Located in southeast Denver, Cherry Creek remains the city’s upscale enclave, a favorite for staycations, thanks to boutique hotels, standout dining, and easy access to the Denver Botanic Gardens. Bike along the Cherry Creek Trail, shop ‘til you drop at the Cherry Creek Mall, or book a pickleball court at Gates Tennis Center. When it’s time for some R&R, try something like a meditative float in salt water at Vive Float Studio.
Much of the action is centered in the 16-block, walkable Cherry Creek North district, home to more than 300 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, home décor shops, art galleries, fitness studios, and more. This microdistrict boasts the highest concentration of locally owned stores in the city.
A Bit of History
Before Cherry Creek became one of Denver’s swankiest neighborhoods, it was a scrappy little town called Harman. Founded in 1872 by a lawyer and Confederate veteran and his wife, who relocated from Mississippi, Harman went bankrupt after the silver crash. By 1894, residents voted to join Denver.
But human history here goes back much further. Centuries before white settlers arrived, Native Americans likely farmed maize and amaranth in the area. Trade routes brought plains-style moccasins, yucca-woven sandals, and even seashells from the Gulf of Mexico through what is now Cherry Creek.
Where to Eat
Cherry Cricket
One of Denver’s first sports bars, Cherry Cricket was once the “black sheep of Cherry Creek,” a reputation it was proud to bear. It’s where you’ll find some of the best burgers in not just the neighborhood, but the city, as backed by judges and the meat-loving masses at the now defunct Denver Burger Battle.
The past champs are highlighted on the winning burger section of the menu and includes the most recent, The Cry Baby, a French onion soup-inspired creation with a pile of caramelized onions, cheese frico made in house, crispy onion strings, and French onion schmear. Or, do your own thing and create a winning combination from the long list of optional burger toppings. 2461 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, cherrycricket.com
Alteño
Located in the lobby level of Clayton Hotel and Member’s Club, when you settle in at Alteño your server will give you the backstory of the restaurant. The smoke-kissed dishes and specialities like blue-crabbed stuffed mushrooms are an homage to Michelin Guide-recognized chef Johnny Curiel’s father’s legacy as a chef and restaurateur in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico.
Curiel and team recreate how meals are savored in that culturally rich region of Mexico, with shareable dishes like queso fundido, jalapeno cornbread best slathered in smoked honey, and seasonal vegetables enjoyed by your table while the main proteins cook. The complex avocado margarita, which is a staple on Curiels’ bar menus, is always a good choice. Bonus, it’s easier to get a reservation at Alteño than at his Michelin-starred restaurant Alma Fonda Fina. 249 Clayton St., altenorestaurant.com
Blue Island Oyster Bar
Colorado may be landlocked, but that’s not holding us back from enjoying fresh seafood. Blue Island Oyster Bar imports seafood and shellfish directly from its Long Island, New York oyster farm.
Clam chowder is a popular starter here, but Blue Island is also known for its regional variety of lobster rolls, caviar options if you’re feeling fancy, and a raw bar that’s well stocked with oysters, clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, and Alaskan Red King crab legs. 2625 E 2nd Ave. Denver, blueislandoysterbar.com
Cherry Creek Grill
Part of the Hillstone Group, Cherry Creek Grill is a perennial favorite that consistently draws a crowd. Whether you’re sidled up at the horseshoe-shaped bar or snagged a seat on the patio, you’ll find timeless classics executed to perfection, from expertly grilled steaks to French dip sandwiches and crisp salads. Pair your meal with a glass from the thoughtfully curated selection of California wines or a classic cocktail. 184 Steele St., Denver, cherrycreekgrill.com
Hillstone
Hillstone’s Cherry Creek location also draws a steady crowd, with sushi rolls and steakhouse favorites sharing the menu. A popular neighborhood spot, reliably consistent standout dishes ranging from coconut shrimp rolls to grilled artichokes with remoulade and filets with bearnaise. Martini enthusiasts appreciate the signature “refrost” service where servers discreetly swap out your glass for a freshly chilled one to keep each sip perfectly crisp. 303 Josephine St., Denver, hillstonerestaurant.com/locations/denver
Toro
Here, you can pair Peruvian ceviche with a passionfruit “Mercadao” margarita topped with a hibiscus-rosemary foam as you peruse over the menu. Richard Sandoval’s pan-Latin restaurant located in Hotel Clio serves a nice range of options such as lomo saltado, Cusco half chicken, and steaks including the hulking 52-ounce Tomahawk that’s mezcal flambéed table side.
