Best Restaurants 2018: Super Mega Bien

The small plates trend may have taken over Larimer Street, but at Super Mega Bien, the five-month-old Pan–Latin American joint adjacent to the posh Ramble Hotel, chef Dana Rodriguez takes a new-to-Denver approach: small plates are displayed and delivered on brightly painted dim-sum carts. That means guests can explore dishes like “humitas” (a riff on Argentine creamed corn) and “ropa vieja” (Cuban shredded beef with plantains) without being bogged down, or intimidated, by menu explanations—just point and ask about the items that look good to you. There are also excellent larger dishes for three or more people to share (the Oaxacan hot stone seafood stew and the cheesy, skillet-baked Spanish vegetables and rice are favorites) and even larger cocktails, from refreshing green juice sangria to Chilean-style wine-sorbet floats. It all plays into the unique, convivial style of dining that Super Mega Bien pulls off beautifully. $$, The Ramble Hotel, 1260 25th St., 720-269-4695