The Top 14 Restaurants in Aurora, Colorado
Looking for the best restaurants in Aurora Colorado? You’ve come to the right place! Read on for 14+ of our favorite restaurants in the area.
Just 30 minutes from Colorado’s capital city of Denver, Aurora is the ideal place for anyone looking for a blend of rural and urban living. You can find great shopping and pop-up farmers’ markets at the Southlands Lifestyle Center in Aurora’s metropolitan areas.
Known as the “Gateway to the Rockies,” the city has more than 250 restaurants to choose from, making it easy to please everyone at the table.
Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city, is quickly becoming a gastronomic destination. The city has various cuisines, including Mexican, German, Ethiopian, and more. The neighborhood also has gastropubs that provide hearty pub fare and locally brewed beer. There are plenty of options for everyone.
Here are the top restaurants in Aurora Colorado to get you started and taste the most delicate dishes in the area!
14. Café Paprika
13160 E Mississippi Ave, Aurora, CO 80012 | Moroccan, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern Cuisines | $11 – $30 | Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Friday 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Café Paprika in Utah Park is a vibrant and inviting Moroccan restaurant and teahouse serving only the freshest and most genuine Moroccan fare. The orange and blue Persian-style patterned booths in the cut eatery are a fantastic match for the Moroccan desert images depicted in the paintings.
Mezze, such as hummus, falafel, and baba ganoush, as well as kebab and shwarma meals of lamb, chicken, and fish, are typical in Moroccan cuisine. Specific Moroccan foods include stews served on top of couscous and in vibrantly domed bowls to preserve the aroma and flavor.
You can find authentic Morrocan and other international cuisines at Café Paprika. A wide range of gluten-free meals are also available.
Start with hummus, baba ganoush, and chicken bastille as appetizers, but reserve room for your main course. The Kadra or lamb tajines are among the best in the restaurant. After you’ve finished your main course, order flan or baklava as a sweet ending to your dinner.
If you’re having supper with family or friends, we suggest trying one of the several kebab meals. They’re ideal for sharing, allowing you to sample various dishes on the menu.
Paprika’s menu includes everything from tender couscous to succulent kebabs. The preserved lemon and olive tagine and the flaky and soft Bastilla are a must-try, showcasing the most delicate Moroccan seasoning.
This family-owned small restaurant is worth a stop to savor unique and delicate food at reasonable prices.
13. El Tequileno Family Mexican Restaurant
2790 S Havana St X1, Aurora, CO 80014 | Mexican, Vegetarian Cuisines | $25 – $50 | Sunday to Thursday 10:45 am – 10:00 pm, Friday to Saturday 10:45 am – 11:00 pm
Eat at El Tequileno Family Mexican Restaurant instead of Taco Bell if you want some authentic and excellent tacos. The restaurant claims that it uses only the best ingredients and follows traditional Mexican cooking recipes when making its dishes.
As there are so many things to sample, you should plan to have a multi-course dinner when you visit. Order the chorizo con queso appetizer for the table, as it is one of the most fantastic starters on the menu. There are several fajita options in Acapulco, but we suggest the Acapulco fajitas.
If you are dining with a companion, we propose the two-person supper combination of fish and shrimp over sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes, known as the fajitas Colorado for 2. In addition, there are two plates of rice and beans, as well as pico de gallo and sour cream.
Besides the various foods in the restaurant, it also has a full bar with the same extensiveness. It features over 150 tequilas and a vast selection of available drinks. Margarita, cocktail, beer, vodka, wine, etc., you will not run out of alcoholic options in the establishment!
When dining at this Mexican restaurant, you can admire the Mariachi band that performs regularly.
The restaurant also offers everyday specials and happy hour promos. In combination with the great atmosphere and friendly service, this Mexican bar and restaurant is a fantastic place to eat and drink in Aurora, Colorado.
12. Angry Chicken
1930 S Havana St #13, Aurora, CO 80014 | Noodles, Chicken Wings, Korean Cuisines | $9 – $27 | 11:30 am to 9:00 pm daily
Angry chicken, a local favorite since it opened in 2017, is known for its crunchy, light, and tender rice-flour chicken wings. Korean-inspired sauces, such as sweet and spicy, soy, honey garlic, and more, are served alongside the chicken wings that are ready to order and never frozen.
Weekly specials and offers are featured on the restaurant’s website every week. Several happy hour specials serve delicious specialties at discounted prices.
