Restaurant Roll Call: All the Openings and Closings in 2018

The final count is in, and 2018 was another big year for restaurant openings — and closings — in metro Denver. Over the past twelve months, we followed the openings of more than 230 new restaurants and bars, ranging from Acova, which filled the big shoes left behind by Patsy's, to Zocalito, the last eatery to open this year. In between, we saw an influx of high-end restaurants, some from already well-known local restaurateurs, but neighborhood coffee shops, suburban ethnic joints and out-of-state interlopers kept pace.

What were the big trends? Locally made beer, wine and spirits came on strong, with 25 breweries, wineries and distilleries opening in the metro area, serving a diverse selection of chicha and pulque (Dos Luces), sake (Colorado Sake Co.), cider, beer, wine and hard liquor. Close to twenty new coffee shops are also brewing up good things around town, some with built-in social missions, including Reunion Coffee House and Dirt Coffee Bar.
Italian and Mexican were both common culinary themes this year, but Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine also made an impact, with ten new establishments representing those regions, most notably the upscale Safta from chef Alon Shaya and Ash'Kara from chef Daniel Asher. Denver got its first Turkish and Egyptian restaurants with Bosphorus and Koshari Time, respectively, and Boulder quickly followed suit with a Turkish breakfast joint named Breakfast Champion. Other unique openings included Au Feu (serving Montreal-style brisket), Bang Up to the Elephant (specializing in Caribbean cuisine), Liberati Osteria & Oenobeers (pouring wine/beer hybrids), Osaka's (Japanese okonomiyaki burgers) and Toasted & Cajun (dishing up American diner food by day and Vietnamese/Cajun seafood by night).

Not every launch was successful, though: Cafe UR Way, Delhi Darbar, Garibaldi Mexican Bistro's central location, Squared Pizza + Beer, Rincon De Villa and Miami Vibez all opened and then shut within a few months.

The number of closings this year were on track with the stats from years past, with nearly 100 restaurants shuttered, but some of 2018's losses hit close to home. Favorites that fell by the wayside included Solera, Rebel, the Chowder Room, Hi*Rise, Makan Malaysian Cafe, Phil's Place, Solitaire and Thai Street Food. And some true Denver restaurant landmarks, including the Wazee Supper Club, White Fence Farm, Mataam Fez, the Old Spaghetti Factory, Famous Pizza, Jack-n-Grill, the Paramount Cafe and Govnr's Park Bar & Grill all said goodbye.
What's the takeaway? This marks at least four straight years of openings coming at a blistering pace, and the impact can be felt in the scarcity of inexpensive restaurant real estate and a talent pool that's spread thin as a slice of prosciutto. Customers are having a hard time keeping up with the pace and parting with ever increasing wads of cash.

Will the restaurant bubble burst in 2019? We'll be right here, shoulder-to-shoulder in the dining action, making sure we don't miss a beat.

Here's our complete list of restaurant and bar openings and closings in 2018:


