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Denver, CO

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The Universal

4.1 (777 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

The Universal Photos

THE UNIVERSAL ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - The Universal

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Reviews With Photos

The Universal, subbed potatoes for salad, side of pork green chili.
Taylor L.

Delicious. Excellent. Really great staff, friendly and accommodating. We sat on the patio which had full umbrella coverage, so we got the nice outside weather without the sun cooking us. I was stuck between biscuits with pork gravy and the pork green chili, so our server suggested a side of the pork green chili by itself. Best of both worlds. They were both really good. Nice coffee as well.

Bloody Mary
Sarah C.

Went here for brunch! Ordered their loaded Bloody Mary and it was delicious! They don't skimp on the booze either! I forgot to take pictures of their food but it all was delicious too! Our server was kind and attentive! The restaurant itself is super cute and cozy!

Blueberry Or Banana Walnut Pancakes
Adrienne E.

Solid spot to grab breakfast or brunch! They have a wide variety of tasty menu items, and have options for the vegan, vegetarian, or carnivore crown. Service is very friendly, and parking is easy. I've brought multiple visitors here, and everybody has always enjoyed their meal. My favorite thing to order here are the cornbread rancheros - they are so good! The pancakes are also good, and huge! One thing to note is that there is an upcharge if you want real maple syrup with your pancakes.

Tree O.

Ate here many years ago and all I remembered was that the biscuits were good. My memory was correct! Beverages and food were served promptly but we hardly saw our server after he brought our food: no coffee refills or check back to see if we needed anything. I'm still giving a 5-star rating because the food was so good. I only ordered a standard breakfast, but the eggs, bacon and potatoes were all cooked perfectly and I could eat several of those biscuits. I'll try not to wait so long again to return.

Custard toast
Gaston N.

I really enjoyed the selection of here... the pork green chili and grits had some good heat but a good taste as well. The custard toast was something different than the usual and really good, which is what I like in a restaurant especially for breakfast. The people behind the bar were nice and made a nice seasonal coffee drink. Worth checking out.

Olesya P.

Came here for breakfast. I would say it is a diner but a little nicer than a regular diner. Service was great, much better than in most places in Denver. I wasn't a fun of the seats because they were too hard. Otherwise place is clean and appealing, The menu is pretty large and has lots of selections and reasonably priced. I think it was the cheapest meal we had in Denver and it was also high quality and tasty. I had quinoa ball that was unique and filling. My husband had breakfast plate with eggs and meat patty. Meat patty was actually made of real meat and not some processed food. Definitely recommend.

Biscuits And Gravy 2 overeasy eggs
Katherine H.

The food was great. My husband liked the Arnold Palmer. A cute little hole in the wall place.

U Breakfast Burrito
Stefanie C.

Holy crap. One of the best breakfast burritos I've had in Denver. The Universal isn't a massive restaurant, and it gets busy, so if you're going to walk in for brunch like me and my two friends did on a Sunday morning, I'd recommend arriving early, especially to find parking. We were eventually seated at the bar in some corner seats. The U Breakfast Burrito ($15) has jalapeño, cheddar and pepper jack grits, pulled pork, eggs, and habanero honey, smothered with pulled pork green chili and cilantro. OMG! It's huge, packed with flavor, and fresh. I didn't get a chance to try their Bloody Mary but definitely will next time. Service was quick. Would come back and get another burrito.

The universal with drooling food hanger steak
Natalia N.

I don't know what I was thinking with the last review. This is by far our favorite brunch spot in Denver BY FaR. In a world where people are more focused on health this is the perfect balance of diner meets quality. Where you can have amazing tasting dishes but not feel like you're rolling out the door. If you're in DENVeR don't think twice!

Grit special

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3 years ago

Great food. Their menu has a wide selection. Great neighborhood place. It wasn't busy on Super Bowl Sunday so it was easy to get in and out.

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Page 4 of 20

The Universal Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Universal

Is the patio dog friendly?

Unfortunately it is not, however, you can tie the pup up out front. They have a bowl for water out :)… 

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4.0(767 reviews)
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The family brunch I organized here is one of my favorite family memories. I made a reservation on…read moreOpenTable, and I ended up needing to increase the number of people to 8 a few days before the reservation. Accommodating our party was no problem. My mom, who usually scoffs at fancy restaurants and their fancy prices, absolutely loved her $10 ginger sunrise juice drink (I made her get it) and said that her sweet corn eggs benedict ($19) was one of the best things she's ever eaten. Our server Julie did an amazing job taking care of our party, some of whom arrived on time and some of whom didn't. The 20% large party gratuity was well-earned. I loved that the restaurant being connected to the hotel meant that the lobby was a beautiful space for those of us who got there early to gather and for us to all chat before we went our separate ways. Many of us were enthralled by the Moët & Chandon vending machine in the lobby, as well as the super cool "fire in a glass box" art piece. I had the $19 chicken philly skillet, which was tasty, but my family members who got the $29 steak and eggs knew what they were doing. My husband, who is incredibly picky about bacon, thought his $6 side of bacon with his $18 buttermilk pancakes was perfectly cooked and not overly seasoned. Thinking about this family meal makes my heart smile. Thanks to the Corinne staff for making it delightful.

