Exciting news: Our local food tour company will debut the 16th Street Mall Food Tour on March 1! Its launch comes at the perfect time, as the pedestrian promenade will soon wrap up its multi-million dollar renovation. Join us in visiting four of the best 16th Street Mall restaurants on this new guided experience — and follow our guide to other great eateries, most of which we’ve personally visited.
This round-up features options for every preferred cuisine, ambiance and price point. We’ve included must-visit spots along the mall, as well as restaurants near Larimer Square and Union Station. Dig in!
Best 16th Street Mall Restaurants
Appaloosa Grill
535 16th Street #110 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: American │ Atmosphere: Casual
This 16th Street Mall mainstay offers nightly live music, a generous daily happy hour and an expansive American menu. Savor regionally-inspired specialties like its smoked pork green chile, bison steak and elk burger on toasted brioche. Appaloosa Grill also serves a flavorful bison chili, one of four tastings featured on our brand-new 16th Street Mall Food Tour!
Mono Mono Korean Fried Chicken
1550 Blake Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Korean │ Atmosphere: Casual
The menu at Mono Mono stars ultra-crispy wings, drumsticks, fried chicken sandwiches and more. Korean flavors like gochujang punch up these dishes, which pair deliciously with available small plates including bulgogi nachos, kimchi fries and housemade dumplings. Complete your meal at one of the best 16th Street Mall restaurants with an award-winning rice lager or hazy IPA.
D’Corazon Mexican Restaurant
1530 Blake Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Mexican │ Atmosphere: Casual
If you’re craving carnitas and a mid-day margarita, head to D’Corazon. Ranked as one of the best lunch restaurants in downtown Denver, this locally-owned eatery serves all your favorite Mexican comforts: crispy chile rellenos, chicken mole enchiladas and chimichangas smothered in spicy green chile, plus so much more.
Samosa Shop
1526 Blake Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $ │ Type of food: Indian │ Atmosphere: Casual
There’s nothing like a late-night bite from Samosa Shop. In addition to sweet and savory samosas, it offers a rotating selection of creative fusion dishes like vindaloo chicken birria tacos and lamb kebab smashburgers. Find this Indian street food concept tucked inside Honor Farm, one of our favorite LoDo bars.
The Kitchen American Bistro
1560 Wazee Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: New American │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
The Kitchen American Bistro is a solid choice for any occasion, from corporate events to brunch dates with friends. While the restaurant offers a range of entrees, don’t overlook its sharable small plates. Crispy cauliflower topped with tamarind-coriander chutney, urfa-spiced carrots alongside whipped feta and hand-cut garlic fries are some of the best bites on the menu.
Chez Maggy
1616 Market Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$$ │ Type of food: French │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Inside the swanky Thompson hotel lies Chez Maggy, one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. Book a dinner reservation to enjoy a dimly-lit ambiance and menu favorites like buttery escargots, a zesty crab toast, white wine-simmered mussels and its signature trout almondine. This modern French eatery also offers a lengthy wine list, along with daily breakfast items and a generous weekend brunch.
Earls Kitchen + Bar
1600 Glenarm Place #140 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: New American │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
Take a seat within Earls’ dining room or dine al fresco on one of two patios along 16th Street Mall. This New American chain offers a little bit of everything, from sushi and gochujang-slathered ribs to hearty burgers, steak entrees and more. It’s especially popping from 3 to 6 p.m. daily and 9 p.m. to close, as the eatery offers one of the best happy hours in Denver.
Kealoha’s BBQ
601 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $ │ Type of food: Hawaiian │ Atmosphere: Casual
For a quick and tasty bite, stop by this busy food stand along 16th Street Mall. Kealoha dishes out Hawaiian staples like spicy kalua pork, lilikoi barbecue ribs, spam musubi and teriyaki chicken served with macaroni salad. Order a guava juice or lychee lemonade to pair with your flavorful, island-style meal.
Lazo Empanadas
303 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $ │ Type of food: Argentinian │ Atmosphere: Casual
Lazo Empanadas has six locations, with an outpost in the Ballpark District (which we visit on our Downtown Denver Food Tour) and another along 16th Street Mall (one of four stops on our new 16th Street Mall Food Tour).
Its Argentinian baked empanadas come in twelve savory flavors including barbecue chicken, steak quesadilla, spicy ground beef and mushroom. Make it a meal with a side of chimichurri and a sweet empanada for dessert.
West Saloon & Kitchen
501 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: American │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
Grab a seat at West Saloon & Kitchen to sample its regionally-inspired menu which features favorites like pork green chile, elk meatballs and Rocky Mountain oysters — which is not a seafood dish, in case you were wondering. Rather, whet your appetite with deep-fried bull testicles and wash ‘em down with one of 36 beers on tap.
