Vegan
American
International
Juice bar
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Fusion
Breakfast
Offers a wide variety of plant-based comfort foods from vegan benedict and tofu dishes to Mexican fare and international plates to weekend brunch and french toast. Has open space. Established since 1998 as a vegetarian restaurant and switched to all vegan in 2012. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-9:00pm.
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Last update on 23 Jul 2024 by vegan_carrot
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541 Reviews
First Review by A.Z.P.
Nuflood
Points +50
Yum - Edit
Had a burito with beans and scrambled tofu in green pepper sauce. Was HOT like I love it. The place is nice and everyone were polite and fun to be around.
Read moreMany more options to try.
Guest
tauberl
Points +472
just as amazing as I expected! - Edit
I'd been looking forward to eating here on an upcoming trip to Denver so I had very high hopes- but Watercourse Foods did not disappoint!! My husband ordered the tomato curry soup and the taco plate, both were delicious; I had the artichoke heart po' boy with lentil salad, which were also really, really good (I could have done with a little extra remoulade on the sandwich, but it was still great). But the DESSERT- DO NOT SKIP DESSERT!! I was already so full but our waiter talked me into it and I'm so glad he did- I had the "Reece's" cake, which was (duh) chocolate peanut butter, and it was amazing, one of the best pieces of cake I've had. Ever.
Read morePros: amazing food, big menu, DESSERT!!
Guest
Boston1lv
Points +57
great food then, great food today - Edit
Over a decade ago I used to visit watercourse regularly. It was one of the first of its kind then and they offered some incredible food. Present day I find myself back in Denver eating at watercourse again. The food remains as delicious as it did back then, with some great additions. This is top of my list whenever visiting.
Read moreGuest
Roxychica28282
Points +29
vegan & GF - Edit
Everything is amazing and most of the menu can be made GF too which is even better!
Read moreGuest
TableForOne
Points +310
Highly Recommended - Edit
The place was busy when i got there, but as i was dining alone there was seating at the counter so i didn't have to wait. There were lots of couples and larger groups, as well as a few other solo diners.
Read moreI went for the bbq jack fruit with hush puppies and sides of kale and brown rice. As i had no idea what hush puppies might be, the friendly waitress explained that they were deep fried balls of corn bread. They were delicious, as was the rest of the meal.
I also had the Joonie Juice. An organic, cold-pressed mix of carrot, beetroot, apple and ginger. It was amazing, if a little pricey at $7.
Overall, i thought this was a great place and i definitely come back next time i'm in Denver.
Pros: Interesting menu, Friendly staff, Popular
Cons: A little expensive
Guest
Ned Harding
Points +343
Best Vegan Deserts - Edit
I don't want to shortchange their regular food because it is fantastic - especially now with the 100% vegan menu. The new chef is really top notch.
Read moreThat said, having been to a ton of vegan restaurants all over the world, Watercourse has the best deserts. Horrible place to go if you are on a diet.
Guest
Redheaded Vegan
Points +500
They're Now 100% VEGAN!! - Edit
I submitted a change today which might take the lovely folks at Happy Cow a little while to get up, but in the meantime I want to share the fabulous news that as of today, they are completely vegan! Oh, and as a fabulous surprise, some of their prices WENT DOWN!
Read moreThis place is a Denver veggie mainstay, and we love it. My husband and I frequent Watercourse often, and love their food and find the employees to be sweet for the most part. In fact, to address some issues I read from other reviewers, we have actually found the service has gotten better in recent years. We have also found that the best service is often to be had sitting at the bar, and we absolutely adore Brielle who often bar tends and is incredibly sweet and attentive.
Their menu is clearly marked for gluten-free and nut allergies, and they are very accommodating when it's possible. It used to be marked for vegan, but that is no longer an issue!
Their seitan wings are out of this world, and I was truly sad when I had to go gluten-free a few years back, but I'm happy to report they now have Buffalo Cauliflower Wings on the menu and holy cow(less)! Another of my favorite dishes is the Black Bean/Sweet Potato Tacos, they're very flavorful and filling. Breakfast is now an all day affair, and there are some very tasty options there as well. They have gluten-free bread available for their sandwiches, too.
