Categories: Eat & Drink; Local & Entertainment

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Eating "Frites" in Denver

By Nina
updated 2 months ago

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Trying to recreate the food and culture of Belgium (but not the weather) while living in Denver.

It's no longer raining...

After living two years in Belgium, I grew to appreciate the cuisine that the country had to offer. The beer packs a punch (8% alcohol) but comes with its own unique glass, the moules (aka mussels) are tasty (once you get past the slime factor), the pralines are luscious (it makes me cry to eat chocolate from anywhere else) and the pommes frites (aka french fries) are double-fried to make them extra crispy and served with mayo (I am still a ketchup person). Here are some places that I discovered around Denver that help recreate the experience. And as any Belgian would say…”never drink Duvel and drive”.

Belgian beer and belgian chips

Belgian beer and belgian chips

Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafe

534 E COLFAX AVE DENVER, CO 80203

Find that designated driver! Huge selection of Belgian draft and bottled brews with their own unique glasses. They also serve mussels, fries, croquettes and waffles.

Bistro Vendôme

1420 LARIMER ST DENVER, CO 80202

I love the French ambiance in this little bistro tucked away in downtown’s Larimer Square. Check out the $9 moules & frites and $3 Hoegaarden on Sundays.

Bistro Vendôme

Mussels in Brussels

Mussels in Brussels

Parallel 17

1600 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218

Hip little Vietnamese restaurant with European twist in uptown offering several Belgian brews on tap. Try the mussels in lemongrass and fries in the paper cone to experience total Zen.

Hip little Vietnamese restaurant with European twist in uptown offering several Belgian brews on tap. Try the mussels in lemongrass and fries in the paper cone to experience total Zen.

Le Central the Affordable French Restaurant

8th Avenue At Lincol, Denver, CO 80202

This all French cuisine restaurant offers “moules et frites”. They have 11 different ways of preparing the mussels. Make sure to save room for dessert!

This all French cuisine restaurant offers “moules et frites”. They have 11 different ways of preparing the mussels. Make sure to save room for dessert!

Tastes Wine Bar

These two little bistro were opened by a Belgium women and offer appetizers from all over Europe (ugh…but no frites) which are nicely paired with a wine or beer recommendation. They have a great selection of Beligum beers including Chimay, Kwak and even Duvel (remember never drink Duvel and drive). The menu change frequently, so stop by often.

Tastes Winebar & Bistro

4267 Tennyson St Denver, CO 80212

Tastes Winebar & Bistro

1033 E 17th Ave Denver, CO 80218

Brugge_IMG_8706

This is a glass of Kwak with built-in sobriety test.

Great Beers of Belgium by Michael Jackson

Want to learn more about Belgium beers? This is the guide by Michael Jackson (beer master not related to the singer). Michael is deceased but his knowledge lives on through this in-depth guide.

 
Godiva Chocolate

Godiva Chocolate

Godiva Chocolatier Inc

3000 E 1st Ave Ste 141, Denver, CO 80206

My idea of a perfect date would be to locked in this shop overnight…

My idea of a perfect date would be to locked in this shop overnight…

Belvedere Belgian Chocolates Shop Cherry Creek

231 Milwaukee St, Denver, CO 80206

Locally handcrafted Belgian-style pralines and a wine bar? I’ve reached nirvana.

Locally handcrafted Belgian-style pralines and a wine bar? I’ve reached nirvana.

cone

Neuhaus cone…delicious!

Le Chocolatier

3718 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

This little boutique carries all kinds of chocolate including the Neuhaus pralines directly from Belgium. At $2 a pop, my addiction is making me broke.

This little boutique carries all kinds of chocolate including the Neuhaus pralines directly from Belgium. At $2 a pop, my addiction is making me broke.

Cost Plus World Market

2500 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80206

This chain retailer specializes in a little bit of everything from all over the world. Find a selection of Belgium sweets including speculoos cookies and Côte d’Or chocolates.

This chain retailer specializes in a little bit of everything from all over the world. Find a selection of Belgium sweets including speculoos cookies and Côte d’Or chocolates.

Finding a little bit of Belgium in Denver…

Cherry Creek Farmer's Market

There have been secret sightings of brussel sprouts, fresh “frites” and ooey, gooey Belgian waffles. I will be on a mission this summer to hunt and to devour them.

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It’s not Halloween, but a Dutch store…

Dubble Dutch

4974 Lowell Boulevard, Denver, CO 80221

If you blink you might miss it, but this tiny store sells everything from Holland (ok, it’s not quite Belgium but they do speak the same language and they share a border).

If you blink you might miss it, but this tiny store sells everything from Holland (ok, it’s not quite Belgium but they do speak the same language and they share a border).

And if you are wondering, I did eat Brussel Sprouts in Belgium. I am yet to find a restaurant that serves them fresh….

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