Watercourse Foods: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Watercourse Foods is Denver’s oldest fully vegan restaurant, and after more than 25 years it’s still the city’s best answer for plant-based comfort food done right. The kitchen makes everything from scratch, including the faux meats and cheeses, which puts it in a different league from places that simply swap in store-bought substitutes. Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian or someone who’s never skipped a burger, the food here tends to win you over.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Watercourse Foods

Everything. Watercourse went 100% vegan in 2014, so you won’t find a single animal product on the menu. That covers brunch, lunch, dinner, the cocktail bar, and the dessert case. The kitchen sources organic and local ingredients where it can, and all proteins, from seitan to tofu, are prepared in-house. There’s no guesswork about what’s safe to order, and no risk of meat cross-contact for vegetarians.

Signature dishes to order

The seitan wings are the move if you’re ordering for the first time, tossed in buffalo, maple BBQ, or blueberry gochujang and served with vegan ranch. The Cuban sandwich, pressed seitan with pickles and cumin mustard aioli on a toasted baguette, is one of the most-mentioned items in reviews. Brunch runs Friday through Sunday and it’s a strong reason to come on its own. The seasonal French toast, the biscuits and gravy, and the breakfast burritos loaded with tempeh chorizo are all standouts. For dinner, the Orange Teriyaki Bowl with crispy seitan, the buffalo cauliflower, and the Classic Philly are consistent crowd favorites. The cocktail bar is a real one, and vegan milkshakes are available if you want dessert in a glass.

How to order

Watercourse runs a counter-service model with QR code ordering. You order at the counter or on your phone, and there’s no table service. Reservations are accepted for parties of two or more, up to two hours in advance, and groups larger than 14 should email the restaurant ahead. The patio is dog-friendly, and there’s free off-street parking, which matters in this part of Uptown Denver. The restaurant runs a Tuesday takeout discount and a loyalty program where your fifth visit gets you 50% off.

What to watch out for

Vegetarians and vegans have nothing to avoid, since the whole kitchen is plant-based. Gluten is the thing to watch. The kitchen offers gluten-free bread and several naturally gluten-free dishes including the flourless chocolate cake, but there’s no dedicated gluten-free fryer, so celiac diners need to skip anything fried, including the wings and fries. Staff label cross-contamination risks on the menu, so it’s easy to spot what’s safe. The counter-service format is a change from the old full table-service model, and prices have crept up over the years to reflect the scratch-kitchen approach.

Is Watercourse Foods worth it?

Yes, and it’s not close. Denver has more vegan options now than it did when Watercourse opened in 1998, but this place still sets the standard. The scratch-made proteins and in-house cheese production give the food a depth that’s hard to replicate, and the menu range from brunch plates to cocktails means it works for almost any occasion. Westword named it Denver’s Best Vegan Restaurant in 2019, and TripAdvisor ranks it 25th out of more than 2,700 Denver restaurants overall, not just vegetarian ones. If you’re visiting Denver and you eat at one plant-based restaurant, make it this one.