Bang Up To The Elephant

Vegetarian restaurant · Capitol Hill ·

Bang Up To The Elephant

Vegetarian restaurant · Capitol Hill ·

Caribbean-inspired vegan dishes meet tropical drinks in a plant-filled space

Information

1310 N Pearl St, Denver, CO 80203 Get directions

$20–30

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

The Vegetarian’s Guide to Dining Around Denver | Eater Denver

"Veggie option are prevalent at this Caribbean shack in Capitol Hill. The bowl-o-coconut curry, seitan cubano sandwich, and jackfruit roti all pair nicely with the tropical drinks. Vegan doughnuts make an appearance on the morning and dessert menus as well." - Eater Staff

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-vegetarian-vegan-restaurants-denver

Bang Up To The Elephant

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Where to Celebrate Pride 2018 Throughout Denver | Eater Denver

"In addition to offering deals on bottomless drinks on Saturday and Sunday, Bang Up to the Elephant! will host a Hair of the Pride breakfast on Monday, June 18. Cocktail options include tropical mimosas and a fresh coconut concoction." - Camila Navarrette

https://denver.eater.com/maps/denver-pride-events-2018

Ryan Dearth

Bang Up To The Elephant

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Shark Sandwich Is on the Menu at Cap Hill’s Newest Restaurant | Eater Denver

"A Caribbean-inspired escape from the everyday created by owner Kevin Delk and chef Travis Messervey, this cozy spot channels island culture and the diverse influences of West Africa, East India and China into a lively, flavorful menu. Standouts include a Trinidadian “bake and shark” made with breaded spiny dogfish, pimento wood-smoked jerk chicken served with black-eyed peas and rice plus cabbage slaw and grilled pineapple, kale salads topped with fried sweet plantains, and a callaloo-style creamed taro root with coconut milk made using kale and collard greens; hot scotch bonnet peppers appear on nearly every dish. Coconut, pineapple, plantain, rice-and-beans and cornbread recur across the menu, allowing many dishes to be prepared vegetarian or vegan (though some proteins, like the jerk chicken, are best left as written). Mornings feature donuts and chicory coffee at a sidewalk grab-and-go window and street-facing cafe, while evenings unfold in an industrial-chic bar where cocktails—often served in halved coconuts—use adventurous ingredients such as serrano peppers, Andy Capp’s Hot Fries–infused tequila, hibiscus and tamarind syrups, and cream of coconut. The restaurant opened for dinner on January 27, with all-day service beginning January 29." - Josie Sexton

https://denver.eater.com/2018/1/26/16937858/bang-up-to-the-elephant-menu

Bang Up To The Elephant

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

Check Out Bang Up To The Elephant’s Bananas Cap Hill Buildout | Eater Denver

"Kevin Delk, an Atlanta transplant known for a trio of eccentric Denver concepts, has transformed a 6,000-square-foot former Mercury Cafe space at 1310 Pearl Street into a Calypso- and Caribbean-inspired all-day gathering spot. The warehouse-like main dining area will pair punchy cocktails and Caribbean-leaning plates with live music and rainforest bird sounds, while a Southern porch–feeling morning take-out window will usher guests into breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night service. Delk — who seeks out underappreciated neighborhood buildings rather than merely preserving history — collaborated with Beatrice and Woodsley chef Travis Messervey to craft a Caribbean homage, and the venue is positioned to serve as a community hub at the intersection of 13th and Pearl Streets. It opens for dinner at 5 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, with full all-day service beginning at 7 a.m. the following Monday." - Josie Sexton

https://denver.eater.com/2018/1/24/16928774/bang-up-to-the-elephant-open-cap-hill

Bang Up To The Elephant

@postcardnews

22,027 Postcards · 1,950 Cities

A tropical, 100% plant-based playground serving Caribbean-leaning plates and cocktails. A Westword favorite for years, and BusinessDen recently noted the restaurant’s continued growth—proof this independently owned spot remains a Capitol Hill original.

https://businessden.com/2025/08/28/bang-up-to-the-elephant-owner-asks-3m-for-restaurants-real-estate/

Vegan Restaurants in Denver (2025)

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Bang Up To The Elephant

Cassie M.

Google

We went here for Denver restaurant week. Love the ambiance and the mission of the resturant and how they are sustainable. The appetizer mofongo bechamel was delicious, it was the perfect dish flavor wise and texture wise. The skewers were spicy and accompanied by acidic and cooling elements that were very much needed. Overall the dish was fantastic. The ice cream at the end of the meal had weird ice crystals and I did not like the texture of the ice cream. Overall the food was good, the service was great, and the drinks were food. Fun date night glad we discovered this resturant through Denver Restaurant Week.

Ray B.

Google

When I heard “vegan Caribbean,” I’ll admit I expected the restaurant to be Black owned. As an African American visiting Denver, I was really hoping to support a Black owned business if I could find one, so this threw me off a bit at first. That said, I still gave it a try. The portion sizes were impressive, and the staff was genuinely friendly and welcoming. My partner actually enjoyed their meal quite a bit. I personally wasn’t too crazy about the food overall, though I wish I could remember the specific dishes I ordered so I could give a more detailed breakdown of the pros and cons. The space itself is large and lively, great for accommodating big parties. I was staying on Market Street, and the walk over wasn’t bad at all, so it’s convenient on a nice day if you’re nearby.

