Having dinner and a show should never be hard, and these 12 places churn out a great spread before curtain call. Some offer theatre specials, others have quick service and tasty eats, and a few places dish out fast-casual in an elegant way. No matter the vibe you’re going for, make a night out of it by parking the car in the Denver Center of Performing Arts’ (DCPA) parking lot, and walking to one of these nearby restaurants.
Olive & Finch DCPA
Theatre goers can now get chef Mary Nguyen’s fresh, fast-casual fare right in the DCPA complex. It’s the restaurant’s fifth location and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu is filled with favorites such as the Dan Dan Noodles, Venetian Flat Bread, Steak Frites, Reubens, and more. Plus cocktails, coffee, wine, and other drinks. The counter service eatery doesn’t take reservations, but there’s plenty of places to sit, and you can always take your meal to go and sit under the great glass dome of the theatre complex. 1000 14th St., Denver, oliveandfinch.com
Tamayo
Not only does chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval serve up delicious Mexican fare, but the venue offers a “dinner and a show” special. All you have to do is present your ticket and you’ll receive a complimentary margarita with the purchase of any entrée. You can go before or after the performance to take advantage of the deal.
Best part, it’s a five-minute walk to and from the theatre. So park in the complex’s garage, stroll over, and enjoy some of the best guacamole around, tacos, the signature Shrimp & Crab Enchiladas, tequila and mezcal drinks, and more. Reservations are recommended, and in the nicer weather months you can also enjoy the outdoor patio. 1400 Larimer St., Denver, tamayodenver.com
Rioja
There’s a reason chef Jen Jasinski and Beth Gruitch’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant has been around for over 20 years. It’s consistently good, giving Larimer Square a refined, fine-dining spot that still feels comfortable. The menu proves eclectic, paying homage to the seasons. Try the Chamomile Cured Hokkaido Scallop Crudo, the handmade Artichoke Tortelloni, and Curried Lentil Stew.
Fun fact, Rioja was named a SmartCatch Leader by the James Beard Foundation, one of around 100 in the entire country. Also, in 2013 Jasinski took home the prize as The James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest. Make a reservation at this iconic spot and enjoy some culinary art before the performing arts. 1431 Larimer St., Denver, riojadenver.com
Denver Dazzle
Need a bite before a show or want to continue the night in a classy way? Denver Dazzle moved to the theatre complex last year, and now you can get drinks, hear live music, and have something to eat right there. The food menu features items such as a charcuterie board, spaghetti and meatballs, prime rib sandwich, Oreo cheesecake, and more. You don’t need a ticket to go in and hang around the bar and enjoy these perks, though it’s not a bad idea to get one so you can see the show playing there too. 1080 14th St., Denver, dazzledenver.com
Sam’s No. 3
Lucky for theater goers, there’s a location of the beloved Colorado diner just a long block away from the arts complex. While the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, there’s tons of seating and the food comes fast. Sam’s No. 3 is the kind of place you want to take the kids before or after the show, or that group of friends who can’t agree on what food to get. The menu proves huge, with burgers, salads, an entire page of breakfast burritos, omelets, sandwiches, Greek food, great green chili, and more. So much more. 1500 Curtis St., Denver, samsno3.com
Bao Brewhouse
Pick your mood before heading to the two-level, two-concept Bao Brewhouse right off Larimer Square. One, you planned ahead and made a reservation for the Tea Room, the elegant upstairs area that comes with a side of opium den charm. Here you choose from a menu of sharable plates including dim sum, a whole red snapper, whole Peking duck, garlic fried rice, and more.
Or, you decide to go for the casual side of the place and dine downstairs in the Tap Room, where no reservations are accepted and the vibe is more street food plaza. This is where you find fried chicken wings, DIY spring rolls, bao, skewers, and bowls of noodles. 1317 14th St, Denver, baobrewhouse.com
Not a Damn Chance Burger
Sometimes you need a little high-brow, low-brow, and pairing a burger with the performing arts is a great way to do it. Not that the wagyu burger from Not a Damn Chance Burger is poor quality, it’s actually the most elevated double cheeseburger around. Plus, you can get in and out of there fast, and it’s less than 10 minutes on foot from the theatre complex.
Run by professional skateboarder Neen Williams and award-winning chef Phillip Frankland Lee, the small shop opened on Larimer Square at the end of 2024. There are only a few things on the menu, the burger, the kid’s burger, fries, and fries “beast mode” with cheese, jalapenos, and sauce. Bonus, if you miss dinner before the show, the restaurant stays open until midnight. 1441 Larimer St., Denver, nadcburger.com
A5 Steakhouse
Make a reservation for the whimsical steakhouse and enjoy a stunning seafood tower, Japanese curry poutine, and the best macaroni and cheese croquettes around. The thoughtfully-sourced meat menu includes a succulent wagyu tri tip, the show-stopping tomahawk, and a Colorado lamb shank. You can’t go wrong with any of the sauces either, though the steaks shine solo too. Stop in for the daily happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., where you can get a $15 wagyu burger and a $10 martini at the bar. 1600 15th St., Denver, a5denver.com
Edge Restaurant and Bar
One bonus to eating at the Four Seasons Denver’s elegant steakhouse is you can also valet your car at a discount and leave it there during the show. This means you won’t be fighting to get parking at the DCPA or to get out when the crowd leaves at the same time.
Of course eating there is the true reason to go, and the steak list proves thoughtful and enticing. Top a ribeye or porterhouse with truffle butter or half a lobster, as well as the addictive A5 tallow chimichurri. On the seafood side the dry-aged tuna with sesame is a winner, as is the seabass with coconut curry. Pastry chef Molly Coen has all your desserts needs as well. Reserve a spot in the restaurant or, if wanting something a little more casual, take a seat at the bar for a cocktail and small bites. 1111 14th St., Denver, edgerestaurantdenver.com
Osteria Marco
Chef and restaurateur Frank Bonanno opened his Larimer Square Italian spot in 2008, and it’s been a great place to get a solid meal before the theatre ever since. The menu features hand-crafted pastas, hand-tossed pizzas, antipasti, hearty salads, and classic entrees such as chicken parm, eggplant parm, and osso bucco. For lunch a full list of panini sandwiches served with Caesar or arugula salad is a true win. Make a reservation, and enjoy. 1453 Larimer St, Denver, osteriamarco.com
Ocean Prime
For an upscale seafood dinner, Ocean Prime is the place to be. The menu consists of a raw bar, soups, salads, shrimp cocktail, sushi, and full entrees. There’s also a good selection of steaks with all the proper sauces. On Sundays there’s a $70 Surf & Turf special, which would make a great early dinner after a matinee or before a nighttime performance. While not the quickest meal before a show, if you reserve a table early, you’ll be just fine time wise and delightfully full. 1465 Larimer St., Denver, ocean-prime.com
The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar Denver
Right across the street from the DCPA is The Corner Office, the restaurant for The Curtis Denver hotel. But it’s not just any hotel eatery, here you can enjoy globally-inspired dishes such as the Korean fried chicken sandwich (KFC), poke bowl, gem salad, braised shortrib, pimento cheese dip, Pei mussels, and more. The theme revolves around business, though there’s nothing serious about the space save for the food, and no work allowed. 1401 Curtis St., Denver, thecornerofficedenver.com
