“The Michelin way,” it turns out, is the Colorado way.

We’re referring to food here — the Michelin Guide that recommends the finest in dining for worldwide travelers. And since inspectors have been coming to the Denver area and mountain resorts the past few years, they’ve found plenty of reasons to come back.

The 2025 guide lists 50 restaurants, with 19 receiving Michelin’s most coveted stars or a Bib Gourmand award for “great food at a great value.”

Here’s a look:

THE STARS

The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver: The restaurant is Colorado’s first to receive two stars on Michelin’s scale to three. Evidently, the chef continues raising the genre-bending bar while keeping “a rigorous commitment to local sourcing,” inspectors noted.

Alma Fonda Fina, Denver: From his family’s restaurant in Guadalajara, chef Johnny Curiel has gone on to Michelin acclaim here. He was previously given the Young Chef Award for his work at this eatery, with fun twists on dishes from his native land.

Beckon, Denver: “More than just a name, it’s an ethos at this ambitious RiNo dining room,” inspectors wrote. From the 18-seat counter, they highlighted a multicourse meal featuring carefully crafted small plates and “especially captivating” desserts.

Bosq, Aspen: Chef Barclay Dodge has taken the adventurous spirit of his hometown and applied it to the kitchen. Inspectors noted “hand-picked spruce tips,” butter from local cows and faraway lobster grilled on nearby juniper wood.

Bruto, Denver: The restaurant can’t hide in the Dairy Block’s Free Market in LoDo — not with the large hearth that is central to the cooking here. Michelin inspectors gave points for “locality and seasonality” and “Japanese and Nordic elements.”

Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder: Inspectors are singing the praises that Boulderites have been singing for 20 years now. The James Beard Foundation, too, has found Frasca’s approach irresistible — an homage to a little-known region of Italy.

Kizaki, Denver: Chef Toshi Kizaki was key in diversifying Denver palates with the sushi bar he opened in 1984. Now comes his Michelin moment. Inspectors praised the menu for “blending traditional edomae techniques and creative modern flourishes.”

Margot, Denver: After years of hopping around to other high-end kitchens around the city, chef Justin Fulton settled into his own space. The circuitous path paid off. Inspectors found Fulton’s cuisine to be “both global and distinctly Coloradan.”

Mezcaleria Alma, Denver: After Kizaki and Margot, this rounds out the new One Star entries for 2025 — ending where the state’s guide began with Curiel. The concept, by its own description, seeks “to showcase the dynamic energy of Mexico City.”

BIB GOURMANDS

Ash’Kara, Denver: Reggie Dotson is native to Denver, but his culinary mind has been on North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. So go the flavors in this vibrant nook in LoHi.

Basta, Boulder: Michelin inspectors say you can’t go wrong with a spot at the bar — “a front row seat to the culinary action, where family-style, contemporary Italian-American cooking is the name of the game.”

Cozobi Fonda Fina, Boulder: Inspectors followed Curiel again to Boulder, where he is playing with “maize in its many guises.” Tortillas are only the most expected creation of the corn from Mexico.

Ginger Pig, Denver: Chef Natascha Hess’ passion for Asian cuisine pairs well with her wild imagination. That explains the huge Korean corndog and equally epic Hong Kong French toast.

Glo Noodle House, Denver: Inspectors discovered this hidden gem in a strip mall along 38th Avenue. “Authentic yet playful” is the motto, symbolized by a long list of ramen and sweets.

Hop Alley, Denver: It has been a staple of RiNo’s ever-evolving food scene. The name hearkens to Denver’s original Chinatown of the 19th century, but modern is the aim of Chinese cuisine here.

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, Denver: The hideaway claiming to be the city’s first spot dedicated to pozole (traditional Mexican soup) and mezcal (alcoholic nectar) is also the best, according to Michelin.

MAKfam, Denver: A couple’s New York City pop-up moved to a Denver food hall and then to a brick-and-mortar. Inspectors call the dishes “familiar yet inventive,” like corned beef fried rice and spicy garlic butter rice cakes.

Mister Oso, Denver: Since opening six years ago in RiNo, Mister Oso’s tacos have spread to Wash Park, Boulder and Denver International Airport. Inspectors cited the smoked lamb cheek tacos.

Tavernetta, Denver: Inspectors called the contemporary Italian restaurant on 16th Street “an absolute stunner.” That was for the “unique and beautiful space” and for the luxurious food.