I’m not going to give my whole thing on good vegetarian food. It’s clear to me that vegetarian and vegan food can be excellent. Somebody People is the perfect example of that. I visited the Restaurant on a Sunday to participate in their “Sunday Supper” menu. The dinner is $35 and gives diners 5 chef’s choice courses created from ingredients grown in the Restaurant’s garden. Now I haven’t partaken in the a La carte menu. But I can say without question if all vegetarian food were as great as my dinner at Somebody People, I’d switch to a plant-based diet.

I really enjoyed every course, but two plates, in particular, stand out. The meal opened with a mushroom mousse and apricot jam plated alongside a piece of grilled focaccia. Simple looking enough, the mousse itself was an absolute dead ringer for a counterpart made from chicken liver. The rich flavor and thick texture were complimented so perfectly by the sweetness of the jam. It was almost too good to handle when paired with the soft focaccia and the slight char from the grill. Then came a spread of local carrots and beets served over a hemp purée with pink pepper. The dish was artfully plated and full of vibrant color. The vegetables were cooked to perfection with a soft but not mushy texture. The richly savory flavor was complimented by sweet pistachio crumble, almost like a streusel.

I could explain each dish in length, but I think you get the point. Somebody People is a really excellent representation of Denver as a whole. The staff is amiable, diverse, and enthusiastic. The subterranean dining room boasts a really energetic and relaxed vibe. And the food is of the highest quality and showcases the best of what the city offers. If I had to pick one reservation while visiting Denver, I would say this is at the top of my list. This is truly a meal for any occasion. I was impressed by every aspect. The chef and their staff are obviously so talented. But the bar program and front of house tie everything together. So even if you aren’t a vegetarian, put your bias aside and partake. I promise you will love it.

Very hot Restaurant, so book your reservation a few weeks in advance! I could snag a seat at the bar because it was dining solo. It’s further away from central Denver, but it’s in a great area near some excellent bars and shops on Broadway.

Ok, I lied. You should also make a reservation at The Greenwich. From start to finish, this meal was exceptional. I had been anxiously awaiting my visit here for months because I had heard the pizza was great. But having been let down by false promises of superior pie in the past, I tempered my expectations. This was unnecessary. The pizza at The Greenwich was the real deal. Not only that but the staff and space were terrific to boot. Even if you don’t feel like pizza, you should go here. The menu is full of farm-to-table, seasonal options. So rearrange your insides and prepare for your second dinner at The Greenwich.

I’m not going to call myself a pizza expert. But I do think I know a good pie when I taste one. The eggplant pizza at The Greenwich was nothing short of a genuinely fantastic pizza. The crust was puffy with beautiful air bubbles and light char. But the toppings were also well distributed and plentiful. It’s not often you have a pizza with everything going for it. Maybe the slices are soggy, or the taste is lacking. But everything here was pretty much perfect. The pieces were thick, and each ingredient complimented the other. The crust didn’t get wet and had fantastic crunch and texture. But also I didn’t feel disgusting after finishing the meal. It was so well made that I think you could put anything on that dough, and it would taste good.

I loved everything about The Greenwich. They established trust from the moment I walked in. Every employee treated me like a friend, and the space was conducive to an evening of total relaxation. Curating a restaurant experience like the one I had at The Greenwich is extremely difficult. The fact that everything hit the mark is awe-inspiring, and I would go out of my way just to eat there again. As I write this, it is my last day in Denver. I’m having a hell of a time not canceling my other dinner plans and heading back to the house for another pizza. Trust me. It’s delicious.

You can go without a reservation and sit at the bar if you’re solo. But this place was bustling even for a Monday night when I visited. I would go with a group if you can. The menu items were exciting, and the pizza was superb, but I wish I could have tried some other stuff.

This place is a little off the beaten path, but I assure you it’s worth the journey. Denver is littered with legit coffee shops, but I think Middlestate reigns supreme. I always keep an eye out for the places that are clearly run by coffee nerds. I’m, of course, using this term endearingly to describe a barista who will ensure you get the most out of your $5 drink. The coffee here is smooth, and the pastry selection is excellent. In general, it’s just a nice quiet space to enjoy your cup and prepare for your day of exploring or whatever you came to Denver to do.

I ordered a latte and a strawberry croissant. The drink was smooth, and the house-roasted espresso was bold without any burnt flavor. I’m not sure who baked the croissant, but it was also lovely. The layers were tight and crispy, and the jam inside was fruity without tasting sickly sweet or artificial. I loved the space as well. The room is minimally decorated in a studio loft style. There were maybe three other customers when I visited, but it was very peaceful and a significant change of pace from most of the shops in town.

MiddleState is located near North Broadway. The space is pretty ample, but there are only a few tables, so you may need to take it to go if it gets crowded. The employees were amiable, and I felt like they cared about my drink. Hence, you can order anything, and I’m sure it will be awesome. Make sure you grab a pastry as well.

I never thought I’d be praising the likes of an eatery located in a food hall, but here we are. Izzio is fantastic. The display of pastries alone is simply astounding. Many bakeries have some things that look good and others I would ignore. But I would happily order and devour any pastries at this small counter service bakery in Denver Central Market. While they are well known for their varieties of Kouign Amann, I tried several things that were equally if not more impressive. I loved this place. If I could stay in Denver for another week and sample every dessert and pastry, I would.

I went back to Izzio twice in one day. That’s how good it was. I began my morning with their pistachio Kouign. After a few hours of walking, I returned to replenish my energy stores with a snickers cheesecake. The Kouign was lovely. The pastry was slightly sweet, and the exterior had a wonderful crunch. The bread’s interior was pillowy soft with a perfect spongy mouth feel. But the cheesecake was the winner. It’s about the size of a teacup. The Graham cracker crust is thick, and the cheese mixture is dense. On top, there is a fluffy whipped cream and pieces of snickers candy bars. Each bite has the perfect ratio of ingredients, and you aren’t left wanting anything other than a second portion.

I don’t like food halls. I feel as though they lack culture and personality. But I do like that Izzio clearly puts thought and effort behind their work. The pastries are all beautiful and delicious. Their employees are also excellent and enthusiastic. Food hall presence or not, Izzio is a legit bakery. I included it in this list because of its impressive variety and evident prowess. Go asap and grab a few things. They even had cake slices. What are you waiting for?