Fall openings are coming in hot, from Latin American food to Thai favorites to a California fried chicken company. We’re celebrating 15 years of a popular pizza and beer spot, and looking forward to a new bakery festival. Speaking of festivals, mark your calendar and get tickets to DiningOut Events’ RARE Steak Championship coming up in two weeks. Also check out our monthly Chef Tracker for even more restaurant news.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
On September 6, Hops & Pie will celebrate 15 years of pizza and beer on Tennyson Street in the Berkeley neighborhood. Known for a huge craft beer list, the large outdoor patio, and great Colorado-style sourdough pizza, the restaurant will host an anniversary bash from noon to 10 p.m. on that Saturday. Expect a day of music, food, and 15 breweries pouring up specialty beers including Jester King, Other Half, Russian River, Bierstadt, Cannonball Creek, Cerebral, and more.
Chef Pete McTiernan of Dio Mio makes his cooking show debut on September 17 with Netflix’s new show, Next Gen Chef. We don’t know who will win, but you can bet we will watch with bated breath.
Food writer Patty Kaowthumrong and Chea Franz, founder of Indie Creative Co, have organized a community bake sale in response to the policy changes that continue to threaten marginalized communities across the U.S.
“Collectively, we are daughters of Thai, Chinese, and Taiwanese immigrants and we are using our ties with the Denver area culinary community to come together to hopefully make a big impact,” wrote Franz in a press release. “We would be remiss not to mention that this bake sale was largely inspired by the dynamic team behind the Pro Roe Bake Sale, and we look forward to supporting them in April 2026.”
The inaugural Cooking for Culture Community Bake Sale will occur on Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. until noon, location to come. All proceeds will benefit Kaizen Food Rescue, a Denver-based nonprofit founded on the principle that food is a human right, and the Rocky Mountain Immigration Advocacy Network (RMIAN), which provides free immigration legal and social services to children and detained adults in need.
Honey is all the rage at Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval in Cherry Creek. To mark National Honey Month this September, Toro highlights the sweet ingredient, which is harvested just steps above the dining room. Through a unique partnership with local nonprofit Homestead in the Hood, chef Richard Sandoval and the team at Toro use rooftop honey to bring a hyperlocal twist to several menu items, both food and drink.
Openings in the News
Avanti Food & Beverage in Denver announced a new tenant is moving in this month. Welcome Berliner Haus, a Mediterranean and European-inspired street food concept that will replace Bowls by KO (which is opening a brick and mortar location in Sloan’s Lake later this month as well). Berliner Haus launched last year as a food tent in the Denver Christkindl Market, and then in early 2025 it became a food truck. Make sure to check out the signature German döner kebab sandwiches.
“Our food is made for sharing with good friends, lingering on a patio, and sipping something cold,” said Niko Diamantopoulos, owner of Berliner Haus in a press release. “Whenever we’ve brought our truck to events, people have asked where they can find us year-round. Now we can finally point them to Avanti Denver, where they can enjoy our döner kebabs, loaded fries, mezze platters, and other international favorites whenever the craving hits.”
Starbird opens its first Colorado location at 965 S. Colorado Blvd. on September 15. The small, California-based fast food chain is known for fresh salads, fried chicken tenders and sandwiches, wings, and truffle fries. As part of the grand opening week the restaurant will give away 200 free meals on Friday, September 19.
Uchi founder and chef Tyson Cole teams up with chef de cuisine Andres Araujo to open Uchiko, a sibling concept that will be located in Cherry Creek. The exact opening date is still to be determined, but it just adds onto the neighborhood’s growing list of destination dining establishments.
The 20-year-old Ku Cha House of Tea expands into Thornton at Denver Premium Outlets. Locally owned, this will be the fifth location of the tea retail shop, where over 100 teas are for sale to take home, and there’s a full menu of ready-to-drink tea available to go. The first Ku Cha opened in Boulder in 2005, where the flagship store (pictured) remains.
Chef Dana Rodriguez of RiNo’s Carne and Work & Class plans to open a second Work & Class location. The plan is to launch in late September in Englewood at 900 E. Hampden Ave.
YumCha by ChoLon Restaurant Concepts is now open inside the Denver Milk Market. Inspired by chef Lon Symensma’s travels around Asia, YumCha serves creative Asian street food including the chef’s famous French onion soup dumplings, Szechuan chicken wontons, black pepper caramel wings, a Banh Mi Burger, Reuben spring rolls, chilled sesame noodles, and more.
