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    Buckhorn Exchange

    3.5 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Buckhorn Exchange Photos

    BUCKHORN EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Buckhorn Exchange

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    Reviews With Photos

    Upstairs gun rack
    Mike S.

    So me and the wife heard about this place. So we decided to give it a try. So glad we did the building is amazing so old and got so much character. You walk in there are taxidermy animals everywhere. The staff is so friendly and helpful. Our waitress was amazing and the food was amazing as well. There is so much history in that building and antiques all over it's so awesome just to walk around it has two floors and you need to check everything out. We had the special which was a ribeye and it was delicious. Highly recommend this place if you're in Denver! We definitely will be back. Cheers

    Ann C.

    Many years ago I ate here with friends and it was an adventure trying out different game meats I otherwise never encountered surrounded by ancient (and admittedly somewhat alarming) taxidermy. It was a fond memory and unforgettable experience. Literally decades later, I was back in Denver for a conference with a friend who became enthralled with my description of the Buckhorn Exchange. I was happy enough to let memories lie, but she very much wanted to try it. I had no objections so we went. It was a mistake. I should've left my memories of this institutional restaurant as they were, bathed in the golden light of memory, where my recollections were positive and infused with the unique tastiness of bison and pheasant. My friend and I ordered the combo platter of elk and bison, both of us requesting medium rare. The combo came with a navy bean and ham soup. The soup was mediocre and bland. The meat came out medium well to mostly well done, resulting in both cuts being extremely chewy, dry, and tasteless. It was a busy night, so when the entrées came out and even though we discovered the meat had been overcooked on first cut, we were unable to flag down our friendly but overwhelmed server. Starved, we ate what we could alongside the over cooked vegetables which tasted like they came out of the freezer in a bag. When the server finally checked in with us, we had eaten half of the meat. It had literally been almost an hour since we had sat down so while she offered to go back and tell the kitchen, we declined. The server, seeing how overcooked the meat was, then offered to comp us dessert. Up shot: this is undoubtedly, an iconic restaurant in the Denver area, serving a distinctly unique menu and opportunity to taste different game. I was happy to see that the restaurant is still around. However, I should've let my memories stay as they were, and not returned. The meal was a huge disappointment, and outrageously overpriced for the quality. The server was wonderful and friendly, but absolutely overwhelmed with the number of tables and impossible to flag down when we realized our meat had been overcooked not just by little but a lot. The ambience remains unchanged. Not a surprise since that is part of its charm: well over 100 stuffed animal, heads and full animals posted throughout the restaurant, making for a distinct interior that is unforgettable. Servers are well-versed in the history of the establishment and easily share the colorful tales of how the restaurant came to be. So if you have money to burn, or you really want to try different sorts of game and want the distinct experience of eating at this unusual restaurant, it's worth visiting. Just make sure you check the meat as soon as it comes out, and are not as overly polite as my friend and I were in taking pity on the server, waiting too many tables and not checking in on us. The appetizers and desserts are okay but not worth the trip. Wishing the owners well and rooting for the Buckhorn to still be there next time I'm back in Denver (but I won't be returning).

    Juliette H.

    Buckhorn Exchange is Denver's oldest eatery; this world famous steakhouse opened its doors in 1893. Buckhorn is a Denver staple and a great spot for anyone traveling in. The walls are covered with so much history you can spend hours looking around! If it's your first time, try a mix of classic game meat our waiter Daniel provided exquisite service and was helpful navigating us through the menu and offering suggestions for selections. Definitely a cool spot for locals and a great spot to experience while you're in Denver!

    Rocky Mountain Oysters
    Michelle N.

    Overall rating: 3.5/5 Buckhorn Exchange is one of those unique places you have to check out if you're visiting Denver for the first time. You won't have trouble finding parking as there's a lot right next to the restaurant. This restaurant is basically its own historical museum filled with so many taxidermies of hunting animals. You are welcome to walk around the first and second floors after being seated and getting your order taken. Restrooms are available on both floors and were clean. You can make reservations but they also take walk-ins. The workers and servers were really friendly, attentive, and informative about telling us the history of Denver's oldest restaurant. Known for their unique animal meat dishes, we ordered: -Rocky mountain oysters (5/5): since it's fried, it was really crispy and good. Being what it is, it did not have any gamey taste. Comes with horseradish and cocktail sauces. -Combo meat plates that had: 1. elk (3.5/5): meat was tender and sweet but a bit gamey taste. 2. Lamb (4/5): flavored really nicely with herbs but also had a gamey aftertaste. 3. Cornish game hen (3/5): not my most favorite, tasted like chicken but meat was a bit tougher The soup and salads with garlic mash potatoes were good and are options you can pick from for the meat combo plates. I loved that you can customize your meat plate if there were meat choices you wanted to try but was not on the menu. Unfortunately, the meats were a bit too gamey for my preference. Overall, I would recommend coming at least once for the experience but afterwards, maybe better to check out other food spots in Denver.

