Vighna’s Denver Guidebook
Local Breakfast/Brunch
These places are just a few miles or less from the Airbnb
Extremely popular Denver franchise Brunch spot. Delicious pancakes, hashes, and breakfast drinks. Prepare for long wait times, it's best to use the app to get on their waitlist early in the morning from the Airbnb and then head over based on the estimated wait time. There are many locations all over so look up what's best for you.
862 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
6315 W 104th AveExtremely popular Denver franchise Brunch spot. Delicious pancakes, hashes, and breakfast drinks. Prepare for long wait times, it's best to use the app to get on their waitlist early in the morning from the Airbnb and then head over based on the estimated wait time. There are many locations all over so look up what's best for you.
- Breakfast Burrito of the day is $3.50 and will definitely fill you up. Hot is HOT
- This place isn't much to look at. It's a converted gas station. It's only drive thru.
- Closes early, 5pm most days and 2pm on Sunday
7 locals recommend
Big Mamma's Burritos
7790 Federal Boulevard- Breakfast Burrito of the day is $3.50 and will definitely fill you up. Hot is HOT
- This place isn't much to look at. It's a converted gas station. It's only drive thru.
- Closes early, 5pm most days and 2pm on Sunday
Goody's Eatery
3010 W 72nd AveNice brunch spot, great spicy Bloody Mary
Local Westminster Lunch/Dinner
These restaurants are nearby to our Airbnb. They are solid choices if you just want to get something nearby, but won't scratch your Denver foodie itch. Check out "Denver Food Scene" for that.
Our favorite Denver carryout/delivery pizza spot. We like the Square pan (aka deep dish) pizza, I can't vouch for the other types. Coupons are usually available online.
15 locals recommend
Blackjack Pizza & Salads
2020 S Parker RdOur favorite Denver carryout/delivery pizza spot. We like the Square pan (aka deep dish) pizza, I can't vouch for the other types. Coupons are usually available online.
Solid restaurant with a large menu, we haven’t been disappointed yet. Don't get it confused with the bar next door with the same name.
37 locals recommend
Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant
2835 W 72nd AveSolid restaurant with a large menu, we haven’t been disappointed yet. Don't get it confused with the bar next door with the same name.
Denver is a Vietnamese foodie destination- who would have guessed? This place is better decorated than most Pho shops and it's menu is more sparse. Don't let that dissuade you, it's got great everything.
Faifo
5055 W 72nd AveDenver is a Vietnamese foodie destination- who would have guessed? This place is better decorated than most Pho shops and it's menu is more sparse. Don't let that dissuade you, it's got great everything.
Haven't been yet, but it's been recommended to us by friends.
18 locals recommend
Smokin' Dave's BBQ & Brew - Denver
1551 Cortez StHaven't been yet, but it's been recommended to us by friends.
They call it "Mountain Mex". This restaurant offers solid Mexican food with a local twist. They are a large local chain. Vibe similar to "On the Border" or "Chuys" (also nearby). Good for groups.
46 locals recommend
Hacienda Colorado
10422 Town Center DrThey call it "Mountain Mex". This restaurant offers solid Mexican food with a local twist. They are a large local chain. Vibe similar to "On the Border" or "Chuys" (also nearby). Good for groups.
Denver Food Scene
I like to think I'm a foodie. I hope you enjoy my recommendations, if not please let me know!
Great ambiance and fusion food, make a reservation as this is a very popular place. Nice rooftop with great views of the city. Ice cream spot right outside. Good for any meal.
743 locals recommend
Linger
2030 W 30th AveGreat ambiance and fusion food, make a reservation as this is a very popular place. Nice rooftop with great views of the city. Ice cream spot right outside. Good for any meal.
Awesome rooftop with great views. It's a food hall, imagine food trucks in a food court. You can grab food from multiple places and take a seat. Drinks are there too!
651 locals recommend
Avanti Food and Beverage
3200 North Pecos StreetAwesome rooftop with great views. It's a food hall, imagine food trucks in a food court. You can grab food from multiple places and take a seat. Drinks are there too!
Bomb biscuit sandwiches. Have to also get a huge cinnamon bun for the table to share, so delicious. Get there early. Multiple locations but this is the closest.
415 locals recommend
Denver Biscuit Company
3237 E Colfax AveBomb biscuit sandwiches. Have to also get a huge cinnamon bun for the table to share, so delicious. Get there early. Multiple locations but this is the closest.
Delicious Spanish and Eastern Mediterranean food with awesome views of the city. Make a reservation! Same owners as Linger.
