The places in Denver the guidebooks miss.
The places in Denver the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Welton Street Cafe is five points' caribbean and soul food kitchen, run by the smith family since 1986, in a neighborhood most visitors skip.
Why locals love it: Five Points' Caribbean and soul food kitchen, run by the Smith family since 1986, in a neighborhood most visitors skip.
Tip: The Tropical Banquet plate (jerk chicken, oxtail and rice) is the must-order; the kitchen runs Wednesday to Sunday.
Nile Ethiopian Restaurant (Ethiopian) in Denver: Order the vegetarian combination on injera for the table; the kitchen is closed Wednesdays so plan around it.
Why locals love it: South Aurora Ethiopian dining room on the Havana Street East African corridor, a community-led kitchen most Denver guides skip in favor of LoDo names.
Tip: Order the vegetarian combination on injera for the table; the kitchen is closed Wednesdays so plan around it.
Rosenbergs Bagels and Delicatessen on East 26th in Five Points is the NYC-style water-boiled bagel shop Denvers mid-Atlantic transplants treat as essential.
Why locals love it: Five Points bagel shop with NYC-style water-boiled bagels, a Denver-corrected New York deli the city's mid-Atlantic transplants treat as essential.
Tip: The everything bagel with house-made lox is the most ordered; the matzoh ball soup runs the lunch trade.
Cafe Mexicali is federal boulevard mexican-american kitchen with a counter-service approach to enchiladas and tacos, a mile high family room since 1996.
Why locals love it: Federal Boulevard Mexican-American kitchen with a counter-service approach to enchiladas and tacos, a Mile High family room since 1996.
Tip: The smothered cheese enchilada plate and the bean tostada are the room's most ordered items; the salsa bar has six house salsas.