Some may say that the food hall trend peaked about a decade ago, when Denver saw a spate of dining collectives opening left and right. But those in the know would argue pioneers like Avanti Food & Beverage and Denver Central Market simply paved the way for new creative concepts to blossom.
Now, we’re seeing a slew of new spaces, each unique in its own right. For example, CoArk Collective is an all-Korean food hall that opened last year in Centennial. There’s also La Plaza, a retail and dining space featuring businesses from south of the border in Aurora.
The best thing about food halls centers on variety, and each person in a party can satisfy specific cravings. These establishments are also great for sampling multiple cuisines and dishes, creating a personalized culinary smorgasbord. Many food halls host events, too. From drag bingo to Spanish conversation hour, these get-togethers foster a thriving community vibe.
Whether looking to tuck into some barbecue in Golden after hiking the Clear Creek Trail, fuel up before a Rockies game in LoDo, feast on international food on East Colfax, or stop for a slice after seeing RiNo’s many murals, there’s a food hall in many neighborhoods near you.
Stanley Marketplace
Housed in a former airplane hangar, Stanley Marketplace launched in 2016 as a multi-use community with more than 50 local Colorado businesses. Over the years the line up showcased retail boutiques to wellness clinics to workshops. But really, it’s the food and beverage offerings that draws us in.
On the restaurant side you have award-winning chef Caroline Glover, the talent behind the farm-focused Annette, and coastal cocktail bar Traveling Mercies, located on the top floor. On the casual side, Roseberg’s New York-style bagel shop is the Aurora answer to the bagel question. There’s hearty breakfast fare from Denver Biscuit Co., giant slices of pizza from Famous J’s, ramen and Chinese food from Chi Lin Asian Eatery, sweet and savory crepes from Audrey’s Creperie, and craft beer at Cheluna Brewing Co.
Sushi fans can visit Misaki at Stanley, or go for Vietnamese at its sister restaurant, Lemongrass at Misaki. Boychik brings Mediterranean favorites, and Rolling Smoke BBQ has smoked meats covered. Finish a meal with chocolate and French treats from Miette et Chocolat, or a cool scoop from Sweet Cow Ice Cream. Truely, Stanley Marketplace offers something for every mood, and, since it’s so kid-friendly, every age group too. 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora, stanleymarketplace.com
CoArk Collective
One of Colorado’s newest food halls hones in on all things Korean. Inside you’ll find 10 vendors with a large, open seating area in an A-frame style building with exposed beams. This is the place to find favorites like shaved ice bingsu, bulgogi bowls, tofu pockets, octopus balls, Korean toast sandwiches, kimbob, tteokbokki, and Korean soups, stews, and dumplings.
But that’s not all, indulge in bibimbap, katsu, udon noodles, Korean fried chicken, ramen, and taiyaki, the fish-shaped pastry filled with custard or nutella. You can even find color-changing iced tea and delicacies like persimmon rolls and sausage rice cakes. Basically, if you’re craving Korean flavors, CoArk Collective has you covered. 15775 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial, coarkcollective.com
Mango House
Dr. PJ Parmar took over a former JC Penney store space on East Colfax with the vision to create a place dedicated to Denver’s immigrant and refugee community. It’s part dental and medical clinic, part community and spiritual center, and part food hall. The latter aspect features six stalls owned and operated by refugees serving their native cuisine.
At Jasmine Syrian Food, find traditional dishes such as Ful Mudammas (stewed fava beans with cumin, garlic, and olive oil), chicken shawarma, gyros, and Syrian Pizza, featuring Syrian cheese, thyme, sumac, and sesame. Natoli Ethiopian Cafe is one of a handful of Ethiopian restaurants, and it’s the perfect spot to scoop up the spiced beef dish konta firfir or a classic vegetarian combo with fresh injera bread.
Next, try Nepali Spice, which is known for its momos, a type of Nepalise dumpling. Find sushi at Ocean Fresh Sushi at Sudanese fare at Tata and Nono Sudanese Kitchen. Burmese fare dominates at Urban Burma, with traditional dishes including ono kao sweh (egg noodles and chicken in a coconut broth) and house-fermented tea salad. Overall, Mango House offers its tenants much more than tasty food, it’s an opportunity for newcomers to build equity and give others an authentic taste of home. 10180 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, ardasclinic.com/mangohouse.htm
Edgewater Public Market
Just steps from Sloan’s Lake, Edgewater Public Market mixes dining and retail. Here you’ll find tastes from around the globe, including Argentine empanadas, Venezuelan arepas, Greek gyros, Japanese ramen, and platters of Ethiopian stews. Of course there’s plenty of American comfort food too, think fried chicken, wood-fired pizza, mac and cheese, ice cream, and burgers. Glady’s serves some of the best vegan food around too, making the best vegetable-forward Reuben sandwich around.
Almost 20 food concepts are anchored by a bar called Roger’s Liquid Oasis and a space that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s become a neighborhood hub for dining and drinking, with a side of entertainment. Events range from trivia nights to a men’s knitting club to bingo brunch to a running club, making Edgewater Public Market north side’s unofficial meeting place. 5505 W. 20th Ave, Edgewater, edgewaterpublicmarket.com
Denver Central Market
Denver Central Market opened almost a decade ago in a historic RiNo building, the former headquarters for H.H. Tammen’s mail-order Colorado curios and postcard company. Today, it’s home to 10 food vendors, and most recently an outpost of the popular Call Your Mother bagel shop. Diners can get pasta and brick oven pizzas at Vero Italian; fresh sandwiches, tacos, grain bowls, and snacks at Lunch Boxx; and fresh seafood and prepared fish dishes at Tammen’s Fish Market.