Restaurants and Bars Opening in 2018
Acova, 3651 Navajo Street
Acreage, 1380 Horizon Avenue, Lafayette
Ad Hominem, 43 West Ninth Avenue
Al Basha Grill, 2260 South Quebec Street
Alma Homestyle Mexican Food, 4111 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge
Aloha Poke Company (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
American Bonded, 2706 Larimer Street
Amethyst Coffee Company Lakeside, 4999 West 44th Avenue
Archetype Distillery, 119 South Broadway
Ash'Kara, 2219 West 33rd Avenue
Au Feu (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Aviano Coffee, 215 St. Paul Street
Bang Up to the Elephant, 1310 Pearl Street
BBQ Supply Co., 2180 South Delaware Street
Barcelona Wine Bar, 2900 Larimer Street
Beckon, 2843 Larimer Street
Bella La Crema, 405 Mains Street, Lyons
Bent Barley Brewing Company, 6200 South Main Street, Aurora
Bertha's Baja Bistro, 900 Jersey Street
Bettola Bistro, 10253 East Iliff Avenue
Big Sky Burger, 1958 Garrison Street, Lakewood
Big Trouble (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Birdcall, 1535 East Evans Avenue
Bistro Georgette (inside Avanti Food & Beverage), 3200 Pecos Street
Black Crow Gallery/Santa Fe Cookie Co., 144 West 12th Avenue
Blanchard Family Wines, 1855 Blake Street, Suite 120
Bon Ami Bistro & Creperie, 295 South Pennsylvania Street
Bonchon, 8340 Northfield Boulevard
Booz Hall, 2845 Walnut Street
BorraCho Tacos (inside Avanti Food & Beverage), 3200 Pecos Street
BorraCho Tacos, 42 South Broadway
Bosphorus, 3493 South Downing Street
Breakfast Champion (Turkish), 4800 Baseline Road, Boulder
Brew Culture, 3620 West Colfax Avenue
Brightmarten, 730 South University Boulevard
Bubba's 33, 2270 South Parker Road, Aurora
Cafe UR Way, 10941 East Colfax Avenue*
Canopy Bar, 8 Broadway
Cerveceria Colorado, 1635 Platte Street
Cherry Creek Beer Garden (at the Moxy Hotel), 240 Josephine Street
The Cherry Cricket, 2220 Blake Street
Chimera, 2014 Tenth Street, Boulder
Chocklo, 6830 South Yosemite Street, Centennial
Chook, 1300 South Pearl Street
Chow Morso Osteria, 1500 Wynkoop Street
Chubby Cattle, 2 Broadway
Chuey Fu's Baja Cantina, 2100 16th Street
Chuy's Belmar, 499 South Vance Street, Lakewood
Chuy's, 8121 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Coal Mine Avenue Brewing Company, 9719 West Coal Mine Avenue, Littleton
Colorado Plus Cidery and Pub, 1100 Arapahoe Street, Golden
Colorado Sake Co., 3559 Larimer Street
Corrida, 1023 Walnut Street, Boulder
Cream Belmar, 7357 West Alaska Drive, Lakewood
The Cultural Center (beer tasting room), 6381 Beach Street
D Station, 1737 East Evans Avenue
Dandy Lion Coffee (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Daikon, 211 East Seventh Avenue
DC Pie Co., 2223 East Colfax Avenue
Dead Battery Club, 2420 17th Street
Death & Co. (inside the Ramble Hotel), 1280 25th Street
Delhi Darbar, 100 East 20th Avenue*
Denver Central Market DIA, 8500 Peña Boulevard
Denver Distillery, 244 South Broadway
Denver Milk Market, 1800 Wazee Street
Denver Ted's Cheesesteaks, 2020 Lawrence Street
Devour the 303, 1135 East Evans Avenue
Dickey's Barbecue Pit, 4906 North Tower Road
Dirt Coffee Bar, 5767 South Rapp Street, Littleton
Doppio Coffee, 1245 East Colfax Avenue
Dos Luces Brewery, 1236 South Broadway
The Draft Tavern, 4990 Ward Road, Wheat Ridge
Dry Land Distillers, 471 Main Street, Longmont
Duffer Haus, 3470 South Broadway, Englewood
Durbar Nepalese and Indian Bistro, 11903 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood
Eeny Meeny Sushi Roll, 3650 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood
El Cazo Cocina y Cantina, 2901 West 25th Avenue
El Jaripeo, 1050 South Havana, Aurora
The Embassy Tavern (formerly Phil's Place), 3463 Larimer Street
Em's Ice Cream, 2829 Fairfax Street
Famous Original J's Pizza, 715 East 26th Avenue
Federal Coffee, 2307 Federal Boulevard
Fifty300 (inside the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel), 3801 Quebec Street
Flower Child, 2580 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder
Fogo de Chao Lone Tree, 8419 Park Meadows Center Drive
Fontana Sushi, 701 East Sixth Avenue
Former Saint Craft Kitchen and Taps (inside the Hyatt Regency), 650 15th Street
Fractured Prune Doughnuts, 9696A East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Gaijin Ramen & Yakitori (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Garibaldi Mexican Bistro, 1043 Broadway*
Garnish Indian Fusion Cuisine, 6585 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Greenwood Village
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora
Gelato Boy (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Ginginbunbun Sandwiches, 4004 West 38th Avenue
Giordano's, 1600 Larimer Street
Gorgeous Deli (seasonal), 2556 15th Street
GQue Championship Barbecue, 8433 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree
Grande Station, 2299 West Main Street, Littleton
The Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery, 4369 Stuart Street
Hacienda Colorado, 1550 Court Street
Handcraft Bakery, 1999 Broadway
Hangar 101 Bar & Grill, 7575 West Jewell Avenue, Lakewood
Happy Cafe, 945 South Federal Boulevard
Hayati Mediterranean Grill, 2958 Downing Street
Haykin Family Cider, 12001 East 33rd Avenue, Aurora
Hazel Art Bar, 1581 South Pearl Street
Hi Tide, 2449 Larimer Street
High Point Creamery, 3977 Tennyson Street
HighSide Brewing, 720 Main Street, Frisco
Hoja, 1284 South Pearl Street
Huckleberry Roasters, 1800 Wazee Street
Hungry Wolf BBQ & Catfish, 9865 East Hampden Avenue
The Ice Cream Farm, 8433 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree
Improper City, 3201 Walnut Street
Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar, 6955 South York Street, Centennial
Injoi Korean Kitchen (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Ironton Distillery, 3636 Chestnut Place
Ishtar Grill, 2060 South University Boulevard
Jovanina's Broken Italian, 1520 Blake Street
Julep, 3258 Larimer Street
