Denver's Most Iconic Restaurants

by The OpenTable team

Updated December 15, 2023

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Denver dining scene. Here are Denver’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

Rioja

4.7

4.7 (10428)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Chef Jennifer Jasinski and her team are cooking up a solid menu of consistently delicious dishes worthy of a James Beard award (that’s why they won one). Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t Spanish food, it’s American with some Mediterranean hints. Though the menu changes often, there are some staples you can count on. Try all of their yummy breads and cheeses, and if there’s a dish with octopus, order it, they really know their way around that mollusk. There’s also a tasting menu, if you want some more variety.

Top review

Caroline

Dined 4 days ago

The ambiance and service at Rioja is always amazing. We shared the house salad which was delicious. My mom ordered the Thai chili pork entree which was bursting with flavor. I would come back just to get that. I had the short rib which was perfectly cooked, I wish it had more sauce and more of the carrot purée, but over all excellent.

Discover more

Amish Natural Chicken

Osteria Marco

4.6

4.6 (4949)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

This adorable Italian eatery—where red brick walls line the cozy dining room—could almost be mistaken for a chic little boutique from the street. Sounds surprising, but it’s pretty much all good here. The prices are reasonable, and the pizzas are outrageous. If your neighbor orders the salumi and housemade cheeses, you’ll be saying “I’ll have what she’s having.” Pair it all with their great wine, and order from the menu confidently, you can’t go wrong.

Top review

janet

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

We will definitely be back. Such good food. We loved the burrata. Excellent. Good service.

Discover more

Experience

Sunday Drag Bingo Brunch!

Bistro Vendome

4.7

4.7 (7444)

$30 and under

French

Park Hill

About the restaurant

The ambiance at this French bistro, from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski, is overflowing with charm. There’s a very romantic patio and one particular indoor seating area that looks like it could be a small Parisian courtyard or alleyway, with twinkle lights strung overhead. They serve all the great staples you’d expect and even have a small section of their menu dedicated solely to steak frites, so definitely get some.

Top review

DiAnna

Dined 3 days ago

This is such a delightful restaurant to celebrate special occasions or just to have a wonderful meal with outstanding service.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (3631)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Highlands

About the restaurant

Duo has been a Denver staple—for over a decade now—serving up food that people love to love. From the early days, brunch has been the star here and it still deserves to be. When you can enjoy their basket of pastries, biscuits and gravy, and beloved cider-glazed pork benedict all in one visit, there’s really no other meal as important to come for. Order a duo of each.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We love Dup & often go there for special occasions. Food is excellent & menu inventive, but service is not very good & has gotten worse. We assume it's because of staffing issues but when you're paying almost $200 for dinner you have a right to expect service to be on a par with the food.

Discover more

Popular dish

Berkshire Pork Chop

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

North Italia – Denver

4.8

4.8 (4334)

$30 and under

Italian

Cherry Creek

About the restaurant

You can truly feel the love they cook into their food at this rustic and authentic Italian spot in Cherry Creek, with a staff that’s exceptionally warm and gregarious. Their housemade pasta is absolutely delectable, and is even more wonderful when paired with their (house specialty) bolognese. Their squid ink mafaldine is great, and the calamari, zucca chips, and prosciutto pizza are also hugely popular. People deeply love this place, and you will too.

Top review

LynnVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always a wonderful reliable restaurant! Ambience terrific and great menu.

Discover more

White Truffle Garlic Bread

Tamayo Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (4386)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Just above charming Larimer Square—on the second floor of a corner building—you’ll find a lively Mexican restaurant with a fantastic and expansive terrace, showcasing great views of the surrounding mountains. The modern Latin menu, created by celebrated Chef Richard Sandoval (Top Chef Masters), has all the traditional nibbles you’d hope for, but he’s added his own creative touches. Their guacamole (which people fawn over), for example, is offered in three different preparations: traditional, tuna tartare, and bacon. Another great share plate is their queso fundido, which you can add chorizo or mushrooms to. Their super tender (chili & coffee rubbed) carne asada, pork carnitas with avocado purée, and mahi mahi tacos are all superbly delicious. Add on their huge selection of tequilas and agave cocktails, and it’s easy to understand why people love coming here for meals and many margaritas.

Top review

jannVIP

Dined 2 days ago

the wait person was professional, attentive and pleasant. The food presentation was nice; however, my order of tacos were overwhelmed with pickled onions which took away from the overal flavor. I removed 80% of the onions just because there were too many. I spent all evening tasting those onions over and over. The ceviche was overpowerly spicy and not enough fish variety. Not at all what was expected based on past experiences. We always have had a nice, tasteful meal for many years here, but will think about coming back. Very disappointing.

Discover more

4.5

4.5 (5755)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Inside the Hotel Monaco, you’ll find this Northern Italian gem of a restaurant that’s hard not to fall in love with. Even though Panzano has been around for a while and Italian food is steeped in tradition, they’ve grown with the times and offer separate gluten-free versions of all of their menus (breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner). But back to Italian tradition, they make wonderful fresh-baked breads, handmade pastas, and they’re true gnocchi mavens, which is a feat in itself. Over the years, they’ve served their soft potato pillows (the way you always pray they’ll come out) with everything from duck and rabbit to pumpkin and grouper (and even a prosecco hollandaise at brunch). So get some gnocchi goodness and maybe a side of their truffle risotto and Brussels sprouts with pancetta and honey.

Top review

JoeyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely outstanding experience! Our server Carlos was one of the best servers we’ve had, offering great food and beverage suggestions that did not disappoint! Can’t wait to go back!

Discover more

Chef's 4-Course Tasting Menu

Explore other cities and regions

Thailand

Other ways to experience the world through dining

Must Try Korean Dishes The Greats Explore Asian-Owned and -Operated Restaurants Explore Award-Winning Restaurants on OpenTable The Best Bars on OpenTable TKTK The Best Restaurants for Breakfast on OpenTable The Best Brunch Restaurants The Best Burgers best cafe in town