Matsuhisa in Denver is Nobu Matsuhisa's Cherry Creek dining room since 2009, the chef's third Colorado location with the canonical Nobu-style Japanese-Peruvian menu.
Signature dishes: Black cod miso, Yellowtail jalapeno, Omakase
Must order: The black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeno are the Matsuhisa signatures; book the chef's table for the full omakase.
Tip: The sushi bar pours through a separate booking link from the dining room. The Aspen location is the chef's original; Denver is the day-trip Front Range version.
Address: 98 Steele St, Denver, CO 80206
Tamayo in Denver is Richard Sandoval's modern Mexican dining room on Larimer Square since 2001, a rooftop patio anchor for upscale tacos, ceviche and tequila flights.
Signature: Tableside guacamole, Cochinita pibil, Mole negro
Order: The tableside guacamole and the cochinita pibil with Yucatan-style achiote; flight of mezcal to pair.
Tip: The rooftop patio runs March through October with mountain views; book it three weeks ahead. The bar is open for walk-ins.
Izakaya Den in Denver is the Kizaki brothers' South Pearl izakaya next door to Sushi Den, a small-plates and yakitori room with the same Toyosu Market fish supply.
Signature: Yakitori, Wagyu carpaccio, Skirt steak shabu
Order: Yakitori from the binchotan grill and the wagyu carpaccio; pair with cold sake or the kitchen's Japanese gin and tonic.
Tip: Walk-up only at the bar. The dining room takes bookings; the kitchen closes at 11 pm, later than most South Pearl rooms.
El Five in Denver is Justin Cucci's fifth-floor Highland tapas room with floor-to-ceiling views of downtown and the Front Range, a Mediterranean small-plates room since 2017.
Signature: Pintxos and tapas, Lamb shawarma, Wood-grilled octopus
Order: The wood-grilled octopus and the lamb shawarma; the kitchen runs a tasting menu and Bottomless Brunch on weekends.
Tip: Sunset reservations book out a month in advance. The hidden side patio runs walk-ins; the elevator entrance is on Umatilla.
Guard and Grace in Denver is Troy Guard's modern downtown steakhouse since 2014, with an in-house dry-ageing program and a Colorado wagyu and bison selection.
Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Wagyu tasting, Tomahawk
Order: The 28-day dry-aged ribeye or the Snake River Farms wagyu tasting; pair with the truffle creamed corn and the wedge salad.
Tip: The downstairs lounge runs happy hour 4 to 6 pm with discounted steaks. Book the wine vault for a private steak dinner.
Linger in Denver is Justin Cucci's rooftop global street food room in the old Olinger Mortuary in Highland, with a 360-degree city view and a small-plates menu spanning Asia, Mexico and Mediterranean.
Signature: Banh mi, Bison meatballs, Pad Thai
Order: The bison meatballs and the banh mi sliders; the room's name is a play on the Olinger neon sign upstairs.
Tip: The rooftop patio is the room's draw; book by 5 pm or wait at the bar. Closed for service on Mondays in 2026.
The Buckhorn Exchange in Denver is the city's oldest steakhouse since 1893, holding Colorado liquor license number one and a game menu that includes elk, buffalo and rattlesnake.
Signature: Elk steak, Rocky Mountain oysters, Bison burger
Order: The elk steak or the buffalo prime rib, both on the menu since opening; the Rocky Mountain oysters are the room's calling card.
Tip: The dining room is the original 1893 saloon with mounted heads on every wall; second-floor lounge is quieter. Light rail stops 50 feet from the door.
