As we celebrate the best restaurant openings of 2025, we also want to shout out to some of our local chefs’ favorite spots. Some are new, some are older, but all have a special place in their hearts and stomachs.
Oscar Padilla
We love chatting with chef Oscar Padilla, owner of the wood-fired Argentinean restaurant Gaucho Parrilla in the Arvada food hall, Freedom Street Social, and the soon-to-be-open Blue Agave. Not only does the Mexican-American chef showcase his talent at our Denver food events Rare Steakfest and Top Taco, but he has been cooking up a storm for decades. He also won on the Food Network show Chopped in 2023.
As for his favorite places to eat? He loves what’s going on in his own food hall, as well as Jaime Miles and Josh Timon’s Lot One in Arvada. For him the classic American fare and friendly staff keep him coming back. He’s also a big fan of Angelo’s Tavern on 6th Avenue for the chili relleno ravioli, grilled oysters, and housemade limoncello.
Caroline Glover
One of chef Caroline Glover’s favorite spots of the year quietly opened last fall in Five Points. “I’ve been loving Rougarou since they opened,” said the Annette and Traveling Mercies owner. “I love a place where the sides shine just as bright as the mains, and there are lots of them, and their drink menu is perfect.”
Kenneth Wan
Over at MAKfam on South Broadway, chef Kenneth Wan raves about his favorite spot this year, Tamaki Den. “The service is always on point, and the fish is consistently fresh and high quality,” said Wan. “I also really enjoy their happy hour deals for the hand rolls, and it’s one of my favorite places to eat.”
His personal go-to dish is the Salmon Oshizushi, which many other diners agree (once, a server told us, someone ordered over 40 pieces of it). Want to dive into Tamaki Den more? Chef’n It did a whole cooking segment with chef Kenta Komo.
Amanda Singh
Though most of the time she enjoys making brunch, when the Brunch Baddie of Denver goes out for the meal she heads to Fox & Hen in Highland. One reason it speaks to chef Amanda Singh, head chef at Briar Patch? The local hot sauce wall. For dinner, she loves Hey Kiddo both for the food and the fun vibe.
Darrel Truett
For Darrel Truett, executive chef of Barolo Grill, sushi is one thing he seeks out. In 2025 his restaurants of the year include RiNo’s Uchi and Tamaki Den. “Uchi is always consistent and there are so many options to satisfy every craving, and there’s always something new to try,” said the chef. “I also love going to Temaki Den and getting a wide variety of small bites, that’s my favorite way to eat.”
Another favorite is Alteño in Cherry Creek. “It’s open late, so if I’m able to get off early I often pop in for a few avocado margaritas, the camote asado and the pan de elote. You can’t beat it.”
Dana Rodriguez
Despite how busy chef Dana Rodriguez, owner and culinary director of the two Work & Class locations and Carne in RiNo, is, she finds time to eat out. Hands down her favorite spot to go is the 25-seat Tai Tai in south Denver. “It’s the best restaurant for sure, and the quality of the fish is ridiculous,” she said. “But most important is Wayne is an amazing humble chef. You sit at the counter, and he just feeds you. The hospitality is the fucken’ best.”
Harrison Porter
Over at BearLeek, executive chef and co-owner Harrison Porter mirrors other chefs when he says Tamaki Den is top of the list. Porter also praised Rougarou for having “incredible vibes and the best Southern food in town.” When he wants to treat himself, Mezcaleria Alma is the place to go, especially if it’s later in the evening.
John Wilson
Chef John Wilson, who oversees Bella Colibri and Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse in Golden, doesn’t go out to eat too often thanks to having three kids and a busy restaurant job. But when he does get out he loves to visit Ripple Pizza & Ice Cream in Conifer with the family. Wilson will also make a trip to Denver to eat at Spice Room and Odie B’s.
Theo Adley
Theo Adley, the chef and owner of Marigold in Lyons, and the soon-to-open heretík in Denver, said he is wowed by Basta in Boulder year after year and often shares pizza and roasted chicken with his family. But that’s not all he praised. Mezcaleria Alma gave him one of the best meals of the year, and Ðan Ða exceeded expectations.
“Ðan Ða blew me away. I have been a massive fan of the family for almost 20 years and was a regular patron at the New Saigon compound,” said the chef. “Ðan Ða’s dishes offer deep and complex flavors that are both familiar and exciting.”
Vince Howard
The owner of Tessa Delicatessen couldn’t pick one favorite restaurant of 2025, he had a whole list and we included some of his hot spots. To start with, he loves not just the restaurant Mama Jo’s Biscuits & BBQ, which opened this year, but the owners too, whom he has known for years. He’s also fond of the crew and product at Good Bread.
Supreme Chicken also tops his 2025 list, and Howard recommends the birria tacos and smoked chicken. Another favorite of his is Little Dragon, located in the same neighborhood as his sandwich shop.
“Once again, an operator that I truly respect, and Elizabeth is the coolest lady and she has a whole family in there working. It’s truly a family business,” said Howard. “I think they do some of the best Chinese takeout that I’ve ever had, especially in Denver.”
