Local Love: Standout Denver Businesses to Support
By Holly Van Keuren (aka your Apartment Aunt)
If you’re anything like me, you don’t just want a place to live—you want a neighborhood you actually love. And one of the fastest ways to feel at home in Denver is to find your go-to coffee shop, your “we should totally bring friends here” restaurant, your weekend bar patio, and your self-care spot.
Here are standout local businesses (and local hubs) around the Denver-area neighborhoods I help renters move to every day.
Arvada (Olde Town)
Olde Town Arvada is walkable, lively, and packed with local personality.
☕ Bluegrass Coffee & Bourbon Lounge — Coffee-to-cocktails in one of the coziest rooms around.
🍽️ Bread Winners Cafe — Classic local breakfast/lunch energy.
🍺 Denver Beer Co – Arvada — Easy patio hangs + solid taps.
Aurora
If you want a “one spot, endless choices” kind of day, start here:
🛍️🍽️ Stanley Marketplace — A locally-loved hub with tons of independent businesses under one roof.
Baker (South Broadway)
Baker is vintage, artsy, and perfect for a casual wander-then-stay-all-night itinerary.
🍽️ Denver Biscuit Company — Huge, flaky biscuit sandwiches that are basically a Denver rite of passage.
🍸 The Brutal Poodle — A high-energy gastropub with a "metal" vibe, killer comfort food, and a great patio.
☕ La Chiva Colombian Cuisine — Incredible authentic Colombian dishes in a bright, welcoming space that feels like a hidden gem.
Broomfield
Did someone say shopping?
Capitol Hill/Uptown
Cap Hill is walkable, eclectic, and full of “regulars” spots.
☕🍸 Hudson Hill — Coffee by day, cocktails by night.
🍽️ City, O’ City — A longtime favorite for comfort food + people-watching.
🍽️ Watercourse Foods — Iconic plant-based spot that’s great even if you’re not vegan.
🍸 The Horseshoe Lounge — Old-school dive charm done right.
💇 Star Salon — A go-to for cuts/color.
🍕 White Pie — A gem of a pizza place.
Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek is polished, but still has some true Denver staples.
🍔 Cherry Cricket — A Denver burger legend.
🛍️ Cherry Creek Shopping Center — Easy “treat yourself” browsing.
🇮🇹 Cucina Colore — Excellent Italian
Denver Tech Center (DTC)
DTC is made for after-work plans and convenience.
🎵 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre — Summer concerts = instant personality for the neighborhood.
Downtown
Downtown is for the “I want to be in the middle of it” crowd.
💇 Ergun Tercan European Salon — High-end salon downtown.
🍷 The Velvet Cellar — Wine bar vibes without the stuffiness.
👗 The Vintage Label — Consignment + vintage for a fashion-forward closet.
Glendale
Glendale is small but mighty—super close to everything.
🏟️ Infinity Park — A uniquely Glendale venue that hosts events and rugby.
Golden
Golden is peak “mountain-town energy, but make it convenient.”
🏞️ Historic Downtown Golden — Shops, trails, and river strolls all in one.
Golden Triangle
Art-forward, central, and ideal if you like culture with your coffee.
Hale
Hale is a great “quiet but connected” neighborhood.
🛍️🍽️ 9+CO — A walkable district with shopping and dining.
Littleton
Littleton has that charming “main street” feel.
🏘️ Visit Littleton — Great jumping-off point for downtown Littleton exploring.
LoHi / Highlands
One of the best neighborhoods in Denver for date nights and weekend brunch lines (the good kind).
Lone Tree
South metro convenience with big shopping + dining nearby.
🛍️ Park Meadows
Lowry
Lowry is community-centered and full of “meet you there” spots.
🍽️🛍️ Hangar 2 Lowry — The dining district hub (and a great place to start exploring).
RiNo (River North Art District)
If you love murals, food halls, and creative energy, RiNo is your Playground.
Union Station
Union Station is basically Denver’s “living room.”
Washington Park
Wash Park is for runners, patio people, and anyone who loves a neighborhood routine.
Ready to find an apartment near the places you’ll actually go every week? My apartment locator service is free, and I’ll send you curated options that match your vibe + budget.
Or start with your Apartment Wishlist