A Foodie’s Guide to Denver

Whether you’re an early bird, a late riser, or fall somewhere in between, a hearty breakfast can help set the tone for a day of fun and adventure in the Mile High City. Thankfully, Denver offers plenty of scrumptious options for savoring the most important meal of the day, including one of the city’s best breakfast spots right downstairs from The Crawford Hotel.

A homegrown favorite, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, has been serving up a menu of perfectly prepared pancakes, flavorful bennies, and cheeky morning cocktails for going on two decades. And while a breakfast this good is bound to draw a crowd, guests of The Crawford can skip the line and take advantage of priority seating at the popular Lodo brunch spot—just be sure to let our concierge team know a day in advance to secure your spot. And if breakfast in bed feels more your speed, you can always enjoy Denver’s favorite breakfast delivered right to the comfort of your guest room, loft, or suite with our Bed and Breakfast package.

Looking for a grab-and-go option tailor-made for busy mornings? Be sure to stop at Pigtrain Coffee Co. just off of Denver Union Station’s Great Hall. Named for the flatbed rail cars designed to transport truck trailers, Pigtrain offers premium drip and specialty coffees made from the finest espresso beans from locally owned Conscious Coffee, along with a tasty selection of breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and croissants. Guests of The Crawford can even enjoy a complimentary small drip coffee daily, included with your guest amenities.

Just across the river in neighboring LoHi, Noisette Restaurant & Bakery is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys expertly crafted pastries, fresh-baked bread, and cozy café vibes. Specializing in what they call cuisine bourgeois, a style of cooking inspired by everyday French fare, Noisette boasts an indulgent brunch menu with options like their famous tartine saumon with caramelized shallots, creme fraiche, and house-made sourdough. Bon appetit!

When it comes to a delicious midday meal, Denver has lots on the menu—especially in our lively LoDo neighborhood. A local favorite newly reimagined, Mercantile Dining & Provision recently reopened their doors after a stylish renovation. A passion project of James Beard Award-winning chef and former farmer Alex Seidel, the restaurant serves up locally sourced, seasonal fare that has earned them a mention in the latest MICHELIN Guide. Choose from casual counter service or an elevated dining room experience, or take advantage of their convenient online ordering system for farm-to-table lunches in a flash.

Looking for a lunch option that strikes a balance between carnivores and plant-based eaters? Mere steps from Union Station, The Pig & The Sprout offers a selection of light to filling seasonal fare, with a playfully divided menu of hearty meats and vegetarian-friendly dishes. Treat your tastebuds to flavorful favorites like their beet salad with kalamata olives and whipped feta, or pig out on a Pig in the Orchard sandwich with house-made apple-jalapeño BBQ sauce.

Make your main meal a mouthwatering experience at Ultreia. Just downstairs from The Crawford Hotel, the acclaimed restaurant and tapas bar is an homage to the vibrant flavors of the Iberian Peninsula. A stylish, understated ambiance subtly showcases the historic architecture of the Station, while their menu of small plates, pintxos (snacks on bread), and exquisite raciones (entrées) from James Beard Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski offers a celebration of Spanish and Portuguese cuisine.

Savor the distinctive flavors of Baja, Mexico and the Four Corners region of Southwest America at Kachina. Located on Wazee Street, just a stone’s throw from the Station, this free-spirited, modern cantina offers a creative take on quintessentially Mexican and Southwestern dishes. Ideal for group dining, their menu includes a selection of shareable dishes like classic nachos with black beans, pico de gallo, queso, and sour cream, along with eight different types of tacos, house-made salsas, and some of the best margaritas LoDo has to offer.

From the James Beard Award-winning team behind Sunday Vinyl, nearby Tavernetta offers an upscale fine dining experience inspired by the food, wine, and culture of Italy. The MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant features an open kitchen, fireplace lounge, and an expertly curated list of Italian wines. Dine on chef-crafted dishes like their bison oxtail pappardelle and fresh-baked focaccia topped with grana padano for an authentic taste of la dolce vita right here in the Mile High City.