Kate C.

Google

Delicious food and drinks! We loved everything we ate and drank. The doubles were definitely the highlight- we want to eat those every day! The service was great and it’s such a cool open atmosphere. Definitely will be back! Their happy hour is also such a great deal!

Steve S.

Google

Absolutely the BEST restaurant I've found in YEARS! And although I'm not vegan this did not hinder loving the restaurant's all vegan menu! Truly amazing flavors, unique dishes, and it made us return twice in a 4 day trip to Denver! I can't recommend it enough! Staff is wonderful and the owner Kevin, is incredibly kind and friendly! I recommend this restaurant 1000000%!

Jason Currie-Olson (Faithful W.

Google

This place ROCKS! Spent the morning record shopping and we're looking for a place for lunch. Stumbled upon The Elephant, and we're blown away. Super nice people. Amazing service. Fantastic food. Like genuinely the best I've had in the Denver area. Ordered from their brunch menu. Had a sort of loaded potato wedge type plate and a cool version of Bread Pudding. Both were very different and equally excellent. We bookmarked this place to come back to.

Isa

Google

I stumbled on this place while searching for some good vegan places to visit while my friends and I were in town visiting. We absolutely LOVED it! The vibe, service, and food were top tier! We decided to all get a different dish and share between us and I’m so glad we did - Highly recommend you do the same if going with a group (or if you’re going alone and just have a big appetite…No shame! Do you!). The whole vibe of the restaurant was great, I loved the uniqueness of it, especially the bathrooms. Everything is upcycled which makes the place even more special. I will definitely go back if I ever find myself in Denver again!

Joseph H.

Google

I had the Bridgeton Brunch and a side of Callaloo and I’m not kidding when I say this is the best meal I’ve had in recent memory. The staff was friendly, attentive, and informative. The owner was present, engaged, and welcoming. The space is cozy, bright, and softened by live plants and a lovely trickling fountain. Great music, lovely ambience, attentive staff, and again I can’t stress this enough—the FOOD is incredible and very reasonably priced. 15/5 stars, I would highly recommend, and I will most definitely be back!

Professor J.

Google

Absolutely outstanding. Food so good you'll feel like you're getting away with something. I strongly suggest that your party get a variety of dishes and share them. It's all worth trying. Coffee's included with brunch.

Michael D.

Yelp

I'm somewhat surprised by some of the middling reviews of this place. My partner and I were visiting Denver, and we thought this place was great! We are both vegan, and neither of us drink. Many vegan restaurants have the same derivative bar-style dishes... Bang Up had some unique flavor profiles in theirs. Now, my wife did have the coconut curry dish, which was solid but not particularly unique in terms of flavor. However, my bunny chow was just excellent. We are from Seattle, and there's a place that serves bunny chow, but it's not vegan and therefore I haven't been able to order it. I couldn't tell you if the bunny chow here was authentic, but I can tell you that it was wonderful. The sourdough bread bowl was amazing too. My wife's cornbread was spot on delicious. Cornbread is a rare treat for vegans, and it's nice to get when available. The mocktails... skip over everything else on the menu and get the Mauby Fizzy. Seriously one of the best mocktails I've had anywhere. I'm looking at the menu now in another browser window, and it's described as "flavor's a cross between root bear and anise". This is absolutely spot on, and so unique. I don't know what mauby bark is, but I can tell you that other places should be using it as an ingredient. The physical space is just super cool. Make sure to look around the room when you visit. It's sort of a hip southern Pacific vibe. I love the look of the bar. We went on a Tuesday night, and it was empty (the restaurant is quite large). That's a crime -- this place should be busy every night of the week as it's one of the better vegan places in Denver. It was actually our third choice that night. We first tried to go to a vegan pizza place, and didn't realize it was a food truck. Second vegan place we tried to go to had an "incident" in the kitchen and wasn't serving food. This was the third place we went to, and as they say, third time's a charm. Service was friendly and good. We were seated next to the computer terminal where the servers enter their food orders, so we got attention throughout the evening anytime we needed it. The server was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the food as well. We were trying to figure out an ingredient in the cornbread, and the server talked to another server, and then ended up bringing out the chef from the back -- we had a nice little conversation about flavors. Great fun. We're planning on coming back to Denver, and Bang Up will for sure be on our list to go back to (I unfortunately always referred to it as "Bang the Elephant," which has some unintended implications...).

Sydney E.

