clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Where to Eat and Drink Around DU This Fall (Whether You Are a Student or Not)

14 desirable dining destinations around the University of Denver

View as Map

With today’s start of a new semester of classes at the University of Denver, the annual eight-month takeover of the streets around Evans Avenue and University Boulevard by thousands of rambunctious college kiddos is officially underway. And while these kids have (allegedly) come for an education, anyone who has spent much time around those parts knows many Pioneers also manage to spend an downright impressive amount of time in the watering holes and restaurants that line the thoroughfares surrounding their campus.

So luckily (or perhaps just inevitably), the neighborhood more than delivers on both fronts. In fact, while there have always been (and still are) plenty of fast food stops and places to score a cheap brewski, recent years have seen the DU neighborhood steadily evolve into one of the more diverse and vibrant neighborhoods for dining in all of south Denver, with options for Indian, Pho, Middle Eastern and more.

With that diversity in mind, here are 14 of the best spots for hungry Pioneers (and those who merely find themselves among them) to pig out this school year.

Read More

Devour the 303

Copy Link

This neighborhood restaurant takes its name and ethos from owner Sam Armatas’ desire to create a restaurant built around using as many local ingredients and products in its food as possible. Brunch options include omelettes, bennies and breakfast burritos while the varied brunch, lunch, and dinner menus include plenty of burgers and sandwiches, plus specialties such as gruyere mac and cheese, truffle asparagus pasta and grilled salmon. Watch for Armatas’ new dessert cafe to open in the neighboring space this fall.

A picture of a piece of grilled salmon and pieces of asparagus with lemon and sauce on a plate at Devour the 303
The grilled salmon at Devour the 303
Devour the 303 official site

Little India

Copy Link

Perhaps introducing some DU students to the joys of this cuisine for the first time, Little India delivers authentic and delicious Indian fare, with traditional herbs and spices imported directly from that part of the world. The naan bread is made in a real Tandoor oven, and the exotic samosas, kebabs, curries and more will leave visitors abundantly satisfied. Find this cozy spot just slightly west of campus.

Little India
Little India [Official Site]

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Copy Link

Though Eater generally tries to refrain from recommending chain restaurants, the original location of this national icon merits a mention. The historic landmark had no menu to start, and would let customers take baskets with them before the burrito bowl was truly invented.

A photo of two young men walking into the original Chipotle in Denver
The original Chipotle
Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Jelly U Cafe

Copy Link

The second, though equally quirky and colorful, outpost of this Denver breakfast-lunch spot lures sleep-deprived students out of their sweet slumber for warm and gooey maple bacon donut bites, savory scrambles and more.

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

Copy Link

Between all-nighters and early a.m. seminars, high quality coffee is a must on college campuses. Kaladi delivers the quintessential coffee house experience, with a built-in mission to increase quality, source beans from sustainable farmers, and roast skillfully, producing delicious beverages. If you're a tea drinker, we highly recommend the mate latte with a dollop of honey.

D Station

Copy Link

From Chinese hot pot to poke bowls and Cajun boils to Thai rolled ice cream, this versatile (to say the least) Evans Avenue eatery seemingly does it all. The seven poke bowls all make an appealing lunch option (the bowls can also be ordered as a sushi burrito with rice and a nori wrapper) while the cajun boils (choose from everything from shrimp and crab legs to lobster) make for a fun night of eating.

A photo of a hot pot at D Station containing two types of broth
A split hot pot at D Station
D Station Facebook Page

Jerusalem Restaurant

Copy Link

A consistent and satisfying late night – its open until 4 a.m. – Middle Eastern eatery, Jerusalem has been serving mouthwatering Mediterranean fare made fresh and fast just off campus since 1978.

A close-up photo of a yellow piece of baklava from Jerusalem Restaurant
Baklava from Jerusalem Restaurant
Jerusalem Restaurant official site

The Pioneer

Copy Link

With a spacious patio and cheerful happy hour, The Pioneer makes a prime place to enjoy a margarita along with some tacos, enchiladas or a burger.

A photo of The Pioneer with the front patio visible at the front and the patio visible behind it
The Pioneer
The Pioneer [Official Website]

Asbury Provisions

Copy Link

When Asbury Provisions opened its doors, one of its owners told Eater his goal was to give the neighborhood a place to drink that was “more than a standard college bar.” Four years later, this neighborhood gastropub continues to deliver on that promise with 20 taps, a lengthy list of specialty cocktails, and a menu that combines mussels, a beer and cheese board, and burrata with more standard bar fare such as wings and a warm pretzel. There is also a solid selection of sandwiches and burgers, including a Caprese Panini and a short rib sandwich.

Asbury Provisions
Asbury Provisions
A photo of a sign on the window of Asbury Provisions reading “Asbury Provisions Established 2014.”

Pete's University Park Cafe

Copy Link

This family-owned Denver diner has been serving up school spirit and home-cooking on the corner of University Boulevard and Evans Avenue for 50 years. The Denver omelets are some of the best in town.

Mustard's Last Stand

Copy Link

Affordable and satisfying – it's no wonder students are sold on Mustard's Last Stand. Though the shop small and simple (while managing to be covered with Chicago memorabilia), you'll think you died and went to the Windy City with one bite of the Chicago-style dogs and cheese fries.

Mustard’s Last Stand
Mustard’s Last Stand

Pho Saigon Star

Copy Link

Sure, some college kids could still use some work on their manners. But from the same people who brought Pho on 6th to Denver, Pho Saigon Star, not only allows slurping, but encourages it. Smack in the heart of University Park, this noodle shop offers up both traditional pho and the spicier central version.

