Berkeley is one of the best food neighborhoods in the city. This bustling stretch of Denver is, for lack of a better phrase, high-end casual. You can grab some gourmet-quality food without changing out of your Cookie Monster sweatpants. Sprinkled amongst the designer shipping container condos and “modern farmhouse” homes are some of the best snacks in the Mile High City. 

Bakery Four 

Morning Bun $5.50

Sugary pastries are the best way to start your day! Coated in cinnamon sugar, the Morning Bun is super flaky on the outside. Making the outer crust from the leftover shards from their croissants is a stroke of pure genius. Your first bite shatters into what I could only guess is a bajillion pieces. Best to eat this over a plate or while wearing a poncho. Otherwise, people are gonna wonder why your dandruff smells so good.  The inside is spongy, moist, and “girl, you thiccer than a bowl of oatmeal” thicc. I ripped this big ol’ bun up like a Christmas gift. I’m an advocate for dipping pastries in my coffee. Especially a bun like this. If you don’t dip your pastries in coffee, I question your judgment. The kicker is the hint of orange zest that really sets this sugary bun apart. No, not like a fruit cake your Auntie made. But enough flavor to qualify as your daily fruit intake.

The Pasty Republic  

Miner (Traditional) $12.00

A meat pie is the perfect grab-and-go food. Think of it like a high-end Hot Pocket that studied abroad, found itself, and came back with a bit of an accent. These little British empanadas are stuffed with ingredients you’d expect in a stew. Luckily for you, you can skip the spoon. The Miner is a hearty pouch, stuffed with steak, rutabaga, potato, onion, and house seasoning. All held together better than some of my previous relationships, in a buttery, crunchy crust. It’s the kind of food that warms your soul and makes you wonder why everyone always dunks on British food.  That said, the price is a little steep for what you get, and the steak could have used a little more of that house seasoning. But, if you need a taste from the motherland or can’t fathom how to use a fork, this place is a great fit. 

Eloise 

Sweet and Sour Pork Sandwich $15.00

Inspired by the good grub you can find at a Japanese convenience store, Eloise begs the question, what’s your favorite sandwich on white bread? No, not the sad, flimsy stuff you’ve been using for PB & J’s from the supermarket. I’m talking about sweet, fluffy shokupan. It’s Japanese milk bread that makes you feel like you’re biting into a cloud. These sturdy slices hold together after each bite. No mid-meal collapse, leaving you with a messy salad on your plate. 

Their menu rotates between traditional Japanese favorites like chicken katsu and American staples like a B.L.T. The pork sandwich features giant hunks of pork belly from Tender Belly, pickled jalapeños, cabbage, and just enough Sichuan pepper to get that tingle on the back of your tongue that makes you go, “Oh, hello there. What’s your name?” A half is a hearty snack. A whole one might require a nap or an extra walk around the block to shake it off before your next stop.

Alley Brews 

Dubai A Stout $8.00

This wouldn’t be the first, and will not be the last time I get drunk in an alley. Tucked away, just off Tennyson, is Alley Brews. The beers are great, and so is the vibe. Owners Liz and Chelsea are usually on site, happy to talk about the beer they make and pour you a sample or two. The roasty, 10.2% Dubai A Stout, seemed like a good liquid blanket given the surprise snowstorm we were experiencing. A nod to the Dubai chocolate craze that’s appeared out of nowhere, this nitro stout really hit the spot. For a high alcohol beer, the booze is hidden well. Masked beneath bold chocolate flavor, hints of pistachio and vanilla, and topped with pistachio crumbles. This is quite the dessert in the glass, worth saving for last.