Bring the entire family because the quantities are enormous! There are a variety of house dishes to choose from, including ddukbokki (rice cake with spicy sauce; sometimes written tteokbokki), garlic noodles, and butterfly shrimp, in addition to the restaurant’s signature dish of wings.
Everyone who is gluten-free will be happy to hear that there is an excellent GF choice in the establishment. The gluten-free option is the simple fried chicken, and if you don’t mind a slight spiciness, you can enjoy mouthful after crispy morsel without fear.
There’s also an oven-roasted chicken option for those concerned about their health. On the menu, you’ll find the fried chicken in many flavors, including boneless and bone-in selections in fried and oven-roasted variations.
The restaurant has a unique energy all its own. There are wooden blocks arranged like Tetris on the dining room’s walls. Combine that with neon lights, a massive bar area, and loud pop music, and you’ve got the makings of an excellent venue to chow down and get your groove on!
11. Piper Inn
2251 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231| Pub, Bar, American, Asian Cuisines | $5 – $20 | 10:00 am – 2:00 am daily
The Piper Inn has been a local hangout for over half a century and is one of the most well-known restaurants in Aurora Colorado. At its inception, the Piper Inn is famous to farmers from the area that is now Denver and Aurora. Piper Inn got its name from a hitching post that used to be near what is now a car wash and a dirt airfield that was across the street.
Many people consider the Piper Inn a historical landmark because of its long history as a local landmark. Despite having undergone numerous redevelopments, it continues to draw visitors from all areas of life.
The well-known Asian Hot Wings and the restaurant’s warm service draw in bikers, softball teams, and a diverse group of patrons, including grandmothers.
The Piper Inn has been named “Best Wings in Denver” by Westword Magazine and “one of the best biker sites in Denver to stop and take in the sights” by Denver’s 5280 Magazine.
Don’t be put off by the mash-up of American and Asian foods. Another reason to visit Piper Inn is to taste wings. If you’re staying for the first time, select the buffalo wings instead of the restaurant’s specialty chicken wings influenced by Chinese cuisine.
We recommend asking your waitress about seasonal wing sauces; any taste will be a hit. If you don’t like wings, they have loaded fries, Cantonese cuisine, street tacos, and carne asada fries.
You can find major culinary categories on the menu at the Piper Inn. We suggest trying their savory wonton sampler and Cantonese egg rolls to go along with whatever wing you order!
10. The French Press
15290 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014 | Café, Quick Bites, Vegetarian, American Cuisines | $9 – $20 | Monday to Friday 6:30 am – 3:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
The French Press is a quaint coffee shop and restaurant serving breakfast and lunch around Southeast Crossing and Horseshoe Park.
Among their breakfast and lunch offerings are Southern staples like shrimp and grits, Northeastern favorites like lox and bagels, and southwestern classics like Huevos Rancheros. You can find all of these on their comprehensive menu.
The restaurant is hard to find on the east side of Aurora, but The French Press serves up some of the best omelets and conventional breakfast fare like fried eggs, blended fruit, waffles, and more, making it worth the trip.
This restaurant has five distinct ways of serving egg benedict, and it’s known as Aurora’s best brunch spot. Remember that you can have the zucchini pistachio pancakes and the chocolate bourbon pecan French toast, both excellent options.
You can try their delicious peanut butter crepes and The Little Frankie, an ideal breakfast sandwich with ham, turkey, swiss, and cheddar cheeses between two tempura-battered and fried waffles.
Many diverse and delectable sandwiches are available for those who arrive later in the day for lunch. Be sure to arrive early because this small establishment fills up quickly, especially on weekends when brunch is available.
The cafe also offers a variety of gluten-free and vegan alternatives. You can make your crepes, and the portions are enormous for a reasonable price. If the weather permits, there are additional outdoor seats available in which you can savor your lunch.
With its contemporary décor, this is a terrific place to meet with friends for a gourmet breakfast or lunch while sipping an artisanal coffee drink.
9. CoraFaye’s Cafe
15395 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80011 | American, Bar, Vegetarian Cuisines | $7 – $20 | Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 11:00 am – 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Serving soul food and southern comfort food to the people of Colorado since 2006, CoraFaye’s Cafe is one of the local favorite restaurants in Aurora Colorado.
Park Hill restaurant owner, Priscilla Smith, became well-known for her hearty Southern fare when she operated a restaurant in the neighborhood. A few years ago, Smith relocated to Aurora, where she currently lives at the busy junction of Colfax and Chambers streets.
