Blog

Mar 22, 2023

What to pack for a picnic from these Denver delis and markets

Park days are in full swing. (Well, they will be once the spring rains subside.)

Park days are in full swing. (Well, they will be once the spring rains subside.)

City Park Jazz kicks off on June 4, outdoor movies are screening across the metro area and a full itinerary of Colorado summer festivals have been announced. But don't go empty-handed for the long days under the sun.

Sprawling on a blanket on Denver's green grass is always better with a snack, particularly cured meats and cheeses. Here's a list of eight spots around town where you can pack your next picnic basket.

This friendly neighborhood market with two locations, both near City Park, has everything a picnic basket could ever need. From the classic deli sandwiches, made fresh at the counter or ready for grab-n-go, to some of the best macaroni salad in town, Marczyk Fine Foods is a one-stop shop. Its carefully curated stock includes fresh seafood from Seattle Fish Co., bread baked in-house, and Westminster-based Niman Ranch meats.

5100 E. Colfax, Denver; 770 E. 17th Ave., Denver; marczykfinefoods.com/

Located down the block from César Chávez Park, Il Porcellino Salumi's Italian-style deli has all the cured meats and charcuterie a picnic basket could ever need. There's a reason the deli supplies its meats to dozens of Colorado restaurants and sells them online. Don't sleep on the incredible sandwiches, like The Bacon – a personal favorite – which was featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

4324 W. 41st Ave., Denver; ilporcellinodenver.com/

Feeling lazy and don't want to spend too much time designing a photo-worthy charcuterie board? Cheese Meat Board in Five Points will do just that for you. The charcuterie shop can deliver same-day or advance orders of beautifully crafted grazing boards, or customize your own in the store.

2054 N. Broadway, Denver; cheesemeatboard.com/

Don't forget to pack something sweet. Petunia Bakeshop, not far from Jefferson Park, has a display case full of cruffins, fresh bread, danish, cookies, pecan rolls, macarons and cake slices. The family-owned Mexican bakery also makes some mouthwatering savory croissants, like the birria with consomme.

3000 W. 23rd Ave., Denver; petuniabakeshop.com/

Pete's neighborhood market has been serving Denver barrel-aged feta, fresh fruits and vegetables, Greek pastries and olive oil straight from the Mediterranean for the last 45 years. The humble Hilltop grocer, which also owns Spinelli's Market, is on the way to your next visit to Crestmoor Park.

5606 E Cedar Ave., Denver; facebook.com/Petes-Fruits-Vegetables

Denver's longest-running cheese shop is pungent, and the smell of artisan cheeses won't let you leave the store empty-handed. Truffle Cheese Shop has been specializing in charcuterie from around the world for more than 20 years, and every cheese is cut to order. There's also an array of olive oils, pastas, French butter and fresh baguettes to accompany your spread.

2906 E. Sixth Ave., Denver; denvertruffle.com/

Spice up the next picnic with a bahn mi from this family-run Vietnamese bakery. Choose between BBQ or grilled pork, ham, meatball, roast chicken, spicy avocado or tofu. The baguettes are baked fresh daily, and each sandwich has an authentic Vietnamese touch of paté.

2370 W. Alameda Ave., Denver; 375 S. Federal Blvd., Denver; facebook.com/vinhxuongbakery/

Choose between a bruschetta board with four different toppings, a veggie board with a side of green goddess dressing, a classic meat-and-cheese board, a cheese-only board or a soft pretzel board at Postino's five Colorado locations to be the talk of the picnic. And it never hurts to add a bottle of wine.

830 Colorado Blvd., Denver; 2715 17th St., Denver; 145 N. Broadway, Denver; 1497 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch; 1468 Pearl St., Boulder; postinowinecafe.com/

Dogs deserve to enjoy a picnic, too. Pack a snack from Three Dog Bakery for your loyal pup. The "barkery" has soft-baked snacks, cookies, gourmet dog pastries (like Pupcakes), seasonal treats and canine cakes that can be personalized for any occasion.

1503 Boulder St., Denver; threedog.com/bakery/denver/

Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.

Sign up for Newsletters and Alerts