In this month’s cheat sheet a high-octane restaurant parks itself in Denver and a satisfying small-business alternative to corporate salad chains.
This is an excerpt from the New Denizen newsletter on Substack, published one month after subscribers receive the list. Subscribe for free to be the first to get my curated lists of new restaurant openings and recommendations.
I keep a list of every new and upcoming restaurant opening in and around the Denver area and every few weeks I sift through all of them to pick out the ones you actually need to know about. September had a strong list of female-owned and -led businesses that had their debuts. Here are some noteworthy spots worth looking up:
New restaurant concepts
1. Bowls by KO – West Colfax: Homegrown alternative to corporate salad and burrito chains opens its own spot
This 100% gluten- and soy-free eatery owned and operated by Katelin Overton was a stall at Avanti F&B in Denver for three years before finally graduating to its own space across the street from Sloan’s Lake Park. Overton started the business when she identified there was a need in Denver for affordable, nourishing food that tasted great. What began as a food truck eventually caught the attention of Avanti in 2022, where she spent the next three years before finding the perfect spot to open a stand-alone brick-and-mortar location.
Now in its new home, the self-taught cook continues to design the menu around what she loves to eat. The dishes are globally inspired, fresh, and satisfying. The newly expanded menu features new signature bowls, along with wine and beer options and a weekday happy hour from 3-5 PM (any signature bowl plus a house wine or beer for $20). A grab-and-go section is in the works, with sandwiches and other easy-to-carry meals, and kid-friendly options make it easy for families to stop in for lunch or dinner. When the weather cools down, a rotating weekly soup will join the lineup.
- Vibe: Clean and modern with an airy, fast-casual feel, the space feels open and inviting thanks to its sky-high ceilings. Café tables and chairs offer plenty of seating, and free Wi-Fi makes it an easy spot to grab lunch and get a little remote work done. The coziest seat in the house is the small booth tucked in the back – perfect for hunkering down with a bowl and your laptop. On sunny days, the L-shaped patio is the place to be, ideal for soaking up some rays while you eat.
- What’s on the menu: The menu offers a lineup of hearty, flavor-forward bowls that manage to be both healthy and satisfying. Each one starts with a base of rice or quinoa, and every component is seasoned thoughtfully so the dishes feel complete and balanced rather than simply “clean.” Each of the three new signature bowls stands out in its own way. The chicken souvlaki layers grilled chicken thighs, Greek salad, tzatziki, feta, and kalamata olives over white rice – it’s reminiscent of a gyro, but with rice in place of pita, which somehow makes it even better. The Buddha bowl highlights chickpea “tofu” over a bed of garlic kale, brightened by roasted red peppers, a scoop of creamy lemon-dill hummus, and a drizzle of balsamic. The steak hibachi combines tender grilled flank steak with generous portions of mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and onions, all tied together with teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds. Pro tip: ask for a drizzle of spicy sriracha to add just the right amount of heat.
2. F1 Arcade – RiNo: A place to complain about “papaya rules” in peace
As some of you may know, Drive to Survive is my Roman Empire. So when I heard an F1 Arcade was opening in Denver, I was stoked. The original location debuted in London in December 2022 and has since expanded to Boston, DC, and Philadelphia. The big draw are the 69 Formula 1 racing simulators spread throughout the 15,000 sq foot space. When I attended a preview event, I quickly discovered I am no Max Verstappen (it’s unbelievable how many times I found myself in the wall), but it was fun to sink into the driver’s seat and get the rush of racing other guests in a high-speed race (albeit with far less G-force).
But the main reason I was there was to try drinks crafted by some serious mixology heavy hitters: Drink Masters champion Lauren “LP” O’Brien, the brand’s beverage strategist behind the signature cocktail menu, alongside creations from Denver’s own award-winning mixologist Alex Jump, who also contributed to the menu. (Side note: Jump is currently launching her own bar, Peach Crease Club, with partner Stuart Jensen, which is expected to open later this year.)
- Vibe: If a place with racing simulators could ever be considered classy, F1 Arcade comes about as close as it gets with its glamorous Art Deco-adjacent styling. Bands of soft light trace the multiple bars and reflect off mirrored surfaces and marble countertops, casting a flattering glow upon guests. Racing checkers are tastefully integrated into the tiling, transforming a former industrial space into a high-end arcade experience. During the preview event, the space got quite full, but I found the relative calm of the Briefing Room — a private space for up to 100 guests, complete with its own bar and racing sims. Perfect for a corporate event… or the birthday party of your F1-loving friend with cash to spend.
