The idea of “food eats first” has never been more true than it is today, especially in the wake of influencers snapping photos and video. With millions of people claiming this job title the quality varies greatly, and in the world of restaurants it’s hard to know who to follow in order to get solid recommendations. Well, we’re diving into some of the best local accounts to find out how these people like to eat when they’re off the clock. Hint, it’s good, it’s very, very good.
Stephanie Kelley, otherwise known as Hi From Denver (@hifromdenver), debuts the column, sharing her favorite places to nosh around town. Kelley started the account last November, and since then it’s taken off with over 31-thousand followers in just 164 posts. Though the growth shocked her a little, the influencer does have a decade’s worth of social media work under her belt.
“I had gotten really burned out and I decided I was going to take a long break,” said Kelley, who left her full time gig in the fall of 2023. “I wanted to start Hi From Denver just for me, because I was just wanting to get back to creating.”
One look at her work and it’s easy to see why so many people follow her. The content feels like looking at Denver and the metro area through rose-tinted glasses. It’s almost European in feel, giving French food, coffee shop gardens, and hidden bars a layer of old world glam.
“I was totally just looking at it as a little fun, almost like a hobby thing, and I didn’t expect so much work to come from that,” she said. “So I still have not gone back into a full-time job, I’m just doing Hi From Denver.”
We are so glad she continues to represent the Mile High City through this medium. Kelley has lived in Colorado for over 30 years. She may not technically be a native, but she did grow up here and has raised her three kids in the area. With one look at her Instagram there’s no doubt she’s as Colorado as can be.
Over a plate of short rib birria tacos at Mister Oso in RiNo, one of Kelley’s top places, we sat down to discuss our favorite eats, Denver, and how she got into social media. While the woman behind Hi From Denver posts plenty of partner content on the latest and greatest spots around town, she also shared the places that remain close to her heart, and her stomach.
“These are places that I love,” she said. “And these are the places that I’ll go back to.”
Casa Bonita
Hands down one of Kelley’s favorite venues in town is Lakewood’s Casa Bonita. It’s not only a place she enjoys now that it’s remodeled, but a beloved spot from childhood. In fact, her father was there when he was a boy in high school, right when it first opened in 1974.
“I will always post about Casa Bonita and talk about how much I love it, even though people hate it for so many reasons [like the food and reservation system],” she said. “I’m just like, I don’t care, I will love it until the day I die.”
While reservations are still hard to get, since reopening last year it’s getting easier and easier to make them. 6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, casabonitadenver.com
Yuan Wanton
Kelley lives near chef-owner Penelope Wong’s Park Hill restaurant. This means not only is it quick to get there, but she can walk and avoid looking for parking. She’s in good company given that a lot of food professionals love Yuan Wanton. It’s easy to taste why. Everything is made daily, dumplings are handcrafted, and the quality of ingredients remains high.
“The dumplings are always fantastic and the last time I went they had like a satay chicken dumpling with dipping sauce,” said Kelley. “That was just phenomenal.”
Wong opened the brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2023, the permanent version of her food truck. The menu changes daily, which makes it hard to plan what you’re going to eat beforehand. But no matter what’s listed, it’s all delicious. 2878 Fairfax St., Denver, no website
Vinh Xuong Bakery
When Hi From Denver wants a banh mi, she goes to Duc Huynh’s small cafe. Huynh opened Vinh Xuong Bakery in 2011, breaking off from his family’s spot of the same name. When Kelley goes she orders the roasted chicken, which gets seasoned with lemongrass. 2370 W. Alameda Ave., Denver, vinhxuong.square.site
Tí Cafe
Because Kelley loves coffee so much, it’s not surprising she enjoys the unique beverages coming out of Tí Cafe. Owned by sisters Sashaline, Shominic, and Shasitie Nguyen, the Vietnamese shop showcases Asian flavors in classic coffee beverages. Here you’ll find traditional milk tea, Vietnamese egg coffee, an ube latte, and whimsical creations often themed around a movie, icon, or show. 30 N. Broadway, Denver, ti.cafe
ESP HiFi Listening Bar
Modeled after the Japanese kissa, a type of listening bar started in 1929, ESP is all about the music and highballs to go with it. The food menu is limited, advised Kelley, and to drink you’ll find Japanese whiskies are king.
“Every time you walk in it’s just such a relaxing atmosphere,” said Kelley. “It’s not a place to go to hang out, sometimes I just go by myself because you’re supposed to just listen.”
Keep in mind, she added, it’s loud. You really can’t have a conversation there, nor should you. Just sip a drink and enjoy the jazz records. 1029 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, esphifi.co
Welton Room and Monkey Bar
“We go here a couple times a month. I actually had never been there prior to Hi From Denver and they invited me to come in,” said Kelley, who usually visits the Five Points spot with her husband. “We were just like, blown away by the drinks and we love it.”
The theater and quality found in the cocktails at this joint space hooked Kelley in right away. Not only are the drinks smooth and balanced, she said, but the food is good and the hospitality sings. At Monkey Bar the options range from the Saffron Espresso Martini to the white cranberry tinged Raspberry Beret to the very social media friendly Cotton Candy, which comes with a puff of a sugar cloud. 2590 Welton St., Denver, weltonroom.com
Boychik at Stanley Marketplace
One of Kelley’s favorite things to order at the Aurora location of Boychik is dessert. But first, she said, comes an array of dips including hummus, golden beet toum, whipped feta, and more. Drink too hit the right note, and the cocktail menu has plenty of solid options. But it’s not just the space and food she likes about the fast casual restaurant, it’s the sharing aspect too. 2501 Dallas St., Aurora, boychikkitchen.com
Moonflower Coffee
Coffee is a big part of the influencer’s day-to-day, and one of her favorite spots is Moonflower. Unfortunately it’s temporarily closed for remodeling right now. But don’t worry, according to the website it will reopen come winter. Until then, dream of hot drinks made with beans from Denver’s Servant Coffee, cups of ceremonial grade matcha from Ippodo in Kyoto, and fresh pastries by Suzette Bakery in Edgewater. 4200 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, moonflowercoffee.co
Suvipa Thai Food
Now that yet another top food person has mentioned this small suburban Thai restaurant, it might garner a following. I first heard about it from Shawn Bergin of Bakery Four in Berkeley, and Kelley heard about it from Virgil Dickerson, owner of Kream Kimchi.
Word travels fast, and if you’re a fan of US Thai then Suvipa will be a new favorite spot. Go for Kelley’s favorite dish, curry. Or make it a to-for and get Bergin’s favorite too, the crispy holy basil noodle. 1015 S. Federal Blvd., Denver, suvipathaifood.com