The 10 Best Restaurants In Uptown Denver

Uptown Denver is home to a thriving restaurant scene. Most of the restaurants tend to be on the more modern side, but there are a few outposts that serve traditional food in a ‘no-frills’ environment. Read ahead for our 10 favorite restaurants in uptown Denver.

Parallel Seventeen (P17)

Restaurant, Asian

Parallel Seventeen is cross-cultural restaurant that serves up unique dishes like Duck Confit Tacos and Lamb Bolognese. We recommend ordering a few of their appetizers for the table, the pork belly buns and the lettuce wraps (with bulgogi beef) are a delicious way to start off a meal at P17. It also has a scrumptious brunch, so try the lamb meatball sub or the pork belly hash.

Guard And Grace

Guard and Grace is a modern steakhouse, with a bit more creativity than you’d expect to find at a more traditional chophouse. Before you sink your teeth into the oak fired prime rib, order a few of Guard and Grace’s appetizers. The venison tartare and warm spinach and artichoke dip are great to share. Guard and Grace also offers a fabulous cocktail menu and an extensive wine list.

Steuben's

Deli, Diner, Restaurant, American, Cocktails, Vegetarian

Steuben’s is a fun western take on the classic diner. Every day there is a special entree and sandwich alongside reinvented diner classics. Our favorites are the meatloaf, fried chicken, and pot roast, each served with creamy mashed potatoes. Steuben’s also makes delicious shakes, and can add a little booze to them if you like a little extra kick.

The Avenue Grill

The Avenue Grill serves American classics as well as a few ‘fusion’ dishes derived from ethnic cuisines. Our favorites are the Bison Stroganoff and the Filet Mignon, the latter of which is covered in bourbon mushroom sauce. The Avenue Grill is also a great place to host a party.

Randolph's Restaurant & Bar

Bar, Boutique Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, American

Randolph’s is located inside of the Warwick Hotel, but it is not your typical hotel restaurant. There’s a focus on game on Randolph’s menu, but if you aren’t a bison or venison eater there are still plenty of tasty options. Each of the items under the ‘meat’ section of the menu are paired with one of Randolph’s draught beers, so you won’t have a hard time choosing what to drink at Randolph’s.

Shish Kabob Grill

Restaurant, Mediterranean

Shish Kabob Grill is small counter-service restaurant with some of the best Mediterranean food in Denver. Shish Kabob is great for a quick lunch or dinner, and is also a wonderful takeout option in the uptown area. Obviously the signature dish is the Shish Kabob plate, but Shwarma, Lamb Shank, and Beef Kifta are also offered.

Pho-natic

Pho-naticserves up traditional Vietnamese street food. The signature dish and the first part of Pho-natic’s name is Pho, a ramen-like Vietnamese soup. There are 23 different Phos to choose from, including brisket, shrimp, and steak. We also recommend the barbecue spring roll as an appetizer, which is barbecue pork wrapped up with roasted veggies. If you aren’t a soup lover, Pho also serves rice plates and noodle bowls.

City O' City

Restaurant, Vegetarian

Even hardcore carnivores will find something to love at Uptown’s premier vegan/vegetarian restaurant, City O’ City. For an appetizer we recommend the soft pretzel, served with whole grain mustard and sauerkraut. For dinner we recommend the vegetarian pizzas, especially the florentine and the tapenade. The drinks at City O’ City are as creative as the entrees, so try the Devanti Dope, which is cold brew coffee, bourbon, and vermouth.

Gumbo's

Gumbo’s is Denver’s New Orleans outpost, serving up creole classics like blackened catfish, crawfish etoufee, and you guessed it, gumbo. We recommend ordering a bowl to start and to order a decent amount of sides. The seafood dirty rice is especially tasty, as is the creative Grit cake, a cornbread like side dish. The Happy Hour Deals at Gumbo’s are killer as well.

La Pasadita Inn

Restaurant, Mexican

La Pasadita Inn is a traditional Mexican restaurant where the small details matter most. For starters, La Pasadita have some of the best chips and taco shells this side of the border. They’re fried perfectly and have a consistency somewhere between flaky and crispy, enough to hold a taco together but not so hard that you’ll break a tooth biting into it. Save room for desert at La Pasadita, as the stuffed sopapillas are a must.

About the author

Ross Walker

Ross Walker was born in the Napa Valley, California, but moved to New York to study English Literature, Creative Writing, and Web Programming and Applications at New York University. While in school Ross has studied in Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France, and visited many places in between. Ross’s love of writing, travel, food, and the outdoors led him to explore a career in travel writing. Ross wants to explore South America next, hopefully hiking through the highlands of Peru.