United States Colorado Colorado Guide Things To Do Essentials Getaways All Colorado The Top 9 Restaurants in Aurora, Colorado By Melissa Popp Melissa Popp LinkedIn Twitter Melissa Popp is a contributing writer at TripSavvy, experienced in all things RVing, camping & the great outdoors. Come along for an road trip adventure you'll never forget. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 04/12/22 David C Stephens / Getty Images Aurora is the third-largest city in Colorado and is on the fast track to becoming a culinary hot spot. The city showcases foods from cultures around the world, including Mexican, German, and Ethiopian dishes. With more than 250 eateries spread across this city, coined the "Gateway to the Rockies," you’re sure to find something to make everyone at the table happy. These are the can't-miss restaurants in Aurora, Colorado. 01 of 09 Helga’s German Restaurant and Deli Courtesy of Helga's German Restaurant & Deli View Map Address 14197 E Exposition Ave, Aurora, CO 80012, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-344-5488 Web Visit website From bratwurst to sauerkraut and traditional home-cooked plates, this restaurant will bring you one step closer to German cuisine at its finest. With dishes that bring "an authentic taste of Germany," according to their website, you won't want to miss out on the delicious array of dishes here. Founded in 1989, Helga's wants all of its customers to experience the Old World charm of the Rhineland River Vally in Germany, and taste the heartiness of delicious family-style German cuisine. If you’ve never had schnitzel, this is the place to try it (with a side of German potato salad). After your lunch or dinner, visit the deli to bring home breads, meats, and cheeses. If you have time to stay in and dine for dinner on the weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), you might be able to catch some live music from one of the many bands that play here—and don't forget to stop in for happy hour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Check their website to see the current mid-week specials. What to Order: Try the beef sauerbraten, a marinated Angus choice beef roast served in a sweet and sour brown sauce. The restaurant recommends pairing this with kroketten (fried potato dumplings) and red cabbage. 02 of 09 Rosie's Diner Courtesy of Rosie's Diner Aurora View Map Address 14061 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014-1404, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-752-3663 Web Visit website Who doesn't love milkshakes, poodle skirts, and an old fashion jukebox? Rosie’s Diner not only brings back the retro-diner ambiance from the 1950s but the traditional food as well, such as meatloaf and mashed potatoes and classic malt-style milkshakes. Built by one of the last remaining diner manufacturers in the country, Paramount, Rosie's is keeping tradition alive and serving up nostalgic flavors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Big breakfast plates are the norm here, and the fried chicken and gravy plate is a customer favorite. For lunch, treat yourself to one of their many sandwiches or burgers; they even offer "footlong" hotdogs affectionately named the Hound Dogs. For dinner, try one of their classic entrees, including roast beef, meatloaf, and even liver and onions. Once you're seated, turn on some tunes from the mini-jukeboxes on the tables, where just a single quarter will get you two songs—the ultimate tribute to the past. What to Order: Add some sizzle to your breakfast with the "Whole Lotta Skillet" breakfast, served with seasoned country potatoes, two eggs, sausage, ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, cheddar cheese, and your choice of toast, a flour tortilla, biscuit or a pancake. Yum! 03 of 09 The Nile Ethiopian Restaurant View Map Address 1951 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014-1011, USA Get directions Phone +1 720-748-0239 If you've never had Ethiopian food before, you might have to stop in at this restaurant and try it. Food is served here mosseb-style in some cases, where a tray of food is placed before you and your friends to enjoy. It's filled with a lot of spices, meats, veggies, and more to try, and Injera—a traditional flatbread—is used to scoop and eat the food (you don't use utensils here). There are options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians here as well, so it's the perfect stop-in for almost everyone on your trip. The prices here are also extremely fair, making it the perfect pit stop for an on-budget lunch or dinner. What to Order: The "Special Zilzil Tibs" would be our go-to order, served with strips of choice beef, sauteed with onions, herbs, berbere sauce (a hot and tangy Ethiopian sauce), and other spices. 04 of 09 Cora Faye's Cafe Courtesy of Cora Faye's Cafe View Map Address 15395 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80011, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-333-5551 Web Visit website This family-run hole-in-the-wall southern comfort joint will leave you pining for all the barbecue and fixings your heart desires. From cornbread to gravy-laced mac and cheese, you’ll put on a few pounds each visit. Among the many 100-year-old family recipes to choose from, make sure to try the catfish and fried chicken for some of the best you’ll ever eat in your lifetime. It takes some time to get your meal here because everything is cooked fresh, so allot extra time when visiting. This restaurant is also closed on Mondays, so you'll have to wait until Tuesday to satisfy your soul food cravings. What to Order: If you enjoy pork chops, we suggest going for the two-piece smothered chops served over rice and gravy, and your choice of two sides (though we'd ask for the mixed greens and candied yams, and maybe an extra side of mac and cheese just because). Continue to 5 of 9 below. 