Sierra DawsonHave you ever caught a whiff of roasted green chiles drifting down the street and suddenly realized you would do anything for fresh tacos? If you have, you should know that the city offers flavors that will make your taste buds dance.
Finding the best Mexican restaurant in Denver is a delicious journey, especially since the city is packed with regional flavors. Whether you’re a local craving Michoacán flavors or a visitor seeking a lively cantina, there’s something for everyone.
So, grab your favorite salsa companion and let’s dive into the top spots that truly capture Mexico’s spirit.
How much does Mexican food cost in Denver?
Grabbing a bite at a Mexican restaurant in Denver typically ranges from $15 for a casual plate of street tacos to $50 for elaborate regional feasts.
| Dining Experience | Average Cost per Person |
| Casual Dining (Tacos, Burritos) | $15 – $25 |
| Upscale / Specialty Dishes | $30 – $50 |
| Cocktails & Agave Spirits | $10 – $18 per drink |
1. Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina
Website: https://www.adelitasco.com/
Address: 1294 S Broadway
Contact: (303) 778-1294
Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
When you step into this vibrant spot, you immediately feel the powerful tribute to the soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution. This really sets the stage for Chef Silvia Andaya’s authentic family recipes straight from Michoacán.
Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina doesn’t serve generic platters. Instead, they dive deep into regional traditions while offering an impressive agave spirit collection.
You should definitely plan your visit around their rotating daily specials, such as Tamale Thursdays, which provide a great variety. They also easily accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets by swapping out chicken stock in their veggie rice.
However, keep in mind that their strict no-reservations policy means you might be waiting outside for a while during peak dinner hours.
Finding street parking nearby can also be a bit of a headache, so arriving early is always a smart strategy to avoid any frustration.
Customer Reviews:
I have never been disappointed!
This place has the best Margarita in Denver! Made from scratch authentic recipes for all food and drinks. Excellent happy hour. incredible mole sauce. It’s one of my favorite places to come from Mexican food in Denver. I have never been disappointed!
- Dardee | Google Review
Staff and food was fantastic
Staff and food was fantastic. We had 3 tacos and the carna Sada plate. The guacamole is terrific. Staff was very friendly and helpful. My only nit picky feedback is the salsa was watery but seemed very fresh. Otherwise great and we will be back.
- Jeff Rohr | Google Review
2. Savina’s Mexican Kitchen – Downtown Denver
Website: http://savinasmexicankitchen.com/
Address: 1801 Broadway
Contact: (303) 433-8300
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for a bit of Denver history paired with award-winning green chile, Savina’s Mexican Kitchen is a fantastic destination.
It was built on the beloved fifty-year-old foundations of La Loma, so the restaurant still preserves Grandma Savina’s original family recipes. When I tried their hand-rolled mini rellenos recently, the slow-simmered flavors truly felt like a warm hug.
The dining room also feels very nostalgic with its reclaimed Denver brick and stained-glass windows. These details really make you feel like you’re in a rustic family kitchen.
Plus, watching the team make fresh tortillas by hand at the live station adds a special touch to the experience.
While the hospitality is wonderful, the drive to downtown can be a bit frustrating due to traffic. You should be ready to hunt for street parking or pay for a garage.
Customer Reviews:
It was a great visit to this amazing restaurant
Savina’s Mexican Kitchen is a Downtown Denver delight. This is an upscale Mexican restaurant with all your traditional favorites that have been elevated a mile high. Our food came out fast! Hot and fresh. The service is friendly and professional and eager to help. The atmosphere is classy and sophisticated. It was a great visit to this amazing restaurant.
- Cody Weikel | Google Review
This Mexican place was BY FAR phenomenal!
Downtown Denver never disappoints and this Mexican place was BY FAR phenomenal! Still drooling over the food we ate. Outstanding service for being a busy Sat night. We got the shared fajita- fresh and flavorful toppings and juicy chicken. Salsa and guacamole top tier
10/10 recommend this restaurant when visiting Denver. We will be back soon ✌🏼
- Destiney Matson | Google Review
3. D’Corazon Mexican Restaurant
Website: http://dcorazonrestaurant.com/
Address: 1530 Blake Street
Contact: (720) 904-8226
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Finding budget-friendly comfort food near Coors Field often feels impossible, but D’Corazon Mexican Restaurant easily sidesteps the downtown price hike.
Owners Eddie and Rosa have spent over two decades serving up scratch-made masterpieces. Their slow-cooked carnitas and rich mole dishes literally melt in your mouth, which proves that traditional methods always win.
The lively family atmosphere and legendary margaritas will keep you for another round. But that shouldn’t be a problem considering that they keep their prices remarkably accessible for the LoDo neighborhood.