This is a fine spot in a hotel downtown, sure, but yikes the pricing was totally out of control!!!…read more Brunch, you know simple cheap stuff like eggs and potatoes, was $130 for TWO people. I don't think I've ever spent more on brunch in my life. Yeah, we got a couple drinks, too. Thank goodness it was my partner's bday and we got the dessert for free. A fine place, but be ready to thin your wallet if you choose it! I wouldn't go again for that reason. I'd find another brunch spot where I can spend $100 or less. Which is still A TON for brunch!!! Restaurants complain so much about business, but then price it to the point where they get less business. What's gotta give? Hotels have the luxury of being more expensive since they have people staying & paying on the company dollar. But, I didn't pick the spot, and I got a bougiea$$ partner! Lol.

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Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps - Left overs!

Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps

3.5(112 reviews)
2.4 mi•CBD, Central Business District, Northwest
•$$

Great spot to grab dinner and a drink when in town. Stopped…read morein here dinner as it's conveniently close to the convention center. The staff was super friendly and helpful despite being overwhelmed by a very large party while I was there. They take their time making the drink because they clearly want you to enjoy them. The Mac and cheese was some of the best I've had at a restaurant. I really enjoyed the lollipop chicken. Not overcooked and sauced nicely. It seems like it could be a quiet spot for a meal and/or cocktail whenever there is not a convention in town.

During the last few Denver Restaurant Week events, I've tried to take the offerings as an…read moreopportunity to sample restaurants that I haven't tried, or otherwise may not try, and see if I can add to my list of favorites. I saw Former Saint on CBS News, and the menu and food looked incredible. In particular, that white chocolate blueberry cheesecake was something I know my hubby would look forward to all week! I loved the idea of local food and fresh homemade dishes. Sounds healthy, after a week of potential over-indulgence at other restaurant week venues. An additional bonus was that it is located right near the Denver Convention Center and the Performing Arts Center. This has become a dry spot for fine dining, with even the choices on Larimer Square growing more thin, giving rise to the inability to get reservations at favorites like Tamayo and Rioja prior to a show. I go to performances frequently with friends, and despite my rule to avoid hotel restaurants (Former Saint is in the Hyatt Regency), I thought I'd scope out Former Saint as a place to take my friends before the next symphony or Children's Chorale or ballet or broadway performance. I must say, the jury is still out. Former Saint was a Jekyll and Hyde of courses. Parking was not difficult (Yay, maybe I can park here prior to my shows, if I grab a bite first). There is a large garage, and the promise of validation from the restaurant. The ambiance of the restaurant is typical hotel restaurant. Booths, tables, old and a bit drab. Except for the bar. Oh, my! The bar has this BEAUTIFUL copper creation above it, adding so much industrial character to the space! I was in awe looking at it, as it appeared to bring craft suds to the bartender's taps. I didn't ask how it worked, as it wasn't clear how the beer separation and dispensing worked, but it was a great centerpiece and spectacle for the place. I do wish I had investigated more about this architectural marvel, and will do so if I return. For restaurant week, my husband chose the Lobster Ravioli, Ribeye, and blueberry cheesecake (as predicted). I chose the Gotham salad, roasted chicken, and key lime tart. The lobster ravioli was nice; my husband was surprised that it was a toasted ravioli, but enjoyed it. My salad was full of beautiful greens, pears, walnuts, and feta. No scrimping here! The dressing was light and sweet/sour. The pears were a bit unripe and crisp, to the point that I was having trouble identifying exactly what fruit I was eating, but other than that, the salad was beautiful, healthy, and ample. My husband's ribeye steak was a nice cut, done to his liking. Slivered hash browns were underneath with a nice green chimichurri on top and some sliced Fresnos adding a welcome kick to the dish. My chicken was delightful. 1/2 chicken on the bone, seasoned nicely, and with a pan sauce. The breast was super-tender and delicious. It came atop cheesy grits, which was a yummy substitute for a mashed potato. I also was served side salad of curly lettuce and fennel. I probably didn't need more salad, but I was glad to have the healthy side on my plate. I will say that this salad was over-seasoned. The chicken and grits were great, but the salad too salty. My husband ordered a glass of J. Lohr Cabernet, which was a very nice find on the wine list, as far as a pairing for his ribeye. That said, the glass cost $30! A bit much, I might say. The real detractor, unfortunately, was dessert. The blueberry cheesecake looked nothing like the beautiful creamy white cheesecake accented throughout by purple blueberries, which I saw on the CBS News clip. My husband was served a very small solid purple slice, overcome with whipped cream dollops. This cheesecake had been uncovered in the fridge too long, with sort of a skin on it. My husband ate almost none of it. My key lime tart was similarly over-adorned with whipped cream, although I had some nice raspberries on top. The tart also seemed overexposed to the cool air, with the thickening of a skin on top. It was a very disappointing way to end a nice meal, and belied the healthy, homemade, craft theme. High points of this experience include the well-crafted and healthy entrees, the fact that we could see the convention center right outside our window (i.e., the location is perfect for pre-event or -theater), the $3.00 validated parking fee, and that beautiful copper tap system. Will the pros outweigh the cons? Will we be back with friends? Time will tell.

