The 50 best restaurants to try in Denver (2024)

We always brought out of town guests to Casa Bonita for the unique and magical atmosphere. Before my wife of 37 years died of breast cancer, one of the better memories we had was our last time there. We took these pictures at night and I will forget our time there. I want to be one of the first guests to dine and take in a one of a kind restaurant. I love this place!

Surprisingly tasty! Everything was pretty much the same, just revamped. Food was excellent, attractions were great! Caricatures were free, there were tarot card readings, a magician came to our table.

For a family of 4 with cliff side dining, that really wasn't cliff side, it was about $300 with 3 additional drinks and 2 additional desserts. Still wish you could just pay to get in and skip the dining part. Also wish the food was better, portion sizes were bigger and more traditional options. Overall it was an experience, probably 1 time. It was very similar to before. At least we didn't get sick this time.

We had a really good time at the revamped Casa Bonita this weekend! From what I can recall prior to the remodel, I don't think it received a significant renovation, but it sure cleans up nicely. It was really, pretty, in a word. As for the food, which is probably the main concern for former visitors, was a significant improvement! Taper those expectations though. Limited menu per usual, but tastier, at least for the carnitas I had this go round. Receiving your food is cafeteria style, that is unchanged and part of its character. The service is top notch! From the host escorting you to your table (which can seem like quite the march if you've never been, huge place) to the servers. The shows were a lot of fun, especially for the kids, they adore this place now. I say now because when they were little, they didn't care for the dimly lit environment. We will certainly return, the kids insist! 😀

Amazing experience! Even better than 30 years ago! The food was good. The atmosphere and entertainment were spectacular! Loved the puppet show and scary cave and divers and singers and decor. The wait staff was delightful and efficient! It was like a Mexican fiesta theme park…with a wink and a smile to South Park.

Worth the wait!It took some time (a year) to get a reservation but we are so glad we waited.Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by a host who confirmed our reservation, then went through security, and then another host took us through the restaurant to our table.I am a Colorado native that used to have field trips here in elementary school, took my own kids here for birthdays and it was so good to be back, great memories.The restaurant is so much fun, amazing ambiance and decor, live music, theatrical elements that create a multi-sensory experience.Casa Bonita's service was excellent, everyone in our party found something on the menu they liked. You are served chips and salsa which was replenished by the raising of the flag. The food was delivered quickly and it was excellent. Margaritas hit the spot and were not watered down. Sopapillas for dessert were delivered to our table warm, and so good!Go to Casa Bonita for the experience, puppet shows, cliff divers, live music, there is a lot to do and see for every age, toddlers to seniors.We hope to be back soon to bring in some out of town guests!

I never been any Mexican restaurant like this!Like someone drop you in a Mexican village!My one of the best memories from Denver.The waterfall show WOW! This restaurant has stylethe decoration makes me forget, Im hungry.I recommend this place to everybody who are in,or just visiting Denver!

no I haven't visited the revamped and improved Casa Bonita yet. I do know it's already going to be great. The food alone will be an improvement. I've been going here since I was a lil' kid. Can't wait to see it all fresh shiny and new!