Yelp

We recently dined at Bang Up to the Elephant for my mom's birthday, and she was super excited, as she follows a vegan diet. This establishment is very appealing, not only for the menu, but the atmosphere as well. It is advertised that they use 100% outside air, and I must say, it was very refreshing! To start, everyone in our party ordered a "fizzy" which is included on happy hour. These are non- alcoholic options that are certainly just as enjoyable as any cocktail. My favorite by far was the guava. It had a nice tang to complement the sweetness. We all shared the curry fries to start and let me tell you, after the basket was empty, I was ready to order more. I also wanted to try another fizzy, however, the service was a bit slow, despite being the only party in the restaurant. I did not get a chance to order another drink until after all of our entrees arrived. Fortunately, everyone at the table ordered a different variety of fizzies and I was able to try them all, and they all were delicious. I am also glad I was not able to order more curry fries because our meals were not only incredibly filling, but we had some left overs. I had the Mofongo, my husband had the buss up shut, and my parents shared the lo mein and a Cubano. I really enjoyed the tomato bourbon sauce on the Mofongo and did not leave a drop of it behind. We ordered a couple of sides as well that were nothing exciting. I ordered papaya slaw and corn bread, both were a bit bizarre to me. With the slaw, it was mostly pickled cabbage, which is a great accent to a sandwich, but eats difficult on its own with the strong acidity, and I was missing papaya, frankly. The cornbread also ate more as an aggressively sweet cinnamon cake that would go well with coffee, but not as a savory accent to the meals we ordered. On that note- we asked about dessert, but our server told us they don't really offer a dessert menu, so we went elsewhere to find celebration birthday dessert. I wanted to mention this for any sugar lovers out there before they visit expecting to round out their experience here. All in all a solid dinner, and perfectly seasoned meals!

Mary P.

Yelp

They're doing too much with the flavor profile. There is nothing like a simple but effective dish using unique ingredients. I think the failure here is that it is too much of a fusion concept and they throw a bunch of things together thinking they work when they in fact detract or distract from the original purpose. They try highlighting an ingredient like cassareep and curry and kefir lime but put them with ingredients that downgrade or stifle the flavor. As a once time diner so far I would like to give them a benefit of a doubt. The space itself is very cute minus the horrible portapotty doors that just gross me out honestly. No one wants to go into a portapotty willingly. They really should consider a changing the decor there. We tried the RW menu and the best thing on here was the banana 'balls' at the end. The edamame was accompanied by a jerk sauce that I found to be an inedible combination. Who wants to dunk edamame in a sauce let alone a spice rub sauce? I'd expect them to sprinkle it on top of the edamame instead of salt. I mean our neighbors in the dining room liked it so to each their own but no thank you! The cassareep flavored bowl was ok. I didn't really like the pineapple chunks which were kind of thrown in there and there wasn't enough tofu to make this a dinner portion. My sister tried the special bunny chow and it came with a raisin containing coleslaw. Again this is a personal dislike so maybe you guys like coleslaw that has raisins but not I. The bread bowl of the bunny chow was quite good. The curry saucy waffle fries were good too. The balls of banana were good especially in the chocolate sauce. The kefir lime sauce was too mild and flavorless to count. The worst thing we got was the rice pudding. It came with a fruit topping that made it sour in a bad way and the flavor profile was like the rice in the Korean dessert drink. Too mild to be comforting like a pudding. I'd like to try their doubles as a person who lived in the Caribbean but I'm afraid I'll dislike it as well. If anything you can drink some pretty drinks here.

Tony M.

Yelp

First off this place is straight VIBES! Felt like I feel into Miami x NYC west village. Vibrant colors, trini vibes. Greta music. Ordered some food to go, normally would never check out a spot like this but my friend is going vegan. All I can say is WOW!! The coconut curry is so flavorful, we got it with jack fruit - never had it and damn it was good. They were able to achieve such a rich and robust flavor that had me coming back. Also the portions are HUGE! Always a plus imo. Also got their quesadilla that was equally huge and flavorful. Their black eyed peas where so flavorful, idk ifs like a rue or gravy but damn its good. Also the plantains were great not al sugary like the East coast. Service was great. Also have a great HH! This spot is a must try regardless if you eat meat or not.

April T.

Yelp

I went here to celebrate a friend's birthday and the place is GORGEOUS! It's a quirky atmosphere that is very chill. We all tried each other's food and I was pleasantly surprised! We started wjth some Curried fries and Jerk edamame---a MUST, in my opinion. We got up the Busup shut, bowl'o'lo'meij, the cauliflower wings and Casareep Rice Bowl. With our various drinks. This place came rightly highly recommended by a vegetarian friend.

Nic P.

Yelp

Food was good. I wouldn't say amazing, but just would go back. I LOVED all the drinks I tried. Service was decent. Our server was nice but not knowledgeable about the types of alcohol behind the bar. Thanks for having a good place for vegans to go and bring non vegans to have a decent experience,.

Shahan A.

Yelp

Updated review (3.5 stars): Cubano is still fine, and mustard is still overpowering. Chips+salsa is great. Hibiscus fizzy is SO much better than the guava. Guava one is just sour, but hibiscus one is really nice, and the flower flavor comes through a lot. Way too much ice though. Also got the bakes+ranch for a side. It was kinda lame; I don't even understand why it's on the menu, to be honest with you. Just extremely dense bread with some ranch. Miscellaneous notes: Restaurant is in a really sketch part of town, parking is a nightmare, and the internet connection is atrocious. I also just strongly dislike their sorta quirky branding - especially in their voicemail - but that's personal.

Stan D.

