Food on wheels changes your Denver.

This 3.5-hour evening bike-and-bite tour strings together classic stops like La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, Bao Brewhouse, the Buckhorn Exchange, and Denver Central Market in RiNo, all with a guided route that shows you where the city’s energy actually lives.

What I like most is the built-in variety. You’re not just sampling sweets or grabbing one snack—you get a real dinner plan with specific bites at each place, including Al pastor tacos and Rocky Mountain oysters. I also really appreciated the small-group, safety-first hosting from Jeremy, who had helmets and lights ready for a dark, cool ride.

One thing to plan for: the pedaling time is more than you might expect between stops. From my experience, it can be closer to 15–20 minutes of riding at a stretch, and once the sun drops, you’ll want to feel comfortable biking in low light.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Four food stops that add up to dinner: tacos, drunken noodles, Rocky Mountain oysters, then pizza plus dessert
• A guided route with real Denver landmarks: Union Station, river areas, RiNo, and Historic Park sights
• Helmets and bike lights included for a 5:00 pm start
• Small group size (max 8) keeps the pace friendly and the turns manageable
• You start and end at 675 29th St, so you’re not stranded when the ride is done

Price and logistics: what $125 buys you

At $125 per person for about 3 hours 30 minutes, this isn’t a quick “taste” session—it’s a planned, guided evening. You’re paying for four things: the bike experience, a leader who keeps you on track, admission/taste stops that are free, and a full food bill covered as part of the tour.

The biggest value is that the food cost is handled for you. The tour includes all the food and tips, plus bottled water, which is exactly what you want on a food tour. The only real gap is alcohol—those beverages are not included, so if you want a drink, you’ll be paying at the venues.

I also like the pacing structure. Each stop isn’t just “walk in, eat, walk out.” You ride a chunk of Denver between bites, so the tour feels like a night out, not a checklist.

Meeting at 675 29th St and the 5:00 pm evening rhythm

You meet at 675 29th St, Denver, CO 80205 and the tour starts at 5:00 pm. It ends back at the meeting point, so you don’t have to solve the “what now?” problem after you’ve eaten and ridden enough.

This is designed for moderate physical fitness. The route includes biking time between stops (and again, expect more riding than you might picture), but the tour is paced to keep the group together. Also, because the start is late enough for it to be dark by the time you’re moving, the tour provides helmets and lights—a detail that matters more than it sounds. On an early November evening (which came up in feedback I received), the ride can feel cold, but the light setup makes it feel controlled instead of sketchy.

A small group—up to 8 people—helps here. You’re not navigating lanes as a crowd, and you’re less likely to get lost when the route turns.

Stop 1 at La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal: tacos first, then the ride

The tour kicks off with a short bike ride of about 10 minutes to the first food stop. That time does two helpful things: it gets your legs moving before you eat, and it also helps you get comfortable with the bike setup early.

At La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, you’ll choose your taco option. The plan gives you a meaningful first bite: try two Al pastor tacos, or pick one from carnitas, chicken, or bean. It’s a solid opener because Al pastor gives you a sweet-salty pork flavor you can build from, while the other options cover the more classic crowd-pleasers.

Why this stop works early: tacos are easy to eat without slowing the group down. You’ll be back on the bikes fairly quickly after—so you get fuel for the rest of the route without feeling stuffed.

Potential drawback: if you’re someone who hates spicy food, ask about heat level before you commit to Al pastor. The tour doesn’t list spice settings, and tacos can vary from place to place.

Stop 2 at Bao Brewhouse: noodles, breweries, and a scenic ride

After La Diabla, you spend about an hour on the “ride and see Denver” portion, with a route that threads through some major spots. You’ll pass Union Station, move by Coors Field-area views (it’s described as the Coors baseball stadium), and go near the Dairy Block. You also ride through the river zone, including the Confluence of the Platte and Cherry Creek, and then head toward Larimer Square.

Then comes Bao Brewhouse, right next door, where the tour includes drunken noodles. That’s a great choice for a bike tour because noodles are filling, but they’re usually easier to eat on a schedule than something that requires heavy prep time.

What I like about this pairing—route plus food—is that it gives you context. You’re not only eating; you’re seeing Denver’s layout: transit-friendly areas, landmarks, and how the river connects neighborhoods. That makes the later RiNo stop feel more earned.

One consideration: if you’re sensitive to strong flavors (garlic-heavy noodle dishes are common), you might want to pace your first bites. Your next food stop isn’t far, so you want to keep some room.

Stop 3 at Buckhorn Exchange: 1893, taxidermy, and Rocky Mountain oysters

This is the stop where the tour turns from casual dinner to something you’ll remember. You bike past Metropolitan State University of Denver, the area tied to the old Tivoli Brewery, and Ninth Street Historic Park before arriving at Buckhorn Exchange.