The Source Hotel + Market Hall in RiNo will launch Cimera, a new rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar offering an elevated take on Latin American cuisine. Internationally renowned Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz oversees the culinary direction and inspiration, though day-to-day execution will be under the guidance of executive chef Geoff Cox, formerly of Hop Alley. Expect a mixture of cuisines influenced by Mexico, Central, and South America, and Peru.
“Our goal is for Cimera to push the boundaries of contemporary Latin American cuisine while adding to the rich, globally diverse offerings already found at The Source,” said Muñoz in a press release.
Fast-casual Italian restaurant Sicilia Pasta is opening in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood this month. The menu remains simple with five types of pasta, five homemade sauces, and toppings such as meatballs, veggie balls, burrata, and more. With this program, each guest tailors their meal however they like. The company said the September launch is the first of a projected six coming in now and through 2026.
Denver’s Virginia Park has a new, family-owned California-Mexican concept to look forward to. Tia’s Taquerias opens this month at 1495 S. Holly St., serving tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more, all made with fresh ingredients.
Aloy Thai has opened its fourth location, this time in Cherry Hills Village. The casual Thai restaurant also has spots in Park Hill, Boulder, and the Ballpark neighborhood.
Closings in the News
Noble Riot has officially closed its doors. Launched in 2019 by Scott and Nicole Mattson, owners of the next door Nocturne Jazz Club, the wine bar was passed down to their partner Troy Bowen a few years ago. Bowen recently decided to close the RiNo hot spot, he announced in a social media post, with no immediate plans to continue the business in another location. In turn, the Matthsons will be taking over the space once more, though what it will become remains a mystery, for now.
Baker’s Rhapsody Karaoke at 24 N. Broadway has shuttered after permit delays and low turnout. The venue opened 18 months ago, owned by Ben and Hillary Todd, who also operate Full Afterburner Calzones nearby. The Todds told the Denver Post that foot traffic had dropped from 800 people a weekend to about 250.
First Draft Taproom & Kitchen at 1309 26th St. has also closed. The self-serve beer hall operated for a decade in RiNo.
On the Menu
MAKfam has rolled out new menu items, including a succulent Deluxe Steak Platter with Shrimp and housemade XO butter. This particular dish will be released on September 17 and will be available Mondays and Wednesdays for dinner service. Also on the line up, and ready to dive into now, includes Salt & Pepper Calamari, Chopped Charred Gai Lan Caesar, and Mama Wan’s Pork Belly, which was developed by chef and owner Kennith Wan’s mom and comes with shredded braised pork belly, hoisin, and pickled vegetables over rice.
Head to Atomic Cowboy for the $5 Crisp Martini made with Breckenridge gin, lemon juice, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, sauvignon blanc, and a lemon twist. The special will be available all of September. Also $5 and new this month at the bar, the signature DBC2 Lager.
Just in time for fall, on September 8, ViewHouse offers new dishes on the menus at all four locations including Ballpark, Centennial, Littleton, and Colorado Springs. Highlights include La Brie Wagyu Burger, Wagyu Philly Cheesesteak, Pork Belly Tacos, and Truffle Fries. The drinks menu also features fresh cocktails such as the Berry Rum Punch, Just Peachy Margarita, and a flushed out selection of wines from around the world.
On Thursday, September 4, Chipotle will bring back carne asada to the menu for a limited time in the U.S. and Canada. The protein was originally introduced in 2019, and this launch marks the fourth time it returns to Chipotle’s menu.
Events
It’s time for the Malört x Mover and Shaker Bar Crawl, where fans can find food-infused Malört creations paired with something equally bold or delightfully weird. Think combos like Butter Chicken Malört with Durian Lassi or Chocolate Malört with Lemon Sorbet. Sign up for the crawl here to vote for your favorite infusion via a QR code and rate it on your phone. Participating bars include: Fellow Traveler, Wild Corgi, TrashHawk, Nearby Bar, Pony Up, Improper City, MST Denver, Electric Cure, The Shambles, and Sputnik.
Join the closing party on Sunday at Improper City (3201 Walnut St. #107, Denver) to find out the winner of Best Infused Malört Combo, receive prizes, and score some merch.
