
Watercourse Foods
Denver's pioneering all-vegan eatery crafting inventive comfort food from scratch in a lush, welcoming environment.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Watercourse Foods

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Denver's pioneering all-vegan eatery crafting inventive comfort food from scratch in a lush, welcoming environment.
Try the Signature Dishes
Don't miss standout items like the Italian Grinder or the Orange Teriyaki Bowl.
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit during off-peak times to minimize wait times and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Vegan
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Innovative Vegan Comfort Food
Indulge in creative plant-based versions of classic comfort foods, from hearty sandwiches to indulgent pasta dishes.

Cauliflower Wings & Nachos
Must-try appetizers like the addictive cauliflower wings and loaded nachos are a testament to delicious vegan innovation.

Welcoming Atmosphere
Enjoy a cozy, plant-filled venue with attentive and friendly staff that make for a pleasant dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try the Signature Dishes
Don't miss standout items like the Italian Grinder or the Orange Teriyaki Bowl.
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit during off-peak times to minimize wait times and enjoy a more relaxed experience.
Outdoor Seating Available
Enjoy al fresco dining when the weather is pleasant.
Ask for Recommendations
Servers are patient and helpful in guiding you through the unique vegetarian menu.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try the Signature Dishes
Don't miss standout items like the Italian Grinder or the Orange Teriyaki Bowl.
Avoid Peak Hours
Visit during off-peak times to minimize wait times and enjoy a more relaxed experience.
Outdoor Seating Available
Enjoy al fresco dining when the weather is pleasant.
Ask for Recommendations
Servers are patient and helpful in guiding you through the unique vegetarian menu.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Watercourse Foods is celebrated for its innovative and delicious completely vegan menu, with many dishes praised for exceeding expectations and tasting remarkably like their non-vegan counterparts. Diners frequently rave about the cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and standout items like the cauliflower wings and various sandwiches. However, a few reviews mention that some dishes can be mediocre or overpriced, and one reviewer found the food to be bland.
"Today my daughters and I enjoyed great food and service here. We were apprehensive upon entering because there were no other black people in the entire restaurant and when we encounter that kind of environment, we get poor service or attitudes. We were pleasantly surprised by the smiles when we entered and the nice greetings. Once seated our server Heather was pleasant, willing to answer questions and checked on us frequently. We ordered the Denver omelette, French toast, cauliflower wings, and the Philly cheesesteak. The food was delicious and you would never think it was all plant based. All that to say, if you’re looking for flavorful plant based dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, come here and experience Watercourse Foods!"
Nicole Jones
"Great place for vegan meal! Caesar salad is amazing. The Philly sandwich and cauliflower wings were on the heavier side but still pretty good. Love the all vegan menu!"
bruce hoang
"Outstanding!! Visiting Denver I was searching “best vegan food in Denver” - Watercourse was always at the top of my search and I am so so so very happy we decided to make reservations. I have been vegan for 8 years and this is BY FAR the best meal I’ve ever had while dining out. We tried multiple dishes because “why not” and each one blew our minds. Watercourse is thoughtful and creative with their ingredients. My taste buds were absolutely delighted! My only complaint is that I don’t have a Watercourse in my home town and it breaks my heart. I would fly to Denver just to eat here and return home! Our service was exceptional, portions were plentiful, and my mocktail was the best I’ve ever had!!
I apologize for not having the patience to take gorgeous photos of our meal. It was too good to stop!!"
Meghan Curtis
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Watercourse Foods is a 100% vegan and plant-based restaurant, offering creative meatless versions of comfort food classics.
Popular choices include the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Nachos, Classic Philly sandwich, and the Cubano. Many reviewers also praise the French toast and Biscuits & Gravy.
Yes, the restaurant offers gluten-free bread and can make many sandwiches and dishes gluten-free.
Yes, Watercourse Foods offers outdoor seating options for when the weather is nice.
Hours vary, but they generally serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's recommended to check their website or call for the most up-to-date hours.
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend brunch or during peak dining times.
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Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Denver You Need to Try
This is another name you’ve probably heard of when chatting about Denver’s vegetarian restaurant options, as it’s been a go-to for plant-based meals since 1998. Despite changing locations over time, Watercourse remains one of the places for a delicious vegetarian meal in the greater Cap Hill area. Watercourse is another eatery that doesn’t just want to push salads and brussels sprouts your way—the term “comfort food” is stressed here, too; it's just a matter of taking those loaded fries, Cuban sandwich, or pasta dish and making them vegetarian-friendly, something the team behind the counter here is very good at doing.