291 locals recommend
El Five
2930 15th StDelicious Spanish and Eastern Mediterranean food with awesome views of the city. Make a reservation! Same owners as Linger.
The best Ramen in Denver metro, hands down. 2 locations. Neither in the city, but they are located in some hip small neighborhoods. Prepare for a wait - grab a drink nearby or visit during off hours. Cramped dining area. Chef Tommy Lee also runs Hop Alley, our favorite restaurant in Denver.
319 locals recommend
Uncle
2215 W 32nd AveThe best Ramen in Denver metro, hands down. 2 locations. Neither in the city, but they are located in some hip small neighborhoods. Prepare for a wait - grab a drink nearby or visit during off hours. Cramped dining area. Chef Tommy Lee also runs Hop Alley, our favorite restaurant in Denver.
Don't come here for the ambiance, or a place to sit and eat (only has 18 seats). Come here for the best beef brisket I've had. Yes, I've been to Austin. Karl Fallenius apprenticed under legendary pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin's. Grab your food and sit down at the tables next door at Our Mutual Friend Brewing and grab a beer. They aren't open everyday so check hours. Generally they open at 11am and close when they sell out. Sometimes that's 30 minutes later. I've never waited more than 10 minutes but things may have changed.
Update: A new bbq place, Pit Fiend, rose from the fallout of this businesses death (COVID and a theft of smokers put them out of business). I haven't tried it yet but I hear a lot of the same people work here. if you go let me know how it is.
12 locals recommend
Owlbear Barbecue
2826 Larimer StDon't come here for the ambiance, or a place to sit and eat (only has 18 seats). Come here for the best beef brisket I've had. Yes, I've been to Austin. Karl Fallenius apprenticed under legendary pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin's. Grab your food and sit down at the tables next door at Our Mutual Friend Brewing and grab a beer. They aren't open everyday so check hours. Generally they open at 11am and close when they sell out. Sometimes that's 30 minutes later. I've never waited more than 10 minutes but things may have changed.
Update: A new bbq place, Pit Fiend, rose from the fallout of this businesses death (COVID and a theft of smokers put them out of business). I haven't tried it yet but I hear a lot of the same people work here. if you go let me know how it is.
We are from DC, so we've had lots of memorable Chinese and Sichuan food. This place is on another level. If you love spicy, are a bit adventurous and can take cramped eating spaces....don't miss it. We've been here more times than I can count. NYC and SF friends rave about this place. Great cocktails too.
153 locals recommend
Hop Alley
3500 Larimer StWe are from DC, so we've had lots of memorable Chinese and Sichuan food. This place is on another level. If you love spicy, are a bit adventurous and can take cramped eating spaces....don't miss it. We've been here more times than I can count. NYC and SF friends rave about this place. Great cocktails too.
Upscale Isreali food. We crave Zahav in Philly, where we've lived, and this spot definitely fills that void. Happy we discovered it. Get a cocktail on the roof of the Source hotel before coming down (you may need reservations for that too).
83 locals recommend
Safta Restaurant
3330 Brighton BlvdUpscale Isreali food. We crave Zahav in Philly, where we've lived, and this spot definitely fills that void. Happy we discovered it. Get a cocktail on the roof of the Source hotel before coming down (you may need reservations for that too).
Our favorite Chinese food restaurant (with Thai food too). Honestly, we've always done delivery and takeout, so we can't comment on dine in. Recommend sesame chicken and drunken noodles
15 locals recommend
Pepper Asian Bistro II
3759 Lipan StOur favorite Chinese food restaurant (with Thai food too). Honestly, we've always done delivery and takeout, so we can't comment on dine in. Recommend sesame chicken and drunken noodles
Great Israeli food, like safta but not as big or as fancy. Mezze, so get it all!
29 locals recommend
Ash'Kara
2005 W 33rd AveGreat Israeli food, like safta but not as big or as fancy. Mezze, so get it all!
Breweries and Cocktail bars
Denver and Colorado are very well known for beer. This list includes a small fraction of what there is. The neighborhood breweries that aren't in Denver and Rino have some real gems. I'm still working on discovering them. In the meantime, here are my recommendations for Denver breweries.
Rino - Huge warehouse with lots of indoor space. They serve food and beer...a rarity in the Rino and Denver area. If you like Blue moon (admit it), come here to try their several experimental variations.
99 locals recommend
Blue Moon Brewing Company
3750 Chestnut PlRino - Huge warehouse with lots of indoor space. They serve food and beer...a rarity in the Rino and Denver area. If you like Blue moon (admit it), come here to try their several experimental variations.
Rino - The best cider I have ever had! Great variety to choose from, definitely go for the flight to try a few. Chile Guava, Pear, Hibiscus Session and Off-Dry are favorites. We always stock cans in our fridge.
There main location is actually about 20 minutes NW of the Airbnb and has a wonderful restaurant (upscale for a cidery). Tough to get reservations though. Amazon mountain views.
132 locals recommend
Stem Ciders
3040 Walnut StRino - The best cider I have ever had! Great variety to choose from, definitely go for the flight to try a few. Chile Guava, Pear, Hibiscus Session and Off-Dry are favorites. We always stock cans in our fridge.
There main location is actually about 20 minutes NW of the Airbnb and has a wonderful restaurant (upscale for a cidery). Tough to get reservations though. Amazon mountain views.
Rino - Not a brewery, but they serve lots of local beers, usually Kombucha too. Great outdoor and indoor space. Food trucks onsite.
75 locals recommend
Improper City
3201 Walnut StRino - Not a brewery, but they serve lots of local beers, usually Kombucha too. Great outdoor and indoor space. Food trucks onsite.
Rino - Huge warehouse, great giant yard games (21+ only in that area). They also serve pub food.
25 locals recommend
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
2875 Blake StRino - Huge warehouse, great giant yard games (21+ only in that area). They also serve pub food.
Beers are decent (by Denver standards), but the views are one of a kind.
101 locals recommend
New Terrain Brewing Company
16401 Table Mountain PkwyBeers are decent (by Denver standards), but the views are one of a kind.
Rino - Great Divide is arguably the brewery that started the Denver brewing wave. Come patronize them and do their free tour! They also have another location not too far away with different beers and a much larger operations.
238 locals recommend
Great Divide Brewery
2201 Arapahoe StRino - Great Divide is arguably the brewery that started the Denver brewing wave. Come patronize them and do their free tour! They also have another location not too far away with different beers and a much larger operations.
Rino - I worked basically next door to this place and went here all the time. Was definitely the spot for good pizza and great beer. Check this place out on your brewery crawl.
154 locals recommend
Black Shirt Brewing
3719 Walnut StRino - I worked basically next door to this place and went here all the time. Was definitely the spot for good pizza and great beer. Check this place out on your brewery crawl.
Rino - Might be my favorite brewery...they produce a lot of beers that I like. This location on Larimer is where they have lots of their experimental beers. Get a beer flight and try for yourself. I need to get myself to Fort Collins and go to the source.
69 locals recommend
Odell Brewing
2945 Larimer StRino - Might be my favorite brewery...they produce a lot of beers that I like. This location on Larimer is where they have lots of their experimental beers. Get a beer flight and try for yourself. I need to get myself to Fort Collins and go to the source.
Rino. Good beers and a pretty good outdoor space with shade, if you can snag a spot. Popular local brewery.
205 locals recommend
Ratio Beerworks
2920 Larimer StRino. Good beers and a pretty good outdoor space with shade, if you can snag a spot. Popular local brewery.
Good beer, large brewery, large outdoor space in the suburbs of Boulder about 25 minutes away. Has a kitchen, unlike most breweries around here.
201 locals recommend
Avery Brewing Company
4910 Nautilus Ct NGood beer, large brewery, large outdoor space in the suburbs of Boulder about 25 minutes away. Has a kitchen, unlike most breweries around here.
Love their beer. Have 2 of my favorites but.......they are in an office park and it's on the smaller side for Denver sooo you decide.
54 locals recommend
Upslope Brewing Company
1898 S Flatiron CtLove their beer. Have 2 of my favorites but.......they are in an office park and it's on the smaller side for Denver sooo you decide.
Rated as one of the best cocktail bars in the country. Highly recommend!
83 locals recommend
Death & Co Denver
1280 25th StRated as one of the best cocktail bars in the country. Highly recommend!
Can't say I've been to a bar like it. Very unique forest type bar in the city with fire pits and water features. Check it out for a drink and then go to some other places in Lohi.
245 locals recommend
Forest Room 5
2532 15th StCan't say I've been to a bar like it. Very unique forest type bar in the city with fire pits and water features. Check it out for a drink and then go to some other places in Lohi.
Touted to be the largest single brewery in the world. I found the canning operation to be the most interesting part of it. Beer samples at the end were a close second.
11 locals recommend
Coors Brewing Co
13th StreetTouted to be the largest single brewery in the world. I found the canning operation to be the most interesting part of it. Beer samples at the end were a close second.
Sightseeing
Can't miss this place. Amazing outdoor concert venue with some easy hikes.
