Downtown Denver Food Tour

Larimer Street is where Denver’s story really begins. In 1858, during the gold rush, General William Larimer staked a claim on the east side of Cherry Creek and helped establish the settlement that would become Denver. Larimer Street quickly developed into the young city’s main commercial corridor, lined with saloons, hotels, shops, banks and offices. The stretch now known as Larimer Square was home to some of Denver’s earliest institutions, including its first residence, post office, bank and city hall. Today, Larimer Street offers a glimpse of Denver’s frontier beginnings and the city’s evolution from gold-rush settlement to modern metropolis.

Our next stop takes us from Italy straight to Argentina at Lazo Empanadas, a cozy local spot serving Denver’s most authentic taste of South America. Empanadas are the ultimate comfort food—handheld pastry pockets filled with seasoned meats, vegetables, and cheeses—and at Lazo, each one is made from scratch with family recipes passed down through generations. Their flaky golden crusts and bold fillings showcase the rich flavors of Argentina, from classic beef to inventive vegetarian options. Paired with chimichurri sauce and perhaps a sip of Malbec, these empanadas highlight the city’s global culinary influences while keeping things casual and approachable. At this stop, guests get to learn a little about Argentine culture and how these portable pies became a beloved street food, all while enjoying a warm, savory bite that feels both exotic and familiar. It’s a flavorful contrast to our first stop and a perfect way to keep the tour moving south—on the map and on the palate.

Our third stop takes us to The Cherry Cricket Ballpark, the downtown branch of a Denver icon dating back to 1945. Famous for its build-your-own burgers with countless topping choices, this location adds another must-try: their award-winning green chili. In Denver, green chili isn’t just a condiment—it’s a cultural staple, a point of pride that shows up everywhere from diners to fine dining menus. At The Cherry Cricket, the chili is rich, spicy, and deeply flavorful, smothering burgers or served on its own with a side of tortillas. This stop offers guests a taste of a dish that defines Denver’s food identity. It’s where timeless comfort food and local tradition come together in every bite.

Just steps from Coors Field, the National Ballpark Museum is one of Denver’s best-kept secrets for baseball fans. Founded by Denver native Bruce “B” Hellerstein, the museum grew out of a private collection that Smithsonian Books recognized as one of the top 20 private baseball collections in the world. Its focus is unusual: rather than celebrating individual teams or players, the museum is dedicated to the great ballparks themselves. Inside are original seats, bricks, structural pieces, signs, photographs, and other artifacts from the 14 classic Major League ballparks, including Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, old Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field. The collection also explores Colorado baseball history, from the Denver Bears to the Rockies and Coors Field. Highlights include part of Fenway Park’s Green Monster and a section of the old Wrigley Field scoreboard.

As we make our way through Denver’s culinary landscape, we’ll pass through the Ballpark District, a neighborhood where history and modern culture mix in the shadow of Coors Field. Once home to warehouses and railyards, today the streets hum with craft breweries, restaurants, and lively patios that fill with fans on game days. You’ll notice the preserved brick facades and vibrant street art that give this district its unmistakable character. The Ballpark area isn’t just about baseball—it’s become a hub for dining and nightlife, a place where locals and visitors gather long after the final pitch. On our tour, it provides the perfect backdrop: a chance to soak in the energy of a neighborhood that tells Denver’s story through both its architecture and its food scene, connecting the city’s past with its present flavor.

Just across from Coors Field, we’ll pause in McGregor Square, one of downtown Denver’s newest gathering spaces. Opened in 2021, the square was designed as a year-round community hub, bringing fresh energy to the Ballpark District. Its open plaza hosts everything from farmers markets to watch parties on the massive 66-foot outdoor screen, and the surrounding buildings house restaurants, bars, shops, and even a luxury hotel. The space is named after former Rockies president Keli McGregor and reflects Denver’s mix of sports pride and urban renewal. For food lovers, McGregor Square is a culinary playground—home to innovative eateries, craft cocktails, and quick bites that make it a natural extension of the city’s dining scene. Stopping here lets us soak in the buzz of downtown life, with the Rockies stadium on one side and the thriving LoDo neighborhood on the other. It’s a perfect moment on our tour to see how Denver continues blending history, hospitality and community into every corner.

