12 BEST Restaurants In Denver For Date Night (2023)
Date Night Restaurants In Denver Come In All Sizes
My wife and I have been married for over seven years, and we’ve explored the best restaurants in Denver for date night. No matter the occasion, we always eat well for our romantic nights out in the Mile High City.
For this Denver food guide, my wife and I have visited all of these restaurants personally. We found the food to be amazing and the atmosphere right for our style.
I go into detail about a wide variety of restaurants from casual eateries to Michelin-starred restaurants, because date nights should happen whenever possible.
1. Odyssey – Most Romantic Restaurant In Denver
If you want complete romance, you and that special someone need to visit Odyssey Italian Restaurant in Capitol Hill. Just walking up to the restaurant, I saw people sitting outside with flower pedals adorning the walkway and fresh-cut roses in vases at every table. Now that’s Amore!
Odyssey specializes in Sicilian-style Italian cuisine with plenty of red sauce pasta and an impressive wine list. For my wife and I, we loved the food and think they serve up the classic Italian dishes in terrific fashion.
The real reason why we love coming here is for the Bananas Foster, which is made table side and flambéed for a delicious special. Despite the five different types of booze, the bananas foster tasted rich without any lingering alcohol flavors. This is more than just dinner, it is a show to finish the night.
Odyssey 603 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203 Website : OdysseyItalian.com
2. The Wolf’s Tailor – Best Fine Dining Option With A Michelin Star
If you want the super fancy option for your perfect date night, I recommend The Wolf’s Tailor. Living up to the one Michelin star, the Wolf’s Tailor creates a seasonal menu featuring a farm-to-table philosophy utilizing the best produce around Colorado.
My wife and I celebrated our wedding anniversary here and enjoyed the seven-course tasting menu and drinks. For a full review of my meal and information on reservations, I wrote a full article about The Wolf’s Tailor that I think you should check out.
The Wolf's Tailor 4058 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211 Website : TheWolfsTailor.com
3. Elway’s – Best For Special Occasions
I LOVE Elway’s and they serve one of my favorite steaks in the city. This is perfect for those wanting a nicer restaurant to celebrate a special occasion like birthdays, anniversaries, and promotions. The food is well crafted with EVERYTHING on the menu tasting amazing. I come here more often than I care to admit, but it’s worth every penny.
Besides the Porterhouse Steak, I HIGHLY recommend the Lamb Chop Fondue which single-handedly warrants my regular attendance.
The lamb chops receive a nice hard sear before being served with a mini pot of green chile fondue. Extremely savory and perfect in every way, the rich fondue pairs perfectly with the lamb creating a flavor combo that I always crave. Just go and thank me later.
Elway's 1881 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202 Website : Elways.com
4. Somebody People – For Vegans That Love Creative Food
Somebody People feels like a great date spot with pink neon signs and a casual atmosphere that gives off an eclectic dynamic while still taking the food seriously. Their menu changes with the seasons with new dishes coming out every few months.
Every dish I tried tasted phenomenal, and I never felt the need for meat. I particularly enjoyed the King Trumpet Mushrooms which were marinated in vinegar and sauteed until perfectly crisp. The polenta was the perfect starch adding just enough to the mushrooms to round out the flavors.
Somebody People 1165 S Broadway #104, Denver, CO 80210 Website : SomebodyPeople.com
5. Sputnik – Unique Bar With Something For Everyone
If you want to meet your date in a casual and fun bar, I think Sputnik on South Broadway is your ticket. This dive features an awesome menu with plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
My wife and I wanted a date night but needed to keep it cheap. We chose Sputnik because of the inexpensive beers, cocktails, and made-from-scratch food.
I recommend the Falafel Wrap. No meat, just amazingly delicious goodness. The falafel was crispy and the wrap itself came lightly toasted and pressed. I enjoyed the cooling tzatziki sauce and all the veggies packed together. Washed down with a Montucky cold snack, we had ourselves a great date.
Sputnik 3 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209 Website : SputnikDenver.com
6. Bastien’s – Old School Steakhouse
Serving steakhouse favorites since 1958, Bastien’s Restaurant is an old-school restaurant east of downtown on Colfax with a bright neon sign.
We came to Bastien’s for their Sugar Steak, a signature dish that sets them apart from all the other steak joints in Denver. I really, REALLY enjoyed the steak. The secret sugar rub carmelizes on the outside of the meat with the grill adding a perfect char.
The juices from the meat mixed in with the sugar and created a distinct characteristic, tasting like it was soaking for hours in a sweet marinade.
