Best Authentic Restaurants in Central

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

DenverDenver Suburbs

Neighborhoods

BakerCentennialCentralCherry CreekDenverDowntown / LoDo

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for fine wines

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

83 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Odyssey Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar restaurant

1. Odyssey Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.6

Exceptional(3339)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Central

Booked 38 times today

Welcome to The "Old School" Odyssey Italian Restaurant. Come try our delicious Sicilian & Classic Italian dishes which are chef's recipes from back home in Palermo, Sicily. We are family operated & located in a 111 year old historical Victorian Mansion which is perfect for all occasions. You have definitely found a unique gem and an experience unlike no other.

2. Luca

4.7

Exceptional(2162)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Central

Booked 10 times today

Chef Frank Bonanno dug into his Sicilian heritage and east coast roots to create this authentic, rustic Italian eatery. Luca has amazing personal touches from the daily made breads and pastas to the meats and cheeses cured in house, to the charcoal drawing of Bonanno’s son (and the restaurant’s namesake) that hangs in the dining room. Luca is heartwarming and satisfying from the wood-fired pizzas to the hand-rolled pastas to the perfectly seared proteins. It’s not your ordinary pile-of-pasta-and-sauce Italian joint; it’s the real (and tasty) deal.

3. Alma Fonda Fina

5.0

Exceptional(280)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • LoHi

Booked 89 times today

Chef Curiel makes his solo restaurant debut with Alma Fonda Fina, a restaurant dedicated to sharing the integrity, tradition and culturally rich experiences that defined his culinary journey and create a transportive dining experience that embodies the beauty of Mexico. As Chef Curiel continues to push the boundaries of taste and tradition, he pays homage to his roots and uses food as a way to showcase his cultural pride.

4. Tavernetta Denver

4.7

Exceptional(387)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Downtown / LoDo

Booked 93 times today

Authentic Italian. Genuine Hospitality. Inspired by the food, wine, and culture of Italy, Tavernetta brings "la dolce vita" style to Denver's bustling Union Station neighborhood with fresh handmade pastas, an Italian directed wine & spirits list and world-class hospitality.Tavernetta's cuisine and wine have been heralded by the James Beard Foundation, the Michelin Guide, World's 50 Best Discovery List, Wine Spectator and more.

5. Xiquita

4.6

Exceptional(153)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Denver

Booked 19 times today

Xiquita is a highly anticipated restaurant that brings the vibrant flavors and rich culture of Mexico City to the Mile High City. Inspired by the diverse culinary traditions of Mexico, Xiquita offers a unique dining experience that celebrates the country's indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. Led by Chef Erasmo Casiano, the restaurant's name, Xiquita, is a playful twist on "chiquita," a term of endearment for Casiano's mother, and a nod to the indigenous languages of Mexico.At Xiquita, diners can expect to find dishes that are both authentic and innovative. The menu features a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, such as tamales and tortillas, made with locally sourced ingredients. Guests can also enjoy unique creations like the Infladita de Carne Apache, a play on steak tartare, and the Tikin Xic, a Yucatan dish featuring fish grilled over charcoal in a banana leaf.Join us for a dining experience you won't soon forget!

A photo of Le Colonial - Denver restaurant

6. Le Colonial - Denver

4.7

Exceptional(253)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Vietnamese • Cherry Creek

Booked 102 times today

Le Colonial is a celebration of seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920s. With locations in Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Delray Beach, Lake Forest and Naples, the famed Vietnamese restaurant is designed to capture a bygone era of sophistication and opulence. Celebrated restaurateurs Rick Wahlstedt and Joe King deliver on exquisite attention to detail in a luxurious classic and romantic atmosphere in the heart of Cherry Creek. For special occasions, our private dining space provides a bespoke setting for unforgettable celebrations.

