A daring, stylish take on regional Chinese cuisine in River North (RiNo) that challenges its throngs of diners to explore the unexpected and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod. Why we love it: Take everything you know about Chinese food and toss it—this ain’t no stomping ground for General Tsao. We’re talking bone-marrow fried rice; whole fried local bass with tangy black bean chili sauce and tender Hakurei turnip; Dungeness crab prepared in three different styles (ask your server); flank steak with honeycomb tripe and pickled fresno; and cocktails that are too much fun.

Hop Alley is named after Denver’s 19th-century Chinatown, but it’s also a conversation starter and a tongue-in-cheek wink at the neighborhood’s history. Nowadays, the nine-year-old restaurant is still the cool kid in RiNo, Denver’s trendiest neighborhood. Sichuan chilis numb your tongue to a hip-hop soundtrack, and classics-with-a-curveball run through the menu, like schmaltzy chinese broccoli sprinkled with duck salt and super spicy pork and pickled cabbage dumplings.

Like, cocktails served out of boba-style drink cups and tongue-numbing, Sichuan chili-laced fried chicken levels of fun. Equally enjoyable as the food and drink is the vibe; hip hop is always blasting and its simple and dark design draws adventurous diners for in-your-face flavored food. Named for Denver’s 19th-century Chinatown, dubbed Hop Alley, chef and owner Tommy Lee has created a menu that stays true to the restaurant’s namesake.

RiNoIt’s hard to match RiNo’s energy, the neighborhood is known as Denver’s most vibrant and creative, but Hop Alley not only matches it—it kicks it up a notch. Trust us when we say that this isn’t a restaurant for the timid. Loud with hip-hop and bold with tongue-numbing la zi ji and fan club-worthy bone marrow fried rice, this modern Chinese restaurant is full of flavor.

Denver doesn’t have a Chinatown today, but it did in the 19th century: Hop Alley. In homage to that local history, chef-owner Tommy Lee took the name for this modern Chinese restaurant in RiNo. At Hop Alley, the kitchen crew treats Chinese cooking with due respect while adding their own spin, and it shows in the balanced complexity of the food.

Hop Alley was a slur used for Denver’s hardscrabble Chinatown in the 1880s, until a race riot and anti-Chinese legislation scattered the community.

Unpretentious and just a little edgy as befits its RiNo location, Hop Alley offers a menu that's hardly typical of Chinese restaurants. In addition to lobster dumplings and La Zi Ji (battered and fried chunks of chicken thigh tossed with Sichuan chili), there are familiar favorites including fried wontons and fried rice, albeit elevated by creative presentation and something unexpected�"much like the audible play list that frequently pulses to a hip-hop beat. Fried rice, for example, gets a rich, flavorful boost from bone broth. Start with something from the compact but creative cocktail list and don't skip dessert, especially if house-made coconut-lime sorbet is offered. Chef Tommy Lee of Uncle fame, hits the mark with Hop Alley. Christine's expert tip: No tables?

Penelope Wong of Yuan Wonton, Ni Nguyen of Sắp Sửa, Long Nguyen of Pho King Rapidos, Kenneth Wan and Doris Yuen of MAKfam, Tommy Lee of Uncle and Hop Alley, and the Nguyen sisters, who run New Saigon Bakery, Bánh & Butter Bakery Café and Dân Dã, all lent their voices to the growing power and influence of Asian chefs and restauranteurs in Colorado, speaking out on everything from racism, authenticity and cultural appropriation to business issues, kitchen techniques and economic conditions. Look for that to continue and grow in 2025.

Restaurateur Tommy Lee uses traditional Chinese dishes from several distinct regions as the foundation for food that soars above the ordinary. The gai lan may look like the Chinese broccoli you'd order from a dim sum cart, but it's boosted with chickeny flavor thanks to the addition of schmaltz and Chook chicken salt. The cumin lamb buns come stuffed with a lamb burger patty instead of typical minced or shredded meat, and the chilled tofu with smashed cucumbers combines two appetizers most often served separately.

