Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Denver / Colorado

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

The Family Jones Spirit House

5.0

5 (428)

$30 and under

Distillery

Highlands

About the restaurant

The Family Jones Spirit House is a distillery and tasting room featuring crafted spirits and bites. It emphasizes the relationship between distiller, chef, bartender and guest, with a focus on hospitality that makes it a gathering place where all feel at home. Nestled in the space at 3245 Osage St., The Family Jones Distillery occupies the former Mancinellis Market building two doors from Root Down. Designed and built by tres birds workshop, the space pairs industrial elements with rich wood details. The roof was lifted to add a second-floor mezzanine where distillery operations are now perched above a sunken, curvilinear, concrete bar. Guests enter the space through a large, square, wooden door made from reclaimed, on-site materials. Inside, they are met with low-slung seating, deep blue booths and soft lighting. Two-story wooden louvers flank the Osage Street glass facade, offering passive temperature and lighting control, while drawing attention to the well-lit copper still.

Top review

Jeremi

Dined 6 days ago

This place has a fun and inviting atmosphere and outstanding staff. Don’t miss out—try the flight! We’ll be back for sure.

Aloy Modern Thai

4.9

4.9 (339)

$30 and under

Thai

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Aloy Modern Thai weds the contemporary culinary experience of Thailand to Colorado through locally sourced, slow-cooked cuisine crafted by some of Bangkok’s best chefs. We welcome you to come, learn, play and explore.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Aug 16, 2024

The food was absolutely delicious with amazing flavors. The server was friendly and recommended the cashew wok. Clean fun and great in every way

The Regular

4.9

4.9 (168)

$50 and over

Contemporary Latin

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Denver, The Regular brings an elegant and approachable concept to the city.

With local roots inspired by global flavors, Chef Brian De Souza and Syd Younggreen arrive to the scene with an innovative a la carte menu with influences from their experiences throughout the world. You can find menu items like Peruvian-inspired tapas, ceviche, tartare, and locally-sourced Lazy Acre beef.

The menu is complemented by a refreshing craft cocktail selection and impressive wine list, recently recognized for a Wine Spectator Award. Our daily Happy Hour offerings include $10 select wines and draft beer, spritzes, and sangria.

Spice up your next happy hour, let us take care of your weeknight dinner, celebrate a special night, or everything in between; we invite you to come be our Regular.

Top review

Lindsy

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

So amazing! Loved the food sooo much! Beef tartare, gnocchi and lobster skewer were off the charts. Everything - even the glasses, plates, just everything - about this restaurant is amazing. Service was top-notch to match. 10/10 Recommend!

El Jefe

4.8

4.8 (674)

$30 and under

Mexican

Highlands

About the restaurant

Our menu is inspired by the Mexican regions of Yucatán, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. We strive to respect the influences and traditions of these diverse cultures to bring you food that is uniquely El Jefe.

We believe in doing things the right way. Not because it’s trendy or cool, but because it’s right. We change our menu with the grow season, supporting our neighbors and the terroir of Colorado. We are not your average Mexican joint, rather a reflection of our environment and beliefs.

We hand make our tortillas every day. All of our pork comes from one whole hog. Our chefs breakdown the whole animal, for chorizo, appetizers, stocks, soups, and entrees. Nothing is wasted. We do this out of respect for the animal and for the people who raised them for us. Anything we can produce in our kitchen is done by us, with love. No frills, just good food.

We do an amazing brunch on the weekends, and by default or menu is nearly 100% gluten free.

Top review

Gilbert

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

It was a great meal, we had chorizo nachos that were delicious. Their guacamole is very good. And we enjoyed this with a very delicious El Jefe margarita. Highly recommend the nachos!

Tahk Omakase Sushi

4.8

4.8 (444)

$50 and over

Sushi

Steamboat Springs

About the restaurant

Tahk Omakase is located on Lincoln Street in the heart of beautiful downtown Steamboat Springs.
We offer the best sushi you will find in Steamboat and beyond. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 5pm.

Reservations are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome.
We offer regular tables, high-tops, sushi bar seats, and "counter", our community high-top bar.
Please visit tahksushi.com or OpenTable to book reservations and view our menus.
You will confirm with a secure credit card link.

We appreciate timely arrival for your reservation, we can only hold tables for 15 minutes.
We will do our best to accommodate your party but cannot guarantee a table.

