Denver's Most Iconic Restaurants

by The OpenTable team

Updated February 12, 2020

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Denver dining scene. Here are Denver’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

Rioja

4.7

4.7 (9904)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Chef Jennifer Jasinski and her team are cooking up a solid menu of consistently delicious dishes worthy of a James Beard award (that’s why they won one). Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t Spanish food, it’s American with some Mediterranean hints. Though the menu changes often, there are some staples you can count on. Try all of their yummy breads and cheeses, and if there’s a dish with octopus, order it, they really know their way around that mollusk. There’s also a tasting menu, if you want some more variety.

Top review

mcatgirlvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Went for New Year's Day brunch. Food was amazing. The service was not the usual standard we are used to at Rioja. We still enjoyed our meal and will be back.

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Popular dish

Artichoke Tortelloni

Popular dish

Grilled Wagyu Tri-Tip

Popular dish

Goat Cheese Tart

Osteria Marco

4.4

4.4 (4542)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

This adorable Italian eatery—where red brick walls line the cozy dining room—could almost be mistaken for a chic little boutique from the street. Sounds surprising, but it’s pretty much all good here. The prices are reasonable, and the pizzas are outrageous. If your neighbor orders the salumi and housemade cheeses, you’ll be saying “I’ll have what she’s having.” Pair it all with their great wine, and order from the menu confidently, you can’t go wrong.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

Very kind and informative staff. The wine was tasty, we had a Chianti. The food was delicious. We had salad which had roasted squash, feta cheese, pecans and dried cranberries for toppings, very delicious. The prosciutto pizza with arugula was also tasty. We followed with gelato with a pour over of espresso with biscotti. Comfortable atmosphere, not too loud and very timely service. Overall, excellent experience and highly recommend.

Bistro Vendome

4.6

4.6 (7035)

$30 and under

French

Park Hill

About the restaurant

The ambiance at this French bistro, from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski, is overflowing with charm. There’s a very romantic patio and one particular indoor seating area that looks like it could be a small Parisian courtyard or alleyway, with twinkle lights strung overhead. They serve all the great staples you’d expect and even have a small section of their menu dedicated solely to steak frites, so definitely get some.

Top review

LieselB

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

We were honored to spend new Years Day eating brunch in the Larimer location on its last day there. Pat, our server, was just perfect: attentive, kind, and well, just, top notch in every way. Our bartender after brunch was also fantastic! He made lovely recommendations and the best Negroni we had ever tasted. Thank you all for a magical day. Best to you in 2023 in your new Park Hill space!

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4.8

4.8 (3502)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Highlands

About the restaurant

Duo has been a Denver staple—for over a decade now—serving up food that people love to love. From the early days, brunch has been the star here and it still deserves to be. When you can enjoy their basket of pastries, biscuits and gravy, and beloved cider-glazed pork benedict all in one visit, there’s really no other meal as important to come for. Order a duo of each.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

The food was exceptional, and the drink menu was great! The menu is small, but every single option sounded great, and every dish we ordered was delicious. It’s a cozy restaurant with a super nice staff! Will be going back every chance I get.

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Popular dish

Pork Chop

Popular dish

King Trumpet Mushroom

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sandwich

North Italia – Denver

4.8

4.8 (3926)

$30 and under

Italian

Cherry Creek

About the restaurant

You can truly feel the love they cook into their food at this rustic and authentic Italian spot in Cherry Creek, with a staff that’s exceptionally warm and gregarious. Their housemade pasta is absolutely delectable, and is even more wonderful when paired with their (house specialty) bolognese. Their squid ink mafaldine is great, and the calamari, zucca chips, and prosciutto pizza are also hugely popular. People deeply love this place, and you will too.

Top review

Provonevip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Our server was great, the food was very good. New Years day so very busy and a little load but understandable. Even with a full house the service was timely and the food came out in a timely manner.

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4.6

4.6 (4153)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Just above charming Larimer Square—on the second floor of a corner building—you’ll find a lively Mexican restaurant with a fantastic and expansive terrace, showcasing great views of the surrounding mountains. The modern Latin menu, created by celebrated Chef Richard Sandoval (Top Chef Masters), has all the traditional nibbles you’d hope for, but he’s added his own creative touches. Their guacamole (which people fawn over), for example, is offered in three different preparations: traditional, tuna tartare, and bacon. Another great share plate is their queso fundido, which you can add chorizo or mushrooms to. Their super tender (chili & coffee rubbed) carne asada, pork carnitas with avocado purée, and mahi mahi tacos are all superbly delicious. Add on their huge selection of tequilas and agave cocktails, and it’s easy to understand why people love coming here for meals and many margaritas.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jan 2, 2023

My family and I went in for a new year dinner and it was wonderful! Our server was very attentive and had great guest interactions with us! The food was fabulous. We started with the traditional guacamole, and for entrees we had shrimp fajitas and the chicken enchiladas! All three were super flavorful and so good. We ended with the churros that are to die for! Tamayo is a great spot for good mexican and yummy margs!

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4.7

4.7 (5564)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Inside the Hotel Monaco, you’ll find this Northern Italian gem of a restaurant that’s hard not to fall in love with. Even though Panzano has been around for a while and Italian food is steeped in tradition, they’ve grown with the times and offer separate gluten-free versions of all of their menus (breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner). But back to Italian tradition, they make wonderful fresh-baked breads, handmade pastas, and they’re true gnocchi mavens, which is a feat in itself. Over the years, they’ve served their soft potato pillows (the way you always pray they’ll come out) with everything from duck and rabbit to pumpkin and grouper (and even a prosecco hollandaise at brunch). So get some gnocchi goodness and maybe a side of their truffle risotto and Brussels sprouts with pancetta and honey.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

We always enjoy coming here. Been 12 years now, ever since our son “Enzo” had worked there.

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Popular dish

Bolognese

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