25 BEST LUNCH SPOTS IN DENVER In 2023

Many people enjoy going out to lunch with friends or even simply meeting up with a family member. Catching up on past times or simply updating someone on what’s new in your life is a terrific way to spend time with someone while also eating some tasty food. Perhaps you simply want to identify the next best spot to go for your lunch break rather than eating a packed meal. Well, when it comes to lunch options, we have everything you’re looking for, with the top casual lunch spots in Denver to check out today!

Best Lunch Spots in Denver

Denver has a wide range of casual lunch spots with a diversity of cuisines and atmospheres. We exclusively direct our readers and tour attendees to our own favorites, which we believe are the greatest lunch spots in Denver.

#1. Apple Blossom

I had no idea what to expect walking into the first floor of the Hyatt Centric Hotel and finding my way to Apple Blossom, a modern farm-to-table American restaurant that focuses on local produce with seasonal changing menus. Despite the fact that Apple Blossom is a new restaurant on the Denver scene, the team behind it includes veterans who have worked in popular restaurants like Beast + Bottle and Coperta.

#2. Four Friends Kitchen

Have you ever had a strong desire for a Southern breakfast or lunch? So, why not stop by Four Friends Kitchen today for some of Denver’s greatest American comfort food? If it’s a wonderful day outside and you want to spend time with loved ones while enjoying a nice view and tasty meals, they have a beautiful rooftop terrace option. You can get huevos rancheros, smoked brisket hash, fried chicken, chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, and a variety of other dishes. Visit the Four Friends Kitchen today!

#3. Mercantile Dining and Provision

We can’t blame you for wanting to taste and test out new flavors that are one-of-a-kind! If you’re looking for some of Denver’s best New American lunch meals, stop by Mercantile Dining and Provision today. They not only have lunch specials, but they also stay open until 8 p.m. if you’re searching for some dinner alternatives! Why not try the short rib sandwich, sea bass, crispy pig ears, pork chops, braised short ribs, and many more delectable dishes? All of their dishes are delectable, so stop by Mercantile Dining and Provision now!

#4. Avelina

Avelina is the place to go in Denver if you want to try some of the best contemporary American meals. Also, Avelina focuses on wood-fired cuisine and complimentary wine that complements the meal, making it an elegant luncheon.

Short ribs, pork belly, charred octopus, tuna tartare, roasted cauliflower flatbread, pork tenderloin, wagyu beef carpaccio, and many other meals are available. You must try Avelina today for the meal of a lifetime!

#5. Hong Kong BBQ

I enjoy eating at places like Hong Kong BBQ. A no-frills establishment that serves the good stuff to those who venture inside. Hong Kong BBQ, as the name implies, specializes in roasted meats, which are presented in a glass case at the front counter.

Roasted duck, roasted pork with crispy skin, Char Sui pork, and steamed chicken. Hong Kong BBQ has recently become one of my favorite lunch spots in Denver, with four visits in less than a month.

#6. Tocabe

Tocabe remains one of my absolute favorite lunch spots in Denver, even after years of eating around the city, for its consistency and out-of-this-world deliciousness. Also, Tocabe, the only American Indian-owned and operated restaurant in the Denver metro region, specializes in contemporary Native and Indigenous food served in a modern fast-casual setting. Tocabe is like an American Indian-inspired Chipotle, but 100 times better.

#7. Bodega

I believe Bodega is one of Denver’s best-kept lunch secrets, serving some of the greatest sandwiches I’ve had in the United States. Although I believe Bodega is one of the top lunch spots in Denver, they emphasize a creative breakfast/lunch menu that will satisfy any hungry visitor.

My favorite burger in Denver is served at Bodega: a double smashed patty with cheese and caramelized onion on a nicely toasted bun. Eating this double cheeseburger nearly brought tears to my eyes, with meat juice flowing down my joyful cheeks.

#8. Jamaican Grille

If you’ve lived in Denver for any length of time, you’ve most likely driven right by Jamaican Grille on 8th Avenue without noticing this simple restaurant providing authentic Jamaican cuisine in Denver since 2013.

Jamaican Grille is a must-visit lunch destination in Denver for foodies. Every visiting eater will be sucking up every last drop of sauce on their plate, from the spice blend on the proteins to the delectable sauces.

#9. Domino’s Pizza

If you need a quick and cheap lunch, go to Cosmo’s, one of Denver’s favorite pizza joints. They make the real stuff, NY-style thin crust, and sell it by the slice or as a complete pie for takeout.
Cosmos Pizza is all about quality, paying attention to the smallest details to ensure that every piece is delicious. Every day, they shred their own cheese, chop their own vegetables, and prepare their own dough.

#10. Corinne

The Denver Central Business District, which is packed with substandard chain eateries, provides few options for food-obsessed visitors. Corinne, nestled between Bubba Gump Shrimp and the Le Meridian Hotel, continues to be a beacon of hope for residents around the Denver Convention Center.

Corinne, one of the greatest business lunch spots in Denver, has an amazing cuisine that exemplifies innovation with simple twists to transform an ordinary lunch into a spectacular feast. The Heirloom Tomato Salad, artfully presented with a flavor of pure freshness, felt well-balanced and tasty, with substantial chunks of heirloom tomatoes mixing perfectly with the cucumber, feta, basil, and watercress.

#11. Finch & Olive

This scratch-made bakery and restaurant is one of Denver’s top lunch places. You don’t always care what the food is, as long as it’s excellent. Are we correct in our assessment? If all you want is some fantastic food, you should go to Olive & Finch right now!

