# 25

2025 rank: 1

Berkeley is quintessential Denver, blending historical charm with contemporary wants, and although it’s spent the past few years climbing the ranks (third place in 2023, second place in 2024, and finally claiming the top spot last year), 2025 tells a different story. The northwest neighborhood dropped to the last slot in our top 25, a notable slide that mirrors a cooling market, with average home prices dipping from just over $1 million in 2024 to around $950,000 last year. Still, with its enduring character, strong schools, and ever-evolving retail and dining scene, Berkeley remains firmly in the conversation—just no longer leading it.

Berkeley encompasses a patchwork of Denver Squares, Victorians, modern townhomes, and duplexes. It’s residential—with two solid schools—but close to all the necessary amenities, anchored as it is by the abundance of restaurants, bars, and shops along Tennyson Street. And its northern edge is lined with two sprawling green spaces, including one of the city’s 16 off-leash dog parks.

The result is an ideal spot for young families, first-time home buyers, and empty nesters to settle down.

Population 9,168
2025 Average Sale Price $950,092

Neighborhood Rankings

Real Estate Rank 67
Schools Score 4
Safety Rank 27
X Factor Score 9

How we got these numbers: We utilized the city’s official list of 78 neighborhoods (only 73 had enough data to be included), and ranked them using four variables: home prices, crime data, school rankings, and an X factor score that accounts for things like access to open space, proximity to public transportation, and restaurant and shopping options. For more on our methodology, return to the main page.

Your Itinerary

Eat & Drink

Whatever you’re craving, you’ll almost certainly find it in Berkeley. Choose from an array of savory breakfast sammies at Call Your Mother Deli; Michelin-recommended Asian bites at Hey Kiddo; vegetarian and vegan fare at Vital Root; or Navajo-style fry bread from Native American–owned Tocabe. New sandwich shop Eloise, from the team behind Good Bread, is serving Japanese shokupan sandos and traditionally made matchas so good, it often has a line wrapping the block. Blackbelly Market’s Denver outpost mostly focuses on house-made charcuterie, but visit on a Friday after 5 p.m. and it transforms into a beloved French bistro serving steak frites, mussels mariniére, and crispy chicken paillard.

Start your morning with a specialty latte from Coffeegraph, a cafe that brews all its java with Indonesian beans. Your next stop is Bakery Four, where a morning bun topped with orange zest is a must. When happy hour hits, head to socially conscious Berkeley Untapped, Berkeley Inn for dive-bar vibes, or the Tatarian for elevated cocktails. End your night at My Boy Tony for a relaxed nightcap.

Hopheads have a number of area options, including Empourium Brewing Company, the Beer Depot, and Hops & Pie. If dark alleys don’t scare you, venture to Alley Brews; although this watering hole can be tough to track down (it’s tucked between Tennyson and Stuart streets), the Pucker Nuts sour is worth a little wandering.

Shop

Spending can be a little too easy along the Tennyson Street corridor—and it sometimes spills into the sipping category at places like American Lore, a new watering hole where guests can simultaneously design Western hats and throw back bourbon. Wild West Baby Co. sells trendy clothes and toys for tiny ones while locally owned Feral can help outfit you for your next adventure without breaking the bank, thanks to its massive collection of used outdoor gear.

Fashionistas should visit Lady Jones for women’s apparel or SecondLove Resale Boutique to find beloved brands (think: Reformation, Free People, Madewell) for a fraction of the price. Meanwhile, guys can pick up all-natural grooming products at Spruce, one of the “eight coolest barbershops in America,” according to Men’s Journal, then head to Berkeley Supply for some well-made basics, like jeans, t-shirts, and flannels.

Miller Lane Mercantile brings a slice of the shore to Tennyson Street with its East Coast–inspired gifts and home decor. And for special occasions, there’s Sarah O.’s one-of-a-kind fine jewelry, which incorporates ethically sourced natural gemstones and diamonds.

While there’s never a bad time to stroll Tennyson, it’s especially delightful during the First Friday Art Walks, when live music, food trucks, and art demonstrations fill the thoroughfare.

Play Time

The community’s canines love Berkeley Lake Park for its off-leash area, but if you’re more of a cat person, the Denver Cat Company promises lots of purrs. Aspiring Serena Williamses can spend afternoons on the tennis courts at Rocky Mountain Lake Park, while the small park on the corner of Tennyson and 41st streets is beloved for its playground, which is almost always filled with tykes on sunny days.

If you find yourself pining for the good ol’ days, pay a visit to Lakeside Amusement Park, which opened in 1908 on Sheridan Boulevard. Indoors, the Oriental Theater hosts an array of local and national acts.

Spots to Eat

Call Your Mother Deli

Hey Kiddo

Vital Root

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Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery

View All Restaurants in Berkeley

About This Neighborhood