CoraFaye's Cafe Reopens on East Colfax Avenue With Grand Opening Celebration Tonight

When news hit that Colorado Boulevard's soul-food haven, CoraFaye's Cafe, would be losing its lease this summer, many were worried that Denver would lose a culinary treasure. But owner Priscilla Smith put our minds at ease by finding a new address for her nationally known eatery. She reopened CoraFaye's this...

By Mark Antonation

July 1, 2016

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$3,700

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

When news hit that Colorado Boulevard's soul-food haven, CoraFaye's Cafe, would be losing its lease this summer, many were worried that Denver would lose a culinary treasure. But owner Priscilla Smith put our minds at ease by finding a new address for her nationally known eatery. She reopened CoraFaye's this week at 16251 East Colfax Avenue in Aurora, barely missing a dinner service despite the difficulties that moving a restaurant entails.

The new restaurant, located on the second floor of the International Plaza shopping center, holds the same homey charm as the original, with colorful tablecloths, antique furniture and a scattering of vintage tchotchkes decorating the spacious dining room. A smaller private room, similarly decorated, is available for private parties, and balconies look out onto the tree-lined streets of this nearly rural section of Aurora.

Tonight Smith is hosting a grand-opening celebration from 6 to 9 p.m., with opening ceremonies from 6 to 6:45, followed by live jazz from Vince Wiggins & Company from 7 to 9.

After tonight, CoraFaye's will be open for lunch and dinner every day but Monday, with shortened hours from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Check the daily specials board for belly-warming dishes like neckbones over rice, liver and onions, and beef oxtails.

Mark Antonation is the former Westword Food & Drink Editor. In 2018, he was named Outstanding Media Professional by the Colorado Restaurant Association; he's now with the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.

A message from Food & Drink Editor Molly Martin: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today