The Rally Hotel is one of the newest landmarks in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood and a major part of the McGregor Square development next to Coors Field. Opened in 2021, the hotel was designed to celebrate the energy and identity of the surrounding baseball district without feeling like a traditional sports-themed hotel. Its name comes from the baseball term “rally,” when a team strings together hits and runs to build momentum. Inside, subtle references to baseball appear throughout the design, from artwork and materials to details inspired by the game and the Colorado Rockies. The hotel overlooks McGregor Square, a large public plaza with restaurants, events, and a giant outdoor screen that draws crowds before and after Rockies games. The Rally helped transform what had long been a mostly game-day area into a year-round destination, adding hotel rooms, dining, retail, and public gathering space just steps from Coors Field.

The historic Windsor Dairy building is one of the best reminders that this part of downtown Denver was once a working commercial district rather than a dining and entertainment destination. Built in the early 20th century, the building housed the Windsor Farm Dairy, which processed and distributed milk and other dairy products to a rapidly growing Denver. Its location near the railroad and the warehouses of Lower Downtown made it ideal for moving perishable goods efficiently through the city. Like many industrial buildings in LoDo, it was designed for practicality, with sturdy brick construction, large interior spaces, and easy access for deliveries. As Denver’s industrial activity shifted away from downtown, buildings like this lost their original purpose. Rather than demolish it, developers incorporated the structure into today’s Dairy Block, preserving much of its historic character while adapting it for restaurants, shops, offices, and hotel space.

At Kachina Cantina, we get to experience one of the most unique bites on the tour: their famous Native American fry bread taco. Light, puffy, and slightly crisp, the fry bread serves as both plate and tortilla, piled high with fresh, flavorful toppings like braised meats, beans, veggies, and tangy sauces. It’s a dish with deep roots across the Southwest, where fry bread has long been a symbol of resilience and adaptation, and here it’s reimagined with a modern, creative twist. Kachina’s bold flavors and vibrant presentation reflect Denver’s spirit of culinary fusion—respecting tradition while making it their own. The setting itself buzzes with color, art, and hospitality, making this stop not just a chance to taste something delicious, but also to learn how diverse cultures continue to shape Denver’s food identity. The fry bread taco embodies the mix of comfort, innovation, and history that makes the city’s dining scene so exciting.

Next, we’ll explore the Dairy Block, a micro-district in LoDo that has quickly become one of Denver’s most vibrant culinary and cultural destinations. Built on the site of the old Windsor Dairy, this revitalized block is a maze of restaurants, cocktail bars, coffee shops, boutiques, and a boutique hotel—all woven together by its signature Alley. Murals, art installations, and twinkling lights give the space an intimate, urban feel, while the food hall inside offers everything from wood-fired pizza to modern tacos and craft cocktails. The Dairy Block embodies Denver’s creative spirit: a place where history meets reinvention, and where locals and visitors come to eat, drink, shop, and linger. On our tour, it’s a chance to wander through a space that feels part market, part art gallery, part neighborhood hangout—showcasing how Denver has transformed its historic roots into a hub of modern taste and style.

Our tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Wynkoop Brewing Company, Denver’s very first craft brewery. Founded in 1988 by a group that included future Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, Wynkoop helped spark the city’s now-famous craft beer movement. Housed in a historic brick warehouse just across from Union Station, the brewery still pours pints that celebrate both innovation and tradition. Guests will hear the story of how a single brewpub changed Denver’s identity into the “Napa Valley of Beer.” Wynkoop is also known for adventurous brews like Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout, which captures Denver’s playful spirit. This stop lets us raise a glass to the pioneers of Colorado’s craft scene while enjoying the lively atmosphere of one of downtown’s most iconic gathering spots.

