The Lowdown on Colorado Food & Restaurants

I'm just a girl,
standing in front of a plate of food,
asking it to please be delicious...

What’s open right now?

These are some of my favorite places that have re-opened post-COVID, which I’ll try to keep updated.

Corridor 44 (great patio on Larimer Square, M-F happy hour 3-6pm with $5 champagne cocktails and $2 oysters)
D’Corazon (my favorite Mexican place downtown serving lunch/dinner Mon-Sat)
Briar Common (great brewpub with unique beers, a rooftop patio, and surprisingly amazing food; open for dine-in Mon-Sun 11am-8pm — yes that means brunch, too)
STK (daily happy hour 2:30-6:30pm and all day Sunday)
Uchi (dine-in by reservation only, but with daily happy hour 4-6pm)
The Crawling Crab (re-opened on Kine 12th for dine-in, serving my favorite crab and crawfish boils)
African Grill & Bar (open for dine-in Mon-Sat 11am-9pm in Lakewood and Green Valley Ranch with some of my favorite unique ethnic food in town)
Celtic on Market (this Irish pub is pretty much my second home for a chill atmosphere and good people; open Sun-Thu 11am-2am, Fri-Sat 10:30am-2am, or even earlier for sporting events)

Please message me on instagram or email me if you know anyone else worth mentioning.

Corridor 44 Happy Hour

Denver Highlights

This collection of posts is regularly updated to bring you my top recommendations around Denver, so check back anytime to find the perfect spot for anything from brunch to happy hour.

The Top 13 Happy Hour around Downtown Denver

I absolutely love a good happy hour. It really is the best time of day — and Denver offers so many good options. I can usually be found somewhere downtown for happy hour at least a couple of times a week, so I guess you could call me knowledgable on the topic. Here are my top 13 downtown/LoDo favorites, which I will keep updating as places open or close.

The Top 13 Places for Brunch Around Denver

I like to tell people that aren’t from Denver that on Sundays, people here are religiously devoted to one of 3 things: church, football, or brunch. I definitely fall into the last 2 categories — so it’s a delicate juggle between my 49ers and my mimosas in the Fall. Having been all over town for that sacred weekend meal, I want to share my top favorites with you all!

The Top 14 Date Night Restaurants Around Denver

Technically, any spot can be a date night destination depending on the couple. This list is meant to be a collection of restaurants that I think would be best for most couples who are looking for that “special” romantic atmosphere. None of these spots will be cheap, save for some happy hour deals if you go early — but in my opinion, they’e also worth it.

Instagram

I add all my new content on Instagram instead of posting regular blog posts here (as I used to). I will still keep a short collection of regularly-updated posts about my favorites on this website (above), but make sure to check my Instagram for all the latest!

colorado_bites

???? Eating & drinking my way through Colorado & the world ???? Yelp Elite 10yrs
???? Ukraine>SF>LA>Denver ???? natalia@coloradobites.com

🚨 Opening tomorrow (Thursday) night in Greenwoo

🚨 Opening tomorrow (Thursday) night in Greenwood Village: Grange Hall (@grangehallcolorado) — an awesome new food hall with 9 food stalls, tons of indoor and outdoor space, a fun upbeat vibe, and even their own beer! 🍻
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I got a chance to check it out last night thanks to @tagrestaurantgroup and @cheftroyguard, so swipe on ➡️ to see what I saw!
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Photos, in order:
1️⃣ 🥛Salted Oreo Milkshake from @getcrackshacked
2️⃣ 🍹 The fantastic cocktail selection at the bar (spicy margs ftw!)
3️⃣ 🍟 Grange Fries from The Crack Shack (with the perfect kick)
4️⃣ 🐠 Aloha Poke Bowl from @bubu_denver (fresh and delicious)
5️⃣ 🥙 Lamb Gyro from @uptownandhumboldt (it’s not entirely gluten-free, but even eating all the stuff out of the pita was delicious)
6️⃣ 🍕 Pizza from Crazy Pizza Love (obviously not gluten-free, so I can’t comment on taste)
7️⃣ 🥩 Prosciutto and parmigiano from Crazy Pizza Love (now this IS gluten-free)
8️⃣ 🍔 Spicy fried chicken sandwich from The Crack Shack (I couldn’t eat it, but was told it was amazing)
9️⃣ 🍺 Beers on beers on beers on tap
🔟 👋 Us saying bye!
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Not shown:
1️⃣ RADO Burgers (no gluten-free options)
2️⃣ @jdawgs (coming soon)
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Overall, an awesome space with an awesome vibe, and I can’t wait for more gluten-free options!
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#greenwoodvillage #greenwoodvillageco #greenwoodvillagecolorado #centennialcolorado #foodhall #denverfoodhall #denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #colorado #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodblogger #foodlover #foodgasm #foodpics #foodies #foodiesofinstagram

