Denver Downtown Food Tour: Pizza, Empanadas & Union Station Sweets

Summary

Downtown Denver’s flavors from Neapolitan pizza to fry bread tacos

You’ll wander downtown Denver with a local guide, tasting AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizza near Coors Field, hand-rolled Argentine empanadas in LoDo, spicy Colorado green chili at The Cherry Cricket, fry bread tacos at Dairy Block, and finish with a Portuguese custard tart beneath Union Station’s soaring ceiling. It’s lively, casual—and every stop has its own story.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a slice of pizza before I’ve even figured out where we’re sitting—Marco’s, our first stop, is all warm chatter and the smell of wood smoke. Our guide (I think her name was Jamie?) tells us the dough is certified by some Italian group—I forget the acronym but it sounded official. The crust has these charred bubbles, chewy in the middle, and I’m pretty sure I dripped sauce on my shirt already. It’s loud outside with baseball fans heading to Coors Field, and honestly that energy kind of sets the mood for this whole Denver food tour.

We walk past old brick warehouses in LoDo—Jamie points out street art I’d never have noticed. At Lazo Empanadas, there’s this older guy behind the counter who grins when I try to pronounce “chimichurri.” The empanada is flaky and hot enough to burn my tongue if I’m not careful. Someone asks about the family recipe and he just shrugs, like it’s no big deal. That felt real. Then we’re off again—past McGregor Square (giant screen blaring highlights), then into The Cherry Cricket for green chili that’s more stew than sauce. It’s spicy enough to make me pause mid-sentence; Jamie laughs and slides over a tortilla.

I didn’t expect to care about Coors Field without a game going on, but standing outside you can hear echoes—like distant cheers or maybe just my imagination filling in gaps. We wander through Dairy Block next—twinkly lights overhead, murals everywhere—and end up at Kachina Cantina for fry bread tacos piled high with things I can’t pronounce but want more of anyway. There’s color everywhere: plates, walls, people’s sneakers. It feels like Denver is showing off a little.

The last stop is Union Station—marble floors underfoot, high ceilings echoing footsteps and laughter. We sit under that big “Travel by Train” sign eating pastel de nata from Ultreia. It’s sweet but not too much; flaky pastry dusts my fingers and someone at our table says they could eat five more. Maybe so. I still think about that last bite sometimes when I’m back home, waiting for my train or just craving something different.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Downtown Denver food and culture tour

• Start at Marco’s Coal Fired Pizzeria
• Walk through Ballpark District
• Taste empanadas at Lazo Empanadas
• Try green chili at The Cherry Cricket
• Visit Coors Field stadium
• Explore Lower Downtown Denver (LoDo)
• Pass by McGregor Square
• Walk through Dairy Block
• Eat fry bread taco at Kachina Cantina
• Visit Wynkoop Brewing Company
• See the Oxford Hotel
• End at Denver Union Station
• Enjoy pastel de nata at Ultreia

Top questions

How long does the Downtown Denver food tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free tastings are available with advance notice.

Does the tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; guests should arrive 5-10 minutes early at the meeting point.

Which restaurants are visited on this Denver food tour?

The tour includes Marco's Coal Fired Pizzeria Ballpark, Lazo Empanadas, The Cherry Cricket Ballpark, Kachina Cantina at Dairy Block, and Ultreia inside Union Station.

Is alcohol included in the tastings?

No alcohol is specifically included; some stops may offer drinks for purchase.

Is this food tour suitable for children?

Yes; infants and small children can ride in a stroller or pram during the tour.

What foods are included on the Downtown Denver food tour?

The tastings include Neapolitan pizza with bufala mozzarella, ground beef empanada with chimichurri, Colorado pork green chili, blood orange tequila braised pork carnitas taco on Native American fry bread, and a Portuguese egg custard tart.

Does the tour run if it rains or snows?

Yes; tours run rain or shine so dress appropriately for weather conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through downtown Denver with stops for AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizza near Coors Field, hand-rolled Argentine empanadas in LoDo served with housemade chimichurri sauce, award-winning Colorado pork green chili at The Cherry Cricket Ballpark (with tortillas), a blood orange tequila braised pork carnitas taco on Native American fry bread at Dairy Block’s Kachina Cantina, and finally a Portuguese egg custard tart inside historic Union Station before heading out full and happy.