Tucked away at 1000 Osage Street in Denver, Colorado, the Buckhorn Exchange has been welcoming hungry guests since 1893, making it the oldest restaurant still standing in the city. For over 130 years, this legendary steakhouse has served up an unforgettable mix of wild game, classic cuts, and Rocky Mountain charm.
Walking through its doors feels like stepping back into the Old West, with walls covered in taxidermy, historic memorabilia, and autographed photos. Whether you’re a Denver local or just passing through, the Buckhorn Exchange is a bucket-list dining experience you won’t want to miss.
Denver’s Oldest Restaurant Still Standing
Some restaurants come and go, but the Buckhorn Exchange has outlasted them all. Opened in 1893, it holds the proud title of Denver’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, and it wears that history like a badge of honor.
Colorado Liquor License No. 1 hangs on the wall here — a testament to just how early this place was part of Denver’s story. Generations of families, travelers, and food lovers have walked through these doors over the past 130-plus years.
Located at 1000 Osage Street, the building itself is a landmark. Visiting once is enough to understand why locals and tourists alike keep coming back.
It’s not just dinner — it’s a living piece of Colorado history that still serves a mean steak every single night of the week.
A Wall-to-Wall Museum of Taxidermy
Before you even look at the menu, the walls will stop you in your tracks. Over 500 mounted animal heads and full-body taxidermy pieces line every surface of the Buckhorn Exchange, creating a wild, museum-like atmosphere unlike anything you’ve seen in a restaurant.
Elk, bison, bears, and exotic animals stare back at you from every corner. Some guests find it fascinating, others find it quirky, but everyone agrees it’s unforgettable.
The sheer number and variety of mounts make this place feel like a natural history exhibit that also happens to serve incredible food.
Many of the pieces have been part of the restaurant for decades. Staff members love sharing stories about the collection, adding a personal touch to what could otherwise feel overwhelming.
Come ready to look up, look around, and soak in every detail of this one-of-a-kind dining room.
Wild Game Meats You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Forget the standard beef-only menu — the Buckhorn Exchange takes dinner somewhere far more adventurous. Elk, bison, yak, ostrich, and even alligator tail are all on the menu, giving diners a chance to try proteins most restaurants would never dare to offer.
Reviewers rave about the elk and quail combination, calling it some of the best meat they’ve ever eaten. The buffalo prime rib has its own loyal fan base, described by one guest as simply “superior.” For the truly bold, Rocky Mountain oysters are practically a rite of passage here.
The kitchen handles these exotic proteins with serious skill. Meats are cooked to order and seasoned thoughtfully, letting the natural flavors shine.
If you’ve always been curious about game meats but never had the right opportunity, this is the place to finally say yes and order something unexpected.
The Famous Rocky Mountain Oysters
No visit to the Buckhorn Exchange is truly complete without at least trying the Rocky Mountain oysters. For the uninitiated, these are not seafood — they are bull testicles, fried to a golden crisp and served as a classic Colorado delicacy that dates back to ranching culture.
Multiple reviewers specifically call them out as a must-order item. They arrive crispy on the outside with a tender bite inside, usually paired with a zesty dipping sauce.
The flavor is mild, making them far less intimidating than they sound to first-timers.
Part of the fun is the reaction you get from tablemates when you announce what you ordered. The Buckhorn Exchange has been serving these for generations, and they’ve become a signature dish that represents the restaurant’s fearless, frontier spirit.
Order them, share them, and enjoy the story you’ll tell afterward.
The Big Steak — A True Showstopper
Few menu items create as much buzz at the Buckhorn Exchange as “The Big Steak.” This 24-ounce behemoth is designed to be shared, and it arrives with a theatrical tableside carving that turns dinner into a full-on event worth remembering.
One reviewer described it as “absolutely unbelievable — cooked to perfection, juicy, and packed with flavor.” The Big Steak for two comes with salads and sides, making it a complete meal that satisfies even the most serious appetite. The tableside presentation alone is worth ordering it for the experience.
Quality of the beef here is consistently praised across reviews. While a few guests note lighter seasoning, the actual cut and cook are hard to argue with.
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or just a really good Tuesday, ordering The Big Steak is the kind of move that makes the whole table happy.
Atmosphere That Feels Like the Old West
Walking into the Buckhorn Exchange is like pressing a time machine button set to 1893. The warm lighting, dark wood paneling, antique weapons cases, autographed photos, and layers of historical memorabilia create an atmosphere that’s cozy, lively, and completely unlike modern restaurant design.
Guests consistently mention feeling transported to a different era. One reviewer put it perfectly: “It gives you a glimpse of the Old West.” The multiple dining levels, alcoves, bar areas, and tucked-away corners make the space feel like an adventure to explore before your food even arrives.
The vibe strikes a rare balance — it’s historical without feeling stuffy, and rustic without feeling rough. Families, couples, and groups all find comfortable spots that suit their mood.
Whether you sit near the weapons case with its hilarious backstory or by the bar, every seat comes with a conversation starter built right in.
Service That Goes Above and Beyond
Great food deserves great service, and the Buckhorn Exchange delivers on both fronts consistently. Reviewers repeatedly describe the staff as attentive, friendly, and genuinely knowledgeable about every item on the menu — the kind of service that makes you feel like a valued guest rather than just another table to turn over.
