Colorado and The Best Restaurants

Colorado is one of the Nation’s most popular destinations for vacationers and those seeking adventure. When it comes to restaurants in the United States, Colorado ranks as the 5th highest per Capita. This is due in large part to the popularity of the state itself, the diverse population as well as the delicious cuisines served by the more than 12.400 locations.

While Colorado is not known as a “foodie” state, we found that consumers do not mind driving out of their way to find their favorite locations to eat at. It's nearly impossible to drive through Colorado without finding one of the nation’s most popular Restaurants.

Some of the most popular foods in Colorado range from Rocky Mountain oysters to the finest sushi known in the region. Tacos and pizza are also a staple here, just as trout, bison, and chile verde.

The Mint Steakhouse rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 486 recent reviews, offers a truly unique dining experience in Colorado's high country. At this historic establishment, guests can select their cuts from the butcher shop and grill them themselves on specially seasoned lava-rock grills—one of the few restaurants in the United States offering this interactive experience. Customer favorites include the 16oz dry-aged NY Strip, salmon, shrimp, and their signature ice Cream Baked Potato dessert.

Established in 1862, before Colorado achieved statehood, The Mint Steakhouse has survived three relocations across mining towns, finally settling in Silverthorne in 1914. The oldest restaurant in Colorado is open daily from 5pm to 9pm. From its journey beginning in Kokomo to its current home at 347 Blue River Pkwy in Silverthorne, the Mint continues to serve up both memorable steaks and seafood alongside its rich mining-era history.

According to Restaurantji’s Data, of all the reviews and ratings given, Kona Grill is the most often reviewed. Based on the reviews given, Kona Grill has the service, atmosphere, and great food. With an overall rating of 4.4, the favorite foods include the Avocado Egg Rolls, Rib-eye Meatballs, and Thai Noodles that are continuously requested.

Located in Denver, one can find a great choice for seafood, Buttered Potato Rolls and the best tasting French Onion Soup within the state. Named after Chef Troy Guard’s daughter, Guard and Grace is a kid friendly, inviting location with a warm atmosphere and shining service. Definitely one of the top choices to savor seafood.

Many locations can brag about the service they provide, and STK Steakhouse proves it to each and every customer in Denver. Some of the highest-rated foods on the menu include oysters, a 34-ounce dry-aged Tomahawk Steak, as well as much more seafood and juicy steaks. One of the newest popular items on the menu is the Wagyu Burger breakfast.

The remaining restaurants that round out the top ten include:

Jinya Ramen Bar

Benihana Restaurants in Broomfield and Denver

The Rabbit Hole

Himalayan Curry and Kebob

Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille

When it comes to the highest ratings, Restaurantji takes into account reviews of all restaurants, the number of reviews, and the Restaurant rating itself.

This location not only has a friendly and fun atmosphere, it serves up some of the most popular cuisine in Colorado. The Tonkotsu and Spicy Chicken Ramen are two of the highest-rated and highest-recommended foods from this restaurant. Rated at 4.9 by Restaurantji, Jinya Ramen Bar has outdoor dining and all options are available for takeout and delivery. It’s a budget-friendly yet high-quality dining option.

Known as a warm and inviting location in Frisco, the Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe serves up its own famous Eggs Butterhorn and the Cinnamon Roll French Toast, both of which are very highly recommended by locals and visitors. The Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe is a great family-style restaurant with outdoor dining available and budget-minded prices.

With a 4.9 rating on Restaurantji, Tom’s Watch Bar is the place to be at Coors Field. Sports fans, families, and friends all agree that this spot has the best choices for food and dining atmosphere. The most requested meals include Deep Dish Nachos and Honey Barbecue Wings. Tom’s Watch Bar in Coors Field also provides delivery.

The remaining Top Ten rated Restaurants by Restaurantji include:

India Express Denver with a wide selection of Indian and Asian foods available.

Heart of Jerusalem which carries favorite cuisines of Mediterranean and Middle East varieties.

