Posted February 19, 2015 Hi guys, being the foodie that I am, I always make it a point to try at least one new restaurant when I'm in a new city. Does anyone have recommendations on awesome places to eat in downtown Denver? Keep in mind that 2 things matter to me: quality of food (I like good food, lol) & ambiance. Thanks in advance for your recommendations! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) I haven't eaten downtown since I retired. Two I remember well. Maggiano's Little Italy and The Old Spaghetti Factory. The Spaghetti factory is in the old cable building and you can eat in an old cable car. Both have links at this site; http://denver.diningguide.com/dl1dt.htm Bon Appetit Johnboy#1 Edited February 20, 2015 by Johnboy#1 spelling 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Good lord no. Don't go to a chain! Try Panzano's. They do their best to get organic food and the food and ambiance is quite nice. The chefs will also do their best to accommodate you if necessary. There are other good places but Panzanos is one of my favs. Northern Italian with a nice wine menu. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 I Love Cajun! Po Boys has the BEST 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Appaloosa Grill 535 16th St #110, Denver, The Cheesecake Factory 1201 16th St, Denver Edge Restaurant and Bar Four Seasons Hotel Denver, 1111 14th St, Denver Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery 1001 16th St #100, Denver Maggiano's Little Italy Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St #150, Denver Sam's is open 24hours. Sam's downtown denver 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 There is a nice Mexican place on the corner of Washington, Park Avenue, and Downing 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Since you are from Miami I recommend Cuba Cuba. The food is quality and they have the best mojitos. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 There's a Red Robin at the 16th Street Mall... but if you've got a refined palate maybe try one of the fancy schmancy joints in the list below...Denver has become quite diverse in its offerings... don't forget to get espresso... http://www.opentable.com/denver/downtown-restaurants 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Too bad Strings shut down. It was the best place in my opinion. Maybe Rioja. Very good Mediterranean food. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 There is a nice Mexican place on the corner of Washington, Park Avenue, and Downing If you head over there, go to Wash Park Grill. The rack of lamb, wow. It's super good! House of Kabob down Colorado is outstanding too, but a dingy hole in the wall. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 no question about it. rootdown in the highlands!!! http://www.rootdowndenver.com/ 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Any of Troy Guard's restaurant would be perfect for you. TAG at Larimer Square is my favorite of his. His new steak house Guard and Grace is amazing as well. Union Station also has many great eateries. So many amazing places in Downtown. Look them up on Yelp. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Get out and meet real people in the city, real gentlemen that are not a prearranged meeting, actual real people who live and work in the city, and they will show you around. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 I think you would like Brothers or Smash Burger on the Mall 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Linger, Lola, Fruition, Le Central, Euclid Hall, Steuben's, Bastien's, My Brother's Bar and Paramount Cafe not all are exactly Downtown but not far and all very good. You can throw a rock and hit good food in this town. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 +1 for My brothers bar! I have lived here along time and that place hasn't changed. Its hard to find but a great place. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 For upscale dining I'd recommend the following (especially next week since it's restaurant week and you can get some amazing deals if you can get a reservation) Tag Rioja Euclid Hall Green Russel (for drinks) 1515 Restaurant Ocean Prime I've been a chef for almost 18 years now and all of these places serve food that is up to snuff. Rioja and Tag are two of my favorites as is Euclid Hall (great poutine! Especially the Duck Poutine with Foie Gras and an Egg on top, so amazing). Chef Jen at Rioja usually has something like Colorado Lamb done 3 ways or other amazing locally sourced food. Ocean Prime does great seafood considering we're so far inland. Green Russel is excellent for craft cocktails (can't make up your mind? tell the bartender what you like and he or she will come up with something creative for you.) As for all of these places they have excellent ambiance and high quality food/drinks (most have a great beer, wine and spirits selection which is a key factor for me). I've dined at all of them and have gone back repeatedly. Enjoy! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 My favorites in Downtown Denver seafood; no question Ocean Prime Steaks: capitol grille and 1515 restaurant Italian: no doubt. Panzanos and Maggionos 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 And Denver Restaurant Week starts today, now I have some new options to try! I love Maggiano's for Italian, Capital Grille for steaks and most of the others mentioned above, but here is another nice little gem of a restaurant in LoDo area - Coohills! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 20, 2015 Am I the only one who thought this thread might be about something else? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 25, 2015 For upscale dining I'd recommend the following (especially next week since it's restaurant week and you can get some amazing deals if you can get a reservation) Tag Rioja Euclid Hall Green Russel (for drinks) 1515 Restaurant Ocean Prime I've been a chef for almost 18 years now and all of these places serve food that is up to snuff. Rioja and Tag are two of my favorites as is Euclid Hall (great poutine! Especially the Duck Poutine with Foie Gras and an Egg on top, so amazing). Chef Jen at Rioja usually has something like Colorado Lamb done 3 ways or other amazing locally sourced food. Ocean Prime does great seafood considering we're so far inland. Green Russel is excellent for craft cocktails (can't make up your mind? tell the bartender what you like and he or she will come up with something creative for you.) As for all of these places they have excellent ambiance and high quality food/drinks (most have a great beer, wine and spirits selection which is a key factor for me). I've dined at all of them and have gone back repeatedly. Enjoy! I LOVE Chef Jen and second your vote, Endgame! Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall, and Stoic and Genuine are worth checking out. She is Denver's first James Beard winner. The OP is looking for something "downtown" so I would recommend all Jen's different incantations as well as 1515 which is Denver's only molecular gastronomy restaurant (science and food: my two loves combined!!!!!). Vespa Dipping Grill is very unique in concept for Denver and worth a visit. Kevin Taylor has a few spots that are amazing as well, mainly at the Opera House and Denver Art Museum. The OP is from Miami so SKIP Cuba Cuba; I lived in Miami for 9 years and CC's food is good Cuban food for Denver but wouldn't last a second in Miami IMO. For something more casual, Stueben's is great and very Denver-ey. Make reservations since it's RW until the beginning of next month. Enjoy your time in the Mile High and happy noshing!!! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 26, 2015 You're funny?I asked for recommendations on places to eat silly, not life advice lol Get out and meet real people in the city, real gentlemen that are not a prearranged meeting, actual real people who live and work in the city, and they will show you around. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 26, 2015 Thanks for all the lovely recommendations guys?I finally had some time last night and I tried Panzano's?it was delicious. If I have more time, I will try some of these other recommendations. Thanks! 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted February 26, 2015 Yes, lol!!! Am I the only one who thought this thread might be about something else? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
