The best restaurants in Denver run the gamut from sushi to burgers, so there's something phenomenal for every taste or craving. Some of the restaurants considered the best in Denver are actually a bit outside of Denver, 30 miles away in Boulder. However, on a day with light traffic and good weather, the drive won't be too long.
1. Cherry Cricket
American, Mexican, and pub
Urban Spoon states that 81 percent of 1027 votes were positive for this restaurant. Expect to pay $10 or less for an entrée. Reviews state that all types of people hang out in this restaurant with a neighborhood bar feel-businessmen, musicians, sports fans, and more. Many of the reviews rave about the burger choices.
Website: Cherry Cricket
2. Sushi Den
Japanese, Asian, and sushi
Urban Spoon reports that 83 percent of people like the restaurant based on 803 votes. Expect to pay $25 and up per entrée. Reviewers report a cool, sleek atmosphere with a waiting list that is well worth it. Comments regarding the service were also mostly positive, calling the staff friendly, attentive, and professional.
Website: Sushi Den
3. Vesta Dipping Grill
International and American
Vesta Dipping Grill, with its mix of international and American cuisine, scored no less than 4.0 out of 5.0 stars at Open Table for food, ambiance, and service, with 430 ratings. With 96 reviews on City Search, the overall score is a 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Expect to pay $31 to $50 per entrée. This best restaurant in Denver was voted Hot Spot and Most Booked in Denver according to Open Table.
Website: Vesta Dipping Grill
4. Rioja
Mediterranean-inspired
Winner of the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award, Rioja, a restaurant that takes its inspiration from Mediterranean food. Expect to pay between $31 and $60 for an entrée according to Yelp.com, where the score is about 4.5 out of 5.0 stars based on 287 reviews. Remarks from reviewers mention the friendly staff, exquisite flavors, and that the wait to be seated isn't notoriously long.
Website: Rioja
5. Lucile's (Boulder)
Creole/Cajun, breakfast/brunch
Lucile's got 4.0 out of 5.0 stars at Yelp.com based on 182 reviews and 79 percent voted "I like it" on UrbanSpoon.com. Reviewers mention that walking through the door is like walking into New Orleans. One downside, however, is the wait that is usually involved to be seated. There are two locations in the Denver area. One is on Logan Street in Denver and the other is on 14th Street in nearby Boulder. Expect to pay $10 to $15 per entrée.
6. Frasca Food and Wine
Italian
This restaurant has 4.5 out of 5.0 stars at Yelp based on 112 reviews. What you get from Frasca Food and Wine is a combination of impressive wine knowledge, northern Italian cuisine, and incredible service that the review says is coordinated so flawlessly, it's almost like a dance. The inspiration comes from the Fruili region in Italy, which has a mix of cultures and an intense love of the land, and that means the food isn't your standard Italian. Expect to pay $60 or more per person.
Website: Frasca Food and Wine
The best restaurants in Denver are varied in price, flavor, and atmosphere, so there's something for everyone whether they're in jeans and a t-shirt and craving a burger, or feel like dressing up and going for something more extravagant. Some of the restaurants on the list are outside of Denver, roughly 30 miles away in Boulder, Colorado, and whether or not you'd like to venture out that way will depend on the weather and how much time you have.