Yelp

I wanted to like this place a whole lot more than I did, but I liked it well enough. It's cute, trendy, and offering plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. We went here on the recommendation of a friend who lives in the neighborhood, and we weren't disappointed. It was a lot of what we expected. I had the Seitan Cuban, and my wife had the Cassareep Rice Bowl. My sandwich was very good. It was kind of like a Seitan "Po'Boy," and very tasty. The bread was just right, and the spicing was better than expected. I liked the texture of the seitan, and I'm not usually a fan of jackfruit, but they did it right in this sandwich. My wife liked her Cassareep Rice Bowl, but found it just a bit too sweet. As for the service, it was just fine, except that I don't like that they have paper menus. I guess almost everyone is going that way now, but I still prefer the old-fashioned paper menus that make it easier to see everything, to contrast, and to compare. If anything keeps me coming back, it would be the lack of a paper menu, and the difficulty navigating the on-line menu. Everything else about the place was just fine.

Zaria D.

Yelp

Yes. Went during restaurant week. Parking is a little tight in the area but we found something. It took us a minute to be seated. Our server was great and I forgot her name (starts with a R). We got water and she shared the menu for restaurant week. I was with others so we ordered different items to try them. I got the noodle dish while others got a rice dish and curry dish. Overall, everything was good. The dessert was fried banana which was actually good. Overall great time, wonderful service and good food.

Chris K.

Yelp

Even though I went here a few weeks ago I will still write about those cute spot. My friend and I got some food prior to going to a bass ball game and we were not disappointed. We shared the curried waffle fries and i believe the Bake and Chana Sandwhich. We were curried up by the time we finished both dishes. So delicious. The service was excellent, we sat at the bar and the beautiful lady who was there that day took care of us. The space is nice and big and has ample seating. I think one of my favorite things about that place were the bathrooms lol. Fun place to get some good food.

Tatiana T.

Yelp

I will give it three stars because of the ambiance and the service. However, I do think that the Cuban seitan sandwich that I ordered was dry and without flavor. It was simply blah! Nothing special. I ended up returning the sandwich and getting something else. I Recommend the Mofongo because it was delicious. The cornbread was dry :/ My drink was on point, and I enjoyed the vibes--5 stars to the bartender. I think this place needs a revamp in its menu. It doesn't have too many options, and the menu is blah! I don't think I will be coming back.

Sha'Ron W.

Yelp

So when you first pull up, you wouldn't think the place would look like it does from the name? But it was super cute! Omg such a great date night spot! I absolutely loved the atmosphere! The food was actually really good! I liked that they had a lot of different options and some simple ones that you could be familiar with if you're not knowing what to eat. I had the lo mein and my friend had the coconut curry. We both don't like coconut . But we actually enjoyed it. The cornbread was good and sweet too! The server could've been a little more engaging and nice but everything else made up for it. We will be back! Good job guys!

Larry B.

Yelp

Great food great customer service the ambiance was beautwith the cool air and nice vibe as yall can see we enjoyed the food lol

Kailee N.

Yelp

This is a super fun and delicious vegan spot to hit up for when you're sick of veggie burgers and vegan Mac n cheese. The atmosphere is modern and stylish and the drinks were also fire. My favorite thing was the fried cauliflower wingers and the casareep rice bowl. We also ordered the buss up shut and coconut curry - but I felt these two tasted too similar. The cornbread was delicious though! I also really appreciated the sweetness levels dictated on the menu! I'll def be back to try the other items!

David H.

Yelp

OK, so here is another vegan restaurant and review from the non-vegan. This was my second visit, and it did not disappoint. The starters were awesome. CAULIFLOWER WINGERS, CURRIED WAFFLE FRIES, POTATO & PLANTAIN MOFONGO, and JERKED EDAMAME. All 4 starters hit the mark. Everything was cooked perfectly and surprised me. My dinner was, SEITAN CUBANO mojo jackfruit, seitan-ham, green cabbage, tomato, pickled onions and cucumbers, with mustard and mayo, on grilled bread. Vegan or not, try this place. You will be very surprised and very full.

Stephanie D.

Yelp

I ordered online for pickup through their website but my order got cancelled and then i placed another order through the phone. Food was ready when i got there (under 15 mins). Havent really tried a lot of caribbean food before. I tried the coconut curry which was a pretty big portion and had good flavors. And i also got the three sides combo and choose waffle fries which were crispy, the papaya slaw which was tangy, and the frybread which was a little salty but pretty good with the ranch sauce.

Dani N.

Yelp

This might be the best vegan food I've had. It was the perfect place for a birthday dinner.

Emily L.

Yelp

Fantastic food and unique flavors! Absolutely need to come even if you're not a vegan/vegetarian, does not disappoint!

Sean K.

Yelp

Miami meets Brooklyn style interior, with unique fusion of Caribbean and Oriental flavors. This spot is a fun quirky and unique place you def have to check out it you love new exotic flavor combinations in a cruelty free kitchen with kick ass cocktails and gorgeous staff. They know what they're doing. Why are you still reading this? Get your booty there stat! Cheers.

Kelli M.