To close out the tour on a sweet note, we stop at Ultreia, the Iberian-inspired gem tucked inside Union Station. Here, guests enjoy a pastel de nata, Portugal’s iconic custard tart. Flaky, buttery pastry holds a rich, creamy filling lightly caramelized on top—a perfect balance of texture and sweetness in just a few bites. These pastries date back to 18th-century Lisbon, where monks first created them in monasteries, and they’ve since become a worldwide favorite. At Ultreia, the pastel de nata is made with care and served as a delicate finale to our culinary journey. It’s both indulgent and light, a dessert that lingers without overwhelming. Enjoying this treat beneath Union Station’s soaring ceilings ties together everything the tour is about: global flavors, local craftsmanship, and Denver’s vibrant dining scene. With this little taste of Portugal, we end our exploration of the city’s flavors on a truly memorable high note.

No visit to downtown Denver would be complete without a stop by Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. Opened in 1995, the stadium not only brought Major League Baseball to Denver but also helped spark the entire neighborhood’s transformation from warehouses to one of the city’s liveliest districts. With its red-brick architecture, classic ballpark charm, and a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Coors Field is considered one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country. Even if we’re not catching a game, pausing here connects food and culture with the city’s love of sports. The stadium also has its own food legacy, from Rocky Mountain oysters to craft beer brewed right inside the park. For Denverites, Coors Field is more than a ballpark—it’s a symbol of the city’s growth and a gathering place that defines the Ballpark District. This quick stop adds history, energy, and local pride to our culinary journey.

Step inside the Oxford Hotel and you’re stepping into a living piece of Denver’s history. Built in 1891, it’s the city’s oldest operating hotel, blending Victorian elegance with modern style. Guests on our food tour will love the sense of stepping back in time—the grand lobby glows with polished wood, antique chandeliers, and stories of Denver’s early boomtown days. Just steps from Union Station, the Oxford has hosted railroad travelers, cattle barons, and even celebrities over the years, giving it an unmatched aura of old-world glamour. Today, it’s home to one of Denver’s most iconic cocktail lounges, The Cruise Room, which opened the day after Prohibition ended and still serves classic martinis under neon art-deco lights. This stop highlights the city’s mix of grit, glamour, and culinary creativity—making the Oxford a perfect pairing of history and hospitality.

We finish our journey at Denver Union Station, the city’s grand transit hub and crown jewel of LoDo. First opened in 1881 and completely revitalized in 2014, Union Station embodies the perfect blend of historic charm and modern flair. Its soaring Beaux-Arts architecture, iconic “Travel by Train” sign, and elegant Great Hall make it one of Denver’s most photographed landmarks. But Union Station is more than a train depot—it’s a dining and cultural destination in its own right. Inside, you’ll find acclaimed restaurants, cozy coffee shops, cocktail bars, and even a boutique hotel, all woven together under one stunning roof. Ending our tour here ties together Denver’s story: a city rooted in railroad history, reinvented through food, drink, and community gathering. It’s the ideal spot to linger, grab another bite or beverage, and soak in the energy of downtown Denver before heading out with a full belly and a true taste of the city.

Our tour unfolds in LoDo—short for Lower Downtown—Denver’s oldest and most storied neighborhood. Once a frontier settlement along the South Platte River, LoDo grew into a bustling warehouse district tied to the city’s railroad era. By the 1980s, the area was in decline, but historic preservation efforts transformed its brick warehouses into one of Denver’s liveliest hubs. Today, LoDo is where past and present meet: century-old architecture houses trendy restaurants, buzzing bars, craft breweries, and independent shops. The cobblestone streets and preserved facades remind us of Denver’s Wild West roots, while murals and modern eateries highlight its contemporary creative energy. As we wander through LoDo, the backdrop itself becomes part of the tour—every stop layered with the history, culture, and culinary innovation that make this neighborhood the beating heart of downtown Denver.

The Crawford Hotel is built directly into Denver Union Station, making it one of the city’s most distinctive places to stay. Opened in 2014 as part of Union Station’s major redevelopment, the hotel was named for preservationist Dana Crawford, whose work helped save and revive many of Denver’s most important historic buildings. Rather than creating a typical modern hotel, the Crawford was designed to preserve the character of the station itself. Its rooms are spread through different parts of the building, including former offices and attic spaces, with styles that reflect different eras of Union Station’s history. Some rooms feature exposed brick, original architectural details, and views into the Great Hall or surrounding LoDo neighborhood. The hotel is a good example of adaptive reuse: instead of separating historic preservation from new development, it makes the landmark itself part of the guest experience.