The majority of things to do in Denver’s Montclair are situated around the neighborhood’s edges. There are multiple pocket parks and plenty of bike lanes that make for prime exploring by two wheels. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Denver, Montclair features historic touches if you know where to look for them and families will enjoy a quiet life that still provides accessibility to the city and mountains when the desire to switch up the scenery strikes.
The Best Coffee Near Montclair
Many people aren’t at their best selves before their daily dose of caffeine. If you want a break from brewing your cup at home or you simply want to explore new spots around Montclair, these are the best places to grab a latte or even a nitro cold brew.
La Fillette Bakery
6217 East 14th Avenue
The owner of La Fillette Bakery, Keturah Fleming, began the French-inspired bakery back in 2015. Since then, the team has been committed to crafting delicious dishes and freshly brewed coffee that allows for a connection with each customer who takes a sip or a bite. Coffee includes a drip Logan House coffee, lattes, and a nitro cold brew. The bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and has designated happy hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The menu features croissants with various fillings, such as traditional almond, chocolate, and ham and cheese. The savory roll features hatch green chili and cheddar cheese and the cinnamon roll keeps it classic with a cream cheese frosting.
BeauTea Bubbles
723 Quebec Street
Despite being a boba tea shop, BeauTea Bubbles is a must-try for those who appreciate Vietnamese coffee. This coffee is sweetened with condensed milk, providing a unique flavor profile. The robust flavor isn’t for everybody but if you enjoy a strong cup of coffee before you tackle your next Zoom meeting, BeauTea Bubbles has both a traditional option and a coffee slush. The shop’s tea offering is extensive, featuring matcha, oolong, jasmine, and Thai. Whatever your drink of choice, you’ll find plenty of caffeinated variations at this Quebec Street hotspot.
Quince Coffee House
1447 Quince Street
Quince Coffee House thrives off of community and provides a welcome space to connect and nurture creativity and relationships. The shop features their specialty espresso, as well as Ethiopian, Columbian, and Brazilian hand-roasted blends. Not only does the shop serve tasty coffee beverages, but it also hosts local artists and live music to further enhance the space. The menu includes a bottomless 20 oz cup, macchiatos, Venetian creams, mochas, and of course, lattes galore. Those preferring tea over coffee can choose from hot and iced varieties, as well as chai and matcha.
Where to Eat & Drink in Montclair
Denver’s Montclair neighborhood features a wide range of flavors, from authentic Ethiopian bites to street tacos and classic Italian fare.
Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant
1422 Poplar Street
Mesob is a casual eatery that packs major flavor. The family-owned establishment has been in operation since 2006 and has continued to source spices directly from Ethiopia, ensuring the dishes taste authentic. Small plates include sambusas filled with savory lentils and tomatim firfir, which is a tangy injera dish with tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions. Entrees feature veggie combos, tikil gomen, beef stews, and beef or chicken tibs. The restaurant is open from 4 PM to 11 PM every day and accepts reservations and to-go orders. Most dishes come with a side of the popular injera bread that allows diners to scoop up their bite and enjoy a compact experience of textures and tastes.
Bertha’s Baja Bistro
900 Jersey Street
Bertha’s Baja Bistro truly has something for everyone, from comfort American dishes to fresh Alaskan salmon and street tacos that are begging to be washed down with a refreshing margarita. The bistro has a full bar area, as well as a patio that’s heated during the winter months. There are specials that run throughout the week, such as a weekday happy hour and Taco Tuesday that allows diners to mix and match their choice of chicken, beef, pork, Mahi, and cod. Thursdays are all about French dip and Philly cheesesteaks and Fridays are for ribeye steak and mashed potatoes.
Sweet Rice
942 Jersey Street
If you have a craving for authentic Chinese cuisine, Sweet Rice not only offers a convenient location and affordably priced menu, but it also boasts high-quality, fresh ingredients. The Asian eatery has been in business for nearly three decades, through support from its loyal following and new residents who are drawn in by the welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, and dinner service Saturday through Monday. Appetizers feature coconut shrimp, spicy edamame, scallion pancakes, and fried calamari. House specials include Panang curry, honey prawn with walnuts, satay beef, and a sweet and sour combination dish.
Jimmy’s Jersey Street Cafe
932 Jersey Street
If you’re in the mood for a classic take on Italian fair nestled into a cozy neighborhood spot, Jimmy’s has you covered. The restaurant only uses the finest and freshest ingredients for its ever-changing seasonal offerings to craft the high-quality dishes on its brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. Chef and restaurateur, Jimmy Lambato, has remained an icon in the Denver food scene for over five decades. During that time, he has been known for Footer’s Restaurant, Bauer’s, and Ivy at the Glenn. The menu of Jimmy’s Jersey Street Cafe includes specialties such as lobster and seafood ravioli, lamb pops with a mint cucumber yogurt sauce, and an asparagus and sun-dried tomato risotto.