Yelp

This place has been on my list for awhile and I'm so glad I finally got the opportunity to visit!! Went here for a happy hour and it did not disappoint! Their HH menu is pretty great, not gonna lie. I got the daily cocktail (which I could not for the life of you say what was in it - but it was great!) and my friend got the Red Stripe and shot special. We didn't have a chance to order any of the food but the table next to us got dinner and it looked super yummy! Overall, the decor was super fun and unique. There was a disco ball hanging from the ceiling and beautiful lights strung throughout - wish I had been there later in the evening to see it come to life (but hey, that just means I need to go back!). Definitely would recommend this place, especially for it being vegan! That makes it even cooler

Bea B.

Yelp

Great ambience, has a very chill vibe about it for sure. Unfortunately, the food was really disappointing. Flavor profiles/combos were all a mess, the curry just tasted like pure salt, the waffle fries were not even all that good, and how do you mess up waffle fries? I gave them 3 stars because of their cocktail program! We only tried a few but they were all delicious and the drinks coming out of that bar all night were beautiful, eye-catching and people seemed to really be enjoying them. I would definitely come back here to hang out and have some fun drinks with friends!

Vicente F.

Yelp

First thing that caught me was the ambiance. Vegan restaurants often look like your art teacher relative who always gives you home made Christmas presents designed the place with left over furniture and all the plants she could find on discount. This place does have lots of plants but they were obviously placed by a skilled designer. The style is of restaurants that becomes a club after a certain hr passes. Hell that may be the case here but I will never know because I am in bed before any club gets, as the kids say 10 years ago, popping. All the food was great the home made soda was a bit on the sweet side as was the cocktail. I do like my drink less sweet than most so I don't think this will be a universal problem for the average guest. The doubles had ,maybe, the best filling I have every tried, the dough itself was a bit chewy and soft in comparison to cream of the doubles crop. The other miss was the mofongo, I am PR so I admit this complaint may be regional. The mofongo utilized a mixture of ripe plantains and the yellow and was covered in a nicely acidic tomato sauce. I have never had a mofongo with tomato sauce, usually there with be a protein mixed in a tripe of gravy and poured over a starchy mash of only green plátanos. This take could work but the tomato sauce mixed with the slightly sweet plántanos results in a papa John's sweet pizza sauce in your mouth. If this dish is accurate for a specific country I would call the country out on the menu "Jamaican style Mofongo" so I know I have no idea what I am getting (because all menu creation should be made with me as the only customer in mind) A must try is there home made pepper sauce. It is packed with flavor and the heat hits you all at once and thankfully does not build as time passes. I found it very tolerable and used about 2 oz on my entree. Also the roti that came with the dish was spot on, obviously someone knew what they were doing when they made this, I would guess some grandma passed on the technique and recipe.

Lyubov L.

Yelp

Incredible and fun looking place. Good vegan restaurant. Good service. Food was delicious and served timely.

Ellie R.

Yelp

The ambiance was great, very cute restaurant and drinks. But they seriously need to revamp their menu. A group of 6 of us, half vegans and the others eat vegan regularly, and no one was satisfied with their meal. The pad Thai was blah with zero flavor and a puddle of soupy water at the bottom of the bowl. Not impressed and for the prices not worth it.

Sonia C.

Yelp

Wow, slowest service I've ever experienced. If it wasn't already prepaid I would have left. Perhaps if the food was amazing... But it's not... Save your money. I'll never get back the 3 hours I've wasted at this place.

Katrina S.

Yelp

Excellent and attentive service. Ordered the large salad, plantain chips, cauli wings with tamarind sauce, and the hibiscus fizzie drink. Everything was very good, but my favorite was the cauli wings with their ranch sauce. The fizzie drink had a great flavor and it looks great with the shaved ice and citrus topper, but it wasn't worth the money for a non-alcoholic drink.

Tyler S.

Yelp

Literally took them until I was leaving to ask me if I needed anything (20 mins) and there was a bartender behind the bar the whole time...

Nicole T.

Yelp

I tried Bang Up To The Elephant for the first time and really enjoyed it. I ordered the Bowl-O-LO-Mein and my friend ordered the Coconut Curry. Both were delicious. We also had a refreshing Rhum Punch. The ambiance was perfect...this place is worth checking out! I can't wait to try their other dishes.

Miguel E.

Yelp

Eh. The hype was very underwhelming for the food. The ambiance is great and very different for Denver but you feel like you're there to take Instagram photos and not enough the food as much. Which is funny cuz we did find this via IG. The food was either too salty to make up for its features or just small bites that you're over with after 2-3 bites. We wanted something fresh as well but the salads were the only thing that was close to it. Everything is either fried or trying to mimic bar food such as the deep fried wings or edamame.

Liz M.

Yelp

Food 6/10- all dishes are made with same base ingredients (rice, tofu, potatoes, pickled onions). No flavor. Overpriced. Now the cocktails are amazing. Recommend the under over.

Emily M.

