When the craving for fresh seafood strikes midweek, you need a Westminster spot that won’t require reservations weeks in advance or break the bank—somewhere you can slip into after work, savor expertly prepared fish, and still make it home in time to catch the latest streaming obsession.
Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant Westminster
$ | (303) 426-8523 | WEBSITE
You finally decided to try that new hiking trail at Standley Lake on a Saturday afternoon, but it’s left you absolutely famished on the way home? Los Arcos is just off the highway and a perfect spot to swing by for a satisfying plate of authentic Mexican food. Their signature crispy rellenos are a flavorful, comforting, almost decadent dish, and will fuel you up for tackling the rest of your weekend errands.
Long John Silver’s | KFC
$ | (720) 929-9300 | WEBSITE
Westminster isn’t short on solid (or affordable) dining options, but Long John Silver’s | KFC is one of our reliable picks. It’s a quick-service seafood and chicken spot where everything, from the Wednesday-only chicken fried steak meal to the fan-favorite clams, is under $10. Sides are budget-friendly too, typically around the $3 mark, and although the dining room can get a bit warm on hot days, the fresh, flavorful food and excellent service make it a satisfying stop.
The convenient location with an A&W and convenience store nearby adds to the appeal, and the staff’s willingness to correct any mistakes ensures a consistently good experience.
Mariscos El Berrinche’s Mexican Restaurant
$$ | (303) 426-7976 | WEBSITE
Head over to Mariscos El Berrinche’s Mexican Restaurant in Westminster for some excellent Latino-style seafood. Order the delicious appetizers, the authentic flavors, and the mixed experience. It makes for a perfect casual dinner with loved ones, especially if you’re down with embracing the hit-or-miss service, and you should know that the decor transports customers back to their home country, creating a special atmosphere despite the occasional delays.
Bonefish Grill
$$ | (303) 423-3474 | WEBSITE
Bonefish Grill feels inviting, but the seafood’s actually both really delicious and quite reasonably priced, even if your usual jam is fish and chips from the local pub. The fresh seafood here is ridiculously tasty, and at around fifteen bucks a plate, you can easily order a few dishes to share between you and a friend. The Bang Bang Shrimp is the best-known dish, but our favourite is the shrimp pineapple special.
This is the one exception on our list in that it’s usually pretty busy at times, but it’s worth it because the seafood is really bloody good – get there early if you really hate waiting.
Sunflower Thai
$ | (720) 502-4121 | WEBSITE
We’re of the opinion that affordable Thai spots make for great mid-week dinner spots, so here’s another one, located in Westminster. Although the parking can get busy, it’s convenient with free spots nearby as the clean setting doesn’t invite you to linger too long. The curries are good, but the mango rice is even better, so save some room for that.
ANA’S Mexican Grill
$ | (303) 465-6472 | WEBSITE
Like discovering that ‘taco’ actually means ‘light lunch’ in Spanish, you might pause when you realize that yes, Ana’s Mexican Grill is a family-run spot, and yes, their food is genuinely authentic. The restaurant is lively enough to settle into on a Friday evening, and though the straightforward Mexican fare won’t reinvent the wheel, it doesn’t have to, as the whole vibe is completely welcoming. The fish tacos and shredded beef are the ones to order.
Saltgrass Steak House
$$ | (303) 429-4300 | WEBSITE
This welcoming steakhouse in Westminster is the kind of place to have an evening of affordable fried pickles, muscle spouts, and those famous tendies. Our game plan would be to order all three starters. Not because of the prices, but because, realistically, you need them all. The warm lighting, tastefully casual decor, and little Western touches will make you feel like the Front Range foothills stop in Texas now.
3 Margaritas Orchard Mall
$ | (303) 280-2595 | WEBSITE
It may surprise you to learn this, but 3 Margaritas Orchard Mall serves authentic Mexican cuisine, and it’s absolutely where you should be spending around $25 per person for a Friday night meal if you’re in Westminster. The signature margaritas and basket of chips are essentials: fresh and generous, like a family reunion with all your favorite relatives gathered around. Plus they’re only $12 for a large portion.
Asian Cajun
$$ | (720) 550-7176 | WEBSITE
When you’re meeting friends who want something ‘flavorful, fun, and not too pricey’, we’d suggest Asian Cajun. This spot in Westminster does a truly fantastic crawfish or crab boil for around $25. Everything here comes with a twist – expect to find Cajun fried rice, peeled shrimp, or a fantastic selection of spirits with your meal. It’s definitely a little more exciting than your usual Tuesday night spot.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
$$ | (303) 940-5620 | WEBSITE
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a charming-looking restaurant that feels like it should be in a rustic Italian cookbook. The food’s good, and the Italian Classics Trio is particularly good when it’s on, while the arancini is a nice way to mix things up. Share a plate of Parmesan Rosemary fries, and you’ve got a perfect mid-week dinner. They also have gluten-free options if you’re watching your diet.
Big Mac & Little Lu’s Seafood
$$ | (303) 404-2722 | WEBSITE
Weeknight seafood can be a recipe for mid-month bankruptcy. Luckily, you can easily wander into Big Mac & Little Lu’s Seafood, eat some great lobster bisque, down some live music and only risk a score. Also, did we mention the coconut shrimp and fifteen dollar cocktails? You should probably order those too. There’s also an ‘all in’ deal where you can get ‘pre dinner bites’, fish tacos with clam chowder, and a side for $25.
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
$$ | (303) 427-8888 | WEBSITE
We love the boil bags at Hook & Reel, but it’s very easy to go wild and overorder and end up eating ramen noodles for the rest of the week. Stick with the deep-fried shrimp and chicken tenders though, and you’ll be golden – they’re affordable, very tasty, and the combination of a seat at the bar-slash-wooden decor and nice Cajun seafood makes a nice change to the usual weekend fare. It’s no reservations, but the wait’s usually manageable.