Looking to add a touch of decadence to your Denver dining adventure? The city’s diverse food scene offers plenty to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth—including hand-crafted, locally made ice cream that you can enjoy without ever leaving the comfort of your room. Available for in-room dining at The Crawford Hotel, Milkbox Ice Creamery offers a range of classic and innovative flavors, alongside milkshakes, sundaes, and boozy treats for that perfect after-dinner indulgence.

Treat yourself to a European-inspired dessert experience at the newly opened Baumé. Located just off the Great Hall of Denver Union Station, this elegant dessert bar boasts a curated menu of crafted pastries, cakes, cookies, and tarts prepared using time-honored Old World techniques. (A selection of champagne and sparkling wine offers the ideal accompaniment.)

Billed as Denver’s best bake shop, Mermaids Bakery has been delighting taste buds and helping to celebrate life’s special moments from their Larimer Square-adjacent location for more than a decade. Inspired by old family recipes, their menu ranges from cakes and cupcakes to pies and other sugary treats. A rotating menu of featured flavors, from red velvet and funfetti cake to pistachio and chocolate salted caramel, ensures you’ll always have something new to try—and another excuse to indulge!

As the home of the National Western Stock Show, it’s perhaps not surprising that Denver’s food scene boasts an incredible selection of meat-forward culinary creations. Bolstered by a robust local network of farmers, ranchers, and producers, Urban Farmer Denver showcases the best of Colorado beef, bison, and beyond, and was recently named one of the best spots for steak in the city by Eater. Located a short stroll from Union Station in the historic Oxford Hotel, the restaurant reimagines the traditional steakhouse, combining responsibly sourced ingredients with down-to-earth soul in a warm, unpretentious setting.

Carnivores also won’t want to sleep on the aptly named Carne, a modern steakhouse that’s raising the stakes in the city’s lively RiNo Arts District. Acclaimed chef Dana Rodriguez serves up an irresistible menu of meats from around the globe, including Argentinian bife de chorizo, Peruvian pollo asado, and locally raised Colorado lamb in a delectable au poivre sauce.

And for a late-night nibble to accompany your nightcap, head to The Cooper Lounge on the mezzanine level of Union Station’s Great Hall. The city’s most glamorous cocktail lounge offers a fantastic selection of elevated bites like their bison tartare and a chef-crafted fromage and charcuterie board that pairs perfectly with a classic Cooper Old Fashioned for a carnivore-friendly cocktail experience.

Depending on the city, dining out with dietary restrictions can sometimes pose a challenge. Not so in Denver, where vegetarians, vegans, and lovers of all things plant-based can enjoy a scrumptious selection of classic favorites, sweet treats, and delightful dishes to suit all tastes.

Take your pick from a menu of flavorful nachos, tacos, and tasty sides (minus the animal protein, naturally) at Vegan Van, Denver’s original vegan food truck, now with a permanent pickup location in Park Hill. Savor scratch-made vegan and vegetarian comfort food like cauliflower wings, ratatouille, and delightfully flaky spanakopita at WongWay Veg in LoDo. Or satisfy your craving for something sinfully sweet, from cupcakes and waffles to dairy-free ice cream pints, at The Cake Bar, Denver’s favorite vegan bakery located in Capitol Hill.

Dining in mixed company? Not to worry. Denver Union Station’s latest culinary addition, Olive and Finch Eatery, offers a wonderfully balanced menu that includes classic dishes like garlic roasted chicken alongside an abundance of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, from Venetian flatbread to tomato tartine.

Hearty breakfasts, farm-fresh fare, and decadent desserts designed to be savored—is your stomach grumbling yet? With so many diverse dining options both within and close to Union Station, it’s never been easier to get a taste of Denver’s unique local flavor. So why not start planning your next visit to the Mile High City? We promise your tastebuds will thank you.