Coloradans looking to wine and dine — with an emphasis on the wine — know about proven stalwart restaurants they can hit for a night on the town.
Thatap according to Wine Spectator magazine, which honored more than 3,500 establishments globally on its annual list, including 91 in Colorado. The publication ranks restaurants in three categories based on how robust their wine selections are.
The top accolade is the Grand Award, which showcases places that feature more than 1,000 different selections and display “immense depth and breadth of regions, producers, vintages and bottle formats, excellent harmony with the menu, and superior presentation,” according to .
Three restaurants — Barolo Grill in Denver, Element 47 in Aspen and Flagstaff House in Boulder — made the cut for the Grand Award in 2023. For those who follow these awards, these spots won’t come as a surprise since they earned the accolade in 2021, as well.
While the Restaurant Awards often feature the same eateries time after time, the number of Colorado establishments to get a shout-out has increased over the years. In 2019, just 30 restaurants made the Restaurant Awards list. By 2021, that number was up to 68.
Perhaps thatap a testament to the quality of Colorado’s dining scene or locals’ thirst for vino. Either way, itap a good time to be a wine drinker in the Centennial State.
“Even while dealing with the challenges that linger from the pandemic, restaurants around the world have found ways not only to excel and distinguish themselves with wine, but to (also) exceed their previous accomplishments,” .
Here are the 91 restaurants to seek out for their offerings.
Grand Award (1,000 or more bottles)
Best of Award of Excellence (350 or more)
(Denver)
(Aspen)
(Boulder)
(Denver)
Award of Excellence (90 or more)
(Denver)
(Lone Tree)
(Denver)
(Littleton)
(Greenwood Village)
