13 Unique Places to Eat and Drink While in Denver, Colorado
Full disclosure here; I am not the biggest Denver fan. I first explored Denver in July 2020, extending my trip to Colorado after visiting Telluride. I spent three days in the city and made the most of it.
Since then, whenever I returned to Colorado, I spent a few days in Denver before returning to DC. After my week in Telluride, I decided to spend a week in Denver to see if I could enjoy this city more.
Below are the places I have been going to since 2020.
Breweries
Did you know that Denver has over 150 breweries? If you are a beer person like me, you are in heaven when you drink some fantastic beer. At this point, I feel like I have visited half of its breweries.
Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery
This was my favorite brewery that I found in 2020. I make a point to visit this brewery, even if I have only a few hours to spare in the city. I love their motto, "Brewing adventurous beers." The brewery was born from canyoneering and rock-climbing trips, opening in 2013.
What I love about this brewery is that it has a homie vibe. They have board games and bingo nights.
You can even bring food! I order from Denver Teds, a 40-second walk down from Jagged, where I get a cheesesteak and enjoy it with my favorite beer, This Beer Really Ties the Room Together, a blonde coffee milk stout.
Everyone here is so friendly and warm; somehow, they remember this DC girl!
Wynkoop
This brewpub is the first in historic downtown Denver. It is a really cool brewpub with three levels.
The first level is the first bar, located along with tables. This is where you first walk in.
The second floor is where you can play pool and other games. It also has a bar.
From the first level you head downstairs. That is where the bathrooms and the actual beer-making take place.
I paired their Bison burger with crumbled blue cheese and their Denver Lotus IPA and LoDo Style IPA. Delicious!
It’s a great place to hang out with friends, drink beer, and play games. But it’s also a great place if you are solo and want a chill vibe!
14er Brewing & Beer Garden
If you want a fun Tuesday night, I suggest coming here for some trivia! My friend and I didn't do well on the trivia, but the host and this place made for a fun experience! I had their double IPA, which was good. They have a limited food selection and a little store where you can buy merch. In the summertime, they have an outdoor patio where you can hang outside and enjoy the different food trucks that visit.
Our Mutal Friends (OMF)
OMF is a small brewery and taproom that uses local ingredients when possible. This place serves as a gathering place in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. I really adore this brewery; it has a big colorful entrance, and once you walk inside, you see the bar has industrial shelving with the same color scheme of books from the outside.
I found this place by coming here with a guy I met the other day when I was in Denver after we got tattoos—but that’s a whole different post!
Dom Flow, Inner Light, Stacked Universe, and Liminal Reality were our beers. My two favorites were the Dom Flow and the Inner Light.
Great Divided Brewery Company
This was the last brewery on my tour I did randomly in July 2020. I was talking to the bartender, and he recommended some neighborhoods I should check out if I plan to move to Denver. After my last beer, I thought it was a grand idea to check out six different neighborhoods to find a place to live in Denver. Got an Uber and explored Denver!
Fast forward almost three years later, I came back. When I first walked in I still remember how the place looked and my memories here. They were celebrating Yeti Awareness Month, the different stouts they have on tap. I had the Chocolate Strawberry Yeti, which was delicious! It tasted like a chocolate-covered strawberry and wasn’t that sweet. In the summertime, they have an outdoor patio where you can hang outside and enjoy the different food trucks that visit.
Bars/ Restaurants
Denver Ted’s
Someone recommended this place to me when I first visited Denver. As mentioned above, I always get their cheesesteak before heading to Jagged Mountain. They also have a bar you can check out. I usually get their 9- or 12-inch cheesesteak with provolone, mushrooms, pepperoni, and marina sauce.
The best non-Philly cheesesteak you will have in Denver! The only sad part about them is that they aren't open on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Hostel Fish
Hostel Fish is a hostel and a bar combined, which is great because it is across the street from Denver Teds and Jagged Mountain. Even if the hostel life isn't your thing, you can still check out their drink specials. What’s nice is that they are a couple of blocks from Coors Light Stadium, so you can always grab cheaper drinks before the game. You can even pregame here before going out for the night!
Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
Ophelia’s is located in the same building as Hostel Fish. I had never been to it until this trip because of Covid. This Victorian brownstone has a very interesting history; it was a brothel, sex shop, and peep show before becoming Ophelia’s and Hostel Fish. Now, Ophelia is a restaurant, bar, and live music venue. I highly recommend coming here for a show (free and paid). My friend and I had The Michaelangelo pizza: smoked chicken, bacon, creamed kale, spiced ricotta, crispy kale & garlic Aioli. They also have a great brunch menu and drink selection too!
The Source Hotel and Market Hall
This is another place I checked out on my recent trip—my friend recommended it. It was used as an iron factory before becoming a boutique hotel in the North Art District. This hotel features a market hall with a bakery, boutique, and numerous eateries and bars.
I enjoyed the Hotel rooftop on a warm sunny day in February. This place had me falling in love with Denver over lunch. The view of snowcapped mountains surrounding the city got to me.
Honestly, it’s the best view of Denver, aside from in a plane. I also had the best glass of Sauvignon Blanc, called Matanzas Creek. The best Sauvignon Blanc I have ever had! For lunch, I had their charcuterie board.
Carbon Café and Bar
I always stop in at the Denver REI. This store is the biggest REI I have ever been to. Just walking in and exploring is a genuinely excellent experience. One time when I was there, I asked an employee's suggestions to eat around there—besides Starbucks—and he recommended Carbon.
This is my go-to place for breakfast or brunch. It has this industrial, artsy vibe, with unique, comfy chairs and couches for hanging out. Or if you have a group of people doing a brunch, they have tables. In the background, there is good music or a movie playing, but you can choose to sit outside on a good day.
I usually get their Wake and Bake Bowl, and I have had their Beets by King Salad with chicken.
Coffee shops
Hello Darling
I found this coffee shop while walking back to my hostel from REI. It is located near Riverfront Park. I stopped here for a quick drink and to charge my phone while working on Wandering Bel.
If you want a cutesy coffee shop that reminds you of one you’d find in New York, this is perfect for you. When you first walk in, you feel the Zen vibes of this place. They did a great job decorating the coffee shop with greens, pinks, and floral decor.
Great place to hang out, read, or work! They have comfy chairs and couches, which, to me, is essential!
Cherry Bean Coffee
After taking a yoga class, I found this place in the Capitol Hill area. This place is family owned and focuses on sharing its Central American roots. It is small but packed with warm hospitality and good drinks—a perfect place to hang out if you are looking for somewhere quiet.
I had one of their wellness drinks, a Chagaccino, with a shot of expresso. Not going to lie; I was nervous I would not like it. But honestly, it was the best wellness coffee drink I have ever had! I also had their breakfast burrito with pork.
Coffee at Union Station
I recommend getting a coffee at Union Station and enjoying the comfy couches and chairs. If you are looking for a spot to work, kill time before your train, or people-watch, this is the place for it. Afterward, check out the shops and restaurants.
As I said, I’ve never been a big fan of Denver, but these places are worth going to again and again. Have you been to Denver? Where do you think people should get a bite to eat or a much-deserved drink in the city? Share in the comments!
