denver city guide
kyle & i have lived in denver for over 9 years now, & i could/hope to live here for the rest of my life. we moved directly from florida right after we got married, not knowing what the heck we were doing. but now, nine years, two kids, two dogs, & a whole community later, i adore this life we’ve built here.
it’s about time that i shared some of my go-to’s with you! i get asked all the time so i figured i’d put it all in one place for easy reference. whether you live in denver, are flying in, or are just popping by on your way to the mountains, here are my faves ❤️
COFFEE
obviously my first & most important category ☕️
east denver —
dandy lion coffee co // doubles as a plant + gift shop!
jubilee roasting co (also a downtown location!)
glissade coffee company // iced caramel latte & the “glissade chill” are my go to’s
downtown/cap hill —
little owl coffee // not a lot of sitting room but excellent coffee
thump coffee // i used to work here! phenomenal food, cappuccinos & you can’t go wrong with the classic iced vanilla latte.
port side // get the breakfast sandwich 👏
hudson hill // VERY cute vibes for a day or evening hang. good snacky food too!
west denver —
huckleberry coffee roasters (multiple locations, more seating at the tennyson location) // love their seasonal drinks
sweet bloom coffee roasters (multiple locations, roastery at the colfax location)
seasonal drinks —
sonder coffee & tea (multiple locations)
sapor coffee & concepts
FOOD
brunch —
onefold (two locations, more seating at downtown location) // MY ONE TRUE LOVE. seriously my fave breakfast place of all time. get the bacon fried rice or tacos & the vietnamese iced coffee.
stowaway kitchen // extremely cute vibes & delightful food
olive & finch (multiple locations) // lots of good hashes & juices
get rights // bakery with daily morning sandwich & pizza specials
reunion bread // award-winning pastries, get the golfeado & a croissant
lunch —
curtis park deli // the italian is my JAM
gyroz // hole in the wall + drive thru greek food. i get the chicken pita!
illegal pete’s // like chipotle, but better — add a side of queso & chips!
etais // like a local panera
stanley marketplace // super chill, lots of food & shopping options
denver central market // tons of restaurants! LOVE the pizza place. & make sure to get ice cream ;)
denver milk market // do a lap before ordering any food! the homemade pasta is soo good
the source // reunion bread, safta is a little fancier but sooo good, the woods for the best view
dinner —
los chingones // my faves: chicken taco, brussels & margs, bb 🥂
cart driver // PHENOMENAL wood-fired pizza
cherry cricket // kyle’s favorite burger! don’t sleep on the onion rings & the ranch
dio mio // tiny lil italian place that we love. chicken parm is 10/10
linger // sit on the rooftop!
avanti // perf for when you can’t agree on what to eat, rooftop views
park burger // get. the. truffle. fries. & an extra side of ranch
THINGS TO DO
red rocks amphitheater (park & enter at the top! lots of hikes in the area)
walk around or rent bikes at wash park or cheesman park. picnic under one of the big trees! or go on a snowy walk at twilight in the winter
walk around rino art district (lots of art everywhere on buildings, denver central market, port side, stowaway kitchen, the source, cart driver, los chingones, etc are all there)
denver botanic gardens (the york street location has a really fun children’s garden with a play river!)
museums —
denver art museum
museum of nature & science (buy tickets ahead online!)
children’s museum // for the kiddos
cute stores —
meek vintage
sacred thistle
miller lane mercantile
conifer shop
zero market (at stanley marketplace)
any goodwill or ARC thrift store
nearby hikes —
(all within 30 minutes of the city!)
gennessee trailhead // lots of shade! limited parking so go early
green mountain
clear creek trail (fully paved next to the river in town!)
lair o the bear
table mountain (walk around golden while you’re there!)
flatirons (a little farther north, in boulder!)
hope this helps you enjoy my beautiful city! ❤️ feel free to comment any of your favorites that i missed.