The Buckhorn Exchange is a steakhouse restaurant in Lincoln Park, Denver.
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.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Elk steak, Rocky Mountain oysters, Bison burger
Must order: The elk steak or the buffalo prime rib, both on the menu since opening.
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.
Address: 1000 Osage St, Denver, CO 80204
Uchi in Denver is Tyson Cole's Hai Hospitality sushi room in RiNo since 2019, the Austin original's third location with the same omakase template and modern.
Signature: Hama chili, Maguro sashimi, Brussels sprouts
Order: The hama chili and the maguro sashimi to start, both signatures of the Uchi template.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar runs Sunday-Friday with a $5 sushi list; cheapest way into a Hai Hospitality kitchen.
Annette Scratch to Table in Stanley Marketplace is Caroline Glover's James Beard-winning wood-fired neighbourhood kitchen, a small dining room and patio.
Signature: Wood-fired chicken, Smoked beet salad, Pasta of the day
Order: The wood-fired half chicken with smoked vegetables and the pasta of the day.
Tip: Stanley Marketplace is a 12-minute drive from RiNo. Brunch on Sunday is the busiest service; the patio runs through October.
Potager in Denver is Teri Rippeto's market-driven dining room in a Capitol Hill row house since 1997, a daily-changing menu built around Front Range farm.
Signature: Seasonal vegetable plate, Rabbit pasta, Cassoulet
Order: Whatever pasta is on the chalkboard and the seasonal vegetable plate.
Tip: The patio garden is the room's draw spring through fall. Closed Sundays and Mondays in 2026; book a week ahead for Saturday.
Spuntino in Denver is Cindhura Reddy's Highland neighbourhood trattoria and gelateria since 2012, a tight pasta-and-aperitivo room with house-made gelato.
Signature: Hand-cut pastas, Burrata, Gelato
Order: The agnolotti and the ricotta gnudi.
Tip: The bar pours Italian aperitivos and a tight natural-wine list. Gelato counter is open to walk-ins after dinner service.
Tavernetta in Denver is Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson's regional Italian dining room in Union Station's Crawford Hotel, the sister.
Signature: Hand-cut pastas, Wood-grilled lamb, Tagliatelle al ragu
Order: The tagliatelle al ragu and any whole-fish course.
Tip: Book the chef's counter for a view of the pasta station. The Italian-only wine list runs deep on Friuli and Piemonte growers.
Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder is Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson's James Beard-winning Friulian dining room since 2004, the kitchen.
Signature: Friulian tasting menu, Frico caldo, Cjarsons
Order: The four-course Friuli tasting menu and the frico caldo to start.
Tip: Boulder is a 40-minute drive from Denver. Frasca Caffe next door runs walk-in pasta and aperitivo without a reservation.
