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Best Places to Eat in Downtown Denver

Interior view of a restaurant featuring exposed wooden beams, colorful checkered tiles, and pendant lighting. A pizza oven is visible in the background along with seating areas.

When we started researching Colorado’s food scene, we weren’t sure what to expect. We knew Mexican and Tex-Mex seemed to be popular, but beyond that, we didn’t find one specific “must-try” dish or restaurant that kept popping up. So, we decided to do our own taste testing! Here are some of our favorite places to eat in and around downtown Denver.

Three Margaritas

Three tacos filled with crispy fried fish, topped with creamy sauce, diced tomatoes, and cilantro, served on corn tortillas with lime wedges and a side of orange rice and salsa.

Three Margaritas Mexican restaurant was delicious, and the portions were perfect. They’re known for their margaritas. We didn’t indulge, but they looked amazing! You can even order a huge one to share.

While we were there, they had a live band playing Bossa Nova-inspired jazz music, which really added to the ambiance. It seemed like they had different types of live music during the evening hours on most days. I ordered the shrimp tacos, and Justin got the fajitas. We both loved our meals!

Osteria Marco

A plate of pasta topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs, featuring a mix of ingredients including sun-dried tomatoes and pieces of chicken.

Osteria Marco Italian restaurant had such a beautiful atmosphere. We especially loved their appetizers, and the burrata was incredible! Their pizza was also delicious. The pasta dishes were decent as well, although the portions were on the smaller side, especially for the seafood options.

They also had an extensive wine selection to pair with your meal. This would be a great place to visit with a group of friends, share appetizers, and enjoy a bottle of wine together.

Water Grill

A plate featuring a piece of fried fish, accompanied by a serving of French fries in a metal cup, tartar sauce in a small dish, ketchup in another small dish, and a lemon wedge.

Water Grill is the perfect spot for a date night. This seafood restaurant is ideal for a celebration or a special night out. They have everything from mouthwatering steaks and fresh seafood to oysters and other delicious options. They also offer a great wine list to pair with your meal.

Justin ordered a steak, and I enjoyed the fish and chips. I like my fish and chips crispy, and that’s exactly what I got! Their desserts also hit the sweet spot and were the perfect way to end the meal.

Marcos Woodfire Pizza

A freshly baked pizza topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh basil on a marble plate.

Marcos Woodfire Pizza by Coors Field was the perfect way to get in a delicious meal before heading to the ball park. We love pizza and this one came with high ratings and awards.

They are a Michelin Guide Restaurant recommended and certified authentic Verace Pizza Napoletana. This pizza deserved all of the awards.

We ordered a standard Margherita Pizza as well as a Vodka Sauce. Both were mouthwatering and hit the spot! Truly some of the best woodfire pizza we ever had!

They also had a great special that if you had tickets to the Rockies game, they had game day drink specials. This was the best meal we had while in Denver!

Offshoots Cafe Denver Botanic Gardens

A close-up of a toasted sandwich filled with lettuce, tomato, and meat, partially sliced and presented on a paper plate, accompanied by a pickle and a bag of chips.

We typically avoid eating at places we consider attractions or in a venue, but I was exploring by myself the day I went to the botanical gardens, and Justin had lunch provided. So I decided it would be beautiful to just enjoy the gardens and lunch. I had a chicken sandwich and an ice tea, and it was truly delicious and the perfect lunch! Offshoots Cafe reminded me of a Panera but with more hand crafted options. It truly hit the spot for lunch and the food came out fast.