Come in and enjoy the Smith family’s fried chicken, smoked pork chops, and other specialties, all prepared in the same way they have been for more than a century. A piece of Coconut Cream Cheese Frosted Cake and two pillows for your likely post-meal sleep are the perfect way to top off a dreamy dining experience.
If you’re in the mood for some southern comfort food, this family-run restaurant is the place for you. You’ll gain weight from the cornbread and gravy-dusted mac and cheese at each visit. Keep an eye out for Catfish and Fried Chicken among several 100-year-old family recipes on offer that are both delicious.
Additional patience is required when visiting the restaurants because they prepare everything from scratch. Your comfort level will be so great when dining at this establishment that it will be hard to resist returning for more.
The best part about this restaurant is the combination of atmosphere and traditional Southern fare. We recommend the Smothered Rabbit, breaded and cooked, or the Chit’lings Soup, among the favorites.
If you’re a fan of pork chops, we recommend the two-piece sautéed chops served on rice and gravy with your pick of two sides.
8. Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
1951 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014 | African, Vegetarian, Ethiopian Cuisines | $7 – $17 | 11:00 am – 9:00 pm daily
The Nile Ethiopian Restaurant is well-known for serving some of the most extraordinary Ethiopian cuisines in the area. It is a restaurant that features a pleasant and welcoming ambiance.
Meat-eaters and those who prefer to avoid animal products will find a wide variety of dishes at this vegan- and vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Aurora.
Try Ethiopian cuisine at this restaurant if you’ve never tasted it before. The cuisine sometimes comes in mosseb-style, which involves having a platter of food delivered in front of you and your companions as you converse and mingle.
Spices, meat, vegetables, and other delicacies are available for sampling, and traditional flatbread called Injera comes with the meals to scoop because Ethiopian cuisines do not use utensils.
This restaurant is among the few authentic Ethiopian restaurants in Aurora. From the ingredients to the cooking methods, the company ensures that each meal is original and creative.
You can enjoy Nile Ethiopian Restaurant with family or friends in a relaxed atmosphere thanks to the friendly staff and laid-back style.
Options include chicken wot, lamb tibs, misto, and shifinfin and shifinfin shisha. Shiro wat, yemisir wat, and fish tibs Derek are all options for vegetarians. Make sure to inquire about any specials, such as the complete Moja treatment, when visiting Nile Ethiopian Restaurant.
We recommend trying their delicious Special Zilzil Tibs served with strips of choice beef, sautéed with herbs, onions, sauce, and other spices.
7. Rosie’s Diner
14061 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014 | Diner, Vegetarian, American, Mexican Cuisines | $5 – $16 | 6:00 am – 9:00 pm daily
Aurora’s Rosie’s Diner, in the Southeast Crossing neighborhood, is a nostalgic, family-friendly diner that’ll take you back in time. There is a perfectly maintained 1950s-style metal train car inside Rosie’s Diner, where you can sit in leather booths with checkered floors and a long soda counter.
Sam Dehghani designed Rosie’s Diner with a classic tiled floor, bar stools, neon lights, and cozy booths with quarter-operated record players.
Baby back steaks with Barbecue sauce and a variety of hamburgers and hot dogs are on the menu at Rosie’s, along with one of the restaurant’s handcrafted milkshakes. Some available tastes are peanut butter, strawberry banana, and chocolate mint.
Fried chicken and gravy are two popular items on this establishment’s breakfast menu.
Add some sizzle to your morning meal with “Whole Lotta Skillet” breakfast, served with country potatoes seasoned with salt and pepper; two eggs; ham; mushrooms; tomatoes; onions; green peppers; cheddar cheese; and your choice of bread or pancakes.
Enjoy a sandwich or burger for lunch, or try their “footlong” hotdogs, dubbed the Hound Dogs, by locals. If you’re looking for somewhat significant, you can try roast beef or meatloaf for dinner.
This restaurant exudes a classic charm that is hard to find these days. You can have breakfast all day at a diner in Colorado, and you can even get beer on tap!
Rosie’s Diner is a perfect place to enjoy a variety of delicious foods and drinks all day while experiencing a rare vintage atmosphere. If you love classic vibes, this place is a must-visit in Aurora!
6. Helga’s German Restaurant & Deli
14197 E Exposition Ave, Aurora, CO 80012 | German, Bar, Central European, European Cuisines | $5 – $25 | Tuesday to Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Traditional German cuisine is available in an Alpine-themed dining room at Helga’s deli, beer garden, and old-world dining area. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Aurora Colorado to eat at during the winter because it’s just so cozy!
