Tamarisk is a quiet south Lakewood neighborhood, but its food scene is anything but sleepy. Tucked between Bear Creek Lake Park, Green Mountain, and the busy restaurant corridors along South Kipling Street, West Jewell Avenue, and South Wadsworth Boulevard, Tamarisk makes an excellent home base for casual breakfasts, family dinners, European pastries, coffee runs, and low-key neighborhood feasts.
The key to eating well here is knowing that the best destinations are clustered just beyond the residential streets. Start near South Kipling Street and West Jewell Avenue, then fan out toward West Hampden Avenue, South Wadsworth Boulevard, and the shopping centers along Jewell. Most places are casual, parking-friendly, and priced for regular visits rather than special-occasion splurges.
Start With Coffee and Breakfast
For a welcoming morning stop, head to Front Porch Coffee Shop at 3101 S. Kipling St. This spacious café, located in a converted church setting, has the kind of relaxed atmosphere that encourages lingering. There is free Wi-Fi, patio seating, games, baked goods, breakfast burritos from Bonfire Burritos, and a menu of handmade espresso drinks and seasonal lattes.
Prices generally land in the $4–$12 range, depending on whether you order coffee, a pastry, or a more substantial breakfast. The rotating specialty drinks are part of the fun: expect creative flavors such as blackberry cobbler and carrot cake alongside traditional cappuccinos and drip coffee. It is a particularly good choice before a walk at Bear Creek Lake Park or for meeting a friend who prefers a quiet, comfortable café to a crowded chain.
For a more traditional breakfast, Taste of Denmark at 1901 S. Kipling St. is one of the area’s most distinctive food landmarks. This family-run bakery specializes in Danish and European pastries, breads, cakes, cookies, kringles, cream puffs, and strudels. A pastry and coffee usually costs about $5–$12, while soups and sandwiches make it possible to turn the visit into lunch.
The must-orders are the almond horn, kringle, Danish pastries, and crusty European-style breads. Taste of Denmark has been a Lakewood institution since 1999, and its old-fashioned bakery sensibility gives the Tamarisk area a culinary tradition that feels genuinely local rather than manufactured. ([tasteofdenmarkco.com](https://tasteofdenmarkco.com/location/?utm_source=openai))
The Neighborhood Dinner Standout
When I want a dependable, sit-down meal near Tamarisk, Cafe Jordano at 11068 W. Jewell Ave. is one of the first places I recommend. This family-owned Italian restaurant is known for generous portions, warm service, and classic comfort food rather than minimalist plating.
Expect Italian-American favorites such as lasagna, ravioli, cannelloni, meatball and sausage sandwiches, chicken parmesan, and house specialties. Lunch entrées and sandwiches generally run about $15–$20, while dinner is typically in the $20–$35 range. The portions are substantial enough that leftovers are practically part of the experience.
Cafe Jordano is especially good for a relaxed family dinner, birthday, or date night when you want something cozy and familiar. Try one of the pasta dishes, add a salad or soup, and save room for dessert. The restaurant’s long history and personal hospitality are a major part of its appeal; it feels like the kind of place where regulars are remembered. ([cafejordano.com](https://www.cafejordano.com/?utm_source=openai))
Wadsworth Boulevard for Casual Variety
South Wadsworth Boulevard, particularly around the Wadsworth and Mississippi Avenue area, is useful when your group cannot agree on one cuisine. You will find everything from pizza and burgers to Mexican, Asian, and café-style food within a short drive of Tamarisk.
One nearby destination worth keeping on your radar is Granny Scott’s Pie Shop at 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd. It is a classic choice for take-home desserts, holiday pies, and old-fashioned sweet cravings. Prices vary by pie and size, but plan on roughly $5–$10 for an individual dessert and $20–$35 for a full pie. It is ideal for bringing something to a neighborhood gathering, a picnic, or a family dinner.
The Wadsworth corridor is also a practical place to look for quick Mexican meals, sandwich shops, and fast-casual restaurants when you need dinner without a long wait. The vibe is less polished than Belmar, but that is part of the charm: these are mostly straightforward, useful neighborhood stops where the focus is on generous food and convenience.
Hidden Gems and Specialty Shopping
One of Tamarisk’s best food traditions is not a single restaurant but the presence of specialty markets and small food businesses nearby. Andre’s & Lana’s Market at 305 S. Kipling St. is a worthwhile detour for Eastern European groceries, pastries, breads, dumplings, sausages, cheeses, sweets, and imported pantry staples. Prices range from a few dollars for a pastry or jarred item to $20–$40 or more for a larger haul of specialty foods.
It is the sort of hidden gem that rewards curiosity. Pick up smoked meats, pickled vegetables, frozen dumplings, or a loaf of bread, then build your own Tamarisk picnic. Lakewood’s international markets are especially valuable because they let residents experience regional food traditions at home rather than only in restaurants. ([lakewoodco.gov](https://www.lakewoodco.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/city-managers-office/documents/looking-at-lakewood-january-2025_final-acc-4.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Another nearby specialty stop is the European Market & Bistro at 1990 Wadsworth Blvd., which offers imported European foods and prepared dishes. It is a strong option when you want something different from the usual grocery-store routine or need ingredients for a casual dinner with friends.
Food Trucks, Beer, and Casual Evenings
Tamarisk’s food-truck culture is more occasional than permanent, but it is easy to find mobile food at breweries, neighborhood events, and community gatherings around south Lakewood. Green Mountain Beer Company and nearby taprooms periodically host rotating trucks, making the combination of local beer and street food a popular low-key evening tradition.
The offerings change, which is exactly the appeal. One visit may bring tacos or loaded fries; another may feature barbecue, sandwiches, pizza, or creative fusion dishes. Budget around $10–$20 per person, and check the brewery or truck’s social media before heading out because schedules can shift.
A Simple Tamarisk Food Crawl
For a perfect local food day, begin with coffee and a breakfast burrito at Front Porch Coffee Shop. Walk or drive over to Taste of Denmark for a kringle or almond horn. Spend the afternoon at Bear Creek Lake Park, then finish with Italian comfort food at Cafe Jordano. If you are hosting friends, add a pie from Granny Scott’s or specialty ingredients from Andre’s & Lana’s Market.
That is the Tamarisk food scene in a nutshell: relaxed, diverse, practical, and full of places that reward repeat visits. It may not have a single restaurant row, but the network of destinations along Kipling, Jewell, and Wadsworth gives locals plenty of delicious reasons to stay close to home.