Family-Friendly Restaurant
Top Three
Winner
Steuben’s
North Capitol Hill
Friendly service in a casual, welcoming atmosphere is just the beginning of what has made this Denver restaurant a favorite spot for a relaxed family meal for 16 years. The elevated diner-style menu brings together classics like pot roast and burgers with regional favorites from around the U.S. like lobster rolls. The kids menu is loaded with pleasing brunch and dinner choices, accompanied by crunchy veggies, fresh fruit, a choice of side, and a dessert.
Local Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
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Winner
Yogurt Brothers
Westminster
This frozen yogurt shop offers 16 soft-serve varieties (cake batter and cookies and cream are customer favorites), as well as 64 toppings from kiwi to cookie dough. Find lots of dietary-restricted options (all clearly labeled) in addition to frozen yogurt cookie sandwiches and dog yogurt. Eat outdoors or inside, where a digital display posts recent local high school sports scores.
Kid’s Birthday Cake at a Local Bakery
Top Three
Winner
Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café
Park Hill
No matter what theme your child dreams of for their birthday celebration (dogs in space?), Cake Crumbs Bakery & Café can turn it into a spectacular centerpiece cake or cupcakes. What’s on the inside will also delight, with a delicious selection of cake flavors including vanilla funfetti and
vanilla/chocolate marble, and a wide selection of fillings and frosting flavors.
Local Bakery
Top Three
Winner
Tokyo Premium Bakery
Platte Park
Blink and you might miss the minimalist entry to this Japanese-style bakery on South Pearl Street, but the delicious pastries and lattes are worth the search. The sugar twisted donut and fruit sandwich are sure bets for any kid, or let them sample global flavors like matcha cream and red bean paste in pastries. Order yourself a Houjicha latte (hot or iced), and opt for oat milk to perfectly pair with the toasted flavor.
Local Burger
Top Three
TIE
Winner
Park Burger
Highlands, Hilltop, Platte Park, RiNo
This Denver favorite is the burger diner experience for everyone in the family. The menu honors the classic American trifecta of burger, fries, and a milkshake, but caters to more than the beef eater. Bison, veggie, and turkey options are available, as well as gluten-free and whole wheat buns. Fries come in potato, sweet potato, and truffle-Parmesan, or go with the house-made kettle chips with a side of blue cheese sauce. And all the ingredients are fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced when possible.
Local Pizza
Top Three
Winner
Via Baci Modern Italian Kitchen & Bar
Lone Tree
You could make an argument that there is a time and place for chain pizza delivery—kids parties, for example. But for a family night out when pizza is the main event, taste matters, and Via Baci really delivers. Tucked into a busy shopping area, it serves up wood-fired pizza, pasta, salads, beer, wine, and cocktails. A kids menu ($5 to $7) keeps things affordable. Grab a pizza kit to go and watch an online video of Chef Mike to learn how to stretch pizza dough like a pro.
Meal Delivery/Meal Prep Services
Top Three
Winner
SupperBell
Metro Denver
This hometown meal delivery service from award-winning Denver chef Frank Bonanno makes it easy to put a freshly made meal, created with many locally and organically sourced ingredients, on the table. The weekly menu offers entrees, full family meals, kids meals, desserts, and even breakfasts that just need to be reheated.
Most Delicious Local Doughnut
Top Three
Winner
Donutsville Bakery and Café
Westminster
A small, quiet shopping plaza houses this sparkling clean donut shop with drive-through and dine-in options. Choose from 28 doughnut varieties, including the popular Double Decker—a glazed and chocolate combo, pressed together. Customers can also enjoy kolaches, bagels, sandwiches, boba, smoothies, and coffee.
Local Shop for a Coffee Run
Top Three
TIE
Winner
Stella’s Gourmet Coffee & Such
Platte Park
There is no shortage of coffee shops around town, but this friendly neighborhood meetup spot has stood the test of time. Great coffee, tea, iced drinks, and bakery items are only part of the draw. Creative, friendly baristas welcome you like a regular. Grab a coffee to go or relax on the patio of the converted house that will give you all kinds of classic Denver-in-the-’90s vibes.
Food Hall for Families
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Stanley Marketplace
Aurora
The food offerings and casual, family atmosphere at this food hall and shopping space make it easy to please grownups and kids alike. Comfort food spots like Rosenberg’s Bagels, Comida, and Denver Biscuit Co. comingle with a taste of something new at Maria Empanada, Churreria De Madrid, and Misaki at Stanley. It’s also a great stop for a snack at Sweet Cow Ice Cream or Sweet Gold Juice Co.
Spot for a Family Picnic
Top Three
Winner
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Morrison
The iconic concert amphitheater at Red Rocks Park is a destination for millions of music lovers from all over the world. But locals know that the natural wonders in this park make it a picturesque place for a quiet family picnic as well. On event days, opt for a late breakfast or lunch picnic before the park closes at 2 p.m. When there isn’t an event, add on a hike and enjoy an evening picnic as the sun sets behind the mountains and the city lights begin to twinkle in the east.
