The Greatest Fancy Restaurants in Denver

Image courtesy of McGregor Square. 

Denver is a place where you will find a lot to do, and if you’re a fan of fancy restaurants, that’s something that you can find a lot of as well. In and around downtown, you will find many great restaurants to go to, and they can be as fancy as you want them to be. From Italian to Mediterranean restaurants, you can enjoy just about any nation’s food in an upscale environment. 

If you want to send someone to a restaurant as a gift, get a gift card from GiftYa! GiftYa is a digital gift card supplier that offers gift cards for hundreds of different restaurants, some of which are right in Denver. Just visit the website and search for the restaurant you want to choose. We can also help you decide on other great gift cards for the fancy restaurant lovers in your life!

1. Guard and Grace

A Michelin restaurant that hosts unique events. 

📍 1801 California St | Northwest | guardandgrace.com

Guard and Grace is a modern steakhouse that serves meals and hosts unique events that will make your night. It is a Michelin recommended restaurant that will offer you a top quality venue. The menu offers seasonal highlights, omakase-style offerings, and daily rotating specials, so you will always have something new to choose from.

You can go there to get lunch, dinner, cocktails, wines, and desserts. They have a dinner seafood bar that serves crispy tuna sushi, oysters, and sashimi. You can even get a whole seafood tower, Tasmanian trout, wagyu steaks, and delicious sides like handmade gnocchi, duck fat fries, foraged mushrooms, and more. This restaurant is all about keeping the food good and the vibe light. You will leave there feeling happy and full. 

“We came back and it was just as amazing as the first time! This time we enjoyed the wagyu filet, foraged mushrooms, wedge salad and our favorites from last time. A must for us is the wagyu filet, octopus, HH tar tar. Next time, we will try another side dish and a different salad. The mushrooms and wedge salad were awesome tho!”–Yelp Review

2. The Capital Grille

A classic steakhouse you can find all over. 

📍 1450 Larimer St | Northwest | thecapitalgrille.com

The Capital Grille is a classic American steakhouse that provides guests an awesome experience. They offer fine wines to pair with your meals along with expertly prepared steaks. Steaks at The Capital Grille are expertly prepared by an in-house butcher after being dry-aged for 18-24 days, so that each and every bite is juicy and full of flavor.

Established in 1990, The Capital Grille has been pleasing steak-lovers throughout Denver for years. With its elegant interior and superior service, it draws people there back to back. While reservations aren’t required, it can be best to call ahead because seats at this local favorite often fill up fast. 

“Outstanding experience. This is not a location to be overlooked because it's a national corporate group! Hats off to Sean for a world class service experience at the bar. The ambiance is excellent, as expected from a city-center Capital Grille, but this location was spotless and very clean. We came for a work happy hour and the food was wonderful.”–Yelp Review

3. Urban Farmer Denver

A restaurant that represents Denver. 

📍 1659 Wazee St | Northwest | urbanfarmersteakhouse.com

Adjacent to the Oxford Hotel, you will find the Urban Farmer. The Urban Farmer is a modern farm-to-table steakhouse that brings a rural chic style straight into the heart of Denver. Everything about the design is inspired by the location, and they have great relationships with local farms. They serve grass fed meat, carefully selected seafood, and cocktails made with local spirits that will have you wanting to keep going back. 

“Tonight was our first night in Denver and we are so glad that we made it to Urban Farmer. From

The moment we walked in the ambiance was perfectly lit, noise levels calm and friendly & The service from the entire staff was warm & welcoming. Our server was Rigs , who was incredibly hospitable. But , the food... WOW! We had the 16 oz. Ribeye, the bison ribeye, two salads , the baked Mac & cheese, and oh gosh the bread was something out of this world. Urban Farm is a must enjoy.”–Yelp Review

4. Buckhorn Exchange

A restaurant made for hunters. 

📍 1000 Osage St | Southwest | buckhorn.com

Buckhorn Exchange is an original steakhouse found in Denver’s oldest neighborhood. Just 5 minutes from downtown, Buckhorn Exchange has been serving the best Old West fare in the area since 1893.

This restaurant offers prime beef steaks, buffalo, elk, lamb, fish, fowl, and more. These are meats that you won’t find at most restaurants, so if you have in mind something more exotic for dinner than usual, this restaurant will be a great fit. And aside from the exotic foods I’ve already listed, they also serve rattlesnake and alligator tail, and their house specialty is rocky mountain oysters. 

“We have been to Buckhorn several times and have always had a great experience. My favorite item on the menu is the Buffalo prime rib. The inside of the restaurant reminds me of being in a hunting cabin. It's a very unique place to visit and a great place to enjoy dinner.”–Yelp Review

5. Restaurant Olivia

A modern steakhouse with high quality options. 

📍 1431 Larimer St | Northwest | oliviadenver.com

At Restaurant Olivia, you can enjoy hand-crafted pasta that is made daily for your enjoyment. You will eat delicious foods and leave with the best of memories right in the heart of Denver. 

