"Because food is also art, I love making the connection between makers of all kinds in such a concentrated area of the city," says Jessica Baumgart, owner of Delicious Denver Food Tours.
For Jessica, food has always been about more than what’s on the plate. To this long-time private chef and food tour guide, it’s about a passion for the people, showcasing their talents, and bringing communities together. About 10 years ago, she was newly married and embarked on a 13-month backpacking journey, where she sampled her way through 15 food tours across five continents. When Jessica returned home, she couldn’t let go of a life fueled by passion. So, she made it her career. By 2017, she launched Delicious Denver Food Tours, what she originally thought would be a side business. Now, demand has turned it into her full-time business, with several different food and drink options to select.
A newer tour, the RiNo Arts District Food Tour, is probably the most immersive to the senses. You can explore incredible art and great eats while on this tour.
Delicious Denver
Denver Dining
Immersing All Your Senses on the RiNo District Food Tour
If you think gritty and industrial when you hear Downtown Denver, you’re thinking of the past. Short for River North, the RiNo District has transformed over the past two decades into a vibrant community of street art, breweries, coffeehouses, galleries and restaurants. And if there’s one neighborhood that mirrors Jessica’s vision, it’s the RiNo Arts District.
“RiNo is one of Denver’s most interesting neighborhoods, and it’s certainly seen so much change,” explains Jessica. “As it’s grown… it’s also become an epicenter for great local chefs to open restaurants and bars.”
The RiNo District Food Tour was the third tour Jessica launched. Having been a frequent visitor to the neighborhood, she knew not only where to eat, but also the hidden paths to take, and that’s integrated into this tour. As you go between bites of inventive local cuisine, your guide leads you through alleyways where graffiti and small installations might otherwise be missed.
“The neighborhood is so colorful that you can get distracted by just the largest murals, but I love to draw eyes to things hidden and unnoticed, which can be equally beautiful and thought-provoking,” shares Jessica.
Then, of course, there’s the food itself. Stops rotate among award-winning, locally owned restaurants. Jessica hand-picks partners based not only on the quality of their food but also the stories behind them. On this tour, you’ll get to taste ricotta gnocchi, sourdough pizza, street tacos, great cocktails and finish off with an unexpected crowd-pleaser—a personal favorite of Jessica’s—a scoop of basil blackberry ice cream.
“One of the things I love most on our food tours is introducing new dishes to guests and seeing them surprise themselves by enjoying them,” she shares. “That ice cream is definitely one of our guests’ favorite stops!”
A Food Scene That Mirrors Denver’s Resilience
As history shows us, farming and ranching in Colorado have never been for the faint of heart. Maybe that’s what makes the food here so unique and flavorful. Denver’s culinary identity, Jessica says, mirrors the city itself.
“I like to think of our food scene as scrappy, unique and resilient. Like the history of Denver itself, it’s survived and grown despite all odds,” she explains. “Our growing season is short, we deal with high elevation. And yet we have world-class ranches outside of the city and thriving farm-to-table concepts. Running a restaurant is incredibly difficult, and these people could be doing so many other, easier jobs. But they choose this because of their grit and passion.”
It’s that passion that guests taste in every bite, from bao stuffed with tender duck to experimental twists on traditional desserts.
Other Tastes of Denver
While the RiNo tour shines as a feast for all five senses, Denver Food Tours has more options, each designed to showcase a different side of the city. For the first-time food touring guests, Jessica recommends the Downtown Food Tour—a three-hour stroll that covers five local restaurants plus Denver icons like Union Station and McGregor Square. Other notable mentions include the Cocktail Tasting Tour, which explores the city’s craft spirits scene, while the 16th Street Mall Food Tour highlights a revitalized artery of downtown with stops like Dragonfly Noodle, where hoisin duck bao is currently Jessica’s personal favorite bite.
The RiNo District Food Tour runs regularly, taking guests deep into the heart of Denver’s most artistic neighborhood.
To book your tour, head to deliciousdenverfoodtours.com, where you’ll find schedules, pricing and options for other neighborhood adventures.
To plan your trip to Denver, head to denver.org.