Cherry Creek and Capitol Hill are growing with a new bakery, fast-casual salad spot, beloved Mexican concept, and breakfast sandwich joint from Colorado Springs. We’re also digging the new drinks at Gold Point in RiNo, shocked a 28-year-old staple closed, and can’t wait to sample the black garlic pizza at Rebel Bread.
Read on for more Denver dining news. Have a tip? Send us a note via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
New Drinks at Gold Point
RiNo cocktail joint Gold Point (3126 Larimer St.) has a brand-new menu themed after The Jersey Shore. No, it’s not so much about the place than about the old school show, and you can bet there’s plenty of pop culture nostalgia and cheeky references getting poured out for around $14 a drink.
Highlights include: Dirty Little Hamster with leek-infused gin, lemongrass, shallots, and MSG; Gorilla Central with Jameson Irish Whiskey, banana, cinnamon, and walnut bitters; and the Jersey Turnpike with Weller 12, Amaro Sfumato, mulled wine, green apple, and Angostura bitters. There’s also a zero-proof drink dubbed Murder Mystery Deener featuring Lapo’s NA Aperitivo, blood orange and Three Spirits Spark.
Rebel Bread’s Pizza Special
For the rest of the year you can head to Rebel Bread off South Broadway for the limited edition Black Garlic Amatriciana Pizza ($24 for a 14-inch pie). The pizza was created by the bakery and Berkeley salumi company Fra’ Mani, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Diners can expect plenty of black garlic, mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce, Calabrian peppers, pecorino, and Chiles Guanciale, a Fra’ Mani collaboration with celeb chef Joe Sasto. As always, the naturally leavened dough features local grains from Dry Storage Mill in Boulder. The pizza is available every Friday evening (save for November 26 and December 25, when the bakery will be closed) from 5 to 9 p.m.
STK Gets Spooky in Denver
The steakhouse chain, STK, is embracing the Halloween and Dia de los Muertos seasons by offering some spooky-themed cocktails from October 29 to November 1. You can sip on an Old Skull Fashioned that riffs on the classic cocktail with bourbon, tequila, agave nectar, and peach bitters. You can also imbibe a Sugar Skull Shooter, a blend of tequila, watermelon liqueur, mango purée, and Tabasco sauce, among other drinks.
Women’s Bean Project Comes to the Airport
Local nonprofit Women’s Bean Project opened a kiosk at Denver International Airport (DEN), featuring some of the 50 unique food products the organization makes. That includes spices, baking mixes, soups, snacks, dog treats, and more. You may see the Ginger Zing Trail Mix, Raspberry Gummy Fish, and Chili Picante Plantain Chips, as well as the signature 10-Bean Soup Mix.
The crux of Women’s Bean Project is to support women in Colorado on a path to self-sufficiency after homelessness, incarceration, and addiction. Bonus, this is the first kiosk at the airport operated by a nonprofit.
BOXBOX Moves Locations
After a year on East Colfax Avenue, BOXBOX has closed and is moving to Cherry Creek. The fast-casual spot signed a lease at 3003 E. 3rd Ave., with plans to open in early 2027. Denver husband-and-wife team, Tim and Laurie Martin, started the bento box and salad brand last year.
At the new space you can expect the same elevated salads and signature bento boxes, as well as an expanded menu. The new 1,290-square-foot space will seat 12 guests, and is planning community tastings and neighborhood events ahead of opening.
New Hours at Casa Juani
As of today, Casa Juani is officially open seven days a week starting at 5 p.m. every day. Enjoy menu favorites like the tableside Jamon Ibérico, Pato Asado, and Arroz con Setas with signature cocktails like the Gold Finch and Spanish Martini. Reservations available on OpenTable here.
Butterdrop Bakeshop
More tasty things are coming to Cherry Creek, and soon, Butterdrop Bakeshop will open at 250 Detroit St. this fall. Founded by Lynne Doherty and pastry chef Diana Flores, you can find it next to Aviano Coffee, where the team will sling handmade goods including cookies, cakes, savory quiches, and more. Want a taste? The bakery is currently open for online ordering.
New Location Planned For Santos Café & Grill
Family-owned Santos Café & Grill brings Mexican comfort food to Capitol Hill next month. The new spot will occupy the former Syrup space at 410 E. 7th Ave., marking the second full-service location. According to BusinessDen, this expansion is expected to launch in November 2026, continuing the family’s legacy that began with a burrito cart on the 16th Street Mall.
Expect a menu heavy on breakfast favorites with a Mexican twist like the Chorizo Benedict and Chilaquiles. For lunch, look forward to plates of tamales, street-style tacos, and the Esquite Burger.
Maggiano’s Downtown Closes
In what appears to be a sudden move, the Denver Pavilion location of Maggiano’s has closed. A sign on the door stated, “We apologize for the inconvenience, unfortunately Maggiano’s will be closed until further notice.” The Italian food chain has been in that spot since the mall opened in 1998. With this closing, the rumor of the downtown mall shuttering feels even more real.
Colorado Springs’ Egg Lush Cafe Comes to Denver
Straight from downtown Colorado Springs, Denver will soon welcome Egg Lush Cafe at 1360 N. Grant St. in Capitol Hill. The breakfast spot focuses on egg sandwiches made with slow-fermented brioche and stuffed with scrambled eggs and choice of spicy or regular mayo and proteins including SPAM, salisbury steak, and bulgogi. There’s no set opening date yet, but based on the brand’s social media, the space looks close to done.
Another Anti-Vax Dating Event Canceled
Once again a group of anti-vaxers has been deterred from gathering (cue Recess Beer Garden in Denver). This time, The Golden Mill food hall in Golden faced a similar issue. Only instead of just a large group, the venue found out over 400 people were planning on gathering on October 24. The way the team handled it was a testament to professionalism.
On social media The Golden Mill wrote, “The organizers promoted this event through private channels without our knowledge or consent. Any large event at our venue requires a contract, event plan, security consideration, and prior authorization, none of which exist for this gathering.”
The event was billed as an anti-vaxer dating event. The Golden Mill assured its clientele that the group wouldn’t be there, and operations would go on as normal.
Sushi by SYC Closes, Only to Open Another Door
After just three months, Sushi by SYC will close on October 31. In a social media post the team said, “But don’t worry, our entire culinary team is moving with us to Cherry Creek North! Our current Sushi by SYC location will be transformed into a brand-new restaurant concept! We’ll be sharing more details soon.”
The group just opened Blossom by SYC and has Sushi Thirty Seven and SYC Omakase opening in the next couple months.
