Denver has no shortage of great restaurants, but none of them come close to matching the history of the Buckhorn Exchange. Open since 1893, it's the oldest restaurant in Denver, Colorado, and one of the most unusual dining experiences. This is not a tourist trap, but an experience you might enjoy. Though, it could be considered polarizing (especially if you're a vegetarian or animal-lover. We love animals; it was difficult, but we must remember not to look at history through a contemporary lens).
A Brief History
The Buckhorn Exchange was founded by Henry "Shorty Scout" Zietz, a scout and frontier guide who worked alongside Buffalo Bill Cody. Zietz opened the restaurant at 1000 Osage Street in 1893, in what was then the rougher edge of Denver's central district.
Over the decades, it became a gathering place for frontiersmen, politicians, Native American chiefs, and eventually tourists. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan all ate here. The Denver Broncos used to bring players here after big wins. It's on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Taxidermy
Nothing prepares you for walking in because the walls, the ceilings, every surface, really, is covered with mounted animal heads and full-body taxidermy mounts. Elk, buffalo, moose, mountain lions, wolves, zebra, rhino, alligator, a two-headed calf, and dozens of species you won't immediately recognize. It's part natural history museum, part hunting lodge, part frontier saloon. The collection has been building since the 1890s and is protected as part of the historic designation.
The second floor has the same overwhelming density of mounts, plus framed photos of historic Denver and original frontier artifacts.
What to Order
The Buckhorn Exchange is famous for wild game, and the menu is the real deal. Some standouts:
- Buffalo prime rib: rich, slightly gamey, deeply satisfying. The signature dish for many returning visitors.
- Elk medallions: lean and tender, often served with a berry reduction.
- Rattlesnake and rabbit sausage appetizer which is not as challenging as it sounds, and a great story to tell later.
- Alligator tail: a bar bite that regularly makes first-timers do a double-take at the menu.
- Colorado lamb chops: for those who want something a bit more conventional but still excellent.
- Western buffalo ribeye: if you want a steak, this is the one to get here.
They also do standard beef cuts like filet mignon or New York strip for guests who aren't ready for game. The wine list is solid, and the cocktail program leans into Western classics.
The Atmosphere
Expect dim lighting, dark wood, and leather booths. The service is attentive (e.g., your water glass never goes below half full). Dinner here runs around ~$60–$100 per person with drinks, making it a special-occasion spot for most locals.
On weekends, there's often live country and bluegrass music downstairs. The bar itself, with all its original late-19th-century woodwork, is worth sitting at for a drink, even if you don't stay for dinner.
Getting There
The Buckhorn Exchange is at 1000 Osage Street, Denver, CO 80204, about a 10-minute drive west from downtown Denver or a short ride on the RTD light rail to the 10th & Osage RTD station. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner, especially on weekends. Lunch service is also available.
Is It Worth It?
If you're visiting Denver and you have even a passing interest in American history, the frontier West, or genuinely unusual dining experiences, then there is no other restaurant that looks like this or serves this food. It's not a theme park recreation of the Wild West. It's the real thing, still operating after 130 years.