On the sweet side, Izzio Artisan Bakery makes the viral roulette pastries, as well as some savory breakfast items. Temper Chocolates and Confections dishes out the handmade chocolates, and High Point Creamery specializes in artisan ice cream. Denver Central Market also sports a produce stand and a butcher counter complete with smoked wings and tomahawk steaks you can take home to cook. There’s also a full bar and plenty of seating inside and out. 2669 Larimer St., Denver, denvercentralmarket.com
La Plaza Colorado
During the pandemic many of the city’s Latin food truck owners began to park together at Colfax and Chambers, which led to an ambitious project to develop a vacant K-Mart. After four years, the massive collective of food and retail stalls, an arcade, a bar, and communal seating opened.
The result is a unique outdoor food hall comprising 17 food trucks that are permanently parked on site. Among them are La Bicicleta, slinging authentic Mexican tacos; Pata Salada, selling ceviches, aguachiles, and clamatos; Las Bolas del Chino, selling stuffed riceballs; Lucero’s, serving a pantheon of aguas frescas; and La Rana, offering loaded aguas frescas, flauta, sopes, quesabirria, and tortas. Inside, find Frozen Island, serving Mexican-style frozen treats, fruit-filled crepes, and escamocha, as well as Dulces Delicias, selling Mexican candies. Still want savory? La Plaza Colorado also offers goods from a wood-fired pizzeria. 15200 E. Colfax Ave. Unit B, Aurora, laplazacolorado.com
Avanti Food & Beverage
LoHi’s most vibrant food collective, Avanti, features ground-level vendors and eating space and a spacious rooftop bar that overlooks the downtown Denver skyline. Cafe Avanti, the new, in-house coffee shop, sells lattes, teas, breakfast burritos, and pastries.
Three other concepts are also new to the scene, including the Italian-French Eloise, an American Bistro. Dishes include steamed mussels, goat cheese salad, steak frites, and pasta bolognese. Farang Thai Kitchen offers favorites like green papaya salad, curry, and khao soi, a traditional dish that stands out thanks to the use of egg noodles rather than the normal rice version. Also new, The Pizza Bandit has taken over the pizza oven and is getting funky with it.
| Photo by Linnea Covington
After the beginning-of-the-year renovations some staples remain, including the full bar located in the cozy lounge area. Also look for gourmet burgers and fried chicken sandwiches from Knockabout Burgers. Venezuelan Quiero Arepas, which stuff corn masa pockets with combinations of black beans, chicken, avocado, cheese, and fried plantains. Amá Modern Mexican serves chips with homemade salsas and guacamole, tacos, and quesadillas. And finally, for a healthy option, Bowls by KO serves build-your-own bowls or versions with a ton of tasty toppings. No matter where you get food from, make sure to head to the roof for a great view of Downtown Denver. 3200 N. Pecos St. Denver, avantifandb.com
Denver Milk Market
A century ago, the 1800 block of Wazee Street was home to Denver’s Windsor Dairy and a lumber yard. Reimagined into a food hall, today it houses a dozen different food stalls and a bar. Albina by the Sea serves fish and chips, clam chowder, and fish tacos. At Bos Butcher & Deli, the menu includes both hot and cold deli sandwiches. Cornicello is the place to find artisan ice creams, and at Fuso, it’s all about hand-tossed pizza and housemade pastas.
Ghost Tortilla serves a roster of Mexican classics including tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, but at Green Huntsman, salads are the specialty. Lou’s Hot and Naked menu is a fascinating mashup of pancakes, fries, hot dogs, and hot chicken sandwiches, with Biker Jim Pittenger responsible for the sausages and breakfast fare. Go for a poke bowl at Mopoke for something a little lighter.
The central bar, Moo Bar, also offers food such as lobster mac and cheese and chicken tinga. Morning Jones focuses on all types of breakfast. Don’t miss indulging in breakfast fare on Sundays, every week there’s a Drag Queen Bingo Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1800 Wazee St. Suite 100, Denver, denvermilkmarket.com
The Golden Mill
A former Golden mill and feed store from the 1860s found a new life as a trendy food hall, serving a variety of foods and incorporating a drinks wall for easy pouring. On the main floor you’ll find said taps, which guests access thanks to a universal food hall card linked to a personal credit card.
Once ordered, choose from indoor seating or sit outside on one of two spacious patios. One alfresco space surrounds the building and overlooks Clear Creek. The other resides upstairs on the rooftop deck and comes complete with fire pits and adirondack chairs.
Concepts including Sushi Sora, helmed by longtime sushi chef Jesus Silva. There’s Republik of Chicken, serving wings, karaage chicken, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. Meat lovers should check out Rolling Smoke BBQ. Get your taco fix at Tacos al Chile, which also has taquitos, and Tijuana-style hot dogs. For dessert, Happy Cones (which also has a spot in Edgewater Public Marketplace) tantalizes with New Zealand-style soft serve ice cream. 1012 Ford St., Golden, thegoldenmill.com
