Restaurants in Aurora

Cinderella’s glass slippers have nothing on the boots that traverse Helga's German Restaurant and Deli’s bar every night. Filled with 2 liters of Hofbrau Oktoberfest, Warsteiner Pils, or any of the five other German beers on tap, these boots find their perfect match in the hands of guests who shout “Prost!” before tearing into soft pretzels baked in the Bavarian tradition.

Founded by a mother and daughter in 1989, Helga’s began as a four-table restaurant whose modest size seemed sometimes at odds with the giant pretzels and boot-size beers. However, the restaurant continued to grow and earn fans, many of who traversed the Rockies to sample its faithful interpretations of bratwurst, schnitzel, and other Rhineland staples. Though much of the menu remains the same as in those early days, the restaurant itself has expanded to resemble a lively German pub in the midst of Oktoberfest. When they aren’t molding sides of sauerkraut into tiny models of German soccer star Michael Ballack, guests can play beer pong for prizes, watch the national team on 50-inch televisions, or dance to live music played by the house band on the second and last Friday night of each month.

A lively atmosphere punctuates the spacious two stories and patio of Braun's Bar and Grill, often populated by sports fans who stop by to nosh on gourmet pub grub before and after events at the neighboring Pepsi Center. Quality ingredients, including Colorado-aged beef, pepper the expansive menu. Commence inner cheek furnishing with a gargantuan salad such as the Cattleman's, which erects flank-skewer towers over field greens adorned with house blue-cheese balsamic dressing, walnuts, cheddar, and baby peas ($12.49 lunch, $12.99 dinner). Burger boosters will go ga-ga for the Cajun spices and blue-cheese crumbles of the Blackened Bleu ($10.99), while poultry patrons can cast a vote for the zesty Ha-Braun-ero Chicken Sandwich ($10.69), a succulent chicken breast that unites pepperjack cheese, habanero mayo, and bacon in a culinary harmony unseen since the California Raisins dominated the airwaves. Exemplifying the chefs' creativity is the shrimp rustica, a tantalizing sea-feast of shrimp, mushrooms, peas, and sun-dried tomatoes atop penne pasta and roasted tomato vinaigrette ($13.50 lunch, $17 dinner).

Sample varieties of cheese and salumi while sipping and studying selections from Sketch's well-curated wine library. The Mediterranean-styled café houses more than 40 wines available by the bottle from all over the world. The intro to wine course covers a wide range of topics including grape varietals, the production process, and correct food pairings. Each session is overseen by a certified wine specialist who is well versed in all aspects of wine from production to pairing. Sketch's interior features a hand-painted ceiling, wooden beams, and hand-troweled Venetian plaster walls, which collectively set the stage for suitable sipping of wine and knowledge. Reservations are required, so call ahead to reserve a spot.

For the four Denver residents who founded The LocaL, their community is the driving force behind their hearty eats. The team’s commitment to all things local begins in their kitchen, where chefs forge Mexican-inspired cuisine classics for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Throughout the day, the staff brews coffee made with Denver-roasted Pablo’s beans, arranges strips of antibiotic- and hormone-free bacon alongside local eggs, and grills burger patties formed from The Local’s proprietary blend of local beef.

Within their welcoming dining space, cheery green walls and a '50s diner–style counter set the scene for leisurely feeding frenzies. On the outdoor patio, guests can sample the diner’s 12 flavors of housemade ice cream under the protective cover of umbrellas.

In addition to classic Mexican food staples like sizzling fajitas and tacos al carbon, chefs at Lime incorporate international influences into their Central American cuisine. Steamed edamame and chipotle crema dipping sauce, as well as the scorpion plate’s shrimp flash-fried in a wonton wrapper, mingle Mexican cooking methods and ingredients from Asian traditions. And American fair makes its mark with the Lime's Mexican burger which wraps a flour tortilla around a beef burger patty, served with fries. The restaurant creates a festive atmosphere with margaritas, mojitos, and board games that double as giant maracas.

Wild Bangkok's team of chefs employs award-winning expertise gleaned from multiple continents to fashion a menu that offers authentic Thai fare made with healthy, organic, and locally derived ingredients. A full bar shines behind the marigold- and purple-hued dining space, with barkeeps standing by to uncap beers or pour, shake, and stir a variety of classic cocktails. The dining area's shoulder-stimulating booths accommodate both romantic dinners and group outings.