The Highland neighborhood has established itself as one of Denver’s hottest culinary spots, where Michelin-starred kitchens mingle with beloved old-school haunts. Alongside neighboring Sunnyside and Berkeley, Highland makes up what longtime Denverites simply call the Northside. It’s a dining destination where you can chase nostalgia and novelty in the 36-block Potter Highlands Historic District,and the blocks surrounding it.
Here, the food scene begs for pairings. Perhaps start with dinner at Linger, then wander over for a cone at Little Man Ice Cream. Or map out a bar crawl, sliding from Lady Jane to Williams & Graham. And if the reservation gods are kind, snag a table at Mezcaleria Alma for cocktails and small plates before heading to Alma Fonda Fina, scoring two Michelin one-starred spots in one swoop.
A Bit of History
Highland sounds like a Scottish settlement, and yes, many Scots did land here, but the story of this Denver neighborhood is more of a cultural quilt. Set between Federal Boulevard and Zuni Street, from West 32nd to 38th avenues, the area became home to waves of immigrants. First came the English, Germans, Welsh, and Cornish, followed by the Irish and Italians. Later, Hispanic families left their imprint.
But before it was a Denver neighborhood, the Highland was its own ambitious city. Incorporated in 1875, it grew to 35 subdivisions. Marketing itself as a healthier alternative to smoky, industrial Denver, Highland promised clean air, artesian water and “clean morals.” While alcohol wasn’t outright banned, liquor licenses were priced so high that no bars poured drinks until well after Prohibition.
Highland’s lofty vision didn’t last, though. Transportation proved tricky, with difficulties crossing the South Platte. Then came the Silver Crash of 1893, which strained finances beyond repair. By 1896, Highland residents voted to annex into Denver, trading their utopian ideals for the stability of the growing city.
Highland Restaurants
Alma Fonda Fina
Chef Johnny Curiel has built a fandom with his soulful contemporary Mexican dishes like frijoles puercos with chorizo rojos (a nicely seasoned sausage) served with housemade sourdough tortillas, tuna ceviche in a coconut broth, and tender lamb shank. Reservations at the Michelin-starred restaurant are highly coveted, opening at midnight exactly 60 days in advance and disappearing quickly. 2556 15th St., Denver, almalohidenver.com
Bar Dough
This fall Bar Dough is celebrating a decade of bringing Italian comfort food to Highland. In addition to delicious handmade pastas and specialty pizzas, the dinner menu includes dishes such as pork spare ribs and bison tenderloin, as well as seasonal dishes such as wood-fired Jimmy Nardello peppers and Palisade peaches. Bar Dough is also a fantastic brunch spot with bottomless Aperol spritzes and sharable breakfast pizzas. 2227 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, bardoughdenver.com
Mezcaleria Alma
Mezcaleria Alma also impressed Michelin inspectors, earning its first star in its debut year. Located next door to Alma Fonda Fina, the mezcal bar embodies Mexico City’s boundary-pushing culinary spirit, offering small plates such as aguachile with Santa Barbara uni and tostadas with dry-aged toro and smashed avocado best savored in tandem with the mezcaleria’s extensive selection of agave spirits. 2550 15th St. Denver, mezcaleriaalma.com
Cart-Driver Lohi
Freshly shucked oysters and wood-fired pizzas headline Cart-Driver’s menu. Housed in an 1890s building, the 80-seat restaurant reopened last January after an extended repair closure. Dishes like the clam pizza and a seasonal pie that changes with the harvest, like Palisade peaches paired with Calabrian chili in the fall, have amassed a loyal following. A rotating “cocktail for a cause” raises funds for local nonprofits, and the restaurant boasts a wonderful, though short, happy hour. 2239 W 30th Ave., Denver, cart-driver.com/lohi
Fox & The Hen
One of the best spots in the city for brunch, chef Carrie Baird’s Fox & The Hen serves morning eats everyday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The playful menu includes the chef’s signature fancy toasts, which gained her clout on season 15 of Top Chef, think whipped ricotta, Rocky Ford cantaloupe, shaved prosciutto, and hot honey on griddled sourdough. Also order the Sausage Mac Muffin, an elevated upgrade on the fast-food classic perfected with a homemade English muffin. The flight of mimosas detours from the classic OJ and champagne pairing and includes combinations like cucumber and kiwi, lavender and lemon, beet and orange. 2257 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, foxandthehen.com
Avanti Food & Beverage Denver
Going out with a group? There’s something for everyone at Avanti Food & Beverage, a two-story food hall with a rooftop showing off great views of downtown’s skyline. Stalls include Amá Modern Mexican; Berliner Haus, which serves Berlin street food; Farang Thai Kitchen; Knockabout Burgers; Queiro Arepas; and the Pizza Bandit. 3200 N. Pecos St. #202, Denver, avantifandb.com
Lechuga’s
A Highlands classic, Lechuga’s has been serving its signature sausage “canolis” since inventing them in 1961. The original Mini Hot keeps the idea of “pigs in a blanket” simple with sausage and jalapeño. Up the heat with the fiery Little Devils, which are similar but stuffed with jalapeños and smothered in cheese and red sauce. True to its old-school roots, the menu also packs in buckets of spaghetti, hefty meatball sandwiches, lasagna, pizza, and more. 3609 Tejon St., Denver, lechugasitalian.com
