These top spots for chef-driven dining serve something made for every taste.

By Hayley Child  

Food halls are the answer to the age-old question, “What should we eat tonight?” Typically, housing diverse cuisines under one roof, food halls provide options for the whole group without sacrificing quality. Colorado’s many food halls are home to small restaurants that can stand alone in the state’s growing food scene, including several backed by James Beard chefs and a few with a Michelin nod. 

From the Front Range into Summit County, Colorado has a long list of food halls to satisfy any craving.

Denver

Avanti

Located in Denver’s popular LoHi neighborhood overlooking downtown, Avanti Denver draws its inspiration from the iconic markets found across Europe and the creativity of food trucks in Denver and beyond. The modern-day food hall concept features seven distinct food stalls, three bars and two patios with panoramic views of downtown Denver and Coors Field, home of the Rockies. While Avanti’s stalls frequently rotate, current residents include The Pizza Bandit, a family-owned and operated pizza joint; Quiero Arepas, a Venezuelan-style arepa restaurant; Faring Thai Kitchen, an approachable yet authentic Thai spot; and Amá, a modern take on the traditional taqueria. 

Avanti has expanded its footprint in recent years, opening a location on Boulder’s iconic Pearl Street in 2020 and a brand new spot in Vail at the base of the ski resort earlier this year.

Denver Central Market

Denver Central Market is a staple in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, featuring vibrant art and energetic nightlife. The indoor market has 11 vendors with open seating both inside and on their outdoor terrace, great for people watching. It’s a fun all-day spot with breakfast offerings like Call Your Mother and Izzio Bakery, as well as Lunchboxx and Green Seed, serving up tasty snacks and meals all day. For sweet treats, head to High Point Creamery for the creamiest ice cream and Temper for French-style bonbons that are almost too pretty to eat. 

The revamped industrial space gives off a cool, artsy vibe, great for grabbing a coffee before a self-guided tour through RiNo’s vibrant art scene or a drink at Curio Bar before a night spent bar hopping down Larimer Street.

Union Station

Set in the heart of downtown, Denver’s Union Station is a hub for transportation, shopping, dining and more. It’s also home to The Crawford Hotel, a vintage train-inspired boutique hotel located on the upper level of the building, looking down into the waiting area. The 1914 Beaux-Arts train station was restored and reopened in 2014 and now houses 11 restaurants and bars. Union Station is often a first stop for tourists and a familiar gathering place for locals. It houses notable chefs and restaurants, including Mercantile, an elevated comfort food concept from James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Seidel. While there are many sit-down options, those wandering through can also enjoy grab-and-go from Terminal Bar Kitchen, Pigtrain Coffee Co. or Milkbox Ice Creamery. 

Denver Milk Market

Just blocks from Union Station and the recently revamped 16th Street Mall, Denver Milk Market is a 10-concept food hall. This past summer, the market launched four new concepts, including Konjo Ethiopian Food, Lucky Bird Fried Chicken, East3, and YumCha. It’s open all week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with earlier hours for “Saturday Mornings at the Market” and Sunday brunch. Offering skee-ball, shuffleboard, and PAC-MAC, the market’s arcade is free to play and fun if you’d like to get competitive during your day or night out. Upcoming events include weekly Drag BINGO and Geeks Who Drink Trivia; daily happy hour and lunch specials; and special events like the upcoming Life of a Showgirl album drop party and autumn harvest craft and art walk.

Edgewater Public Market

Edgewater Public Market is tucked into the residential Edgewater neighborhood, just blocks from one of Denver’s most scenic public parks, Sloan’s Lake. Dining and retail is spread across four buildings with the main building housing the majority of food and beverage options like Saigon Noodle Club, Barquentine Brewing, Gyro King, and Black Box Bakery. The eclectic collective of food stalls and retail boutiques also hosts weekly events including outdoor movie nights in the summer, bingo, community gatherings and more. Seating is plentiful inside and out, and diners also have the option to take their tasty treats to go so they can enjoy the picnic at nearby Sloan’s Lake overlooking the lake and mountain backdrop.