5280 Burger Bar
500 16th Street #160 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: American │ Atmosphere: Casual
5280 Burger Bar is located on the lower level of the Denver Pavilions, an expansive commercial complex along 16th Street Mall. Pop in for a burger piled high with creative toppings — like the charcuterie burger made with brie, green apples and crispy prosciutto; or the “prime” featuring sharp white cheddar, steak sauce and giant onion rings. Truffle fries and a boozy milkshake complete the experience.
Chopstickers
1617 California Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Chinese │ Atmosphere: Casual
This counter-service eatery offers budget-friendly dim sum right off 16th Street Mall. Menu favorites at Chopstickers include soup dumplings, steamed and fried bao, savory potstickers and its spicy dandan noodles. In addition to meat and seafood options, there’s also a solid variety of plant-based dishes.
Liang’s Thai Food
16th & Welton Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $ │ Type of food: Thai │ Atmosphere: Casual
Before Liang’s Thai Food opened its brick-and-mortar in Broomfield, it was just a humble little food stall along 16th Street Mall — which continues to operate today. Discover what made this eatery a local favorite by ordering its pad thai, drunken noodles and popular panang curry. But a word to the wise: This spot is cash-only and if you request a dish to be “Thai hot,” prepare for a serious kick of heat!
Mint Indian Restaurant And Lounge
1531 Stout Street #130 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Indian │ Atmosphere: Casual
For a real feast, there’s no better place to dine than Mint Indian Restaurant. Served during lunchtime, its affordable weekday buffet features a range of traditional dishes including housemade curries, tikka masala, vindaloo and more. Though it’s easy to pile up your plate, save room for dessert — the mango custard is a must.
16th Street Mall Restaurants Near Larimer Square
Osteria Marco
1453 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Italian │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
This cozy, basement-level eatery is one of the best Italian restaurants in town. Snag a booth or take a seat on its patio to enjoy hand-tossed pizza and fresh pasta entrees, like its mouthwatering mushroom fusilli and decadent shrimp fra diavolo.
Osteria Marco is also loved for its creamy housemade ricotta. Slightly sweet and served with grilled bread, it’s a menu favorite for good reason. Sample it alongside three other dishes from award-winning local restaurants on our new 16th Street Mall Food Tour!
Tamayo
1400 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: Mexican │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
Tamayo is one of our favorite rooftop restaurants in Denver. It’s been a Larimer Square mainstay since 2001 and recently underwent major renovations, which will debut on March 4. The updated aesthetic now matches the freshness of the modern Mexican menu. Order dishes like queso fundido, mahi mahi tacos and its popular la tampiqueña dish featuring grilled skirt steak, mole enchilada and more.
Sushi by Scratch
1441 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$$ │ Type of food: Japanese │ Atmosphere: Upscale
For a luxurious night out, book a reservation at the city’s newest omakase-inspired restaurant, Sushi by Scratch. This upscale eatery just opened its twelfth location on Larimer Square. Down on a basement level and along the chef’s counter, diners enjoy seventeen sushi courses and Japanese cocktails alongside fewer than ten other guests. It’s an intimate, immaculate experience.
Rioja
1431 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: Mediterranean │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Mediterranean flavors take center stage at Rioja, a lively eatery in the heart of Larimer Square. Dine al fresco or inside its warm dining room to enjoy handmade pastas and comforting entrees. Popular choices include its artichoke tortelloni, ricotta gnocchi with braised Colorado lamb and seared venison served with wild mushrooms and huckleberry-infused jus. Order the fig beignets for dessert.
The Capital Grille
1450 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$$ │ Type of food: Steakhouse │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Whether you’re looking for date night spots or venues to entertain clients, The Capital Grille is a winning choice. This upscale steakhouse in Larimer Square has wined and dined guests for more than twenty years. If it’s your first time visiting, order the signatures: lobster mac and cheese, mashed red potatoes and its porcini-rubbed ribeye with fifteen-year aged balsamic.
Dragonfly Noodle
1350 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Pan-Asian │ Atmosphere: Casual
This sister concept to Michelin-recommended Zoe Ma Ma is one you don’t want to miss. Dragonfly Noodle debuted on the corner of 16th and Market in 2022 and quickly built a reputation for its noodle dishes, which span from Japanese ramen and yaki udon to steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho.
Bao featuring housemade buns add to the delicious menu. On our 16th Street Mall Food Tour, guests sample our personal favorite: the roast duck bao topped with crispy shallots, scallions and a sweet-savory hoisin sauce.
Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar
1514 Blake Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Japanese │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
With a wide selection of sake and Japanese-inspired cocktails, Hapa Sushi is one of our favorite bars in Denver. The food menu is equally as extensive, featuring dozens of rolls and small plates like karaage sliders, ginger pork gyoza and shishito peppers dressed in spicy gochujang. For the best deal, pop in during happy hour, available daily from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, as well as 10 pm to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ocean Prime
1465 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: Steakhouse │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Celebrate your next special occasion at Ocean Prime, one of the best 16th Street Mall restaurants. This upscale chain that has long occupied Larimer Square. White tablecloths appear inside and on its patio — both stellar places to dine on Chilean sea bass, Colorado lamb and bone-in ribeye steak. To sample the chef’s best, order from its prix fixe surf and turf menu served on Sundays and complete the experience with a bottle of wine.
