Root Down
Highland, Denver
Restaurant in Denver, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Root Down in Denver's LoHi neighbourhood is one of the city's most accessible reservations with a genuine reason to go: a globally inflected menu that handles dietary accommodations more seriously than most peers. Best for groups, celebrations, mixed-diet tables. Book a weeknight if you want a calmer room; weekends run loud.
About Root Down
Is Root Down Worth Booking?
Root Down at 1600 W 33rd Ave in Denver's LoHi neighbourhood is one of the easier reservations to land in a city where tables at Brutø and The Wolf's Tailor require significantly more planning. That accessibility is a genuine selling point, not a warning sign. Root Down has built a following around an ingredient-driven, globally inflected menu with serious commitment to dietary accommodations; making it one of the more practical choices in Denver for mixed groups, special occasions, or first-time visitors who want something with a clear point of view.
What to Expect
The atmosphere at Root Down sits in the energetic-but-approachable register: expect a lively room with a fair amount of ambient noise, which makes it better suited to celebratory dinners or casual dates than quiet business meals. The energy peaks on weekend evenings, so if you want a calmer experience, a weekday dinner or weekend lunch is the smarter call. The converted space has enough character to feel occasion-worthy without the formality that can make a meal feel like a performance.
Root Down's kitchen has a reputation for handling plant-forward cooking seriously; not as a concession to dietary trends, but as a technical focus. That puts it in a different lane from Denver peers like Alma Fonda Fina or Annette, which are strong in their respective cuisine traditions but less focused on flexible, accommodation-forward cooking. If you're dining with a group that includes vegetarians, vegans, or guests with specific dietary needs, Root Down is one of the most reliably satisfying options in the city.
Who Should Book
Root Down works well for groups, celebrations, anyone who wants a Denver dining experience that doesn't require weeks of advance planning. It's a better fit for special occasions than a quick weeknight bite, the room and the menu both reward a slower pace. Solo diners can work with the bar, though the experience is better shared. For a deeper dive into what else Denver has on offer, see our full Denver restaurants guide, and for context on the broader city, check our Denver hotels guide and bars guide.
Compared to nationally recognised tasting-menu destinations like The French Laundry or Le Bernardin, Root Down is a different proposition entirely, it's a neighbourhood restaurant with real kitchen conviction, not a destination-dining event. That's exactly what makes it the right call for a large number of Denver visitors. If you want to compare it against Denver's more technically ambitious kitchens, Beckon offers a more structured, tasting-menu format for a higher-commitment evening.
Quick reference: Easy to book, leading on weeknights or weekend lunch for a quieter room, well-suited to groups with mixed dietary needs.
Planning details
- Location
- 1600 W 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80211
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- ediblebeats.com/restaurants/root-down
- Phone
- +1 303 993 4200
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Root Down makes its setting the story: a 1953 service station refitted as a restaurant, its high garage ceilings, original concrete floors and large street-facing windows give the room an honest, repurposed-industrial character. The proportions feel functional rather than decorative, and that functional clarity yields atmosphere without affectation. An open kitchen and a communal rhythm to the seating reinforce the building’s pragmatic origins while the careful modern touches keep the place current. The result reads as industrial and historic at once, tempered by approachable, casual energy that feels both cozy and decidedly of the moment.
Best For
Root Down suits relaxed brunches, easygoing date nights and casual hangouts. The converted service-station layout—with communal seating, generous windows and an open kitchen—keeps service unpretentious and the pace conversational, which works well for couples and small groups seeking flavor without ceremony. In Lower Highlands the restaurant functions as a neighborhood gathering point: lively enough for an evening out yet grounded by the building’s generous proportions, so the room maintains a communal, convivial flow rather than a formal dining tension.
Ordering Tips
Begin with the venue’s highlighted dishes: the Carrot Thai Red Curry Soup and the Seared Colombian Arepas are listed as signature items and are reliable introductions to the kitchen. The open kitchen means plating and technique are on display, and dishes arrive in a straightforward, timely way consistent with the restaurant’s informal service register. These two items capture the kitchen’s focus and are good representative choices to start a meal at Root Down in its communal, conversational setting.