Finish on a sweet note with something like a Mexican affogato spiked with a creamy dessert tequila. Worth noting: Toro’s new tequila locker program offers members-only perks like exclusive bottles and hand-selected cigars. 150 Clayton Lane, Suite B, Denver, torodenver.com
Le Colonial
A newcomer to Cherry Creek North, Le Colonial joins our list of the city’s most beautiful restaurants. A sister concept to French standby Le Biblioquet (also in the neighborhood), Le Colonial is a French-Vietnamese concept with signature dishes like crispy red snapper doused in a chili-garlic sauce and Vietnamese seafood bouillabaisse with saffron-lemongrass broth. Start the evening in the high-design bar with a lychee martini. 255 Fillmore St., Denver, lecolonial.com/denver
Barolo Grill
Located outside the main shopping and dining area of Cherry Creek, Barolo Grill pioneered Denver’s fine-dining scene in 1992. Along with homemade pastas and Northern Italian cuisine, the restaurant is known for an esteemed wine list. Owner Ryan Fletter was honored with the 2023 Colorado Sommelier Award from Michelin.
Not only does the experience deliver, but the staff constantly learns and grows. In fact, Fletter bring them on a trip to Barolo, Italy each summer so when they make a recommendation for a wine, there’s a good chance they’ve tasted it with the winemaker or toured the vineyard. 3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver, barologrilldenver.com
La Merise
Dinner guests can start by sharing a plate of French cheeses or escargot baked in a garlic butter before moving on to main courses like steak frites, chicken croquettes, or the beloved house burger topped with Gruyère or blue cheese, sautéed mushrooms and thin slice of pâté. With Parisian flair, La Merise is a great brunch spot in Cherry Creek North, too, serving savory crepes, lox omelettes, and brioche French toast topped with fruit to the early morning crowd. 2700 E. 3rd Ave. North; lamerisedenver.com
Local Jones
Located on the lobby level of the Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, Local Jones not only feeds hungry hotel guests but has become a gathering spot for the neighborhood. In the morning, sweet treats like giant cinnamon rolls and griddled banana bread are on the breakfast menu alongside smoked salmon frittatas, pork green chili burritos.
Dinner has a little something for everyone, from Colorado pot roast to bucatini and nightly specials like fried chicken with fermented hot sauce and honey on Thursdays and rich and tender prime rib on Saturdays and Sundays. Also check out the seasonal tea service, when happening, it’s a great way to enjoy small foods, pinkies up. 249 Columbine St., Denver, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com/local-jones
Matsuhisa
Try the omakase experience at Matsuhisa, a Cherry Creek hotspot where chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s stints abroad in places like Peru and Argentina influence the Japanese dishes on his menu. Or choose from signature dishes like yellowtail jalapeño sashimi and black cod miso. The wagyu beef menu allows you to select your preparation, including balsamic teriyaki. 98 Steele St., Denver, matsuhisarestaurants.com/denver/
Where to Drink
BG&C
Sleuth out directions to this subterranean bar that’s a part of the Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, which recently added a $2,500 martini on its menu. Don’t want to shell out that much? Don’t worry, a classic like Vieux Carré matches the mood here.
In addition to the cocktail menu, which runs the gamut from the cocktail classics to clever bartender creations, you can order elevated bar snacks like fresh-shucked oysters, bacon-wrapped dates and hamachi crudo. For a pick-me-up, try an espresso martini in dessert form, prepared as a frozen semifreddo. 249 Columbine St., Denver, bandgcdenver.com
Ay Papi
At the Puerto Rican-inspired Ay Papi, find seasonal cocktails alongside the tropical classics like mojitos, daiquiris, and piña colada. A great spot for frozen drinks, order up a Miami Vice that’s a combo between a strawberry daiquiri and piña colada. The bar also serves snacky things like guava cheese dip with plantains, cubano sandwiches (with a vegetarian option) and caesar deviled eggs. 248 Detroit St., Denver, aypapidenver.com
Bar Amorina
For some dolce vita in Cherry Creek, hit up Bar Amorina, which offers a $10 spritz menu during happy hour (3 to 6 p.m. daily) and small bites like an heirloom tomato salad or prosciutto and chips with a horseradish onion dip.
