A Local’s Guide to Denver: What to See, Eat, and Skip
1. Grab a cone at Little Man Ice Cream
I’m sure you’ve all seen photos of this famous ice cream spot and the giant milk jug on top! The ice cream is very good and it’s in my favorite part of Denver - the LoHi neighborhood!
Tip: The line at Little Man can get EXTREMELY long, so if you just want to try the ice cream, go to it’s sister property, Sweet Cooie’s in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
2. Grab an avocado margarita at Alma Fonda Fina
Alma Fonda Fina is (in my opinion) one of the best restaurants in all of Denver! And I’m not the only one who thinks so - this amazing restaurant recently received a Michelin star! The service and food are both outstanding, and the prices (especially for a Michelin restaurant) can’t be beat. They have a rotating monthly menu, so each time you go, you’ll likely be trying something new. It can be a bit tricky to get into, so I would recommend making a reservation in advance or getting there early to try to score a table. They also do a phenomenal happy hour that includes several of their menu items at a significant discount.
Tip: Be sure to try their avocado margarita and frijoles puercos - these two items never come off the menu and they are to die for!
Skip: The overhyped El Taco De Mexico - the food is mediocre for the amount of “Best Of” lists that it appears on, and unless you get lucky, there is generally nowhere to sit in the entire restaurant.
3. Drink with a view at El Five
El Five offers one of the best view in all of Denver. I usually get a few tapas and a glass of their sangria, and if the weather permits, I always try to sit on the balcony!
Tip: This place gets booked up QUICK, so try to make reservations in advance!
4. Snap some Instagram pics in RiNo
Murals cover the walls of almost every building scattered throughout the River North district. They make the perfect backdrop for colorful Instagram shots!
Tip: Snap a pic with the famous Denver mural on the corner of Broadway and Arapahoe!
5. Do brunch at Sassafras American Eatery
Sassafras is my favorite breakfast/brunch spot in Denver! The food and drinks are always unique and tasty (try the Breakfast Mac pictured above!) and the atmosphere is fun!
Skip: Snooze - I will admit Snooze has good food, and this will probably be the top breakfast place you see on any other list, but the wait to get in can be as long as a few hours on any given day that you go.
6. Get a little weird with it at Meow Wolf
If you've visited any of Meow Wolf's other locations, you already know to expect the unexpected! The creativity and attention to detail are truly astounding, making this a must-see experience in Denver. Grab a drink, wander through their incredible exhibits, and don’t forget to snap some photos along the way!
7. Take a day trip to a nearby mountain town
While Denver has plenty to offer, the real draw of Colorado is it’s stunning mountains! Several charming mountain towns are just a short drive away, offering easy access to nature’s beauty. If you're visiting in the fall, the experience is even more enchanting with the vibrant colors of the changing leaves!
Tip: Breckenridge and Vail (pictured above) are my favorites and you can travel to both from Denver in under 2 hours. If you’d rather travel without a car, you can also take the Bustang, which transports passengers along several routes from Denver. (I’ve taken the Bustang to and from Vail several times, and it is only about $20 per ticket.)
8. Visit Cartman and his friends at Casa Bonita
Casa Bonita is perhaps the most iconic restaurant in Denver, and for good reason. Casa Bonita opened in Denver in 1974 as a one-of-a-kind Mexican restaurant offering an immersive dining experience with cliff divers, waterfalls, and arcade games. Over the years, it has become a cultural icon, even being featured in an episode of South Park in 2003. You must have a reservation to go, so be sure to check the availability calendar here. Make sure to set aside a few hours to explore every corner of Casa Bonita—watch the cliff divers, try your luck in the arcade, get your fortune told, venture through Black Bart’s cave, enjoy the puppet show, and so much more!
Tip: The pork carnitas and sopapillas are by far the best items on the menu!
9. Try some Colorado-style pizza at Beau Jo’s
Beau Jo’s signature mountain pies feature a unique, crust-filled "mountain" that holds your choice of toppings, making for a hearty and unforgettable meal. Perfect for family dining, post-adventure refueling, or satisfying serious pizza cravings, these pies are a true Colorado legend. Though Beau Jo’s has several locations across Colorado, I highly recommend taking a short trip from Denver to their Evergreen spot! If the weather’s nice, be sure to enjoy your pizza on the back patio, where you can dine beside a peaceful, babbling stream. :)
Tip: Be sure to finish your pizza crust with some honey!