We will not be answering the phone during our busy dinner service, we will likely check next business day, or we will check OpenTable DM. Take-out will be limited depending on the capacity of our restaurant.

In the case you don't cancel the reservation within 24 hours, your card will be charged $25pp.
If your party is 9 or more, please call to reserve.

Top review

Michelle

Dined 7 days ago

Food was lovely, but the ambiance made it truly special - Felt like dining in a hidden Edo period sushi bar.

Gyu-Kaku - Denver, CO | Cherry Creek

4.8

4.8 (146)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Cherry Creek

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

Great food and service! Had a great dinner with some friends and super accommodating for people who are gluten free. Our server Monique was phenomenal as well! Definitely recommend this place!

Discover more

Experience

Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!

The Remedy

4.8

4.8 (9)

$31 to $50

American

Vail

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Vail, The Remedy at Four Seasons offers a refined dining experience that harmonizes mountain elegance with culinary excellence. Our menu showcases a delightful fusion of contemporary American cuisine and classic favorites, all crafted from the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy a warm, inviting atmosphere with panoramic views of the stunning Rocky Mountains, perfect for any occasion, from intimate dinners to celebratory gatherings. Whether you're here for a leisurely brunch, a sophisticated dinner, or après-cocktails, The Remedy promises exceptional service and a memorable dining experience. Reserve your table today and indulge in a taste of Vail's finest.

Top review

Ben

Dined on Aug 16, 2024

I hosted a work team dinner there. Great drinks, service, food, ambience, & view that was reasonably priced for such a gem in Vail.

Discover more

Experience

Stranahan’s Whiskey Barrel Tasting Experience

Yard House - Lone Tree

4.8

4.8 (44)

$30 and under

American

Highlands Ranch / Lone Tree

About the restaurant

Yard House is the modern American gathering place where beer and food lovers unite. Known for great food, classic rock, an energetic vibe and endless fleet of tap handles featuring the best craft and local beers, each Yard House location offers 100+ beers on tap along with an array of craft cocktails. Our menu features favorites such as our signature Poke Nachos, street tacos, USDA prime burgers, seafood and steaks. Founded in Long Beach, Calif; in 1996, Yard House now spans across the U.S. with over 80 locations and is open daily for lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night dining.

Top review

vincent

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

Exceptional service. We had a person with gluten allergies and they went out of their way to ensure we were educated about the menu and what to avoid, etc. Just all around a great experience for a work dinner

Fox and The Hen

4.8

4.8 (84)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Whittier

About the restaurant

Fox and The Hen is inspired by a love of all things breakfast aka #MorningStuff. Here, we believe all the best things happen in the morning: sunrises, coffee drinks, small breakfast burritos tucked in large breakfast burritos and walks of shame.

Born out of Carrie Baird and Michael Fox’s true love for classic American breakfast served with lighthearted twists and an equal passion of all things boozy-brunch-drinks, Fox & The Hen is your new LoHi all-day breakfast concept.

Our focus is bringing friends and family together, incredibly delicious (and fun!) food, creative beverages and having everyone who leaves the Fox & the Hen feel their day is better than when they came in.

We do not seat incomplete parties, sorry.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Food and drinks were great with a nice presentation!

Provision Castle Rock

4.7

4.7 (226)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Castle Rock

About the restaurant

Provision is a Craft Cocktail bar in the heart of Castle Rock. We have approximately 25-30 cocktails on the menu, and over 160 classics in our black book. Come check out our cozy, vibey new space and join us for exceptionally crafted cocktails and light bites. We’re now taking reservations Wed – Saturday starting at 4:00pm. We can't wait to welcome you to Provision, Castle Rock’s newest evening destination.

Top review

Craigvip

Dined on Aug 28, 2024

My wife and I attended the Wyoming Whiskey tasting event and it was a great event. If someone is a Whiskey / Bourbon aficionado or new to liquors, these events are great way to taste different drinks and to understand a bit of the distillery and the associated processes. We also had the cheese sandwich and the short rib tacos - both were very good. I will attend more events at Provision in the future and last night's Wyoming Whiskey tasting event set a high bar.

Discover more

Experience

Empress Cocktail Class

Explore Diners' Choice best of Denver / Colorado

Explore more Diners' Choice lists