They served other favorites like pork chops, wedge salads, and banana cream pie. This date spot is perfect for something different to mix up the usual repertoire of restaurants.
Bastien's 3503 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206 Website : BastiensRestaurant.com
7. El Five – Perfect Sunset Patio
For a romantic date night in Denver, I think El Five laid out the perfect setting with amazing food and a beautiful sunset with unobstructed views of downtown. Located on the fifth floor in Lohi, El Five is situated in the prime location to sit out on the patio, drink wine, and eat tapas.
My wife and I enjoyed all the tapas and ordered more than enough to fill our stomachs. One of her favorites was the European Sea Bass (first image) which came with olive oil potatoes, capers, olives, crispy lemon, and red onion jam. Super flaky and moist, the fish tasted perfect with the sweet, savory, and sour fixings for an unforgettable dish.
El Five 2930 Umatilla St Unit #500, Denver, CO 80211 Website : EdibleBeats.com/Elfive
8. Rooted Craft American Kitchen – Great For First Dates
If you want great food, solid cocktails, and a casual atmosphere, Rooted Craft Kitchen is the perfect place for a first date. The new American menu is bold yet refined to cater to anyone’s tastes and I loved their cocktails with unique twists put on every single drink.
I recommend getting a few small plates and pairing each dish with cocktails. The Wood Grilled Oysters were a great choice with charred lemon butter and thyme. The Brooklyn’s Finest was a delicious cocktail that refines the classic Manhattan with a bolder and more balanced approach.
If you want an amazing brunch date, Rooted served one of my absolute favorites in the city.
Rooted Craft Kitchen 3940 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80212 Website : RootedCraftKitchen.com
9. Red Tops Rendevous- Pizza Night!
Not all ideal dates require high-end food. Red Tops brings back the casual pizza date in style with a lively atmosphere and Detroit-style pizza. From basic cheese to one-of-a-kind combinations, bring your date here to test their passion for pizza.
The special part about Detroit pizza is the decadently crisp edges. Baked in square pans with plenty of oil, the edges carmelize from the overflowing cheese creating a pizza that is crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
I enjoyed the classic Red Tops, which is a cheese pizza topped with a generous dollop of tomato sauce. Yes, it sounds basic, but it’s just too delicious to pass up!
Red Tops Rendezvous 2917 W 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80211 Website : RedTopsRendezvous.com
10. Barcelona Wine Bar – Wine And Tapas
I think Barcelona Wine Bar is the Denver restaurant perfect for a lively night out in the Rino neighborhood. The loud music forced my wife and I to lean in closer and talk more intimately while the food helped us connect by sharing the dishes.
We tried the Potato Tortilla which tasted just like the ones we ate in Spain. Boiled potatoes and eggs are mixed and cooked to make a delicious dish that is perfect for drinking.
The Lardo, Goat Cheese, Scallop, and Harissa Chicken Thigh were all delicious as well and I would recommend them all.
Barcelona Wine Bar 2900 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 Website : BarcelonaWineBar.com
11. Quality Italian – Upscale Italian American
Despite the higher cost, Quality Italian is one of my favorite places to eat in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. Mix in delicious handmade pasta, scrumptious wine, and creative cocktails, and you have an awesome date with plenty to look forward to.
Due to the time of preparation, courses come out a little slower, allowing plenty of time to talk and laugh. My wife and I ate so much food, that I wrote a whole review on Quality Italian you should definitely check out.
Quality Italian 241 Columbine St, Denver, CO 80206 Website : QualityItalianDenver.com
12. Little Man Ice Cream – Dessert To End The Night
I know, an ice cream stand isn’t a full restaurant, but Little Man Ice Cream is the perfect way to add a sweet ending to the evening. If you go in the summertime, grab a table in the seating area and watch the sunset around the Highlands.
Little Man serves up the classic flavors but has unique options as well, with some rotating seasonally. My favorite ice cream of all time is served here in the summer called Space Junkie. Blackberry ice cream with marshmallow swirls and chocolate brownies is a sublime combination for the perfect dessert.
Little Man Ice Cream 2620 16th St, Denver, CO 80211 Website : LittleManIceCream.com
Plan Your Date In Denver With Delicious Food
Hopefully, these best date night restaurants in Denver give you a few good ideas about where to go and what to eat. My wife and I are extremely lucky to eat out often to make each night feel like a super romantic date.
I think going out with someone doesn’t need to be only expensive restaurants, but aiming for the unique and meaningful goes a long way to creating a first impression or lasting memory.
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Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.