Best Restaurants in NW Denver

One of the things people discover quickly after moving to NW Denver is that they don't need to leave. Not just because the neighborhoods are walkable and the streets are good — but because the food scene across Berkeley, West Highlands, LoHi, Sunnyside, and Sloan's Lake can hold its own against anywhere in the city. There are hundreds of restaurants on the northwest side. These are the ones I point people to.

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Berkeley

Parisi

Fast casual Italian that's been a Berkeley institution for over 25 years. It's packed every day and worth the wait. Parisi anchors the 44th and Tennyson stretch of Berkeley — the kind of restaurant that breathes life into a corner.

Vital Root

Great vegetarian food on Tennyson, owned by the same group as Root Down. If you find yourself at DIA, they have a location there too — one of the few airport restaurants worth going out of your way for.

Post Oak

Central Texas BBQ opened by Fort Worth native Nick Prince. They ship post oak from Austin — it's in the name and they mean it. Prime Angus brisket is the anchor of the menu, with a full bar serving Texas whiskey and Colorado craft beer on tap alongside the food.

Hops & Pie

Craft beer and sourdough pizza with a large outdoor patio. Family friendly and a neighborhood institution since 2010.

Kin Nori Bar

A premium sushi spot at Yates and 44th on the west side of Berkeley. The fish is flown in from Japan. My daughter's favorite on the westside — that's the recommendation.

Bakery Four

European-style pastries under the Berkeley Hotel at 4150 Tennyson, open Thursday through Sunday starting at 8am — until sold out, which can happen by 9am. Naturally leavened and made with stone-milled flour and imported French butter.

Javier's Diner

A locally owned Mexican diner at 3801 Tennyson that's been on the block for over 30 years. My go-to for breakfast in Berkeley.

Hey Kiddo

On the third floor of the Asher hotel at 4337 Tennyson with a hidden rooftop deck. In the Michelin Guide and part of the same restaurant group as The Wolf's Tailor. The menu is Asian-inflected shareable plates — there's also a cocktail bar called Ok Yeah tucked into the back.

The Ginger Pig

Asian street food at 4262 Lowell Blvd, inspired by founder Natascha Hess's time spent living and traveling through China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient in both 2023 and 2024. One of the best restaurants in the neighborhood.

Blackbelly Market & Restaurant

Butcher and sandwich shop by day. On Friday evenings it transforms into a French Bistro serving Wagyu Steak Frites. The range of what they do in one space is impressive.

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West Highlands

Himchuli

Indian and Nepali cuisine on 32nd Ave. The Highlands location is one of two in Denver.

Odell's Bagels

Owner Miles Odell trained at Nobu and Masa in New York before being selected by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture as a culinary ambassador to Kyoto. That background shows up in the bagels — naturally leavened, with touches like furikake alongside more familiar options. On Friday through Sunday evenings, the same counter runs The Counter, a reservation-only multi-course kaiseki-inspired tasting experience.

Sassafras American Eatery

Southern-influenced comfort food on W 32nd Ave. Breakfast and lunch, with a longstanding presence in West Highlands.

Paperboy

Austin's award-winning breakfast and lunch concept, open as of 2026 at 3940 W 32nd Ave — their first location outside Texas.

Blue Pan Pizza

Known for Detroit-style pizza. This is the first place I experienced that style, and it made an impression. They put an enormous amount of work into what they do. One of the best pizzas in Denver, and a NW Denver staple.

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LoHi

Root Down

The original location is a converted gas station on W 33rd Ave. Root Down and Vital Root are owned by the same group — two different concepts, same commitment to sourcing. Root Down also has a location at DIA.

Linger

A former mortuary turned restaurant with a rooftop lounge and Denver skyline views. The setting is genuinely one of a kind.

El Five

Denver skyline views, tapas, and fancy cocktails on the fifth floor in LoHi. The kind of place you take someone when you want to show them what the city looks like.

Uncle

Denver's definitive ramen spot, opened in 2012 by chef-owner Tommy Lee. Uncle helped put LoHi on the map and has been the answer to ramen in this city ever since. My favorite spot for ramen in NW Denver.

Cart Driver

Wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta, oysters, and natural wines in a restored 1890 building at 2239 W 30th Ave. Elevated but not stiff.

Fox and the Hen

All-day breakfast from 7am to 3pm at 2257 W 32nd Ave, run by chef Carrie Baird. My favorite for breakfast in LoHi.

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Sloan's Lake

Leroy's Bagels

A neighborhood anchor for Sloan's Lake.

Rise and Shine Biscuits

North Carolina inspired breakfast and lunch biscuits.

Cholon

A good spot — we've had the pizza with ricotta and lemon zest here, which is worth ordering.

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Sunnyside

Odie B's

One of the best breakfast spots in NW Denver. They also own and operate the adjacent Boombots Pasta Shop, which serves creative pasta dishes — two concepts, side by side.

So Damn Gouda

A cheese and wine shop. My go-to for charcuterie boards when the occasion calls for it.

Nozomi

Our go-to for family sushi.

The Wolf's Tailor

Fine dining that has earned two Michelin stars. One of the most decorated restaurants on the northwest side, and part of the same restaurant group as Hey Kiddo.

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NW Denver has hundreds of restaurants worth knowing about across these neighborhoods. This list covers the ones I keep coming back to — and between Berkeley, West Highlands, LoHi, Sunnyside, and Sloan's Lake, there's enough here that leaving the northwest side for dinner starts to feel unnecessary.

Have a spot we should add? Let us know →

Business information is verified at time of publication but may change. We recommend confirming hours and contact details directly with each business before visiting.