The Best Cheap Eats in Denver

Delicious fare doesn't have to come with a premium price tag, as The Corner Office Restaurant and Martini Bar illustrates with reasonably priced options at any time of day. From delicious starters like the Pork Green Chile or Devils on Horseback to filling soup and sandwich specials like the classic French dip or self-named Office Burger, this restaurant offers a variety of flavors that satiates for a reasonable price per head.

Tamayo, the Mexican-inspired eatery opened by Chef Richard Sandoval, serves elevated cuisine that bursts with flavor. The unpretentious atmosphere is sure to delight the foodie on a budget. Dinner time comes with a hefty, though reasonable, price tag for items like a smoked short rib. Experience the cuisine for less with a brunch reservation. The bottomless margarita brunch includes an endless selection of small plates for two full hours of culinary decadence. Endless margaritas are an optional addition. With a discounted children's price on the menu, Tamayo is definitely a place to take the whole family for cheap eats and delicious plates.

Be prepared to stay awhile at Linger, one of the hottest Denver restaurants. This often sold-out spot dishes up some seriously cheap eats during happy hour. Between 4-6:30 p.m. diners have an expansive selection of discounted plates and wines. Add in the prix fixe Tuesday option of three courses, and you have an eatery that pushes the flavor boundaries, not budgets. Check out the bao buns, pad thai, devils on horseback, wagyu sliders, lamb kabobs, and dosa for a complete tour of the menu. Most items are easily transformed into vegetarian or vegan options, so mixed cuisine crowds are welcome.

An aged yellow and brick red decor create a warm ambiance that matches the service at Piatti, an Italian restaurant in Denver. Taste the port-ricotta meatballs and semolina fried calamari and shrimp, or go right for the big plates with a large helping of pasta. For a low-cost meal, be sure to hit happy hour. Every Monday-Saturday, from 4-6 p.m., a brief selection of menu items are available at a steep discount with the purchase of a cocktail. Now, that's only at the bar, but if you want to sample the selections, it's a great way to combine drinks and dinner.

At SOL Cocina, a Mexican restaurant, classic street food takes on gourmet status and comes to the table in a homey atmosphere. Exceptional service starts off every meal at SOL, but the standard dinner menu doesn't exactly lend itself to budget diners. For delicious Mexican flavors at street taco prices, come in on a Taco and Tequila Tuesday or during happy hour. The Tuesday menu includes street tacos sold individually or in a six-pack. Shrimp taquitos also make an appearance on the menu, along with classic margaritas. During happy hour, sample the hot and raw ceviche or peel and enjoy the shrimp "cucarachas" every Monday and Wednesday through Friday. For a little bit of a show with a meal, order the grilled sweet corn. It's carved tableside so diners can watch the plate come together.

One great way to enjoy gourmet food at budget prices is with small plates. El Five, a tapa restaurant, serves up delicious plates designed for sharing and enjoyed in single bites. Order family-style large plates or keep to small plates for cheap eats. The dessert menu is well worth a look, with choices ranging from a chocolate rugelach to natillas cake or dragees. Plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options mean the menu is accessible and reasonable for most diners. For a fun and endless food option, visit on a Sunday for a bottomless brunch that is full of items like Moroccan pancakes, grilled hanger steak, and croquetta paella.

Intimate dining at the plimoth starts with the ambiance. Exposed brick and industrial decor give the whole place a fun and engaging energy. Tables fill up, so consider a seat at the bar. Expect surprising and delightful flavors on the ever-changing menu. Peter Ryan, the owner and executive chef, focuses on locally sourced cookery with an eye toward seasonality. That means the menu changes with the weather, but it always has some gourmet options. A few examples include a pork ossobuco, grilled skirt steak, or cracklin' chicken and Southern dumplings. The desserts draw just as much attention with interesting combinations like the pear galette that comes with a chevre gelato, almond crumble, and balsamic.

For a fine dining experience that's both delicious and cheap eats, check out Denver Beast and Bottle. The food here isn't cheap, but it won't break the bank either, and with fresh-from-the-farm ingredients, the price is right for a foodie. Snack on the house fries served with beet catsup while waiting for a selection of small plates. Mussels, lamb, squid, cod, chicken, and pork are the main proteins. For fine dining and meats developed at a family-owned farm, this restaurant plates up value for a night on the town.

Shocked to see a premier steakhouse on a cheap eats list? Don't worry, The Capital Grille might have some very expensive options ($85 bone-in Wagyu NY Strip), but they also have some very affordable plates. It all depends on timing and selection. The upscale decor and on-point service meet expectations for a top-notch steakhouse, and the food is a good match. Sample some of the flavors during lunch or try the prix fixe menu. It includes culinary delights like seared salmon with asparagus, mini tenderloin sandwiches with parmesan truffle fries, and jumbo shrimp with butternut squash and parmesan risotto.

