According to the City and County of Denver, Uptown doesn’t exist; the official name of the neighborhood bordered by Broadway to the west, 20th Avenue to the north, Park Avenue and Downing Street to the east, and East Colfax Avenue to the south is North Capitol Hill. But it exists in the hearts and minds of the locals who live, and, more to the point, eat and drink within its confines.
Granted, even they sometimes conflate Uptown with City Park West, the adjacent district stretching from Downing to York Streets. So for convenience’s sake, we have too, considering anything west of Franklin Street fair game for this guide to the best restaurants and bars in the area. Listed by category in alphabetical order, these guarantees for a good time prove that Uptown has earned its place on the Denver dining map, if not the municipal one.
Where to Go for Breakfast and Brunch
Rise and shine at these sure bets for the most important meal of the day—and here’s a bonus pick: coffeehouse and creperie Cafe Miriam (1707 N. Lafayette St.), whose original location resides nearby in City Park.
Hearth
When caffeine and carbs are calling your name after a good night’s sleep, answer them by heading straightaway to this top-tier bakery, where an array of treats both sweet and savory awaits. Keep things simple with an Americano and an almond croissant or shake them up with an everything cream cheese and Hatch chile pinwheel and a cookie butter with caramel latte.
Either way, you won’t regret polishing off every last drop and crumb in Hearth’s stylish, loft-like environs. But you might regret rushing out without grabbing a loaf of olive-sesame sourdough or a ginger-molasses cookie for later. 1300 E. 17th Ave., Denver, hearthdenver.com
Olive & Finch
This cozy place is like a culinary kaleidoscope. Look one way and it’s a bakery and coffeehouse serving up sticky buns and apple danishes with cold brews and maple-mushroom lattes. Look again and it’s a breakfast nook where hearty helpings of, say, sweet-potato hash with chorizo, cheddar, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, kale, and sunny-side eggs get the juices flowing, accompanied by actual juices such as cold-pressed carrot, beet, apple, and lemon.
Take yet another glance, and chef Mary Nguyen’s fast-casual spot becomes a gourmet deli, assembling such elaborate sandwich creations as the Luca with salami, prosciutto, capicola, ham, parmesan, provolone, roasted tomato, arugula, red onion, olive tapenade, and garlic aioli all on a baguette. Pair that literal mouthful with housemade cucumber-lime soda or a mimosa made with blueberry lemonade. 1552 E. 17th Ave., Denver, oliveandfinch.com
Onefold
Though this cheerfully quirky daytime cafe now has three locations (including in Union Station and Greenwood Village), the popularity of its flagship hasn’t waned an iota. That’s because it’s remained true to its eclectic roots, combining Chinese, Mexican, and European influences at both breakfast and lunch.
Egg-topped congee with duck confit, fried rice with lap cheong, birria tacos on handmade corn tortillas, or a simple berry crepe: It’s all here, and goes down as easy as you please with a glass of matcha-splashed OJ or, better yet, a bourbon-spiked Vietnamese iced coffee. 1420 E. 18th Ave., Denver, eatonefold.com
Uptown Lunch Service
A square meal at a sensible price: That’s the essence of these easygoing escapes from the office.
Note, that since the City and County of Denver’s neighborhood map places Shish Kabob Grill in Capitol Hill, we’ve excluded it here, but it’s technically right on the Uptown border and warrants a shout-out from us for its ever-reliable Middle Eastern repertoire.
Bourbon Grill
For nearly 25 years this little chicken shack has been building a cult following on the strength of one item: the namesake bourbon chicken. Not only is chef-owner Lien Vo’s signature dish blackened in all the right places and as juicy as all get-out, it’s one of the best bargains in town, ringing up for under $12 with steamed rice only or $20 with two additional sides. Rest assured that the egg rolls, spicy noodles, and Cajun potatoes are worth the extra paper, not least because portions are beyond generous. 571 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, bourbongrilltogo.com
La Pasadita Inn
Even first-timers will feel like regulars at this family-run Mexican fixture. That’s because it all seems so familiar with the humble-yet-colorful decor, the smiling service, the menu that you’d be willing to bet hasn’t been updated in decades. Nor should it be.