- What’s on the menu: Victory Lap is LP’s upgraded take on a Sazerac, with the glass artfully brushed with glittering white chocolate. The Mantequill (crafted by Jump) is a flirty mix of tequila blanco, raspberry, browned butter, and Moët. Non-alcoholic options are just as enticing, like the fruit-forward Circuit Bloom, made with Pentire Seward, Mallorca Melon cordial, and elderflower syrup. The food menu features sharable plates like oysters, croquettes, and shrimp skewers, alongside more substantial options such as tacos, flatbreads, and burgers. From what I sampled at the event, items like the wagyu beef sliders and pulled brisket tacos were solid – better than what you typically get at indoor entertainment spots – and the service was disarmingly friendly and attentive.
3. Outside Pizza – West Highland: A winning combo of pickle pizza + cold pints of beer
Ashley Knotek and Ryan Grillaert have been serving pizzas out of a roving camper trailer under the moniker Outside Pizza since 2021. They now have a permanent home as the in-house pizzeria at Cerebral Brewing Taproom in West Highlands. Though the partnership with Cerebral was announced in November 2024, delays pushed the opening to early September of this year. Since opening, the team has navigated a learning curve, with frequent sellouts prompting adjustments to keep up with strong demand. Looking ahead, Outside Pizza plans to expand its offerings to include gluten-free pizzas and desserts.
- Vibe: The building they share with Cerebral Brewing is striking. A former church, it is flooded with natural light from the large window panes that dominate the front of the space. Outside Pizza occupies the back half of the taproom, defined by a red metal structure and a colorful sign wall, with a wraparound wooden counter and workspace built around their Fiero Forni oven.
- What’s on the menu: Neapolitan-style pizza devotees, they build their pies from scratch using in-house dough and sauce. Their two signature pizzas include one named after their rescue dog, Lloyd, featuring Calabrian sausage from Lottie’s Meats, and the Pickle Pie, known for its crunchy pickle slices, provolone, and a sprinkle of fresh dill. Expanded offerings for the new space include a miso Caesar salad inspired by Sandtown Pizza in Utah, as well as the return of a mushroom-and-chive pizza made with crème fraîche, mozzarella, and oyster mushrooms from Altius Farms. Other additions include tinned fish plates, served with pickled vegetables, olives, and slices of sourdough.
Bars, cafes, and coffee shops
4. Moon Raccoon – Sunnyside: Mixing fun, flavor, and a touch of humor
Owners Kate Lange and Zoe Deutsch have already made Moon Raccoon a farmers’ market favorite, and after a year and a half of searching, they found the perfect spot for their first brick-and-mortar location – one that brings a much-needed small-batch bakery to the Sunnyside neighborhood.
The bakery’s whimsical name reflects the owners’ love of all things celestial – and a waggish assertion that raccoons share a baker’s lifestyle: constantly scurrying about, working in the dark, and sneaking bites of trashy food whenever there’s a rare moment of calm.
While the new shop is just getting off the ground, future plans include periodically transforming the parking lot in front of the bakery into a space for collaboration dinners and community events. Lange and Deutsch also hope to partner with their next-door neighbors, Semiprecious, to offer small treats during the bar’s evening hours.
- Vibe: While opportunities to create a fully immersive atmosphere are limited in the mostly utilitarian space – the shop is primarily a to-go counter with takeout coffee service – the owners have added touches here and there: a custom wall painting of the Moon Raccoon mascot, solar system curtains adorning the small shop windows, and a front door sign that cheerfully requests, “Please leave your diet culture at the door.” Grab-and-go fridges live up front, stocked with items from other local businesses like Lottie’s Meats, Taekosan Takeout, and Not Bad Cooks. Most of the space functions as a shared production facility with Sfoglina, a pasta business run by Jesse Albertini, who also stocks bake-at-home lasagnas and fresh pastas in the to-go section.
- What’s on the menu: Known for its exuberant flavors and playful spins on childhood classics, the bakery serves up treats like lemon yuzu tea cake, chocolate sablé dunkamoons with funfetti frosting, and my favorite, moon-shaped croissants filled with apricot and saffron diplomat. Chocoholics can indulge in brownies, rye chocolate chip cookies, and the ultimate temptation – a decadent brownie croissant.
5. Onto Coffee – Lakewood: Cafe leans on strong branding and scroll-stopping rainbow-hued drinks and sandwiches
This Asian-owned business launched in 2024 as a cloud kitchen, serving specialty coffee drinks and Japanese-style sandos inspired by Asian flavors. Since then, owners essie and Jason have quickly moved into a brick-and-mortar location in the heart of the Belmar shopping district. The shop has attracted the support of local content creators and influencers, drawn to its sleek branding, the vibrant, photogenic drinks and sandos, and its minimalist coffee shop aesthetic.
- Vibe: Wood tones and white marble dominate the space, with subtle nods to their friendly-faced pup and shop mascot scattered throughout the clean, minimalist interior of white walls and light wood accents. Handmade coffee bean art created by friends adds a decorative touch to the shelves, which also display coffee beans and other small non-coffee items for sale.
