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    Root Down DIA

    4.3 (2.5k reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Root Down DIA Photos

    ROOT DOWN DIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Root Down DIA

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    Maricris R.

    I love that even with the place so crowded and full of guests, I got seated so fast! I love the business class like ergonomic tables for one, theres a space thought of for suitcases and that was pretty cool! Service was fast and friendly, got my Moroccan Salmon bowl and the garlic taste was so fulfilling! Love the plate, it was fantastic and the only thing missing was no one offered a drink / like isn't that from the start? I waved at a helpful random server for water... I could have ordered something else but I understand they can forget to ask. It was great food, great view and ambiance and my palate was satisfied! Thank you for an awesome dinner! Great job team!

    Inside
    Jenny Z.

    Airport food is expensive yardy know! But root down got a deliciousss yogurt parfait with blueberries, dried coconut flakes, almond butter, and creamy yogurt. I also got a side of half avocado and 2 scrambled eggs which were hearty and just what I needed :-). Service was friendly and quick to take my order. Dining in would take 10 minutes and 45 minutes to get your order which they provided this disclaimer when you were being put on the waitlist. The inside was clean with lots of seating and I really loved their menu options and variety. Would definitely want to try their goat salad, banh mi, and soups next time.

    Ramen noodle bowl with fried tofu.
    MJ K.

    Root Down is, without a doubt, the best food I've ever had in an airport. The folks at the host stand seated me quickly in a cute little table right by the front walkway--GREAT for people-watching. My server brought me water quickly, and gave me great advice to try the noodle bowl over the farro Caesar salad, despite it being the Ides of March. The kefir peanut dressing was a little spicy, perfectly balanced, and everything was obviously incredibly fresh. I don't fly through this airport often, but if I get the chance to come through C terminal again, I'll be right back at Root Down!

    Green chile breakfast burrito with faux chorizo!
    Kristana K.

    I wish there were a way to give a 3 1/2. The food was fine. The service needed some work. Very good latte and I ordered the green chili breakfast burrito with plant based chorizo and home fries. The home fries were a nice combination of purple potatoes, white ones and sweet potatoes, which were very good. The green chili was fine but nothing to write home about the restaurant is a cute place, however, they have sports playing, which is annoying something more appealing to all clientele would be preferred. The service was lacking, and although my server was very nice, she did not come back and check on me at all, and I had to flag her down for the bill.

    Outside
    Carolen M.

    We were doing a long layover at Denver Airport so we decided perhaps we should have some dinner. After looking up all the options in our area near our departure gate, we decided Root down DIA would be our choice. It's kind of in the main open area of the terminals with Southwest flights. There's a bar area and it's pretty open so it's not the quietest of areas. We were seated pretty quickly near the front. After perusing the menu which had a variety of options we decided on a Buddha bowl with crispy chicken and Banh mi turkey burger with sweet potato fries. I am so glad we got the dressing on the side as it was definitely more "spicy" for my mom who cannot handle spicy food. The bowl was very large and could easily feed 2 people. The banh mi turkey burger was surprisingly good. The fries were okay. Service was okay. Our water refill was kind of lacking. We easily paid with a credit card. Overall, it was not a bad option for dinner.

    Menu
    Charles L.

    Another excellent meal at route in the Denver airport. I had delicious Thai coconut carrot soup and then the amazing Korean barbecue duck wings. Service was slower than usual. But still a great meal at the airport.

    Breakfast burrito.
    Eman R.

    Relatively comfortable space, with good service. Unfortunately the coffee tasted strongly of soap and seems like the carafe wasn't rinsed. It was watery and bitter regardless. I had the breakfast burrito which was a mixed bag. The finger potatoes were the star. The green sauce was flavorful. The egg was a sold compressed brick. Think institutional. The chorizo was grainy and gray and just awful. Lots of better choices nearby for food.

    Water jug
    Trina W.

    If I see Root Down at an airport, my food decision is made. The fact that they have multiple solid vegan options automatically puts them at the top of my airport restaurant list. Service is perfectly paced. They're quick and efficient if you're short on time, but if you've got a longer layover, you never feel rushed or pushed out. It's a rare balance to find in an airport. Plenty of comfortable table seating, a nice bar setup, and an atmosphere that feels way more relaxed than most airport spots. This is one of those places that actually makes a layover better instead of just tolerable. Consistently a great stop at DEN.

