Denver Airport 101: Where to eat and drink at DEN
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States by land size and the fifth busiest in the country, serving some 64 million passengers each year. United and Frontier both use the airport as a hub and it’s a focus city for Southwest Airlines.
Although the airport (code DEN, though often referred to as DIA) has some solid lounges, none of their food offerings are enough to count as a meal. Anyone looking for preflight grub will need to visit one of Denver Airport's restaurants or bars. You might not find caviar or a high-end 24/7 bakery, but this airport definitely isn't a wasteland of fast-food joints and far-from-fresh fare.
Related: Denver Airport 101: A guide to the lounges at DEN
Here's a look at some of Denver Airport's best bars and eateries that will dazzle your palate. Presecurity restaurant options are temporarily limited because of renovation of Jeppesen Terminal, the main landside part of the airport. There are plenty of choices airside and we've included options for all three of DEN’s concourses, which are connected airside so it’s relatively easy to travel between them.
Related: 10 airport restaurants so good you won’t want to leave the terminal
Concourse A
Breckenridge Brewery
Location: Near gate A71
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, wine and beer
Price: $$
Pro tip: If you're feeling adventurous, try the Beer-mosa, which is the White Ale topped with orange juice, or the Vanilla Porter with a kick of raspberry syrup.
Brother's BBQ
Location: Near gate A71
Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m; closed Saturday and Sunday
Cuisine: American, quick-serve
Price: $$
Chef Jimmy's Bistro & Spirits
Location: Center core
Hours: 6 a.m.–12 a.m.
Cuisine: American, Italian, full bar
Price: $$
Denver Central Market
Location: Near gate A48
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, healthy-choice, Italian, sushi, vegetarian, quick-serve
Price: $$
Pro tip: If you’ve been to Denver Central Market in the city's RiNo neighborhood, this outpost should feel familiar. There are simplified versions of Sushi-Rama, Vero Pizza and Pasta, SK Provisions and Culture Meat, and you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Denver Chophouse
Location: Center core
Hours: 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, steaks, full bar
Price: $$$
Mesa Verde Bar & Grill
Location: Mezzanine
Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex, vegetarian, full bar
Price: $$
Pro tip: Sample Mesa Verde's massive tequila selection by ordering a tequila flight.
Snarf’s Sandwiches
Location: Near gate A73
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, vegetarian, gluten-free, quick-serve
Price: $
Pro tip: Order one of Snarf's specialty sandwiches and pair it with a lager from the Breckenridge Brewery next door.
Vino Volo
Location: Near gate A49
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Additional restaurants in Concourse A include: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Caribou Coffee, Dunkin' Donuts, Freshëns Fresh Food Studio, KFC Express/Pizza Hut Express, Lavazza, McDonald's, Panda Express and Quiznos.
Concourse B
Crú Food and Wine Bar
Location: Near gate B51
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, wine and beer
Price: $$
Elway's
Location: Center core
Hours: 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, steaks, full bar
Price: $$$
Pro tip: Signature dishes include hand-cut, aged USDA prime steaks, but Elway's staple Smash Burger is great too.
Lounge 5280 Wine Bar
Location: Mezzanine
Hours: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Modern Market
Location: Center core
Hours: 5:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Cuisine: American, healthy-choice, vegetarian, quick-serve
Price: $
New Belgium Brewing
Location: Near gate B30
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, family-friendly, full bar
Price: $$
New Belgium Hub
Location: Near gate B80
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, family-friendly, full bar
Price: $$
Additional restaurants in Concourse B include: Aviator’s Sports Bar & Bar-B-Que, Cantina Grill, Caribou Coffee, Chick-fil-A, City Wok, Etai's, Heidi's Brooklyn Deli, Jamba Juice, McDonald's, Pizza Hut Express/Haagen Daz, Pour La France!, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Que Bueno! Mexican Grille, Rocky Mountain Café, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sara Lee Sandwich Shoppe/Colombo Frozen Yogurt, Smashburger & Bar, Starbucks Coffee, Steve's Snappin' Dogs, Wetzel's Pretzels, Wolfgang Puck and Woody Creek Bakery & Café
Concourse C
Great Divide Brewing
Location: Near gate C32
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Pro tip: Great Divide is known best for its brews, but there are some tasty dishes on the menu as well, such as the Yeti Braised Short Rib Tacos and the Farmhouse Ale Chicken, both of which incorporate Great Divide’s craft beer into the ingredients.
Little Man Ice Cream
Location: Near gate C27
Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: Snacks and sweet treats
Price: $
Pro tip: Little Man Ice Cream is a Denver icon. It's known best for its ice cream “Sammie’s” (aka ice cream sandwiches) and boozy shakes, such as the Whiskey Apple Pie, Oreo Java Spiced Rum and Illuminati Shake.
Modern Market
Location: Near gate C28
Hours: 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: American, healthy-choice, vegetarian, quick-serve
Price: $
Root Down
Location: Center core
Hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: American, gluten-free, healthy-choice, vegetarian, full bar
Price: $$
Pro tip: Root Down offers the biggest selection for vegetarians and vegans traveling through DEN.
Tapas Sky Bar
Location: Near gate C24
Hours: 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Timberline Steaks & Grille
Location: Center core
Hours: 6 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Pro tip: As of Oct. 15, 2019, Timberline is no longer a part of the Priority Pass program.
Vino Volo
Location: Near gate A49
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Additional restaurants in Concourse C include: Auntie Anne's, Big Bowl, Caribou Coffee, Coors Silver Bullet Bar, Dazbog Coffee, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Jamba Juice, McDonald's, Smashburger & Bar, Starbucks Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, The Magic Pan, Villa Pizza and Woody Creek Bakery & Café.
Jeppesen Terminal
Boulder Beer Tap House
Location: Level 5 west
Hours: 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, wine and beer
Price: $$
Red Rocks Bar & BBQ
Location: Level 5 east
Hours: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Additional restaurants in the Jeppesen Terminal include: Cantina Grill, Rocky Mountain Café and Subway. More presecurity restaurant options will return once the Great Hall renovation is complete.
Bottom line
For a city with a reputation for being health-conscious, the Denver Airport has a surprising amount of fast food. Every concourse has a Caribou Coffee and a McDonald’s. You'll also find your usual KFC, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Panda Express and Wetzel’s Pretzels.
However, as you can see, the airport also offers a lot more. Local eateries like Denver Central Market, Snarf’s Sandwiches and Root Down offer plenty of healthy and vegetarian-friendly options. For something more upscale, there’s the Denver Chophouse and Elway's. In true Colorado style, the airport also boasts a whopping six breweries so you definitely won't go thirsty here.
Related: The best credit cards for restaurants and dining out
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.