Restaurateur Tommy Lee uses traditional Chinese dishes from several distinct regions as the foundation for food that soars above the ordinary. The gai lan may look like the Chinese broccoli you’d order from a dim sum cart, but it’s boosted with chickeny flavor thanks to the addition of schmaltz and Chook chicken salt. The cumin lamb buns come stuffed with a lamb burger patty instead of typical minced or shredded meat, and the chilled tofu with smashed cucumbers combines two appetizers most often served separately.

Newly renovated in 2023 with a larger dining area, Hop Alley, named in honor of Denver’s original Chinatown, serves up a bold dining experience with a creative menu with influences from a range of Taiwanese, Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunan cuisines. Hop Alley is quite generous with serving sizes (perfect for sharing), so come hungry and ready for mouth-tingling satisfaction from dishes like their Beijing duck roll or grilled xo beans. Hop Alley is one of the best restaurants in Denver and is not to be missed.

Chef Tommy Lee’s modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes make Hop Alley one of the Mile High City’s most influential restaurants. After a two-month renovation at the start of the year, the RiNo eatery reopened in early March with a sleeker, sexier atmosphere and, luckily, even more seating. The RiNo eatery’s name is a nod to the eponymous thriving Chinatown in what is now LoDo that was destroyed when a racist mob attacked Chinese businesses in the community in 1880.

As opposed to the aforementioned traditional Chinese restaurants, Hop Alley is your hip and happenin’ version of these restaurants. Named after Denver’s old Chinatown, Hop Alley continues to preserve the rich Chinatown culture that was destroyed by a riot in the 70s. The establishment lives up to its name and history, showcasing a modern take on traditional Chinese cuisine, giving it a funky twist to make it fresh, innovative, and appealing.

Hop Alley is located in RiNo, not LoDo where Denver’s Chinatown district once thrived in the late 1800s. Chinatown was referred to as “Hop Alley” by whites back then because of opium dens. Today, owner Tommy Lee understands the racial implications of the name he chose for his eatery that serves a modern version of Chinese cuisine using both traditional and sometimes surprising ingredients (peaches for the sweet-and-sour edge on pork loin).

From the chef and creator, Tommy Lee of Uncle, a star was born with his second act, Hop Alley. Recently nominated for best chef James Beard Award, Hop Alley features classic family-style regional Chinese dishes that don’t shy away from dai pai dongs, garlic, soy, and scallions. To complete your casual culinary experience, paper napkins, fancy ice cubes, wood fires, and hip-hop music make this the new Chinatown in the heart of Denver.

The Lowdown: Hop Alley has been named a top restaurant in Denver for the past few years — and for good reason — a combination of excellent Chinese cuisine and its sleek modern interior. Usually, the best Chinese restaurants have white tablecloths and an assumed dress code — here it’s more laid back and fun like most places in RiNo. The menu is simple — divided into vegetables, meat and seafood, and noodles or rice or dumplings.

Hop Alley provides me with the best chance to drink exactly what I want outside of my own bar or home. Chenin, Riesling and Beaujolais are always readily available and pair so well with the delicious, playful and intricate Szechuan dishes. The somm Jake knows what’s up and although sometimes it feels like the list was made just for me, I would bet a lot of drinkers with different tastes would feel the same.

Denver is no stranger to Chinese cuisine, so why not spend your night out in the RiNo neighborhood in a place with a modern and hip atmosphere?. You can find Hop Alley on Larimer Street, a couple of blocks from Reelworks Denver. From its dark lighting to its casual crowds, Chef Tommy Lee offers a wide selection of wine and Chinese favorites with a twist that anyone will love.

Hop Alley is known as the finest bar in RiNo serving inventive twists on Asian-inspired cuisine. On the menu, you’ll find some striking Asian dishes and their complementary liquors. The Coriander Summer Melon Salad featuring seasonal melon, cucumber, and berry vinaigrette and im sum classics like turnip cake with lap cheong sausage and shrimp is a must-try if you're visiting.

Hop Alley - Denver: In Denver's RiNo neighborhood, Hop Alley offers a contemporary take on Chinese cuisine. With a focus on bold flavors and high-quality ingredients, this restaurant presents a creative menu that showcases the diversity of Chinese regional dishes. Indulge in their flavorful Kung Pao chicken, handmade dumplings, and innovative vegetable dishes.

