New Restaurant Openings in Denver | Updated Weekly

Denver’s restaurant scene is on fire. From James Beard Award-winning chefs opening new concepts to exciting neighborhood spots transforming the local dining landscape, there’s always something new to try. We update this page every week so you never miss an opening.

🆕 Just Opened — May 2026 (Week of May 13)

Milpero — RiNo

Opened: May 13, 2026 | RiNo, Denver

The most ambitious Denver restaurant debut of 2026. Chef Johnny Curiel — Michelin-starred chef behind Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcalería Alma, and Alteño — opens Milpero, a 16-seat, 18-course tasting menu experience rooted in the soul of Mexican cuisine. The name “Milpero” means a corn farmer who tends a milpa, honoring the restaurant’s deep reverence for maize and the nixtamalization process. Expect six styles of mole, dry-aged fish and meats, a glass-enclosed fermentation room, and local heritage corn grown specifically for the kitchen. Formerly announced as “Maize” then “Fonda Maize,” this is the Curiels’ most personal project yet — and already generating serious Michelin buzz.

📍 RiNo, Denver | 🌐 milperodenver.com

Monarch — Urban Cowboy Public House, Capitol Hill

Opened: May 9, 2026 | Urban Cowboy Public House, Capitol Hill, Denver

Three years of celebrated pop-up dinners have finally led to a permanent address. Chef Justin Freeman (Somebody People) opens Monarch inside the historic Urban Cowboy mansion in Capitol Hill. The menu centers on seasonally-driven sourdough pizzas, fire-roasted proteins, and wood-smoked vegetables, served amid the mansion’s historic fireplaces and open kitchen. Co-founded with Danny Matthews, Monarch has been one of Denver’s most buzzed-about pop-up circuits since 2023. The permanent era starts now.

📍 Urban Cowboy Public House, Capitol Hill, Denver

🆕 Just Opened — May 2026 (Week of May 6)

Heretík — RiNo

Opened: May 6, 2026 | 1441 26th St, Denver (RiNo/Five Points)

One of the most anticipated openings in Denver this spring, Heretík marks the long-awaited return to the city for chef Theo Adley — James Beard Award nominee and the talent behind Marigold in Lyons, which landed on Westword’s Top 50 Restaurants list despite being 40 miles from downtown. Heretík lives in the former Koko Ni space atop BearLeek in RiNo. The concept leans into Spain and France: the centerpiece is a “cou-nou” French rotisserie chicken, prominently displayed as you walk in. Beyond that showpiece, the menu rotates daily around the sea — fresh fish, shellfish, oysters, crab. Regional Basque and southwestern French wines round it out. Simple, rustic, ingredient-driven. It made Robb Report’s list of the 15 most exciting restaurant openings in the country this spring. Hours: Wed–Thu & Sun 4–10pm, Fri–Sat 4–11pm.

📍 1441 26th St, Denver | 🌐 maisonheretik.com

Madeline — Platt Park / 6th Ave Corridor

Opened: May 7, 2026 | 1313 E 6th Ave, Denver (former Fruition space)

Over a year after Fruition closed — one of Denver’s great chef-driven restaurants of the past two decades — the iconic space on East Sixth Avenue has a worthy successor. Madeline is the debut brick-and-mortar from chef Quincy Cherrett, whose resume spans Sushi Den, Izakaya Den, Colt & Gray, and 22 Provisions. The menu blends refined Asian and continental European influences: oysters with radish and green apple mignonette, lamb agnolotti with spring peas and morels, scallops with white miso celery root purée, and a black sesame cheesecake that’s already generating buzz. Named after Cherrett’s niece, with his family involved throughout. Bryan Trott (Brasserie Brixton, Alma Fonda Fina) serves as GM. The space has been refreshed but retains the intimate, neighborhood-fine-dining feel that made Fruition special for 18 years.