Servers like Casey and Gio have earned personal shoutouts in multiple reviews for their spot-on food suggestions and entertaining storytelling. Staff members share the history of the restaurant naturally throughout your meal, adding layers of context that make the experience richer and more memorable.
Empty glasses get refilled without asking, bread baskets arrive without a fuss, and birthdays get treated as proper occasions. The team here seems genuinely happy to be at work, which is something you can feel the moment you sit down.
That energy is contagious and makes every visit feel special.
Colorado Liquor License Number One
Here’s a fun piece of trivia that will impress everyone at your table: the Buckhorn Exchange holds Colorado Liquor License No. 1. That means when the state started handing out liquor licenses, this place was first in line — a distinction that speaks volumes about its deep roots in Denver’s culture.
The original license is proudly displayed inside the restaurant, giving guests a tangible connection to Colorado’s drinking history. It’s one of those small details that transforms a dinner out into something closer to a history lesson, except with better food and cocktails.
This piece of history is part of what makes the Buckhorn Exchange more than just a steakhouse. It’s a living archive of Colorado life, from the frontier days right up to the present.
Come for the elk, stay for the stories, and don’t forget to look for that framed license on the wall.
Starters Worth Saving Room For
Before the main event even arrives, the Buckhorn Exchange gives you plenty of reasons to get excited with its appetizer lineup. Gator bites and buffalo sausage are two crowd favorites that reviewers mention by name, praising both the quality and the creative dipping sauces that come alongside them.
The alligator tail appetizer has built a dedicated following among adventurous diners. It comes out crispy, flavorful, and surprisingly approachable for something that sounds intimidating on paper.
Buffalo sausage is hearty and well-seasoned, a perfect warm-up for the bigger proteins heading your way.
Complimentary bread baskets also make an appearance at many tables, giving you something to nibble on while you take in the atmosphere and debate your main course. Starting the meal right here sets a high bar, and the kitchen is more than capable of clearing it.
Don’t skip the starters — they’re part of the full experience.
A Menu Built for the Adventurous Eater
Decision paralysis is a real risk at the Buckhorn Exchange. The menu stretches far beyond what most steakhouses dare to offer, with options like yak, ostrich, pheasant, duck, crocodile tail, and Colorado lamb chops sitting alongside more familiar cuts of beef and salmon.
One reviewer who drove in from Albuquerque specifically noted: “Know what you want ahead of time because once you get there, there are so many options it’s very hard to make a decision.” That’s high praise wrapped in a warning — come with an open mind and maybe a game plan.
The kitchen treats every protein with the same level of care, whether you’re ordering a classic New York strip or something far more unusual. For food lovers who get bored with standard menus, this place is genuinely exciting.
Trying something new here feels less like a risk and more like a reward.
Reservations Are Strongly Recommended
The Buckhorn Exchange is not a walk-in kind of place — at least not if you want a guaranteed seat. Multiple reviewers stress the importance of making reservations ahead of time, especially on weekends when the restaurant fills up fast with locals and tourists alike.
Open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4 or 5 PM depending on the day, with the kitchen running until 9 or 9:30 PM, the windows for dining are specific. Friday and Saturday evenings in particular tend to get packed early, so booking in advance protects you from the disappointment of a long wait or no table at all.
Calling ahead at 303-534-9505 or booking online through buckhornexchange.com takes only a few minutes and saves a lot of stress. The parking lot on-site is small, so arriving a little early and grabbing street parking nearby is also a smart move for a smooth, relaxed evening.
Desserts Worth Saving the Last Bite For
After working through a plate of elk or bison, the last thing you might expect is to have room for dessert — but the Buckhorn Exchange makes a compelling case for finding space. The cheesecake, served with a lush raspberry sauce, has earned consistent praise as a rich, decadent finish to a memorable meal.
One reviewer described it as “ever so decadent” after splitting a slice to cap off a birthday dinner. The dessert menu keeps things classic, which feels just right after the adventurous main course.
Sometimes a well-executed cheesecake is exactly the note you want to end on.
The apple pie also appears on the menu for those who prefer something a bit more homestyle. Dessert at the Buckhorn Exchange isn’t the main act, but it rounds out the evening beautifully.
Order one, share it, and let the whole experience linger just a little bit longer before you head back out into Denver.
A Bucket-List Denver Dining Experience
Some restaurants are just places to eat. The Buckhorn Exchange is a place to remember.
Reviewers from across the country describe it as a culinary bucket-list item — something you plan for, drive hours to reach, and talk about long after the meal is over.
Featured on the Food Network and celebrated in travel guides, this 130-year-old steakhouse has earned its reputation one plate at a time. Whether you come for the wild game, the history, the taxidermy, or the sheer novelty of dining somewhere that has been open since Grover Cleveland was president, you leave with a story worth telling.
Priced in the higher range with entrees reflecting the quality and experience, the Buckhorn Exchange rewards those who treat it as a special occasion. Located conveniently near a light rail stop at 1000 Osage Street, getting here is easy.
Deciding whether to come back is even easier — the answer is always yes.
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