Not sure how qualified I am to write this review having never been during their "heyday" but here goes:We went during the soft opening FWIW. Service was good but you could tell the servers were still figuring things out.Heavy security presence and metal detectors at the front to get in. Definitely unexpected but necessary I guess in this day and age, especially for a place with so much hype and filled with kids.Ordering process seemed clunky ordering from a guy sitting in a small room behind a row of windows. Very maze like entrance and you can tell it probably used to be/will be how they manage the long lines of people from the door to their final destination.Once you finally get to the section where they make the food there's a window where you can watch them making fresh tortillas. A lot of restaurants have that nowadays so it was just a novelty, but one the kids will enjoy nevertheless. The Chipotle-like assembly line was very strange and at the end they hand you your food on a cafeteria tray and you're then met by a hostess who escorts you to your table. You have to carry the tray yourself through the maze of a restaurant, through tight caverns and tunnels and up and down stairs. Guaranteed people are going to be dropping trays and/or tripping and getting hurt. Not sure if this is a carryover from the old days but it cheapened the experience IMO.Once seated they brought out chips and salsa. Chips had a unique texture and were pretty good. Salsa was very unusual with an orange color, velvety smooth texture and not a lot of kick.I got the Christmas enchiladas and my wife got the carnitas. The green enchiladas were hands down the best. I always prefer red chili so that was a bit of a surprise. My wife's carnitas were very fatty and not very appealing. Rice and refried beans were pretty standard. The sopapillas go without saying.We walked around for a few after dinner checking everything out. I admittedly felt a little out of place without kids in tow. The entertainment was cheesy but I imagine it stayed true to the original restaurant. Lots of staff bustling about and everyone was extremely friendly. The entire restaurant was very clean and did not have any of the funky smells or grime that I had read about in years past.We exited quickly and were on our way home within an hour of entering. All things considered I think they will do well for at least the next couple years with adults reminiscing and their kids getting to experience the legend for the first time. It will once again be the go-to place for birthday parties, family celebrations etc.Unfortunately we missed Cartman who was hidden somewhere seated at a table like in the SP episode so I guess we didn't see it all.Would I go back? Probably not unless I was invited for someone's special occasion or to take the grand kids. Definitely not a good place for date night unless you're both Colorado natives looking for a dose of nostalgia.With that being said, kudos to Matt and Trey for preserving a piece of Colorado history that would have otherwise disappeared like so many other places in Denver over the last 20 years. I hope it survives for another generation of kids to enjoy.Maybe Butters will finally get a chance to go this time around...

So many things that I remembered were still here, but all of the awfulness is gone. Friendly staff, good food and the shows were fantastic. Everything had just the right mix of nostalgia mixed with quality. The puppet show in particular had me laughing out loud. The kids loved everything about the place. I'm so happy it's open again and the same as it used to be, except better.

The staff was amazing. My son had the best time. I really appreciated everyones enthusiasm working there. You can tell they enjoy their jobs. The last time I had been was 18 years ago. This experience surpassed my expectations, and was just wonderful. Thank you to the employees for making my son’s birthday a fantastic experience.

This was one of my favorite restaurants growing up so expectations were high when they reopened and they did not disappoint. They really outdid themselves with this renovation. The food is delicious, it looks clean, it smells clean, the staff is very friendly and helpful. The performances are funny and kid friendly.The coolest thing in my opinion is they have implemented a no tip policy and actually pay their staff livable wages. I highly recommend getting on the wait list for Casa Bonita, it's worth it.

I've never seen our 1 year old more excited. It felt great to share my childhood favorite with her. Casa Bonita has never been about the food, and I'd say it still isn't but it's better. The service, atmosphere, and general vibe was fantastic. We had a ton of fun and are happy this landmark has been preserved for the future generations. The mermaid pearl thing was a nice surprise I don't remember from the past. The live band was great only wish there was more of a viewing/dance area around them. The cliff divers weren't as silly/fun as I remember but that's okay bc we were busy doing everything else.

Well, we finally got to go.The updates are nice, and the place is full of life again.The food is as bad as ever. I don't care what anyone says. The flavors are all off. It's like the same low quality cafeteria food posing as something better. (The sopapillas were good)The arcade was okay, but expensive and boring. Most of the games were $2+ per play. Kind of dumb.The museum part was really cool to see.Overall, it was good to visit for nostalgia sake but beyond that, it's too expensive to justify going again. The food was bad, really bad.The service was actually really good, and the staff was great.I can only wonder what will happen when the hype wears off again.

