Best Diner in Denver · Denver, CO
Sam's No. 3 has been a Denver diner since 1927, when Greek immigrant Sam Armatas opened the first of his lunchrooms; the family revived the name downtown decades later. Century-old recipes — especially the red and green chile ladled over nearly everything — anchor a sprawling all-day menu of more than 100 items.
A classic Denver diner now run by the founder's grandsons, Sam's No. 3 is the 2026 Centurion Award winner.
Each Centurion Award is a dated record tied to one year’s evaluation — earned annually, never carried over. Open a year for the full citation and verification details.
Awards run one calendar year and renew only if the business clears the bar again. Selection is by published criteria, never for sale.
Visit Sam's No. 3
This page is the standing record for Sam's No. 3 (2026). It was not bought, voted on, or sponsored — only winners are published, and an award that stops holding up is revoked, not quietly removed. For hours, bookings, and live reviews, go straight to the business itself.
If you’ve put in the years, you may already clear the bar. Evaluation is free, private, and never for sale.