Psst… Readers Choice: Denver’s Best of the Best 2016 Food & Drink

We asked – you answered! Hundreds of votes have poured in for Denver’s Best of the Best Food + Drink poll and after tallying all the submissions we have listed for you Readers Choice: Denver’s Best of the Best 2016 Food & Drink!

Denver’s Best Coffee Shop 2016

Crema Coffee House

Crema Coffee House, located in the RiNo neighborhood, brews coffee made by various local and national roasters and locals are complimenting its impeccable lattes, community feel and delicious pastries.

Crema also offers unique and eclectic food items such as their Sweet Potato Waffles and Five-Spice Granola, and its décor is minimalistic yet sophisticated.

Crema Coffee House is located at 2862 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205.

Denver’s Best Brewery 2016

Ratio Beerworks

Ratio Beerworks, located in the RiNo neighborhood, is a local craft brewery that focuses on meticulously crafted beer served in an eclectic taproom.

The owners began their journey in the independent music scene and have shifted their focus to crafting delicious beers, having learned the craft in Germany and honing their skills at some of the most respected breweries in Colorado.

Brewed by a state of the art 20 barrel system, this large industrial taproom features a variety of craft brews, live music concerts, comedy shows, food truck calendar and special events, often taking place in its incredible 4,000 square foot outdoor patio.

Ratio Beerworks located at 2920 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205.

Denver’s Best Bar 2016

Terminal Bar

Terminal Bar is located in the historic ticketing office inside The Great Hall of Denver Union Station. Guests can step up to the window and purchase a Colorado craft beer from the bar’s extensive draft beer collection rather than a train ticket to the west coast.

The fabulously restored space is appointed with period-correct finishes from the building’s turn-of-the-century heyday and offers a complete selection of spirits, many of which are distilled right here in Colorado, as well as an extensive list of carefully curated wines available by the glass or bottle. The Terminal Bar also features a large patio that boasts views of Wynkoop Plaza and 17th Street down to Wazee Street where the original Terminal Bar was once located.

Terminal Bar is located at Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80211.

Denver’s Best Breakfast 2016

Sassafras American Eatery

Sassafras American Eatery has two locations in Denver, in the Cap Hill and Jefferson Park neighborhoods.

Their menu is Southern-styled and offers comfort food influenced by American cooking traditions. They create dishes using locally-sourced and organic ingredients.

Breakfast includes dishes such as Beignets, Grits, Egg Benedicts, Biscuits & Gravies as well as traditional dishes such as pancakes and yogurt and fruit.

Sassafras American Eatery is located at 2637 W 26th Ave, Denver, CO 80211 & 320 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203. 

Denver’s Best Fine Dining 2016

Old Major

Old Major, located in the Highlands neighborhood, serves elevated farm inspired American cuisine focused on seafood, swine & wine.

The restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef/Owner Justin Brunson, features an in-house butchery and charcuterie program, sustainable seafood and ingredients sourced from local farms.

Locals are raving over the Venison Carpaccio, Royal Rooster Fried Chicken, the 3lb. Pork Chop, and the 24 oz. Dry Aged Colorado Ribeye.

Old Major is located at 3316 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211.

Denver’s Best Steakhouse 2016

LoHi SteakBar

LoHi SteakBar, located in the Highlands neighborhood, is a local steakhouse that emphasizes community and, of course, great steaks. Locals rave over its prime cuts of meat, wings, oysters, chicken and burgers, without neglecting to mention its custom-made cocktails and delicious desserts.

LoHi SteakBar is located at 3200 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211.

Denver’s Best Burger 2016

Park Burger

Park Burger is a locally owned and operated, family-friendly casual burger restaurant, that has already expanded to five locations throughout Denver.

Their burgers are made with all natural, never frozen beef, buffalo, and house made turkey and veggie burger patties, all on top of locally baked buns made exclusively for Park Burger. Locals rave over their delicious burgers, that are always made in the exact degree of doneness requested.

Park Burger is located at 1890 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210; 2643 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211; 211 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80246; 2615 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205 & 439 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203.

Denver’s Best Pizza 2016

Five Points Pizza

Five Points Pizza, located in Temple Bakery, began as a side project of owner Eden Myles, who also owns the Black Sheep Bakers.

Five Points is an example of how word-of-mouth is still one of the most effective ways of business. This small pizzeria is a favorite of locals, who all rave over its delicious and fresh pizzas, and have all heard about it from a source they know. The pizzeria is also a staple location for those who seek to eat pizza in the wee hours of the night.

Five Points Pizza is located at 2400 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80205.

Denver’s Best World Cuisine 2016

Root Down

Root Down, located in the LoHi neighborhood, serves globally-influenced seasonal cuisine, with a focus on organic, natural and locally-sourced ingredients. Helmed by Chef Jeremy Kittelson, Root Down emphasizes sustainability with its 4,000 sqft garden, in the middle of the city, where they grow 20% of their own seasonal vegetables.

Since the menu is seasonable some of the dishes readers have mentioned are currently not offered, however the ones that are, include dishes such as their Colorado Lamb Sliders, Butternut Squash Gnocchi, Roasted Baby Beet Salad, and their housemade Root Down Chai.

Root Down is located at 1600 W 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80211.

Denver’s Best Family Dining 2016

Avanti Food & Beverage

Avanti Food & Beverage, located in the LoHi neighborhood, is a modern-day food hall in a hip warehouse space. Avanti features seven different restaurant concepts located in shipping containers, two large bars, a lounge, dining area, and rooftop deck.

The seven restaurants and bars currently include: Bamboo Sushi, Brava! Pizzeria Della Strada, Chow Morso, MiJo, Quiero Arepas, Souk Shawarma, The Regional.

Avanti Food & Beverage, with its relaxed environment and multiple dining options, was chosen by readers as the best family dining in Denver.

Avanti Food & Beverage is located at 3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211.

Denver’s Best Food Truck 2016

Rolling Smoke BBQ

Rolling Smoke BBQ serves authentic BBQ food with an emphasis on Southern style home cooking. Rolling Smoke BBQ smokes meats such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork and offers Southern comfort foods such as mac n’ cheese and baked beans. All of their items are made from scratch daily and slow-cooked prior to serving.

Locals are raving over Rolling Smoke BBQ’s delicious and tender meats, and its authentic comfort food fillings. This food truck is such a success that the number of votes it has received was equal to all the other food truck votes combined.

Follow Rolling Smoke BBQ on Facebook and Twitter to find out where they will be making their next stop.

Denver’s Best Ice Cream 2016

Little Man Ice Cream

Little Man Ice Cream, located in the LoHi neighborhood, is an ice cream parlor that is inspired by the vintage Coney Island hot dog-shaped stands. The parlor resides in a 28 ft tall, 14,000lb. cream can, and their ice cream is made locally and produced one small batch at a time.

Little Man also produces local events for the community that include live music, slam poetry, movie nights and more. They emphasize community and ‘giving-back’ and feature a unique “Scoop for Scoop” initiative: for every scoop of ice cream that you purchase, they match it with a scoop of rice, that is hand delivered to developing countries.

Little Man Ice Cream is located at 2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211.

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Psst… due to the sheer number of votes, the giveaway drawing for the dining gift cards will be published on January 1st, 2017.