Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Denver / Colorado

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Denver / Colorado? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Go Fish - Denver

4.9

4.9 (113)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Baker

About the restaurant

Go Fish Japanese restaurant fits right in amongst the trendy shopping, eating, and drinking destinations on South Broadway - packed with personality and local flavor, this well kept secret is a favorite of locals looking for some quality food to go with a night on the town. If sushi isn't your thing, Go Fish also has a whole menu of Asian goodness and a full bar, serving up traditional drinks as well as the occasional wasabi shot. A must-visit for anyone looking for quality Asian food in Denver.

20% Gratuity will automatically be applied to parties of 6+

Top review

JoVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Always amazing food and service!!! Always a good time here! It’s our go to and even our 3 young kids love it!

Bistro Barbes

4.9

4.9 (679)

$50 and over

Contemporary French / American

Park Hill

About the restaurant

Cancellations after 12pm day of reservation, will be charged $50 per guest. Please be aware that Bistro Barbes is only offering a 4 course Chef's tasting menu for $90 per person. Please contact us if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies because last minutes substitutions may not be available.

Top review

Bill

Dined 6 days ago

This is a place for special occasions. In our case it was our 59th wedding anniversary. It's an expensive meal, no doubt about it. But it's worth it - for that special occasion. Each course was excellent, the service was great, it was quiet enough that we could have a conversation. The space is nothing special, but it was clean. Nice table linens and eating utensils. I rated it down for value because it's too expensive to go to frequently. We'll go back, but only when the occasion is really special.

Ukiyo

4.9

4.9 (155)

$50 and over

International

Whittier

About the restaurant

UKIYO is a 12-seat omakase (chef choice) restaurant located on Larimer Square of downtown Denver, curated by chef Phraseuth ‘Paul’ Sananikone. The UKIYO multi-course omakase experience uses Japanese techniques with worldly flavors transforming it into a unique tasting menu where his offerings change based on ingredient seasonality and availability.

Top review

Ariel

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Love the experience. Food was great. I would recommend

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Friends & Family first look at 4th menu

Cirrus Social Club

4.9

4.9 (92)

$30 and under

Lounge

Congress Park

About the restaurant

Denver's Premiere Cannabis Experience! Now open to the public 4 days a week.

Cirrus is an entirely new experience for Colorado and soon, the world. Share cannabis with the people you love in an environment designed to create joyful moments and fond memories. Whether you're a first-time consumer or as we like to say, "sophisticated stoner", our Flight Attendants will guide you through a sesh experience featuring cannabis, munchies, and beverages.

Cirrus is perfect for: Special Occasions, Date Night, Friends Night, the Adults of the Family, and Guests Visiting Denver!

Learn more on our website.

Top review

sadie

Dined 7 days ago

This place was absolutely amazing, the service was incredible and the atmosphere was perfect!

Canary

4.9

4.9 (24)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Breckenridge

About the restaurant

Welcome to a world where every detail is crafted with intention, and you’re not just a guest — you’re part of the story. Consider this booking not as a simple reservation, but the start of a journey that can take you anywhere you’d like to go. Will your journey begin with the floral elegance of gin, or the robust embrace of bourbon?
What structure suits your spirit? A bold, stirred classic served neat? Or a lively blend of citrus and sweetness?
To finish: bitter botanicals, ripe fruits, fragrant spices, or delicate flowers?
Watch our bartenders bring this vision to life, presenting a cocktail intended for this singular moment.
This is your night, and we’re here to ensure every moment is magical.

Top review

Nathan

Dined on May 6, 2025

Best drinks in Breckenridge! JC is a magician. Also, one of the few upscale places in town. Highly Recommend!! Nate

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Experience

Imbibe in a world of explorational delight!

Jing Restaurant-Aspen

4.7

4.7 (569)

$31 to $50

Asian

Aspen

About the restaurant

A favorite of locals and guests alike, Jing (formerly Asie) features a unique menu of modern Asian fusion, contemporary sushi, sashimi, and raw bar dishes. Fresh ingredients, creative cuisine, and an inviting atmosphere that inspire warmth and happiness. Jing delivers an authentic Asian experience right in the heart of downtown Aspen.

Beloved for his original approach to Asian dining, Chef Frank Lu’s techniques and artistry are showcased in signature dishes such as the new style sashimi, homemade dim sum, Japanese hot rock, and Frank's Truffle Kale Fried Rice.

If interested, you should reserve these signature dishes ahead of time, as we often run out: Peking duck, Wagyu tomahawk steak, and whole fish.