Spice of India Restaurant and Bar is one of the go-to locations for those who enjoy Nepalese/Himalayan, as well as Indian cuisine.

Shri Ganesh offers their own highly rated options of Indian, Nepalese/Himalayan cuisines. Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken are the most requested dining choices.

Himalayan Curry and Kebob is the place to go for diners who appreciate Indian, Nepalese/Himalayan cuisines in Estes Park and surrounding areas.

Inventing Room Shop is a location that is unique in its own right. When it comes to ice cream, this is where to take your family and friends for innovative and delicious options.

Gaia Masala & Burger Lodo offers a selection of Indian and Mediterranean cuisines. Guests flock to this location for the Tikka Masala Chicken Cheesesteak and the Cheesy Masala Fries which make this choice highly rated among patrons.

When it comes to popular dining choices, even United States Presidents have their favorites in Colorado.

Buckhorn Exchange has hosted several U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan. Popular foods include the Bison Prime Rib, Buckhorn’s Famous Bean Soup, as well as Fried Alligator Queso, Rocky Mountain Oysters, and the Ek & Buffalo Steak Combo.

Barack Obama visited Boulder and enjoyed the Sinkza Pizza in 2012. The Pizza has since been renamed in honor of President Obama, it is now the POTUS Pie. Other highly rated choices at The Sink include Chicken Wings, Sandwiches and Burgers.

President Obama enjoyed a dining experience here in 2016. The Buff is highly rated and well known for its homemade soups and classic breakfast entrees, such as Biscuits and Gravy and Chicken with French Toast.

In 1997, Bill Clinton hosted an important meeting, the “Summit of the Eight,” at The Fort in Morrison, Colorado. He was joined by leaders from Russia, Japan, Canada, Germany, Britain, France, and Italy. Not only did Bill Clinton enjoy the Bison Steaks, but Boris Yeltsin was so highly impressed that he wanted to import Bison to Russia to help his people survive the winters.

An interesting tidbit here, Quentin Tarantino did film his movie “The Hateful Eight” in Telluride, Colorado. It is mentioned in different places that the cast and crew MAY HAVE (according to ChatGPT) enjoyed a dining experience at the same location as the Summit of the Eight. However, there is no definitive evidence that this actually took place, but a fun point to consider is that it is a possibility.

When it comes to entertainment celebrities, everyone seems interested in where our favorite stars eat and what their favorite foods are.

Charlie Brown’s Bar and Grill appears to be a likely favorite for Bill Murray. Whenever Murray is visiting or filming in Colorado, you can be sure he is likely to stop where an old friend played piano for many years. Some of the favorite dining choices include burritos. Happy Hour is a much-loved time at Charlie Brown’s, they hold two separate Happy Hours a day!

The Red Onion is an Aspen-based location where people were able to see Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong perform at, back in the day. Today, the burgers and appetizers draw the crowds in for a great time and experience.

Gaetano’s in Denver is one of those locations that is a must-go-to place. Originally started by the Smaldone Mob Family, complete with illegal gambling in hidden rooms, this location was a favorite to Frank Sinatra, who would often be seen playing Poker in the days before the Smaldones sold the Bar. Gaetano’s is one of the last truly Italian Restaurants remaining. The Chicken Parmigiana and Spaghetti is still one of the top choices.

Adam Richman and Aaron Sanchez have made the food choices from The Cherry Cricket in Denver well known. While Richman did not do one of the famous challenges, he did enjoy a few of the many burger concoctions available here. Sanchez, from “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” was more than happy to proclaim that the Cherry Cricket is home to his Number One choice for burgers.

My Brother’s Bar has been around since before Colorado was even admitted into the States. Famous people such as Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsburg have visited many times with friends and family. Neal Cassady left a letter for the owner at the location, this still is on display in My Brother’s Bar. Favorites that are served up include the Jalapeno Cream Cheese Burger, the Bison Burgers, and of course, the world-class fries.

While every restaurant would love to make its claim to fame, certain restaurants make the top choices in ratings and are talked about on social media. The ratings are defined by the most followed restaurants in the Colorado area.