Dessert is a lovely splurge. Yes, it's expensive, but it's not super-cheap to make and my hubby and I usually split it when we get something. The Scout Cookies are a thing of culinary beauty. They also carry vegan ice cream from Sweet Action, with a rotating special flavor.
Highly recommended for some good vegan comfort food!
Pros: Now 100% Vegan!, Tasty Food, Friendly Service
Cons: Service can be a bit slow, Often long waits
Guest
veganamanda
Points +251
For vegans and omnivores - Edit
I went to Watercourse with two omnivores - one of which who was not very familiar with vegetarian food. The waiter really helped him find something he would enjoy, and was patient to explain what everything was. The gnocchi special was delicious, as was the dessert. Both friends also enjoyed their meals. It is pricey - my bill was $37 for a small plate, glass of wine, and a small slice of cake.
Read morePros: Wait staff, Yummy vegan meals, Wine menu
Cons: Pricey, Small portions, Ambience
Guest
Vege20555
Points +29
LOVE THIS PLACE - Edit
I come here every visit to Denver. Veggie juices are great, buffalo wings are my favorite, and the staff is so welcoming and friendly. I can't say enough great things about the food and staff.
Read morePros: food, staff, speed
Guest
mbentz
Points +260
great food, nice family restaurant - Edit
The menu was nice and varied. There was vegan chicken & waffles which I sadly didn't get to try. We got a vegan cheese plate, which was fun & tasty. We tried the juices but they were a little too intense, especially the cayenne pepper one.
Read morePros: great food, nice 'family restaurant' atmosphere
Cons: cayenne pepper juice
Guest
Worldvegkitchen
Points +1295
Meh - Edit
I was a bit disappointed with this restaurant. My boyfriend and his family are meatatarians and I wanted to introduce them to good vegetarian food. Unfortunately the food wasn't amazing and I felt it was a missed opportunity to show how good the food could be. The first sandwich I ordered was so spicy I had to send it back and the second one was just very tomato-ey.
Read moreGuest
stevensmara
Points +94
Great Food Great Service - Edit
While dining here we had fabulous service from staff who were also very knowledgeable when it comes to vegan menu options. The restaurant was beautiful and fair priced
Read moreGuest
HappyCowKeown
Points +166
Vegan options, unusual yet delicious fare, a little pricey for the serving size. - Edit
We have visited Watercourse foods several times both as a family and as a couple for date night. The food is pleasant/good for the true veg head and they have a large & interesting menu which can mostly be veganized. The macro plate is delicious but definitely not for the unadventurous eater! The raw juices are fresh pressed, healthy and well worth the wait - especially the ones containing ginger. I agree that the level of vegan delight depends on which staff you get. Once, despite saying we were vegan at the outset, our whole meal was prepared Vegetarian and had to be sent back. So, tell them you are vegan more than once! By direct contrast, one day my child did not eat their meal because of the poor flavor and the server took it off the bill! Our best experience has been eating here without children when paying a little extra for the food seems indulgent and can be paired with a nice bottle of wine! If you are an adventurous vegan who likes smaller portions, try it and enjoy the variety. If you like more standard fare and feeling full, head to Native Foods!
Read morePros: Interesting menu for adventurous vegans, Great juices/smoothies
Cons: Pricey for small portions , Restaurant staff vary greatly in their knowledge &, Not great for kids (faux meat is terrible)
Guest
sglcklch
Points +3027
Sorely disappointed - Edit
My partner and I came here just to find out they wouldn't be serving their regular menu that evening, but a special prixe fixe "Harvest Dinner" for $70 per person, with every item also available a la carte. We were only hoping to get something light anyway as we had already had a few bites at the hotel. Plus, being out-of-towners, we weren't aware of other vegan options nearby, so we still headed in, which sadly turned out to be an utter disappointment.
