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College student? Or simply looking for a neighborhood with good eats, quiet streets, and easy access to Denver’s transit? The DU area offers more than just dorms and late night grub and can be the perfect home base for life in Denver.
Coffee Shops
Kaladi Coffee Roasters: This hipster spot right off campus has the best coffee around. Known for supporting small business locally and around the globe, Kaladi prides themselves on buying beans from coffee growers that are fair trade and often owned by women. Serving only coffee made from beans grown in the shade and washed with fresh water, you are sure to be impressed by the flavor packed into each cup. Stop in and join Coloradans discussing news and pop-culture in the warm atmosphere of Kaladi Coffee!
Stella’s: This quaint spot for coffee is the perfect spot to sip a delicious brew while productivity booms. It is a wonderful spot to hunker down and study or meet colleagues. There are several rooms with comfortable couches and coffee tables, while others contain formal tables of all sizes. There is also outdoor seating with gas fire pits in both front and back. If you’re looking for a coffee shop that will make you feel at home, this is surely the spot for you!
Good Eats
Jerusalem’s: Open 24/7, this campus corner staple is delicious at any time of day. Grab a hummus platter or a classic gyro. For lunch, turn your gyro into a sandwich or an entree of chicken shawarma. Don’t forget to order some Baklava for a night-cap after exploring the bars on Evans!
Agave Taco Bar: Taco Tuesday? You’ll know where I’ll be- digging into the $1 street taco special! Order a traditional margarita or mix it up with the ‘Pina-express’ or ‘Sunkissed’ marg! Have your choice of over 50 different Tequilas and start the night off with guacamole for the table!
Park Burger: Sitting on the adorable Pearl Street, this burger joint has it all. Grab a frozen margarita and a basket of Truffle-Parmesan fries for the table before digging into a signature burger. Their burgers mean business with styles like The Scarpone and The Fun Guy. Beef not your style? Try a turkey, veggie, or salmon burger – a ColoradBro favorite!
Bars
Stadium Inn: A good old fashioned dive bar complete with pool tables and regular customers, the Stadium Inn is the perfect late night spot for a casual vibe and affordable drinks. Grab a booth and squeeze in with friends old and new as you watch the game or celebrate a big win.
Illegal Pete’s: A Wednesday night favorite, Illegal Pete’s has the best (and strongest) margaritas within walking distance to campus. Grab some chips and queso to share with the table or a personal plate of nachos to balance the tequila. In the spring, the garage doors open to merge indoors and outdoors for an overall perfect setting for a mid-week outing.
Asbury Provisions: This isn’t your typical college bar. A classic setting with craft cocktails, this is the perfect spot to bring a date or girls’ night out. Grab a tasty appetizer like a jar of mixed nuts or a warm pretzels before ordering a staple like The Asbury (a personal favorite) or a beer on tap.
Crimson & Gold: Now this is what you think of when you picture a college bar. The perfect spot to cheer on the Pioneer’s during hockey season, this bar has it all with skee-ball, pool tables, and pitchers to share. Plus, after the clock has run out the lights go down and the music is turned up so you can dance the night away after a Pio victory. Pro tip: want an even crazier night- head to Border (aka Quixotes) across the street.
Brunch
Jelly Cafe: Sunday morning was made for pancakes and this is the spot to get them! Order a stack of the decadent Lavender Blueberry pancakes or the super sweet Cinnamon Roll pancakes. Bite into your choice of a scramble, hash, or benedict or opt for a lighter dish like the super trendy avocado caprese toast. Plus, the retro vibe of the cafe adds an edge to the typical brunch spot.
Maddie’s Restaurant: Find yourself in a classic style neighborhood restaurant. The menu offers classic items like Belgium waffles and breakfast sandwiches but I recommend ordering the chicken waffle in true brunch form for the perfect combination of sweet and savory! The secret gem of this spot? Bottomless mimosas, bellinis, and bloody marys!
Lucile’s Creole Cafe: Get ready to be leave covered in powdered sugar after you sink your teeth into Lucile’s beignets. Try another New Orleans favorite like shrimp and grits and pain perdu or have breakfast classic like a cheese omelet. A massive buttermilk biscuit will ensure you don’t leave hungry!
Parks
Photo by @jaxjmart
Wash Park: A jogger’s paradise, this park has winding trails that take you around the beautiful green space and lakes in the heart of Denver. Take a boat out on Smith Lake or bring along a racket to practice your serve on the tennis courts. Plus, after a day at the park you can grab a bite at a trendy restaurant on Old South Gaylord Street like the Washington Park Grille!
Observatory Park: The perfect spot for an after class hammock hang or an impromptu kickball match, O-Park is a haven for nature lovers nestled in a picturesque neighborhood. Grab a picnic blanket and snacks for a sunny afternoon soaking up the sun or make this your destination for a morning run. Plus, it’s a great spot to get a better look at the night sky!
University of Denver: Although not technically a park, DU’s green campus offers plenty of space to lounge in the grass, throw a frisbee, or hammock among the arboretum. In-between classes campus becomes a bustling center for activity, but will soon again become a peaceful oasis. No matter if you are catching a soccer game, heading to the library to study, or playing spikeball on Driscoll Green, DU’s campus is the heart of this community.