Ash’Kara
Gather your group at this cheerful restaurant for mezze plates like hummus, babaganoush, and whipped labneh. The Michelin Bib Gourmand honored restaurant draws influence from the Mediterranean and North Africa with dishes like za’atar roasted chicken, tagine with a saffron red pepper base, and a roasted carrot main with pistachio dukkah. Get a good intro to the menu with one of the $45 per person, three-course feasts that concludes with a baklava or seasonal sorbet. 2005 W. 33rd Ave., Denver, ashkaradenver.com
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings
This fast-growing local chain began in Highland, rooted in Chinese recipes passed down through the generations to co-founder Kelly Liu. Liu and several friends and co-owners, who were raised in their parents’ restaurants, launched Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings as a modern take on tradition. Instead of carts rolling through the dining room, guests can watch chefs handcraft dumplings behind glass. This is a spot best enjoyed with friends so you can share plates like crispy shrimp, jumbo crab rangoons, chili oil braised beef, steamed and pan-fried dumplings, truffle soup buns, and sweet purple yam buns for dessert. 3316 Tejon St., #102, Denver, nanasdimsumanddumplings.com
Root Down
A long-running neighborhood restaurant, Root Down’s menu offers plenty of vegan options like veggie burger sliders and country fried tofu, as well as meaty dishes including bison strip steak and pan-roasted chicken. The menu takes guidance by the seasons. Become a regular at the Sunday supper, which is $38 per person for a customizable three-course menu that ends with a seasonal dessert, for example a peach ice cream float to mark the end of the stone fruit season. 1600 W. 33rd Ave., Denver, ediblebeats.com
Highland Tap & Burger
Every neighborhood needs a go-to spot for burgers, beers, and catching a game on TV, and Highland Tap & Burger delivers. It nails the bar-food cravings, from squeaky cheese curds to saucy buffalo wings, loaded nachos, and jalapeño pretzel bites made for dunking in roasted chile queso or Dale’s Pale Ale mustard. Burger fans can choose between classic smashburgers or heftier house signatures. 2219 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, tapandburger.com
Odell’s Bagel
When chef Miles Odell opened an elevated bagel shop in the former Denver Bread Co. spot, he did so with the idea of bringing something different to Denver’s bagel scene. Enter, the Denver bagel, which doesn’t pretend to copy any other style and comes laced with satiny cream cheese, sushi grade fish, fresh herbs, and seasonal staples. At night Odell hosts an omakase experience any sushi and Japanese food lover should do. After all, the chef spent a lot of time in Japan learning and cooking and perfecting his skills. 3200 Irving St., Denver, odellsbagel.com
Linger
Set in the former Olinger Mortuary, Linger’s neon-lit sign is a recognizable neighborhood landmark. It’s a great spot to take out-of-towners thanks to the views of downtown. The menu globetrots with steamed bao buns, kebabs, and other street bites influenced from markets around the world. It also has a “night bazaar” section with pad Thai, duck fried rice, and crispy whole trout. 2030 W. 30th Ave., Denver, ediblebeats.com
Wildflower
Wildflower, one of Denver’s most beautiful restaurants, draws on Italian and Mexican influences from the neighborhood’s early settlers, all framed by a Western backdrop. Chef Aiden Tibbetts, named the 2025 Michelin Guide Colorado Young Chef Award winner, sources ingredients from his family garden, which also inspires the cocktail program. Guests can choose à la carte or opt for customizable tasting menus ($75 to $92) with optional wine pairings. The menu changes frequently but expect dishes like focaccia with peach chutney, pork belly with guava and chicharrón, and pomegranate granita with mezcal and hibiscus. 3638 Navajo St., Denver, wildflower-lohi.com
The Bindery
Set in Lower Highland, chef Linda Hampsten Fox’s The Bindery combines a restaurant with a bakery and market. Check the daily bake report to see what types of goodies you can pick up, from pork and green chili hand pies to chocolate croissants to the best gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. The Bindery is a place where you’ll find a stellar meal any time of day, from Dutch babies at this top brunch spot, to grilled cheese and tomato soup for a cozy lunch, and handmade pastas and risottos along with mains at dinner. The restaurant also hosts a Chef’s Table on the third Thursday of each month with a six-course, seasonal menu.1817 Central St., Denver, thebinderydenver.com
Spuntino
Ahead of your reservation, give Spuntino’s Instagram a follow. In the captions of beautiful pasta dishes, you’ll find poems written about the dishes by Elliot Strathmann, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, chef Cindhura Reddy. The restaurant has been a go-to date spot in Highland since 2014. The restaurant channels Indian and Italian grandmas with dishes like arancini, daily pasta specials, and handmade dumpling pasta with Indian chicken korma, coconut and cashews. Order a house-made amari from the bar and save room for dessert like a gelato or seasonal sorbet. 2639 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, spuntinodenver.com
