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Located just 10 miles south of downtown Denver, Littleton charms with its walkable historic downtown, plentiful green space along the South Platte River, and a plethora of locally owned shops and eateries. While Littleton is often recognized for its affordable housing and family-friendly ambience, the community is also a lesser-known foodie haven, with neighborhood favorites and hidden gems on every corner.
When my husband and I started house hunting in 2019, we wanted to find a spot with easy access to the city, room to breathe, and a thriving community of local businesses—and Littleton fit the bill. Over the years, we’ve explored the delightful bites, pours, and patios that make up its vibrant food and drink scene. Here, some of our go-to eateries—for every occasion.
Casual Eats
Cencalli Taqueria
“Cencalli” is a word from the ancient Aztec Nahuatl dialect that means “family”—a sentiment you’ll feel as soon as you step foot into this one-year-old taqueria from wife-and-husband duo Zoe Romero and Andres Venalonzo. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or happy hour, where you can indulge in pan-Mexican delights ranging from chilaquiles to open-faced mollete sandwiches to juicy quesabirria tacos served with warm beef consomé. Wash it down with a creamy avocado margarita or any of the two dozen other options. 2389 Main St., Littleton
The Cherry Cricket
When the Cherry Cricket opened its third location on Littleton Boulevard in summer 2023, it became an instant hit, drawing families from around the south suburbs for its Denver-famous burgers, shakes, tacos, and beer roster. The team turned the lemons of the pandemic years into lemonade in the form of an expansive outdoor patio, which includes cozy fire pits, ample string lights, shade tents, and a turf area where tiny restless legs can run. Needless to say, it’s the perfect suburban hang. Snag any one of the Cricket’s award-winning burgers or craft your own masterpiece with the protein, cheese, and toppings of your choice. 819 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton
Sunflower Asian Cafe
Sunflower has been serving American-style and traditional Chinese dishes since 2017, and made our 2023 list of preeminent Chinese restaurants in Denver for its Huaiyang-style cuisine, which features mild seasonings and simple preparations of ingredients from China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Look past the American Chinese items to find chef specialties such as sweet-and-sour fish, Chongqing spicy chicken (seasoned with real Szechuan peppercorns), and the mild and fresh Yangzhou fried rice, which features a mix of sausage, shrimp, chicken, and pan-tossed vegetables. 91 W. Mineral Ave., Suite 100, Littleton
Harley’s: A Hot Dog Revolution
In 2021, Harley’s was named one of the top hot dog joints in the U.S. and Canada by Yelp—and for good reason. There, you can enjoy classics like the Windy dog (a take on Chicago-style with onion, tomato, pickles, peppers, relish, and mustard on a toasted everything-bagel-seasoned bun), or something unexpected, like an Italian sausage dog loaded with spaghetti or pepperoni pizza toppings. We also like the Mile High dog, topped with rare roast beef, pickle, sport peppers, and handcrafted horseradish sauce. Pro tip: Join the loyalty program to accumulate reward points and earn occasional freebies. 1500 W. Littleton Blvd., Suite #112, Littleton
El Lucero Salvadoran & Mexican Restaurant
Get your pupusa fix from El Lucero, a Salvadoran restaurant that opened in November 2020 with a pupusas-only menu, then expanded to offer Mexican dishes. The restaurant’s chef and owner, Ana Franco, grew up in Chalatenango, El Salvador, and learned how to cook from her mother, who also owned a restaurant back home. We recommend the pupusas, which are generously portioned, crispy, and full of cheese and spice. We like the mixto (beans, cheese, and pork) or the queso espinaca (cheese and spinach). Pupusas are served with spicy salsa, cabbage, and an order of chips and salsa. 1500 W. Littleton Blvd., Suite 103, Littleton
Sushi Basho
Located off Main Street and Santa Fe Drive, Sushi Basho offers maki, specialty rolls, sushi, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired entrées. Try the New York Maki roll, filled with tuna, salmon, tobiko, and avocado, or the Hot Dancing Roll, stuffed with yellowtail and shrimp tempura and topped with spicy crab. 2700 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton
Platte River Bar & Grill
