Cherry Creek North has been a part of the In Good Taste Denver Team’s life well, since we were born! Over the years, it has been a place for us to shop, dine, stroll, attend festivals, go to school, judge competitions, have staycations, and even work. It holds a special place in our hearts and has grown up with us, becoming a chic, lovely, lively place to spend time. Writer Ron Stern got a chance to go exploring and gives In Good Taste Denver readers a list to follow of 15 reasons to visit Cherry Creek North.
Denver’s trendy neighborhood, Cherry Creek North (CCN), offers visitors a colorful mélange of tasty eateries, elegant boutiques, fashionable galleries and upscale accommodations. As I discovered, there are quite a few surprises within this 16-block, walkable district. In fact, with more than 300 places to shop dine and unwind, this may be one of the few better-kept secrets of the Mile High City.
Located about 3 miles from downtown Denver, CCN it is situated just north of the popular Cherry Creek Shopping Center. It is bounded by 1st and 3rd Avenues and University Boulevard to Steele Street. Between these streets lies the highest concentration of locally owned small businesses in the city. There is also ample parking available in public garages, off-street spaces, and meters.
During my multi-day staycation, I had the opportunity to overnight in most of the luxury hotels, all within just blocks of each other. Strolling the various streets during the late summer, I noticed planters overflowing with vibrant blooms of blue, pink, and violet flowers. Whimsical sculptures like children running through the landscaping were hiding in plain sight throughout the district. Early morning joggers, dog walkers, and families with strollers were enjoying the sunshine and easygoing vibe. Sidewalk coffee shops and bistros were packed with locals sharing a cup of Joe and a pastry. All this is part of the daily routine in Cherry Creek North.
15 Reasons to Visit Cherry Creek North
How many reasons are there for spending some time in this neighborhood? Here are a few of my favorites, starting with the accommodations.
Five Luxury Boutique Hotels
Amazingly, there are no less than five of these, making it easy to choose just the right one that fits your needs. Each exudes a unique ambiance and personality, a refreshing change from standard-looking hotel chain rooms. Many are also pet-friendly.
1.The Jacquard–Marriott Autograph Collection® (222 Milwaukee Street)
Named after the French merchant and weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard, he is credited with inventing the first programmable loom in the early 1800s. This transformed the fashion industry, and the property honors his legacy. Signature crisscross stitch patterns can be found throughout the interior design. Called, “The fabric that ties,” it’s what ties together the Cherry Creek community according to Director of Sales and Marketing Gary Phipps.
The hotel has a clean, European feel and the 201 guest suites are adorned with custom linens and furnishings, marble baths, and curated artwork.
The rooftop pool is a recent addition and here you can also rent a cabana while enjoying views of downtown and the Rockies. Kisbee on the Roof offers some delightful food options including cocktails, snacks and small bites.
The ground floor of the Jacquard has an excellent restaurant called “Narrative” (see below).
- Moxy Denver Cherry Creek- Marriott Bonvoy(240 Josephine Street)
Calling a stay here “Anything-but-ordinary,” the Moxy doesn’t disappoint. Rather than a traditional check-in desk, they installed a large, wooden, rectangular bar. Here you can grab a cocktail or craft beer and enjoy some American cuisine. The lobby is more like a fun, co-working space complete with an old-time photo booth and various games including shuffleboard.
The rooms are just as whimsical and reminded me of European hotels with wood floors, under-bed storage, platform beds, flush-from-the-top toilets and a minimalist design. My room had a subdued palette with pastel grey walls with brown and gold accents which was quite soothing. Fun, quirky and playful, the Moxy is a good choice for travelers seeking something a bit different.
3.Clayton Hotel and Membership Club (233 Clayton Street)
With a breezy, So Cal beach feel, The Clayton Hotel provides superb overnight accommodations in the heart of Cherry Creek North. Each room includes a Smart TV, Sierra fine Italian linens, upscale bath amenities and colorful artwork from local artists.
Each hotel guest also becomes a “member” allowing access to the co-working cafe and lounge, rooftop restaurant, library and pool bar. You can stay in shape at their 24-hour fitness center with premium exercise equipment like Peloton cycles and Life Fitness equipment. One reviewer expressed it aptly saying, “Probably one of the best boutique hotels I’ve ever stayed at. The location was incredible, felt safe…walkable and vibrant environment,” Ditto!
- Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek (245 Columbine Street)
Luxury comes in all forms and at the Halcyon, it feels like you are staying in a good friend’s house. I checked in at the “Kitchen Counter” which many consider to be the heart of any home and was offered a complimentary beverage. Indeed, right behind the counter is a high-tech espresso machine at your service 24/7.
Named after a mythical bird that could calm the seas, the feel here is similarly relaxed and informal. You can unwind near their lobby fireplace while reading a book or playing board games. Guests also have access to all sorts of outdoor equipment via a room called the “Gear Garage.” Grab a complimentary Piaggio scooter or New Belgium Cruiser Bike and explore the neighborhood or head to one of the trails along nearby Cherry Creek.
Each of the 154 contemporary-styled rooms offers plush surroundings and the latest amenities. There are two onsite restaurants: Local Jones and Rare Bird on the rooftop which has a lovely pool and view of the Rocky Mountains. In my book, the Haylcon gets top marks for its intimate feeling of down-home comfort and hospitality.
- Hotel Clio-A Luxury Collection Hotel-Marriott – 150 Clayton Lane
This was my final overnight at the Hotel Clio. Upon arrival, even the valet’s smiling welcome seemed genuine. The contemporary lobby was spacious with modern, plush seating areas and tasteful art installations. Right behind guest registration, for example, was a huge show-stopping LED screen featuring flowing vibrant colors meant to represent the rivers and landscapes of Colorado.
During check-in, I was offered a glass of sparkling rosé wine or a cool beverage prepared by their Toro Restaurant. My room was well appointed with plush bedding, an LCD flat-screen TV, premium movie channels, a marble bathroom and luxury amenities. Out my window, I took in one of Colorado’s amazing scenes as the sun lit the sky in orange and pink hues while slowly setting over the distant mountains.
Dining is available at their on-site Toro Latin Kitchen and Lounge owned by celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval. I decided to splurge on one of their desserts called UZU Coconut Cake. The ingredients for this sweet confection were coconut malibu, passion fruit, yuzu custard and mascarpone sauce–spot on for a late afternoon snack.
I give The Clio 10 out of 10 for its modernist use of space, personalized staff service, creative cuisine, and luxuriously furnished rooms.
Restaurants and Cafes
Cherry Creek North may well be Colorado’s hidden gourmet oases. Just some of the culinary cultures and traditions represented include American, English, Italian, French, Latin, and Japanese.
Here are some of my tasty finds:
- Kisbee on the Roof, The Jacquard
As the name implies, Kisbee on the Roof offers an elevated bar experience on the top of the Jacquard Hotel. Serving wine and curated cocktails, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Denver skyline. Cabana rentals are available which also allows access to their pool which almost stretches the full length of the building.
The food is excellent with some unexpected surprises. Have you ever had a lobster corn dog? Neither have I. This savory snack is a blend of shrimp and lobster meat coated with a batter, fried golden brown and served with sweet dipping sauce-absolutely delicious!
7. Narrative Storied Food and Drink, The Jacquard
Narrative seeks to tell their food story in a fun and chic atmosphere with a backdrop of hundreds of faux books. Serving up modern American fare, this is a popular spot for a local happy hour. You can choose a craft cocktail or from more than 750 bottles of wine.
I arrived just in time for lunch and tried their Brick Chicken Breast with Panzanella salad, root vegetables, and lemon-herb sauce. The meal came artfully plated and was quite satisfying. Additionally, they offer a variety of soups, salads, and hand-held sandwiches.
Nobody’s quite sure how the name came about but Denver’s first sports bar was built in 1945. The “Duffy” component came from Bernard Duffy who owned the property in the 1960s. Most of the rest of Cherry Creek grew up around them but they stayed true to their roots as a bar that also serves great hamburgers. Somehow, this earned them the reputation of being the “black sheep” of the neighborhood and that’s just the way they like it!
Under new ownership, the landmark restaurant is known simply as “The Cherry Cricket” and is still serving up some of the city’s best burgers winning most of the awards in the annual Denver Burger Battle. I tried several but my recommendation is to go with “The People’s Choice” winner called the Cricket Royale. Oh my goodness! Combining five proprietary cuts of meat, they smother the whole thing with aged Swiss cheese and roasted garlic onion jam and serve it on a pretzel bun. Pair this with their cool Somoa boozy cocktail prepared with coconut rum, caramel, Ghirardelli® chocolate, and toasted coconut–culinary perfection!