Yelp

I've been back, and each time I go this place has it more and more dialed in. And it's fully vegan now! First off - do yourself a favor and get the coconut bread. It's to die for! I got a Devil's Claw cocktail, and, while it sounds odd, it was a marvelous concoction of rye, cream of coconut, Chinese five spiced and bitters. For my main I got the Buss Up shut - butternut squash, curried chickpeas, tomatoes, and other veggies. There were only a few bites of butternut squash but the flavor was good - more Indian-esque but quite vibrant and complex. The fresh tomatoes added some good acidity to the dish. The roti started warm and soft but quickly (within a few minutes) got hard and chewey with too much butter soaked in. My friend seemed to enjoy her "bowl-o-lo mein" with tofu and udon noodles.

Stephanie S.

Yelp

OmG, this is a must a must try restaurant for vegans and non vegans alike. As someone who grew up on Caribbean cooking, I can tell you that the food is bomb and flavorful and the vibe is chill. Side note, trying the fry bread should be mandatory!

Eric G.

Yelp

Right in the center of Capital Hill and if your looking for a cool atmosphere with some great drinks I'd come here. They offer a variety of drinks and is also a vegan menu.

Claire M.

Yelp

Finally got to try Bang Up to the Elephant after hearing so much about it. It's definitely a quirky space with a lot of character. The bathrooms look like Porta potties from the outside, there's a fishing fountain up front and the place is so colorful throughout - so cool & unique. My boyfriend and I went here with another couple for Denver Restaurant Week so we had a limited menu to choose from. We started out ordering some of the funky cocktails - such interesting names. Unfortunately service was super slow and it took about 20 minutes to get our drinks...not great but they did pick up the tab on those! Despite the slow service, all the cocktails were great - I got the Lady Bird and was very happy with it. Next up was our apps - the Happy Monkey Salad was delicious and so was the Mofongo! For entree, I got the Coconut Curry w/ tofu - very tasty! And my boyfriend got the Cassareep Rice Bowl w/ seitan - so good! Our friend didn't seem to be too impressed with the Jerk Chicken + they forgot to give him his side of plantains until he reminded them halfway through his meal so that wasn't the best. For dessert, we had the pineapple cake which I thought was okay. I'm not the biggest pineapple cake person so I don't think I'm the best judge of that. Overall good food but service was just not very great which unfortunately left a bad taste in our mouths. But I'll probably be back for their cocktails+ to try some of their other food with hopefully better service!

Kristyn B.

Yelp

Great cocktails, even better food. The service was good and the whole place has fun vibes. 10/10 recommend

Kodi P.

Yelp

Fun, vegan spot! We went for happy hour and were pleasantly surprised by the deals. We started with the Doubles & Double which is their Doubles snack and your choice of 2 Red Stripe beers, 2 well drinks, or one of each. The doubles seems to be only on the happy hour menu which is a bummer because it was our favorite thing we ate! It was essentially like a curry chickpea taco but on a yummy, chewy flatbread. I think the most similar dish is the Bake & Chana but the bread might be different. We also ordered the mofongo which was tasty but definitely on the sweeter side due to the tomato-rum sauce it came with. The coconut bread was also a star, served warm and not too sweet. Our least favorite dish was the Bakes & Island Ranch. I was hoping it would be more of the flat bread like what was in the doubles but it was much more bready and thick (think like a nugget of bread). It wasn't bad, per se, but was just bland and boring compared to all the other goodies. The ranch was also kind of meh. For drinks we also ordered the Devil's Claw and the Piña Colada - both delicious. I really appreciate how they rank the sweetness levels of their drinks. They also make their crème de coconut in house! Overall, we really liked their vibe (tasty food, eco-friendly, fun atmosphere, friendly service) and appreciated that they were still taking COVID-related precautions. We'll be back to try some of their other items!

Chelsea J.

Yelp

Delicious food, great service, and a super fun atmosphere! Went here for a date night with a friend and I loved the curry!

Maayan P.

Yelp

We went 4 people, only 1 vegan Absolutely EVERYONE loved EVERYTHING. From the food, to the drinks to the service. Quick friendly service by Tibet, which also gave us great recommendations for food and drinks. Fast service, big portions, fairly priced. I just wish they had desserts because the food is so good!

Peter V.

Yelp

The only reason they get two starts instead of one is because i support businesses on my block. The food is wacky even for vegan fare. The service is slow even if you're just calling in a pickup order. It kind of sucks that they do Sunday's on 13th there now because Id rather not hang out around the staff for longer than necessary because they are kind of arrogant jerks

Sampath D.

Yelp

I'm typically biased and usually love any all-vegetarian restaurant, but this one is definitely special because of all the unique items on the menu. I tried a bunch of dishes. For apps, I tried the Bang Up wingers and the mofongo. The mofongo was tasty, but not super memorable. The wings are absolute fire, especially with the mango sauce which is super sweet and spicy at the same time. The wings have really good texture and are much crispier, relative to other seitan wings. For mains, I tried the pimento wood-smoked jerk and the bake and channa. The steak was nowhere near as good as the wingers; they were a bit overbaked. The sandwich was extremely tasty with the bread being a great touch; it was super crispy. Easily the best part of both of these dishes was the side -- the rice and the black-eyed peas. Holy smokes, the best part of the whole meal. It was uniquely creamy and full of the right flavors. Overall, can't wait to go back and try new dishes! Also, they have a great drink collection.

Nicole V.