I've gone to Casa Bonita many times over the years but this my first time since the new ownership. I was very impressed! The food was actually edible, salsa was very tasty and the atmosphere cannot be beat. We spent over 3 hours there and it was a fantastic night! It didn't feel like it was just for the kids either which is always a plus as a parent. We will definitely be back

I have been going to Casa Bonita since i was 9 😱 the best diver's and cool atmosphere. Food is so so but the kids have a good time that's all that counts. People sign the petition to save this place please all the old school places are getting knocked down or shut down. Just went to see about Casa Bonita and look what I took a picture of 😱 water in the fountain and I heard from a Lil bird that south park guy's are supposed to be buying Casa Bonita.. There doing tour's now if you're interested... Not South Park 😂.. Thank you South Park Guy's it's a yes they are going to buy it.😊🍻

So sad it is closed. My son and I went here a couple years ago. It was amazing. Everyone who worked there was so friendly. The cliff diving was VERY good. The other entertainment was fun. It felt like a mini theme park. I don't even remember the food because we were in love with the rest of the place. My son wanted to fly to Denver JUST to go to this restaurant. Sad they are closed.

Alright here it is, the new and Improved Beutiful House AKA Casa Bonita. Wow what an amazing, awesome improvement. 90% of Casa Bonitas original charm is still there. 10% new. Everything now is clean/new, from the ceilings to the bathrooms. The original musk is gone for the good. And the old food is gone forever. While the food is not spectacular or spicy it would satisfy most. The portions are smaller but will fill most up. The unlimited sopapillas are gone, but you still can still enjoy them, ask for another and they might surprise you. The drinks were better then before as they are made to order not from a pitcher. And for the shows yes the shows it makes for a great experience.

It’s the same, but SO much better!! We were one of the few chosen for their limited re-opening.Cliffside is worth it, we will always upgrade to that if it’s still an option in the future! You get served food and drinks & can order extras to try.Go early around 5 and by the time you finish dinner, you’ll have time to catch the puppet show & magic show right after. Food is really good and fresh. The mole was probably the best out of everything we sampled which included enchiladas, pork Chile & mole. Beans and rice are excellent. Portions are huge and we couldn’t finish it all. Drinks are very strong! Shows are great and the whole place has been updated, but is the same you remember, just upgraded. Keep an eye out for man bear pig… have fun and go as soon as you can!

Amazing!!! We used to go here as children with our cousins, and it was so much fun to take my sister's children. They have done a great job cleaning the place and making it look brand new, while keeping all the original fun. The staff is exceptional! They went above and beyond to cater to all my niece's requests. All of the characters were so much fun! The food is so much better now too! I am gluten free (celiac) and felt very comfortable eating the gluten free options. Everyone in our party was pleased with their food. Overall, totally worth it!!!

Was not impressed with the food at all. Portion size is small but they'll let you order more without the sides for more $$. Shrimp were like rubber, braised beef was the size of a child's fist and the enchiladas were spicy with little flavor. They still are using ice cream scoops for beans and rice and swipe off the top for portion control. Come on really! Salsa was good as was the desert. The two drinks we had were supposed to have smokey flavor but not taste like drinking the liquid of a campfire that was just put out) liquor content was great though) For $40 (over $250 for the table of 3) the food was very disappointing.Food rant over, the place looks better and smells better than I've ever seen it. Service was above standard (outstanding). The order process could be a little easier but can see how it could work. Overall the visit was great, but the food, I'll wait for a few more years or until better food is served, maybe go back for some chicken fingers. Sorry just my personal experience, please go check it out for yourself once they invite you.To be clear, food and alcoholic beverages were my only complaint.

Love to see that Casa Bonita is back. It's more than just a restaurant, it's an experience. It was quick getting our food, drinks, and dessert. I was impressed with the food and really enjoyed the enchiladas. I was told the beef was done perfectly also. The chips and salsa were some of the best I've ever had! There were a ton of performances that were short and fun, and the gift shop has all kinds of fun products, hot sauce, etc. Would love to go again, a bit pricey now.

We were so happy to be able to return to one of our favorite places from our childhood. They still captured the heart and essence of Casa Bonita but gave it a much needed update so it can be enjoyed for many more years. The environment was amazing and clean and the old "Casa Bonita Smell" is gone. The new puppet show and magic show were so much fun. The divers were great and so was the Mariachi band. The staff were all very kind and helpful. The food was a huge improvement and nobody left with their stomach hurting. I still wouldn't come here for just the food but the price was worth it for the experience to me. We did like the salsa and sopapillas the best. The bathrooms are very nice and no longer cramped wooden door stalls. We will definitely be back. Wish they'd open fully.My only complaint is that they put the chips, salsa and waters out on the tables before people get there so when we were walking around and exploring, they were just sitting out on empty tables and could easily be sneezed on or tampered with.