    inside
    Joann S.

    Rocky mountain oysters are bull testicles yall.. I had no idea 5/5 though elk was too dry buffalo tenderloin was pretty good, comparable to a steak. a little gamier.

    Rocky Mountain Oysters, Smoked Buffalo Sausage and Fried Artichoke Hearts with a variety of yummy dips-so delicious!
    Vilma S.

    Love Buckhorn Exchange and brought my family and brother-in-law (he is from the Canary Islands, Spain) and first time visiting the States. Made the reservation on Open Table and we came in for drinks and appetizers and were immediately seated in a cozy corner with a huge Buffalo Head above us and Buffalo Bill portraits. Our server was very professional, attentive and efficient. We ordered the Rocky Mountain Oysters, Smoked Buffalo Sausage and Fried Artichoke Hearts with a variety of yummy dips. Everything was well-prepared and delicious! My brother-in-law was in awe of the restaurant, the history, the decor and thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and loved everything about it just as we did! Thanks again to the entire staff for such a wonderful experience!

    The big steak
    Justin J.

    I've eaten at a lot of steakhouses and plenty in this price range. Buckhorn Exchange is not great. Started at the bar while waiting for our table (got there well in advance of our reservation) and it was very slow to get helped even with only 2 other customers there, and when the table was ready and it was time to cash out - and I had asked for the check before being told the table was ready - it took some time. Also noted that previous signed checks were sitting on the bar like the bartender didn't care. Server for the table was friendly and that was nice. Bread and the appetizer were tasty, but the sirloin game tips was like a stew and I was hoping it would be like grilled meat and separate, my hope was to taste the differences between the meats and I couldn't. It was still good. Did The Big Steak and it was a disaster. Was told to expect 30 minutes but it kept dragging out. Steak was ordered medium rare and about half of the inside was effectively raw. There was a crust on it but it was burnt. The steam was a NY strip but it was extremely tough. Just not a great steak. Garlic mashed potatoes were good, baked beans were very bland. Grilled veggies were flavorless like they were just pulled from a freezer and steamed. Again, service was friendly and attentive. But the meal itself was extremely lacking. The ambience and the coolness of coming to the oldest restaurant in CO raise Buckhorn up quite a bit, that was definitely neat! But I have had much better steaks for this price, and Denver is home of some amazing steaks. J.Ja

    Having lived in Denver for the past 8 years, Buckhorn Exchange has been on our list to try but the 1 star reviews have kept us from going. That changed when our neighbors said they too wanted to go and we needed to look past the 1 stars and look at all the 5 stars. We arrived on time for our reservation which we made on the earlier side hoping to beat the rush and we were immediately sat down in the upstairs area toward the back of the restaurant. The decor was what their website and all the pictures posted on review sites show. Very interesting history and taxidermy fill the walls, ceilings and floors. I find this stuff interesting so I loved it. Dan our server was friendly and attentive but not over attentive . Bread was tasty, but the appetizers were not. We got the Fried Artichoke Hearts which were deep fried dough balls with very little artichoke, the dipping sauce made them edible. Second app was the Smoked Buffalo Sausage which was tasty and the mustard enhanced the flavor nicely. The polenta that came with the sausage was a hard pass. We chose to "upgrade" our salads (garden salad is included with meal) to Caesar Salads and they had great flavor, nice touch asking if we wanted white anchovies on top. 7.50 for the Caesar Salad upgrade. For entrées 2 of us had the Buffalo/Elk combos, 4oz medallion of each meat ordered medium rare, they came out medium+ and a little crusty/chewy. Garlic mashed potatoes were good. "Grilled" veggies were flavorless and more steamed than grilled. The others got the Buffalo Prime Rib and the NY Strip, both 12oz and were cooked correctly, both liked their meals but the meal in totality was extremely lacking. I've eaten at many pricey steakhouses and don't mind those high prices if the meal is great. Buckhorn Exchange is not great and not worth the 500.00 for 4 people. Would we go back, maybe, but it would be for a beer and to look at more of the history. Food would not happen.

