver

Denver’s Essential Breweries Right Now, Spring 2023

11 New Brunches to Try in Denver Right Now

More in Denver See more maps

Updating The Eater Heatmap, May 2014

by Andra Zeppelin
View as Map
by Andra Zeppelin

Spring has sprung and new restaurants are popping up like mushrooms after rain. Every week, eateries open 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 May Heatmap is all about - this dining and drinking moment in time.

IN: Guard & Grace, the Kitchen Next Door, The Post

OUT: The Roosevelt, Oak at Fourteenth, Williams & Graham

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

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

em>Editorial disclosure

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

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Acorn

Copy Link
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

Work & Class

Copy Link
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:

The Plimoth

Copy Link
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

Gozo

Copy Link
This South Broadway restaurant is as casual as it is refined. A well-edited wood-fired-centric menu is served in a rustic chic setting. Don't miss the shaved Brussels sprouts and definitely sample the pizzas.
32 S Broadway, Denver, CO
(720) 638-1462
(720) 638-1462

Lower 48

Copy Link
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

Ste. Ellie

Copy Link
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

Atticus

Copy Link
Little sister to Table 6, this DU area restaurant serves comfort food along with an expertly curated wine and cocktail list. Among the highlights: the Mussels and Frites and Spaetzle of the season.
1125 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210
(720) 459-8273
(720) 459-8273

The Kitchen Next Door Glendale

Copy Link
A first encore to Boulder's Next Door, this casual eatery attracts diners from the Cherry Creek neighborhood and beyond with its approachable yet healthy offerings. The beet burger is a must try.
658 South Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CO 80246
(303) 757-0878
(303) 757-0878

Guard and Grace

Copy Link
The power lunch got a new location with this modern steakhouse located in the heart of the business district. The staff is sharp, the food well-executed, and the dessert a must.
1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-8500
(303) 293-8500

Also featured in:

Curtis Club

Copy Link
A former sports club is now a sleek, contemporary building with a unique wooden design that reappears throughout the inside of the new gastropub. On 5280 Magazine's top new restaurant list, this place is hot!
2100 Curtis St, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 420-9898
(720) 420-9898

Huckleberry Roasters

Copy Link
Much more than a coffee shop, the RiNo outpost of this coffee shop is a community gathering place. A cozy room, great coffee drinks, and an all-day toast and jam program makes this a new hot spot.
2500 Larimer St #103, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 381-2504
(720) 381-2504

Also featured in:

The Post Brewing Co.

Copy Link
Fried chicken, house-brewed beers, and fresh pies pack the house day and night at the Post. This latest Dave Query/Big Red F venture is a hot spot in the small town of Lafayette.
105 W Emma St, Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 593-2066
(303) 593-2066

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

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

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

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

Gozo

32 S Broadway, Denver, CO
This South Broadway restaurant is as casual as it is refined. A well-edited wood-fired-centric menu is served in a rustic chic setting. Don't miss the shaved Brussels sprouts and definitely sample the pizzas.
32 S Broadway, Denver, CO
(720) 638-1462
(720) 638-1462

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

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

Atticus

1125 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210
Little sister to Table 6, this DU area restaurant serves comfort food along with an expertly curated wine and cocktail list. Among the highlights: the Mussels and Frites and Spaetzle of the season.
1125 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210
(720) 459-8273
(720) 459-8273

The Kitchen Next Door Glendale

658 South Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CO 80246
A first encore to Boulder's Next Door, this casual eatery attracts diners from the Cherry Creek neighborhood and beyond with its approachable yet healthy offerings. The beet burger is a must try.
658 South Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CO 80246
(303) 757-0878
(303) 757-0878

Guard and Grace

1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
The power lunch got a new location with this modern steakhouse located in the heart of the business district. The staff is sharp, the food well-executed, and the dessert a must.
1801 California St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 293-8500
(303) 293-8500

Curtis Club

2100 Curtis St, Denver, CO 80205
A former sports club is now a sleek, contemporary building with a unique wooden design that reappears throughout the inside of the new gastropub. On 5280 Magazine's top new restaurant list, this place is hot!
2100 Curtis St, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 420-9898
(720) 420-9898

Huckleberry Roasters

2500 Larimer St #103, Denver, CO 80205
Much more than a coffee shop, the RiNo outpost of this coffee shop is a community gathering place. A cozy room, great coffee drinks, and an all-day toast and jam program makes this a new hot spot.
2500 Larimer St #103, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 381-2504
(720) 381-2504

The Post Brewing Co.

105 W Emma St, Lafayette, CO 80026
Fried chicken, house-brewed beers, and fresh pies pack the house day and night at the Post. This latest Dave Query/Big Red F venture is a hot spot in the small town of Lafayette.
105 W Emma St, Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 593-2066
(303) 593-2066

Related Maps