Over the last 12 years, the Mile-High City has grown from a university town of cheap eats to a vast playground of great restaurants and neighborhoods. With its grand food halls, retro diners, breweries and farmer’s markets, Denver’s food scene constantly whets our appetite. There’s something here for everybody.

Our favorite food spots are: The Source, a hotel and market hall in the River North Arts District/RINO; the Dairy Block in downtown LoDo (home of 20 restaurants, shops, co-work space and boutique hotel, The Maven); and the cultural hub of the city, Union Station, site of world-class dining, shopping and the stunning Crawford Hotel. The architecture and interior design of this former train station built in 1881 has earned its name as the crown jewel of Denver.

We stopped to chat with local merchants to find out where they eat, sleep and play in their own backyard. Here’s what we recommend for 2022.