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At Watercourse Foods, Denver's first name in vegan dining, cauliflower Buffalo “wings” with “blue cheese” dressing almost look like the real thing, and they’re just as addictive, as is the hefty, green chile–smothered burrito with black beans, potatoes, chorizo-style tempeh, and dairyless cotija. Equally huge seitan-based sandwiches—from veggie-walnut burgers on Kaiser rolls to the popular faux-Cubano—taste, well, meaty, right down to dripping juices. With seitan and tofu, the monster "Big Rig" does a mighty fine impression of gravy-smothered country-fried steakn and scrambled eggs with a biscuit on the side.
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The unrelentingly meaty menus of Denver can be a chore to navigate for vegetarians, so the smart, straightforward fare at WaterCourse is a welcome…
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Menu Highlights: Italian Grinder, made with shaved marinated portobello mushrooms with sautéed onions and bell peppers on a hoagie roll, topped with housemade giardiniera and served with a side of au jus, and the Orange Teriyaki Bowl, made with crispy seitan, steamed broccoli, and carrots in a house made Teriyaki sauce, served with brown rice. WaterCourse Foods was established in 1998 and is Denver’s first original vegan restaurant and maintains a completely vegan menu. The menu’s dishes are made from daily fresh ingredients and reduces its negative environmental impact by recycling nearly everything that is considered waste in their restaurant, including fryer oil that is converted into bio-diesel.
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By now, Denver diners -- meat-eaters and veg-heads alike -- accept as a matter of course that WaterCourse Foods serves the town's best vegetarian meals (sadly, it's still only open for breakfast and lunch). Not content to stick with the dry, lifeless ingredients that have become such a hallmark of vegetarian cooking, chef/owner Dan Landes is always expanding his repertoire of innovative creations. And so now, in addition to meatless Reuben sandwiches, baconless breakfasts (you won't even miss the pig) and the best veggie burger going, WaterCourse also serves tempeh scallopini with mushrooms, a spicy Thai peanut stir-fry, a variety of super salads and a macro plate with packs in the flavor.
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Denver's finest vegetarian fare can be found at WaterCourse Foods in a hip Uptown neighborhood locale. The restaurant, which operates on a motto of "eating the path of least resistance" has an onsite bakery that churns out both regular and gluten-free loaves of bread — which is awesome, since there are loads of delicious sandwiches on the menu, which can be made gluten-free. Other main course options include country-fried seitan with mashed potatoes and vegetables, zesty Andalusian pasta, a tamale plate, and a Thai peanut stir-fry.
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Watercourse Foods was the city’s first fully vegan eatery, and for more than two decades, it’s served plant-based renditions of comfort foods and globally inspired fare. Brunch favorites, available Friday through Sunday, include scratch-made breakfast empanadas; waffles with swirls of chocolate and dulce de leche; and a roasted-tomato Benedict topped with crispy tofu. Pop in for delicious happy-hour specials or opt for wholesome dinner options like its sweet-potato gnocchi and raw pad Thai with ginger-almond dressing.
The Best Vegan Restaurants in Denver
Watercourse Foods is, no doubt, one of the vegan restaurants in Denver that is always at the top of must-visit lists of locals and travelers. They opened in 1998 originally as a vegetarian restaurant and transitioned into veganism in the 2010s, which is why they consider themselves the first vegan restaurant in Denver. Located in the heart of Denver, Watercourse Foods is known for their vegan comfort food as well as their plant-based and scratch-made deli proteins and cheeses, which you can also buy pre-packaged.
Best Vegan Food Denver & Top Vegetarian Restaurants (2023)
Details: Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 09:00 pm; Friday and Saturday 10:00 am – 10:00 am; Sunday 10:00 am – 09:00 amUnique Features: Discount Days: 25% discount on takeout every Tuesday; 25% Discount Every Thursday for Service Industry WorkersRecommended Dishes: The Cubanos are ever-popular. But the Big Rig – country-fried seitan steak, scrambled tofu, and gravy – is a definite must. For a slightly uptown take on veg-based food, Watercourse is close to being a worldwide draw to vegan food Denver all by itself.
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Operating since 1998, Watercourse is one of Denver’s oldest plant-based restaurants and was an easy choice as the best vegan restaurant in Denver. The menu is extensive, breakfast is served all day, and you can indulge in a sweet finish to your meal with a shake made with vegan ice cream from one of our favorites in town, High Point Creamery. The Cuban sandwich is one of the longest-standing items on their menu (for good reason!) and features a nice little kick of flavor thanks to its pepperoncinis.