    Entrance
    Marcus C.

    This is an incredibly unique restaurant that has been around over 100 years. Not only was the food good, but the experience was very cool. There were over 150 taxidermied displays throughout the restaurant, as well as gun displays. Once I got my drink I walked around the entire restaurant to take it all in. The servers were extremely knowledgeable, gave great recommendations, and had a ton of great facts about the place. I got the elk and buffalo combo, buffalo sausage, bean and ham soup and a classic old fashioned. I was the first customer in the restaurant and my food was cooked to perfection. Its a cool spot that should be on your list if you're in the area.

    Fried Artichoke Hearts
    Cher C.

    Interesting interior, friendly service, mediocre food. The nice thing is that you can pretty much make your own combination plates so you can try what you want. We opted for the elk and buffalo which happened to be a special; was not a fan of the sauce and the pepper seasoning. Seasoning was also an additional $2. Duck wings were also on special and were probably the best part of the meal. Not from around here so won't be coming back on future visits to the area, but still glad to say we've been to the oldest restaurant in Denver.

    Rocky Mountain Oysters
    Gustavo F.

    The service was excellent and the ambiance was exactly what we expected from a historic restaurant that serves wild game as a staple on its menu, loved the restaurant and its ambience. The problem was the quality of the food and its price. The Rocky Mountain oysters were excellent, served hot and fresh!! The navy bean soup was average in flavor. The lamb chops were very good, but probably 30% more expensive than a comparable chop at a steakhouse. The elk and bison combo wasn't well seasoned, the food was served cold and the attention to details and flavors didn't justify the prices. All in all the restaurant is a one off, put a check mark next to the name and move on to better food at better prices.

    Vivian F.

    The food was really good but it was a little pricey. The staff was very friendly. Atmosphere is casual.

    Inside
    Sara K.

    Oldest restaurant in Colorado and quite the experience! Had to try the Rocky Mountain oysters (aka bulls testicles) which I didn't expect to be good, but they were definitely not bad! Also got to try a few different type of game meat: Colorado lamb chop, elk with berry sauce and bison. All were delicious and surprisingly not gamey. The only miss was the pie a la mode which was just blah. The whole restaurant was adorned with dead animals that apparently are a part of history... something about Teddy Roosevelt... google it. We were seated upstairs but the downstairs did seem cooler. Overall cool experience to take in a little Colorado history!

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    Page 1 of 33

    Ask the Community - Buckhorn Exchange

    Do they have any parking?

    Street parking and they also have a private parking lot next to the restaurant.

    Upstairs or downstairs?

    Upstairs ! Awesome bar and haunted bathroom.

    Do they have a Kids menu?

    Yes

    Are there burgers on the menu for supper time?

    Yes, but only buffalo I believe

    Are there any vegetarian options?

    This is a continously operated restaurant since the 19th century. It is known for its steaks, game meat, exotic meat offerings. It has been several years since I was there. Checking the current meno there is a bean soup, and mushroom burger… Read more

    Do they serve dinner menu during happy hour or it's only starting at 5?

    Only at 5

    View All 7 Questions

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    4.8(87 reviews)
    1.8 miNorthwest, Highland