🏆 🌮 Starting this Friday, 9/24, stop by a Ge

Happy #MargaritaMonday y’all! These margs were q

Happy #MargaritaMonday y’all! These margs were quickly crushed at @myneighborfelix in LoHi (@hungryhungryhoppy with the spicy and me with the watermelon). 🍹 🌶 🍉 Cheers!
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#denvermargaritas #lohi #lohidenver
#denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denverrestaurants #denver #drinks #cocktails #drinks🍹 #drinksofinstagram #foodblogger #instadrink #drinkstagram #margaritas #spicymargarita #spicymargaritas #watermelonmargarita #watermelonmargaritas #cheers #cheerscocktail

The sous-vide pork belly bao buns at @foraged_rest

The sous-vide pork belly bao buns at @foraged_restaurant have always been some of my favorites in town, but they have gotten even better now that they’re in a pineapple hoisin glaze (previously five spice hoisin). Thanks @chefloganmason! 🍍 🐷 🥟 That tangy, fresh flavor is the perfect addition for this mouthwatering fatty pork slab.
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You can also order a bunch of these and bring them on over to @deviationdistilling — which just opened in the alley of @denvermilkmarket (and which is where I tried these awesome buns again).
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#denvermilkmarket #denverdairyblock #lodo #lododenver #downtowndenver
#denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #porkbelly #baobuns #baobun #porkbellybao #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodlover #foodgasm #foodpics #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram

@deviationdistilling and their delicious craft coc

@deviationdistilling and their delicious craft cocktails are now open at @denvermilkmarket (in the alley, next door to Bruto)! 🍹 🍸 You’ll especially love this place if you’re a fan of gin: they create everything — from a proper gin & tonic, to a gin variation on the old fashioned, to more complex light and fruity or spicy gin creations. Swipe ➡️ to see more photos of their sweet space, their beautiful bottle designs, and some fun cocktails.
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You can get charcuterie bites here — or order from the tons of options nearby and bring your own food. Some of my nearby recs include: @brutodenver @foraged_restaurant @kachinadenver
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#denvermilkmarket #denverdairyblock #lodo #lododenver #downtowndenver
#denverdistillery #denverfoodscene #coloradodistillery #distillery #craftdistillery #gindistillery #gindistillerydenver #denvergindistillery #gincocktails #gin #denversbest #denver #colorado #instadrink #drinkstagram #ginandtonics #gin #cocktails #craftcocktails

@playabowlssouthbroadway is now open(99 S Broadway

@playabowlssouthbroadway is now open(99 S Broadway b/w Archer and Bayoud) — making it their 128th location! If you come by today for the 3pm Grand Opening, the first 50 people get a free bowl and T-Shirt! 👕🍌🍍🥭
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This place may have started in New Jersey, but it’s giving me all of the SoCal vibes and I’m loving it. 🏝 This is the Electric Mermaid — with pitaya (dragonfruit), granola, pineapple, mango, kiwi, coconut flakes, and honey.
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#sbroadway #southbroadway #southbroadwaydenver #playabowls
#denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #colorado #acaibowl #açaibowl #acaibowls #healthybowls #healthydenver