Those green chile-smothered huevos rancheros, beef-stuffed sopaipillas, and chicken chimichangas give pure nostalgia on a plate, at prices that likewise take you back to a bygone era. Speaking of blasts from the past, there’s fried ice cream to cap things off. 1959 Park Ave. West, Denver, no website
The Porchetta House
It’s just a little sliver of a counter joint, but the porchetta sandwiches that chef AJ Paloni assembles here are behemoths, and they’re every bit as gorgeous as they are ginormous. Be it the Original with arugula and pink peppercorn mayo on a ciabatta roll, the Al Pastor with pineapple pico and cotija on a bolillo, or the bánh mì–inspired version, each one is loaded with glistening, lacy slices of roast pork that put your average cold cuts to shame.
Is a side order of perfectly seasoned battered onion petals really necessary? No, but you don’t not need them in your life, either. 1510 N. Humboldt St., Denver, theporchettahouse.com
Steuben’s
After 20 years in business, this all-American joint hasn’t changed a bit. For that, Uptowners are grateful. Whatever craving for comfort food may strike, they know they can satisfy it here with deviled eggs and buffalo wings, pot pie and pot roast, meatloaf, mac-and-cheese, and of course burgers with fries, not to mention cheesecake or butterscotch pudding for dessert.
And all the while, the crackerjacks behind the bar keep the classics coming, be it a Rock and Rye, a Blood and Sand, or a Scorpion Bowl for two. Granted, if day drinking’s a no-no, just say yes to a strawberry milkshake. Talk about hitting the spot. 523 E. 17th Ave., Denver, steubens.com
Uptown Banh Mi & Grill
While it also serves pho as well as rice and noodle bowls, there’s a reason Vietnam’s signature sandwich takes pride of place in the name of this cheery Colfax cafe: It makes a banger of a bánh mì. Thirteen of them, in fact, featuring everything from smoked pork belly and fried tofu to sous vide duck breast and breaded soft-shell crab. Each comes piled high with fresh veggies on a Vietnamese-style baguette (which is fluffier than the French paradigm) and makes for a complete meal alone.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t throw in an order of crispy-gooey spinach-cheese wontons or shrimp tempura tacos for good, if not exactly traditional, measure. 1201 E. Colfax Ave., #102, Denver, uptownbanhmi.com
Where to Go for Dinner in Uptown
Its geographical size may be small, but Uptown’s culinary reach is international. Here’s to curry and cannoli, ceviche and charcuterie, potstickers and pot de crème.
Ace Eat Serve
The question is not “what is this place?” but rather “what isn’t this place?” From morning through mid-afternoon on weekdays, it operates as a coffeehouse for the laptop crowd, while on weekends it hosts brunch, complete with drag performances once a month.
After that, it transforms into a pan-Asian eatery and bar, serving up such signatures as crispy brussels sprouts and shishito peppers with togarashi, sesame seeds, and lime aioli; salt-and-pepper popcorn chicken; shrimp fried rice with scrambled eggs and asparagus; and even Peking duck with all the fixings.
All this naturally complements carafes of saké, shots of Japanese whisky, or cocktails like the vodka-based White Lotus with maraschino cherry, lychee, orange blossom, and an absinthe rinse. Oh, and Ace also happens to be a ping-pong parlor, with tables available for booking both inside and out on the sunny patio. You could practically live here, if only it had beds too. 501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, aceeatserve.com
Champagne Tiger
Good old Tom’s Diner is belatedly living its best life. In its new incarnation as Champagne Tiger, the historic Colfax space has lost none of its retro charm, but it’s gained a whole lot of modern mojo, thanks to a kitchen that whips up the high-meets-low likes of caviar-topped tater tots, kimchi grilled cheese sandwiches, and housemade Twinkies.
