CHAARG’s Guide To Denver
I’ve been to Denver once before for a hot second on my way to Rocky Mountain National Park for a wedding [so fun!], so this was first time really experiencing Denver [spent time in the city for four days on a work-away with Isaac]… + wow, I’m obsessed. If Denver had a beach, I would seriously move here in a heart beat. The coffee shops, healthy + trendy restaurants, sunny days, + MOUNTAINS are so dreamy. It makes sense why more + more people are moving here. Take a visit + you’ll see why I love this city so much!
Coffee
Sapor Coffee + Concepts / saporcoffee.com
1] Sapor Coffee + Concepts: I got the matcha latte with oat milk ++ an espresso ((you know the place is legit when the espresso comes with sparkling water)). Vibes are minimalist, open, + white. It’s a great space for working for a few hours!
2] Just BE Kitchen: CUTEST PLACE EVER. The matcha coconut milk latte is everything. Golden milk lattes, chai bulletproof latte, kombucha, + more… I want to drink//eat the entire menu. They have a breakfast all day menu [+ it’s all gluten + grain + refined sugar free]. GIMME.
3] Carbon Cafe + Bar: Bulletproof coffee, Oatley lattes, CBD cold brew, + more. This had the largest menu for fun, interesting drinks ((coffee + tea + cocktails, lol)). Also, the Habit Doughnut Dispensary is right next door… I don’t even like donuts, but wow they are all gorgeous.
4] Little Owl Coffee: Tucked in the heart of downtown, this is more of a grab + go coffee shop — small + quaint! All of their pastries looked incredible ((they had a savory puff pastry that I was eyeing)). No matcha, so go here only if you are a coffee fan : ) [they do have chai though!].
5] Stowaway Kitchen: I had just eaten lunch or else I definitely would have grabbed food here — they had a to-go cafe, too! The cappuccino with house made cashew milk… so yum.
Cafes I Want To Check Out Next Time: Aviano, Spur Coffee, Blue Sparrow, Black Eye Coffee, Thump, Brew Culture Coffee, Hudson Hill, Port Side ((*clearly there are tons of incredible coffee shops in Denver!)))
Pro Tip: “Cappy Hour” — spend one hour at a coffee shop… when the hour is up, head to another coffee shop! Beware of the caffeine buzz though… switch it up with matcha, kombucha, or a pastry ; ).
Restaurants
Cacaco Acai Bowl from The Corner Beet / @etavierne
#1] The Corner Beet: I’m still drooling thinking abotu the Capital Toast With Mozzerella, + Cacao Acai Bowl. We also got the housemade kava, which was too bitter for me — I’d maybe do it in a tonic//smoothie if I were to get it again. It made the top of your tongue numb though, which was strange. The vibes were funky, authentic hippie, ++ next door is a new yoga space opening up, which I’m excited to check out. *I want to eat everything on this menu.
#2] Green Seed Market: Inside the Denver Central Market, I split the Kale Yeah Mother Brussel, Medi Bowl [literally a mound of pesto on top, so freaking good], + a housemade juice. *I want to eat everything on this menu.
#3] Superfood Bar: While you can eat inside, this is moreso grab + go — all vegan smoothies, juices, wraps, + salads! Smoothies: Banana Nut [added: espresso, protein+ extra granola on top] + Peaches + Green. WOW. I can easily picture myself going to Kindness Yoga [next door!] + grabbing a smoothie after I get my sweat on. *I want to eat everything on this menu.
#4] Safta: Go here for a fancy(er) night out with friends — it’s perfect for sharing style. Must eats = Lamb Ragu Hummus, Cauliflower Hummus, + Autumn Salad. Also, it’s in the coolest building — The Source, so make sure you make time to browse before [or after!] eating ; ).
#5] Culture Meat + Cheese: Inside the Denver Central Market, the happy hour is a $6 mini cheese plate — so yum. Highly recommend grabbing wine at Curio — the vendor next door.
#6] Root Down: The menu changes seasonally, with a focus on local ingredients. The cocktails looked delicious — so I’d recommend this for a weekend date night . Everything was delicious… Colorado Lamb Sliders, Brussels Sprouts + Kale Salad, Sweet Potato Fries with Curry Lime Yogurt. Also, the SPORTea is so amazing [+ free refills!].