On warm days, hit up the patio at Platte River Bar & Grill, a Littleton institution serving burgers, beers, and live music. With access to the Platte River bike trail, this sunny dive attracts outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes with its reasonably priced margaritas, mules, and micheladas, along with Mexican-inspired bar food like jalapeño-cream-cheese burgers, handmade chile rellenos, and green chile-smothered burritos. Happy hour is Monday to Friday from 2 to 6 p.m., with discounts on appetizers, house wines, and domestic drafts and bottles. 5995 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Wild Ginger
For tasty Thai in the suburbs, stop in at this no-frills gem on Littleton Boulevard. Classics like pad kee mao (drunken noodles), massaman and panang curry, yum nua (beef salad), and tom kha gai (coconut curry soup) can be customized with six spice levels, from mild to “Thai hot”—each delivering a satisfying balance of heat and flavor. We also like the steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, served with a sweet-and-tart dipping sauce. 399 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton
Haveli Indian Cuisine
Nearly five years after Haveli Indian Cuisine started a GoFundMe campaign to stay afloat during the pandemic, the eatery is still serving warm-spice-enriched north Indian and Nepalese specialties like momos, korma, and tikka masala to south suburban fans. We like the smooth, rich baingan bharta—roasted eggplant with onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger—or the bhindi bahar, okra with bell peppers, tomato, and onions. 301 E. County Line Rd., Littleton
Chinelos Mexican Food
Mexican music and conversations in Spanish fill the air at this quaint eatery off Littleton Boulevard. With traditional Mexican offerings like tortas, alambres, street tacos, and sincronizadas (wheat-flour quesadillas with ham), you’ll be transported south of the border by the juicy, cumin-scented bites of chicken, lengua, tripita, pastor, azada, and shrimp. Customize your meal with one of the fresh, house-made salsas of varying heat levels, and wash it all down with an horchata or Jamaica agua fresca. 1228 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton
Old Fashioned Italian Deli
For comforting, old-school subs and paninis, look no further than the Old Fashioned Italian Deli on Littleton Boulevard—a modest, Marilyn Monroe–themed eatery that feels like a step back in time. Family-owned and -operated since the 1980s, the deli brown-bags an array of hot and cold sandwiches by hand. Slink into a red booth while you wait for your to-go order, or dine in and strike up a conversation with the regulars. We like the Sicilian Sub—a hefty handheld with prosciutto, capicola, mozzarella, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing. 395 W. Littleton Blvd., Unit 1A, Littleton
Brunch Bites
NoNo’s Cafe
NoNo’s celebrated 25 years in 2024, and locals keep returning for the restaurant’s signature cajun and creole dishes—especially for brunch. From eggs and grits to southern pecan pancakes swimming in bourbon syrup to the Big Easy breakfast smothered with crawfish Monica cream sauce, there’s something for every palate at this down-home eatery. The cozy interior and wraparound dining porch also offer the perfect environs in which to linger over a spicy house bloody mary—one of the best in town. 3005 W. County Line Rd., Littleton
Latke Love
Husband-and-wife duo Steve and Tina Shander started Latke Love 10 years ago at the Cherry Creek Farmers Market. “By the third week, I was looking for a spot, because we kept selling out,” Steve says. After a brief stint in Park Hill, the couple moved the restaurant into a refurbished home on Littleton Boulevard in 2015. Here, guests can enjoy the Shanders’ eastern European–style latkes (Tina’s German grandmother’s recipe) with an American twist. Each order comes with four latkes slathered with comforting toppings like pulled pork and Carolina barbecue sauce; slow-braised beef brisket, roasted carrots, and gravy; and even pastrami or green chile. We also like the homemade knishes—mashed potato-stuffed pastries served with mustard. 699 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton
Grande Station
Grande Station got a glow-up in fall 2023, when Eric and Rachel Hyatt purchased the eight-year-old fixture in Historic Downtown Littleton. Now a scratch kitchen and eatery, the Hyatts put local purveyors front and center, advertising breads from Denver’s Harvest Moon Baking Company and Bluepoint Bakery, meats from La Vaca (headquartered just down Main Street), and beers from south suburban breweries such as Locavore and Living the Dream. Try the juicy Steak Burger by La Vaca crested with all the usual fixins, or sample the bison tacos, which are doused with house-made pork green chile. 2299 W. Main St., Littleton