- Forget Me Not, 222 Clayton St.
At dusk, I was lured by the sound of music and a buzz of activity in a little courtyard adjacent to the Hotel Clayton. Called Forget Me Not, the space was bustling with cheerful patrons savoring premium craft cocktails and delectable small plates.
Popping in to see for myself, their bar menu featured items like cheese and charcuterie boards, various dips and sandwiches. My server suggested their understated but amazing Chicago-style hot dog on their hand-made bun–sold! The warm bread had a nice crunch to it and each bite of the sausage came with a little snap! Simply the best I have had in any state. I paired this with a purplish Oooh Bae rum cocktail and one called “You’re the One” featuring the cutest rubber ducky sitting atop an egg-white pond!
- Local Jones, Halycon Hotel, 249 Columbine Street.
A relaxed gathering place for hotel guests and residents, Local Jones has comfy inside and patio seating. From morning coffee with blueberry muffins, to thoughtfully prepared entrees, this is a grand place for just relaxing or people-watching along Columbine Street.
The menu changes seasonally and I lingered over some flavor-intensive tomatoes and peaches in olive oil. I followed this with a light and lovely Greek salad, a pleasant ending to a warm, summer afternoon.
- The Pasty Republic, 2615 E 3rd Ave
The last time I enjoyed an authentic pasty was in the small UK town of Tyne and Wear on the shores of the North Sea. Offering a little taste of Britain in CCN, the Pastry Republic has 15-20 of these handheld meat pies and trust me, they are just as good as I remember.
They prepare each batch daily from scratch with recipes that come from merry old England. The crusts are thin and not too doughy and filled with all sorts of savory combinations. My top choice was the Shepherd made with ground beef, peas, mashed potatoes, carrots, onions, and cheddar. The Miner is another popular pie made with steak, rutabaga, potatoes, onions, and house seasoning ($9.99).
Shopping and Other Activities
Having lived in Los Angeles, I couldn’t help comparing Cherry Creek North to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Both had upscale shopping with a sophisticated atmosphere. Being a mixed-use neighborhood, CCN offers an impressive range of retail shops, art galleries, beauty and wellness services, and home furnishings. Even if you’re just window shopping, you’re sure to find something of interest among the 170 individually-owned businesses.
Here are some that caught my eye:
- New West Knifeworks, 158 Filmore Street
With only two other stores in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Big Sky Montana, New West Knifeworks has received many accolades for their hand-forged and artisan knives. Even though I wasn’t in the market for one, I marveled at the craftsmanship of this beautiful cutlery. Used by many notable chefs, this may be every home cook’s dream.
- Rancher’s Hat Bar, 2445 E 3rd Ave Suite 1
Here’s something I wasn’t expecting to see, a shop that specializes in custom-made cowboy and rancher-style hats, while you wait. The inside was pristine and modern with glistening white walls adorned by various shades of hats. Making a personal statement, you can choose from over 100 styles and accessorize it in any number of ways. One of them involves branding some clever small ranch-type symbols right onto the rim of the hat.
- The Hermitage Bookshop, 290 Filmore Street
One of Denver’s oldest bookshops, The Hermitage is celebrating 50 years in business. Known for used, rare and antiquarian books, this is a place where every bibliophile could spend hours meandering through their stacks. Offering both fiction and non-fiction, there is something for every pocketbook.
- Masters Gallery, 2616 E 3rd Ave
I love art, in this case, fine art. The two bronze sculptures out front grabbed my attention and beckoned me to take a look. With colorful, contemporary paintings I found myself wishing I had more wall space as a couple of their offerings seemed perfect. Both regional and international artists and sculptors are represented, and they offer custom framing and complimentary installation.
If you’ve never considered Cherry Creek North as a close-to-home, Colorado destination, this should be your next nearby escape. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, shopping extravaganza or gastronomic adventure, why not indulge in all this dynamic community has to offer?
To learn more about Cherry Creek North, visit their website.
-Story and photos by Ron Stern
Please note: As is common practice in our industry, Ron was hosted for his visit but this does not, in any way, affect our opinions or our goal to bring our readers information they can use.