📍 1313 E 6th Ave, Denver

Wash Park Social — Wash Park

Opened: Late April 2026 | 1096 S Gaylord St, Denver 80209

The beloved corner spot at South Gaylord and Mississippi — home of the Wash Park Grill for years — has a new identity. Wash Park Social fills the space with a neighborhood bar-and-restaurant concept designed for the Wash Park crowd: casual enough for weeknight drinks, dialed-in enough for dinner. Smack in the heart of the South Gaylord Street dining corridor.

📍 1096 S Gaylord St, Denver 80209

>🆕 Just Opened — April 2026 (Week of April 29)

Olive & Finch — Golden Triangle

Opened: April 25, 2026 | 1140 Bannock St, Denver

Denver restaurateur Mary Nguyen’s beloved “fine-casual” brand keeps growing. The Golden Triangle marks the fifth — and largest — Olive & Finch location, opening with a celebratory DJ set and live art. Expect the same high-quality pastries, all-day café menu, and neighborhood-gathering vibe that made O&F a Denver institution. A natural anchor for the Golden Triangle arts district.

📍 1140 Bannock St, Denver

Cellar 36 Eatery & Wine Bar — Littleton

Opened: Late April 2026 | 5500 S Simms St, Littleton

The team behind Bistro 36 — Littleton’s beloved French bistro — brings an Italian counterpart to the west side. Cellar 36 is an Italian red-sauce focused eatery and wine bar, adding more dining depth to Littleton’s growing food scene. Same thoughtful hospitality, different passport.

📍 5500 S Simms St, Littleton

Marczyk Mighty Market — Milk Market, LoDo

Opened: April 29, 2026 | 1800 Wazee St, Denver (Milk Market)

Denver’s beloved Marczyk Fine Foods — celebrating its 24th anniversary this week — opened a compact outpost inside the Milk Market food hall in LoDo. The Mighty Market carries a curated mix of ready-to-eat foods and pantry staples. Not a full-service restaurant, but if you’re at Milk Market and need quality provisions, this is the answer.

📍 1800 Wazee St (Milk Market, LoDo)

🆕 Just Opened — April 2026 (Week of April 22)

The Couloir — South Broadway

Opened: April 2026 | 1775 S Broadway, Denver (inside Meier Skis)

Only in Denver: a cocktail bar tucked inside a ski manufacturer. The Couloir is the new after-hours hangout inside Meier Skis on South Broadway, where you can sip a drink while watching custom skis being handcrafted on the floor. It brings a true mountain “après” vibe to the city — no snow required. A genuinely unique addition to the South Broadway bar scene.

📍 1775 S Broadway, Denver

Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen — Greenwood Village (Grand Reopening)

Reopened: April 17, 2026 | 8775 E Orchard Rd, Greenwood Village 80111

After a year-long detour as Yak & Yeti, Spice Trade is back — and this time it looks built to last. Former GM Chris Teregis has stepped in as CEO, bringing back original staff and the globally-inspired menu that made this DTC brewpub a neighborhood favorite. The new version runs a tighter core menu with multicultural specials (Cinco de Mayo dishes already in the works), tandoori oven chicken wings, and the craft beers that put them on the map. Adult tater tots and teriyaki Brussels sprouts are back. Grand reopening weekend ran April 17–19.

📍 8775 E Orchard Rd, Greenwood Village | 🌐 spicetradebrewery.com

🆕 Just Opened — April 2026 (Week of April 15)

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer — Glendale

Opened: April 2026 | CitySet development, S Colorado Blvd corridor, Glendale

Nashville-founded Waldo’s Chicken & Beer opened its third Colorado outpost in Glendale’s CitySet development, taking over the former Panera space. The concept does double duty: Southern fried chicken and rotisserie chicken, with a drive-thru for easy access. A casual, accessible addition right on the South Denver / Glendale border.

📍 CitySet, S Colorado Blvd, Glendale

Old Blinking Light — Highlands Ranch (Grand Reopening)

Reopened: April 2026 | Highlands Ranch

A Highlands Ranch staple since long before most of the neighborhood’s restaurants existed, Old Blinking Light closed January 1 for renovations and a change in ownership. It’s back open with a refreshed space, updated menu, and an elevated cocktail program. Good news for the Highlands Ranch crowd — this one has staying power.