The Source

The Source Hotel + Market Hall operates a three-in-one artisan market hall, boutique hotel, and creative hub for co-working and gathering. The two market halls are located within an 1870s foundry with a collection of dining and shopping options frequented by hotel guests and Denver locals. Smok is a crowd favorite serving up slow-smoked BBQ meats and a must-try breakfast burrito filled with brisket, tater tots, and green chile, while Temaki Den and Safta provide more elevated experiences with a casual sushi bar alternative and modern Israeli flavors. Reunion Bread is known for its delicious pastries, including a pastel de nata that will transport you right to Lisbon.

Boulder

Rosetta Hall

Anchored by a design-forward bar featuring craft cocktails and seasonal beers, Rosetta Hall is a community hub and food market along Boulder’s bustling Pearl Street. The space has seven separate kitchens with international cuisine, including Amira’s Middle Eastern fare, Chang Mai’s Thai bites, and Cruz’s Latin American dishes.

The rooftop dining space is one of the best in Boulder with stunning views of the Flatirons, umbrellas to provide shade from the hot Colorado sun during the day, and firepits to keep you warm during the chilly evenings. The sun-soaked main dining hall has a large skylight that brightens the space during the day and sets the mood as the sun sets. Rosetta Hall is known for its vibey atmosphere, transitioning to a dance hall at night with a club-like feel.

Golden

The Golden Mill

Overlooking Coors Brewery, The Golden Mill is a self-service brewery and food hall where guests connect their credit card to a swipe card that gives access to 56 taps of beer, cider, cocktails, wine, and N/A options. No need to wait for a bartender, drinks are all self-service and priced by volume. Food options are plentiful, with four lunch and dinner stalls and an ice cream shop. The Republik of Chicken and Rolling Smoke BBQ are popular with meat lovers, while Tacos al Chile and Sushi Sora provide yummy flavor blasts for those seeking international flavors.

The Golden Mill is a popular spot for those floating the Clear Creek River and is located at the exit of the tubing section. It gets packed on hot weekends, and you can expect a lively atmosphere of hikers and tubers enjoying post-adventure bites and drinks. 

Fort Collins

The Exchange

The Exchange is the ultimate gathering place in Old Town Fort Collins with an open-plan of indoor and outdoor seating flanked by shipping containers serving up food and beverages. It’s kid- and pet-friendly, offering a beer garden vibe with a large outdoor area featuring grass, picnic tables, shaded seating, and yard games. Valto’s Tacos is a staple, known for its delicious (and strong) margaritas and tasty street tacos. Ice cream aficionados can rest easy knowing that The Churn is part of Little Man Ice Cream Company, featuring a larger-than-life antique wooden ice cream churn reminiscent of Little Man’s iconic 28-foot milk can in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. There’s something for everyone, even listening bar Wobble Hi-Fi, mixing up inventive cocktails and snacks in a cozy, intimate setting. 

Silverthorne

Bluebird Market 

Bluebird Market opened its doors in Silverthorne in 2022, housing 11 distinct F&B concepts with two more coming soon. Favorites include savory pastries from Lazo Empandas and hand-crafted fried chicken from Lucky Bird, both popular chains in Denver. 

The space has lots of seating, making it easy for groups and families to grab lunch or dinner after a day working up an appetite in the mountains. Remote workers can utilize the co-working space to get in a few hours of productivity before hitting the slopes or hiking trails, and families can enjoy the play area for kids that still have more energy. Hours may vary during shoulder season, so plan accordingly.

Coming soon: 

Junction Food & Drink

Denver’s chef-driven, family-friendly food hall Junction Food & Drink is reopening its doors this fall, with a three-day Grand Reopening Celebration from Friday, October 24, through Sunday, October 26. After several years working behind the scenes to revive this beloved favorite food hall, it’s back with a full lineup of ten chef-led kitchens, a 40-foot bar, and a weekend packed with live music, DJs and activities to welcome the community back to this vibrant neighborhood hub. Having originally launched in 2020, Junction has now been fully refreshed with new vendors and renewed energy, reestablishing itself as a community hub and go-to gathering space for South Denver. Enjoy a lineup of global flavors and an eclectic mix of cuisines, including Turkish, Caribbean, Mediterranean fare and more.