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The 38 Essential Restaurants in Denver

Updating The Eater Heatmap, November 2012

by Andra Zeppelin
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by Andra Zeppelin

Denver's dining scene is hot and full of eateries that are all the rage right now. Often Eater gets this question: Where should I eat right freaking now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, where to find the most sought-after sour beer or a fix for late-night or best ramen bowl. What spots do the crowds flock to and can't get enough of. That is what the November Heat Map is about - this dining moment in time.

IN: Uncle, Beehive
OUT: Wooden Table, Charcoal

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

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Ace

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501 E 17th Ave
Denver, CO 80203
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Ace, a monster ping pong hall and Asian eatery from restaurateur Josh Wolkon, is one of the hottest restaurants to bounce onto the Denver dining scene. Everything from the sprawling outdoor patio to the unique Asian-inspired kitchen and bar program makes Ace the place to be scene.

2. Oak at Fourteenth

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1400 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302
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Oak at Fourteenth reignited as a better version of itself over the last few months. Between the insane 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 Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth is the hot spot in Boulder.

3. The Squeaky Bean

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1500 Wynkoop St
Denver, CO 80202
Visit Website
The rebirth of The Squeaky Bean is without a doubt one of the hottest openings of the year, and Johnny Ballen, chef Max MacKissock and bartender Sean Kenyon are showing Denver a playful and sophisticated way to dine. MacKissock's menu is inspired by the season, and much of the produce is coming from Squeaky Acre farm. Drop in for meal, or perch at the bar for one of Kenyon's pop culture-inspired cocktails.

4. Williams & Graham

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3160 Tejon St
Denver, CO 80211
Visit Website
Williams & Graham, Sean Kenyon's LoHi speakeasy joint hidden behind a bookshelf, is one of the harder places to get a table these days, and no wonder. Between Kenyon's cocktails and chef David Bumgardner's food, it's rightfully a desirable place to visit.

5. Uncle

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2215 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO 80211
303.433.3263
303.433.3263
Visit Website
This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a kimchi stew that is worth the trip alone. In a modern decor with friendly service, Uncle is a great choice for a casual dinner packed with Momofuku-inspired flavors.

6. Spuntino

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2639 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO 80211
Visit Website
This may be Denver's best kept secret right now. Chef John Broening and pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom (James Beard semi-finalist for multiple years) work the line at this small eatery six days a week putting out simple but creative dishes that attract neighbors and those in the know from food critics to Denver's best chefs.

7. Pinche Taqueria

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1510 York St
Denver, CO 80206
Visit Website
Pinche Taqueria, the brick-and-mortar extension of the Pinche Tacos food truck, just shouldn't be missed. The tacos here are flat-out amazing, and the bar offerings don't lack either. Pinche also offers brunch tacos on weekends. Go hungry. Go thirsty. Go now.

8. The Kitchen Denver

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1530 16th St
Denver, CO 80202
Visit Website
The Kitchen, a Boulder farm-to-table staple, recently opened a location in LoDo. While it's very similar to the Boulder digs, The Kitchen Denver offers an exclusive sustainable seafood bar and 10 kegs wines by the glass. There's also a fantastic happy hour here.

9. Central Bistro and Bar

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1691 Central St
Denver, CO 80211
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New to the LoHi hood, Central Bistro and Bar is a collaboration between chef Lance Barto and real estate developer Isiah Salazar. As one of the most anticipated opening of 2012, Central Bistro and Bar strives to serve true American cuisine without the pretense.

10. Vietnam Grill

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1015 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
Visit Website
Vietnam Grill is not a new restaurant, but man, it sure has gained some attention via some of Denver's restaurant authorities in recent weeks. Both Denver Post dining critic William Porter and Cafe Society editor Lori Midson claim it's the best Vietnamese food in Denver, and maybe in Colorado.

11. Adrift

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218 S Broadway
Denver, CO 80223
Visit Website
There's nothing else like Adrift in Denver. Walk in, and it's as if you've been transported to an island party with tiki drink concoctions that may cause you to forget that you really are, in fact, in Denver. Don't miss chef Wade Kirwan's small plates either.

12. Beehive

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2018 10th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 786-8585
(303) 786-8585
Visit Website
This casual restaurant led by the talented chef Janice Henning offers unpretentious food made with locally sourced ingredients in a modern yet rustic setting. Expect to find comforting dishes like chicken ‘n’ rice complemented by farro and Hakurei turnips, house-made duck confit that changes its sides with the seasons, and Tuscan Ribollita soup, perfect for the colder weather.