On Thursday, September 4, you can enjoy Sunset Sips for SAME Cafe from 6 to 8 p.m., all while helping to support the restaurant’s feed-all mission. During the event members of the community are invited to gather outdoors in a cozy, private backyard on Lafayette Street to enjoy live music, passed appetizers, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic options as the sun sets. The benefit helps SAME and its goal of providing healthy food access for all. Tickets are $50 per person and are available for purchase here.
The Boombots team will host one final popup before its fall opening. The event takes place on Sunday, September 7 at Odie B’s RiNo space. Sign up for updates on boombotspasta.com for more information and first access to tickets.
Head to the Tulum Pool Party with GNAT Jewelry Atelier on September 7 at Rare Bird, located atop Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek. The sparkling event runs from 12 to 8 p.m., and you can expect live DJs spinning house, Afro, and techno while you sip tropical inspired drinks and nibble on tacos, ceviche, shrimp specials, and more. Plus, there’s a real pool to dip into. The $55 ticket includes all the entertainment and access to the pool, available here. Cabanas can be reserved for up to six people for the day here ($400).
Join the talent at Barolo Grill for its Tour D’Italia Wine Dinner on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. During the evening you’ll have the chance to celebrate the best of Italian cuisine paired with wines from Pighin (Friuli), Michele Chiarlo (Piemonte), and Tenuta Sette Ponti (Tuscany). Meet the owners, enjoy multiple pours from each winery, and savor a four-course dinner. The event is $275 per person, all-inclusive. Reserve now on OpenTable.
Spirit of Japan is coming back on September 12 through the 14 at Sakura Square. It’s the second iteration of the annual event, and the goal is to highlight Japanese food, spirits, and culture. Sample Japanese spirits, including sake, sochu, whiskey and more while learning from experts about their origin, craftsmanship and tasting notes. On the food side, try authentic Japanese dishes such as yakitori, osakana zangi, and takoyaki. Tickets are on sale now.
Colorado’s premier celebration of local wine returns to the heart of Denver this fall with the Colorado Wine Walk. Hosted by Blanchard Family Wines the event takes place on Saturday, September 13 at Dairy Block downtown from 7 to 10 p.m. The event will transform the vibrant Dairy Block Alley into an immersive tasting experience, featuring unlimited samples from the state’s finest wineries and cideries, served in a commemorative glass.
General Admission is $55 per person and VIP Admission is $100 per person, which gets you access early at 6 p.m. and exclusive access to a VIP lounge and a food voucher redeemable at Cirque Kitchen. More information and tickets are now available here.
Food Bank of the Rockies hosts Gather & Sow on Thursday, September 18 at the Denver Botanic Gardens from 5 to 9 p.m. The signature event is an opportunity to savor the best of Denver’s culinary scene amid the beauty of the gardens. Enjoy an evening of locally sourced bites crafted by top Denver chefs, a live auction, signature beverages, and more, all while raising money and awareness for the organization. Tickets are $250 each, you can get here.
Yaniv Cohen, The Spice Detective, will be in Denver for one night only with Journey to the World of Middle Eastern Spices on September 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music Festival (JAAMM). The one-of-a-kind culinary experience will transport attendees through the rich, aromatic history and cultural significance of the region’s most essential seasonings. The immersive event features live cooking demonstrations with tastings, engaging stories between dishes, and a chance to ask any burning culinary questions during a live Q&A with Yaniv. Tickets are available on a sliding scale and can be purchased here.
Also on September 18 is DiningOut Events RARE Steak Championship at Sculpture Park by the Denver Center of Performing Arts. Starting at 5:30 for VIP, guests can enjoy a line up of steak bites created by local talent and sponsored by Buckhead Meat & Seafood. Think endless steak, bottomless drinks, live music, and a swank vibe. Reserve tickets here.
On Tuesday, September 23, Riot BBQ will welcome James Beard award-winning author and beloved chef personality Hank Shaw for a one-night only event to celebrate the debut of his new cookbook, Borderlands. The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and costs $89 per ticket, which includes five dishes and a signed cookbook. Reserve your spot via Eventbrite here.
Chef Zorba’s hosts its September Wine Down on Friday, September 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. During the $30 event the cafe will pour Italian wines and serve small Italian bites on the patio.
Explore Tennyson presents the return of the 10th Annual Tennyson Fall Fest on October 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free, community celebration brings together more than 100 local businesses, breweries, artisans, and food purveyors along Tennyson Street from West 41st to West 43rd Avenues. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy activities such as live music, group yoga, a pet parade and other family-friendly fun.
