4 Best Restaurants in Denver, Colorado

Dazzle at Baur's

$$ | Downtown

If it's martinis and jazz you're after, come to this casually elegant space (larger and snazzier after a move to the historic Baur's Building), which features comfort foods with a twist and small plates. Live music most nights makes this a laid-back spot. The cocktail roster, printed inside old jazz albums, is one of the most intricate around, and the Sunday jazz brunch swings.

American Lunch Dinner Brunch $$
1512 Curtis St., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
303-839–5100
dazzledenver.com
Known For
  • extensive cocktail roster
  • mac-and-cheese
  • Sunday jazz brunch
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch, Credit cards accepted

Dazzle at Baur's

$$ | Downtown

This is a cozy, casual spot for live jazz and blues six nights a week downtown. The location, in the historic Baur's Building, offers a classy setting and exceptional acoustics as well as updated takes on classic comfort food before and during shows. DownBeat magazine has named it one of the 150 best jazz clubs in the world.

American Dinner Lunch $$
1512 Curtis St., Denver, Colorado, 80203, USA
303-839–5100
www.dazzledenver.com
Known For
  • extensive cocktail roster
  • excellent mac and cheese
  • all ages until 10:30 pm
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No lunch

The Squeaky Bean

$$$$ | LoDo
The original location was a tiny storefront in the Highland, but it was obvious early on that the popular Bean, with herbs and produce from its own gardens and a deceptively simple yet inventive menu, was going to grow. Now situated in the historic Saddlery Building in LoDo, the spacious dining room balances contemporary furnishings with a vintage setting and serves a seasonal menu that also changes monthly and is heavy on bold, bright flavors: mint and cumin on lamb with pappardelle, or yellow curry and rhubarb atop halibut. It's worthwhile to at least check out the impressive cheese cart for dessert. Service is brisk and attentive and the wine list is remarkably well priced and includes many by-the-glass options.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Vesta Dipping Grill

$$$$ | LoDo

Both the remodeled building and the interior space designed to house this modern grill, named after Vesta, the Roman hearth goddess, have won national architectural awards, and it's easy to see why: the sensual swirls of fabric and copper throughout the room make diners feel as though they're inside a giant work of art, and the clever, secluded banquettes are among the most sought-after seats in town. The menu is clever, too, and the competent grill masters in the kitchen put out expertly cooked meats, fish, and vegetables, all of which can be paired with some of the more than two-dozen dipping sauces that get their inspiration from chutneys, salsas, mother sauces, and barbecue. The wine list is as cool as the clientele.