Stick around for dinner and experience the city’s first hand-stretched mozzarella bar that goes nicely with the selection of housemade breads. Salads, pasta, crudo, and more also grace the menu. 233 Clayton St, Denver, baramorina.com
Salt Water Social
You may have seen this bar’s cocktails on your social media feed, whether it’s the Dirty Pearls dirty martini with an optional caviar bump or the Siren’s Kiss tiki-like cocktail that comes with a prosecco sidecar and marshmallow lollipop. Salt Water Social also runs a spectacular happy hour (2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday) that includes bites like $3 oyster shooters, $6 beer battered snow crab, and $9 shrimp cocktail along with $12 cocktails.
Make a night of it by segueing into dinner, where you can get a seafood tower for two or a cioppino (seafood stew) loaded with scallops, mussels, clams, dungeness crab, market fish and served with grilled sourdough. 201 Columbine St., Denver, saltwatersocial.com
Where to Grab Coffee or Tea
Die Die Must Try
A mom and pop boba shop in Cherry Creek, Die Die Must Try’s menu includes milk teas, fruit teas, and specialty teas, plus a great selection of toppings from passion fruit popping boba to mangosteen pudding. 250 Steele St. #108, diediedenver.com
Aviano
Fuel up for your Cherry Creek shopping spree at Aviano, which, in addition to having coffee covered, also serves matcha, chai, and other teas. 244 Detroit St. Denver, no website
Pasty Republic
At Pasty Republic start your morning with a coffee and a pasty, which simply means a British baked pastry filled with meats and veggies. Try a breakfast rendition like the New Mexico that comes stuffed with eggs, bacon, cheddar, green chiles, onions, and potatoes. 2615 E. 3rd Ave., Denver, thepastyrepublic.com
Where to Stay
Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek
Pop into the gear garage to pick up some vinyl to spin on your in-room record player. The Halcyon has a great rooftop pool area with mountain views and a hot tub. Rare Bird, the rooftop restaurant and bar, is outfitted with a wood-fired oven that fires up dishes like a grilled cheese with beer jam and you can order playful drinks like the boozy creamsicle dubbed Bird of Paradise. Quality Italian is also attached to the restaurant and is a top spot in the city for brunch thanks in part to its bellini cart. 249 Columbine St., Denver, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
Hotel Clio
With spacious rooms that come with views of the Rocky Mountains, marble bathrooms and a cozy, art-filled lobby with a fireplace, the 193-room and six-suite Hotel Clio matches the luxe vibe of the Cherry Creek neighborhood. During a stay, guests can pop down to Toro for Latin American dishes. 150 Clayton Lane, Denver, hotelcliocherrycreek.com
The Clayton
The 63-room hotel doubles as a member’s club. Hotel guests can get access to the membership benefits like a curated activities calendar and lounge at a rooftop pool that has European beach club vibes. The Clayton is also home to Bar Armorina and Alteño. 233 Clayton St., Denver, claytondenver.com
The Jacquard
A stylish hotel, the Jacquard’s name and design are a nod to Cherry Creek as a fashion destination. Joseph Marie Jacquard is the French inventor who automated the looming process, ushering in fashion for the masses. Guests can get in a Pelton ride in the hotel’s fitness room, and spend an afternoon soaking up the famous Colorado sun at the rooftop pool and hot tub. The hotel’s lobby-level restaurant Narrative serves American classics and Kisbee on the Roof is a seasonal rooftop bar, and fantastic sunset perch, with DJs spinning on the weekends. 222 Milwaukee St., Denver; marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dencr-the-jacquard-autograph-collection/overview/