This 31-year staple in Aurora’s City Center is owned and operated by German immigrants. Herbert Huber and his parent Berta Huber named their restaurant after their German mother. Helga’s cuisine specializes in traditional German dishes.
A deli is connected to Helga’s. After your meal, you can buy meats, bread, cheese, and other ingredients to prepare your home food.
You can taste the best German food in the city at this restaurant, everything from bratwurst to homemade sauerkraut and other classic dishes. You won’t want to miss out on this restaurant’s “genuine flavor of Germany” delicacies.
As a business since its inception, Helga’s aspires to provide all its patrons with a taste of the Rhineland River Valley’s Old World charm and the hearty flavors of traditional German fare. This place is the perfect spot to sample schnitzel if you’ve never tried it before, which comes with a salad side.
The restaurant offers mid-week specials and happy hours for several days of the week. On the weekend, you can catch some live music from bands that play for the establishment.
Helga’s is a great place to enjoy delicate German dishes while relaxing in its cozy atmosphere in Aurora!
5. Athenian Restaurant
15350 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80013 | Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Greek Cuisines | $15 – $30 | Monday to Friday 10:30 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Athenian Restaurant in Horseshoe Park serves up genuine Greek fare in a rustic-chic setting along with replicas of Greek statues. Owned and run by the Stathopoulos family, it has served Greek delicacies and international wine to loyal Aurora customers for over two decades.
For decades, the Athenian Restaurant revolutionized the way people consume and enjoy food. Comfortable and filling at the same time. Providing distinctive flavors and meals worldwide to Aurora, Colorado takes excellent satisfaction.
The Greek-inspired menu emphasizes fresh, locally sourced foods prepared with care and served hot from the kitchen. Reserve room for some of Angie’s homemade desserts to round out your experience.
Olive oil and organic herbs make up most of Athenian Restaurant’s menu. The restaurant’s specialties are flaming cheese, moussaka, and gyro sandwich with tzatziki sauce. It also offers low-fat and gluten-free alternatives for those vegetarians who wish to dine.
It serves breakfast and brunch on the weekends and lunch and dinner during the week. All the drinks at Athenian Restaurant are made in-house, including the Greek beers, wines, and mixed drinks available to the restaurant’s patrons over 18. There’s also a patio where you can eat and a takeout window.
The Athenian Restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere with a Greek-inspired décor of neutral-colored walls, artwork, and pendant lighting. A fireplace in the focus of the dining room gives additional warmth and relaxation. Also contributing to a fantastic experience in this place is the friendly and attentive staff.
This restaurant is worth visiting if you love or want to try Greek dishes in Greek-inspired settings!
4. Golden Saigon
2648 S Parker Rd #2, Aurora, CO 80014 | Vegetarian, Asian, Vietnamese Cuisines | $11 – $30 | Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Golden Saigon is a family-friendly Vietnamese restaurant with leather booths, wood walls, vintage light fixtures, and ceiling vegetation.
It is in the East Ridge Ptarmigan Park district and delivers the purest and most authentic Vietnamese cuisine and beverages with friendly and helpful service.
Besides the Vietnamese cuisines, you can also find Asian specialties at Golden Saigon Restaurant, a relaxed hangout. The restaurant has ensured a healthy environment for more than 20 years.
Golden Saigon Restaurant’s Vietnamese food is a fusion of rich and delicate flavors sure to please even the most discerning palate. The restaurant’s list includes new options if you wish to eat healthily.
This restaurant has a full bar where you can get a drink for your meal. Guests of all ages are welcome at this eatery, including children. The dining space of Golden Saigon Restaurant is spacious, making it simple to accommodate big groups.
The Vietnamese Iced Coffee from Golden Saigon, a delicious dark roast mixed with rich condensed milk, will quickly win you over as a devotee. Chicken wings, grilled mussels, pho, curry lamb, and butter scallops are just some of the popular items on the menu.
Try the pho if you haven’t already. A 24-hour beef bone broth, this is a Vietnamese classic. You must sample this soup to realize how great it is!
The visuals at Golden Saigon are vibrant and eye-catching. It’s a pleasant restaurant with surprising warmth and a friendly environment, making it a must-stop in Aurora, Colorado.
3. Monsoon Cuisine Of India
24107 E Commons Ave, Aurora, CO 80016 | Vegetarian, Indian Cuisines | $15 – $60 | Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
One block south of Aurora’s Southlands Shopping Center and just north of Sorrel Ranch is a lively Indian restaurant. This restaurant has a full bar inside to accompany its meal.