At Bistro Vendome, the timeless atmosphere of a French street cafe goes indoors under fairy lights for a contemporary take on Old World dining. Classic French with a modern twist describes the menu, which may not be the least expensive on the block. However, an extensive happy hour menu that runs for at least three hours per day and includes the weekends means this upscale eatery is a budget-friendly option. The pate Maison, crispy shrimp, Soupe à l’Oignon, and socca frites are just a few of the options.

Plenty of outdoor seating and an unpretentious atmosphere define the ambiance at Humboldt Farm, Fish, Wine restaurant. With a menu prepared daily using fresh ingredients, the price point is affordable, even for the most expensive entree. Order a full plate entree like the shrimp carbonara or the braised short rib for a bigger meal. Take a tasting tour of the menu by ordering small plates and sampling several of the flavors. A smoked trout dip, tender calamari, or sweet soy tuna tartar all make great pieces of a meal.

True Food Kitchen serves up a new take on restaurant dining. Here, the philosophy is that food should both taste good and help make diners feel good, so plates are as healthy as they are delicious — and affordable. A bowl of dashi ramen is a comforting, cheap, and filling meal. Even the most expensive entree, a responsibly sourced striped bass, won't sweat the budget.

Classic, casual Italian is the food concept behind Osteria Marco. Maps of Italy line the walls of this laid-back establishment, and the artisan pizza draws an equally unpretentious crowd. The menu is affordable, though entree plates can be a little pricey. Go with a big group and dig into family-style platters for an affordable and delicious night out.

For a gourmet palate and a burger budget, Bittersweet might be the top restaurant for cheap eats in Denver. No, the menu is not cheap, but it is cheap for avant-garde cuisine at this high standard. The mahi-mahi with pasilla pepper rock shrimp risotto, tempura tomato, and a garlic tomato foam is a bargain. Duck confit with braised cabbage is another very reasonable gourmet item, putting Bittersweet near the top of the cheap eats list.

Red linens, exposed brick, and vintage decor create the fun and casual ambiance at Odyssey Italian Restaurant. This mom & pop restaurant serves fresh Sicilian fare in a casual setting. For an inexpensive and delicious meal, stick with the pasta plates. These offer a filling meal that doesn't skimp on flavor, and they come with bread and a side Caesar salad to round out the serving. Don't skip the Bananas Foster for dessert. It's prepared tableside for two, complete with flambé.

The French bistro styling and food at Bon Ami make this a place to visit and re-visit. And, with the reasonable menu prices, it's an affordable extravagance. With steak frites and a warm ahi tuna Nicoise salad below the average price, the value is easy to see. Add in a wealth of savory crepe selections and this eatery serves up an affordable menu that packs flavor into every bite.

The reinvented warehouse that is now home to Ophelia's Electric Soapbox combines dinner with an event venue that has live concerts Thursday through Sunday. While event tickets sell separately, you can enjoy brunch with no upcharge for the show. Affordable entrees and bottomless mimosas make brunch one of the best times to sample the cuisine coming out of this global kitchen. From the nacho flatbread to the BBQ pork Benedict and the sweet creme brulee French toast, there is a breakfast dish designed to please. Combine a great menu with a free show and you have one of the best cheap Denver restaurants out there.

It might be a little surprising to see a sushi restaurant on a list of cheap places to eat, but the Ototo menu of small plates makes for an affordable meal. The exposed brick and interesting light fixtures combine with natural features for an ambiance that is welcoming and laid-back. With a menu that includes a raw bar, soups, salads, grilled items, ramen, and rice bowls, there is plenty to choose from, and it all falls into an affordable price range.

Dishing up New American cuisine with panache and attention to detail, Ad Hominem is a trendy addition to the Denver food scene. The comfortable booths, exposed brick, and tile decor are accessible and welcoming, and the seasonal menu provides some fun surprises. Small plates display interesting items like a bass slider or chili cheddar bratwurst. The dessert menu is always worth a glance, with decadent items like a flourless chocolate souffle and pannacotta. Visit during happy hour and pair meal selections with discounted wines for a full and affordable dinner.

Fine dining at bistro pricing is the foundation of Brasserie Ten Ten. This classic French restaurant serves up everything from escargot to steak frites. A few more expensive items make this eatery the place to go to satisfy gourmands and traditional palates on a budget. Don't sweat about splitting the bill at Brasserie Ten Ten, one of the best cheap places to eat in the city. Lunch options are even more affordable, often for the same dishes served in a slightly smaller portion size, so Brasserie Ten Ten is a great choice for entertaining clients during the day or to grab an upscale lunch.