Highland Bars
The Family Jones Spirit House
Family Jones’ award-winning spirits take center stage at its stylish spirit house. If you’re with a group, order something like the Sand Dunes Punch, a mix of rye whiskey, peach liqueur, allspice and other layered flavors. Or share the Annika Jones Vodka large-format cocktail, a playful drink with crème de menthe, melon liqueur, and prickly pear soda. Can’t decide? Go for a cocktail flight featuring guest favorites or dive into the Colorado-inspired menu with drinks like Blucifer, a martini with blue cheese-infused Jones House Gin. 245 Osage St., Denver, thefamilyjones.co
Williams & Graham
Williams & Graham was the first iconic speakeasy-style cocktail bar to hit Denver in 2011. The unique space boasts a collection of more than 500 bottles from around the world. It’s a destination for perfectly crafted classics, but the real skill lies in the bartenders’ ability to interpret your tastes and mood, creating a cocktail uniquely tailored to you. There’s also a hearty dinner menu, including a great burger. 3160 Tejon St., Denver, williamsandgraham.com
Lady Jane
For expertly crafted cocktails, Lady Jane is the place to be. Located in LoHi, this cocktail bar stays at the forefront of the craft cocktail scene, offering artful creations and inventive seasonal sips. You can also enjoy one of the city’s best margaritas here or playful concoctions such as the whimsical Tiny Tini. 2021 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, ladyjanedenver.com
Forest Room 5
For a little whimsy, head to Forest Room 5 and enjoy a drink in its secret garden-like outdoor space. The bar has a Colorado camp theme so you can sit on a tree stump and enjoy a beer around a firepit in an urban environment. There’s even a stream that trickles through the outdoor space. 2532 15th St., Denver, no website
Highlands Coffee, Tea Shops, and Ice Cream
Little Man Ice Cream
Order a scoop of regular ice cream or vegan Salted Oreo from a 28-foot-tall milk jug at Little Man’s iconic Highland location. There’s a little playground and a calendar full of events from swing dancing to movie nights. Expect a line, and if you have little kids, have them play in the park across the street while one adult waits. 2620 16th St., Denver, littlemanicecream.com
Steam Espresso Bar
Set in an old firehouse, Steam Espresso Bar is a favorite third place for Highlanders who gather here to get some work done, catch up with a friend, or settle in with a book and a cortado. The coffee shop serves bagel sandwiches and pastries. There’s even a little patio area in front for those days you want some fresh air. 3600 Tejon St., Denver, steamespressobar.com
Coffeegraph
Located in West Highland, Coffeegraph is a family-run love letter to Indonesia, owned by Brenda and Troy Carlson. The Carlsons launched their dream shop on the corner of 38th and Julian Streets early this year. On the menu you’ll find pastries from Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe in Aurora, and an intricate line up of coffee and tea. The menu changes often, but on it you’ll usually find ceremonial grade macha, the Noir Bliss Latte with black sesame and black cocoa, the Hojicha Latte, made with Japanese roasted green tea that’s stoneground and served hot or iced. All the coffee beans come from small producers in Indonesia. 3800 Julian St., Denver, no website
Hello Darling
Espresso or espresso martini? This Highlands cafe doubles as a cocktail bar, with specialty coffee drinks like rose cardamon lattes served alongside classic cocktails as well as mocktails and housemade green juice. There’s also breakfast burritos, oatmeal and other a.m. eats as well as snacks like charcuterie, seasoned popcorn, and soft pretzels on the menu. 3484 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, hellodarling.cafe
Café Avanti
Café Avanti opens inside the food hall at 7 a.m., serving locally roasted coffee from Huckleberry Roasters as well as fresh-baked pastries from Rebel Bread. Or, start your day off with a hearty breakfast burrito from Buenos Dias Burritos. 3200 N. Pecos St., avantifandb.com
Highlands Cork & Cafe
This charming and laidback cafe has been open since 2007, established by Shawn Manzanares in a historic 1907 home. It started as a coffee house and grew into a full cafe and wine bar that the locals love. There’s a large patio in the front where dogs can hang with their owners, free WiFi for those working, and plenty of nooks and crannies to tuck into. 3701 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, highlandscorkandcoffee.com
Highlands Hotels
Lumber Baron Inn
This charming, five-room bed and breakfast with in-room Jacuzzi tubs is set in an 1890s mansion. The mansion’s Victorian parlors play host to afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, crumpets and cookies. Or, book a magical tea with a Victorian card reading and crystal prescriptions. 2555 W. 37th Ave., Denver, lumberbaron.com
Gravity Haus
Anchored by Wildflower, this 17-room hotel was recently taken over by adventure-lifestyle group Gravity Haus in September. The rooms blend modern West-meets-Victorian design, and guests enjoy “Clubhaus” access to fitness spaces and shared co-working desks. 3638 Navajo St., Denver, gravityhaus.com/locations/gravity-haus-denver-hotel
