Food · Denver · United States
What to eat in Denver
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Denver, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Start with Green chile, Smothered breakfast burrito and Denver omelette. Walk between breweries and taprooms in RiNo or LoDo, where many are a few blocks apart; tasting flights let you try several styles. Drink more water than usual at altitude, and remember alcohol hits harder at 1,600 metres.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Green chile
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at…
- Food experiences
- 4
9 foods to try
Dish
1.Green chile
Colorado green chile is a thick pork-and-roasted-chile stew, usually from Pueblo chiles, used to smother burritos, eggs and fries or eaten by the bowl.
Where: Mexican diners and taquerías across the city, especially on Federal Boulevard and in Northwest Denver.
Breakfast
2.Smothered breakfast burrito
A big burrito filled with eggs, potatoes and bacon or chorizo, smothered in green chile and cheese — the standard Denver breakfast.
Where: Breakfast diners and burrito counters citywide.
Breakfast
3.Denver omelette
An omelette with diced ham, onions and green peppers, also known as a Western omelette, served at diners across the US but named for the city.
Where: Classic diners and breakfast spots.
Snack
4.Rocky Mountain oysters
Breaded, deep-fried bull testicles served with cocktail sauce, a ranching-country novelty dish.
Where: Steakhouses and Western-themed restaurants, and at Coors Field concessions.
Dish
5.Bison
Lean bison meat in burgers, steaks and sausages is common on Denver menus.
Where: Steakhouses, burger restaurants and pubs across the city.
Dish
6.Colorado lamb
Colorado raises a large share of US lamb, and lamb chops, shoulder and sausages appear on many fine-dining menus.
Where: Upscale restaurants in LoDo, LoHi and Cherry Creek.
Snack · Vegetarian
7.Palisade peaches
Juicy peaches from the orchards of Palisade on Colorado's Western Slope, eaten fresh or baked into pies and cobblers in late summer.
Where: Farmers' markets and roadside stands, usually from late July to September.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Colorado craft beer
Denver has well over 100 breweries and is home to the Great American Beer Festival. Styles range from IPAs and sours to lagers, and the Coors brewery in nearby Golden runs tours.
Where: Breweries in RiNo, LoDo and the Highlands, and the Wynkoop Brewing Company, Colorado's first brewpub, in LoDo.
Dish
9.Colorado trout
Rainbow and other trout from Colorado's rivers and farms are grilled, pan-fried or smoked on mountain-town and Denver menus.
Where: American restaurants in Denver and mountain towns.
Food experiences
Brewery crawl
Walk between breweries and taprooms in RiNo or LoDo, where many are a few blocks apart; tasting flights let you try several styles.
Food halls
Denver Central Market in RiNo, Avanti F&B in LoHi and Union Station's Great Hall offer many local vendors under one roof.
Green-chile breakfast
Order a smothered breakfast burrito at a local diner and compare how hot each kitchen makes its chile.
Farmers' markets
Summer farmers' markets across the city sell Colorado produce, including Palisade peaches and Pueblo chiles in late summer.
Quick bites and street food
- Smothered breakfast burrito — Breakfast diners and burrito counters citywide.
- Denver omelette — Classic diners and breakfast spots.
- Rocky Mountain oysters — Steakhouses and Western-themed restaurants, and at Coors Field concessions.
- Palisade peaches — Farmers' markets and roadside stands, usually from late July to September.
Vegetarian options
Of the 9 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Palisade peaches and Colorado craft beer. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Drink more water than usual at altitude, and remember alcohol hits harder at 1,600 metres.
- Restaurant prices exclude tax and tip; some add service charges, so read the bill.
- Patios open whenever the sun is out, even in winter, thanks to dry air and strong sun.
- Book ahead for popular restaurants in LoHi, RiNo and LoDo on weekends and game nights.
- Recreational cannabis is legal for adults in Colorado but cannot be consumed in public, including at restaurants and parks.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Denver famous for?
Green chile, Smothered breakfast burrito, Denver omelette and Rocky Mountain oysters. Colorado green chile is a thick pork-and-roasted-chile stew, usually from Pueblo chiles, used to smother burritos, eggs and fries or eaten by the bowl.
+Is Denver good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Palisade peaches and Colorado craft beer.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Denver?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.