Did you guys know that almost everything on the me

Did you guys know that almost everything on the menu at @acovarestaurant is #glutenfree or has a GF option?! 🚫🍞 I just recently found out, so I was excited to go visit Acova the other day. I had the Turkey Brie Panini: turkey, bacon, Brie, lemon garlic aioli, shaved apple, arugula, gluten-free bread. 🥪 I’ll say this: the flavors are all there, but I’d definitely ask for some extra Brie. 😉 🧀
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#lohi #lohidenver #denverhighlands #glutenfreedenver #glutenfreecolorado #glutenfreelife #glutenfreeliving #glutenfreeeats #glutenfreefoodie #glutenfreeblogger #denverpatio #denverpatios #denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #colorado #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram

This creation was inspired by @thecozyfoodfeed for

This creation was inspired by @thecozyfoodfeed for a summer patio party at a friend’s house. We’ve still got at least one more week of 90-degree weather here in Colorado — and a burrata/bruschetta board with some peaches or nectarines is perfect for it. Just put some toothpicks and crackers next to it, and let people DIY their own little bites. 🍑 🌿 🍅 🧀
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#burrata #burratagram #burrataboard #peachburrata #summerburrata #bruschetta #bruschettas #foodboard #summerboard #appetizer #appetizers #appetizerideas #appetizerrecipe #appetizerplatter #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram #forkyeah #eeeeeats #nectarines #nectarine

One of my favorite little dishes at one of my favo

One of my favorite little dishes at one of my favorite brunch/patio spots: @happycamperdenver. I love all potato boats, but mini ones are even cuter! 🥔 🐷 🍅 🌿
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#lohi #lohidenver #denverbrunch #denverpatio #denverpatios
#denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodlover #foodgasm #foodpics #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram #forkyeah #eeeeeats

🇹🇭 One of my favorite things about @beauthai

🇹🇭 One of my favorite things about @beauthaidenver in Highlands (and Thai food in general): all the gluten-free options! Swipe ➡️ and you’ll see just how many are marked #glutenfree on the menu! Rice noodles FTW! 🍛 🍜
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Thank you to @beauthaidenver for hosting and @kt.ezzeddine for the invite!
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#denverhighlands #lohi #lohidenver #denverthaifood #thaifood #glutenfreedenver #glutenfreecolorado #beauthai #thaifoodstagram
#denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodpics #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram

One of my fave spots in Littleton is @smokinfins.l

One of my fave spots in Littleton is @smokinfins.littleton — which offers not only sushi, but salads, burgers, and sandwiches for all sorts of preferences (they also have Colorado locations in @smokinfins.arvada, @smokinfins.highlandsranch, and @smokinfins.fortcollins). What I love is that they made this crab stuffed avocado without tempura-frying it (per my request for less gluten) — and I think it’s even yummier this way! 🦀 🥑 🍣
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#littleton #littletoncolorado #denversushi #denverfood #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #food #foodporn #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodphotography #foodblogger #foodlover #foodgasm #foodpics #foodpic #foodies #foodgram #foodiesofinstagram

Another one of my favorite Mexican spots downtown

Another one of my favorite Mexican spots downtown is a Denver institution and a must-try if you haven’t yet: La Loma (don’t ask me why, but they don’t allow tagging of their handle). 🇲🇽 This is the kind of place that makes traditional, hearty platters of Mexican food with fantastic mesquite-grilled steaks, tequila-lime shrimp, pork-packed green chile, etc. 🥰 My go-to here is the mesquite-grilled New York steak — available as a fajita platter or as this photo: the TEXAS PLATTER (topped with grilled onions and fried serranos, served with a smothered chili relleno and black beans).
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Note: the wonton-wrapped relleno is not gluten-free, but all the items in the fajita platter are (same amazing cut of steak — but with sizzling onions, pork green chile, fresh guacamole, cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, serrano peppers, rice, beans, and corn torillas). #glutenfreedenver #glutenfreecolorado #glutenfreemexicanfood
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#downtowndenver #mesquitegrilled #mexicandenver #denvermexicanfood #denvermexicanrestaurant #lalomadenver #denverfood #mexicanfood #mexicanfoodporn #mexicanfoodlover #mexicanfoodpics #denverfoodscene #denverfoodie #denvereats #denverrestaurants #denversbest #denver #foodie #instafood #foodstagram #foodblogger #foodlover

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