Venue details
Ambiance
Funky mid-century garage atmosphere with vibrant, relaxed vibes and moderate noise levels.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Carrot Thai Red Curry Soup
- Seared Colombian Arepas
Planning details
Location
1600 W 33rd Ave, Denver, CO 80211 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- The Wolf's Tailor; New American, Contemporary, $$$$
- Tavernetta; Italian, $$
- Brutø; Contemporary, $$$$
- Alma Fonda Fina; Mexican, $$
- Safta; Israeli Cuisine, $$$
Restaurant context
How Root Down Compares in Denver
Root Down occupies a practical middle ground that most of its Denver peers don't. The Wolf's Tailor and Brutø are the city's more technically ambitious options; both at $$$$ and both considerably harder to book; and they're the right choice if you want a high-commitment, tasting-menu-style evening. Root Down is the better call when your priority is a relaxed, occasion-worthy dinner that doesn't require weeks of planning or a single dietary monoculture at the table.
Alma Fonda Fina at $$ and Tavernetta at $$ both offer strong value in their respective cuisines, Tavernetta in particular works for a date or business meal where Italian is the right frame. Safta at $$$ is the closest competitor in terms of energy and accommodation-friendliness, with a strong vegetable-forward approach in its Israeli menu. For mixed dietary groups, the choice is essentially between Root Down and Safta; both handle it well, but Root Down's menu is broader in scope.
If you're building a Denver itinerary and want to spread across categories, use Root Down for a group dinner mid-trip, save Brutø or The Wolf's Tailor for a special-occasion splurge, pair with Denver's bar scene for before or after. Root Down is the most versatile option in this peer set for mixed groups; that's its clearest competitive advantage.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Root Down guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Root Down
| Venue | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Down | ; | Easy | No published awards |
| The Wolf's Tailor | $$$$ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1172025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin 2 Stars2024 James Beard Awards · #12024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #162 |
| Tavernetta | $$ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 20262026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4612025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4822024 Michelin Bib GourmandPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Brutø | $$$$ | Unknown | No published awards |
| Alma Fonda Fina | $$ | Unknown | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Restaurants · #22026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #452025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Michelin 1 Star2025 OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants2024 Esquire Best New Restaurants · #9 |
| Safta | $$$ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 20262025 Michelin PlatePearl Recommended Restaurants |
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Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Root Down?
Root Down sits at 1600 W 33rd Ave in Denver's LoHi neighbourhood and is one of the more accessible reservations in a city where spots like Brutø book out weeks in advance. The room runs lively and loud, so come expecting energy rather than quiet. It handles dietary restrictions better than most Denver restaurants at this price point, which makes it a practical pick for mixed groups.
What should I order at Root Down?
Root Down's menu skews toward globally influenced dishes with strong options for plant-based and allergy-conscious diners; a genuine differentiator in Denver's dining scene, not a marketing afterthought. The kitchen is known for handling multiple dietary needs at once without relegating anyone to a stripped-down plate. Specific current menu items aren't confirmed here, so check the menu directly before you go.
Is Root Down good for solo dining?
Root Down works for solo diners, though the room's energy is better suited to groups and pairs. If you're eating alone, bar seating is the more comfortable format; it gives you something to look at and keeps you out of the larger tables designed for groups. For a quieter solo meal, Tavernetta's bar counter is a stronger call.
What should I wear to Root Down?
Root Down is a come-as-you-are LoHi restaurant; jeans and a decent top are standard. Nothing about the room or the neighbourhood demands dressing up. If you're coming from work or heading somewhere after, smart casual fits without overthinking it.
Can I eat at the bar at Root Down?
Yes, bar seating is available at Root Down and is a practical option for solo diners or walk-ins. The bar tends to be livelier than the main room, which tracks with the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. Specific bar hours aren't confirmed here, so call ahead if you're planning a late arrival.
Does Root Down handle dietary restrictions?
Root Down handles dietary restrictions more deliberately than most comparable Denver restaurants; plant-based, gluten-sensitive, allergy-driven orders are genuinely accommodated, not just tolerated. This is one of the clearer reasons to choose it over peers like Alma Fonda Fina or Safta when your group has conflicting dietary needs. It's a practical differentiator, not a niche selling point.
Can Root Down accommodate groups?
Root Down is well suited to groups and is a reliable choice for celebrations or larger dinners in Denver where table availability at other spots becomes a real obstacle. The lively room absorbs noise from bigger parties without feeling chaotic. For large private groups, confirm arrangements directly with the restaurant ahead of your visit.