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One of the longest-running vegan restaurants in the area, Watercourse Foods has been dishing out delicious vegan meals longer than most current DU students have been alive. Opened in 1998, this restaurant just east of downtown serves all-day breakfast and boasts a flavorful lunch menu with arguably the best Cuban sandwich around. The cozy interior is great for a date or small group outing, and its location makes it a prime recovery spot after your downtown adventures.
The New Vegan: Colorado’s Plant-Based Dining Options Are Plentiful
And while Denver and Boulder are home to many great vegan restaurants such as Bang Up To The Elephant, Thrive, Watercourse Foods, Somebody People, Everyday Pizza, Make It Vegan, you can find plant-based spots across the state as well: Sita’s Kitchen in Trinidad, Fern’s Diner and Drinkery in Cascade, Basecamp in Durango, Piante Pizzeria in Breckenridge, The Golden Burro Cafe & Lounge in Leadville and Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics in Colorado Springs.
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Found on Denver’s East 17th Avenue, this vegan restaurant is a popular eatery among health-conscious patrons. The restaurant prides themselves in preparing simple meals with an array of fresh ingredients. From their a la carte breakfast menu, which includes Cauliflower Chick’n and Tofu Bacon to their mouthwatering brunch menu and an assortment of salads, Watercourse Foods will leave you yearning for more.
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Watercourse Foods began as a modest vegetarian eatery on Capitol Hill’s 13th Avenue in 1998. The name Watercourse is derived from the notion of the “watercourse way,” which entails taking the path that does the least amount of harm. Watercourse is more than a restaurant; it looks for ways to help individuals they care about and to elevate the voices that make this city great.
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A Denver institution, Watercourse Foods is a must visit for any avid foodie. Opened in 1998 as a vegetarian enclave, they transitioned to a completely vegan menu in 2014 and haven’t looked back. Open both early and late, you can spend a full day eating your way through the diverse options, from hearty breakfast sandwiches to loaded truffle fries with a seasonal cocktail.
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The best vegan restaurant in Denver was an easy decision because Watercourse has been open since 1998, making it one of Denver’s best plant-based restaurants. Because of the greater take on vegan cuisine, Watercourse is almost enough to entice tourists from around the world to Denver. It is also known for providing some of the best vegan food in Denver.
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Ahhh, home.” That’s what WaterCourse Foods feels like if you’re a vegan or vegetarian. Close your eyes, point to the menu and rest assured that anything your finger lands on will be vegan and delicious. Fortunately, WaterCourse is just as welcoming to omnivores, too, with its cheery, sunny interior, gleaming bar and seriously satisfying dishes.
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If vegan comfort food is what you’re after, then there’s no better place in Denver than the infamous Watercourse Foods. Serving up plant-based delicacies such as breakfast burritos, French toast, and even kombucha cocktails, the food here tastes so darn delicious that you might feel a little guilty for all of the indulging you’re about to do.
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Sister restaurant to City O City, this gem serves up some of the best pancakes and pho (ikr!?). Their menu changes frequently, but one thing that seems to stick are the seitan wings, yum! The nachos, vegan burger, gnocchi, and breakfast burritos are the top choices here. Watercourse is sure to change the minds of carnivores into believers.
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The Lowdown: If you’re a vegan, then you probably already know about or have been to Watercourse Foods. They serve up what the team calls ‘vegan comfort food’ and it shows with dishes like the BBQ pulled jackfruit ($13). In addition, there are salads and wraps, breakfast is served all day, kombucha is on tap — you get the gist.
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At Watercourse Foods, Denver’s pioneer in vegan dining, you'll find a menu brimming with plant-based innovations. Imagine cauliflower Buffalo wings that almost deceive the eye, paired with a blue cheese dressing devoid of dairy yet full of flavor. Addictive and satisfying, these wings set a high standard for vegan comfort food.
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Watercourse Foods serves vegan comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are a handful of special entrees that are only served after 4 p.m. Fennel sausage Bolognese with penne, brown butter sage gnocchi, eggplant, and mixed mushroom ragout with crispy polenta and butternut squash risotto are these items.
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As a 100% vegan restaurant, Watercourse Foods comes from the philosophy of the “watercourse way” which essentially means to take the path of least harm. The vast menu includes a full cocktail menu, daily pastries, soups, salads, sandwiches, a seasonal menu, and desserts. It’s a true favorite for locals.