Olive & Finch delivers great chef-driven, made-to-order fare that you will adore. You must try the green eggs and ham sandwich, soft scrambled eggs, quinoa salad, pulled pork, roasted tomatoes, and many other dishes. Come by Olive & Finch today for some of the greatest breakfasts or lunches you’ve ever had!

#12. Denver Milk Market

The Denver Milk Market is an all-local food hall with take-out and dine-in restaurants and bars created by Colorado chef Frank Bonanno. Bonanno Brothers Pizza, Mano Pastaria, Moo Bar, Morning Jones, Cornicello, and Ghost Tortilla are among the restaurants featured. This is a terrific Denver lunch restaurant since each member of your party can order what they want and then sit together to enjoy it.

#13. Ultreia

Ultreia is certainly one of the top casual lunch spots in Denver, thanks to its Spanish tapas and skillfully paired Iberian wines. In addition, the ambiance is unrivaled. The restaurant’s atmosphere is both sophisticated and full of charm, as it is located inside the recently rebuilt Union Station. The décor includes Spanish tiling, Renaissance murals, and an outstanding wine wall. The outside terrace is more modern, with views of the city.

#14. Denver Biscuit Co.

Who said lunch had to be limited to weekends? Monday through Friday, enormous lunch sandwiches are available until 2:00 p.m. at Denver Biscuit Company’s five locations. The Dalia is a menu favorite, with a sausage patty, fried egg, maple syrup, and house-made apple butter.

Another favorite is the Cordon Bleu, which is piled high with fried chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, and more of that tempting apple butter. Non-meat eaters will like the biscuit French toast and mushroom sauce.

#15. The Bindery

The Bindery, which leans toward a marketplace concept, includes a coffee and pastry shop as well as one of the best casual Denver lunch spots. When founding the restaurant, owner, and chef Linda Hampsten Fox drew on her extensive culinary history. Her talent is evident in the inviting atmosphere and delectable meals.

#16. Kachina Cantina

Kachina Cantina not only has some of the greatest happy hour discounts in Denver, but they also know how to pull a lunch crowd. This colorful café, located within the Denver Milk Market, combines Southwest and Mexican cooking techniques. The outcome is a culinary amalgamation worth celebrating—perhaps with a mid-day margarita.

#17. RiNo Arts District Food Tour

Head to the RiNo Arts District for some of the city’s newest restaurants, a fashionable, up-and-coming district famed for craft beer and world-class street art. Join Delicious Denver Food Tours for a RiNo Arts District Food Tour to sample some of the best foods in the area.

On this three-hour tour, you’ll sample everything from house-made burrata from a beloved local Italian chef to street tacos with fuego takis, award-winning sourdough pizza, and mochi donuts from award-winning (and varied) restaurants in the neighborhood.

#18. Avanti Food & Beverage

Avanti is a food hall that houses a variety of culinary themes under one roof. There are a number of cuisines available, including tacos, burgers, sushi, and more. The environment is casual and energetic, with communal seating.

#19. Steuben’s

Steuben’s is a retro-style American diner serving regional comfort dishes. They sell lobster rolls, fried chicken, burgers, and macaroni and cheese, among other things. The setting is casual and nostalgic.

#20. The Source

The Source is a food hall housed in an old brick foundry. It is home to various vendors who provide a variety of cuisines such as wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, sushi, and more. It’s a hip and lively hangout with communal seating.

#21. Watercourse Foods

Watercourse Foods is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant that delivers tasty and imaginative plant-based meals. They serve burgers, sandwiches, salads, and comfort cuisine staples among other things.

#22. Vinh Xuong Bakery

Vinh Xuong Bakery, a local favorite, is an excellent lunch option, particularly for its banh mi sandwiches. Pickled vegetables, cilantro, soy sauce, and a smear of mayo are standard toppings on all six options. Two of the most popular sandwiches on the menu are the pork and tofu sandwiches.

#23. True Food Kitchen

True Food Kitchen fits nicely into the trendy Cherry Creek neighborhood. Natural light and green accents complement the freshness of their health-conscious lunch menu. Here, sustainably sourced ingredients are used to produce delectable meals that some may term comfort cuisine.

#24. Kealoha’s BBQ

Shopping at the 16th Street Mall is one of the nicest things to do in downtown Denver, and you’re bound to become hungry. There are other restaurants along the promenade, but few equal Kealoha’s BBQ for quick and tasty meals.

Their traditional Hawaiian meals are well-received, particularly the spam musubi. The same can be said about their lilikoi BBQ ribs and kalua pork, both of which are paired with Hawaiian-style macaroni salad.

#25. Maria Empanada

During lunchtime, all three Maria Empanada outlets are packed since their Argentinean specialty is ideal for eating on the go. With between six and a dozen boxes available, they’re also an excellent choice for feeding a large party.

There are fourteen scrumptious alternatives, including vegetarian varieties, so there is something for everyone. And don’t skip dessert—their six-packs of alfajorcitos, which are shortbread biscuits with dulce de leche, are delicious!

These are only a few of the many casual lunch spots available in Denver. Remember to double-check the hours of operation and availability, as well as any unique dining limitations or guidelines that may be in place.

Conclusion

The food scene in Denver has grown to enormous proportions, with wonderful casual lunch spots all around the city. The Mile High City has something for everyone, from the buzz and bustle of downtown to the varied districts serving true foreign food.

Fast food franchises and subpar meals abound, as in any big urban center in the United States, but the good stuff is frequently buried in plain sight. A made-from-scratch sandwich or a fine dining-grade seasonal feast may be found at the best casual lunch spots in Denver. Don’t settle when an incredible meal awaits you in Denver, Colorado.

25 BEST LUNCH SPOTS IN DENVER In 2023