Denver

The Ultimate Guide to 2016 Restaurant Openings in Denver

30 most anticipated openings, plus some 20 more to look forward to, this winter and beyond.

The year is young and exciting restaurant and bar openings are around the corner. 2016 will bring projects from the acclaimed teams from Beast + Bottle, Frasca, and Linger/RootDown/Ophelia's among others. Matsuhisa and Departure will open in Cherry Creek as two new food halls prepare to debut with star-studded line-ups. Here, a look at the most-anticipated restaurant openings of 2016 in Denver.

As we look ahead, these 30 upcoming restaurants and bars, listed in the order of anticipated opening, promise to raise the bar for the Mile High dining scene.

TEMPLE BAKERY

Where: Curtis Park, 2400 Curtis Street
What: A co-op bakery and small business incubator that will feature a full pastry case with everything from croissants to sweet and savory pies 
Who: Shauna Lott of the Long I Pie and Eden Myles of Five Points Pizza
Anticipated opening: January 24

· Temple Bakery Unites the Long I Pie and Five Points Pizza


TORCHY'S TACOS

Where: Golden Triangle/Cap Hill
What: First out of state outpost of the Tex-Mex cultish sensation. Not one but five locations of the Austin-born darling will open this year but the first is coming faster than you can say migas!
Who: Austin-based Torchy's Tacos
Anticipated opening: February 1
· Torchy's Tacos Unveils Four More Locations

MAS KAOS

Where: Berkeley, 4526 Tennyson Street
What: The combination of Uno Mas Taqueria Y Cantina and Kaos Pizza, two Platt Park casual eateries owned by restaurateur Patrick Mangold-White.
Who: Restaurateur Patrick Mangold-White of Uno Mas and Kaos Pizzeria on Old South Pearl
Anticipated opening: February

· Mas Kaos Feeds the Call to Arms Patrons From a Truck

HUMBLE PIE

Where: 3350 East Colfax Avenue at Monroe Street
What: Version 2.0 of the bakery and cafe that got its start in Baker, but closed that location in late 2014.
Who: Co-owners Jessica Dolgan and Tamara Brink
Anticipated opening: February

· Humble Pie Signs Lease for New Location on Colfax

ARCANA

Where: Boulder, 909 Walnut Street, across from the St. Julien Hotel
What: A 4,300 square foot upscale Southern restaurant and bar set in a brand new building.
Who: Husband and wife team Annie and Elliott Toan, both industry veterans, and chef Matthew Lackey, formerly of Flyte World Dining and Wine, Nashville, TN. Lackey was one of Eater's Young Guns in 2013.
Anticipated opening: February

MATSUHISA CHERRY CREEK

Where: Cherry Creek, 1st & Steele Street
What: The first Denver location of the popular and upscale sushi house which will bring lunch and dinner service.
Who: Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, the Japanese chef behind two of the most highly regarded sushi restaurants in the world, Nobu and Matsuhisa
Anticipated opening: February

· Matsuhisa Will Open a Cherry Creek Location Later This Year

BIJU'S LITTLE CURRY SHOP BERKELEY

Where: Berkeley, 4279 Tennyson Street
What: A 2,400 modern space designed by LivStudio housing the second location of fast casual Indian spot that got its start in RINo.
Who: Chef and owner Biju Thomas
Anticipated opening: February

· Biju's Little Curry Shop Expands with Second Location in Berkeley

THERE DENVER

Where: LoHi, former Pagliacci's site, 33rd and Navajo
What: A 2,300 square foot space that will feature an open kitchen, an omakase table, and a large bar. This is the sister-concept to a Telluride-born restaurant.
Who: Business partners Enrique Margulis, Andrew Tyler, and Orin Cohen
Anticipated opening: March 1

· Former Pagliacci's Site Becomes Home to There Denver, a Bar and Eatery

THE WAY BACK

Where: Berkeley, 4132 W 38th Avenue
What: A new bar, eatery, and old-timey saloon.
Who: Industry veterans Chad Michael George, Kade Gianinetti, and Jared Schwartz
Anticipated opening: March

· The Way Back Will Open in Berkeley in the Former Bark Bar Space

COPERTA

Where: Uptown, 400 East 20th Ave at Logan Street, former Jonesy's
What: A large format restaurant and bar inspired by the food and culture of the Southern half of Italy are the inspiration behind the new venture.
Who: Paul C. Reilly and Aileen V. Reilly, owners of the popular Beast + Bottle
Anticipated opening: Spring

· The Scoop on Paul Reilly's Coperta

THE WHITE WHALE ROOM

Where: 415 South Cherokee Street
What: A commuter-friendly coffee shop and cocktail bar in a throwback-style decor to a time when the rail road was popular. Expect a creative cocktail menu but also a full coffee drink lineup. 
Who: Industry veterans Rachael Gass, Dakin Cranwell, and Brad Arguello
Anticipated opening: Spring