Buckhorn Exchange opened in 1893, and it’s known as Denver’s oldest restaurant and a National Historic Landmark. The story you get with your visit includes founder Henry H. Shorty Scout Zietz, a former scout for Buffalo Bill, and the place’s role as a host for notable figures, including President Theodore Roosevelt.

Then there’s the room itself: the restaurant is famous for its extensive taxidermy, with over 500 mounted animals. Even if you’re not into the animal display, it sets a clear mood—old West themed, with an instant sense of place.

The food choice here is bold on purpose. The tour includes Rocky Mountain oysters. If you’ve never tried them, treat it like an experience more than a “safe snack.” The flavor depends on how they’re prepared that night, but the big idea is that it’s a classic Colorado curiosity that locals aren’t shy about.

Drawback to consider: if you’re not comfortable with the theme (or you dislike the idea of trying unfamiliar items), this stop might feel like too much. You can still enjoy the atmosphere and the story, but the tour is designed around tasting.

Stop 4: Denver Central Market in RiNo (Vero Pizza and Izzio Bakery)

The final stretch brings you to RiNo (River North Art District), after biking past the Colorado State Capital area. RiNo matters on a bike tour because it shows you Denver’s shift from industry to arts and food—right where murals, shops, and modern restaurants overlap.

At Denver Central Market, the tour stops at a gourmet food hall with 11 vendors. That format is nice at the end because it lets you finish with something you actually want, not just the one predetermined item.

You’ll eat at Vero Pizza, where the plan is to order a pizza (or two styles). Then for dessert, the tour includes a stop at Izzio Bakery.

This ending is smart for two reasons:

1. Pizza is easy to share and feels satisfying after the earlier tastes.
2. Dessert at the end keeps the night from turning into a sugar scramble at the last second.

The only “watch it” point: because you’ve already eaten tacos, noodles, and Rocky Mountain oysters, you’ll likely want to choose your pizza styles carefully. Two different styles can be fun, but it also can be a lot of crust by the time you sit down.

How hard is the biking really?

This tour is listed as moderate fitness, and the pace matches that label. You’re not doing mountain climbs, but you are biking across town for a sustained evening. Expect the ride time between food stops to be more substantial than a quick hop.

From the ride flow, it often feels like:

• a short bike push to get you started,
• then longer riding segments than you might plan for,
• then short meal pauses that keep you moving.

If you’re someone who can bike comfortably for 20–30 minutes at a time (even with electric-assist support), you’ll feel good. If you’re more of a “walk mostly, bike rarely” person, this may be a stretch—especially in the cold or dark.

The good news: your guide is keeping the group together, and the tour provides safety gear (helmets and lights). That’s a big deal on a route that’s spread out and active.

Food inclusion: what you’ll actually get (and what you won’t)

Here’s the practical side of the included meal plan:

Included:

• All food and tips across the stops
• Bottled water

Included food highlights:

• La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal: two Al pastor tacos OR one carnitas/chicken/bean taco
• Bao Brewhouse: drunken noodles
• Buckhorn Exchange: Rocky Mountain oysters
• Vero Pizza: pizza (and option to do two styles)
• Izzio Bakery: dessert

Not included:

• Alcoholic beverages

This matters because food tours can surprise you with the bill at the table. Here, the food portion is handled. If you do want beer or mezcal, you should treat it as an add-on budget item.

Should you book Taste of Denver by Bike?

I’d book it if you want Denver to feel like a real evening, not just a driving checklist. The best match is someone who likes food variety, doesn’t mind trying one adventurous dish, and feels comfortable biking at night with lights and helmets.

I’d think twice if Rocky Mountain oysters are a hard no for you, or if cold-dark biking sounds stressful. Also, if you’re expecting only tiny “in-between” rides, reset your expectations—the riding time is a real part of the experience.

One last practical nudge: the tour requires good weather, and if it’s canceled you’re offered an alternate date or a full refund. So if Denver’s forecast looks shaky, don’t assume you’re locked in.

Overall: this is one of those Denver experiences that gives you a mix of neighborhoods, landmarks, and food you can’t easily reproduce on your own in one night.

FAQ

What time does the Taste of Denver by Bike tour start?

It starts at 5:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet, and where does it end?

You meet at 675 29th St, Denver, CO 80205, USA, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included in the tour?

Dinner is included with tastings at each stop: tacos at La Diabla, drunken noodles at Bao Brewhouse, Rocky Mountain oysters at Buckhorn Exchange, and pizza plus dessert at Denver Central Market (Vero Pizza and Izzio Bakery).

Is alcohol included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Do I need any special fitness level?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers.