Denver may not be at the culinary heights to which it aspires, but it has already come a long way from the buffalo burgers and green chili that were typical fare a decade ago.

In the past several years, the more relaxed, affordable, outdoorsy lifestyle of this Rocky Mountain gateway has drawn seasoned chefs from around the globe. They've brought with them everything from savory French food to some of the most creative Italian cooking this side of New York.

That's good news for the 50,000 or so visitors who will be in Denver for the Democratic National Convention. The city has virtually every kind of cuisine, ethnic and otherwise, friendly bar dining, communal tables, and someone always looking for good table conversation. And while finding great local cuisine isn't hard, you'll have to venture a few blocks away from the relatively new convention center at the east end of LoDo (Lower Downtown). Here, our picks for solo dining a mile high.

Lower Downtown: Snooze
2262 Larimer Street
303-297-0700
Snooze, a local favorite near the ballpark in LoDo, may be the best morning haunt in town. Owner Jon Schlegel, along with chef/partner Brenda Buenviaje, have come up with a.m. originals such as the Snooze Spuds Deluxe—heaping portions of hash brown with melted cheese and eggs—and the Molten Chocolate French Toast—challah filled with Ghiradelli chocolate and vanilla crème anglaise. If you like an early start, there's also a full bar with morning cocktails ranging from pomegranate mimosas to morning manhattans. It's so casual you almost feel like you could show up in pajamas and no one would say a word.
Dress: Casual
Prices: Inexpensive
Reservations: Not necessary
Close to: LoDo and Coors Field

Cherry Creek: Barolo Grill
3030 East Sixth Avenue
303-393-1040
Depending on who you ask, this Northern Italian classic has the best bar in town for sipping wine, dining, or both. The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable about pairing wines with house dishes such as braised duckling or pancetta-wrapped salmon. They know their pasta too. Owner Blair Taylor takes all of his employees to Italy each year to study up on the region's flavors. Barolo also places a big focus on wines, stocking more than 850 varieties, more than 90 percent of them Italian. You can't reserve a spot at the bar—but if it's full when you arrive, it's worth the wait.
Dress: Business casual
Prices: Expensive
Reservations: Necessary for a table; not accepted for the bar
Close to: The JW Marriott Hotel at Cherry Creek

Larimer Square: Bistro Vendôme
1420 Larimer Square
303-825-3232
People-watching is one of the things that's made this classic French bistro so popular. It's located in Larimer Square, once the hangout of members of the Beat Generation (i.e. Jack Kerouac and company) and now a gentrified neighborhood with small boutiques and some of the city's best restaurants. A petite jardin adorns Bistro Vendôme's outside patio, where most prefer to dine and watch the crowds (weather permitting). The restaurant can only accommodate 48 inside, but the close-together tables are conducive to striking up conversation with neighbors. The small bar is also comfortable for singles. Food is French brasserie style—steak au poivre, crepes, roasted chicken, and what many claim are the best fries in the city—and the martinis are legendary.
Dress: Casual
Prices: Moderate
Reservations: Recommended
Close to: Hotel Teatro and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Hotel Monaco: Panzano
909 17th Street
303-296-3525
The scent of garlic permeates Panzano, a Northern Italian spot in the Hotel Monaco. Dishes such as ahi tuna with avocado and white truffle oil, house-made fettuccini with shrimp and pancetta, and grilled lamb with borlotti beans keep Panzano at the head of Denver's "best restaurant" list. This is a big, raucous place, but the large bar is good for solo diners and a fine place to sip a glass of wine from the extensive list. Lunch is a power scene; evenings are more laid-back.
Dress: Business elegant
Prices: Expensive
Reservations: Recommended
Close to: The 16th Street Mall and the financial district

Highlands Neighborhood: Sushi Sasa
2401 15th Street
303-433-7272
Sushi restaurants can be a good choice for eating alone—the best seats in the house are usually at the bar; the preparation provides entertainment. But raw fish isn't an obvious pick in a city far from the sea. The two-year-old Sushi Sasa is the exception, a tiny neighborhood eatery that draws raves for its Kumamoto oysters, black cod, and toro tartare. Sit in the well-lit upstairs or head to the downstairs lounge for a drink. Just don't try to pronounce the name of the place more than twice after sampling the sake.
Dress: Anything goes
Prices: Moderate
Reservations:  Not needed for the bar
Close to: Downtown

Golden Triangle: Palettes
100 West 14th Avenue Parkway
Denver Art Museum
303-534-1455
If you're looking for an escape, head to the Denver Art Museum for some culture, then to the café run by Kevin Taylor, who helped kick off the local gourmet dining craze. You won't be alone in your aloneness here—or disappointed by the food, which includes an award-winning sweet corn soup with guacamole and barbecued shrimp, and Colorado lamb rib chops with lentils and spinach. Taylor uses only ingredients that are fresh and seasonal.
Dress: Casual
Prices: Moderate to expensive
Reservations: Suggested
Close to: Downtown