The restaurant has earned a cult following in Aurora thanks to its authentic food, attentive service, and stylish, open setting.
The chefs use a charcoal-powered Tandoor oven at Monsoon to create flawlessly roasted dishes, bread, and stewed vegetables.
Traditional curries, tandoori specialties, naan bread, spices, kormas, vindaloos, biryani, vegan specialties, and desserts are on Monsoon Restaurant’s list. There is a full bar at Monsoon Restaurant with a wide variety of champagnes and cocktails.
Monsoon’s spicy tandoori chicken wings come with a chili garlic-lime sauce. Try their yellow lentils sautéed with onions, garlic, ginger, roast cumin, and butter.
Don’t forget the kheer, an Indian rice pudding made with nuts such as almonds, pistachios, and coconut cream.
Those who enjoy spicy food should try the Vindaloo. It is a classic curry made with potato, lime, garlic, and hundreds of spices in a rich, spicy sauce.
If you want to eat something different, Monsoon is the place to go. Expect only authentic Indian cuisines made from organic ingredients and no preservatives in this restaurant. Quality meals are sure in a visit to this cutting-edge restaurant!
2. Sam’s No. 3 Aurora
2580 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014 | Diner, American, Southwestern, Mexican Cuisines | $15 – $45 | 7:00 am – 2:00 pm daily
Sam Armatas, the original owner of Sam’s No. 3, opened the restaurant’s first branch in Denver in 1927. In 1998, Sam’s son and grandsons relaunched the restaurant, which currently has three locations, including one in Aurora. Sam’s is one of Colorado’s top diners even featured in an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
The restaurant’s menu contains Mexican specialties. It includes Tex Mex beef, pig chili, topped cheese, hot dogs, and classics like Greek salad and American burgers.
More than a hundred meals are accessible on the extensive American diner menu at Sam’s No 3. Additionally, they serve a variety of cocktails, beers, wines, and seasonal beverages.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with many options, such as substantial breakfast burritos, potato stackers, and melts. To discover which dish is your favorite, all you need to do is come back often.
It’s worth it to try their breakfast burrito, the omelet in Greek style, biscuits and gravy, and French toast. All of the focal dishes and side dishes are large and packed with flavor.
If you go to this restaurant, arrive hungry or buy a to-go box, because the portions are enormous and the food is delicious. The staff is accommodating and pleasant in serving the meal.
This location is also ideal for those who enjoy a drink or two. Bourbon, whiskey, vodka, tequila, and beer are just some of the options you have at your disposal. Other popular drinks at this bar include mules and margaritas. Their bloody mary beverage is a must-try!
1. Pearl of Siam
18660 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013 | Asian, Vegetarian, Thai Cuisines | $8 – $18 | Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
This Thai restaurant in Aurora, Colorado, was started by sisters who originated in Bangkok. After seeing their family prepare delicious, traditional Thai food, they were urged to build the restaurant.
You can find Aurora’s best Thai food at this restaurant. Thanks to its top-notch service, diverse menu, and several previous customers who say it’s the most ok Thai food. It’s hard to go wrong ordering something sweet, sour, and spicy from the menu at the establishment.
Dine-ins and takeouts alike will enjoy the relaxed and welcoming ambiance, quick service, and tasty lunch specials. Thai food is spicy, but Pearl of Siam lets guests choose their heat level.
Traditional Thai culture is known for its warm welcomes and mouthwatering cuisine. If you visit this restaurant, you’ll get a taste of Thai cuisine that’s both healthful and delicious. To retain their benefits, fresh and locally sourced ingredients are used and cooked rapidly for the dishes of restaurants.
The restaurant applies only the freshest ingredients in its Thai dishes, which are tested carefully in the kitchen. Some of these foods are spicy, mainly if they include hot peppers or curry. The chef can serve you mild Thai food if you’re sensitive to heat.
At Pearl of Siam, you can encounter service like no other. The staff will accommodate any preference that you might have and make you comfortable while dining. The restaurant is excellent for a family getaway, and everyone will love the food and relaxed atmosphere of the place.
Aurora restaurants rival any major city in the state. We are confident you’ll have the best dining experience when you’re here!
You can choose from a basic American diner, an authentic Thai restaurant, and a German buffet. With this list, you can spend your trip discovering a wide variety of cuisine in the city’s top restaurants.
Up next: 20+ Colorado Mountain Towns That Are Too Cute To Pass Up
