The Best Things I've Eaten in Denver

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People always ask me what are some of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten in Denver.

So, I created a list of my favorite bites so far!

Related: Complete Denver Travel Guide

Table of Contents

The Best Things I’ve Ever Eaten in Denver

#1 Birria Ramen and Al Pastor Tacos from Kike’s Red Tacos

Kike’s Red Tacos does everything right! They started as a taco truck but now have a permanent location in LoHi.

Their birria ramen is so delicious, and the noodles have the perfect texture!

I prefer their Al Pastor tacos over their birria or carne asada tacos. And I dip everything into their mouthwatering consommé.

Location: 1200 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

#2 RC Green Chile from Cherry Cricket

I am obsessed with green chile! One of my favorite spots is Cherry Cricket.

They offer two types of green chiles, but my favorite is their gravy-like RC Green Chile. It’s very peppery, and the chunks of pork just melt in your mouth. And for $9, you get a huge bowl with two tortillas that’s good for sharing.

Related: Best Green Chile in Denver

I recommend eating it with a side of their Spanish rice or tater tots. It’s SO GOOD!

They have locations in Ballpark, Cherry Creek, and Littleton.

#3 Puerco Colorado and Red Pozole from Adelitas

Adelitas is our favorite spot for $2 Taco Tuesday, red pozole (hominy pork soup), and puerco colorado (pork in red chile sauce).

The pork just melts in your mouth, and the red chile is so flavorful! I literally can’t ever stop thinking about it.

And if you prefer green pozole, you have to check out their sister restaurant La Doña located just behind the SoBo Adelitas location.

Check out Adelita’s at their two locations on SoBo (South Broadway) or the Edgewater Marketplace.

#4 Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) from Daebak

Daebak is a Korean pub that specializes in soups and stews! They offer creamy seollongtang broths with glass potato noodles and various protein options.

What makes their Army Stew stand out is that it’s made with their hearty beef broth and has all the fixings, such as sausages, SPAM, noodles, handmade dumplings, and veggies.

Portions are huge so be sure to bring friends!

#5 Bun Bo Hue and Pho from O Lien Kitchen

O Lien Kitchen is a Hué (Central) style Vietnamese restaurant, and all their food is phenomenal!

Our favorite things to order here are the Bun Bo Hue (spicy pork and beef noodles soup) and pho (beef noodle soup). After 4 PM, their pho happy hour is activated, and you can save 15% off all their pho options.

Location: 781 S Federal Blvd B, Denver, CO 80219

#6 Cháo Lòng from Pho Duy

I went to Pho Duy for pho but ended up LOVING their Cháo Lòng (offal porridge). It’s packed with protein such as blood cubes, intestings, liver, etc., and the flavor is on point!

I do wish that it were a bit thicker (done by cooking with more rice).

Location: 925 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219

#7 Thai Curry Mussels, Clam Chowder, AND Fresh Oysters from Blue Island Oyster Bar

I moved to Denver from Seattle (not a landlocked state) and can PROMISE you that the clam chowder at Blue Island Oyster Bar is way better than anything you’ll find in Seattle.

We are also obsessed with their Thai Curry Mussels and fresh oysters from their East Coast oyster farm.

Oysters are shipped in daily and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 PM to close, their oysters are only $1! On Mondays, oysters are $1.31 all day!

#8 Fish and Chips from Fish n Beer

The fish and chips from Fish n Beer are the best I’ve ever had! The batter is very light and flavorful, and the fish just melts in your mouth.

While they have an award-winning Key Lime Pie, I preferred their Key Lime Pie cocktail more.

And you have to go for their happy hour. The deals are amazing!

#9 Thai Tea Affogato with Milk Soft Serve from Mocha

I’ve tried many things here, but my favorite item at Mocha is their Thai Tea affogato with milk soft serve ice cream.

It is LIFE CHANGING! We get it every time we’re in the area shopping at Ebisu or H-Mart in Aurora.

Location: 2713 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014

#10 Clam Pizza from Cart Driver

We found out about Cart Driver‘s creamy clam pizza when we took the Dine and Dash Luxury Food Tour in LoHi.

I could eat 12 of these pies!

They have locations in LoHi and RiNo.

#11 Caesar Salad from Jax Fishhouse

I am a Caesar salad snob, and the Caesar salad from Jax Fishhouse is PHENOMENAL!

The dressing is perfect. Add anchovies to enhance the salad.

I also loved their key lime pie dessert!

They have locations LoDo, Glendale, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.

#12 Green Chile Fries from the Original Chubby’s

The OG Chubby’s has fries smothered in green chile. I highly recommend adding sour cream and carne asada to the mix. It’s so delicious!

Don’t be fooled by all the other locations with different recipes. Head to the OG to try their famed green chile.

Location: 1231 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

#13 Chimchurri Steak and Caesar Salad from Sushi Hai

Sushi Hai has great sushi, but our favorite item to order here is their beef satay. It’s a perfectly cooked steak that is topped with tangy chimichurri sauce and served on a bed of sautéed veggies. I love the crunch of the bean sprouts with every bite!

They also have a unique Caesar salad that I highly recommend! It’s made with wonton crisps instead of croutons.

