What’s for lunch? The question that runs through your head around 11:30 am as you twirl around in your desk chair. Or if you are like me you start thinking about lunch around 9:14 am. You open up google maps and google “Lunch”.

My office is around some pretty ritz places downtown so I have had to venture out a little to find yummy, sometimes affordable, lunches around town. I have broken this lunch list down into three sections.

• Grab and go lunches Downtown – With a bias towards the west side cause that’s walking distance to me
• Power Lunches – A little more pricy for that client lunch or when your mom or bestie comes to visit
• Lunch Around Town – Just damn good lunches restaurants out in the neighborhoods like Chook which is just so damn good ill travel from anywhere for those sliders.

Let it be known – This is not a review of sandwich places. My blog will never review sandwich shops. I am basic when it comes to a sandwich and I do not mean the current meaning of Basic.

As urban dictionary describes it – Basic is only interested in things mainstream, popular, and trending
Example. Omg BAE is so basic. all she wants to do is drink pumpkin spice lattes and play candy crush.

My sandwich is order is basic – Ham, Cheese & light mayo. that’s it. Basic. So while there are some really bomb (as I have heard) sandwich/sub shops around town – Chebuah Hut, Snarfs, etc. They just don’t really get me too excited. However, I do like fancy sandwiches – ya know the ones that are gonna cost $16 for mozzarella and prosciutto and let’s be honest I am not eating $14 sandwiches on the reg.

Check out my other Denver guides like favorite pizza spots, best brunches and more!

Grab and Go Downtown Lunches

Mod Market
All over town
Mod Market? Isn’t this a chain? Yep. So it’s good? Damn, right it’s good. Rotating menu – Check! Healthy options – Check! Just go, it’s good. It’s addicting. The winter salad yummm the Thai salad soooo yum. All the samies and all the pizzas yumm!

BuBu
Larimer Square & Republic Plaza
Denver chef Troy Gaurd created BuBu one of the best lunch spots on my side of town. Pro tip – order ahead! The line is always V long so order ahead and walk past all those peeps with your Airpods in like a pro. I like to make my own BuBu with salad brown rice mix, tomatoes, corn, chard broccoli, peanuts, avocado, steak & chia seed dressing. If I forget my lunch this is likely what I am eating.

Greens Fine Salad Co.
Downtown
This OG salad spot makes your own salad spot in Denver. I make the trek across 16th for a Chicken Ceaser in Spinach Wrap. Greens Fine Salad Co. is my go-to salad spot downtown but like Bubu, I order ahead and skip the line.

Sweetgreen
Union Station
Finally! Sweetgreen has come to Denver. This OG Salad spot was my go-to when I lived in DC (circa 2011) so I was stoked when the opened here in 2021. Choose from one of their salads or a warm bowl or make your own. You can order with the app and swing by and pick it up and skip the line.

Yampa Sandwich Co
Downtown
I know I said this post was not about sandwiches but this is not a standard sub shop, they have a wide variety of sandwiches and salads and it got its start in Steamboat. They have one of my all-time favorite sandwich combos – thanksgiving aka the Pilgram. Also, like the Ridgeline and Summit at Yampa Sandwich Co.

Zo Ma Ma
Union Station
This tiny Chinese street food shop cranks out delicious dumplings and daily specials at Union Station. Zo Ma Ma started in Boulder but expanded to Downtown when Union Station opened.

Whole Sol Blend Bar
Union Station, RiNo, Sloan’s Lake
Looking for something super healthy for breakfast or lunch – Whole Sol Blend bar is your spot. Think smoothie bowls, warm bowls, toast and soups. Everything is pretty much vegan – no meat but some eggs with lots of healthy substitutes.

Illegal Petes
Downtown & Around Town
Denver’s beloved version of Willes, Moe’s, Chipotle, etc. Come hungry and leave full. Illegal Petes has it all plus pretty good queso and a full bar.

Two-Fisted Mario’s
Downtown
Cheap pizza? Slices start at $3.00 at Two-Fisted Mario’s on Blake. My go-to order is a slice with extra cheese and mushrooms, Italian dressing and a diet coke. Hungover? Probably.

Power Lunches Downtown

Ready to sit down a stay a while… these spots are more than a sandwich, a place for clients or an out-of-town guest. Maybe a glass of Rose? Most likely… definitely.

Freshcraft
Downtown
Fancy a beer with lunch? Head to Freshcraft for lunch deals on drinks and food in this gastropub on Blake.

Osteria Marco
Larimer Square
Suns out? This is the patio, I want to be on in Larimer Square. Yes, the pizzas are sooo good but the quinoa salad with rotisserie chicken is bomb diggity. Osteria Marco is my go-to lunch spot for friends visiting during the week.

The Kitchen
Downtown & Union Station
For out-of-town clients or a friend visiting The Kitchen has fresh healthy food that will please and impress anyone. The decor is modern and minimal but inviting. I love both the Union Station and 16th street locations.

Maine Shack
LoHi
While you could still get this to go, a $20+ lobster roll is meant to be savored sitting down and you will probably only share this meal with someone special, so I filed it under Power Lunches. Maine Shack is perfect on a sunny day, order your favorite style of lobster roll + bisque or chowder and enjoy the yumminess.

Lunches Spots Around Town

Chook
South Pearl Street, Stanely Marketplace, 8th & Colorado
If you have not tasted the incredibleness that is Chook, stop reading this post, get in your car or on the light rail to Louisiana and Pearl and eat the best damn chicken in the world. Yall the sliders!! Gahhhh I need one. The sides – all unbelievable. My go-to order is, of course, the Pulled Chicken Sliders with Roasted Delicata Squash.

Leven Deli
Golden Triangle
IMO traditional delis are kind of few and far between around Denver but Leven Deli is so so good. Grab a soup and sandwich to go for lunch or sit and enjoy with friends in the sun. They are also open for dinner with cheese plates – yum!

Salt & Grinder
Highland Square/32nd
Thankfully, this Idaho Springs BBQ spot made a second home in Denver so I don’t have to travel i70 just to get some boiled peanuts, sweet tea, and a pulled pork sandwich.

Mead Street Provisions
Highland Square/32nd
Part Deli Part bar we love this spot for lunch on the weekends. The menu covers anything you could be craving from salad, sandwiches, flatbreads to burgers and cheeseboards. They also have a full bar for a daytime cocktail too. Mead Street garage doors open to a little patio that is quite lovely on a warm day.

Smoking Yards BBQ
Baker
Thankfully, this Idaho Springs BBQ spot made a second home in Denver so I don’t have to travel i70 just to get some boiled peanuts, sweet tea and a pulled pork sandwich.

Am I missing your favorite lunch spot? Let me know so I can go check it out!