Osteria Marco in Denver is Frank Bonanno's basement-set Italian room on Larimer Square since 2007, with house-pulled mozzarella and a wood-fired pizza counter.
Signature dishes: Mozzarella plate, Pizza, Mussels
Must order: The house mozzarella plate (pulled to order) and a pizza; the cocktail bar runs a strong negroni list.
Tip: Larimer Square is a 5-minute walk from Union Station. The mozzarella class runs Sunday afternoons in 2026.
Address: 1453 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
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! Benedict; the breakfast pot pie is a Denver original.
Tip: The 90-minute weekend wait is normal at the original; new locations across LoDo and South Broadway absorb the overflow.
Denver Biscuit Company in Denver is Drew Shader's Southern-biscuit counter on Colfax since 2010, with house-baked buttermilk biscuits and a giant cinnamon-roll biscuit.
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.
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.
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.
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 for Best New Restaurant.
Signature: Roasted chicken, Steak frites, Cubano
Order: The roasted half chicken with chimichurri or the steak frites; meats are sold by the half- or whole-pound at the counter.
Tip: Walk-in only; weekend nights hit 60-minute waits by 7 pm. The bar pours one of the city's best mezcal lists.
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.
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.