The top five most followed restaurants on Instagram include:

LoStella Ristorante Denver which serves up homemade Pasta and tasty seafood, and is also a favorite stop for celebrities and locals alike. This Denver restaurant has nearly 50.000 followers on Instagram.

Bakery Four is a bakery where you can find naturally leavened Bakery products. With over 37.000 Instagram followers, they're known for their scones, croissants, cookies, and their fans all give a high thumbs up for flavor, atmosphere, and quality.

Izzio Bakery Central Market features an excellent variety of sweet rolls, matcha roulette, croissants, and sandwiches. Followed by around 30.000 people on Instagram, the Izzio Bakery is budget-friendly while providing a great atmosphere with friendly staff.

Avanti Food and Beverage, with its 29.000 Instagram followers, is a definite must-visit location. It's highly popular with everyone, and understandably so, given its great selection of food and beverages.

Black Box Bakery, boasting more than 26.000 followers on Instagram, features a huge variety of fresh baked pastries, and some of the most famous croissants in Colorado. This Edgewater bakery features unique and unusual items that are highly rated and well-loved by customers.

Like anywhere, this list can vary depending on who is asked. In general, however, the highest-rated, most popular foods in Colorado include:

Chips and Salsa

French Fries

Breakfast Burrito

Chicken Wings

Burgers

Pepperoni Pizza

Onion Rings

Sesame Chicken

These choices are likely to be found in most restaurants in Colorado. The one or two exceptions would be Sesame Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza. It does show that there is variety in taste and it is not all fast food crowds that eat out.

Again, depending on who responds to the questions, the choices may appear in both lists, which could be confusing to some. Also, these favorites or not-so-favorites do not list the location or brand of the item that is chosen. The lowest rated on the list are:

Fries

Pepperoni Pizza Burrito Bowl

Burgers

Chicken Wings

Sandwiches

Fried Chicken

Chips/Salsa

Now that pets are seen as members of our families, it is important for many people to locate restaurants that are pet-friendly. It is not just for being a family member though. Many people now have ESAs - Emotional Support Animals. Some are medically needed to warn of seizures or other episodes, while some are more for the mental stability of depression, panic, or stress.

Colorado, like many other states, is developing guidelines to help the population with these animals.

Golden, Durango, and Estes Park all lead the way in pet friendliness. However, Breckinridge leads the state with a whopping 31.2% of businesses being pet-friendly.

Michelin Stars are given to those restaurants that excel as a restaurant that serves exceptional food and dining experience. The Michelin Guide bases decisions on 5 criteria:

Quality of Ingredients

Harmony of the Flavors

Mastery of Techniques

Personality of the Chef

Consistency

Also under consideration are the plating and appearance, quality of the service, decor of the establishment, and value for the price. Stars are given out routinely, yet can also be removed from the restaurant if any of the aspects fail to meet standards.

Colorado has a list of Michelin Rated Restaurants. The locations with one Michelin star are:

Bosq Restaurant

Beckon Restaurant

Frasca Food and Wine

The restaurants that not only have earned one star Michelin rating but also earned the Michelin Green star for eco-friendly culinary practices are:

Bruto Restaurant

The Wolf’s Tailor

The Restaurants that have earned the Green Star for their eco-friendly culinary practices are:

The Bramble and Hare

Blackbelly Market and Restaurant

Across Colorado, there are 30 selected restaurants, including 9 Bib Gourmand establishments, 5 one-star Michelin restaurants, 4 Green Star recipients, and 2 restaurants that have earned both Michelin and Green stars.

With Reddit being one of the most important social media sites that are trusted when it comes to ratings and information, there are only a few restaurants in Colorado serving real Wasabi. To receive the real Wasabi, visitors should request this when placing an order at the location, as Wasabi is generally only served upon request. The restaurants that have been rated for real Wasabi include, but not limited to:

Sushi Den

Bamboo Sushi

Temaki Den

Mizu Izakaya

Fontana Sushi

Most of these are located in or around Denver.