With massive portions that will leave you totally satisfied, it’s a fantastic spot to grab a hearty meal before hitting the nearby breweries.
However, this high popularity comes with a catch. The dining room is frequently packed, which leads to significant wait times during happy hour rushes.
Customer Reviews:
The flavorful food made me happy
I was in town for a conference and met a friend here for dinner. We really enjoyed our meal! The salsa was tasty and had just the right amount of spice, the green chile was quite flavor and again had a little kick which was refreshing. The food was served very quickly and the wait staff was Uber friendly! If I lived downtown I would frequent this restaurant because the flavorful food made me happy and the portions were pretty big, but the price was not!
- Shannon Albeke | Google Review
Cozy vibes, strong menu design
Great experience, the dining area was well packed; deservedly so. Still, our server and total experience there did not make us feel like we were waiting our turn. Cozy vibes, strong menu design. Various marg options and we enjoyed every one we tried!
- Thought Unloader | Google Review
4. Encanto Cocina & Cantina
Website: https://www.encantococinacantina.com/
Address: 2124 Larimer St
Contact: (303) 993-3085
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:30 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you want to turn a regular dinner into a full-blown fiesta, Encanto Cocina and Cantina is a great choice. They pair authentic traditional dishes with an electrifying urban energy that feels very modern.
For instance, the culinary team delivers spectacular sharing platters, such as the towering Molcajete Mixto. This dish practically demands to be the centerpiece of your table.
Plus, their vibrant bar program goes far beyond standard tequila pours. They mix up visually stunning creations like the Margarita Alma Negra.
One major perk is their late-night hours: the kitchen stays open until 1:30 AM on weekends for night owls.
But the high menu prices, combined with extra fees for basic starters, make the meal unnecessarily expensive. Charging for items that are usually free elsewhere can make guests feel like they aren’t getting a good value for their money.
Customer Reviews:
Everything we tried was great!
We visited Encanto for the first time today and I was a bit skeptical at first, because in my experience places that care a lot about aesthetics and decor don’t tend to have the best food, well this was the exception. Everything we tried was great! We especially liked the Sopecitos appetizers, the Encanto main dish with arrachera and the Churros for dessert.
Tania was our server and she really took care of us all night. We’ll definitely be back
- Gaby Duarte | Google Review
The food was all really fresh and fantastic
Encanto has just become my favorite Mexican restaurant in Denver! The food was all really fresh, fantastic made from scratch flavors and artful plating with nice garnishes. The queso fundido comes with fire roasted jalapeño, definitely add the arrachera. We loved the enchiladas and chile relleno as well. The cocktails were fantastic – we got Paloma’s and they were made the traditional way with grapefruit soda. Cannot wait to come back and try other menu items! Highly recommend.
- Rachel Whaley | Google Review
5. Mezcaleria Alma
Website: https://mezcaleriaalma.com/
Address: 2550 15th St
Contact: (303) 484-1471 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Mezcaleria Alma swaps heavy nostalgia for the fresh innovation of modern-day Mexico City. This spot offers a truly curated tasting journey that feels like a real adventure.
Chef Johnny Curiel has crafted a stunning menu of seafood-centric small plates, specifically designed to pair with their library of over 120 agave spirits.
When my partner and I visited, the knowledgeable staff guided us through a mezcal flight that completely changed how I think about the spirit.
I also like the intimate space, which felt very exclusive and cozy, making it an excellent stop after wandering through local markets.
However, you should know that this high-end experience comes with some rigid rules. For instance, they enforce strict dining time limits and cap party sizes at 4 people, making large gatherings out of the question.
Customer Reviews:
The food was amazing
Coming to Mezcaleria Alma was an incredible experience. It is an old building that was renovated. The walls were well decorated. There was music, but we could still talk. The wait staff were knowledgeable and attentive. The food was amazing. We ordered 5 dishes and a dessert, all of which were delicious. The ingredients were fresh and the food pairing was perfect. The mole was so unique and the best mole I ever had. I recommend the arroz a la tumbana, and the flautas, the carne apache, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
- Elizabeth Van Loan | Google Review
The flavor combos are divine
Holy smokes. Mezcalaria Alma was one of the most magical dining experiences of my life. Just truly amazing. The Tostada de Toro was so delicious that I think my eyes rolled back in my head and I couldn’t talk after the first bite. The flavor combos are divine. There were dishes that felt new and unique, and dishes that felt comfortable and fun. Everything was elevated and thoughtful. The Old Fashioned was perfection. The Beet Spritz was an adventure. Shout out to our serve Ryan for being making the experience top notch. 10/10 recommend. Damn.
- Mo M. | Google review
