Hey, Denver!

The Cookery at Myrtle Hill

Wash Park

Top-three brunch spot in town. Stellar baked goods (stop by Devil's Food next door after) and generous pours.

Yacht Club

Cole

Award-winning cocktail bar where you can also snag a gourmet hot dog. Nautical vibes, no pretense.

Stowaway Kitchen

RiNo

My favorite brunch in RiNo. Japanese-inspired, solid waffles, bright little room.

Procession Coffee

Ballpark

Specialty coffee with real intention behind every cup. Clean space, knowledgeable baristas, and they roast their own.

Sweet Cow Ice Cream

LoHi

Local ice cream done right. Rotating flavors, nothing too precious. I've heard great things about the salted Oreo.

Cart-Driver

RiNo

Cozy RiNo spot with wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta, and a good local beer list. Always a solid call.

Bonfire Burritos

Golden / Arvada

Top-three breakfast burrito in town. Locations in Golden and Arvada.

Little Man Ice Cream

LoHi

Local ice cream, charming walk-up atmosphere, giant milk-can building you can't miss.

Jovanina's Broken Italian

LoDo

Italian comfort food that doesn't play by the rules. Creative pastas, bold flavors, and a fun atmosphere. The name says it all.

Two Moons Music Hall

RiNo

Has one of my favorite espresso martinis in town. Live music venue with a great bar. Solid combo.

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal

Five Points

Really solid pozole and mezcal-forward drinks. An ideal chilly-day move.

Pony Up

LoDo

Honky-tonk bar with live music and cheap drinks. No frills, big fun.

Feral Outdoor Supply

Berkeley

Used outdoor goods: camping, hiking, climbing. Great spot to pick up gear without paying REI prices.

Bao Brewhouse

Aurora

Cozy taproom in Aurora doing inventive bao buns alongside a rotating craft beer list.

Bakery Four

Berkeley

Stellar pastries. Get there early if you want the full selection. They sell out.

Ash'Kara

RiNo

Wood-fired Middle Eastern from Alon Shaya. The pita is unreal and the lamb shoulder is a group-dinner showstopper.

Rich Spirit

Wheat Ridge

Legit NY-style bagels in Denver, finally. Solid schmears, good coffee, and they sell out fast so don't sleep on it.

Little Machine Beer

Jefferson Park

One of my favorite microbreweries, right in the middle of the city. Parking is miserable, but the beer's worth it.

Idaho Springs Ghost Town Disc Golf

Idaho Springs

A disc golf course set among the ruins of an old mining town. Casual round, scenic mountain backdrop, a little history thrown in.

Spirit Hound Distillers

Lyons

My favorite local distillery. The honey whiskey is the move.

The Golden Mill

Golden

Massive food hall in Golden with self-pour beer and wine taps. Grab a pint, wander the vendors, sit by the creek.

Stranahan's Distillery Tour

Lincoln Park

Tour Colorado's flagship whiskey distillery, learn the process, and taste the good stuff at the end.

Adrift

Baker

Tiki bar serving tropical cocktails and Asian-fusion bites in a loud, beachy, completely un-Denver atmosphere. Commit to the bit.

La Loteria Taqueria

Baker

Casual Mexican fare on South Broadway. The kind of weeknight spot you end up at more than you mean to.

Denver Central Market

RiNo

Fun food hall in RiNo with a broad spread of options: coffee, oysters, pasta, pastries, drinks. Good for groups who can't agree.

Berkeley Supply Company

Berkeley

Well-curated men's shop with a focus on quality goods that last. Denim, boots, leather goods, and grooming essentials. Where I bought my favorite jacket ever.

Globe Hall

Baker

Underrated music venue with an intimate room and a great patio. The kind of place where you're ten feet from the band.

Recess Beer Garden

Jefferson Park

Awesome spot to hang with a group. Big patio, solid beer selection, and a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to stay longer than planned.

Poka Lola Social Club

RiNo

Bright, airy cocktail bar tucked inside The Source Hotel. Creative drinks, good energy, and a solid happy hour.

Hop Alley

RiNo

Sichuan-leaning Chinese in a loud, fun room. The dan dan noodles are non-negotiable. Bring a group.

Redeemer Pizza

Five Points

Wood-fired pizza and craft beer. Low-key, reliable, the kind of place that does one thing well.

Uncle

Highland

Trendy, welcoming Asian fusion. Ramen-forward menu that holds up against just about anything in town.

La Fillette

Mayfair

French bakery with killer sandwiches. The bread is the real star; everything on it just works. Pastries are great too.

Mead Tasting @ Savannah Bee Company

Boulder

Taste your way through Colorado-made meads while learning more about honey and bees than you expected to care about.

Our Mutual Friend

RiNo

Probably my favorite brewery in RiNo. Fun little space, great indoor/outdoor seating, solid beer selection.

Mt. Evans Scenic Byway

Highest paved road in North America. White-knuckle drive to the top with jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain views the whole way.

Westbound & Down Brewing Company

LoDo

Excellent craft beer from the Idaho Springs crew, now with a Denver taproom. Great space, great beer.

Manitou Incline

Manitou Springs

A nearly 2,000-step ladder straight up a mountain. Brutal, beautiful, and the views at the top earn themselves.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Ballpark

Yeah, it's a chain, but it's a good one. Solid tapas, great wine list, and the patio is a vibe. No shame.

Garage Sale Vintage

LoDo

Curated vintage shop with a great eye. Clothing, accessories, and home goods. The kind of place you always find something in.

Casa Bonita

Lakewood

The South Park episode was a documentary. Cliff divers, arcades, Black Bart's Cave. It's a theme park that happens to serve food. Revamped and actually good now.

Twansburger

RiNo

Top-two burger in Denver for my money. Started by a former Wolf's Tailor cook. Two menu items, both bangers if you like crispy smashburgers and perfect fries. Located in Finn's Manor; grab a drink while you're there.

The Wild

Boulder

Coffee by day, cocktails by night. A dual-purpose spot in Boulder that does both well. Cozy and worth lingering.

Onefold

Uptown

My second-favorite breakfast burrito in town. The inside is cramped, so grab it to go.

Crema Coffee House

RiNo

Reliable neighborhood coffee shop with a warm atmosphere and solid espresso drinks. Good spot to post up and work.

Run for the Roses

LoDo

Intimate cocktail bar with a bourbon-forward menu and a dark, romantic feel. Great for a slow evening drink.

Huckleberry Roasters

Sunnyside

Probably my favorite local coffee chain if you want a solid latte. Locations have been multiplying lately, in a good way.

Meow Wolf

West Denver

Immersive, interactive art at full tilt. A fantasy world you wander through rather than just look at. Bring friends.

Birdcall

Local fast-food chain with solid fried chicken sandwiches. Quick, reliable, and way better than it has to be. Multiple locations around town.

Family Jones Spirit House

Highland

Tasting room for a solid local distillery. Cocktails are thoughtful and the space is the right kind of dressed-up.