Yelp

This place was really unique and fun! We came on a chilly day and loved the beachy vibes. They were able to supply a high chair, so I'd def consider it kid-friendly, especially at the early time we came (4 pm). The server was so nice, despite the fact that our kid made a little bit of a mess on the floor. We got a couple of the non-alcoholic fizzy drinks, a Cubano, a side of cornbread, and a rice bowl. The rice bowl was just OK, would probably get something again next time (the sauce was a little oily for my taste). The sandwich was delicious, the bread was perfect for the fillings. I'd probably skip the cornbread next time, only because it was extremely dessert-like, more like coffee cake, and I was hoping for a sticky/savory cornbread. If you want a very sweet cornbread, this would be for you!

Jacqueline C.

Yelp

The skinny: Saw the mediocre reviews but given the eclectic space and cool menu we have it a shot anyways. Disappointingly, we should have listened. The place sounds so amazing in theory, but in reality it falls quite short. Atmosphere: The best thing going for this place. A really cool location and space that will have you feeling you are in a cool, hip, rain forest cafe of sorts. Great vibes. Food/drinks: Drinks are fun and decent but were a little on the syrupy sweet side for me. Waffle fries were actually quite good. But the food itself was pretty subpar. Got a 'shark' sandwich and a BBQ plate. Overall the flavor just wasn't there. The 'shark' i.e. dogfish tasted like frozen fish sticks (plaintain chips were decent). The BBQ plate was quite boring. The mac and cheese maybe being the most disappointing thing on the dish. We ended up only really eating a few bites of both and wasn't really able to find the will power to eat anymore. Service: Friendly service that was decently speedy on a week day night for dinner. Price/Value: Portions and price are decent. The drinks are a little on the cocktail bar expensive side for what you get. Would I come back: I want to just because the space was so cool, but I think I would just leave disappointed again. Maybe for a drink/beer. With so many other great places, for now I'd opt to skip out on this one until they are able to change up the food.

Cherie C.

Yelp

What? I haven't reviewed this place yet? We've been a few times, often a last-minute decision. Lucky for us, there's never been a wait. But I'm disappointed in Denver for not filling the tables at all times. The look of the place is fun. Imagine a restaurant made in the style of "Legends of the Hidden Temple," with greenery coming out of the "bricks." In the morning they have delicious vegan donuts. The food is inspired by Caribbean cuisines. There are lots of vegetarian and vegan options. But don't expect straight-up food from Jamaica or from Trinidad. They do their own thing here. Can't go wrong with plantain chips, and the sauces are tasty. The seitan "wings" were a hit with my group. The "doubles" were hearty chickpea wraps, and I'd kinda wished I'd ordered them after I tasted the ones my friend ordered. Their take on mofongo was good. They have some fun drinks and a great list of non-alcoholic options.

Sasha T.

Yelp

Went here for dinner with 3 other folks from Florida. We don't understand why it wasn't more packed, especially on a cold night! This is exactly the type of joint that we'd expect to do very well. The decor is on point, the Caribbean music fitting, and the service wonderful. Everything we ate was delicious. The appetizer (not pictured) was some platano chips with 3 different kinds of dips. Then, 2 of us had the jerk platter--one chicken and I had the seitan that is homemade and honestly some of the best I've had. The spicy sauce I ordered on the side was GREAT. My husband had the Mac the Knife Curry with jackfruit that I tried and was awesome. Another person in our party had the chow mein, which they said was lovely. Again, we're all from FL, 3 of us from the Miami area, and this kind of place is exactly what we're used to and what we crave. Thumbs up all around. Denver, get in on it!

Irina R.

Yelp

Wasn't too impressed with this place. It's a cool idea and it's super different but the place was DEAD on Saturday night. The food was ok...definitely expected more but it's pretty cheap so it was ok for what we paid. My suggestion would be to add higher dollar items on the menu so people would have more choices. They do have vegan options, which is always good for the Denver crowd. The drinks were meh...the ones we tried were pretty small and super sweet. I feel like there is definitely a potential for this place but food and drink menus need to be reworked for sure!

Christina S.

Yelp

Ok so I've been here twice and both times wasn't hungry so I haven't tried the food, and I am so mad at myself about this because well I love the flavors of the Caribbean. They have scotch bonnet Seitan Wings, Mofongo, Curry waffle fries. I mean everything on their menu sounds amazing. So rest assured one day I will eat here and will definitely report back. That being said their cocktails are amazing! One thing I really respect is that they rate their drinks on sweetness level via the digital menu so if you want something tasty and delicious but perhaps a medium or low sweet level they've got you covered! Something else I respect, as tiki inspired drinks I feel tend to be more rum based, they do not discriminate on others spirits here. I loved being able to try a whiskey, Mezcal, and rum cocktail as well! They were all so unique and so delicious but I have to say my favorite was the Nose Ender. A heavenly mix of tequila, cream of coconut, lime, jalapeño pepper; and the best part is that it is served in a real coconut! The kick of that Jalapeño pepper was fantastic as you know I like a little heat and complimented the coconut so well! I could honestly drink 10 of these. I might not make it out alive but it wouldn't be a bad way to go lol! Come here, eat the food, drink the drinks, and pretend it's not covid and you're at a lovely little restaurant somewhere in the Caribbean. Cheers

Ethan M.

Yelp

Really cool vibes here and great options for vegans. I don't remember the name of my entree, but it was one of the curries. My friend and I also shared an appetizer of seitan wings. The wings were really tough on the outside, but the flavor was exceptional. The curry was fantastic as well - a little spicy but not too much. I got the mildest one I could so if you like spice, you can definitely get it. Put a dance floor in this place and it will be perfect!

J R.

Yelp

Cool atmosphere, delicious foods and cocktails, great service. We will definitely be back for more!

Archie R.

Yelp

The Buss Up Shut is my comfort food! I love this place, but honestly I haven't connected as much with the other foods they offer. I do like the edamame

Cindy L.

Yelp

I went to a event there and although they were serving many small plates we actually only got served just a couple of things and I'm not really even sure what it was. I did recognize that we had a waffle fry but I wasn't sure what was on it or what it was supposed to be. I did get a peek at the menu and they had quite a few very interesting things that I believe I will have to go back to try it out. We met the owner last night he was very passionate about this place which gave me a more insight of how he came up with the idea and the name. I had a cocktail last night that had hibiscus flowers in it and it was pretty tasty so I believe I will have to go back and try that out. I like the bar area a lot and I met some really fun people last night so on that note I WOULD go back to try it again. Thank you Yelp for putting together the yelp elite squad! I love trying out a new places. I appreciate you picking me to come and enjoy the fun.

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Vegan Restaurants in Denver (2025)

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Cassie M.

Google

Ray B.

Google

Kate C.

Google

Steve S.

Google

Jason Currie-Olson (Faithful W.

Google

Isa

Google

Joseph H.

Google

Professor J.

Google

Michael D.

Yelp

Sydney E.

Yelp

Mary P.

Yelp

Tony M.

Yelp

April T.

Yelp

Nic P.

Yelp

Shahan A.

Yelp

Stan D.

Yelp

Zaria D.

Yelp

Chris K.

Yelp

Tatiana T.

Yelp

Sha'Ron W.

Yelp

Larry B.

Yelp

Great food great customer service the ambiance was beautwith the cool air and nice vibe as yall can see we enjoyed the food lol

Kailee N.

Yelp

David H.

Yelp

Stephanie D.

Yelp

Dani N.

Yelp

This might be the best vegan food I've had. It was the perfect place for a birthday dinner.

Emily L.

Yelp

Fantastic food and unique flavors! Absolutely need to come even if you're not a vegan/vegetarian, does not disappoint!

Sean K.

Yelp

Kelli M.

Yelp

Bea B.

Yelp

Vicente F.

Yelp

Lyubov L.

Yelp

Incredible and fun looking place. Good vegan restaurant. Good service. Food was delicious and served timely.

Ellie R.

Yelp

Sonia C.

Yelp

Katrina S.

Yelp

Tyler S.

Yelp

Literally took them until I was leaving to ask me if I needed anything (20 mins) and there was a bartender behind the bar the whole time...

Nicole T.

Yelp

Miguel E.

Yelp

Liz M.

Yelp

Food 6/10- all dishes are made with same base ingredients (rice, tofu, potatoes, pickled onions). No flavor. Overpriced. Now the cocktails are amazing. Recommend the under over.

Emily M.

Yelp

Stephanie S.

Yelp

Eric G.

Yelp

Right in the center of Capital Hill and if your looking for a cool atmosphere with some great drinks I'd come here. They offer a variety of drinks and is also a vegan menu.

Claire M.

Yelp

Kristyn B.

Yelp

Great cocktails, even better food. The service was good and the whole place has fun vibes. 10/10 recommend

Kodi P.

Yelp

Chelsea J.

Yelp

Delicious food, great service, and a super fun atmosphere! Went here for a date night with a friend and I loved the curry!

Maayan P.

Yelp

Peter V.

Yelp

Sampath D.

Yelp

Nicole V.

Yelp

Jacqueline C.

Yelp

Cherie C.

Yelp

Sasha T.

Yelp

Irina R.

Yelp

Christina S.

Yelp

Ethan M.

Yelp

J R.

Yelp

Cool atmosphere, delicious foods and cocktails, great service. We will definitely be back for more!

Archie R.

Yelp

The Buss Up Shut is my comfort food! I love this place, but honestly I haven't connected as much with the other foods they offer. I do like the edamame

Cindy L.

Yelp

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The Vegetarian’s Guide to Dining Around Denver | Eater Denver

Where to Celebrate Pride 2018 Throughout Denver | Eater Denver

Shark Sandwich Is on the Menu at Cap Hill’s Newest Restaurant | Eater Denver

Check Out Bang Up To The Elephant’s Bananas Cap Hill Buildout | Eater Denver

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The Vegetarian’s Guide to Dining Around Denver | Eater Denver

Where to Celebrate Pride 2018 Throughout Denver | Eater Denver

Shark Sandwich Is on the Menu at Cap Hill’s Newest Restaurant | Eater Denver

Check Out Bang Up To The Elephant’s Bananas Cap Hill Buildout | Eater Denver