The Newest Restaurants in Denver Worth Checking Out

The Denver dining scene is always evolving, with new restaurants and bars popping up so quickly that it's hard to keep track. With so many fresh spots opening, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few of the exciting new places you should check out.

Opened November 7

Located at 3609 West 32nd Avenue in the West Highland neighborhood, Dumplin' is a new restaurant from restaurateurs Frank and Jacqueline Bonanno. It brings a fresh twist on Asian-inspired cuisine, blending Frank's Italian heritage with influences from Chicago’s Chinatown. The menu features creative dumplings, including pork and scallion, shrimp and lobster, and wagyu beef with truffles, alongside signature dishes like lobster ramen. The small, full-service spot offers a fun dining experience with a rotating dumpling and ramen of the day, a selection of sake, beer, Italian wine, and cocktails on tap. Expect a cozy atmosphere with a bit of a wait, and no reservations.

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Photo Credit: westword.com

Opened October 29

Change Please is a coffee shop with a mission: to combat homelessness by providing stable employment. All profits from coffee sales and donations go directly toward training and supporting people experiencing homelessness, helping them gain essential skills and transition into permanent employment. Trainees earn a living wage, learn valuable barista skills, and receive personalized career support to build long-term stability. When you enjoy a cup from Change Please, you're helping transform lives in your community.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/changepleaseusa/

Photo Credit: axios.com

Opened September 6

The Secret Garden Café, located in a historic mansion near Cheesman Park, invites guests to enjoy coffee and light bites during the day while offering cocktails and charcuterie in the evenings within a charming conservatory setting. Built in 1899, the mansion was transformed by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods (CHUN) and City Street Investors into a welcoming community space. In addition to the café, it features rentable offices and event spaces.

Opened September 27

Church and Union in downtown Denver combines historic charm with modern American dining. Housed in the 1896 St. Elmo Hotel, the restaurant is home to striking artwork, including a ceiling mural of The Art of War, hand-painted by artist Jon Norris. The mural, which covers the entire ceiling, consists of 40,000 words and took over 400 hours to complete. It has become a defining feature of the restaurant, symbolizing the group's commitment to collaboration and hard work.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/churchanduniondenver/

The menu at Church and Union offers a variety of locally inspired options, including roasted hen of the woods mushrooms, hearty chicken and dumplings, and rich, creamy ranch mashed potatoes ($12-$20), all perfect to pair with the restaurant’s steaks. Other unique dishes include Hatch chile-infused Parker House rolls ($9) and lamb shank braised with pine needles ($70), highlighting the team's foraging efforts in Denver.

Photo Credit: instagram.com/secretgardendenver/

Opened September 30

The Salty Donut, a Miami-based chain, has opened its first location in Denver, marking its first outpost in the Western U.S. Founded by Amanda Pizarro and Andy Rodriguez, the shop began as a pop-up in a vintage camper in 2014. After traveling across the country and noticing the rise of specialty doughnut shops, the couple decided to start their own.
Today, Salty has grown to 15 locations, with more growing in the Southeast, and its new store in Colorado is its first outpost in the western United States.

Salty’s menu includes creative doughnuts like the Honey Butter Cinna-Bun and the brown butter and salt variety, with everything made in-house, including glazes and jams. The doughnuts are crafted from a brioche-based dough, taking a full day to prepare for the perfect texture and flavor. Exclusive pastries like the Cragle and PB&J Croissant are also available at this location. The name “Salty” comes from the couple’s habit of adding salt to balance the sweetness in their doughnuts.