This restaurant’s pasta focused cuisine is often creatively updated for lovers of fine dining. They have fantastic food, an intimate atmosphere, and a knowledgeable team that works hard to give you the best food possible. This restaurant has been in the news time and time again, and when you head there for the first time, you might just want to keep coming back for more. 

“This spot has incredible food. Everything we ordered was spectacular - my favorites were the ravioli and whipped goat cheese. While I doubt you can go wrong with anything on the menu, their pasta dishes are the true highlights. Happy to have a solid Italian restaurant in the neighborhood.”–Yelp Review 

6. Mizuna

A perfect dining experience from a chef driven menu. 

📍 225 E 7th Ave | Southwest | bonannoconcepts.com

Mizuna is the one place that will give you a perfect dining experience. Head on down there whenever you’re ready to be full and buzzed on French food and high quality drinks. With offering of professional service and culinary mastery, Mizuna will draw you in and make you want to keep coming back. 

Mizuna is run by a chef driven group that makes sure to offer their best. They have appetizers like jumbo lump crab cake, cacio pepe risotto, and crudo, main courses like Chilean sea bass, pan seared halibut, and duck breast, and desserts like warm chocolate cake, and pina colada creme brulee. This is an experience you will not soon forget!

“Mizuna is a jewel. Great food, friendly service and gracious hospitality. It is a must try and not just for special occasions. You'll be delighted. Chef Michael Dunning and Chef Frank Bonanno will amaze you with their creative tasting menus. Can't wait to go back.”–Yelp Review

7. Ocean Prime

A place to indulge and socialize in a vibrant environment. 

📍 1465 Larimer St | Northwest | ocean-prime.com

In Denver’s historic Larimer square, you will find Ocean Prime, a restaurant that offers you a great place to socialize, celebrate, and indulge in delicious foods. They have five gorgeous dining rooms for you to sit in, from the main dining room to the lounge. They also have a seasonal outdoor terrace for you to enjoy during the warmer months. So whenever you go, you will be filled with delicious food and surrounded by vibrant energy. 

“Beautiful room, fun and Interesting cocktails and delicious and well prepared food. We attended a work event and we were well taken care of and all enjoyed our meals. I shared the scallops and a filet with a dinner mate, and we both got desserts. The carrot cake!

This is a next level experience which is probably not as budget friendly, but entirely worth it. Splurge.”–Yelp Review

8. Elway’s

Some of the freshest food in the city. 

📍 1881 Curtis St | Northwest | elways.com

If you want some of the finest and freshest food in the city, go on down to Elways and grab something delicious to eat. This restaurant has some of the finest and freshest food in the city, and will give you and everyone you go with an unforgettable experience.  

Stop by to try the chicken strips, the loaded tots, delicious homemade soups, and dumplings. And if you’re looking for a burger or a sandwich, Kroll’s has you covered. They have a prime rib sandwich, buffalo chicken sandwich, and more. You can also get plenty of pizza and kid’s options, and even come by for the specials! 

“The steaks go without qualestio--so delicious, however I absolutely love their crab fried rice (which is gluten-free) and their wedge salad (which they split for us)--both so delicious! The staff is also friendly and helpful and the bathrooms are clean.”–Yelp Review

9. Tavernetta 

An award-winning Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere. 

📍 1889 16th St | Northwest | tavernettadenver.com

Tavernetta is a James Beard award winning Italian restaurant that is inspired by the culture of Italy. Everything from their food, wine, and decor will make you feel like you’ve entered a mini Italy, and make you want to come back for more. 

This restaurant brings the la dolce vita style to the heart of Denver, and will have you eating fresh handmade pasta and drinking Italian wine. Experience world class food and hospitality that will make you feel excited for more. 

“Easy 5 star restaurant. Visited Denver for the first time. Went here to celebrate my brother's birthday who loves Italian food. Enjoyed everything we had. Service was outstanding. Highly recommend this restaurant and would actually go again when going to Denver.”–Yelp Review

10. Rioja

A Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant that is all about passion. 

📍 1431 Larimer St | Northwest | riojadenver.com

Rioja is a James Beard award-winning Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant that serves passion, creativity, and good food. It features a menu inspired by Mediterranean ingredients and seasonal food products. There is also a seasonal ambiance, an exhibition kitchen, and a historic location. 

You can get lunch, dinner, brunch, happy hour cocktails, and dessert. Grab a Rioja classic like a lamb burger, roast beets, buckwheat soba noodles, short ribs, or one of their desserts like chocolate citrus mousse torte, and fig beignets. 

“We overall enjoyed our experience at Rioja. We took some family members who were in town. The appetizers and entrees were all delicious! We also really enjoyed the bread service- loved the different options of breads. My only complaint was that the service was pretty slow and they forgot about one person's entree. They did offer complimentary dessert which was appreciated.”–Yelp Review

The next time you’re in Denver and in the mood for a fancy meal, visit one of the restaurants on this list to have a really good time. Each of these places will fill you up and make sure that you leave happy so head into one and enjoy!