The Shoppe offers massive bowls of cereal and mini cupcakes. What else do you really need to start your day? Images from CupcakesTakeTheCake and Yelp

With big windows, black accents, wood floors and great lighting designed by snowboard industry veterans Trent and Troy Bush, Hapa has a high-tech feel. Snag a seat at the sushi bar and watch the chefs create works of art that taste as good as they look. The bar scene in the rear rocks with a nightly gathering of sushi fans. Sushi rolls range from the Caterpillar to spicy shrimp rolls and tempura-fried scallops and the always popular Multiple ...

Barolo Grill, opened in 1992 by Blair Taylor, prides itself on serving authentic northern Italian food while maintaining a comfortable, elegant ambience. The cuisine of executive chef Brian Laird focuses on the Northern Italian provinces of Piedmont and Tuscany. The menu, which changes frequently, features classic and contemporary dishes.  Named after the acclaimed wine of the Northwestern Italian province of Piedmont, Barolo Grill operates ...

The dipping sauce at Little Saigon Cafe is as pungent as the restaurant is hidden. For 13 years, this modest little gem has served an exquisite fish sauce that perfectly balances the sour-salty-sweet triangle of Vietnamese cooking. Set in a quiet mall, Little Saigon Cafe serves the best of the Pacific Rim. Hang's housemade, powerful dipping sauce nuoc mam cham is made from the liquid that results from fermented anchovies and salt; sugar; rice ...

Located in the Gaylord Business District, Max's serves up amazing seafood dishes. Images via Yelp

The Bonnie Brae Tavern was established in 1934 and serves up amazing pizza and drinks. This family-run spot continues to be one of Denver's favorite neighborhood spots after seven decades.

Pete's Kitchen is one of many restaurants run by Pete, and has been part of Denver tradition for 45 years. Try their burritos and hashbrowns, which have been rated the best by 5280 Magazine. First image via Flickr

You'll almost miss the place, the lone business surrounded by houses northwest of City Park. The secret is the sauce, a thick concoction that starts out sweet and finishes with heat--and that's the medium. It smothers the ribs, brisket and mountains of hot links. For the indecisive, the combination plate includes smoked chicken, brisket and pork. Fish is the other specialty, the cornmeal-crusted catfish is a house favorite. Don't forget ...

Lucile's Restaurant was established in 1980. They developed a Creole menu shortly thereafter and shifted the restaurant's goals to becoming the nation's premier brunch restaurant. Lucile's first chef received his training from the famous New Orleans restaurant, "Commanders Palace." A breakfast and lunch restaurant serving a Creole theme had never been attempted before in Colorado. However, within a brief period, Lucile's had made its mark ...