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The Delectable Egg-Denver - Crepes with a side of cinnamon apples

The Delectable Egg-Denver

4.2(859 reviews)
1.9 mi•Lodo, Northwest
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The food, the service, the atmosphere was amazing! Portions were great. Our server was very…read moreattentive and knowledgeable. I am already recommending this place to others who live in the area. You will not be disappointed! I had the Huevos Rancheros with a side of Brioche French Toast and my friend had the Denver omelet with a side of their green chili sauce. Phenomenal. I did not think I was that hungry and crushed it all! We both recommended the potatoes vs the hash browns. Sorry, no pictures as I ate it too quickly.

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Death & Co - Spinach and artichoke dip

Death & Co

4.2(559 reviews)
2.1 mi•Five Points, Northwest
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A trip to Denver with a stay at Ramble Hotel made it an absolute no brainer to visit Death & Co. my…read morewife and I are huge fans of cocktails and with all the acclaim Death & Co. has we knew it would be great. That certainly held true. Ramble helped us set up a reservation which was great because every time we went through the lobby/Death & Co. it was busy. Our first experience here was room service getting their Drunkin Cookies and wow these were delicious and the perfect end to our first night. Now onto our full experience here. The entire area is beautifully designed and feels like a high-end cocktail bar without being pretentious. Every member of staff we interacted with were phenomenal as well and even with shift changes/breaks for members of staff they kept our experience running smoothly! They also wanted to make sure us as well as other parties knew us enjoyed their cocktails they ordered and would change them out if that was not the case (which did happen to a table next to us). Really a text book example of what you want from service! Cocktail wise my wife and I knew we needed to sample more than one each. Some more traditional offerings but a lot of unique drinks on their menu. I first tried Ghost Machine, imagine a spicy cocktail mixed with a refreshing watermelon to bring you that relief, excellent! Firstly my wife had Emerald Grove (Gin, Green Tea Shochu, Sweet Potato Shochu, Matcha, Coconut, Mint, Pineapple, Lemon) and liked it but was very unique as you would guess from the ingredients. She thought the mint brought a shamrock shake flavor to it. Secondly I had a bartender riff on a paper plane which was great as well. Lastly my wife secondly had Paradise Falls which she needed to try since it had a blueberry foam. Again, a unique but delicious drink. You could taste the high quality put into the ingredients used and time spent coming up with the drinks! Absolutely top-notch experience with Death & Co!

Just updating that I still find this place to be great even while not imbibing in alcohol. I tried…read morea NA wine and cocktail and both were delicious. I love the decor and vines of their lovely bar and lobby. I wanted to shout out how spectacular their service is though. Not only was my waitress

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Fox And The Hen - Rhubarb French Toast

Fox And The Hen

4.4(429 reviews)
0.7 mi•Northwest, Highland
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Great food! Decent portion size for they price although it would've been nice to have a 1or 2 tacos…read moreoption with a side. The blueberry mint lemonade tasted neither of blueberry nor mint. Our server was knowledgeable and I was easily able to make my meal gluten free. It was very loud inside and we could barely hear each other. It may have been less loud outside. There is also a time limit on the table which we weren't informed about when seated and once told we felt rushed.

I have successfully dined here now 2/3 attempts. The first attempt was on a weekend. The 2 hour…read morewait exceeded their remaining business hours! A valuable lesson about not showing up hungry during peak business hours was learned, so the next two visits worked out much better. My daughter and I wanted to share a couple of things and asked the server if she thought it was weird if we ordered the stuffed French toast and the tuna melt from the Fancy Toast menu. Dumb question of course to which she responded if you think it sounds good go for it. Indeed we did; and the tuna melt was the star of the show! As much as I felt compelled to order the same thing on my 2nd visit, I asked the server if I should try the honey smoked salmon instead. She said they are both very good but she personally favors the tuna! It was early and she did say that with the eggs it was more breakfasty. I gave the salmon a chance, and enjoyed it very much. I am still thinking about the tuna melt though so next time I have to have it! On the second visit, from the For the Homies Menu we also tried the Spicy Egg Salad on Crispy Potato and the Sausage Roll and Spicy Maple. For $3 a piece why not? Other things you should know--this place is cute, cozy, tiny and LOUD inside but if the weather is nice there is a patio where you can more easily converse and double fist your coffee and Good Morning Rita. When the stars align again, I'll be back!

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The Universal - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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