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Watercourse Foods gives you healthy comfort food all day long. This eatery has you covered, whether you want gluten-free waffles for dinner or you’re craving cauliflower wings. Watercourse has been serving all-vegan fare to Denverites since 1998, and is very popular with the local vegan community.
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Highlights: One of the first vegan restaurants on the scene in Denver!. It is a casual, friendly spot with a creative, diverse menu. One of my favorite things on the menu at Watercourse Foods is the BBQ jackfruit sandwich with smoked jackfruit, BBQ sauce, black pepper aioli, and pickles.
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Watercourse Foods began as a small cafe in 1998, and today, it’s a scratch kitchen that utilizes local vendors and sustainable business practices. Its menu is 100% vegan, featuring all your favorite comfort foods. Check out the loaded truffle fries or the BBQ-pulled jackfruit sandwich.
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Watercourse Foods is one of Denver's most well-known vegetarian restaurants. It is 100% plant-based, and it's been around for decades. Conveniently, it is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even serves alcohol, so it's great for every meal of the day and all kinds of occasions.
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Of all the macs around town, Watercourse’s might have the most unique taste. With rich vegan cheese sauce, herbed breadcrumbs, crimini bacon, and fresh parsley, each bite is a flavor explosion in your mouth. Get a cup on the side for $6, or a bowl that’s big enough to share for $12.
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Watercourse Foods has been a staple for vegan diners in Denver since 1998. The restaurant’s budget-friendly menu includes cauliflower “wings”, coconut curry, and French toast. Whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner, you’ll find a delicious meal option.
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Watercourse is also vegan friendly, but it is NOT celiac friendly. They fry seitan (i.e. pure gluten protein) in the deep fryer with almost all of their supposedly gluten free dishes. City o’ city is their sister restaurant that is friendly to the vegan and gluten free crowd.
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Watercourse Foods is a Denver institution, offering a fully plant-based menu that focuses on comfort food. Trust me, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy Watercourse Foods!. As far as the happy hour menu goes, the standouts, in my opinion, are the buffalo cauliflower wings.
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Watercourse Foods is a 100% vegan restaurant that believes in good food, friendly service, and supporting the community. All of the food is made from scratch and free from artificial junk. They also focus on creating meals that cater to a variety of dietary restrictions.
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🍽️ Vegan / Vegetarian | ($$) | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 (303) 832-7313. Watercourse Foods persuades many that plant-based is an equally flavorful alternative. Since 1998, the vegetarian-turned-vegan restaurant has served meals you wouldn’t guess were meatless.
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Vegetarian and vegan dishes aren’t always so different, which is why Watercourse Foods also made this list. It is Denver’s original vegan restaurant that has kept a vegan menu since it opened in 1998. Watercourse Foods makes everything from fresh ingredients.
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If you’re looking for comfort food with a vegan twist, Watercourse Foods should be on your list. Located in Uptown Denver, this popular spot offers a variety of delicious dishes made from whole foods, nuts, nut milk, coconut, tofu, seeds, and sprouts.
Highest-rated Restaurants in Denver, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (542 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Healthy- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 837 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218-1467- Read more on Tripadvisor
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They’ve been around since 1998 and really put their money where their mouths are. They focus on utilizing local vendors, and sustainable business practices, and like to give more than they take. Neighborhood: Capitol HillCost: $$
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Their name comes from the philosophy of the "water course way" which in essence means to take the path of least harm. From their site: “We are a scratch kitchen that focuses on utilizing local vendors, sustainable
Allergy-Friendly Dining Options for Kids
This restaurant is 100 percent vegan and lists the allergens in each dish, making ordering simple for guests with food allergies. Many kids menu items are available gluten-free, try the soy-free mac and cheese.
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Best Natural Foods: The Mile High City’s vegetarians flock to WaterCourse Foods, 837 E. 17th Ave., Denver (tel. 303/832-7313), for such specialties as meatless tamales and banana-bread French toast.
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Since opening back in 1998, it has championed sustainability, local vendors and seeking to give more than it takes. Discover the philosophy behind the “water course way” for yourself today.
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One such restaurant is "Watercourse Foods," a plant-based eatery that offers a diverse menu featuring dishes such as vegan mac and cheese, buffalo cauliflower wings, and avocado toast.
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837 E 17th AvenueDenver, CO 80218(303) 832-7313 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Watercourse Foods is a warm, casual cafe serving fresh comfort fare.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit