Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Highlands Ranch

"One of the many major stars to come out of the Mizuna kitchen was Alex Seidel, whose own intimate special-occasion flagship has also stood the test of time (14 years as of February). European influences and market ingredients drive the weekly-tweaked menu, though the cavatelli carbonara is a neoclassic and there’s always a duck dish or two to dig into. Expect hearty dishes paired with wines from the Old World–leaning list."

"If you’re looking for a special occasion restaurant, but can’t make it to Boulder, you should be eating at Fruition - the classiest of classy restaurants in Denver proper. This place consistently impresses with its attention to detail and quality, and both the food and environment are worth every penny."

"Yearly visits to Italy inspire the cuisine, wine list and the pace as well as the ambience," says the management here. The cuisine--contemporary northern Italian rooted in the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany and the Veneto--is complemented by a deep wine list that is heavily Italian but also includes bottles from France, Spain, South America, California and other highly regarded wine-producing regions of the world. While much of the menu is seasonal, there are likely to be examples of thoughtful pairings of U.S. and Italian preparation and ingredients, such as aged prosciutto di parma or slow-poached baby octopus served with Rocky Ford cantaloupe."

"Located in swanky Cherry Creek, this longtime Northern Italian destination stands as a bastion of refinement on Denver’s ultra-casual scene; you'll begin feeling indulged just walking in. White cloths on the tables, check. A smattering of elaborate floral arrangements and colorful vintage liquor posters, check."

"Sputnik is the place to go in Denver when you want a delicious breakfast or brunch without the meat. The breakfast burrito topped with stewed black beans and vegan cheese is delicious and filling, and the quesadilla with macaroni and “cheese” and a side is tasty, too. You’ll also love the veggie fajita with purple kale topped with avocado, and the Israeli falafel sandwich makes for a satisfying meal as well."

"The location operates as a bar and as a restaurant that doesn’t have a lot of traditional bar food. Instead, this eclectic joint offers more vegetarian and vegan alternatives. You can feast on rice bowls or Israeli falafel while enjoying the perks of a full espresso bar and free Wi-Fi."

"American , Vegetarian"

"Located along South Broadway, Somebody People is another new addition to Denver’s thriving vegan food scene. Its menu is entirely plant-based and the food at this restaurant is superb. From the classic avocado toast to fettuccine served with mushroom bolognese, kale, and rosemary, this place is a true heaven for plant-based eaters."

"Somebody People brings fresh, rustic Mediterranean flavors to Denver by celebrating local seasons and whole vegetables. The unique take on these classic veggies will have you second-guessing everything you thought you knew about vegetables."

"The fact that this fast-casual pie parlor was founded by the guys behind Frasca Food & Wine makes its price point all the more surprising: From the famous Mais with ham, corn, and crème fraîche to the Supreme with pepperoni, sausage, onions, and peppers, not one 11-inch option cracks the $10 mark, and on Mondays, Margherita pizzas go for $5. (Three other locations in the Highlands, Central Park, and Hale spread the wealth.)"

"There’s nothing so quintessentially Colorado than Breckenridge Brewery. With several locations throughout the state, this brewery is a local favorite. At their new Farm House Restaurant in Littleton, enjoy outdoor drinking at its finest with tables distanced at least 6 feet apart throughout the entire property."

"As reliably as ever, this Aurora strip-mall stalwart serves up Sichuan and other regional specialties with soul to rival their spice. Mapo tofu, Shanghai-style smoked fish, twice-cooked pork, hand-ripped cabbage with garlic and chiles, and rice-noodle soup thick with meat and pickled veggies count among the crowd favorites — but a glance around neighboring tables provides clues to many others. This is as good a place as any to order by looking around and pointing."

"This is a fast-casual vegan chain restaurant with locations in 4 states (California, Colorado, Chicago and Oregon). They serve salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and desserts. They have a variety of signature plant-based proteins like their tempeh, seitan, ‘Native Chicken,’ ‘Native Bacon,’ and cashew cheese."

"The Lowdown: Native Foods Cafe is a convenient vegan option. Fast-casual and with plenty of American-style favorites, the restaurant is bound to have the typically meat-based meal you’re looking for. Scoop up the Rueben made with thinly sliced seitan for a tasty sandwich that doesn’t taste like a salad."

"AYCE sushi Denver details: every day; lunch from 11:30-2:30 for $14.99, and dinner from 4:30-close for $24.99Roll Recommendation: Monkey Brain – deep fried avocado, crab, and spicy tuna. Sushi Totoro feels like a family-run neighborhood sushi joint. And that’s because it is."

"Jaja Bistro is a cute, small restaurant just a 20 minute drive outside of the city center. Jaja is owned and managed by Dreith Sommer and Marika Wells, a husband and wife team who met while studying at the Culinary Institute of America. The two pay homage to the classic dishes of France, and create French-inspired American eats like the Ratatouille burger."

"Whether you’re craving sweet crepes, savory crepes, or want crepes as a main course or dessert, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Denver’s Crepes n’ Crepes. Popular breakfast options include the Crepe Florentine with Canadian bacon, spinach, and two eggs, or the Crepe Cadix with chorizo, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Lunch crepe options include the Dinde crepe with turkey or the ham and cheese crepe, or you can select the Margherita crepe with tomatoes, basil, garlic, bacon, and mozzarella."

"The people of France, especially those of the northwestern region of Brittany, have enjoyed eating crepes since the Middle Ages. Here they’re made by popular Denver chef Alain Veratti on imported iron griddles while customers sip cappuccinos or a glass of French wine. Choose from a selection of gluten-free, buckwheat, or wheat crepes, with a range of fillings from savory salmon to fresh fruits and ice cream."

"This adorable creperie with locations in Cherry Creek North, Writers Square and Highland is known for—you guessed it—their delicious and simple crepes full of sweet and savory ingredients. Don’t miss the Borneo Crepe, which is a crepe crisped into a bowl with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, strawberries, bananas and your choice of sauce."

"Photo by Lindsey Bartlett and courtesy of Romano’s Italian Restaurant. Favorite Dish: Eggplant parmesan. When it comes to family-run Colorado red sauce joints, you can’t do much better than Romano’s."

"Sazza brings local, sustainable and farm-to-table concepts to the world of pizza. "We have never felt it necessary to define our version of farm-to-table because it is a lifestyle choice, not a business decision," says Jeff Rogoff, owner of Sazza. "What does that mean? In our home, we eat only organic produce, meats and poultry and we support local purveyors whenever possible. This is the mantra that we took to Sazza and have continued to do more as Sazza evolves." Sazza also takes local beyond food, using local for necessities from ink cartridges to plates."

"Great little eat in our out restaurant with character and great brauts and dog options. Also has a tofu option. I had the Reuben with tofu and onion rin..."

"Stowed away on the second level of Centennial Airport, The Perfect Landing is the antithesis of a frenetic airport restaurant. There’s no racing through security lines and no heavy bags to wheel through tight spaces, and the only chance of a missed connection is if your jet-setting date stands you up in favor of a flying lesson. The softly illuminated restaurant, with its large windows that peer over multi-million-dollar planes on the runway, is prime real estate for romantic date nights, especially against the backdrop of a terrific pianist whose song repertoire is seemingly endless."

"Family owned and operated, Five Guys is one of the leading fast casual burger restaurants in the world, offering a classic take on burgers, hot dogs, fries, milkshakes and more. Our business started in 1986 with a fanatical focus on quality ingredients, clean restaurants and exceptional customer ..."

"Casual and affordable restaurants can be the best at what they do and The Post Chicken & Beer on South Broadway is just such a place. For its fans, it's the go-to for deeply satisfying fried chicken in Denver. Guy Fieri clearly agreed when he showcased The Post on a Diners, Drive Ins & Dives segment on his popular show."

"A plate of authentic, crispy-tender, perfectly seasoned and fried chicken is a value at any price (IMHO). But for those who believe fried chicken, however good, should be a dining bargain, you're in luck. Post Brewing Co. has reasonable prices."