Date-Night Destinations
Manning’s Steaks & Spirits
After serving Lakewood locals for six years, Manning’s owners Diane Manning and her son, Michael, expanded into Littleton with a South Broadway location in December 2024. One of the few spots for a good ribeye in the area, Manning’s offers a local alternative to steakhouse chains in the south ’burbs. Proteins abound, so select from fire-grilled fare, burgers, mussels, or even a $95, 28-ounce bison tomahawk, and pair it with the famous cheese-encrusted Manning’s potatoes or side of your choice. Leave satisfied after indulging in one of the family’s own dessert recipes, such as the lemon chiffon pie with blueberry compote. 51 W. Dry Creek Court, Littleton
Café Terracotta
From brunch to date night, this fine-dining establishment in a cozy cottage nails upscale American cuisine for any occasion. For dinner at Café Terracotta, try the Parisian gnocchi with Italian sausage and Tuscan kale or the tender pork porterhouse with kuri squash polenta. Lunch offers fresh takes on approachable favorites—including a short rib grilled cheese—and for brunch, look for the gooey croque madame or a barbacoa Benedict with ranchero hollandaise sauce. On a sunny day, request a table outside on the restaurant’s peaceful garden patio. 5649 S. Curtice St., Littleton
Palenque Cocina y Agaveria
This hip-casual, first-come, first-served Mexican spot nearly always has a line—and rightfully so. The traditional Mexican fare at Palenque Cocina y Agaveria includes classics like pozole, mole, camarones a la diabla (shrimp in spicy sauce), and molcajetes (meat, veggies, and broth presented in a hot stone mortar). Pair one of these bold and comforting dishes with a refreshing prickly pear margarita, and take advantage of daily happy hour deals from 3 to 6 p.m. 2609 Main St., Littleton
Makizushico
Celebrate a splurge-worthy occasion by sidling up to the sushi bar at Makizushico for a curated omakase experience. Expect to spend up to two hours (and over $100 per person) feasting on the chefs’ creations, which can include chawanmushi (steamed egg custard); skillfully crafted salmon, tuna, and yellowtail nigiri; and house specialties like goose liver, uni, and lightly seared wagyu beef. For a more casual meal, choose your own selections from the lineup of maki rolls, specialty rolls, sushi, and sashimi. Complement your meal with a glass of Japanese whiskey or sake; we recommend a bottle of the unfiltered nigori to share. 5950 S. Platte Canyon Rd., Suite D23, Littleton
Angelo’s Taverna
After revitalizing Angelo’s Taverna on 6th Avenue in 2013, Craig Jones and Eric Hyatt (who now owns Grande Station) brought the 40-year Denver institution to Littleton three years later. The team built a 10,000-square-foot compound off Santa Fe Drive to house the restaurant and then-brand-new Carboy Winery directly adjacent. Boasting one of Denver’s best happy hours, Angelo’s offers $1.25 raw oysters daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to close, as well as deals on small plates, pizza, beer, cocktails, and wines on tap. 6885 S. Santa Fe Dr., Suite A, Littleton
Wine, Beer, and Booze
Carboy Winery
Carboy Winery’s original 6,000-square-foot winemaking space (adjacent to Angelo’s Taverna) and tasting room has served its signature blends in Littleton since 2016. Now with three additional locations in Capitol Hill, Breckenridge, and Palisade, the space is still a destination for Carboy’s Colorado-style wines, such as the Colorado Red Blend made with Grand Valley–grown Noiret, Chambourcin, Malbec, and Mourvèdre grapes. Stop by for a Colorado wine flight, glasses on tap, or a meat-and-cheese board and bottle for $35, available during the daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. 6885 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery
After outgrowing two prior Denver outposts, Breckenridge Brewery settled on a 12-acre, farm-inspired Littleton campus in 2015 that includes a 100-barrel brewhouse, barrel-aging room, restaurant, and beer garden. Located off the South Platte River bike trail, the expansive beer garden is a convenient hangout to play cornhole, groove to live music, or watch a Broncos game on the outdoor projector. Make a reservation at the brewery’s Farm House restaurant for upscale-yet-casual entrées like the beef-and-bacon meatloaf drizzled with vanilla porter mushroom gravy. Start with an order of the comforting cast-iron bread, ideal for smothering with the accompanying smoky creamed butter and seasonal preserves. 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton
Denver Beer Co.
