10 New Eating places In The Denver Space To Begin Your Summer season Wanderlust – The Denver Publish

Summer in Denver restaurants is all about the patio. But with these newbies to the local dining scene, eaters can escape for more than just al fresco dining.

Without leaving the borders of the metropolitan area, guests can travel to Jackson, Oaxaca, Naples and Hanoi this summer. For example, Park Hill has one new location for Mississippi catfish and ribs and another for Neapolitan pizza. A South Broadway drive-thru serves Vietnamese chè. And Mezcals from Oaxaca are the focus of a new bar in Denver Union Station. Read on for 10 places you can “travel” to without setting foot in Denver International Airport.

Campfire, evergreen

As the name suggests, everything wood-fired on this evergreen retreat – barbecue, pizza, roast chicken – is special. You feel like you’re eating in the mountains, with your very own S’mores station at the end. Restaurateur Jared Leonard started out in Chicago and opened restaurants in Denver (The Budlong Hot Chicken, Grabowski’s Pizzeria, AJ’s Pit Bar-BQ to name a few) before bringing us this newest destination restaurant. 27883 Meadow Drive, Evergreen, 303-593-1018, campfireevergreen.com

A platter of baby back ribs, served with coleslaw, macaroni and cheese and potato salad at the Mississippi Boy in Park Hill. (Josie Küster, The Denver Post)

Mississippi Boy, Park Hill

This neighborhood in Northeast Park Hill will make you feel like you’ve traveled south in summer. Order fried catfish, hot links or baby back ribs with side dishes like mac and cheese, coleslaw and potato salad. There’s sweet tea to sip, big screens to watch the game, and garage windows to enjoy al fresco lunch. Schedule a take-away order or sit down quietly. 5544 33rd Ave., Denver, 601-880-9828, mississippiboy5280.com

Ghost Donkey, Union Station

Ghost Donkey is a New York bar with an Oaxacan flair and brings more than 60 mezcal bottles and more than 25 tequilas to its new Denver liquor cabinet. They are ordered sipped or in mixed drinks such as the Stone Wall with reposado, espadin, pomegranate and habanero. However, this is more than a laid-back Mexican vibe, it’s a party seat. Expect to be close with LoDo neighbors and light shows. 1750 Wewatta St. (Entry through The Coloradan), Denver, 720-409-4242, ghostdonkey.me

Bambu, South Broadway

Vietnamese drinks are the focus of this drive-thru in Overland. There’s traditional coffee, bubble tea, and fruit smoothies, as well as chè, a coconut-based drink that’s layered with various combinations of taro paste, pandan jelly, red tapioca, basil seeds, and fruits. Think of shaving ice with more substance and texture. 2215 S. Broadway, Denver, 720-647-7141, drinkbambu.com

Bartaco, Highland

A haven in Baja California in LoHi, this newest Bartaco brings the tacos and cocktails of a popular national brand to Denver after a successful launch on Boulder’s Pearl Street. Come here for consistent baja fish, mojo pork, and brisket barbacoa tacos with firm palomas, margaritas, mezcalitas, and more. Good for going out with family, a date or friends. 2001 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 720-712-8226, bartaco.com

Cupbop, Highland, Arvada, Aurora

Three new locations of this regional chain in the Denver area gained loyal followers during the pandemic with a simple formula: Korean fried chicken, grilled beef or pork, served with noodles, vegetables and rice, all in one cup. The brand started off locally with a 16th Street Mall kiosk before the pandemic, but these brick and mortar stores are new for 2021 and still just as casual for a quick cup (bop) lunch. 3453 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, plus two others in Arvada and Aurora, 720-741-2409, cupbop.com

Gorlami, highlands

Gorlami is a new Neapolitan style pizza, offering a mean selection of stone oven pizzas, baby romaine salads, and root beer floats for dessert. Think summer on the east coast, with pies like the pepperoni cup, sausage and onion Charlie Boy and Gabagool (or local capicola) with marinated olives as a snack. 3200 Pecos St. (within Avanti), Denver, 720-269-4778, avantifandb.com

Benzina, East Colfax

A pleasant surprise in Park Hill, the brand new Benzina is housed in a converted mid-century muffler shop in East Colfax. The chic architecture is reason enough to visit, but the food and service make it a real neighborhood (and travel destination). Try Neapolitan pizza from chefs Brian Lockwood (formerly Eleven Madison Park) and Daniele Bolognini (formerly at Acorn). Sit in one of the garage bays and order a round of classic cocktails while you people watch. 4839 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-399-2352, benzinadenver.com

The Green Collective, Highland

Denver-based sisters Allison and Jamie Rifkin opened their LoHi healthy food station earlier this spring, which specializes in cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, salads, toasts and bone broths. It’s a little taste of LA in North Denver, but with a noble reason: The sisters have their own diet and nutrition experience in battling autoimmune diseases. And they brought in head chef Lauren Egdahl, who creates dishes with a focus on integrative health. 2158 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, 720-708-6865, greencollectiveeatery.com

Heaven Creamery, Cherry Creek, Centennial

And finally, for a sweet Italian treat in the heart of Denver, you can go to Heaven Creamery and choose from an eclectic selection of flavors (see: avocado, lime cake and activated charcoal) in ice cream, ice cream, and vegan ice cream. order sorbet versions. See also popsicles in flavors like strawberry ‘n’ cream and pineapple chili. Look out for a third shop that will soon be available from RiNo. 299 Milwaukee St., Denver, and another location, 303-635-6779, heavencreamery.com

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