Denver Restaurant Week 2026 – My Top 20 Picks
- Feb 26
- 9 min read
Every March, like clockwork, Denver diners start asking the same question: “Where should we go for Restaurant Week?” And for the 22nd annual Denver Restaurant Week, happening March 6–15, 2026, I’ve done what I always do — comb through every single menu of the 318 participating restaurants to give you my top picks.
A little background for those newer to the scene: Denver Restaurant Week launched in 2005 with a prix-fixe deal of $52.80 per couple (a nod to the Mile High City’s 5,280-foot elevation). Over the years, pricing has evolved with the times — and the realities of rising food and labor costs — and now the 10-day, two-weekend event features four price tiers: $25, $35, $45, or $55 per person.
Having experienced Restaurant Week for about 15 years now, I have… feelings. On the one hand, it can be a fantastic opportunity for restaurants to flex a little creativity — to introduce new diners to their best dishes or test something special. On the other hand, it can sometimes feel like a wedding menu: salmon, chicken, or beef — if you even get that many options. But honestly? I get it. Restaurants are navigating soaring costs, while diners are constantly complaining about prices (not to mention service on one of the busiest weeks of the year). It’s a tough balancing act — and why I personally limit my outings during Restaurant Week and prefer to support my favorite spots year-round.
HOWEVER… I know many of you love it — and every year my inbox fills up with people asking for my top recommendations. So I've again reviewed all the published menus (and leaned on my firsthand knowledge of Denver’s dining scene) to narrow it down to the places I think are true standouts — the ones offering real value, thoughtful menus, and a history of standout cuisine. These are all spots I'd book for myself — and some of them, I have.
So here are my top 20 picks for 2026, with a mix of genres and neighborhoods. These are in no particular order — just as the story flowed. Make your reservations now (although a rare few of the options below take walk-ins). For vegetarians, I'll tell you to skip down to Cattivella now.
S Federal or Lakewood
I am so excited to see this one on the restaurant week list! Think cajun fries, gumbo, and a crab or crawfish seafood boil with sausage, corn, and potatoes (get the house all-in sauce). This is one of my personal favorite year-round seafood boil spots in Denver that I go to, so I’d come here myself! Walk-ins only for restaurant week. The S Federal location is much smaller (but cuter), so get there before it opens — while the newer Lakewood location has a lot more room.
LoHi
El Five is always a great date night spot, with beautiful rooftop views of Denver and great Mediterranean flavors. Their restaurant week menu features jamon & queso (ham and cheese) for a starter; then pick from bison meatballs or harissa eggplant or lobster salad; then a main of sea bass or pork loin or individual paella; finish with honey cake or cream catalana or chocolate halva for dessert.
Cherry Creek or Lone Tree
This is my top seafood pick for Restaurant Week and a regular spot for me in Cherry Creek outside of it (with a participating location in Lone Tree, too). Menu items include clam chowder or trout dip or calamari to start; then a lobster roll or filet & shrimp (surf & turf) or sea bass cioppino; finish with key lime pie or blood orange olive oil cake. They always have great nightly specials, so you can see if they're doing those during restaurant week, as well.
Uptown / City Park
I always pick this spot every Restaurant Week, because they do not make it seem like a downplayed menu. This is the best classic French food option for Restaurant Week, in my opinion. Think caprese, steak or salmon tartare, country pate, lobster soup; king salmon or coq ou vin or lobster ravioli or mushroom pasta or bouillabaisse or filet medallions; creme brûlée or berries & cream for dessert.
Cherry Creek
A newer spot in Cherry Creek North, this is an elegant, white tablecloth style of Vietnamese restaurant that’s great for a fancy date night. Options include beet salad or shrimp & pork rolls or chicken dumplings; tofu curry or roasted salmon or spicy shrimp stir fry or grilled steak au poivre; creme brûlée for dessert. I'm a big fan of the decor and cocktails here, too — but lately, service can be a bit slow on a super busy night.
9+CO or DTC
In theory, Le French restaurants mix classic French food with the Senegalense heritage of the sisters who started them — but I think I'd call it French comfort food at it's best. This one is another year-round favorite of mine. Options include escargot or French onion soup or beet salad; salmon or beef bourguignon; creme brûlée or sorbet for dessert. I might go myself just for the French onion soup and beef bourguignon (or maybe salmon), which are 3 of my favorite options on the menu during the year. Note the 2 locations!
Downtown (Union Station)
I live downtown, and I'm ashamed to admit how often I forget about Mercantile at Union Station — because this spot honestly always makes standout seasonally-inspired food. It's not surprising their Restaurant Week menu looks excellent: heirloom baby beets or roasted brussels & turnips (with ham) to start; petrale sole or beef short ribs or farrotto for mains; finish with coffee flan or yuzu olive oil cake.
Colfax
Modern Ukrainian food from a fantastic chef in the cutest setting — but it's tiny, so book fast! I’m Ukrainian myself and a fan of the menu options here: pierogi or holubtsi (mea & cabbage rolls) or potato latke; braised lamb or pan fried sole or salt baked celeriac; hazelnut donuts or bay leaf panna cotta.
LoHi
This is a well-known farm-to-table spot in LoHi, from the same famed group as Linger and El Five. Menu options include beet salad or bacon-wrapped dates or sun choke bisque or duck & potato croquettes; risotto or rockfish tom kha or pork osso buco or pan seared chicken; banana cream pie or bread pudding or key lime panna cotta. I think all 3 courses have some great-sounding items.
