Reader: Safta Gets My Vote for Best New Restaurant of 2018

Danielle Lirette

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By the time 2018 closes, the metro area will have seen more than 200 restaurants open...some of them very, very good, some of them already gone. Earlier this month, we posted our first look at twelve contenders for the Best New Restaurant of the Year. One of those, Safta, just got a full review from Gretchen Kurtz, who praised everything from the free pita to the view.

This is Kurtz's last review; she's turning in her reviewer's fork and focusing on other writing. But she's not the only one raving about this restaurant from Alon Shaya.

Says Joe: 

If this isn't the best new restaurant of 2018, I'll go eat a basket of stale rolls at one of those posers that charge for bread! I enjoyed every moment of my meal at Safta. Even the wait.

Adds Andrea: 

That's exciting. I've been to too many restaurants in Denver with store-bought pita.

Comments Kim: 

This looks fuckin' bomb.

Whitney offers this: 

Yum.

But Sam points out some drawbacks:

 Once you get to Safta, the food can be very good. But maneuvering always-under-construction Brighton Boulevard to the Source Hotel, and then that parking lot, takes away my appetite. There are other new restaurants without those obstacles to an evening on the town.

Keep reading for more about Safta and other restaurants that opened this year.

Danielle Lirette

"Review: Safta Is a Stunner, From the Free Bread to the View"

Mike Shurk

"Alon Shaya Gets Personal With Safta, Opening in the Source Hotel"

click to enlarge

Danielle Lirette

"Safta Is a Tasty Addition to the Denver Dining Scene"

Danielle Lirette

"The Twelve Best New Restaurants in Denver in 2018"

While Safta is definitely deserving of praise, many other newcomers are making magic in the kitchen; we whittled the best new restaurants down to twelve on this list, but reserve the right to update it as a few more spots open their doors before the clock strikes twelve.

You can read our list of the twelve best new restaurants in Denver in 2018, so far, right here. How many have you tried? Have you been to Safta? Share your thoughts on any of these eateries in a comment, or send a note to [email protected].

Next year, a new reviewer will be testing Denver's restaurants, both new and old. But first, Gretchen Kurtz will be serving up her thoughts on the best things she ate all year; watch for it before the end of 2018.