Denver Beer Co.’s Littleton location debuted in spring 2021 in the old Jackass Hill Brewery location. The team transformed the property from a cracked parking lot and humble taproom into a chic watering hole with a four-season patio bedecked with shade trees, Adirondack chairs, and communal picnic tables. It’s not only a popular spot for locals to wet their whistles over DBC’s iconic brews—including the Littleton exclusive Main and Prince hazy IPA—but also nosh on duck fat fries, smoked wings, and towering sandwiches. Bonus: a fenced in patch of turf offers tots a place to play while mom and dad kick back. 2409 Main St., Littleton
The Castle Bar & Grill
The Castle (yes, the exterior is actually modeled like a castle) is one of Littleton’s oddest watering holes, but also one of its most beloved. With all the best traits of a neighborhood dive—a sunken bar, pool tables, karaoke nights, and a wall of personalized beer mugs accumulated by locals over 30-plus years—it’s the kind of place where everybody just might know your name by the end of the night. Plus, the burgers are fantastic. Whatever variety you choose, expect a bite that’s juicy inside and crisp on the edges, with the perfect bun-to-beef ratio that hits only the way that a damn good burger can. 6657 S. Broadway, Littleton
Kate’s Wine Bar
Quaint and cozy Kate’s Wine Bar has been a downtown Littleton staple since 2008. Originally opened by Vanessa Menke and her mother Jayne Barth, the bar is named after Vanessa’s grandmother. Menke and Barth have since sold the bar, but with a wine list of 50 rotating bottles and happy hour specials Tuesday to Saturday ($6 glasses, $24 bottles), Kate’s is still the perfect spot to catch up with a friend, unwind after a long day, or start your evening in Historic Downtown Littleton. If you’re hankering for a snack, order a small plate of baked brie, cheese and crackers, or artichoke-jalapeño dip. 5671 S. Nevada St., Littleton
Jake’s Brew Bar
Across the street from Kate’s Wine Bar, you’ll find Jake’s Brew Bar—named for Kate’s husband and the grandfather of Vanessa Menke, who opened the establishment in 2011 with her mother Jayne Barth as another homage to their family (it was always their dream to have both Jake’s and Kate’s on Main Street). The bar sports a rotating menu of 36 taps from Colorado and beyond, and the beer garden features a stage and long picnic tables, great for gathering with friends over a pint or two. Non-beer drinkers are also welcome and can sip a selection from the thoughtful cocktail menu. 2530 W. Main St., Littleton
Locavore Beer Works
Locavore has been pouring brews at this Littleton taproom since 2014, when owners and brewers Jason Reinhardt and Andy Nelson decided to open a welcoming watering hole where everyone feels like a regular. Swing through for trivia on a Wednesday night and compete for beer money against other Littleton locals. For nibbles, order barbecue from the adjacent Brad’s Pit BBQ—which is delivered straight to your table, usually by Brad himself. Pets are welcome in the taproom and outside on the brewery’s hop-vine-filled patio. 5950 S. Platte Canyon Rd., Littleton
The Alley
Cheap (but tasty) margaritas abound at Littleton’s hip Main Street hang, the Alley. With live music Thursday to Sunday, you can catch a killer local act while enjoying one of nine house margaritas (starting at $7). Tequila not your thing? Try the Littleton Olde Fashioned, made with whiskey, simple syrup, bitters, orange, and a Bordeaux cherry. Whatever your order, snag one of the Alley’s signature Sichuan buttons, a small, chewable flower that gives your tongue an electric, numbing sensation (think: adult Pop Rocks). The spot also offers “mountain-style Mexican food,” such as tacos, fajitas, and nachos from a food truck out back. 2420 Main St., Littleton