🆕 Just Opened — April 2026 (Week of April 8)

Ash & Agave — Cherry Creek Shopping Center

Opened: April 7, 2026 | 3000 E 1st Ave, Suite 185, Denver 80206 (former California Pizza Kitchen space)

Sean Huggard (Blue Island Oyster Bar, Oliver’s Italian) delivers coastal Mexican meets wood-fired cooking in Cherry Creek. Wood-grilled oysters, chargrilled octopus, baja-style mussels, and sea bass ceviche anchor the raw bar side. The “Carne Locker” fires premium cuts over a 900-degree wood fire. Mezcal cocktails throughout. Competing against Toro and Alteño in Cherry Creek’s upscale Mexican lane — should be a good fight.

📍 3000 E 1st Ave, Suite 185 (Cherry Creek Shopping Center) | 🌐 ashandagave.com

Good Luck Club — South Broadway

Opened: April 2, 2026 | 1350 S Broadway, Denver 80210

After months of permitting delays, the Y2K-themed bar finally opened on South Broadway. Owned by Pouring With Heart (American Bonded, Emerald Eye, Seven Grand), it leans hard into early-2000s nostalgia: Nintendo 64 on a big-box TV, thrifted décor, and cocktails like the “Burner Phone” and “Teddygram Old-Fashioned.”

📍 1350 S Broadway | 🌐 goodluckdenver.com

🆕 Just Opened — April 2026 (Week of April 1)

Paperboy — West Highland (Denver)

Opened: March 24, 2026 | 3940 W 32nd Ave, Denver 80212

Austin’s top-rated brunch spot opened its first Colorado location in the former Rooted Craft American Kitchen space. Chicken and biscuit with spicy honey, Texas Hash with pork and pecan mole, signature cornmeal pancake. Mon–Thu 8am–2pm, Fri–Sun 8am–3pm.

📍 3940 W 32nd Ave | 🌐 eatpaperboy.com

McGregor Square Food & Drink — LoDo (Denver)

Opened: April 1, 2026 | 1601 19th St, Denver

The former Milepost Zero food hall relaunched just in time for Rockies Opening Day with six stalls: Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta, C Burger, G-Que BBQ, High Point Creamery, TaCo!, and Tora Ramen.

📍 1601 19th St (McGregor Square, Coors Field)

🆕 Just Opened — March 2026

The Barn South Broadway — Englewood

Opened: March 2026 | 3299 S Broadway, Englewood

Industry veterans Chase Devitt (ex-Brider, Boychik) and Matt Ciani (ex-Rio Grande) opened this elevated American comfort spot in the former Whiskey Biscuit space. Open 11am–9pm daily.

📍 3299 S Broadway, Englewood

Capital Grille — Lone Tree (Park Meadows)

Opened: March 15, 2026 | 9067 Westview Rd, Lone Tree 80124

The upscale steakhouse chain’s second Colorado location near Park Meadows in the former Red Lobster space. Dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, serious wine program.

📍 9067 Westview Rd | 🌐 thecapitalgrille.com

Chicken Riot — Cherry Creek

Opened: March 26, 2026 | 2906 E Sixth Ave, Denver 80206

Riot BBQ’s Top Chef chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber launched a smoked chicken spinoff in Cherry Creek. Two styles: Big Boy Pibil (Yucatecan achiote) and Señor Loco (Monterrey asado). Sides: beef tallow frijoles negros, dirty rice, esquites muffins. Open 11am–8pm daily.

📍 2906 E Sixth Ave | 🌐 eatchickenriot.com

Sam’s Dumpling Kitchen — Littleton

Opened: March 2026 | 7541 S University Blvd, Littleton 80122

Fresh hand-folded dumplings and Chinese comfort food on South University in Littleton.

