You and your Valentine can still sit down to dinner in Denver for less than $50 — if you know where to look. While Feb. 14 can be an occasion for multicourse meals with high price tags, we’ve searched for spots where you can get in and out without double-taking your check at the end. Most are open Mondays (on the actual holiday) and all are at least charming if not downright romantic for a date night. Here are nine options for your V-Day meal or drinks.
Bastien’s (East Colfax)
Come for the tableside martinis, stay awhile for the throwback steakhouse vibes. This Colfax institution still sells cocktails for under $10 (Gin Rickey, Tom Collins and more), so you can enjoy drinks with an appetizer. Order a shrimp cocktail ($15) or a classic wedge salad ($9) and you’ll fit right in.
3503 E. Colfax, 303-322-0363; bastiensrestaurant.com. Note: This restaurant is closed Mondays, so choose another night to celebrate.
Clawful (Lakewood)
This restaurant went viral on TikTok in the fall, and for good reason: The Viet-Cajun buttery garlic or “fire voodoo” sauces accompany boiled shrimp, crawfish, snow crab and more seafood options, all inside boiled bags of goodness. You’ll pay $29.99-$51.99 for three options of seafood mixed bags that come with corn and potatoes.
1862 S. Wadsworth Blvd., 303-632-8079; eatclawful.com. Note: This restaurant is closed Mondays, so choose another night to celebrate.
Marco’s Coal Fired (Ballpark and Englewood)
A four-course meal for $55 per couple is hard to beat in Denver, so we stretched the budget just a little for this one. This Neapolitan pizzeria is offering the deal with options of garlic cheese bread or spinach artichoke dip to start; followed by your choice of salad; then a specialty pizza, eggplant rollatini, or lasagna; and finally strawberry tiramisu for dessert.
2129 Larimer St., 303-296-7000 and 1011 Inverness Main St., Englewood, 303-790-9000; marcoscfp.com. Note: This special is offered Feb. 10-Feb. 15.
Odyssey (6th Avenue)
Half-off pastas every Monday night means a real steal for Valentine’s dinner this year. You’re looking at $10 fettucini alfredo, penne bolognese, or gnocchi di patate, just to name a few options. The setting in an old 6th Avenue Victorian will just make you crave red sauce when you walk in.
603 E. 6th Ave., 303-318-0102; odysseyitalian.com.
Osaka Ramen (RiNo)
A really “RAMENtic” special on Valentine’s gives you two ramen bowls of your choice (so you don’t have to fight over shoyu, tonkotsu or spicy miso) and two Tivoli rice ales, all for $35. That even leaves you some room to spare for dessert (try the mochi donuts or tea cakes, both $8).
2611 Walnut St., 303-955-7938; osakaramendenver.com. Note: The special is available Feb. 11, 12 and 14.
Pho Duy (Broomfield and S. Federal)
A large pho from the best Vietnamese broth-maker in town will set you back $13.95. Throw in some banh hoi thit nuong with grilled meat ($12.95) or banh xeo (shrimp and pork pancake, $8.95) and you’ll have plenty of leftovers for a post-Valentine’s brunch.
925 S. Federal Blvd., 303-937-1609; phoduyrestaurant.com
Postino (Broadway, Colorado Blvd., LoHi)
This wine cafe has specials galore for your weeknight celebrations. Try the half panini and half salad or soup for $13.50. And if you go before 5 p.m., you can get any glass of wine or a pitcher of beer for $5. Or, go after 8 p.m. on either Monday or Tuesday (avoid the crowds), and order a bottle of wine and bruschetta board for $25. 145 N. Broadway, 303-351-7000; 830 Colorado Blvd., 720-262-5474; 2715 17th St., 303-433-6363; postinowinecafe.com
Spice Room (Berkeley)
The 38th Avenue neighborhood Indian bistro has tons of reasonably priced options, especially for vegetarian and vegan diners. If you’re avoiding meat, try the vegetable coconut soup ($10), the mushroom Manchurian (deep fried, $8) and the rajma and aloo masala (red kidney bean and potato curry, $12). 3157 W. 38th Ave., 303-455-3127; denverspiceroom.com
Yum Cha (16th St.)
Fans of Denver chef Lon Symensma’s East Asian food can find it at a new and more casual dumpling and noodle bar downtown. His menu of dumplings, bao buns and more street food bites is best enjoyed during happy hour, when prices range from $3 to $10 (with sub-$10 sake and cocktails on the side). Try Shanghai-style pork and crab soup dumplings (two pieces for $6) and “firecracker” chicken bao buns (two pieces for $8) and go from there.
1520 16th St. Mall, 720-638-8179; yumchadenver.com. Note: This restaurant is closed Mondays, so choose another night to celebrate.
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