Kings County Kitchen (at Declaration Brewing), 2030 South Cherokee Street
Kiss + Ride (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Koshari Time, 1155 South Havana Street, Aurora
Kuni Sushi, 2752 Welton Street
Lady Jane, 2021 West 32nd Avenue
LeRoux, 1555 Blake Street
Leven Deli, 123 West 12th Avenue
Liberati Osteria & Oenobeers, 2403 Champa Street
Long Table Brewhouse, 2895 Fairfax Street
Los Chingones Colorado Mills, 14500 West Colfax Avenue
Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cervecería, 19340 Cottonwood Drive, Parker
Los Lounge, 2461 Larimer Street
The Lost Cajun, 3013 West 104th Avenue, Westminster
Lou's Italian Specialties, 3357 Downing Street
Manning's Steaks & Spirits, 11100 West Alameda Avenue, Lakewood
Maria Empanada, 1700 Platte Street
Mario's Ocean Club, 560 South Broadway
Mariscos El Licenciado, 10600 East Iliff Avenue, Aurora
Mariscos Mr. Lucky, 555 South Federal Boulevard
Meatball Eatery & Libations, 9220 East Arapahoe Road
Menya Ramen & Poke, 600 East Colfax Avenue
Meta Burger, 7950 East Mississippi Avenue
Method Collective, 2011 West 32nd Avenue
Miami Vibez, 1523 Market Street*
Mici, 535 West South Boulder Road, Lafayette
Mila, 999 18th Street
Milkit Rolled Ice Cream, 9625 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Morin, 1600 15th Street
Motomaki, 500 16th Street
Mr. Hao Grill, 10021 East Hampden Avenue
Mythology Distillery, 3622 Tejon Street
Namkeen (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
Narrative, 222 Milwaukee Street
Necio Latin Eatery, 4001 Tejon Street
Nékter Juice Bar, 700 Colorado Boulevard
Nomad Taqueria + Beer Garden, 18485 West Colfax Avenue, Golden
Nomasté, 3103 East Colfax Avenue
Novel Strand Brewing, 305 West First Avenue
Oasis Brewing Company, 3257 Lowell Boulevard
Ocean Prime DTC, 8000 East Belleview Avenue
Odell Brewing Co., 2945 Larimer Street
Offbeat Unique Cuisine, 2233 South Monaco Parkway
Officers Club, 84 Rampart Way
One Barrel Bistro, 3401 South Broadway, Englewood
Osaka's, 2460 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder
Pablo's Coffee Colfax, 7701 East Colfax Avenue
Pala Pizza, 131 Broadway
Paris Crepe, 3926 Tennyson Street
Pepper Asian Bistro II, 3759 Lipan Street
Periodic Brewing, 2100 East 112th Avenue, Northglenn
Poke Concept, 9555 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Pony Up, 1808 Blake Street
Primitive Beer, 2025 Ionosphere Street, Longmont
Puerto Rico 5280, 3109 Federal Boulevard
Pupusas Lover, 2236 South Colorado Boulevard
Q House, 3421 East Colfax Avenue
Queen City Collective Coffee, 305 West First Avenue
Raglin Market, 5378 Gunbarrel Center Court, Boulder
Rebel Bread, 2400 Curtis Street
Red Rocks Beer Garden, 116 Stone Street, Morrison
Redgarden Restaurant and Brewery, 1700 Dogwood Street, Louisville
Reunion Coffee House, 10601 Reunion Parkway, Commerce City
Revel Social, 2229 Blake Street
Rincon de Villa, 7685 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial*
Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen, 76 South Pennsylvania Street
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, 1489 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch
The Rotary (inside Avanti Food & Beverage), 3200 Pecos Street
Rye Society, 3090 Larimer Street
Safta, 3330 Brighton Boulevard
Sapor Coffee, 2795 Speer Boulevard
Seven Grand, 1855 Blake Street
Shahrazad Bakery, 2603 South Parker Road, Aurora
Shake Shack, 1509 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch
Shake Shack, 2995 Larimer Street
The Shanty Supper Club, 1033 East 17th Avenue
Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli, 2110 South University Boulevard
Smok, 3330 Brighton Boulevard
Snarf's Sandwiches, Denver International Airport, Concourse A
Snooze DTC, 5073 South Syracuse Street
So Damn Gouda, 2432 West 44th Avenue
Social Fare, 150 Clayton Lane
Spice Room Neighborhood Indian Bistro, 3157 West 38th Avenue
The Sportsbook Bar & Grill Wash Park, 266B South Downing Street
Spur Coffee, 95 Broadway
Squared Pizza + Beer, 1123 Walnut Street, Boulder*
Steakhouse No. 316, 1922 13th Street, Boulder
Stoney's Uptown Joint, 1035 East 17th Avenue
Sugarfire Smoke House, 14375 Orchard Parkway, Westminster
Super Mega Bien, 1260 25th Street
Superfood Bar, 1541 Platte Street
Sushi-Rama Belleview Station, 4960 South Newport Street
Sushi-Rama Lone Tree, 10012 Commons Street, Building C, Lone Tree
Tacos La Junta, 395 Federal Boulevard
Tacos Tequila Whiskey, 215 East Seventh Avenue
Tamarind Indian Cuisine 2, 14050 East Evans Avenue, Aurora
Tap & Burger Belleview Station, 4190 South Newport Street, Greenwood Village
Tap Fourteen Colorado Beer Garden, 400 East 19th Avenue
Tasty Thai, 406 East Colfax Avenue
TeaLee's TeaHouse and Bookstore, 611 22nd Street
Tenya Japanese Soul Food, 3901 Tennyson Street
The Thirsty Monk, 1604 East 17th Avenue
Thump Coffee, 601 Broadway
Toasted & Cajun, 3500 Morrison Road
Tokyo Premium Bakery, 1540 South Pearl Street
Tom's Urban Kitchen & Brewery, 8300 Peña Boulevard
Tony Roma's, 1480 Arapahoe Street
Torchy's Tacos, 1515 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch
Torpedo Coffee, 2231 Oneida Street
Tres Chiles, 3900 Tennyson Street
True West Kitchen (at American Bonded), 2706 Larimer Street
Uchi, 2500 Lawrence Street
Vero, 2525 East Arapahoe Road, Boulder
Vinh Xuong Bakery (inside Zeppelin Station), 3501 Wazee Street
The Waffle Place, 1384 South Broadway
The Way Back, 3963 Tennyson Street
Wendell's Breakfast, 3838 Tennyson Street
Whole Sol, 1735 Chestnut Place
Wild Corgi Pub, 1223 East 13th Avenue
The Wolf's Tailor, 4058 Tejon Street
Woodgrain Bagels, 7559 East Academy Boulevard
The Woods, 3330 Brighton Boulevard
Yeah Baby, 2811 Walnut Street
Zeppelin Station, 3501 Wazee Street
Zig Zag Smokin' Burger, 9220 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village
Zocalito, 999 18th Street
Zoës Kitchen, 1515 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch
Zoës Kitchen, 2023 South Colorado Boulevard