Tessa Delicatessen
5724 East Colfax Avenue
This well-loved neighborhood deli is a favorite of the Montclair and East Colfax communities. Tessa Delicatessen specializes in simple, yet well-made deli staples that use as many local ingredients as possible. Whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, salad, or pasta dish — everything has been made with care and attention to detail. There are beer, wine, and cocktails available for dine-in and takeaway orders, as well as daily specials. Popular items on the menu include the OG Italian with pepperoni, Genoa, mortadella, ham, and a pepper spread and the classic chicken salad sandwich served on sourdough bread. Grab a pastry before you leave, with options such as brownies, cheesecake, carrot cake, and even bread pudding.
Can’t-Miss Shops in Montclair
Though not known for its extensive shopping, Montclair is home to Denver’s oldest remaining garden center for those looking to spruce up their yards and garden beds and a couple of vintage shops that are begging to be perused while you search for your next treasure.
City Floral Garden Center
1440 Kearney Street
City Floral Garden Center is a full-service garden center that operates 12 months a year. The operation has been growing (and selling) their plants for over 110 years! The greenhouse sells cut flowers, such as carnations, roses, tulips, and chrysanthemums. Aside from their florals, the center also sells anything home gardeners would need, including equipment and supplies. Pet lovers will be excited to know that City Floral is pet-friendly and welcomes well-behaved leashed pets. You may even spot the greenhouse cat that wanders around the property, helping customers choose the perfect potted plant for their patio.
The Shop Outpost
5728 East Colfax Avenue
This Western and vintage apparel mercantile in Denver is a favorite of thrifters everywhere. The shop has items that can adorn your home and curate your space to be uniquely yours while supporting the health of the planet by reusing and repurposing goods. Products range from mahogany end tables and iron age cowboy boots to vintage tableware. The mission behind The Shop Outpost is to be consciously curated and in doing so, hopefully encourage people to alter their shopping behaviors from a wider view. When purchasing at The Shop, 6% of all sales go to charities that have been nominated by customers.
Antiques Etc.
5736 East Colfax Avenue
Antiques Etc covers over 10,000 square feet and includes over 50 dealers, making it one of the city’s best antique malls. Dealers range from specializations such as art, vinyl records, glassware, clothing, and even vintage used furniture that is looking for a new lease on life. The mall is open 7 days a week and keeps a showcase on its website so shoppers can get an idea of what may be in store for them before they visit. Antiques Etc keeps a waiting list for those looking to sell and is also well established in the estate sale and liquidation arena.
The Nightlife Scene Around Montclair
Montclair has limited nightlife options but the classic neighborhood bar is without a doubt an exciting place to spend a Friday night.
Mozart’s Denver
1417 Krameria Street
Mozart’s has called Montclair home for over 6 years now. Combining exciting weekly specials with a staff of friendly and dedicated professionals is one of the many reasons the lounge has operated successfully through a worldwide pandemic. On Mondays, all Colorado craft beers are $4 and Tequila Tuesdays discounts all top-shelf and call tequilas by $2. On Thursdays and Sundays, bring your singing voice because it’s karaoke night with mics going live at 8 PM. Whatever your cocktail of choice or preferred activity, Mozart’s probably has it on deck. Check out Whiskey Wednesday if you enjoy an old fashioned or simply sipping straight bourbon or rye.
Montclair’s Outdoor Spaces
The Montclair neighborhood doesn’t have any parks with lake loops, though several pocket parks make for a good space to retreat to during a weekday afternoon and get in your daily dose of sunshine.
Denison Park
1105 Quebec Street
Denison Park is one of Montclair’s handful of pocket parks and features a designated parking lot, as well as a playground, a basketball court, and a horseshoe pit. The tree-lined park has an open playing field that can be used for pickup soccer games or even leisurely picnics while watching the sunset or walking the dog. All pups must be leashed, per Denver park rules. The park hours run from 5 AM to 11 PM and burning is restricted to any designated grills — so no makeshift campfires.
Mayfair Park
1000 Ivy Street
Mayfair Park features a small playground area for the kiddos that’s well-maintained and has a few unique pieces of equipment. Many neighboring residents walk their dogs at this park, though they should be kept on a lead at all times. The grassy area has moderately sized trees that provide adequate shade during sunny afternoons. There is a basketball court, as well as a portable restroom on the premises.
Montclair’s Places of Interest
Montclair’s Art Gym is a unique space and attraction to local artists and creators across the city. This community gathering point is integral to allowing individuals to utilize workspaces that may otherwise be unavailable to them.
Art Gym Denver
1460 Leyden Street
Art Gym allows community members to avoid the high monthly costs associated with leasing or renting a private studio and instead, use the workspaces within the building based on a monthly membership fee. Artists and creators can reserve their workspace and any equipment available to them, which helps keep costs low and allows artists to prioritize their creativity over all else. Full access begins at just $115 a month and weekend access starts as low as $60 a month and includes 80 hours of access, no annual fees or contracts, and bookings are allowed up to a week in advance. Art Gym Denver provides tours so you can see it for yourself before deciding on what level of membership would best suit you. The studio also offers courses in printmaking and metalsmithing, where students can become certified to use the equipment in these workspaces.
Want to Learn More About Living in Denver’s Montclair?
If Montclair strikes you as a neighborhood you’d like to further explore, our team of friendly realtors at RE/MAX Professionals would love to show you around. The neighborhood has a distinctive charm and makes for an ideal location to raise a family or simply enjoy the many eateries and tree-lined walkways that the area has to offer.