1973 locals recommend
Red Rocks amphitheater
18300 West Alameda ParkwayCan't miss this place. Amazing outdoor concert venue with some easy hikes.
South of Denver in Colorado Springs, makes for a nice day trip and beautiful drive
1169 locals recommend
Garden of the Gods Club and Resort
3320 Mesa RdSouth of Denver in Colorado Springs, makes for a nice day trip and beautiful drive
Drive to the top of a famous 14k feet peak near Colorado Springs. Don't attempt unless your vehicle is well maintained. Check website for operating days. https://www.pikes-peak.com/
681 locals recommend
Pikes Peak Summit House
Drive to the top of a famous 14k feet peak near Colorado Springs. Don't attempt unless your vehicle is well maintained. Check website for operating days. https://www.pikes-peak.com/
Another scenic road to a mountain top. Read info here: https://www.colorado.com/byways/mount-evans Only open in summer.
259 locals recommend
Mount Evans
Another scenic road to a mountain top. Read info here: https://www.colorado.com/byways/mount-evans Only open in summer.
Hiking
Will add more detail and hikes as we go. Please recommend hikes to us that you feel other travelers would like.
Chicago Lakes
Dream Lake
Maxwell Falls Lower Trail
7627 S Brook Forest RdSt. Mary's Glacier
7599 Fall River RoadGreat Hiking, and water activities. Rent paddle board rentals available
250 locals recommend
Horsetooth Reservoir
Great Hiking, and water activities. Rent paddle board rentals available
Mix of hikes, most easy. Our toddler loves to play in the stream. One path is stroller friendly.
108 locals recommend
Lair O' the Bear Park
22550 Colorado 74Mix of hikes, most easy. Our toddler loves to play in the stream. One path is stroller friendly.
North Foothills
Table Mountain in Golden is a nice hike, with great views
Flatirons
Mt Galbraith Loop Trail
Mount Galbraith LoopEasy to get to, quick and rewarding hikes. Amazing Eastward views of the city and the mountains to the North and South. I recommend you park near Golden Hills Access but get to "Carl's Point" where you can get the best views and photos (like my Airbnb profile pic). Moderate difficulty. Watch for bikers and rattlesnakes.
17 locals recommend
South Table Mountain Park
16741 Golden Hills RdEasy to get to, quick and rewarding hikes. Amazing Eastward views of the city and the mountains to the North and South. I recommend you park near Golden Hills Access but get to "Carl's Point" where you can get the best views and photos (like my Airbnb profile pic). Moderate difficulty. Watch for bikers and rattlesnakes.
Neighborhoods
Really cool part of town with tons of street art, breweries and restaurants. This is where Denver parties. Recommend doing a self guided bar crawl and admiring the street art. Grab a bite at Denver Central Market or a food truck and check out the alleys. Go from brewery to brewery. Favorites include Odell's Ratio, Our Mutual Friend, Stem ciders, and Improper city (not a brewery but great spot to sample). Great cocktail bars include Finn's Manor (very chill) and Death and Co (winner of "Best American Cocktail bar" award and inside a nice hotel).
558 locals recommend
River North Art District
Really cool part of town with tons of street art, breweries and restaurants. This is where Denver parties. Recommend doing a self guided bar crawl and admiring the street art. Grab a bite at Denver Central Market or a food truck and check out the alleys. Go from brewery to brewery. Favorites include Odell's Ratio, Our Mutual Friend, Stem ciders, and Improper city (not a brewery but great spot to sample). Great cocktail bars include Finn's Manor (very chill) and Death and Co (winner of "Best American Cocktail bar" award and inside a nice hotel).
Aka LoHi. This is where Denver spills into a suburban neighborhood. Lots of good food, bars, restaurants and Denver Vibes. Recommend you walk from Lohi into the City over the pedestrian walkways and cross a highway, a river, and train tracks. Good views and people watching.
98 locals recommend
Lower Highlands
Aka LoHi. This is where Denver spills into a suburban neighborhood. Lots of good food, bars, restaurants and Denver Vibes. Recommend you walk from Lohi into the City over the pedestrian walkways and cross a highway, a river, and train tracks. Good views and people watching.
With a name like Golden it's gotta be great! It really is though, with its country-western vibe. Go for a nearby hike (Galbraith) and then get some food here. Watch the kayakers go by. Shop in the town. Unique place.
384 locals recommend
Golden
With a name like Golden it's gotta be great! It really is though, with its country-western vibe. Go for a nearby hike (Galbraith) and then get some food here. Watch the kayakers go by. Shop in the town. Unique place.