05 of 09 The French Press Courtesy of The French Press Aurora View Map Address 15290 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-369-3111 Web Visit website The French Press is a hidden little breakfast joint off the beaten path on the east side of Aurora that serves traditional morning fare, including fried eggs, mixed fruit, waffles, and the best omelets in town. The restaurant opens bright and early during both the week and weekends; 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. respectively. Whether you're looking for sweet or savory, the French Press has you covered. The crepes are top-notch, especially when filled with peanut butter. The Little Frankie is the ultimate breakfast sandwich, with ham, turkey, swiss, and cheddar in between two waffles, tempura battered and fried. They even have some lunch options for those that get their day started a bit later, boasting an array of different and delicious sandwiches. Get here early—it’s a small place and packed, especially on weekends during brunch hours. Be courteous and make sure you don’t linger here too long; let everyone have a chance to enjoy the homey space. What to Order: There's no better breakfast than biscuits and gravy. Try "Sterling's Sweet Biscuits," which includes some chipotle cheddar biscuits, chorizo gravy, shredded cheddar cheese, two eggs (any style), and potatoes. 06 of 09 Piper Inn Courtesy of The Piper Inn View Map Address 2251 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-755-0771 Web Visit website Don’t let the mishmash of American and Asian-inspired dishes scare you off. You go to Piper Inn for one thing and one thing only: wings. Voted by Westword Magazine as the "Best Wings in Denver," this biker bar is known to have some of the best wings in Aurora and all of Colorado. This dive offers unique Chinese-inspired chicken wings, but if it’s your first time, get the buffalo wings. Ask your server about the current seasonal wing sauces; whatever the flavors are they're sure to be a hit. If wings aren't your thing, you can always order their delicious and unique loaded fries, specialty Cantonese dishes, and even their Spanish assortment of carne asada fries and street tacos. The Piper Inn clearly isn't afraid of diving into any and all of the different food genres. What to Order: To go along with whatever wing order you choose, check out their wonton sampler (four crab and six beef wontons) and their fried Cantonese egg rolls stuffed with ham, shrimp, and veggies. 07 of 09 Angry Chicken Courtesy of Angry Chicken View Map Address 1930 S Havana St #13, Aurora, CO 80014, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-353-2680 Web Visit website Open in 2017, Angry Chicken has become a hometown hit for its rice-flour chicken wings that are crispy, light, and tender minus the grease. Made fresh to order and never frozen, these wings are an absolute delicious delight, with Korean-inspired sauces, such as a sweet and spicy sauce, spicy soy, honey garlic, and more. Check out their website every week for the latest specials and deals, listed day by day. Bring the whole family as portions are huge! While the main and most delicious thing on the menu is the wings, obviously, they also offer some delicious house specials, like the traditional Korean snack ddukbokki (rice cake in spicy sauce; also spelled tteokbokki), garlic noodles, and butterfly shrimp. What to Order: You can't go wrong with traditional tteokbokki to go along with your wings; just be careful if you're sensitive to spice. 08 of 09 El Tequileno Family Mexican Restaurant View Map Address 2790 S Havana St X1, Aurora, CO 80014, USA Get directions Phone +1 720-748-1260 Web Visit website Skip Taco Bell and head over to El Tequileno Family Mexican Restaurant if you're looking for some delicious and authentic tacos. The restaurant boasts that it creates dishes from the freshest ingredients and creates dishes based on traditional Mexican food recipes. Plan for a multi-course meal when you come here since there are so many items you'll want to try. The chorizo con queso is one of the best appetizers on the menu, so be sure to order it for the table. If you're in the mood for fajitas, there are several options to choose from, but we recommend the fajitas Acapulco. Order a margarita with your meal, and enjoy the Mariachi band that plays several times a week during dinner. What to Order: It's hard to pick just one thing to order when the menu is so extensive. However, if you're going out with another person, we recommend the fajitas Colorado for two, a two-person dinner combo served with fish and shrimp over a bed of sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. It also includes two plates with rice, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole. Continue to 9 of 9 below. 09 of 09 Cafe Paprika Courtesy of Cafe Paprika View Map Address 13160 E Mississippi Ave, Aurora, CO 80012, USA Get directions Phone +1 303-755-4150 If you’re craving authentic Mediterranean food, Café Paprika will provide. Start with traditional small plates of hummus and baba ganoush and chicken bastille, but save room for your entrée. Tajines are amazing here, particularly the lamb or kadra variety. Once you've polished off your entrée, order flan or baklava at the end of your meal for a sweet finish. What to Order: If you're headed to dinner with friends or family, we recommend the many different kebab entrees. They're perfect for sharing, so you can try a little bit of everything on the menu. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email