These dishes come alongside kicky cocktails with campy names like Barbie’s Dream Ranch. Granted, equal thanks go to the entertainment lineup, which includes live music on Wednesdays and a rollicking drag brunch on Sundays, to keep the house packed with party people week after week. 601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, champagnetiger.com
Coperta
This homey homage to the trattorias of Rome is run by a team that’s as beloved as it is respected for its role on the forefront of Denver’s farm-to-fork movement, chef Paul Reilly, his sister Aileen Reilly, and her husband, J.P. Taylor Jr. But at 10-years-old, Coperta also owes its staying power to chef de cuisine Kenny Minton, whose seasonal spins on Italian traditions seamlessly blend subtlety with spunk.
One visit might involve gnudi with fava leaves, prosciutto, snow peas and mint alongside porchetta with peaches, braised fennel, and arugula, the next could bring delicata squash fritto misto with Brussels sprouts, cannellini bean spuma, and grapefruit agrodolce followed by linguine in lemon cream with bay scallops and basil. Each dish shines next to wines worth exploring from lesser-known regions of the Boot, like Calabria and Molise. 400 E. 29th Ave., Denver, copertadenver.com
Noodle by Nina, nee Magic Noodle House
What’s magical about this instant hot spot is the setting and how the owners transformed a Qdoba into a cushy little haven of Chinese cookery, complete with a full bar. As for the food, there’s no pretend magic at work. Through the window to the kitchen you can see for yourself the considerable effort and technique the chefs put into the hand-pulled and knife-cut noodles, which lend bounce and bite to soups and stir-fries that soothe and stimulate by turns.
Granted, the chefs’ skills are just as evident from the rest of the menu, including punchy fried rice with beef in black pepper sauce, silken Iberico pork wontons in red oil, and more. Cocktails like the Old Fashioned with sesame oil, Oloroso Sherry, and Thai basil complete the picture with panache. 1400 E. 17th Ave., Denver, magicnoodlehouse.com
Ollie & Park’s
Class, comfort, and quiet: That’s a trifecta for diners in need of some R&R, and this place achieves it while serving up small plates that split the difference between ease and elegance. On the simpler side are meatballs in marinara, crab cakes with rémoulade, and baked Brie with berry compote. More elaborate options include goat cheese crostini with caramelized onions and golden raisins, miso cod with forbidden black rice in burnt onion jus, and mojo pork medallions with white bean puree and fried plantains.
But either way, there’s no overthinking necessary on your part. That goes double for libations too, like the clarified Page 6 with jasmine-infused shochu, honeydew, and yuzu. 1210 E. 17th Ave., Denver, ollieparks.com
Som Dee Thai Kitchen and Bar
Stylishly decorated in black and gold, this neighborhood go-to for date night takes care to prepare dishes and drinks that only enhance the ambiance. Signatures such as the crispy heatwave shrimp with Thai chilies and garlic, kee mao spaghetti with scallops, and duck curry with pineapple are as pretty on the plate as they are palatable. Add on one of the cocktails redolent with romantic ingredients like rose, jasmine, and lychee boost the mood an extra notch. 1598 E. 17th Ave., Denver, somdeethaikitchen.com
White Pie
At once cozy and airy amid exposed brick, wood beams, and hanging plants, this sibling to Dos Santos Taqueria has become a home away from home for its neighbors season in and season out. But the atmosphere alone isn’t the draw. The simply superb pizzas from the tiled beehive oven take the cake, or pie, in this case.
