Denver Zoo offers a wide variety of dining options to cater to the diverse tastes and preferences of its visitors. From classic American fare to unique international flavors, the zoo’s menus provide something for everyone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the details of the main eateries and their offerings, so you can plan your culinary adventure during your zoo tour.

Samburu Grille

The Samburu Grille is a popular dining destination within the Denver Zoo, serving up classic American favorites. Its menu features a selection of burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and seasonal soups. While the menu may not be the most adventurous, it provides reliable and satisfying options for those seeking familiar comfort foods.

One of the unique aspects of the Samburu Grille is its focus on seasonal fare. Depending on the time of year, visitors may find special soup offerings or other seasonal dishes that add a touch of variety to the menu.

Brown Bear BBQ

For those craving a taste of the American South, the Brown Bear BBQ is the perfect spot. This eatery specializes in mouthwatering BBQ sandwiches, four-cheese mac ‘n cheese, and traditional sides. The menu also features seasonal ice cream flavors, such as the intriguing “God Save the Cream,” adding a sweet touch to the savory BBQ offerings.

While the menu doesn’t explicitly mention vegetarian options, the traditional sides like mac ‘n cheese and BBQ baked beans may be suitable for those following a plant-based diet. The Brown Bear BBQ is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., conveniently located near the Train + Carousel Ticket Booth.

Café Costa

For a taste of Latin-inspired flavors, visitors can head to Café Costa. This eatery offers a selection of Argentinian-inspired snacks, pizza, the refreshing Dole Whip, and even adult beverages like the Bee’s Knee’s Mojito. The unique menu items at Café Costa provide a delightful contrast to the more traditional fare found elsewhere in the zoo.

Diverse Dining Options

In addition to the main eateries, the Denver Zoo offers a variety of other dining options to cater to different tastes and preferences. These include:

• Cup & Cone: Serving coffee, beer, ice cream, breakfast burritos, and classic zoo snacks.
• Dippin’ Dots: Offering innovative ice cream beads, snacks, and bottled beverages.
• Stingray Cove Snack Cart: Providing shaved ice with fruit compote and toppings, as well as other snacks.
• Scratch: Featuring a Nashville hot chicken sandwich with mac ‘n cheese and hot chicken fries with queso.
• Puff Puff Mini-Donuts: Offering freshly baked mini donuts, donut sundaes, beer, and classic zoo snacks.
• Kamala Café: Serving up fresh Asian-inspired cuisine, including spring rolls and orange chicken rice bowls.
• Kamala Snacks & Sips Cart: Offering Bavarian pretzels, snacks, Dippin’ Dots, draft beer, and bottled beverages.

Catering Options

For those planning events or group visits to the Denver Zoo, the zoo’s catering services offer a range of options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. These include:

• Classic American: Grilled hamburgers, all-beef hot dogs, with two sides, kettle chips, and cookies for dessert.
• Colorado Smokehouse: Choice of two local proteins (beef brisket, BBQ pulled pork, BBQ bone-in chicken, or smoked sausage links) with brioche buns, BBQ sauce, pickles, onion, and cornbread muffins.
• Ballpark: Grilled bratwurst, all-beef hot dogs, with chili, pico de gallo, chopped onion, shredded cheddar, sauerkraut, hot peppers, ketchup, mustard, and relish.

Additionally, the catering menu offers a variety of add-ons, such as watermelon slices, unlimited Coca-Cola products, ice cream novelties, seasonal cobbler, and iced tea.

Snacks & Sweets

For those looking for a quick bite or a sweet treat, the Denver Zoo offers a range of snack and dessert options. These include:

• Zoo Mix Package: Buttered popcorn, kettle corn, and chef’s trail mix.
• Healthy Snack Package: Seasonal fresh fruit, hummus & crudité, crunchy pretzels, and mixed nuts.
• Sweet Tooth Package: Cookies, brownie bites, and kettle corn.
• Snacks A La Carte: Seasonal chip & dip station, hummus & crudité display, seasonal fresh fruit display, build-your-own trail mix, cookies, rice krispies, brownie bites, crunchy pretzels, buttered popcorn, kettle corn, ice cream novelties, cotton candy, and dessert bars.

Mobile Ordering

For added convenience, the Denver Zoo offers mobile ordering through its app or designated links for each dining location. This allows visitors to pre-order their meals and snacks, reducing wait times and ensuring a seamless dining experience during their zoo tour.

By exploring the diverse menus and dining options at the Denver Zoo, visitors can enhance their overall zoo experience and satisfy their culinary cravings. Whether you’re in the mood for classic American fare, international flavors, or sweet treats, the zoo’s eateries have something to delight every palate.

Reference:
– Denver Zoo Dining Options