Everything you want it to be! The food is good, the service even better! The events are fantastic including a silly puppet show and child engrossing illusion show. The live music is wonderful. I can't wait to keep bringing my son here.I had the taco salad and the taco part was flaky and delicious. I got the mole chicken with it.

A Colorado institution, I’ve been wanting to go since I saw the South Park episode over 20 years ago. Never went to it before the renovations, but I found myself impressed.It’s really a full on experience rather than a restaurant, but even with that I found the food pretty good. It’s not gourmet but I enjoyed my enchiladas quite a bit, the chips and salsa were excellent, and the soapapillas with honey were delicious. Food came out fast, and no complaints.But the fun is seeing all the nooks and crannies of the place. It really does feel otherworldly and unique. Between the puppet show, cliff divers, mysterious magic shows, manbearpig walking around, black Bart’s cave and more, it’s a fun time for kids and adults of all ages!

This was the first for me and it was the best! I got tickets for cliff side view and it was amazing! I would recommend planning the time around 4-6pm to see the most of it. I originally came here at 8:30pm and barley had time to go to so many places they had to offer. But for sure had such an amazing atmosphere! We were able to see the cliff divers, puppet show, gift shop, and the magic show! Food is good and would come back here again whenever I can!

The revamping of Casa Bonita has been beyond amazing! My family and I had a blast. The service from the entry to the exit was fantastic. Everyone seemed so excited to be there and happy to hear about people’s experiences here from the golden days. The food is miles and miles and miles better, although the rice was really not it. The tortillas were a bit rubbery as well. That said, the meat (carnitas) was so tender and flavorful, and the salsa was to die for. The others in my party loved their enchiladas and said the cheese in it was perfect. Black Bart’s Cave has some awesome new features. The puppet show was hilarious for all ages. There was so much more but I don’t want to spoil the surprise and excitement for anyone. I can’t wait until the tickets are available for anyone and not just specially selected from the email list. I want to go back!!

EXCELLENT! Such an incredible change since 20 years ago. They’ve streamlined their menu and simplified the overall process. We had reservations and only waited in line to enter for 20 +/- minutes. Super quick to order, get our food and be seated. The co*cktails were strong and the wait staff was so upbeat!! Way to go!!! It was incredible. The divers were fun, the band was awesome, overall great. Super smooth. Can’t wait to visit again!!

What a treat to be back in this beautiful, iconic place!!! I love how they’ve kept the old charm, added fun South Park references, & brought all the excitement back! The food is definitely better, though still cafeteria style. I got the taco salad with carnitas & it was good! Our server, Derrick, was awesome! Very friendly, attentive, & fun. All the staff seemed to really enjoy themselves, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable! Love the lottery system as it just makes the experience that much more exciting & enjoyable!

We had…the best time. Spent 3 hours wandering around and being amazed by all of the cool things to see and do. I appreciated the service- it was super prompt and friendly. Some reviews say they rush you- I didn’t find that to be true! In fact, I liked how quickly the food line and table service went because then you could get to the main attraction- Casa Bonita itself! I felt like a little kid again. Another plus? It wasn’t crazy busy!! The ticketing system they have in place works to keep crowds down and patrons’ experiences excellent.Really hoping we can get back on the list and return with our daughter. We had a fantastic time!

Wow! What an experience this was. If you remember how the old Casa Bonita was! Well you’re in for a shock when you come back! Great food, Service & more. Nothing but great things to say about the New Casa Bonita. Can’t wait to come back!Also they have a non-alcoholic drinks menu now! Which is great.

Came to Casa Bonita for the firs time since it re-opened. Food was good, but I wouldn’t say amazing (especially for the price), quantity wasn’t much either. The service and and atmosphere were great. They did a good job cleaning up the place/restaurant. A few free activities(like performers and face painting) for kids. Still great atmosphere and decorations to make it feel like you’re not in a restaurant in the states. Definitely worth going for families with kids.