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1. Ace

501 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Ace, a monster ping pong hall and Asian eatery from restaurateur Josh Wolkon, is one of the hottest restaurants to bounce onto the Denver dining scene. Everything from the sprawling outdoor patio to the unique Asian-inspired kitchen and bar program makes Ace the place to be scene.
501 E 17th Ave
Denver, CO 80203
Visit Website

2. Oak at Fourteenth

1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
Oak at Fourteenth reignited as a better version of itself over the last few months. Between the insane 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 Steven Redzikowski in the wood-fired oven, Oak at Fourteenth is the hot spot in Boulder.
1400 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302
Visit Website

3. The Squeaky Bean

1500 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
The rebirth of The Squeaky Bean is without a doubt one of the hottest openings of the year, and Johnny Ballen, chef Max MacKissock and bartender Sean Kenyon are showing Denver a playful and sophisticated way to dine. MacKissock's menu is inspired by the season, and much of the produce is coming from Squeaky Acre farm. Drop in for meal, or perch at the bar for one of Kenyon's pop culture-inspired cocktails.
1500 Wynkoop St
Denver, CO 80202
Visit Website

4. 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, and no wonder. Between Kenyon's cocktails and chef David Bumgardner's food, it's rightfully a desirable place to visit.
3160 Tejon St
Denver, CO 80211
Visit Website

5. Uncle

2215 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
This Highlands Asian-fusion spot dishes out outstanding ramen dishes, noodles bowls, and a kimchi stew that is worth the trip alone. 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
303.433.3263
Visit Website

6. Spuntino

2639 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
This may be Denver's best kept secret right now. Chef John Broening and pastry chef Yasmin Lozada-Hissom (James Beard semi-finalist for multiple years) work the line at this small eatery six days a week putting out simple but creative dishes that attract neighbors and those in the know from food critics to Denver's best chefs.
2639 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO 80211
Visit Website

7. Pinche Taqueria

1510 York St, Denver, CO 80206
Pinche Taqueria, the brick-and-mortar extension of the Pinche Tacos food truck, just shouldn't be missed. The tacos here are flat-out amazing, and the bar offerings don't lack either. Pinche also offers brunch tacos on weekends. Go hungry. Go thirsty. Go now.
1510 York St
Denver, CO 80206
Visit Website

8. The Kitchen Denver

1530 16th St, Denver, CO 80202
The Kitchen, a Boulder farm-to-table staple, recently opened a location in LoDo. While it's very similar to the Boulder digs, The Kitchen Denver offers an exclusive sustainable seafood bar and 10 kegs wines by the glass. There's also a fantastic happy hour here.
1530 16th St
Denver, CO 80202
Visit Website

9. Central Bistro and Bar

1691 Central St, Denver, CO 80211
New to the LoHi hood, Central Bistro and Bar is a collaboration between chef Lance Barto and real estate developer Isiah Salazar. As one of the most anticipated opening of 2012, Central Bistro and Bar strives to serve true American cuisine without the pretense.
1691 Central St
Denver, CO 80211
Visit Website

10. Vietnam Grill

1015 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219
Vietnam Grill is not a new restaurant, but man, it sure has gained some attention via some of Denver's restaurant authorities in recent weeks. Both Denver Post dining critic William Porter and Cafe Society editor Lori Midson claim it's the best Vietnamese food in Denver, and maybe in Colorado.
1015 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219
Visit Website

11. Adrift

218 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80223
There's nothing else like Adrift in Denver. Walk in, and it's as if you've been transported to an island party with tiki drink concoctions that may cause you to forget that you really are, in fact, in Denver. Don't miss chef Wade Kirwan's small plates either.
218 S Broadway
Denver, CO 80223
Visit Website

12. Beehive

2018 10th Street, Boulder, CO 80302
This casual restaurant led by the talented chef Janice Henning offers unpretentious food made with locally sourced ingredients in a modern yet rustic setting. Expect to find comforting dishes like chicken ‘n’ rice complemented by farro and Hakurei turnips, house-made duck confit that changes its sides with the seasons, and Tuscan Ribollita soup, perfect for the colder weather.
2018 10th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 786-8585
Visit Website

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