Denver’s Oldest Restaurant: The Buckhorn Exchange

The honor of being the oldest of the Denver restaurants belongs to the Buckhorn Exchange which is located in the oldest part of Denver, Larimer Square at 1000 Osage Street, Denver Colorado, 80204. Call 303-534-9505 for reservations and Buckhorn Exchange is one of the Denver restaurants where reservations are almost a must. It is not only one of the most popular restaurants, but also one of the biggest tourist attractions, with its western museum. The Buckhorn Exchange was opened in 1893, just 35 years after the first buildings appeared in what was to become Denver. The atmosphere and dress is casual with red and white checkered tablecloths and wild west decor. The Buckhorn Exchange is open for lunch Monday to Friday from 11AM to 2 PM and for supper Monday to Thursday 5.30PM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 5PM to 10PM and Sunday 5PM to 9PM.

The Buckhorm is one of the Denver restaurants where you will find a mix of traditional and very non traditional choices for both lunch and supper. You can start your meal at Buckhorn Exchange with appetizers like Fried Artichoke Hearts for $8.75, Chilled Smoked Salmon for $10.75, Marinated Rattlesnake for $15.75 or Fried Alligator Tail for $10.75. Just how adventurous are you?

The lunch menu has traditional items such as Bratwurst for $9.75 and Grilled Salmon with wild rice for $9.75 and some more unusual items such as broiled medallions of Elk for $18.00., The lunch menu at Buckhorn Exchange also offers burgers – you can choose to have beef or buffalo, or a grilled double chicken breast- such as the Mexican topped with Guacamole, green chiles and Monterey Jack cheese, Double Cheese topped with a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese or a Patty Melt for $9,50 each. You can choose a sandwich such as Granny Fanny’s Pot Roast for $9.50 or a Buffalo ruben for $9.75. They also have salads ranging in price from the Buckhorn Salad – greens with mandarin oranges and pecans for $4.75 to the Chicken or Salmon Caesar for $10.75.

The supper menu at Buckhorn Exchange has beef choices like the 24 oz T-Bone Steak for $49.00, buffalo choices like the 12 oz Buffalo Prime Rib for $35.00, game dishes like Cornish Game Hen for $22.00, combination plates like Elk and Cornish Game Hen for $33.00 and the big steak for two for $74.00.

The Buckhorn Exchange is one of the Denver restaurants where the kids have their own menu. They can have items like a beef or buffalo cheeseburger for $5.50 or Elk for $5.75.

Buckhorn Exchange is one of the Denver restaurants where you can end your meal with sweet choices like cheesecake for $6.25 or hot Dutch apple pie for $6.25. Add cinnamon rum sauce for an additional 50 cents and/or ice cream for $1.00.

Notes on Buckhorn Exchange. Not coming to the Buckhorn exchange is like going to New York and not seeing the Empire State building. It is in a busy section of Denver, but there is both on street and garage parking in the area. Give them a call and see if they validate at any of the garages. Don’t forget the reservations, or you will be disappointed.