Read moreI truly can't think of a single thing worth recommending about this place. Granted, it was a special menu they were doing, but if the food we had was supposed to be "special", I could only imagine how much better the regular menu could be. First dish we had was the "baby winter green salad with endive, raspberry powder, pear gastrique and blue cheese crisp". It was literally a few spring mix leaves and two endive leaves sandwiched between two thin speckled crisps dusted with raspberry powder. The dressing was bland; the pear "gastrique" completely eluded me. The portion was laughably small. All of which made the $12 price tag ridiculous. Next, we had the "caramelized leek and mushroom pâté with pomegranate reduction and crispy fennel salad". The pâté square was about the size of a slab of tofu, tasted okay, nothing special, and the so-called crispy fennel salad didn't seem to be anything more than several pieces of plain shaved fennel casually thrown on top. This plate was $14. Our last dish was the "mushroom 'mussels' served in a flavorful broth and warm bread". This didn't remind me the least bit of mussels so I have no clue why they would put it in the description. The mushrooms were... eh just mushrooms, a little one-note in flavor. The vegan challah bread was not bad dunked in the broth, but wasn't served warm as advertised; it came out cold. They charged $16 for this.
Overall the menu was uncreative; food was mediocre at best; presentation was very basic if not non-existent; portions were terribly paltry. The premium prices they asked were disgusting. That was my main beef. I don't mind dropping serious cash for a quality meal, but this certainly wasn't one of them. The fact that they failed to accomplish something as simple as warming the bread really hinted at the incompetence of the kitchen to deliver anything decent enough to match that price point. I was dumbfounded by the amount of reservations for this special menu they claimed to have, and felt sorry for those who opted to do the full menu.
Cons: grossly overpriced, boring food, meager portions
Guest
childchr
Points +29
All time favorite vegetarian spot - Edit
In all my travels Watercourse has to be my favorite vegetarian restaurant. I have such a hard time choosing because everything is SO good!
Read moreGuest
guinevereanne
Points +21
Excellent Food and Service! - Edit
It was very difficult to find a parking location and then the restaurant as they have umbrella's outside with some brand name on them.
Read moreThe food was wonderful, the atmosphere was nice and the staff was friendly. They served all vegan deserts (and I checked individually on the ingredience)
I highly recommend the place!
Pros: Excellent food, Friendly staff, Nice vibe
Cons: no parking
Guest
thomaspberry
Points +37
The best veggie place in Denver - Edit
We have eaten here many times and made it almost through the menu. We are vegan and their meals are original and wonderful. Forget the old deal of tofu by itself. This place has fresh food and the chef is very creative. And best of all - all the deserts are vegan. Like Boston cream pie. Over the top. Howe it to yourself to go here for dinner. Their other place, City o City is also very good - maybe more of a breakfast and lunch place but does do great dinners. It is just that Water Course is so darn good and creative.
Read morePros: Food, Price and value, Deserts
Cons: None
Guest
DougK
Points +886
Great vegan-friendly restaurant in Denver! - Edit
We love Watercourse - comfortable restaurant that isn't fancy but is nice. They have tons of great vegan options (the restaurant is vegetarian, but anything can be made vegan) and there are always so many hard decisions to make! Great apps and sandwiches, and breakfast is always a great choice. The bakery (located at their sister restaurant City O'City) has all vegan desserts, and everything we've tried has been delicious. Really, this is one of the best vegan places around.
Read morePros: Vegan, Delicious, Awesome desserts
Guest
Taos Vegan
Points +55
A little slice of heaven - Edit
Thank you Happy Cow for making me aware of this amazing place. I went to Denver to visit my sister (who is neither vegetarian nor vegan), and was blown away by the menu. We actually went back the next day to sample some more fare.
Read moreThe first day we started with the seitan buffalo wings: Winner! My sister had the savory crepe and I had the seitan wrap. We also had one of the juice concoctions and then split the chocolate mousse cake.
The portions are HUGE. A great bang for the buck. We had plenty for our doggy bags.
The next day, we had the hash. I must say I could sit down with a bowl of their gravy and eat just that - it was better than my mother's! We were so full we couldn't even attempt another dessert.