Atop thin, super-crispy East Coast–style or thicker, chewier Sicilian-style crusts, inspired topping combos like mashed potatoes, bacon, garlic, and walnuts or ricotta, crimini mushrooms, arugula, caramelized onions, fried shallots, and crème fraîche have got verve to spare, supplemented by smart snacks such as roasted cauliflower with romesco and pumpkin seeds or whipped feta with balsamic-fig jam. 1702 N. Humboldt St., Denver, whitepie.com
Xiquita
Even the lowliest ingredients such as carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin seeds become luxuries in the hands of Xiquita chef-partners Erasmo Casiano and Rene Gonzalez Mendez, whose passion for both the traditions and the transformative potential of Mexican cuisine is on full and eloquent display here.
That’s especially true of dishes based on masa made with house-nixtamalized corn, which come out all at once earthy and elegant. Think sopes stuffed with beef tongue barbacoa or tacos topped with kanpachi al pastor and onion-ash crema. But the entire menu offers food for thought, an edible education in regional foodways from Oaxaca to the Yucatán. And so, for that matter, do the cocktails, laced with such indigenous stuff as jicama, tomatillo, and xoconostle. 500 E. 19th Ave., Denver, xiquita.co
Where to Drink
When it comes to their watering holes, Uptowners don’t stand on ceremony. That’s why these four venues—whose attitude is “come as you are, stay as you please”—have garnered so much goodwill in the ’hood.
Dew Drop Inn
While it’s as cute as its name suggests, this snug little slice of social life happens to be serious about delivering bang for the buck. Most of its smartly crafted cocktails, from spot-on hot toddies in the winter to classic G&Ts in the summer to nonalcoholic concoctions, go for $10–$13 (and as low as $8 come happy hour). The menu also gets supplemented by an equally well-priced selection of wines, beers, boilermakers, and more.
As if that weren’t enough, the food is just as appealing yet affordable as the booze. Cheers to the bourbon-glazed rumaki with pineapple chutney and the steamed mussels in red curry, a pound of which come with plenty of bread for dipping for just $22. Bonus, the spot has solid gluten-free options too. No wonder Uptowners do drop in here (get it?) from open to close. 1033E 17th Ave., Denver, dewdropinndenver.com
The Horseshoe Lounge
Pool tables, a photo booth, and trivia nights add entertainment value to this dear old dive overlooking Benedict Fountain Park, but the real entertainment lies in the people-watching, as the crowd here, staff included, is a hoot and a holler.
For that matter, the real value lies in the drink menu. Most of the craft drafts, lawnmower beers, and well spirits on offer run $5 to $7, while shots like the Bloop with tequila and Powerade clock in at $5. And the munchies are a cheap kick too, for example the Guilty Pleasure Sliders with cream cheese, salami, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. 414 E. 20th Ave., Denver, thehorseshoelounge.com
Revival Denver Public House
The Avenue Grill may be long gone, but its spirit lives on in the form of the handsome old wooden bar the current owners of this convivial American eatery thankfully kept intact. Belly right up to it to partake in what is, without a doubt, one of the happiest happy hours around.
Running from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close Monday through Saturday, it features Old Fashioneds for the indeed old-fashioned price of $5, $6 boilermakers, and other deals to keep drinkers in the pink, without running into the red. Oysters for $2 a pop are the cherry on top. 630 E. 17th Ave., Denver, revival-denver.com
Urban Cowboy Public House
Come for the vibes, stay for the tipples and pies. Set in an 1880s mansion, this boutique hotel has turned its carriage house into a tavern whose tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and elaborately carved wooden bar whisk guests all the way back to the sepia-toned Gilded Age. But its de rigueur cocktails return them to the present moment, the Kazillionaire with mezcal, red bell pepper, elote, cilantro, and Aleppo chili being a signature case in point.
The snacks and pizzas from Little Johnny B’s do the same. After all, it’s a sibling of Redeemer Pizza and Johnny Bechamel’s and has got its crust and topping combos down pat, while also nailing nibbles like salt-and-vinegar kettle chips with prosciutto. 1665 Grant St., Denver, urbancowboy.com/denver
