Denver Botanic Gardens Restaurant Menu: A Culinary Journey Through Nature

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The Denver Botanic Gardens restaurant menu offers a diverse array of culinary delights across two main dining venues: Offshoots Café and The Hive Garden Bistro. These eateries showcase seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, with options ranging from breakfast pastries and sandwiches to wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers. The menus reflect the gardens’ commitment to sustainability and fresh, quality produce, often incorporating harvests from their own Le Potager garden and Chatfield Farms CSA.

The Denver Botanic Gardens provides visitors with two primary dining establishments:

  1. Offshoots Café
  2. The Hive Garden Bistro

Each venue offers a unique culinary experience, catering to different tastes and dining preferences.

What Does Offshoots Café Serve?

denver botanic gardens restaurant menu
Image ‘File:Denver Botanic Gardens – DSC01060.JPG’ by Daderot, licensed under Public domain

Offshoots Café, located in the main building next to the Water-Smart Garden, specializes in:

  • Breakfast items
  • Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Wraps

The café operates in a fast-casual setting, emphasizing local and sustainable ingredients. Some notable menu items include:

  • Breakfast pastries
  • Breakfast burritos
  • Deep dish quiche
  • Breakfast sandwich on a butter croissant ($10, with optional bacon for $1)

For lunch, visitors can enjoy:

  • Salads with fresh, seasonal ingredients
  • Sandwiches made with local produce
  • Wraps featuring garden-fresh vegetables

A standout item is the Fennel Central flatbread, priced at $18, which includes:

  • Roast beef
  • Cherry tomato
  • Arugula
  • Mozzarella
  • Roasted fennel
  • Homemade garlic sauce

What’s on The Hive Garden Bistro Menu?

denver botanic gardens restaurant menu
Image ‘File:Denver Botanic Gardens – DSC01112.JPG’ by Daderot, licensed under Public domain

The Hive Garden Bistro, situated under the trees adjacent to Monet Pool, offers a more extensive menu with a focus on American cuisine and seasonal fare. Here’s a breakdown of their offerings:

Burgers

Burger Type Price Description
Toasted Grown Grilled Hive Burger $14 Served with artisan bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle
Poblano Burger $15 Featuring poblano peppers
Black Bean Burger $15 Vegetarian option

All burgers come with kettle chips or a side salad. Gluten-free buns are available for an additional $2.

Sandwiches

  • Kona Chicken Sandwich ($15)
  • Fired BLT ($14)
  • The Applejack ($15)
  • Buffalo Chicken Pita ($15)

Wood-Fired Pizzas

  • Cheese Pizza ($13)
  • Margherita Pizza ($15)
  • Honey Apple Pizza ($15)
  • Pepperoni Pizza ($14)

Salads

  • Cobb Salad ($18)
  • Caesar Salad ($14)
  • Pollinator Salad ($18)
  • Strawberry Salad ($15)

Sides and Kids Menu

  • French Fries ($5, or $8 with green chili and cheese)
  • Sweet Potato Fries ($6, or $9 with toppings)
  • Market Slaw ($5)
  • Simple Side Salad ($6)
  • Kids’ hamburger meal ($10)

How Does Seasonality Affect the Denver Botanic Gardens Restaurant Menu?

The Denver Botanic Gardens restaurant menu is deeply influenced by seasonality, reflecting the gardens’ commitment to fresh, local produce. This approach manifests in several ways:

  1. Seasonal Ingredients: Both Offshoots Café and The Hive Garden Bistro incorporate local ingredients and produce harvested from:
  2. Le Potager garden

  3. The Gardens’ CSA at Chatfield Farms

  4. Menu Changes: The offerings evolve with the seasons to showcase the freshest available produce. This ensures that salads and other dishes always feature in-season ingredients.

  5. Operational Adjustments: Some facilities, like the pizza oven at The Hive, may close during certain seasons.

  6. Special Events: During events like the Summer Concert Series, both restaurants extend their hours and offer special menu items.

What Unique Features Do the Denver Botanic Gardens Restaurants Offer?

The dining establishments at Denver Botanic Gardens boast several unique features that enhance the visitor experience:

  1. Sustainability Focus:
  2. Use of compostable and recyclable products

  3. Emphasis on local and sustainable ingredients

  4. Member Benefits:

  5. 10% discount for Denver Botanic Gardens members at all dining venues

  6. Amenities:

  7. Free Wi-Fi at both Offshoots Café and The Hive Garden Bistro

  8. Full-service coffee bar at Offshoots Café

  9. Special Event Catering:

  10. Summer Concert Picnic Box option for pre-order

  11. Extended hours during the Summer Concert Series

  12. Scenic Dining:

  13. The Hive Garden Bistro offers al fresco dining under trees near Monet Pool

Are There Other Dining Options at Denver Botanic Gardens?

While Offshoots Café and The Hive Garden Bistro are the main dining venues, Denver Botanic Gardens offers additional options:

  1. The Hot Dog Cart:
  2. Serves hot dogs, vegetarian brats, and snacks

  3. Note: Currently closed for the season

  4. Copper Door Coffee Roasters:

  5. Full-service specialty coffee bar
  6. Offers breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and locally baked pastries
  7. Free admission and Wi-Fi
  8. 10% discount for members

These additional options provide visitors with quick and convenient food choices during their garden exploration.

The Denver Botanic Gardens restaurant menu reflects a commitment to fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a scenic dinner, the gardens’ dining options cater to a variety of tastes and dietary needs. The emphasis on sustainability and the integration of garden-grown produce make dining at Denver Botanic Gardens a unique and enriching experience that complements the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Reference:
1. The Hive – Denver Botanic Gardens Menu
2. DiningOut – Where To Eat When: Visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens
3. Denver Botanic Gardens – Dining
4. Denver Botanic Gardens – Food & Beverages at the Summer Concert Series

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