We sat at the bar both days, because the place was packed with a waiting line. We had the same waitress both days. She was so sweet and genuinely enjoyed our enthusiasm. She definitely added to the experience.
This is now my go-to place in Denver. Everything on the menu has a vegan alternative; all the sauces are vegan as well as the desserts. They have in-house vegan artisan cheeses as well.
They knocked this one out of the park!
Pros: Menu options, Taste, Service
Cons: None!
Guest
Rileymeisch
Points +28
Watercourse Foods - Edit
Amsterdam Hash vegan style + pancake and it's all over.
Read moreGuest
JanelHolt
Points +22
Delicious! - Edit
I have eaten here several times and every time the service is wonderful and the food is great.
Read morePros: Relaxed Atmosphere., Yummy Food!, Great Service.
Cons: Can be busy.
Guest
mcgyver68
Points +81
Long wait, Great Food. - Edit
I walked in, just before noon and there were two lines flanking each side of the entryway. I stood around puzzled for a moment and began asking people if they were waiting for a seat. Several told me to go add my name to the list. OK. I approached the hostess stand. Hostess came up, ignored me and addressed the folks standing beside me. OK. A few minutes later, another server walked up to the stand, took a look at the book, took a look around, and right through me, then walked away. Hmmmm? (I know I showered, wore socks? check!) Another few minutes and another person walks up, asks me if I need help, not really, just lunch... she motioned to the counter and said, just have a seat. Ahhh,,,, (I look back at all the folks waiting behind me). Whatever.
Read moreAt the counter there is a young lady who is working at blinding efficiency. She is making drinks, running appetizers to tables, just really hustling her [censored] off... and yet I can't help but notice the cluster of other wait-staff hovering around the POS station at the NE corner of the building. At any given time there are 3 or 4 just hanging around there while the girl at the bar/counter is doing four jobs at once. It took a while to get the food order in, yet I cannot possibly blame my server.
Eventually I got the Monti Pasta, which has portobellos and an herb sauce with cheese. That dish was 5-star wonderful. The sauce was amazing and the vegetables as well. All was perfectly prepared, never a thought of reaching for the salt or pepper which is my signal of well prepared food.
On this day, there were some profound service issues, the ONLY reason not to give 5 stars. If this is normally how they operate, I can see it really holding them back. Hopefully it was just an off-day, because the food was super-fantastic. I will try them again next time I come through DEN.
Pros: Sauces, Great Coffee, Menu
Cons: Service was a mess, Odd line-up at entry
Guest
JessHaz
Points +28
So many choices... - Edit
It is so cool to be able to go into a place and pick anything on the menu. I've been a vegetarian since I was about 4 so this hasn't happened many times in my life. The food's very good, very filling. Worth the price since with most anything you get on their menu you will have leftovers.
Read moreThe Country Fried Seitan was very good, the Rosie Tea was wonderful, and the tomato soup that my mother had was amazing.
I will definitely be back, if only to be able to say I can have anything on the menu I want again. ;)
Pros: Good , filling ood, Lots of choices
Cons: A little expensive
Guest
Petesternz
Points +1447
Amazing for breakfast and dinner - Edit
What can I say that hasn't been said already? This place is vegan heaven that didn't put a step wrong during my visit. I made it to Denver to visit family recently and rushed to Watercourse for dinner. The Buffalo Seitan wings were unbelievable, one of the best vegan appetizers I've ever had. Do not miss!!! My meal was great too. The homemade veggie burger was very special, as were the great side of beer-battered onion rings. Indeed, just reading the menu is enough to make me want to cry with joy. Dessert was sublime, with a German Chocolate cake with raspberry topping. As good as it sounds. Enjoyed it so much, I rushed back for breakfast before leaving Denver the next day. Had an amazing gravy with biscuits scrambled tofu that hit the spot perfectly. Only tiny tiny quibble was some below par coffee, but honestly, you cannot go wrong here. Biggest downside is figuring out which of the amazing dishes to have.... They really need a "six cow" category for this place.