    Kale Caesar in the front ; Thai carrot curry in the back
    Veronica Y.

    Honestly, I was so pleasantly surprised by this restaurant in the Denver Airport. Every dish they have has just a little fun and delicious twist to it. It seems like the chefs here have really put a lot of thought into the menu. The kale Caesar was so delicious and the addition of the Miso to the Caesar dressing gave it a really good umami kick. And the Thai carrot curry soup had little bits of Asian pear in it, which added both a really nice texture and a great caramelized contrast to the creamy soup. The combinations that they put together here just really work. The soup is absolutely something I'm going to be trying to recreate at home. Finally, the server we had was absolutely incredible. I cannot remember her name but we watched her sit down to chat with young children to get their orders from them, speaking to them as if they were adults. She was also just so happy and smiley, it really made a huge difference considering travel is oftentimes quite stressful.

    Inside
    Paul M.

    Farm to table fresh food at the airport?!!! Yes please!!! Was early for my flight and decided to grab lunch. Place was super busy but the service was great. Cool decor inside with a nice view of the runway (watch planes take off and land while eating). Small menu, wish they had more options. Went with the burger and sweet potato fries. All was delicious. Fresh ground beef, bacon, lettuce, and a nice sauce on a fresh pretzel bun. Would definitely come back if I wanted to grab a meal in the airport.

    Long wait
    Cathy C.

    Yelp Review 2025 #224: I used to fly to Denver a lot a few years ago and I remember Root Down was my go-to spot for a meal before a flight from DIA. I cannot remember what I used to order here but I remember liking this place. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I ate here during a layover. And it's not like what I remember. I got pork carnitas and a pineapple drink. The carnitas were not great flavor-wise and the seeds from the chili didn't leave a good mouthfeel. The drink tasted salty. The service was great though. Friendly, and attentive. I mean, it's better than fast food. Still a casual place.

    afternoon menu
    Mike D.

    What a pleasant, delicious, eclectic gem in concourse C. I'm so glad I was able to stop in at Rootdown! The food was amazing and the service was top notch! Cammy was my server and she was knowledgeable of the menu, made great recommendations, and was so thoughtful. I can't say enough about her service! She was stellar and definitely matched the energy of the restaurant! The atmosphere is so chill. Music was a vibe and they had some vintage decoration throughout the dining area. The staff were all very pleasant and seemed to enjoy working with one another. I was able to enjoy the Pozole soup, Farro Salad and Sweet plantains. Each one was gluten free and vegetarian friendly. The soup was a bit spicy, but really good and hearty. I've never had avocado or radishes in a soup but it worked! The salad had a miso paste that lined the plate and brought a richness and fullness to every bite. The dressing had a smooth umami flavor and the fresh almonds gave the dish a crunch. The sweet plantains Forget about it! They were cooked to perfection, tender, moist, and crispy on the outside. I wanted to take some to go but I knew that I wouldn't be able to make it on the plane without dropping them. lol The only thing I didn't like about the restaurant was that I had to leave. Lol. & I wish I could have eaten more but Denver doesn't allow you to smash like you want. The elevation curbs your appetite. (Boo!) Other than that, this is a 10/10 recommend!

    Trinny T.

    I looked up a place to eat at the airport and was surprised to see how many reviews and good rating an airport restaurant has. So I must tried. The restaurant is small, in a corner and very easy to find since it is in the center. Obviously all the food here was super expensive. For two of us, we spent $150+ roughly. But also because my bf decided to get a bottle of wine $44 that would cost $10 outside. The duck wings 5/5 were phenomenal. I never had duck wings in this case before. 6 pcs for $24 though. But they were in a Korean fried style with soy sauce and super crispy. Shoyu ramen 3/5 had way too much ginger though. The broth was fantastic and on point. It was rich and herby. I wish they took all the ginger pieces out. I couldn't see ducks at all, there were barely any. There were more bacon pieces than duck pieces. The boiled egg was sweet, and sour. It was marinated in some sort of fruity way and not just soy sauce. I did like the ramen except for how little toppings there were but plenty of ginger. Service was great. My water was refilled constantly and I have no complaints.

    The Standard Breakfast with Chorizo

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    Root Down DIA - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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