Paying homage to Denver’s historic Chinatown, Hop Alley serves up modern takes on traditional Sichuan fare in a stylish space. Test your spice tolerance by diving into their notoriously hot fried chicken thighs, or play it cool with the chilled tofu dressed in a sesame sauce. There is no such thing as a wrong order here since everything hits just right.

In the 1880s, riots broke down in Denver, burning the entire Chinatown neighborhood down to the ground. Hop Alley gets its name from a Chinese restaurant that was a big hit back in the day. The chef-owner Tommy Lee reopened the restaurant in 2015 and, together with his team, serve their cooking with a funky twist and balance of complex food.

Hop Alley has set up outdoor shop in RiNo, with terrific views of the sunset. From their spacious sidewalk, you can sample new additions to the summer menu: wood-grilled flank steak with smashed cucumber and heirloom tomato salad; koji wings with plum hot sauce; and to end the meal on a cool note, baobing — Taiwan style shaved ice.

Denver’s contemporary, ethnic food scene is just starting to take off. There are a number of amazing, authentic spots, mostly family run, but seeing that locals wanted cooler places to get ethnic, a handful of new, modern restaurants have opened. The leader of the pack is Hop Alley, which refers to the original Chinatown here.

A post shared by H O Ｐ ＡＬＬＥＹ || The Chef’s Counter (@hopalleydenver). Hop Alley is a Chinese-American restaurant in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, known for its bold and flavorful dishes. Chef Tommy Lee has created a menu that blends traditional Chinese flavors with modern techniques, resulting in innovative and authentic dishes.

Prepare for a flavor explosion at Hop Alley, a hip and buzzy spot in RiNo serving modern Chinese cuisine with a focus on bold, regional flavors, particularly from Sichuan. This isn’t your standard takeout; it’s inventive, shareable, and incredibly delicious. You’ll definitely want to share a few plates here.

Hop Alley is a street food establishment located in Denver, Colorado. They specialize in modern Chinese cuisine and are housed in an old soy sauce factory. Their menu features a variety of dishes, including Salt & Pepper Soft Shell Crabs with bibb lettuce wraps, charred lime aioli, and pickled red onion.

The MICHELIN Guide Inspectors identified nine restaurants to award the Bib Gourmand designation, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value: AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q, Ash’Kara, Basta, The Ginger Pig, Glo Noodle House, Hop Alley, La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, Mister Oso and Tavernetta.

3500 Larimer Street │ Restaurant Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$ │ Book A Table. Enjoy Szechuan cuisine with a twist at one of the most popular RiNo restaurants (photo: Hop Alley Facebook). Savor shared plates of Chinese fare at one of the most celebrated Asian restaurants in RiNo.

Hop Alley Given Aspen’s relative lack of authentic ethnic food, make modern Chinese by chef Tommy Lee your last meal of the weekend. Get primed for a seriously happening scene, with a packed dining room tapping its feet to hip-hop tunes and sharing family-style dishes.

🍽️ Chinese | ($) | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (720) 379-8340. This RiNo restaurant is named after Denver’s Chinatown, which existed in the 1800s and was called Hop Alley. Owner and chef Tommy Lee puts a modern twist on classics like fried rice and drunken chicken.

Hop Alley – This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant from operator Tommy Lee serves great modern Chinese food in Denver. Come prepared for dishes to be on the spicy side. If you can secure an advanced reservation through their website, do it.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (68 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Chinese, Asian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205-2466- Read more on Tripadvisor

As one of three of Tommy Lee’s restaurants, Hop Alley’s menu is next level. He offers cumin lamb buns, Beijing duck rolls, and fried wontons among traditional noodle dishes. Hop on over and try it out!

Enjoy the perfect pairing of Chinese food and craft cocktails at one of the top RiNo Denver restaurants. Hop Alley offers large shareable plates and friendly service for an incredible experience.

3500 Larimer StreetDenver, CO 80205(720) 379-8340 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Hop Alley is a stylish restaurant offering contemporary regional Chinese eats and a bar drink list.