Take a Load Off at One of These Nice Restaurants in the Lodo Area of Denver

Forget about the hustle and bustle of large chain restaurants. Sometimes you just want to laze about for an hour or two after work without feeling like everyone else around you is buzzing around at twice the speed. And if you want to enjoy a relaxing meal, well, there’s no better place in Denver to do that than in Lodo. Enjoy casual to moderately upscale dining at any one of the restaurants we’ve listed down below!

About GiftYa

If you’re familiar with Lodo, you’re probably more than familiar with the prices that accompany the restaurants in the area. Some are reasonable while some range on the higher end, but regardless: if you’re the kind of person who likes to enjoy a meal out a bit more often than you probably ought to if your bank account has anything to say about it, then you might be looking for ways to cut back on your spending. Well, look no further than GiftYa, where they offer an out to people who are tired of seeing the money disappear from their bank accounts. Rather, they partner with restaurants near you to bring out e-gift cards to help pay for your meal. Order one for your favorite Texan who frequents Lodo for lunch!

Tupelo Honey

1650 Wewatta St | Lodo | tupelohoneycafe.com

You might find yourself thinking that we’ve put a few too many brunch restaurants on this list, but hear us out: Lodo is home to some of the best brunch in all of Denver - and each restaurant offers up something a little different from the rest. It would be incredibly irresponsible of us not to list some of the best!

Tupelo Honey is one of those amazing brunch restaurants, but the slight twist that they’ve added to their own menu is a southern style of cooking. Now, you might find yourself wondering just how well southern style cooking might fit in Denver of all places, but once you get a taste of this food, we’re pretty sure you’ll change your tune.

They’ve also taken that southern heritage they’ve brought along with them to Colorado, though, and sprinkled in a bit of that Denver spirit you know and love. When you eat here at Tupelo Honey, you can be 100% certain that everything you’re putting in your belly is totally and completely sourced responsibly.

“Great southern food. I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. My sister ordered the meatloaf with the same sides. Both entrées were delicious. We also had the banana pudding for dessert.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Tupelo Honey >

Mercantile Dining & Provision

1701 Wynkoop St, Ste 155 | Lodo | mercantiledenver.com

If you’re not familiar with farm to table dining experience, then Mercantile Dining & Provision is an absolute must-try for you whenever you’re in the Lobo area. Created by Chef Alex Seidel as an expansion on his two previous projects Fruition Restaurant and Fruition Farms, Mercantile aims to take farm to table dining experience one step further.

Not only will you be able to enjoy dishes cooked up with some of the freshest ingredients imaginable with some creative spins on old classics as the crops change with the seasons, but here at Mercantile, you’ll also be able to learn about a lot of the behind-the-scenes work of a farm to table business.

Mercantile isn’t just about eating delicious food; it’s also about understanding the food you’re putting into your body - where it came from, who grew it, and why fresh ingredients make you feel a little bit better once you’ve finished eating. 

“I've been frequenting Mercantile (Or in our group of friends referred to as Merk) since it first opened and have never been disappointed! Funny enough, I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Mercantile Dining & Provision >

Osteria Marco

1453 Larimer St | Lodo | osteriamarco.com

Italian cuisine is a staple in almost every person’s diet, so if you’re wondering where you can get your Italian fix in the Lodo area, look no further than Osteria Marco, which boasts some of the best Italian food in Denver!

Located in a building that actually used to be a grocery store back in 1880, Osteria Marco is the perfect combination of all things delicious and refined. Their menu is packed with old Italian favorites, such as bolognese and homemade pizzas, but you’ll also find a few items that tend to be left off of many Italian restaurant menus, such as paninis.

Named after owner Frank Bonanno’s youngest son, Marco, Osteria Marco is an homage to that one thing many Italian people hold most dear: family. If you visit the website we linked above, you can watch a cute video featuring little Marco and some of the restaurant’s patrons to tell you how its name is pronounced!

“This is my favorite restaurant in Denver and that is saying a lot as I am the daughter of an Italian restaurant  owner.  Everything is delicious, their wine, appetizers, bread and definitely the pasta.  The Bologese is amazing!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Osteria Marco >

Jax Fish House

1539 17th St | Lodo | jaxfishhouse.com

Not everyone has the distinct privilege of living near a body of water - but that also means that they may not even know what they’re missing! If you’ve always lived in Denver, it’s probably pretty fair to say you’ve never lived near a lake or the ocean to experience fresh seafood before.

At Jax Fish House, it is both their mission and their privilege to help change that for you! Here, the greatest pleasure they can experience is the opportunity to bring fresh seafood to landlocked places that wouldn’t have a chance to taste that delicious and fresh seafood otherwise.

Not only this, but when California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch first launched their program to encourage safe and sustainable fishing in the waters nearby, Jax Fish House was quick to follow those steps when sourcing their seafood. Anytime you eat at Jax’s, you can be sure that the seafood you’re eating is 100% ethically and sustainably sourced!

“I can't rave enough about the food here. I was very pleasantly surprised and pleased with the service and food. The waiters were so delightful and we had a great experience! Definitely looking forward to returning when I'm back in Denver!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Jax Fish House >

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

1701 Wynkoop St, Ste 150 | Lodo | snoozeeatery.com

Some people might say that brunch is overhyped, but we’re of the opinion that it’s hyped up just the right amount - and when you see the pictures of food featured on the brunch menu at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, we reckon you’ll be just as convinced as we are.

Brunch is the perfect option for groups. Whether your group is big or small, boisterous or laid back, brunch gives everyone with any personality and any appetite the opportunity to thrive amongst other brunch-goers. 

The great thing about brunch is that even if one person in your group is in the mood for something sweet while everyone else wants something savory, even if one person is in the mood for something that falls more into the lunch category than the breakfast one, there are options for you all!

At Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, you can enjoy anything from several different varieties of eggs benedict to stuffed french toast to sandwiches! Stop in to get a taste of one of these carefully curated brunch items!

“I have nothing but fabulous things to say about this place. If I lived in Denver, I would come here a million times without a doubt. Came here TWICE for breakfast, and that's saying a lot because a place has to be that good for me to go more than once.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Snooze, an A.M. Eatery >

Rioja

1431 Larimer St | Lodo | riojadenver.com

What do you get when you take ingredients that have been inspiring Mediterranean cuisine for centuries now and combine those with hand selected, locally grown fresh ingredients as the seasons change? Well, Rioja, of course!

Your amazing experience here at Rioja won’t just be down to the delicious dishes they cook up for you. You’ll also find impeccable service and a relaxing, yet upbeat ambiance to help make you feel right at home  while you dine with them.

Whether you’re coming by for brunch or dinner or even just dropping by for their Happy Hour, you can find plenty of Mediterranean-inspired dishes at Rioja that may just temporarily make you forget where you are.

“Rioja is a gem. Perfect for date night or celebrations. Their service is always impeccable.  The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The food is always great. - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa to Rioja >

Whether you’re just in the neighborhood or specifically looking to make a trip out to the Lodo area of Denver, there are plenty of reasons why this list of restaurants in the area might be perfect for you. Let us know which one served up the best meal in Denver in the comments below!