📍 7541 S University Blvd, Littleton

Fast as Pho — Littleton

Opened: March 2026 | 10161 W Bowles Ave, Littleton

Vietnamese pho spot adding to Littleton’s expanding Asian dining options.

📍 10161 W Bowles Ave, Littleton

FiNO — East Colfax (All Inn Hotel)

Opened: March 2026 | 3015 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Mediterranean restaurant inside the revamped All Inn Hotel. Standouts: martini with pickled tomato water, Medi Nachos, caper-studded charred cabbage.

📍 3015 E Colfax Ave

Wapos Cantina — South Broadway, Englewood

Opened: March 2026 | 3495 S Broadway, Englewood 80110

Growing local Mexican chain moved into the former El Tepehuan space on South Broadway. Seventh Colorado location.

📍 3495 S Broadway, Englewood

Chicken Salad Chick — Greenwood Village (DTC)

Opened: March 4, 2026 | 5322 DTC Blvd, Greenwood Village 80111

Fast casual chicken salad concept’s eighth Colorado location in the Denver Tech Center.

📍 5322 DTC Blvd | 🌐 chickensaladchick.com

Keepers Cocktail Lounge + June Gap Market & Café — Belleview Station (DTC)

Opened: March 2026 | 4855 S Quebec St, Denver 80237 (Apiary Hotel)

Two concepts inside the new Apiary Hotel at Belleview Station: craft cocktail bar and specialty coffee / grab-and-go café.

📍 4855 S Quebec St (Apiary Hotel)

Uchiko — Cherry Creek North

Opened: February 17, 2026 | 299 Fillmore St, Denver 80206

James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole’s Japanese restaurant with dry-aged fish, robata-grilled meats, and bold tasting menus. Reservations required.

📍 299 Fillmore St | 🌐 uchiko.uchirestaurants.com

Kinoya Sushi & Izakaya — Centennial (Coming Soon)

Opening: Spring 2026 | 9393 E Dry Creek Rd, Centennial 80112

Sushi and izakaya concept taking over the former Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q space at the Dry Creek light rail station. Opening date TBD.

📍 9393 E Dry Creek Rd, Centennial

Sukiya Ramen — South Broadway, Englewood

Opened: March 2026 | 3401 S Broadway, Englewood

Fifth Denver metro location for this fast-casual ramen brand on the South Broadway corridor.

📍 3401 S Broadway, Englewood

Vaultaire — South Broadway (Englewood)

Opened: March 2026 | 39 S Broadway, Englewood

Subterranean HiFi listening bar underneath La Forêt. Curated vinyl, high-end audio, and thoughtful cocktails.

📍 39 S Broadway

Lavender Coffee Boutique — Cherry Hills Village

Opened: January 23, 2026 | 1400 E Hampden Ave, Denver 80113

Second location of this wellness-focused café with house-roasted Colorado coffees and homemade syrups.

📍 1400 E Hampden Ave | 🌐 lavendercb.com

Egg Harbor Cafe — Highlands Ranch

Opened: March 2026 | Highlands Ranch

Beloved Midwest breakfast and brunch chain’s first Colorado location. Cage-free eggs, fair-trade coffee, extensive gluten-free menu.

🌐 eggharbor.cafe/highlandsranch

📋 Coming Soon — Spring/Summer 2026

Soda Club — The Ramble Hotel, RiNo

Expected: Summer 2026 | 1280 25th St, Denver (The Ramble Hotel)

A pasta and natural wine bar concept heading to The Ramble Hotel in RiNo. Expect a playful, ingredient-driven menu with a curated natural wine program. One of the more intriguing mid-2026 openings on the radar.

Peyton Manning Restaurant — Littleton (Proposed)

Proposed: TBD | S Santa Fe Dr & Mineral Ave, Littleton

Gastamo Group (Park Burger, Homegrown Tap & Dough) is partnering with Broncos legend Peyton Manning on “1st Street Farms,” a 15,000 sq ft “Southern-inspired but Colorado-rooted” restaurant at the Littleton city limits. Think shrimp and grits, oysters, and classic Americana. The $28M mixed-use project also includes an event venue, turf football field, and community park. Littleton City Council reviewed the proposal April 14 — still seeking a public-private partnership before it proceeds.