With at least 80 types of cuisines served from the many restaurants in Colorado, 10 cuisines are each represented by only one restaurant. The average rating for restaurants serving national cuisines stands at 4.24.

The most popular cuisines served in Colorado restaurants today are:

American

Mexican

New American

Italian

Chinese

Japanese

Asian Fusion

Thai

Vietnamese

Indian

For cuisines that are represented by 3 or more restaurants in Colorado, these kitchens show the highest average ratings:

Australian

Burmese

African

Polish

Turkish

Puerto Rican

Cuban

Argentine

Nepalese

Syrian

While you may have to travel to find them, these 7 restaurants are the only places that serve their unique cuisines.

Godavari in Centennial is home to the best authentic South Indian Food in Colorado. Godavari has a fascinating and quirky atmosphere. They provide great food at reasonable prices.

Akwaba is the location of the finest African or West African Cuisine in Aurora. With classics like Fried Plantains and Goat Stew, thumbs up are given by all who stop to enjoy a great meal.

Molotov Kitchen and Cocktails serves up the highest-rated Ukrainian cuisine in Colorado. They welcome you to try the Cherry Borscht or the Cabbage Stuffed Cabbage. When you want authenticity, Molotov offers a rustic atmosphere, friendly service, and great food.

Jaya Asian Grill is home to Asian Fusion food and a comfortable atmosphere with great service. Request the Beef Rendang and Roti Canal when you want something flavorful and authentic.

Ultreia is a place in Denver where you will find authentic Portuguese and Spanish foods. While easy on the wallet, this location offers comfortable seating, indoors or out. They fit well for groups or families. The most popular foods include Shishito Peppers and Bacon Wrapped Dates.

Samarkand Restaurant is home to the finest in Uzbek cuisine. It offers Shurpa Soup, Olivier Salad, and kebabs among other options. While it is fast and accommodating, it is best to plan an early dinner here to be able to enjoy the dumplings before they run out.

Empanada Kings serves authentic Empanadas, it also has juices and smoothies as well as some authentic Puerto Rican foods. The Caribbean Plate is one of the most requested dishes.

Colorado has a multitude of restaurants within its boundaries. All categories of diet and those participating in such can find a favorite eating establishment easily. While vegetarian cuisine has the most establishments, they are rated at 4.09 in satisfaction. Vegan establishments come in second with over 2500 locations throughout Colorado. The ratings for these come out to 4.18.

Next up is the fast food establishments with locations totaling over 2300. Ratings for the fast food industry in Colorado come in at an average of 2.93.

American food locations earned a rating of 4.03 with over 2300 locations. Among the 1,400+ bars in the area, the average rating is 4.13. Pizza restaurants and burger joints have similar numbers of locations (over 1,425 each) but lower ratings of 3.7 and 3.3 respectively. Coffee shops and coffee/tea shops both maintain high ratings between 3.8 and 3.9.

The information gained from ratings such as these seems to show that dining in Colorado is becoming increasingly vegetarian or vegan.

When it comes to ranking the types of Restaurants by categories, the ratings are generally all equal. From Australian, Meaderies, Burmese, Macarons or Dinner Theater they all come in with high ratings of 4.6 or higher.

For those interested in how burgers or pizza rank in the state of Colorado, Pepperoni Pizza is the favorite pizza and the simple hamburger gets the highest ranking for burgers. According to the data being released, Colorado has fewer patrons who order larger burgers or specialty pizzas.

Soup seems to be another category that holds plenty of interest for Colorado. With so many types or flavors of soups offered, miso ranks as the most popular, and following the list from most to least in popularity are Egg Drop, French Onion, Wonton and last is Sweet and Sour in the rankings.

If we were to follow what the rankings and the ratings tell us, it appears that Colorado is a state that is finding it worthy to be eating healthier. The choices of types of cuisine versus the quantity of meals offered by fast food or others resembles a track set on increasing our health and lowering our fat intake.