VITAL ROOT

Where: Berkeley, 3915 Tennyson Street
What: A modern and casual vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant. The name connects the restaurant with the next door yoga studio and the goal of a healthy lifestyle. 
Who: Restaurateur Justin Cucci of RootDown, Linger, Ophelia's
Anticipated opening: April

· Justin Cucci Will Open a Restaurant in Berkeley

CENTRAL MARKET

Where: RiNo, 2669 Larimer Street
What: A food hall and market that brings together 13 food vendors ranging from a cocktail bar to a fish counter and bakery.
Who: Expect projects from chef Sean Kelly of Desmond's and Andrea Frizzi of Il Posto. Chef Justin Brunson of Old Major will bring a charcuterie and cheese element while Sushi Rama's Jesus Silva will lead a fish counter. Etai's will move its pastry operations here, led by chef Jason LaBeau.
Anticipated opening: Spring

STEUBEN'S ARVADA

Where: Arvada, 7355 Ralston Road
What: Not a carbon copy of the wildly popular Uptown spot, Steuben's Arvada will bring its modern Americana diner food to this side of town. 
Who: Restaurateur Josh Wolkon of Steuben's, Ace, and Vesta Dipping Grill
Anticipated opening: Spring

· Steuben's 2.0 Going to Arvada

HUDSON'S HILL

Where: 619 East 13th Avenue at Pearl
What: A bar and casual eatery focused on wines, cocktails, and small complementary bites.  
Who: Owner Jake Soffes
Anticipated opening: Spring

THE PRESERVERY

Where: RiNo, 3400 Blake Street
What: A breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night spot that will be open six days a week, with fast-casual counter service, an in-house bakery, and full bar. Live music will also be a regular fixture.
Who: Owners and industry veterans Whitney and Obe Arriss
Anticipated opening: Spring

· The Preservery Kicks Off Construction in RiNo

ROLLING PIN

Where: Five Points, 725 E. 26th Avenue
What: A European pastry kitchen and bakeshop that will feature a variety of croissants, Danishes, breads, but also patisserie items like eclairs, tarts, and more. 
Who: Owner and executive chef Jay Thomas and partner Michael Martinez. Josh Pollack of Rosenberg's Bagels and Delicatessen will share the space with the new business. 
Anticipated opening: April

DEPARTURE

Where: Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine
What: A Denver location of the popular eponymous Asian eatery located at the top of the Nines Hotel in Portland
Who: The Sage Hospitality Group and acclaimed chef Gregory Gourdet
Anticipated opening: Late spring

· PDX Darling Departure Opening in Cherry Creek

MR. TUNA

Where: RiNo, Industry development at 3001 Brighton Boulevard
What: A large 115-seat, 3,500 square foot restaurant that will add American flair to flavors from along the Mediterranean coast and beyond. Expect lots of shared plates and a similar sensibility to TAG but a lower price point.
Who: Chef Troy Guard of TAG, Guard & Grace, Bubu, TAG Burger Bar, Los Chingones
Anticipated opening: May

· Troy Guard Will Open Five Restaurants in 2016

L5

Where: LoHi, 2930 Umatilla
What: A modern Spanish tapas restaurant with Middle Eastern/Mediterranean influences set on the top floor of a new building that offers killer views of downtown.
Who: Restaurateur Justin Cucci of
Anticipated opening: June

· In Praise of the Dishwasher by Justin Cucci

THE STANLEY

Where: Aurora, 2501 Dallas Street 
What: A massive food hall and shopping center that will feature options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a variety of settings. Highlight: A beer garden.
Who: A collection of vendors that includes ComidaRosenberg's Bagels and DelicatessenMiette et Chocolat, and Casita Brewing Company
Anticipated opening: Summer

· All Stanley Coverage

CARBONE'S 2.0 AT MONKEY BARREL

Where: Sunnyside, 4401 Tejon Street
What: A full-fledged restaurant and 2.0 reincarnation of beloved Italian spot Carbone's, set inside the future quarters for the live music venue Monkey Barrel bar. 
Who: Tony Lonardo and the Monkey Barrel team
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Everybody Panic: Carbone's Will Return in New Location

VIA PERLA

Where: Boulder, 9th & Pearl
What: A large Italian restaurant in a new 3,200 square foot that will seat about 130 inside, plus more on the patio.  
Who: Walnut Restaurant Group and the Romano family, also behind The Med and Brasserie Ten Ten. 
Anticipated opening: Summer