    Wow. Seriously wow. I've never said this before, but if there was a 6 star option on Yelp,…read moreMezcaleria Alma would get it. Everything is perfection from the delicious food, the outstanding service, and the beautiful decor. I know this sounds like hyperbole but dining here was an experience I'll never forget. Let's start with the food. Everything was perfection. Our favorite was the aguachile de erizo (scallops and uni). The Santa Barbara uni is to die for. I'm not even a fan of uni nor scallops but the dish was so good especially with the aguachile. Do not skip that dish especially if you like a little bit of spicy. The Tostada del Toro was next up. This is the dish that everyone gets here and for good reason. First off, look at all those chives. The tostada shell was amazing with a nice charred taste to it and the aged toro (aged 3-6 days) was so flavorful and melted in the mouth. The burrata con huitlacoche was the most unique burrata dish I have ever had. The combination of the toasted bread, savory burrata, sweet nut crunch, and the unique taste of huitlacoche (Mexican caviar) was so well-done and just all fit so well together. Last but not least, the tres leches. Hands down, the best dessert I have ever had. Not too sweet and just heavenly. Do not skip this. I'm pretty sure I said "wow" after every bite. Second, drinks. I love mezcal. If you are a fan of mezcal or tequila, this place is a must go. I was given a free birthday shot with a side of crickets (I hate bugs but try it, it's actually really good), orange, and wormsalt. We got the Stinger and Colada. I was warned that the Stinger is a love it or hate it drink. I personally enjoyed it but it is very in your face with the herbal taste. The Colada is much easier. Last but not least, the service. Jorge, the sous chef, deserves 6 stars alone. He really elevated our experience which was already great to next level. He took care of us professionally while also being very personable. I would highly recommend getting a seat at the chef's table if you can. If you are celebrating an occasion, trying to impress a date, or just want a phenomenal meal, I can't recommend Mezcaleria Alma enough. I'll be back soon!

    This spot is small and intimate with only a few tables, and the vibes were great…read more Feels lively but still cozy. Service was amazing. Super attentive, checking in often without being too much. 9.5/10. The loud music makes it tough to hear other tables, but since the seating is close and intimate, you can still easily hear the people you're with, which I actually liked. Food was elevated across the board. The tostada de toro was the standout. So fresh, perfectly balanced, creamy from the avocado with a nice crunch from the shell and sesame seeds. 9.5/10. Everything else was solid and flavorful, just not as memorable. Around 7.5/10 across those dishes. Drinks were good too. The daiquiri had a fun bubble gum flavor that I actually liked. 8/10. The corn sour was interesting with the mezcal base and surprisingly worked. 7/10. Loved that the drinks were strong. Overall, a really solid Michelin experience with great vibes and standout bites.

    Photos
    Mezcaleria Alma - Liquor wall

    Liquor wall

    Mezcaleria Alma - Pescadilla De Marlin

    Pescadilla De Marlin

    Mezcaleria Alma - Mezcal

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    Mezcal

    Cask and Craft

    Cask and Craft

    4.9(42 reviews)
    2.5 miNorthwest
    $$

    In the middle of all the craziness with COVID-19 I decided to do a beer and cookie pairing to keep…read moremy occupied and sane. I've been staying at home, but was out of some of the beer I wanted to use. I went out for another errand and happened to pass by Cask and Craft. Hmmm...this sounds interesting. Plus it's a local shop, and I'm all about supporting local, particularly during this time. I pulled up Cask and Craft's website and was super happy to see the list of precautions they are taking to keep their customers safe. Some of these precautions include only 2 people in the shop at a time, use provided hand sanitizer when you enter, and even curbside pick up/delivery. Since I was sitting in front of the store, I figured I'd just go in, get what I needed, and quickly head home. I was greeted and asked to use the hand sanitizer upon entering - yes, thank you. I then explained from a distance that I was looking for a dark beer, preferably a stout. I was escorted to the back of the store and shown the fridge with all the dark beer. WOW! big selection. I had the choice of 6 packs, 4 packs, or mix and match. This was perfect for me because I needed 5 beers. I ended up selecting Jackie O's Java the Stout. When I brought up my 5 pack, the owner told me it was a great beer (one of his favorite dark beers) and that it was a solid choice. He was not wrong. This beer is awesome, and paired so well with my peanut butter cookie pairing. So good. I will definitely be back to Cask and Craft. Their shop is filled with all different types of wine, liquor, and beer. It's organized so nicely, and the shop itself has this comforting vibe when you walk in. I'm so appreciative of everything they are doing to keep customers safe and for the recommendations they give.

    This store is located next to the Italian restaurant we went to eat. The staff named BB King made…read moreme feel like home. Watch out! I'll bring my pillow next time! The store staff practices social distancing and makes sure all customers use fh sanitizer provided at the entrance. Awesome! Never ever shop and touch anything with unsanitized hands. The store is immaculate and organized! I got two bottles as a gift to Hubby's niece.

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    Cask and Craft
    Cask and Craft
    Cask and Craft

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    Buckhorn Exchange - steak - Updated May 2026

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