Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Denver / Colorado

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Denver / Colorado? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mezcaleria Alma

5.0

5 (39)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

LoHi

About the restaurant

Chef Johnny Curiel debuts Mezcaleria Alma in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood, bringing the dynamic spirit of Mexico City to life with CDMX-inspired small plates and an expansive Mexican spirits menu. Located beside Curiel’s first solo restaurant, Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcaleria Alma marks the natural next chapter in Curiel’s culinary journey to share the beauty of Mexico through food. Each dish and drink draws from Curiel’s experiences in one of the world’s most renowned culinary capitals—a city where culture and tradition merge with global inspiration and constant innovation.

While Alma Fonda Fina is a love letter to the home-cooked traditions of Chef Curiel’s childhood—the comfort food found at traditional fondas across Mexico—Mezcaleria Alma embodies the unbridled innovation that defines CDMX.

Top review

LindsayVIP

Dined 5 days ago

I have eaten at some pretty fantastic spots over the years, but I haven’t found many that I love in Denver. This changed that! What an amazing meal. We did all different tuna dishes- all were phenomenal. Ox tail taco and burrata were unreal. Burrata may be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The only thing we didn’t love was the tres leches cake for dessert. It was a bit dry and trying too hard- not a real milky taste, just got raspberry from the topping. Overall, cannot recommend enough!

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Experience

Chef's Counter

Experience

Dining Room Reservation

Briar Common Brewery

4.9

4.9 (629)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Jefferson Park

About the restaurant

An elevated brewery experience you will not find anywhere else! Ten of our own beers on tap along with an array of perfectly prepared dishes to satisfy the masses!

Top review

Amy

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Fantastic service, wonderful pricing, and amazing food and drinks. A family friendly establishment close to Mile Hi Stadium (Empower Field) that is worth every penny!

Yampa River Icehouse

4.9

4.9 (125)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Steamboat Springs

About the restaurant

Please note the time you have been allotted for you and your party to complete your meal! Please don't be late, leave early if it is snowing! Call us with any questions/changes.

There’s a reason we’re perched down by the river. In fact, the view right outside is a nice little reminder that life is better when you go with the flow. The only thing that might make it better are some ice cold drinks, Texas-style smoky ‘cue and the company of your favorite fellow humans. So come in, take a seat, order up somethin’ good, crack open a cold one and let the good times flow like the Yampa.

Top review

DawnVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We were celebrating a birthday and they made it fun. The food was outstanding. Everyone commented on how good the prime rib was. The drinks were also outstanding. We will be back soon as we live in Hayden.

The Tavern Underground

4.9

4.9 (99)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Breckenridge

About the restaurant

The Tavern Underground, the lower level of The Carlin, introduces a tastefully designed, modern-meets-casual take on classic American tavern culture.

We offer limited reservation availability up to 8pm, along with bar seating and tables that are always available first come, first serve. If you're not finding a reservation or have a special request, please call us for assistance, 970-771-3795.

Top review

RachelVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Really loved our evening at The Tavern Underground. Food, drinks, service…all on point. We will definitely be back.

Go Fish - Denver

4.8

4.8 (101)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Baker

About the restaurant

Go Fish Japanese restaurant fits right in amongst the trendy shopping, eating, and drinking destinations on South Broadway - packed with personality and local flavor, this well kept secret is a favorite of locals looking for some quality food to go with a night on the town. If sushi isn't your thing, Go Fish also has a whole menu of Asian goodness and a full bar, serving up traditional drinks as well as the occasional wasabi shot. A must-visit for anyone looking for quality Asian food in Denver.

20% Gratuity will automatically be applied to parties of 6+

Top review

Kim

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

We loved it! We plan this event to celebrate my son‘s birthday. The staff were all amazing. I brought in a homemade cake and they kept it a secret with me and added some beautiful gold, flake to the top, and the hostess offered to go to my car with me to get it so we could keep it a secret. In the last year so it’s been more important to me to go to restaurants who have incredibly kind people even more so than the quality of the food that is why I keep going back to Go Fish. And the food is amazing!

Siam Talay - Mountain Village

4.8

4.8 (391)

$31 to $50

Thai

Telluride

About the restaurant

Indulge Your Senses
Located in the heart of Mountain Village, CO, indulge your senses with our Chef inspired traditional Thai cuisine & Asian influenced dishes. Dinner served nightly using the freshest specially sourced and local ingredients. A culinary experience enhanced by striking mountain sunsets and a cocktail menu unlike any other in Telluride.

Top review

LindsayVIP

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

We had been to Telluride 5 times, always staying at the Inn at Lost Creek (where Siam Talay is located) before we tried this spot. I am a child when it comes to food, so Thai food is not something I would voluntarily try…. OK LESSON LEARNED!!! Get the app Siam Platter & the Drunken Noodles!!!! I’m obsessed. Service, food, atmosphere = all OUTSTANDING. Thank you always. I will be back! AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN

El Jefe

4.8

4.8 (681)

$30 and under

Mexican

Highlands

About the restaurant

Our menu is inspired by the Mexican regions of Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. We strive to respect the influences and traditions of these diverse cultures to bring you food that is uniquely El Jefe.

We believe in doing things the right way. Not because it’s trendy or cool, but because it’s right. We change our menu with the grow season, supporting our neighbors and the terroir of Colorado. We are not your average Mexican joint, rather a reflection of our environment and beliefs.

We hand make our tortillas every day. All of our pork comes from one whole hog. Our chefs breakdown the whole animal, for chorizo, appetizers, stocks, soups, and entrees. Nothing is wasted. We do this out of respect for the animal and for the people who raised them for us. Anything we can produce in our kitchen is done by us, with love. No frills, just good food.

We do an amazing brunch on the weekends, and by default or menu is nearly 100% gluten free.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Everything was perfect. The food is incredible and the service was on point.

Uchi Denver

4.8

4.8 (2806)

$50 and over

Sushi

River North (Denver)

About the restaurant

:: ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE ON RESTAURANT WEBSITE ::

The award-winning Uchi, which translated from Japanese means “home,” was first opened in Austin, Texas by James Beard Award winner Chef Tyson Cole. Since then, Cole’s signature non-traditional take on Japanese cuisine has been warmly received by visitors from across the country and around the globe. Reservations are encouraged and can be booked online up to 1 month in advance. Walk-in bar seating is available and is subject to wait times. Patio seating is weather permitting and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. We look forward to serving you, Kanpai!

Top review

Hallah

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Sooo good. Honestly worth doing the omakase after doing that and just ordering random things

Clark's Oyster Bar - Aspen

4.7

4.7 (814)

$31 to $50

Oyster Bar

Aspen

About the restaurant

Clark's Aspen is the 2nd location of McGuire Moorman's popular neighborhood oyster bar set in the historic & beloved former Little Annie's location. The Clark's team has worked to uphold much of the charm of the previous tenant including fully restoring it's oak bar. The restaurant also features a bustling open kitchen and alpine version of Clark's dock side aesthetic.

Learn more about McGuire Moorman Hospitality and their family of restaurants at www.mcguiremoorman.com.

Top review

Carolyn

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Great food, our server was excellent, ran out of some specials early on.

Hamburger Mary's - Denver

4.6

4.6 (26)

$30 and under

Burgers

Denver

About the restaurant

Located in the City Park West neighborhood, Hamburger Mary's Denver has over-the-top entertainment with impressive eats. Stop by for a juicy burger, cocktails on our outdoor patios, or one of our events!

Our purple house hides off of the best outdoor patios in Denver! Come by for a burger or a beer and see what it's all about! Although we are known for our entertainment, we focus on food and service. Check out our reviews then come check out Hamburger Mary's

Top review

Marisol

Dined 1 day ago

Wow! First time here for my nieces bachelorette party and we had an absolute blast! The energy was amazing and everyone was incredibly friendly. 10/10 would recommend.

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