- What’s on the menu: The menu features a selection of coffee-based drinks, including a latte inspired by Hong Kong–style milk tea. Food offerings include sweet and savory sandwiches, such as a Szechuan mala chicken katsu sando and a lightly lavender-hued ube strawberry sando, alongside a few classic onigiris. For fall, the cafe highlights seasonal drinks and treats like a crème brûlée apple chai, pumpkin spice white mocha, a sweet cookies-and-cream sando, and upcoming Halloween specials. They also serve pastries from Blackbox Bakery.
Expansions and upgrades
6. Work & Class: Englewood – Englewood: Denver favorite expands with new location and adds brunch and lunch
Dana Rodriguez has expanded her concept Work & Class with a second location, marking a new chapter for the restaurant that’s been a Denver staple since 2014. Known for its unofficial philosophy of offering a good time for guests looking for good food for a good price, the new outpost carries that same spirit south to Englewood.
The restaurant is located inside the urban farm Grow + Gather, taking over the sprawling former space of The Feedery. Alongside the main concept, Rodriguez is introducing Dayshift, a breakfast and lunch spinoff exclusive to the Englewood location. Open daily from 7:30 AM to 3 PM, the brunch concept offers a bright patio, a fresh morning menu, and a “Work Lunch” special that includes one meat, one side, one bread, and the house salad for $21.
- Vibe: The team was able to reuse many elements from the former Feedery, including the white herringbone-tiled bar and other design touches that suited the cafe-style concept. Now, a large-format black-and-white photograph – depicting hardscrabble workers pausing for a brief moment of rest – spans one wall. Darker, industrial accents have been integrated, creating a more sophisticated atmosphere fitting of its new life as a nighttime spot to get drinks and dinner.
- What’s on the menu: Dayshift veers from the usual brunch and lunch offerings in a refreshing way, with dishes like Cajun salmon with goat cheese mashed potatoes and carne asada with chimichurri. The dinner menu largely mirrors what diners will find at the original RiNo location, with a few new additions, including Colorado lamb and pork meatballs, short ribs, blue corn empanadas, and Cajun fries served with chipotle aioli.
7. Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion – DTC: Malaysian fare and a spa experience under one roof
Mama Kim is a Malaysian restaurant concept with more than a dozen locations in Malaysia and Taiwan, owned by HerbaLine Wellness Group. Its mission is to make “budget-friendly and diverse healthy food widely available to all within a relaxing, stress-free environment.” The Denver location owes its existence to the family behind the concept.
According to Asian Avenue, founders Mama Kim and her husband CK Low launched the restaurant in Malaysia and expanded it internationally. Now, three of their sons live in Colorado, with two managing the Denver shop. One of the eatery’s most unique features is that it shares a space with Jalan Facial Spa, a wellness center offering massages and facials, both owned and operated by the family; the spa’s first location is in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood.
The connection to the spa is fitting given the shared emphasis on health and wellness. At Mama Kim, “wholesome dining” is interpreted to mean using fresh, minimally processed ingredients, healthy cooking methods, and avoiding additives and preservatives. According to the restaurant’s Malaysian website, the menu also follows an 80:20 principle – 80% vegetables, 20% meat – and incorporates five colors (red, yellow, green, black, and white) which are used as a proxy to deliver the “best in nutrients” in their dishes.
- Vibe: The space features a bright, airy, modern design, with a calming color palette of soft grays, greens, and taupe – an aesthetic befitting a restaurant associated with a spa.
- What’s on the menu: The signature dish is the Sauna Mee, a customizable bowl filled with greens, mushrooms, and other vegetables, where diners can choose the soup base, noodles, and protein. Options include tofu, chicken, beef, and salmon satays, each paired with a selection of sauces. Rice and noodle dishes draw from a variety of culinary influences, including lamb yakisoba and kimchi beef ramen. The menu also features an array of dim sum and maki rolls, alongside a full bar offering wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic mixed drinks.
One final craving
I recently stopped by Olivia, Ty Leon’s restaurant in Wash Park, and when I scanned the à la carte menu, a dish called Jimmy Nardello Peppers didn’t immediately catch my eye. However, our server highly recommended it, and he was absolutely right. I hadn’t expected peppers to pair well with elements like peach puree and brown butter honey, but the super-mild peppers stood up beautifully. Combined with whipped ricotta, the flavors all came together harmoniously. The charred smokiness balanced the fruity and buttery notes, and the peppers themselves were tender, surprisingly juicy, and cooked just right.
ICYMI: Last month, I shared the cool kids’ spot for late night eating and drinking, a globally inspired restaurant tucked underground, and a high-end Cherry Creek convenience store that stirred online controversy✨Read it here✨