Read morePros: Everything
Cons: Nothing
Guest
gr8vegan
Points +2369
Great sandwiches and beer! - Edit
I've been reading about Watercourse Foods on blogs of adventurous vegans all over who have raved about the food and beer. We were on a road trip and it was heavily raining when we made it to Denver. I fired up my Happycow App and recognized Watercourse and we made a B-line for the restaurant. They have a really great set up with a wonderful selection of beers. There is a nice area of outdoor seating and they were very welcoming. Unfortunately, we arrived at the tail end of a beer tasting so most of the beer was gone. We were able to work with our waiter to select healthy vegan items from the menu. He was very knowledgeable and conferred with the kitchen on ingredients and preparation to our restrictive oil-free vegan requirements. We settled on the Grinder and Pinto Veggie burger and steamed veggies and salad for sides. Though our order was a little mixed up, it was all to our satisfaction. Watercourse definitely lives up to the veg landmark status it's earned in the Denver area.
Read morePros: beer, atmosphere, grinder
Guest
j.lee
Points +119
One of the Best Places in the Denver/Boulder Area - Edit
While not technically a full vegan establishment, nearly everything on the menu can be made vegan. I had the Buffalo Tofu on our fist visit there, with seasonal vegetables and fries as a side, and the sandwich was just prepared just about perfect, although the sauce was a bit tangier than I remembered. Second visit I opted for a Po'Boy, made with a polenta crusted portobello, which again, was quite good, although the bun started to break apart towards the end of the meal. The wait staff was extremely prompt and helpful. I've got nothing bad to say about this place overall. Their sandwiches (and breakfast meals- my wife greatly enjoyed her scramble as well) put many other full vegan restaurants to shame. I'd go back.
Read morePros: Good Food, Many Vegan Options, Open for Breakfast
Cons: Little Pricey, Not Fully Vegan
Guest
EasterCat
Points +36
Great food, but avoid the country gravy - Edit
I visited Watercourse on Labor Day weekend and had two meals there, one at the restaurant and the other was take out.
Read moreSince I was by myself, I was given the option to sit at the bar or a table. I chose the bar. The service isn't attentive. It's pretty lackadaisical. Once I understood that, the service didn't bug me so much. Too bad it's not set up so certain things are self serve, like drinks and such.
I ordered the buffalo wings, onion rings and the chocolate shake. I'd read the portions were huge, but I still didn't expect it.
With the rings, I think they took half an onion, breaded it and fried it. Unfortunately, they were also pretty greasy. With the ketchup, it wasn't such a big deal. But when I ran out of the small portion of ketchup, I had to use the included ranch (which was vegan, cool). At first, I was excited because I had memories when I was like Homer Simpson and ate ranch on almost every savory food I consumed. Eventually, I realized that ranch and greasy foods may not have been an awesome combination like I remembered 10-15 years ago. So I ended up taking the onion out of the coating and eating them with the ranch. That worked better, but it probably looked really stupid.
When they serve you the shake, you receive a glass with a straw and spoon. Then you're given the metal shaker full of shake. It turns out this shaker holds 2-3 glasses worth of shake. If you're with a friend, see if you can get another glass and share. It's yummy and not too far off my memories of having a shake. Probably an omni might beg to differ, but if you're lactose intolerant like me, this is much better.
The portion of buffalo wings was also huge. At this point, I was getting close to being full by the rings and chocolate shake that I had been consuming. I had a couple of pieces with ranch before I raised the flag and asked the waitress for a container. The sauce they use for this rectangular wonders tastes so much like I remember buffalo sauce tasting like. It was properly spicy and had that ratio of necessary greasiness. I would've been suspicious if it weren't for the non conforming shapes of the seitan itself.
For the to go order, I got the chicken fried seitan with mashed potatoes. I asked if I could sub the mixed vegetables with something else, like steamed chard. They didn't have chard, but they had kale. The gravy on top of the seitan and mashed potatoes? Blech. It was sugary. Take the sensible precaution and get the gravy on the side.
Pros: Tasty food, Big portions
Cons: Sugary gravy, Meh service
Guest
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