The Casa Bonita experience was great, really enjoyed it. The waiting for tickets was a bit annoying but honestly I think it was worth the wait. I am not sure if it is their intention but limiting the number of patrons really improves the experience. There were a lot of open tables which at first I questioned but I can only imagine how crowded the "restaurant" would have been if it was full.When I purchase the tickets I felt like they were overpriced and I do wish the food was better but honestly for the price the food was good and including the experience it was a good value and I left feeling full, satisfied and very happy with the overall experience.The rating of 4 stars Vs 5 is mainly due to the food, it was decent/good but not really to my tastes...... I personally felt a strong hint of an Indian flavor in the food which I enjoy but it didn't seem to gel well with a Mexican dish......could just be me though

I will forever cherish Casa Bonita. I have so many memories there from my childhood, college years, and sharing them with my children. We were grateful to be chosen to experience it again. They did an amazing job revamping it but keeping the Casa Bonita vibe alive. I am 44 and have been going there since I was 4. Many generations have enjoyed this treasure. I still can’t believe someone built this as a restaurant. The food was much better. However, not a lot of choices but really you are paying for the experience. Hopefully we can go againI will say don’t go after 8:30pm everything starts to close after you eat and there is so much fun stuff to explore. Also the food we ordered after we sat down was cold. It felt like left over food.

After a very long wait, my family was able to enjoy a late afternoon at Casa Bonita! This place is truly magical and everything it is made out to be.Since the 80s...I've come here with my parents as a kid, with my sports teams, with my wife, with my wife and friends, with my family, and now with my daughters and grandkids. Very pleased and happy that it's open again...Atmosphere is just incredible...with the music, the characters, clean smell of the water, roar of the volcano, and the anticipation for exploring while eating a very good dinner.Our servers were outstanding - friendly and patient with us even though they were busy.... fantastic attitudes that embodied the spirit of the restaurant to the T!The four adults in our group had different options and shared - it was delicious, well plated, and so filling. I also had an extra sopapilla that the kids couldn't eat...so yummy!It is pricey and the reservation process is painful. Parking was crowded. Security is a new but welcomed twist to the experience.Once you get inside though, it's classic Casa Bonita - with shine!I can't recommend making the effort to enjoy this gem enough.The kids get a map detailing the characters that they need to "find" throughout the property. And don't miss the extra magic show, puppet show, and a revamped Black Bart's Cave (kids under 10 were terrified, so awesome job!). Also, everyone gets a coin to make a wish at the Wishing Well! These all share the same feel as the restaurant. Oh, and cliff divers are back, gotta see them at least a few times while there...The arcade is not the highlight I remember it to be, but the munchkins got face painting and balloons galore so nobody noticed.At the exit you'll find a small museum that shows the history of Casa Bonita. No treasure for the kids though. Still, it's a neat way to conclude your time at Casa Bonita.It was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you!

Food was better then before. Expect to spend 2.5 3 hours there. For 250 for 3 peeps wasn't to bad. Lots of nostalgia and a good time. Do not bring anything that won't pass through a metal they are super serious about it. I had a small pocket knife attached to key chain. Parking was not to bad Expect it to take a minute.

The food is a lot better than it used to be.We had the Ceviche, and it was really good, tasted of pineapple rather than lemon or lime. Nice surprise.The rest of our party had other dishes and they were just alright.

It was a nostalgic evening because I had been once in 1979 and my son (30-year old South Park fan) went together in a group for his birthday. We booked through the events page. It is quite pricey. I paid $500 for the group excluding drinks. We were supposed to have been seated and served versus going through the queue. When we check in they sent us through the queue. That was fine because we had a 4:30 seating. Go early to avoid the massive crowdsThe food is average. The servers are nice although they really wanted to leave our table as quickly as possible . The venue is fun and is as I remember it from my childhood. Love the divers.For the price and food quality, I can’t see any reason to go back after we’ve you’ve seen it once .