Denver is not only known for its interesting cultural venues, outstanding shopping centers, and majestic scenes of the Rocky Mountains. The Mile High City is also renowned for fantastic restaurants and exciting, flavorful cuisine. Today, Lana Cordier will lead you through a culinary tour of Denver’s trendiest restaurants.

American

Avelina

Denver’s Avelina restaurant specializes in New American cuisine. The swank eatery, located in the area’s trendy LoDo district, features an open-kitchen concept. Avelina’s dining room is contemporary, yet relaxed.

Executive Chef, Bradley Yard, designed the menu. His recipes blend American and European flavors. The establishment only prepares its dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Cooks make their tuna tartare with a black truffle aioli, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado. Also, chefs top the savory dish with pickled Fresno, sesame seeds, red onion, and rice chips.

Avelina’s Charcuterie spotlight dish is their duck sausage. They serve the tender meat with a choice of a mustard seed caviar, pickled red onions, or bread and butter.

Another outstanding plate is the succulent Pollo allo Diavolo created with chicken, chili, and Picante oil. Enjoy an after-dinner treat with a panna cotta or bocconotti dessert.

  • Location: 1550 17th Street | Denver, CO 80202 (Located on Wazee Street, between 16th & 17th)
  • Phone: (720) 904-6711

Italian

Coperta Restaurant

Coperta is a cosmopolitan eatery that specializes in tasty Roman and Southern Italy cuisine. Critics have included the haute dining establishment in multiple listings of Denver’s finest restaurants. Coperta is renowned for its flavorful recipes and craft cocktails.

Paul C. Reilly is Coperta’s executive chef. He runs the popular restaurant with co-owner Aileen Reilly, his sister.

The pair only selects high-quality ingredients from local farmers for its dishes.

For a starter plate, order from their Antipasti menu. Warm up during Denver’s cold winter evenings with Coperta’s yummy Cannellini Bean and Fennel Soup simmered with chicken broth, tomato, and fresh herbs.

Furthermore, a fantastic dish from their Small Plates menu is the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. Chef Reilly tops handcrafted, al dente pasta with pecorino romano and Cacio di Roma cheeses. He finishes the dish with freshly ground cracked pepper.

  • Location: 400 East 20th Avenue | Denver, CO 80203
  • Phone: (720) 749-4666

White Pie Pizzeria

Eater Denver named White Pie Pizzeria as one of Denver’s hottest restaurants for January 2018. The eatery’s menu is based on time-honed, family recipes handed down through generations. The decor inside is simple. There are only marble slab tables, small chairs, and painted brick walls.

Their pizza is the shining star. White Pie chefs make sure every wood-fired pizza is baked to perfection. In fact, one showstopper pie is their Fuggetaboutit made with a savory house marinara and topped with garlic, kalamata oregano, and pecorino and romano cheeses.

Another exceptional dish is their Roman Gnocchi. Semolina is baked in a wood oven and topped with mascarpone cheese and a house ricotta.

If you prefer a different bite, eat their beef carpaccio served with tenderloin and tossed in a basil-walnut pesto, arugula, and shaved parmesan.

  • Location: 1702 Humboldt St. | Denver, CO 80218
  • Phone: (303) 862-5323

Japanese

Matsuhisa Denver

Matsuhisa Denver is a new establishment that combines traditional Japanese cuisine with contemporary flavors. The fine dining establishment is located in the Steele St. building in Cherry Creek, only 10 minutes from downtown Denver. The Denver eatery is the Beverly Hills flagship restaurant’s latest location. The owner is Nobu Matsuhisa, a classically-trained Tokyo chef.

Markedly, Matsuhisa continues receiving high praise from critics and diners.

Try their outstanding Salmon or Yellowtail Tartar Caviar from their Sushi Bar starters. Another decadent plate is their Nobu Tacos made with lobster, beef, and your choice of tuna or crab.

Likewise, the elegant establishment also serves Miyazaki Wagyu Beef in Tataki, Balsamic teriyaki, Toban-yaki, or New Style.

Diners can also ask for one of Matsuhisa’s specialties like their Rock Shrimp Tempura made with butter ponzu, or their Black Cod made with a sweet miso sauce.

  • Location: 98 North Steele St. | Denver, CO 80206
  • Phone: (303) 329-6628

Latin American

Señor Bear – Denver

Although one of the newest Latin-inspired restaurants in Denver, Señor Bear impresses Denver’s critics and foodies.

Blake Edmunds, nicknamed “Whiskey Bear,” provided inspiration for the name.

Edmund’s mission is to offer exceptional, yet approachable service to his customers. Additionally, the restaurant’s decor is a modernized blend of Latin American and European artistic conventions.

Edmund’s menu is inspired by Central and South American cuisine. The chef blends Latin American culinary flavors with contemporary flavors.

Try their Agua Chile dish. The chef pairs citrus-brined scallops with chilled cucumber Jugo de Chile, crushed avocado, radishes, and red onion.

Plant-based food lovers should try their Brócoli Saltado. They prepare the meal with stir-fried broccoli, oyster mushrooms, patatas, ají panca aioli, sesame chili glaze, and chive crepes. Also, try their remarkable crispy pig tail plate prepared with an onion tamarind glaze.

  • Location: 3301 Tejon Street | Denver, CO 80211
  • Phone: (720) 572-5997

Seafood

Fish N Beer

Order delectable wood-fired fish, fresh oysters, and an ice-cold craft beer at Fish N Beer. The restaurant is located in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. Uniquely, the cozy eatery has a warm, rustic, industrial atmosphere.

Fish N Beer serves mouthwatering sandwiches, salads, fish, sides, and desserts. Order their Wild Seas Bass Jambalaya made with sustainable, wild West Coast sea bass. They pair the grilled fish with spicy andouille sausage, shrimp, chicken jambalaya, and rice.

And, the restaurant also serves a variety of grilled oysters. Try their Devil Oysters dish topped with grilled tomato, a Chile de Arbol, and fresh butter. If you’re still hungry, order their Key Lime Pie dessert made with a house Italian meringue.

  • Location: 35th Larimer Street | Denver, CO 80205
  • Phone: (303) 248-3497

Lana Cordier is a Denver realtor and certified home marketing specialist. She’ll help you find your perfect home. For details, contact her today.