The Denver DM | Eat, Drink, and Be Merry (Safely!)
All the things to eat and drink and takeout during this (quarantine) holiday season
There’s nothing quite like dining out here in Colorado during December. The air might be chilly, but everywhere you go, decorations are merry, spirits are bright, and good cheer is high. Plus, those seasonal winter dishes and festive drinks just seem to taste better when you’re in a celebratory mood for no other reason that it’s the holidays.
However, due to Denver County’s most recent Level Red order, all restaurants and bars are indefinitely closed for indoor dining, and the merriment of the holiday season has a new look in 2020. Thankfully, there are still plenty of ways to support your favorite spots right now, whether it’s with takeout, delivery, gift cards, or safely dining outdoors on heated patios, greenhouses or yurts popping up around town.
Since local eateries need our love more than ever (quick plug to sign this letter here!), we’ve put together a list with a few of our go-to F&B spots in town, along our thoughts on the best things they’ve got to offer. Also, anytime we mention takeout - PLEASE try to order from the restaurant directly v. a third-party delivery company!
For more comprehensive lists of where to dine safely outdoors in the Greater Denver area, jump on over to read the roundup by our friends at the Denver Post or 303.
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The DM’s Favorite Spots to Eat, Drink, + Be Merry
Cart Driver (RiNo + LoHi)
The 4-1-1-: the RiNo location offers takeout and delivery only, and LoHi is open for takeout and outdoor dining
The order: their new bangin’ happy hour offer that’s $30, available for takeout, and includes a daisy pizza, sardines and bread with the accoutrements, their ah-mazing chicken liver mousse with focaccia, and messed up negroni
Nest at Nurture (Highlands)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery
The order: the falafel dosa, the wild mushroom and cashew cream pasta, a big thing of cashew ranch (warning: it’s crack) for salads at home, a 32 oz. jar of the autumn spice oat milk latte, and the Immunity Box
Noble Riot (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor patio dining and takeout
The order: literally any bottle of wine that fits your budget (it’s guaranteed to be good), along with the large bucket of the fantastic fried chicken with the Noble Fries. Bonus points if you sign up for the new wine club, too.
Annette (Stanley Marketplace in Aurora)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor patio dining, greenhouses, a larger yurt, and takeout
The order: the Annette burger and fries are always a good choice , and any and all of the kolaches and biscuits during brunch
Osaka Ramen (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery only
The order: The Ramen Kits all the way.
Lola + The Tender Project (LoHi)
The 4-1-1: Lola is open for heated outdoor dining, takeout and delivery / Tender Project is open for takeout and delivery only
The order: Lola’s coast Mexican favorite and margs are as great as ever, but the current star-of-the-show is The Tender Project’s chicken tenders, crisscut fries, and ALL of the dips.
Dio Mio (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for outdoor patio dining and takeout
The order: the new Sunday Family Meal/’Take and Bake’, which rotates but this week includes chicken mac n’ cheese, housebaked bread, salad, brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough, and an option wine add-on
Senor Bear (LoHi)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor patio dining, greenhouses, delivery, and takeout
The order: The new ‘Happy Hour Snack Pack’ which includes the infamous Gordo Crunches, guac, queso, chicharrones, and margaritas. Plus, they have new all-day and kids menus.
Sushi Rama (RiNo + other Denver Metro Locations)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery
The order: The sushi platter, because you can never really have enough.
Joy Hill (Platt Park)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor patio dining, delivery and takeout
The order: Sourdough bagels on Saturdays, and the chilis and pep pizza with hot honey everyday
Tavernetta (Union Station)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor dining / ‘Sotto le Stelle’ or takeout
The order: The housemade cannelloni dinner for two, complete with a chicory salad, cheese focaccia, and gelato
Smok (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery only
The order: all the meats, the brisket nachos, the mac n’ cheese, and really anything on the menu
Fox Run (Colfax)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery only
The order: the stunner of a breakfast sandwich and ALL of the donuts
Safta (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery only
The order: The Mountain Pack (even if you’re just adventuring at home), with lots of their hummus, dips, THE pita, and sweets.
Coperta (Uptown)
The 4-1-1: open for takeout and delivery only
The order: Housemade pasta, sauces, and gelato from the newly launched Coperta Pantry
The Family Jones (LoHi)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor dining and takeout
The order: The Automatic Jones option to-go, with bottles of ready-to-pur gin martinis, cosmos, old fashioned, and rock and rye
Denver Central Market (RiNo)
The 4-1-1: open for heated outdoor dining and takeout
The order: The Italian Holiday Box from Vero, the Dark Chocolate Orange and Marshmellows or Babka ice cream from High Point, or oysters-to-go from Tammens.
Acreage (Lafayette)
The 4-1-1: open for outdoor dining and takeout
The order: Oh man, where do we start? If you’re dining out, the chicken pot pie from the Take and Bake menu, or the pretzels and cider bratwurst, if you’re dining in (all with plenty of cider, of course).
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