7. Restaurant Olivia

4.8

Exceptional(81)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Washington Park

Booked 36 times today

Restaurant Olivia is a pasta-focused restaurant located in Denver’s Wash Park neighborhood. Olivia is the second project from chef Ty Leon, beverage guru Austin Carson, and hospitality maven Heather Morrison. Each evening we open the doors to our restaurant as if it were our home, welcoming guests with warmth and graciousness. We believe you’ll feel our attention to hospitality the minute you step inside.We draw inspiration from classic Italian dishes and the traditions that bring them to life, but we also feature flavors and recipes from around the world. Our food is made with care and intention. We source our ingredients from organic and local producers whenever possible. Our beverage program features expertly-crafted but playful cocktails, alongside an Italian-focused wine list. We look forward to sharing with you our passion for outstanding food and service.

8. Barolo Grill

4.8

Exceptional(3942)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Cherry Creek

Booked 38 times today

Barolo Grill, an award winning Cherry Creek North restaurant, prides itself on serving authentic northern Italian food while maintaining a comfortable, elegant ambience. Known for hand crafted modern Northern Italian cuisine, a Wine Spectator Grand Award winning wine cellar, and knowledgeable, attentive staff, Barolo can be a perfect choice for a special occasion or just a fun night out. Chef Darrel Truett's cuisine focuses on the Northern Italian provinces of Piedmont and Tuscany. Seasonally changing menus feature locally sourced ingredients, proudly supporting regional farms and producers. Owner and wine director Ryan Fletter are proud to feature small family wineries that are dedicated to Earth-friendly farming and winemaking philosophies. Barolo Grill has one of the largest collections of Barolo wines outside of Italy.

9. Mezcaleria Alma

5.0

Exceptional(125)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Mexican • LoHi

Booked 37 times today

Chef Johnny Curiel debuts Mezcaleria Alma in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood, bringing the dynamic spirit of Mexico City to life with CDMX-inspired small plates and an expansive Mexican spirits menu. Located beside Curiel’s first solo restaurant, Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcaleria Alma marks the natural next chapter in Curiel’s culinary journey to share the beauty of Mexico through food. Each dish and drink draws from Curiel’s experiences in one of the world’s most renowned culinary capitals—a city where culture and tradition merge with global inspiration and constant innovation. While Alma Fonda Fina is a love letter to the home-cooked traditions of Chef Curiel’s childhood—the comfort food found at traditional fondas across Mexico—Mezcaleria Alma embodies the unbridled innovation that defines CDMX.

10. Pasque

4.5

Awesome(120)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Denver

Booked 17 times today

Located on the ground floor of Populus In Downtown Civic Center, Denver, Pasque features a seasonally driven, nature-based cuisine with a refined perspective on the riches of each season in an elevated dining experience..

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

E
elmoVIP
Denver / Colorado •171 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Alma is simply the best restaurant in Denver-innovative, tasty, complex and creative.
More info
Alma Fonda FinaPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• LoHi
•
5
A
AngharadVIP
Denver / Colorado •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This was our first visit to Xiquita, but certainly will not be our last. The food is thoughtfully prepared, beautiful to look at, and exquisite to eat. I will have dreams about the masa, I’m sure. Chef Erasamo came to our table and shared with us a history lesson on corn and his heritage. His passion and care for his dishes was palpable and inspiring. Our server, Dylan, was attentive, knowledgeable, and was a joy. We felt to trust him with the meal and the dishes that he brought to us were beyond delicious. Some challenged our palates, some excited our minds, and some comforted our souls. We left happy and fulfilled and already planning our return.
More info
XiquitaPrice: Moderate• Mexican• Denver
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Denver / Colorado •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
The happy hour menu is well worth the price! Great cocktails, amazing quality meats and cheeses, quick service.
More info
Tavernetta DenverPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• Downtown / LoDo
•
4.7
R
Ryan
Tucson •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Server was excellent, we had a very fun experience!
More info
LucaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Central
•
4.7
K
Karina
Denver / Colorado •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Came for pasta Monday and it was a great deal and super good!
More info
Odyssey Italian Restaurant & Wine BarPrice: Expensive• Italian• Central
•
4.6

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