In Downtown Golden, within walking distance of the Mines campus on Washington Street is a store with a black overhang and a brightly lit red neon sign which says “Free Smells.” It is Jimmy John’s, a classic sandwich restaurant that creates delicious sandwiches for any occasion. With great seating indoors and tables outdoors, Jimmy John’s presents a comfortable dining experience.
Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean costs a small fortune and requires months of preparation. Grappa, an elegant and simple Mediterranean-styled bistro and cafe, overlooks Clear Creek and treats the average diner to a traditional Mediterranean meal without spending hundreds of dollars on airplane tickets.
JC’s Cafe, formerly known as Shorty Lu’s, serves up delicious options for breakfast and lunch. Customers immediately feel at home with warm cinnamon rolls and hospitable waitresses who will make sure that your coffee never gets cold. With quick service, hungry patrons do not have to wait long.
On the corner of 16th Street and Washington Avenue, there is a colorful restaurant called Sherpa House. Sherpa House, as the name implies, specializes in Nepalese cuisine. They also serve Himalayan, Tibetan, and Indian food.
College students seem to be forever in need of cheap, fun activities. While many places offer exactly that, Golden Bowl is one of the best ways to have fun on any night of the week.
In one of the most beautiful settings in all of downtown Golden, the Foothills Art Center stands as a unique community organization.
Golden Tea Time sits just to the northeast of downtown Golden on Washington Avenue in a quaint white cottage. The front of the house is enclosed by a small porch, within which is a small window that offers a peek inside at the dainty tea rooms.
At the corner of 14th and Arapahoe, a crowded little coffee shop serves up mochas and cappuccinos. On any given day, Higher Grounds Café is sure to have two or three Mines students, perhaps even a professor, sipping their drinks and catching up on recent happenings. With its friendly baristas and great atmosphere, it is no wonder Higher Grounds is a student favorite.
College students often have limited money, and frequently only purchase the bare essentials, which traditionally includes coffee. Golden, therefore, has many cafés to cater to this need, but one that stands out for its fair prices and great service is Noa-Noa Espresso and News.
Entering Mannie and Bo’s Pizzeria at the corner of South Golden Road and Quaker Street feels like entering a slightly crowded Italian kitchen. The walls are covered in humorous Italian-style décor and the entire building smells of freshly baked pizza dough.