LoHi
Señor Bear is a cute little spot in LoHi with fun Latin vibes, and I just think the Restaurant Week options here sound super cool and different: onion dip or empanada or tuna ceviche; jerk chicken or short rib pepper pot or vegetable saltado; churros or rice pudding brûlée.
Uptown
A beautiful new restaurant in Uptown with legit Thai flavors, it is my current favorite Thai spot for date night. Their menu items include: crispy shrimp or veggie roll or chicken satay; spaghetti shrimp or panang beef curry or crispy chicken khao soi; coconut tropicana or mango mousse. I've had most of these things outside of Restaurant Week and loved them.
RiNo or Englewood
James Beard nominee Dana Rodriguez is a mainstay in the Denver food scene and one of my favorite people and chefs — and this is her original spot (with a new location in Englewood, too). Menu items include an array of apps, sides, meats, and dessert: salad or shrimp & grits or empanadas or meatballs; rice & beans or sweet potatoes or croquettes or greens or mac & cheese or plantains; pulled pork or lemon pepper chicken or cajun salmon or birria braised short rib; butterscotch pudding.
Cherry Creek
After reviewing all the menus, this is my steakhouse pick for this year (now that The Capital Grille seems to no longer participate). The menu features a wedge or caesar salad; 6oz filet mignon with mash or asparagus, or 10oz prime rib au jus with mash or green beans, or grilled ora king salmon with asparagus, potatoes, and brussels (larger steak sizes available with surcharge); creme brûlée or sorbet trio for dessert. Honestly, the only other comparable steak menu was — surprisingly — at The Hampton Social (below).
LoHi
I was a little surprised to put this on the list, because I honestly did not expect them to put out such a good menu for $45. It's a really cool, breezy spot with tons of space and both indoor and outdoor seating right on Central Street as you enter LoHi — and menu items include wings, brussels, caesar, santa fe salad, dynamite shrimp, crab & shrimp burrata, or tomato bisque to start; then salmon, a wagyu smashburger, 6oz filet & mash, 10oz steak & frites, prime rib dip, or truffle lobster melt & bisque; caramel lava cake or triple chocolate cake or apple crumble for dessert.
Uptown
This is one of my favorite new restaurants in Denver, featuring modern takes on traditional Mexican dishes using ancestral ingredients — from one of my favorite chefs, Erasmo (Ras) Casiano. I honestly think he deserves a James Beard Award, if not Michelin star — as his food is just as good as Johnny Curiel's (of Alma Fonda Fina). If you want a taste of the new trend of upscale Mexican cuisine taking over Denver, this is the spot to try during Restaurant Week. The menu doesn't offer choices, but is just as is; however, I've eaten here enough times to trust it'll be good. Hamachi Tiradito, Turkey Tamal, Duck Pibil, Paletas de Mocha.
Eastbridge/Stapleton
This is my Italian pick for Restaurant Week, and one I've been to several times now (always with an excellent opinion). I have a reservation here for this year, too. I'm pretty sure most of their regular menu is actually an option for Restaurant Week, with everything from a fig flatbread and Italian donuts for starters; then soup or salad; then an array of something like 20 options, from lamb ragu to pasticcio (meatballs and & tortellini), to rabbit gnocchi, to pistacchio lasagna, to slow-braised shortribs; and tiramisu or pistacchio torta or hazelnut torta are my 3 recs for dessert. This menu is a must for Italian lovers or vegetarians!
DTC
A great date night (or even party spot) in DTC — pair it with Comedy Works South for a perfect night out. Menu items include yellowtail serrano or yellowtail crispy rice; sesame chicken or miso chilean seabass or mongolian steak; creme brûlée. I'm actually looking at this myself for a later-night ladies night out, because the vibes here are just always so upscale and upbeat.
Downtown
This is a great one to pair with an event at Ball Arena across the street — or even at DCPA a little further down. I know it's the third French spot on this list — but I was too impressed by the menu not to include it: smoked salmon, pickled onions, french onion soup, burgundy snails, roasted tomatoes, lardon, or 3 salad options; then short ribs in red wine, today's fish, or risotto; then a choice of 5 desserts.
Highland
This is a Denver classic and another great farm-to-table restaurant that sources locally when they can. The Restaurant Week menu offers a choice of chicory salad, clam chowder fritters, bison bone marrow, or lamb bolognese; then bison short ribs, duck confit, faroe island salmon, or celery root schnitzel; the sticky toffee pudding or flourless chocolate torte or sorbet. Those all sound pretty great!
Westminster
This is my pick for North of Denver, more on the steakhouse side than anything. It's always a dependable date night option, and the Restaurant Week menu looks great: for a start, pick sticky lamb ribs or king crab dip (to share); then a greek or caesar salad; then bourbon chicken or shrimp pasta or seared ahi tuna or beef tenderloin or beef bourguignon; finish with lemon sorbet or chocolate pot de creme.
Some last tips from someone who’s gone through many years of Restaurant Week:
Look at the menus in advance to see if you would even want anything
Grab a reservations as much in advance as you can (or inquire about walk-in seating)
If you can, pick a slower weekday instead of a weekend
Be patient with the restaurant that day, as service can definitely slow down with the amount of extra traffic
Remember, you’re getting a deal today — otherwise you could have gone another time
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