Top review

HelenVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food. We love Frank, the owner. Going back next week. The Honey prawns and scallops are our fave. Dumplings and Nigiri as well. 👍👏🍽️

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Popular dish

Lobster Dumplings

Popular dish

Orange Chicken Dumplings

Popular dish

Truffle Shrimp Dumplings

Bang Up To The Elephant

4.6

4.6 (274)

$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Central

About the restaurant

Bang Up to the Elephant blends the intimacy of indoor dining with the natural enchantment of the outdoors, providing a sultry space for escape and rejuvenation. The restaurant’s namesake, a Victorian-era phrase for 'properly done,' is reflected in every detail, from its spirited atmosphere to its thoughtfully prepared dishes, creating one of the more unique dining experiences in Denver.

Prioritizing the well-being of our life-sustaining oceans and land, the restaurant serves 100% plant-based dishes that are considerately crafted. Bang Up to the Elephant’s lush ambiance embodies our passion for focused and always-evolving menus that are globally inspired. With adventurous spices and heat, our ingredients are always vegan, fresh-from-scratch, and carefully sourced.

Amidst the tree–lined heart of our historically artistic Capitol Hill neighborhood, the restaurant hosts local art and entertainers through ongoing events – a must-visit for Denver's socially vibrant dining and arts scene.

Top review

Karla

Dined on Jun 10, 2025

We wanted a restaurant with an interesting ambiance and Elephant definitely provided this. The interior is an artwork and it was fun just looking at it. The weather was lovely and we sat near the open windows. Service was attentive and pleasant. The food was good, but nothing special, I would call it comfort food. I felt that I could prepare our dishes at home myself just as successfully. But when you're a vegetarian dining in Denver, you are often grateful just to having something to order other than the extra large salad. The drinks were very good.

Pasque

4.6

4.6 (162)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Denver

About the restaurant

Located on the ground floor of Populus In Downtown Civic Center, Denver, Pasque features a seasonally driven, nature-based cuisine with a refined perspective on the riches of each season in an elevated dining experience..

Top review

Markus

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Beautifully composed and flavorful dishes. This chef knows what they’re doing!

Eleven18 Latin Tapas Bar

4.6

4.6 (76)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Colorado Springs

About the restaurant

Eleven18 Latin Tapas Bar is a chef-owned concept from nationally recognized Chef Brother Luck, delivering bold Latin flavors, refined cocktails, and a lively downtown energy perfect for evening dining. Whether you're looking to impress on date night, unwind after work, or gather with friends, Eleven18 sets the stage for unforgettable nights.

Driven by a culinary team inspired by Chef Brother Luck’s vision, the menu features creative, Latin-inspired small plates and shareable dishes—highlighted by our signature paellas and elevated takes on street food favorites. The bar program matches the energy, offering inventive cocktails and curated wines designed to elevate the experience.

Settle in at the chef’s counter, grab a table with friends, or post up at the bar—wherever you land, Eleven18 delivers flavor, atmosphere, and hospitality in every moment.

Top review

BobVIP

Dined 2 days ago

★★★★★ “Exceptional Tapas Experience with Top‑Notch Service” Quick service & attentive staff Right from the start, the service was prompt and thoughtful. The bartender personally came over multiple times, not just to refill our drinks but to check in on how we were enjoying the food and beverages—adding a lovely personal touch. Excellent value with generous portions We opted for the tapas tasting menu and were pleasantly surprised by the generous servings. The chef even added extra portions mid-meal to ensure we had more than enough—definitely great bang for the buck. Perfectly prepared, well-balanced tapas Every dish was executed flawlessly—fresh flavors, harmonious balance, and a creative variety that made the tasting feel both exciting and cohesive. Outstanding drinks selection The cocktails were spot-on, and a special highlight was the Aberlour 18‑year-old scotch—served at cost, which was a delightful bonus for us. Overall atmosphere & impression A seamless blend of attentive service, expertly crafted food, and drink-wise value made the evening memorable. The little extras—like the bartender’s check-ins and the chef’s generosity—turned a great meal into an exceptional experience. Would highly recommend this spot for anyone looking for flavorful tapas, attentive hospitality, and a fun pairing of drinks. We’ll definitely be back.

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Experience

Lucky Dumpling Pop-Up at Eleven18 Latin Tapas Bar

Minturn Country Club

4.5

4.5 (237)

$31 to $50

American

Vail

About the restaurant

An upscale venue serving hearty fare with a casual and inviting atmosphere, Minturn Country Club offers diners a chance to experience a relaxing family meal in Minturn, Colorado. In an exclusive club style, Minturn Country Club offers elegant fare including New York strip steak, Filet Mignon, lemon chicken, teriyaki chicken, wild Alaskan salmon and more.

At Minturn Country Club, enjoy a local microbrew or imported beer with each hearty meat dish or appetizer. An extensive list of new and imported wines is available to taste, and select reserves are available for anyone who wishes to indulge for a special occasion.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Minturn Country Club is always fun. 1st time back in too many years and my wife and I got to share the experience with my son. Aside from the bite of inflation since we last stood over the lava grills, it was great! Thank you.

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