13 Colorado Restaurants Locals Prefer To Keep Secret (And You’ll See Why)
Colorado is full of culinary gems that fly under the radar, and these restaurants are some of the best-kept secrets.
Locals flock to them for reasons that become obvious with the first bite… fresh ingredients, inventive dishes, and flavors that linger long after the meal is over.
From cozy hideaways to unexpected finds tucked in plain sight, each spot delivers an experience so memorable that it’s easy to see why word doesn’t travel far beyond those in the know.
1. Sushi Den: Pearl of South Pearl Street
Brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki revolutionized Denver’s sushi scene back in 1984, flying in fresh fish daily from Japan. The seafood arrives from the same markets that supply Tokyo’s finest restaurants.
Locals whisper about the omakase experience, where Chef Toshi creates personalized masterpieces based on the day’s catch.
The restaurant’s unassuming exterior on South Pearl Street belies the culinary magic happening inside.
2. Izakaya Den: The Hidden Japanese Tavern
Forget what you know about Japanese restaurants. This sister spot to Sushi Den feels like stepping into a Tokyo backstreet where bamboo ceilings and natural light create an otherworldly atmosphere.
Locals sneak in for the small plates meant for sharing – the miso black cod practically melts in your mouth.
The second-floor sake lounge becomes a weekend sanctuary where Denver’s in-the-know crowd sips rare imports while avoiding tourist traps.
3. Frasca Food and Wine: Boulder’s Culinary Masterpiece
James Beard winners Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson created this love letter to Northern Italy’s Friuli region. Boulderites guard reservations here like precious gems.
Monday night wine dinners sell out months ahead as regulars know the sommelier team pours bottles you’d never find elsewhere.
The handmade pasta alone justifies the splurge, with each bite transporting you straight to the Italian countryside without leaving Colorado.
4. Blackbelly: Farm-to-Table Heaven
Top Chef winner Hosea Rosenberg transformed this east Boulder spot into a carnivore’s paradise. Early risers line up for breakfast burritos stuffed with house-made chorizo that sell out by 10 AM.
The butcher counter showcases whole animal butchery with cuts you won’t find at supermarkets.
Savvy locals book the chef’s counter seats to watch culinary magic happen with ingredients often harvested that same morning from nearby farms.
5. The Wolf’s Tailor: Denver’s Genre-Defying Gem
Tucked into a Sunnyside neighborhood corner, Chef Kelly Whitaker’s rebellious restaurant blends Japanese, Italian and Colorado influences into something entirely new.
The sourdough bread alone has developed a cult following. Denver foodies book the back patio seats where wood-fire cooking happens before your eyes.
The menu changes constantly based on seasonal ingredients and creative whims, making every visit a completely different experience from the last.
6. Safta: Middle Eastern Magic in RiNo
James Beard Award-winner Alon Shaya brought his modern Israeli cuisine to Denver’s River North Art District, and locals have been protective of it ever since.
The pillowy pita bread arrives steaming from wood-fired ovens. Coloradans know to order multiple hummus variations – the lamb ragu version inspires dreams.
Weekend brunches feature shakshuka that regulars swear cures any hangover, all enjoyed in a bright space with views of the Denver skyline.
7. Mercantile Dining & Provisions: Union Station’s Culinary Anchor
Chef Alex Seidel created this marketplace-restaurant hybrid inside Denver’s revitalized train station, and regulars treat it like their secret clubhouse.
Morning commuters grab impossibly flaky pastries while evening diners settle in for farm-fresh feasts. The cheese counter features selections from Seidel’s own Fruition Farms.
Locals recommend sitting at the chef’s counter where you’ll often catch Seidel himself perfecting dishes with ingredients that traveled mere miles from his farm.
8. Sweet Basil: Vail’s Alpine Dining Secret
Since 1977, this creek-side restaurant has been the place where Vail locals escape the tourist crowds.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Gore Creek views while the Colorado-focused menu showcases mountain ingredients.
Regulars know to request the corner table for romantic dinners. The Colorado lamb dishes change seasonally but always showcase why local meat deserves its reputation.
After skiing, the bar becomes a sanctuary where longtime residents share powder day stories over craft cocktails.
9. The Sink: Boulder’s Underground Legend
Beneath street level on The Hill, this 100-year-old institution has walls covered in customer-created artwork and signatures, including one from President Obama.
CU Boulder students introduce visiting parents while claiming they “just discovered” this historic spot. The Texas Onion Straw burger achieved legendary status decades ago.
Robert Redford once washed dishes here, a fact longtime Boulder residents love sharing while pointing out where his signature appears among thousands decorating the ceiling.
10. Cherry Cricket: Burger Paradise in Cherry Creek
Hidden among Cherry Creek’s upscale boutiques sits this unpretentious burger joint that’s been serving Denverites since 1945.
Baseball memorabilia covers the walls while the diverse clientele ranges from construction workers to celebrities.
The build-your-own burger featuring unexpected toppings like peanut butter or cream cheese has inspired fierce loyalty.
Regulars know to order the green chile strips on the side. Even after a devastating fire in 2016, locals returned in droves when it reopened.
11. The Bagel Deli & Restaurant: Time Capsule of Jewish Comfort Food
Since 1967, this family-owned treasure has been serving authentic Jewish deli classics that transport East Coast transplants back home.
The walls display decades of Denver history through yellowing photographs and newspaper clippings. Locals line up for overstuffed Reuben sandwiches that require two hands and multiple napkins.
Regulars know to save room for homemade rugelach. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, this spot maintains its neighborhood charm despite national attention.
12. My Brother’s Bar: Denver’s Oldest Watering Hole
Operating since the 1870s without a sign outside, this historic bar served Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac during the Beat generation.
The handwritten order tickets and classical music create a timeless atmosphere. Regulars know to order the JCB (jalapeno cream cheese burger) with a side of onion rings.
The garden patio becomes a summertime oasis where longtime Denver residents gather. New visitors often walk past multiple times before finding the unmarked entrance.
13. Hops & Pie: Beer Lover’s Pizza Paradise
Tucked into Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, this craft beer and artisan pizza joint boasts one of Colorado’s most impressive tap lists.
The husband-and-wife owners know regulars by name and their favorite brews.
Pizza dough made with beer gives the crust distinctive flavor. Mac and cheese with bacon crumbles has its own cult following.
Beer aficionados arrive early on the first Saturday each month for Littlest Big Beer Fest featuring rare pours you won’t find elsewhere in Colorado.