· The Med Team Opening Upscale Italian Restaurant

MIGHTY MIGHTY SPARROW AND THE SEA MAIDEN

Where: Cap Hill, 1310 Pearl Street 
What: A dual concept, restaurant and bar/lounge
Who: Tastié Concepts, who also owns Two-fisted Mario's Pizza and Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto in LoDo and the super dreamy Beatrice & Woodsley on South Broadway. In charge of the project are Kevin Delk, John C. Skogstad, Jr., and Ian Arreola.
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Mighty Sparrow and the Sea Maiden Will Open in Cap Hill

AMERICAN BONDED

Where: RiNo, 2706 Larimer Street 
What: A classic neighborhood bar and kitchen with a focus on American food, whiskey, wines, and beers
Who: Rockstar bartender Sean Kenyon and partners Justin Anthony and Lisa Vedovelli of Matchbox
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Sean Kenyon Plans to Open American Bonded in RiNo

FIVE POINTS PUBLIC HOUSE

Where: Five Points, 2737 Welton Street 
What: A new pub that will focus on Americana-type fare with fried chicken and a large selection of beers as a highlight.
Who: Tim Doherty of Syrup, former lontime manager of LoDo's 
Anticipated opening: Summer

· Upcoming: Five Points Public House

UNNAMED PROJECT BY CHEF LON SYMENSMA

Where: Eastbridge Town Center, Martin Luther King and Havana
What: An American concept with New York City flair that transforms its vibe throughout the day. 
Who: Chef Lon Symensma of ChoLon and Cho77 and chef Luke Bergman, formerly of Colicchio and Sons and the Modern in NYC
Anticipated opening: Fall

· Chef Lon Symensma Will Open a Restaurant in Stapleton

KINDRED

Brazen

Where: Sunnyside, 41st and Tejon
What: A 2,000 square foot American restaurant with an additional 1,200 square feet of patio that will be guided in its approach to food by a wood-fired grill.
Who: Chris Sargent of Brazen and Telegraph and executive chef Brian Wilson
Anticipated opening: Fall

· The Brazen Team Brings Kindred to Sunnyside

FISH 'N BEER

Where: RiNo
What: A small eatery and bar that plans to be casual and approachable, tapping into Denver's appetite for seafood and its love for beer. 
Who: Chef Kevin Morrison of Pinche Tacos and Poco Torteria
Anticipated opening: Fall

· Pinche Tacos' Owner Kevin Morrison Plans Fish N Beer

UNNAMED PROJECT FROM THE FRASCA FOOD AND WINE TEAM

Where: LoDo, 16th Street between Wewatta and Wynkoop
What: A stand-alone 125-seat Italian taverna anchoring the ground-level storefront on the 16th Street Mall pedestrian mall adjacent to the Wynkoop Street Plaza and train platform of the new Kimpton Hotel.
Who: The acclaimed team from Frasca Food and Wine, master sommelier Bobby Stuckey and chef Lachlan Patterson with partner Continuum.
Anticipated opening: Late 2016

· Frasca Team Will Open Italian Taverna

An honorary shout goes to the Eastbridge Development in Stapleton that will bring not only the unique restaurant from chef Lon Symensma that mentioned above but also outposts of the Kitchen Next Door and Los Chingones, as well as a breakfast eatery from chef Troy Guard.

What else to look forward to this year? Perhaps the resurrection of chef Jeff Osaka's Twelve restaurant, under a new name, in the former Glaze space. Also, ice cream: Local favorites Little Man Ice Cream and Sweet Cow are growing their reach.

· Sweet Cow Ice Cream Expands to Wash Park
· Little Man Ice Cream Grows with New Locations in 2016

If you still didn't get enough, there are even more openings coming up in Denver:

· TAG Burger Bar Will Emerge in the Shuttered Sunnyside Burger Bar
· Punch Bowl Social Announced Second Denver Location in Stapleton
· Bread N Butter Replaces Limon in Uptown
· Mexican Concept Potentially Moving in to Former Session Kitchen
· Syrup to Fill the Breakfast Void in City Park
· Return of a Classic: The 715 in Five Points to Rise from the Ashes
· New Belgium to Open Pilot Brewery at The Source Hotel
· Kelly Liken Returns With New Project in Vail
· Blackbelly Market Expands With Full Butcher Shop
· Z Block Will Bring a Second Kachina, More Restaurants
· Upcoming Crafty Fox Pizzeria & Tap House
· Thirsty Lion Expands With Second Denver Location
· Cherry Hills Sushi Co. Coming to East Hampden
· Oskar Blues to Open Coffee Spin-Off Shop in RiNo
· Angelo's Taverna Pursues Suburban Expansion
· Italian Beer Guru Alex Liberati to Open Brewery in Denver
· Grind Replaces Pikkas in Cherry Creek

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