Two Monarch Casino Resort Spa Restaurants Continue Their Wine Spectator Award-Winning Tradition
Monarch Chophouse receives the 2026 Best of Award of Excellence, and Bistro Mariposa earns the 2026 Award of Excellence, reinforcing Monarch’s destination dining momentum beyond Denver
June 26, 2026
Diners looking for a destination-worthy meal beyond Denver have another reason to look west, where Monarch Casino Resort Spa continues to earn national recognition for its thoughtfully curated wine programs. Two of the resort’s signature restaurants have been honored in Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards: Monarch Chophouse with the Best of Award of Excellence and Bistro Mariposa with the Award of Excellence.
2026 marks the fourth consecutive year Monarch Chophouse has been recognized by Wine Spectator, and the third consecutive year for Bistro Mariposa.
“Guests come to Monarch expecting every part of their visit to feel special, including the way our wines and spirits support the menu,” said Keith Cawthern, Director of Food & Beverage for Monarch Casino Resort Spa. “The Wine Spectator recognitions reflect the consistency and care our teams bring to each restaurant, from building wine programs that complement the menu to creating dining experiences that guests remember long after they leave the table.”
About the Restaurants
- Monarch Chophouse offers an upscale steakhouse experience built around USDA Prime cuts, seafood, Colorado lamb, and tableside presentations, complemented by a carefully curated wine program.
- Bistro Mariposa brings a lively modern Latin and Mexican/Southwestern dining experience to the resort, with food-friendly wines, handcrafted cocktails, tequila, mezcal, and Colorado craft beer selected to match the restaurant’s bold flavors and social atmosphere.
The latest honors add to a growing record of national recognition for Monarch’s full resort experience. In 2025, Monarch Casino earned a AAA Four Diamond hotel designation, Spa Monarch was ranked the No. 2 hotel spa in the country for the second consecutive year in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and the resort earned a Top 5 placement in Newsweek’s Best Overall Casino Outside Las Vegas list.
Together, the distinctions reflect Monarch’s continued investment in a guest experience that extends well beyond the gaming floor, giving guests more reasons to visit, stay, and return.
Located just 45 minutes from downtown Denver in historic Black Hawk, Monarch Casino Resort Spa offers an elevated escape with unmatched luxury, award-winning dining, and full-scale resort amenities. This includes its 23-story hotel tower, rooftop pool and spa, 60,000 square feet of gaming space, and five distinct dining venues, including Monarch Chophouse and Bistro Mariposa, both recognized in Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards. For more information or to make a reservation, visit MonarchBlackHawk.com.