Breakfast$$rino
Snooze A.M. Eatery in Denver is Jon Schlegel's mod-flagship breakfast room on Larimer since 2006, the Front Range chain start before it grew nationally.
Signature: Pancake flight, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Breakfast Pot Pie
Order: A pancake flight (sample four cakes) and the Bella! Bella!
Tip: The 90-minute weekend wait is normal at the original; new locations across LoDo and South Broadway absorb the overflow.
Soul food$capitol-hill
Denver Biscuit Company in Denver is Drew Shader's Southern-biscuit counter on Colfax since 2010, with house-baked buttermilk biscuits and a giant.
Signature: Cinnamon roll biscuit, Franklin sandwich, Biscuits and gravy
Order: The Franklin sandwich (fried chicken, bacon, cheddar, apple butter on a biscuit) and a cinnamon roll to share.
Tip: Walk-in only; weekend mornings hit a 60-minute wait. The Atomic Cowboy bar shares the space and pours bloody marys.
Modern American$$rinoMon-Wed 17:00-21:30, Thu-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat 16:00-22:00
The Greenwich in Denver is Caleb Schiff and Lucas Whyland's RiNo dining room since 2019, with a wood-fire kitchen and an in-house cocktail bar that runs late.
Signature: Wood-fired vegetables, Pasta, Cocktails
Order: The wood-fired vegetables and a daily pasta; the cocktail program runs deep on agave spirits.
Tip: The bar takes walk-ins; reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday. Closed Mondays.
American Comfort Food$$capitol-hill
Steuben's Uptown in Denver is Josh and Brandon Wolkon's regional American diner on 17th Avenue since 2006, modeled on the Wolkon family's Steuben's of Boston.
Signature: Cubano sandwich, Fried chicken, Mac and cheese
Order: The Maine lobster roll on Friday and Saturday, the cubano sandwich the rest of the week.
Tip: Happy hour 3 to 6 pm at the bar runs $5 plates; sister room Vesta two blocks away takes the dressier crowd.
Latin American$$rino
Work and Class in Denver is Tony Maciag and Tabatha Knop's family-style Latin American room on Larimer in RiNo since 2014, a James Beard semifinalist.
Signature: Roasted chicken, Steak frites, Cubano
Order: The roasted half chicken with chimichurri or the steak frites.
Tip: Walk-in only; weekend nights hit 60-minute waits by 7 pm. The bar pours one of the city's best mezcal lists.
American (burgers)$cherry-creek
The Cherry Cricket in Denver is the Cherry Creek burger bar since 1945, a build-your-own burger room with 40 toppings and a long beer list. Priced at $.
Signature: Build-your-own burger, Cricket Burger, Cheese fries
Order: Build your own burger with green chile, fried egg and bacon; cheese fries on the side.
Tip: Walk-in only; weeknight wait is usually 20 minutes. Ballpark sister location is open near Coors Field for game nights.