Rōmyō — Larimer Square

Expected: July 2026 | 1401 Larimer St, Denver (Miller Building)

Bonanno Concepts brings a Japanese-Italian fusion concept to Larimer Square. Kaiseki-inspired bar, outdoor patio, seats 80.

Dear Emilia — Cherry Creek

Expected: 2026

Michelin-awarded Chef Ty Leon bringing an Emilia Romagna-focused Italian concept to Cherry Creek.

⚠️ Recent & Upcoming Closures — South Denver

Sirens Bar & Grill — Littleton ⚠️ Closed April 2026

Closed: April 2026 | 7444 W Chatfield Ave #D, Littleton

Sirens Bar & Grill in Littleton has closed, with an eviction notice posted on the doors alongside a “closed until further notice” sign. The eviction notice makes a permanent closure the likely outcome.

Kung Fu Tea — Littleton ⚠️ Closed April 23, 2026

Closed: April 23, 2026 | 9559 S University Blvd, Littleton

The New York boba tea chain’s Littleton location on South University has closed. Westminster and other Denver metro locations remain open.

Noodle Express — Belcaro / Colorado Blvd ⚠️ Closing End of May 2026

Closing: End of May 2026 | S Colorado Blvd at the Belcaro Shopping Center, Denver

One of Denver’s best Szechuan restaurants is finally losing its fight for survival. Noodle Express has been operating under a death sentence for years — the entire Belcaro Shopping Center (same complex as the King Soopers at S Colorado Blvd) is set for demolition and redevelopment. The restaurant survived a near-closure in 2022 when loyal diners flooded in and convinced the landlord to extend the lease, but this time there’s no way out. Get your dan dan noodles before May ends.

The Family Jones Spirit House — Highland

Closing: May 1, 2026 | 3245 Osage St, Denver (Highland neighborhood)

Denver’s first distillery-restaurant — a gorgeous chapel-like space with copper stills on display — is closing its tasting room doors on May 1. The distillery itself isn’t going anywhere: founders Rob Masters and Paul Tamburello are refocusing on spirits production and distribution. The hospitality chapter just isn’t sustainable.

Imperial Chinese — South Broadway

Closed: March 31, 2026 | 431 S Broadway, Denver 80209

A 41-year institution on South Broadway. Opened by Johnny Hsu in 1985, it was among the city’s oldest Chinese restaurants. New ownership took over in 2023 with expansion plans, but rising costs forced an abrupt closure.

China Taipei — Centennial

Closed: April 2026 | 8100 S Quebec St B14, Centennial 80112

After more than thirty years of authentic Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine in Centennial, China Taipei has closed.

Denver Distillery — South Broadway

Closed: March 2026 | South Broadway, Denver

Denver’s first-ever distillery pub, an 8-year run on South Broadway.

Yak & Yeti — Greenwood Village

Closed: March 2026 | Greenwood Village (DTC area)

Closed after just one year. Spice Trade Brewing has since reclaimed the space and reopened April 17, 2026.

Wild Sky Brewery — Centennial

Closed: February 2026 | 4151 E County Line Rd, Centennial

🏆 Opened in 2025 — Still Hot

Alteño — Cherry Creek (Clayton Hotel)

Elevated Jalisco-inspired Mexican with a standout raw bar and masa program. 4.7 stars.

📍 249 Clayton St | Cherry Creek

Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse (B10) — Cherry Creek

High-end steaks meets sushi. Classic chophouse vibes with unexpected range.

📍 2345 E 3rd Ave Suite 100

Salt Water Social — Cherry Creek

Seafood-forward social dining. 4.7 stars, one of the hottest reservations in the neighborhood.

📍 201 Columbine St

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Know about a new opening we missed? Have the inside scoop on what’s coming next? Drop us a tip — we love hearing from fellow Denver food lovers.