Eats & Beats: Celebrating 20 Years of Denver’s Restaurant Week!

For the past two decades, local restaurants and bars have participated in Denver’s Restaurant Week with the goal of creating an unforgettable dining experience for locals and visitors wanting to explore the flavorful diversity in Denver’s food scene.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of this mile-high culinary celebration. Over 10 days, participating restaurants will design special menus with all types of cuisines. Their website breaks it down for us: “Colorado grass-fed beef and lamb, international fusions, fresh seafood that’s flown in daily, and innovative vegetarian options, spiced up with local ingredients like the famous green chili” YUM! The celebration will last from Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 10.

This is a perfect opportunity to try out new spots at a price point of your comfort with both to-go and in-person options. Monetary tiers include $25, $35, and $45 meal options. An additional tier for multi-course meals is marked at $55 per person. Using the Denver Restaurant’s website, you can filter the list of participating restaurants by a number of options like price, type of cuisine, neighborhood, different amenities, and dietary restrictions – all to aid in finding the perfect match for you! Diners are encouraged to set up reservations as seating times and days range.

Taking a look back at its inception, the week began as a way to bring in business during a slow time of the year. It was also a way to show locals and the world that Denver belonged on the map as a culinary destination – much more than beer and buffalo! Over time, the amount of restaurant participants have jumped from 83 in its first year to over 200 last year. This year 238 restaurants are participating, some of which are recognized as Michelin-starred and are led by James Beard Award-winning chefs. This is the most yet since the pandemic.

Many participating restaurants over the years have looked fondly at the experience. Those who were there in the first iteration of the restaurant week say that the energy was high, the dining rooms were busy but a lot of loyal customers came out of it too. Adjustments have been made over time like the duration, the time of year, and the price to account for the needs of the restaurants. To help lighten the lift, Visit Denver has made attempts to help streamline the process with a new website and an easier application/ menu submission process. Throughout the 20 years this promotional week has been celebrated, open lines of communication have been maintained to ensure that this remains a joyous experience for all involved!

More information at Visit Denver’s Denver Restaurant Week

Tune in to The Morning Set, weekdays from 7 – 10 a.m. on KUVO JAZZ 89.3FM, on the stream, or on the KUVO App.

Stay connected to KUVO’s programs and our community! Sign up for the Oasis E-News today!

Photo Credit: Photos courtesy of VISIT DENVER