#7] City O’ City: I went here for breakfast with a few friends — tempeh bacon hash + power waffle is the way to go. The vibe is eclectic — very artisty + fun. There’s also a super cute plant//home goods boutique close by that you need to stop in on your way to or from City O’ City!
#8] Acorn: Also tucked inside The Source [seriously, so many amazing eats here!] — there menu constantly changes. Right now, for example, it’s menu #266. All the plates are small plates, ++ they have incredible cocktails. Go here for a fancy night out!
#9] Whole Foods: There’s a reason Whole Foods is on the list… WOW. Go to the Whole Foods next to Union Station. + get all the things from the Hot Bar. UNREAL.
Restaurants I Want To Check Out Next Time: Linger, Ophelia, Vital Root, Berriegood Co, Vinh Xuong Bakery, Barcelona Wine Bar, El Five [*so bummed I wasn’t able to eat here… apparently the best view in Denver — go at sunset!], Denver Milk Market
Shops + Cute Places
Modern Nomad / modernnomaddenver.com
#1] Union Station: If you’re flying into Denver, definitely take the train — it’s cheap, clean + will drop you off into Union Station, which is seriously so cute. Vibes are on point to both lounge with friends, or get some work done!
#2] The Source: MUST VISIT* Home to a hotel, tons of little vendors [eats + boutiques], flower shop, brewery, + more. It’s super cool industrial vibes — I could spend hours here. Eat at Safta or Acorn!
#3] Denver Central Market: MUST VISIT* Omg, this place is my heaven. Grab a coffee at Crema Bodega, a pastry at Izzio, a salad at Green Seed, a meet + cheese board at Culture, + a glass of wine at Curio. ++ maybe even some chocolates at Temper, because why not : ). I’m in love with this space.
#4] Modern Nomad: I want to buy everything in this boutique. From furniture to jewelry to clothes to succulents to crystals… Mondern Nomad has it all.
#5] Walk Down RiNo: RiNo [River North’s Art District] is the coolest area in Denver — home to murals on seemingly every wall. Home to tons of coffee shops, breweries, bars, boutiques, + galleries… if you’re lucky to be in Denver on the first Friday of the month, all the studios//galleries are open until 9 PM!
Places I Want To Check Out Next Time: Washington Park, “The Longest, Wickedest Street in America” — Montclair, A Speakeasy, Nocture [Jazz Bar], Yeah Baby [Pop Up Bar], Shops — Midnight Rambler, Meraki Moon, Denver Flea, RusticThread
Wellness
Samadhi Center For Yoga / samadhiyoga.net
#1] Denver Sports Recovery: *First day is free! Electric stimulation, hot//cold tubs, sauna, free weights + bands, foam rollers, compression boots, + more. It’s similar to Edge Athlete Lounge in Chicago — but larger. If I lived in Denver, I’d go here 1–2X per week, no doubt.
#2] Samadhi Center For Yoga: Go to a class with Jeremy! His candlelight vinyasa class was incredible. This space falls in the category “spiritual yoga” rather than “modern yoga” — which I love.
#3] American Cultures: Kombucha on tap! The menu is constantly rotating but I loved the jalapeno pineapple kombucha, so make sure to try that if it’s still on the menu. ; )
Wellness Spots I Want To Check Out Next Time: Kindness Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga Denver, Alchemy Face Bar [facials], Fierce45 [pilates], Alchemy 365 [yoga + HIIT], Corepower HQ, Transform Colorado
Stay: I was fortunate to stay with my friends [thank you Josh + Sils!] — but I recommend the LoHi neighborhood… it’s walking distance to pretty much everything I mentioned, + it’s hip! Or, check out places in RiNo.
As Heard In Denver: “There are health benefits that come with happiness — regardless of what you’re eating.” [Habit Doughnut Dispensary]
The best part about Denver? There are endless outdoor adventures a car ride away. Boulder Guide… comin’ soon : ). Any hidden Denver gems that I missed? Let me know!
Check out my instagram highlights “Denver” for more at @etavierne.