Blue Agave Grill
1201 16th Street # 104 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Southwest │ Atmosphere: Casual
In addition to its Fort Collins location, Blue Agave Grill has an outpost on 16th and Larimer. Stop in for signature cocktails and Southwest-inspired eats like blue corn enchiladas, crispy coconut shrimp and tortilla soup with a kick of green chile. This locally-owned restaurant also offers a killer weekday happy hour, with $6 margaritas and most food specials under ten bucks.
Little Finch
1490 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $ │ Type of food: American │ Atmosphere: Casual
Little Finch is a lovely spot on the corner of 16th and Blake. Like its sister concepts in Uptown and Cherry Creek, it serves a range of breakfast and lunch items. Nosh on housemade pastries, savory slices of quiche, fresh salads, sandwiches and more. The eatery also has a coffee bar, plus a neat selection of cocktails, wine and local beer from Tivoli Brewing Co.
16th Street Mall Restaurants Near Union Station
Ultreia
1701 Wynkoop Street #125 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: Spanish │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Gin tonics and tapas from Ultreia are some of the best things to eat and drink around Union Station. Order a few of our favorites including bacon-wrapped dates, blistered shishito peppers, tinned fish and cascabel chile-marinated shrimp.
End the meal with a port wine and pastel de nata, a Portuguese custard tart which we sample on our Downtown Denver Food Tour.
Zoe Ma Ma
1625 Wynkoop Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$ │ Type of food: Chinese │ Atmosphere: Casual
While Michelin-recommended restaurants hold a certain reputation, this counter-serve Chinese spot is anything but pretentious. Rather, expect a casual ambiance at Zoe Ma Ma, along with dim sum and comforting entrees. The beef noodle soup is a must-try, and the same goes for its za jiang mian — a noodle dish made with a savory pork sauce and crunchy veg.
ChoLon
1555 Blake Street #101 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: Asian Fusion │ Atmosphere: Upscale
ChoLon serves Asian-fusion dishes within its sleek dining room on 16th and Blake. While small plates like its kaya (coconut jam) toast, grilled beef skewers and pork belly bao buns are menu favorites, don’t miss its claim to fame: the French onion soup dumplings. From simmering beef broth to folding each by hand, this signature dish takes days to create and is one of the best bites in Denver.
Tavernetta
1889 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$$ │ Type of food: Italian │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Tavernetta is one of our favorite bars around Union Station, with its refreshing brachetto spritz featured on our Cocktail Tasting Tour. But this Michelin Bib Gourmand serves far more than apéritifs and sommelier-selected wines.
Take in the romantic ambiance while savoring handmade pastas, like its lamb ragu rigatoni and lobster tagliatelle, along with whole branzino and rum-soaked tiramisu for dessert. Among 16th Street Mall restaurants, there’s no better place for Italian fine dining.
Ajax Downtown
1899 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: New American │ Atmosphere: Contemporary Casual
Ajax Downtown brings one of our favorite winter activities to the city: après ski. Like its original location in Aspen, this stylish eatery serves comforts like its Wagyu double cheeseburger and French onion soup alongside elevated dishes. Pair sparkling wine with coal-fired mussels, trout crudo and more.
Mercantile Dining and Provision
1701 Wynkoop Street #155 │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: New American │ Atmosphere: Casual
Mercantile is another Michelin recommendation, offering an upscale take on American classics. Sommelier-selected wines pair beautifully with housemade ricotta gnocchi, pan-seared scallops and Colorado lamb t-bones. The dinner menu is complemented by lunch sandwiches and breakfast pastries, all served in a freshly renovated space within Union Station.
Sunday Vinyl
1803 16th Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Type of food: New American │ Atmosphere: Upscale
On the south end of the train tracks lies Sunday Vinyl, one of the best wine bars in Denver. Its sommelier will gladly help you pair a bottle with dishes including Wagyu flank steak, kampachi crudo and caviar-topped hashbrowns. As its name implies, expect vinyl tracks to set the mood at this sister concept to Tavernetta.
Urban Farmer
1659 Wazee Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$$ │ Type of food: Steakhouse │ Atmosphere: Upscale
Locally-sourced produce and fresh butcher cuts form the menu at Urban Farmer, a modern chophouse within the historic Oxford Hotel. Diners inside and out on its patio enjoy beef tartare, dry-aged bison and Colorado striped bass. In addition, this eatery serves a fantastic weekend brunch, plus one of our favorite drinks in the city: the butter pecan old fashioned, which we sample on our Cocktail Tasting Tour.