Ginza Sushi & Grill

Copy Link

This casual sushi spot, which is located on the ground floor of one of the many high-rises that populate this neighborhood, offers a varied selection of sushi, as well as bento boxes and hibachi entrees (including seafood). The sushi combo, which consists of 10 assorted pieces for $21, and Rainbow Lover, two pieces each of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and white fish with one rainbow roll, are good options for trying several types of sushi without dropping too much dough,

A photo of several pieces of sushi on a board, including green, pink and red pieces, along with sauces and wasabi
A board of sushi at Ginza Sushi & Grill
Ginza Sushi & Grill official website

Devour the 303

This neighborhood restaurant takes its name and ethos from owner Sam Armatas’ desire to create a restaurant built around using as many local ingredients and products in its food as possible. Brunch options include omelettes, bennies and breakfast burritos while the varied brunch, lunch, and dinner menus include plenty of burgers and sandwiches, plus specialties such as gruyere mac and cheese, truffle asparagus pasta and grilled salmon. Watch for Armatas’ new dessert cafe to open in the neighboring space this fall.

A picture of a piece of grilled salmon and pieces of asparagus with lemon and sauce on a plate at Devour the 303
The grilled salmon at Devour the 303
Devour the 303 official site

Little India

Perhaps introducing some DU students to the joys of this cuisine for the first time, Little India delivers authentic and delicious Indian fare, with traditional herbs and spices imported directly from that part of the world. The naan bread is made in a real Tandoor oven, and the exotic samosas, kebabs, curries and more will leave visitors abundantly satisfied. Find this cozy spot just slightly west of campus.

Little India
Little India [Official Site]

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Though Eater generally tries to refrain from recommending chain restaurants, the original location of this national icon merits a mention. The historic landmark had no menu to start, and would let customers take baskets with them before the burrito bowl was truly invented.

A photo of two young men walking into the original Chipotle in Denver
The original Chipotle
Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Jelly U Cafe

The second, though equally quirky and colorful, outpost of this Denver breakfast-lunch spot lures sleep-deprived students out of their sweet slumber for warm and gooey maple bacon donut bites, savory scrambles and more.

Kaladi Brothers Coffee

Between all-nighters and early a.m. seminars, high quality coffee is a must on college campuses. Kaladi delivers the quintessential coffee house experience, with a built-in mission to increase quality, source beans from sustainable farmers, and roast skillfully, producing delicious beverages. If you're a tea drinker, we highly recommend the mate latte with a dollop of honey.

D Station

From Chinese hot pot to poke bowls and Cajun boils to Thai rolled ice cream, this versatile (to say the least) Evans Avenue eatery seemingly does it all. The seven poke bowls all make an appealing lunch option (the bowls can also be ordered as a sushi burrito with rice and a nori wrapper) while the cajun boils (choose from everything from shrimp and crab legs to lobster) make for a fun night of eating.

A photo of a hot pot at D Station containing two types of broth
A split hot pot at D Station
D Station Facebook Page

Jerusalem Restaurant

A consistent and satisfying late night – its open until 4 a.m. – Middle Eastern eatery, Jerusalem has been serving mouthwatering Mediterranean fare made fresh and fast just off campus since 1978.

A close-up photo of a yellow piece of baklava from Jerusalem Restaurant
Baklava from Jerusalem Restaurant
Jerusalem Restaurant official site

The Pioneer

With a spacious patio and cheerful happy hour, The Pioneer makes a prime place to enjoy a margarita along with some tacos, enchiladas or a burger.

A photo of The Pioneer with the front patio visible at the front and the patio visible behind it
The Pioneer
The Pioneer [Official Website]

Asbury Provisions

When Asbury Provisions opened its doors, one of its owners told Eater his goal was to give the neighborhood a place to drink that was “more than a standard college bar.” Four years later, this neighborhood gastropub continues to deliver on that promise with 20 taps, a lengthy list of specialty cocktails, and a menu that combines mussels, a beer and cheese board, and burrata with more standard bar fare such as wings and a warm pretzel. There is also a solid selection of sandwiches and burgers, including a Caprese Panini and a short rib sandwich.

Asbury Provisions
Asbury Provisions
A photo of a sign on the window of Asbury Provisions reading “Asbury Provisions Established 2014.”

Pete's University Park Cafe

This family-owned Denver diner has been serving up school spirit and home-cooking on the corner of University Boulevard and Evans Avenue for 50 years. The Denver omelets are some of the best in town.

Mustard's Last Stand

Affordable and satisfying – it's no wonder students are sold on Mustard's Last Stand. Though the shop small and simple (while managing to be covered with Chicago memorabilia), you'll think you died and went to the Windy City with one bite of the Chicago-style dogs and cheese fries.

Mustard’s Last Stand
Mustard’s Last Stand

Pho Saigon Star

Sure, some college kids could still use some work on their manners. But from the same people who brought Pho on 6th to Denver, Pho Saigon Star, not only allows slurping, but encourages it. Smack in the heart of University Park, this noodle shop offers up both traditional pho and the spicier central version.

Ginza Sushi & Grill

This casual sushi spot, which is located on the ground floor of one of the many high-rises that populate this neighborhood, offers a varied selection of sushi, as well as bento boxes and hibachi entrees (including seafood). The sushi combo, which consists of 10 assorted pieces for $21, and Rainbow Lover, two pieces each of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and white fish with one rainbow roll, are good options for trying several types of sushi without dropping too much dough,

A photo of several pieces of sushi on a board, including green, pink and red pieces, along with sauces and wasabi
A board of sushi at Ginza Sushi & Grill
Ginza Sushi & Grill official website

Related Maps