Olde Town Tavern
Every suburb needs a good dive, and Olde Town Tavern is our Littleton favorite. The dark, moody interior is bedecked with cozy half-circle booths, pool tables, TVs, and TouchTunes—everything a townie could want. The draft list includes a solid mix of local craft and light beer options, and the potent well drinks come in pint glasses, sure to inspire a hunger-inducing glance at the grub menu after the first round. Luckily, OTT serves some of the best wings in the area, with 18 sauce flavors and six dry rubs to choose from. We like the honey habañero (sweet with a kick), and the smoky, peppery, salty Chicago dry rub. 2410 W. Main St., Littleton
Coffee, Tea, and Treats
Little Man Ice Cream
Little Man opened its 10th Denver location in Historic Downtown Littleton last October, enticing locals to indulge in its handcrafted ice creams, home-baked waffle cones, and towering sundaes. The airy Main Street location features communal step seating and a slide for littles to burn off their sugar high. Unique to the Littleton shop is a brand new flavor: Rough & Ready Chocolate, a creamy chocolate ice cream blended with fudge brownies and a rich fudge swirl. 2449 Main St., Littleton
Dirt Coffee Bar
Since its inception as a coffee truck in 2013, Dirt Coffee Bar has impacted the lives of more than 200 people with neuro-diversities, offering training and employment to those with autism and intellectual and developmental differences. The 501(C)3 nonprofit now operates out of a refurbished house in downtown Littleton, slinging barista-crafted beverages, breakfast burritos, paninis, pastries, and even beer and wine. Volunteers are welcome to join the Dirt Coffee community, and paid internships are available for individuals with autism and related disabilities. 5767 S. Rapp St., Littleton
The Chocolate Therapist
Drop in for treats at the Chocolate Therapist, a specialty shop stocked with house-made truffles, chocolate bars, caramels, toffees, and other sweet treats. Owner Julie Nygard founded the company after an 18-year career in the sporting goods industry, fueled by a lifelong passion for nutrition and the health benefits of chocolate. In 2005, she published a book called The Chocolate Therapist, and then launched her own collection of all-natural chocolates three years later. Nygard continues to preach the benefits of chocolate (she even gave a TEDx presentation on the topic), and visitors to this Littleton gem can reap the benefits. We like the easy-to-tote chocolate bars like Down by the Sea Salt (sea salt and sliced almonds) and Spice of Life (ginger, cinnamon, and salted pepitas). 2560 Main St., Littleton
Lost Coffee
This coffee shop in a refurbished gas station and auto shop features cafe tables in its bay area and a plant-laced roastery through the bay doors. Lost Coffee imports its beans from women-owned farms and pays a premium to support higher wages for coffee workers. Head inside for a cup of fresh-roasted joe, or purchase a coffee subscription to receive beans at home. 1190 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton
In Tea
In Tea not only stocks shelves of fine tea from around the world (170 options), but also serves wine, sake, baked goods, tapas, and tea-infused cocktails and beers. This year, visitors can commit to learning more about the art of the perfect cup with one of In Tea’s public classes, which include tea and chocolate pairings, history lessons on various tea types, and demonstrations on how to whisk together a good cup of matcha. 2440 W. Main St., Littleton
