Cherry Creek is a luxury-lover's paradise, but it's also home to standing community staples and affordable finds.
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If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Denver., is indeed a luxury-lover's paradise. But in addition to the elegant shops and gourmet restaurants, there are long-standing community staples and affordable finds. Whether you love feeling like a Kardashian or eschew all things high-end, both vibes co-exist in this art-inspired neighborhood. Is this the most gorgeous restaurant in all of Denver? Potentially. This French-Vietnamese restaurant is stunning with its pops of color, gold accents, period photography and carefully designed floor patterns. The food is good, but the aesthetic is even better. When the first location opened in Manhattan in 1993, the idea was to “capture the seductive spirit and vivid flavors reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920s.” Today, there are seven locations across the U.S. The cuisine is served family style, so you’ll get to try multiple dishes — the Bo Luc Lac is a must-try. The cocktail menu is equally exciting, specifically the lychee martini served ice cold with a beautiful pink flower. It’s the kind of place that gives you a matchbox on the way out, and every staff member greets you as if you’re an A-list celebrity.Aviano Coffee's drinks are some of the best in the city, with the right balance of hot and cold options. Don’t be confused when you grab your coffee at Aviano, stroll a few blocks, and then stumble across another Aviano coffee shop that looks similar but different. The original location on Detroit Street was so popular that the owners opened the second location nearby back in 2018. The flagship feels like a “see and be seen” kind of place with some of Denver’s most beautiful, which is why it’s one of the best spots in Cherry Creek to post up and get your people watching fix. The drinks are some of the best in the city, with the right balance of hot and cold options. And for every bag of Intelligentsia coffee purchased, they offer a free drip coffee. A Cherry Creek staple since 1977, this unassuming gift shop sells reasonably priced handcrafted pottery, baby items, jewelry and a surprisingly large selection of unique greeting cards. If you’re looking for a birthday card that reads, “You’re too old for Leonardo DiCaprio” or a baby card that says “Poppin’ Bottles” amidst a sea of baby bottles, you’ve come to the right place. Everything feels decidedly un- — approachable, affordable and un-stuffy. The best part is the corner window, where the shop features local artisans, staff art and even crafts created by children of Denver schools.For people with food intolerances, ice cream has always been a no-go. Not anymore. The big draw at this approachable ice cream shop is that it’s unlike most ice cream you can buy elsewhere: it’s Denver's first and only plant-based icecream shop; everything is 100 percent dairy free, gluten free, vegan and made in-house. Toppings include healthy alternatives like organic whipped cream or a dark chocolate coconut butter, but don’t equate that to a lack of flavor . The vanilla soft-serve, which is made with gluten-free oat milk and coconut and can be covered with rainbow sprinkles if you ask, tastes like a summer Friday on Cape Cod. The whole idea may sound bougie, but it really feels like the casual ice cream shop next door. Founded by two elementary school friends, Kendall Richardson and Ellory Kreidle, these two go together like salt and pepper, or rather, bee and pollen. From the minute you walk in and see the “Fresh Flowers” neon sign, you’ll realize the store is begging to be shared on Instagram. From color-coordinated matchsticks to Veuve Clicquot coasters, every carefully curated, bright-colored display screams, “I didn’t realize I needed this, but I do.” Floral services include weddings and baby showers; the store also sells elegant arrangements in-person, online or for delivery. Most of the inexpensive food options in Cherry Creek are national chains ; they’re the only businesses that can afford the rent. That’s why it’s refreshing to see this Oklahoma-based family-owned business, which opened its first out-of-state location in Denver last year. Stop in for cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, matcha and coffee. You can also grab healthy to-go food from the refrigerator, like veggie pasta salad or peanut butter protein bites. Organic Squeeze is a welcome addition to the much-needed fast-casual scene in Cherry Creek. Art lovers unite! At this female-owned small business, the philosophy is “we don’t sell needs, we sell wants.” Created in 1983 by members of the Boulder Arts & Crafts Co-Op, this gift store puts local and national artists front and center. Whether it’s a candle that donates proceeds to animal rescues or handmade soaps carved in the shape of a mountain, the gifts here feel personal. In the greeting card aisle — amidst the birthday, anniversary, and thank you sections —you’ll also find a cancer section for anyone battling the disease . Good luck walking out of here empty-handed — not just because you’ll definitely find something you like, but more importantly, because you’ll feel inclined to support. If you’re planning a girls’ night or celebrating a special occasion, Forget Me Not Cocktails is the perfect spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks, which feels like the inside of a swanky hotel lobby. Making a reservation is encouraged, as it fills up quickly, especially on weekends. While food is not the star of the show, Forget Me Not does offer elevated light bites such as a lobster crunch wrap, tinned fish , caviar, crudité, and an interesting outlier — a Chicago-style all-beef hot dog. But you came here for the drinks, specifically the cocktails. Try the Tim Burton or the Getting Figgy With It . Just a few blocks from the heart of Cherry Creek is a quiet strip mall . There lies the uncomplicated Curtis Park Delicatessen, a locally owned lunch spot that prioritizes homemade and local everything: bread delivered each morning from City Bakery, scratch-made condiments , and pickles that never come from a can. If you order the Park sandwich , even the butter is house-made. Also try the Italian sandwich . Curtis Park deli is quick, easy and hits the spot. Another highly Instagrammable spot in Cherry Creek is Ay Papi, a fun and energetic cocktail bar that’s giving Cuba with a touch of Miami and maybe a dash of Vegas. Here, the colors are bright, the drinks are fruity and the music is loud . If rum is your jam, this might become your new favorite cocktail bar. When it’s nice outside, the patio is the place to be as you sip your spicy guava daiquiri and watch well-dressed Denverites stroll by.is a freelance writer. She loves walking around Wash Park, board games and a good wine bar. She lives in Englewood with her partner, Sean, and their two cats, Muffin and Pancake. If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s vibrant culture and arts scenes.. 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