My favorite roll here was the #18 roll.

Location: 3600 W 32nd Ave Ste D, Denver, CO 80211

#14 Lamb Kebab Smashburger from Samosa Shop

The Lamb Kebab Smashburger from Samosa Shop is insanely good! Each bite just melts in your mouth, and it doesn’t taste gamey at all.

Chef Dave also offers rotating samosa flavors and has cocktail collaborations in the hidden Hell or High Water Tiki bar above his restaurant.

Location: 1526 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202 (inside Honor Farm)

#15 The Toscana Pizza from Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza

One of our favorite pizzas in town is the Toscana Pizza from Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza.

It’s made with a perfectly cooked crust and finished with fresh toppings, including freshly shaved prosciutto.

They have locations in Ballpark and Englewood.

#16 KFC from Mono Mono

The KFC deals from Mono Mono Korean fried chicken are where it’s at! The deals are so good and come with plenty of fried chicken and sides.

The meat is juicy, and the batter is very crispy and flavorful.

Check them out in Downtown Denver and Lakewood.

#17 Flour Tortillas from La Loma

The flour press from La Loma is magical. Pair it with their pork green chile and you’ve got one of the most comforting food experiences in town.

There’s a lot of drama around the brand itself. Half of the locations are owned by the husband and wife after they settled their divorce.

We love the Broadway location because that’s where you’ll find the magic tortilla machine.

#18 Nước Mía and Bò Lúc Lắc from Kat’s Kitchen

If you’ve never had Nước Mía (sugar cane drink), you need to get over to Kat’s Kitchen stat. Their nuoc mia is so refreshing.

They also have an amazing Bò Lúc Lắc (shaking beef) rice plate. The umami flavors and tender cubes of steak make it very addictive and satisfying.

Location: 2058 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80210

#19 Baklava from Zaman Fresh

The Baklava from Zaman Fresh is made in-house every day. It’s very crunchy, airy, and flavorful.

We also highly recommend their lamb chops, wraps, and kebab plates. Ask for tuom (garlic sauce) because it’s so good!

Location: 282 S Logan St, Denver, CO 80209

#20 Crispy Asian Salad from BurnDown

We love partying at the BurnDown, but did you know their food is delicious too?

We’re obsessed with their crispy Asian salad. It comes with a refreshing wasabi dressing that you’ll want to put on everything.

They also have amazing cocktails, and the entire spot is a vibe (4 stories of dancing, hanging, and rooftop views).

Location: 476 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

#21 Pork Cutlet from Oliver’s Italian

You can get one of the BIGGEST pork cutlets at Oliver’s Italian. It’s also VERY tasty!

Location: 4950 S Yosemite St F3, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

#22 Bananas Foster from Eat Salt Water Social

Not sure how they do it, but the Bananas Foster from Eat Salt Water Socal is so good you’ll want to savor each bite.

They also have a great happy hour with $10 cocktails. Cherry Creek in general is a great spot for happy hours and more.

Related: Best Cherry Creek Happy Hours

Location: 201 Columbine St, Denver, CO 80206

To Be Tasted (TBT)

Here is my list of restaurants that I still need to try! If you want to dine with a friend, hit me up! I am always open to eating with others!

Adrift
Ajinoya
Angelo’s – for Oysters and HH
Annette’s
Asuka
Alma Fonda Fina
Banh and Butter
Beckon
Bonfire
Brasserie Brixton
Brutø
Cholon/Yumcha – French Onion Soup Dumplings
Cuba Cuba
Dan Da
D’Corazon for green chile
Detour Bakery
Domo Japanese Cuisine
Duke’s
Efrain’s for red chile
El Five
Farmhouse Thai
Get Rights for their Smashburger
Glo Noodle House
Godavari
Good Bread
Grateful Bread
Hana Matsuri (Glendale) for their Tuna dinner
Hearth
Hong Kong Station
Katsu Ramen
Kawa Ni
Kiki’s Ramen
Kizaki
La Diabla
La Tinto
Little Anitas
Lo Stella
MAKFam
Makizushico
Mikaku Ramen
Molotov
Moon Racoon
Na Favola
Neko Ramen
New Saigon Bakery
Noodles Express
Odell’s the Counter
Odie B’s
Pablitos
Paik’s Noodles
Pomodoro
Pork.Let
Poulette Bakeshop
Ramen Star
Reunion Bakery
Restaurant Olivia
Right Cream
Rioja
Safta AYCE Brunch
Saigon Bistro
Saigon Bowl
Sap Sua for Trung va trung
Santiago for green chile
Sassafras
Spice Room
Star Kitchen
Sukiya Ramen
Sushi Den
Suvipa Thai
Tacos Tequila Whiskey
Tamales by Casita
Tocabe
Tofu Story
Twan’s Burger
Uchi Denver
Ukiyo
Uncles
Urban Burma
The Wolf’s Tailor
Woody’s Wings and Things
Yemen Grill
Yuan Wonton
Yu’s Noodle Shop

If there is a spot that you think needs to be on my list, please DM me and let me know! I always love checking out new restaurants!

If you found my best things I’ve eaten in Denver list helpful, please share it. Thanks for your support!

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The Best Things I’ve Eaten in Denver