Restaurants and Bars Temporarily Closing in 2018 (That Didn't Reopen Before December 31)
Fish N Beer (fire), 3510 Larimer Street
Babettes Artisan Bread (moving to Longmont), 3350 Brighton Boulevard
Cho77 (moving to 1555 Blake Street), 42 South Broadway

Restaurants and Bars Closing in 2018
The 9th Door, 1808 Blake Street
Aiko Pops, 1284 South Pearl Street
Arugula, 2785 Iris Avenue, Boulder
Atticus, 1115 East Evans Avenue
Bachir's Soul Food, 10254 Ura Lane
Beryl's Beer Co., 3120 Blake Street
Blue Sushi Sake Grill, 2154 East Commons Avenue, Centennial
Bout Time Pub & Grub, 3392 West 38th Avenue
Boxcar Coffee, 3350 Brighton Boulevard (inside the Source)
Bread N Butter, 1618 East 17th Avenue
Bremen's Wine & Tap, 2005 West 33rd Avenue
Broadway Bar & Bites, 8 South Broadway
Campus Lounge, 701 South University
Candela Latin Kitchen, 1795 Central Street
Caution: Brewing, 1057 South Wadsworth Boulevard
Charcoal, 43 West Ninth Avenue
Cheese + Provisions, 2432 West 44th Avenue
Chowder Room, 560 South Broadway
CityPub & Burger, 3575 South Yosemite Street
Compound Basix, 145 Broadway
Crazy Mountain Brewing Company, 439 Edwards Access Road, Edwards
Crazy Mountain Tap Room, 660 South Colorado Boulevard, Glendale
Cured West, 2019 Tenth Street, Boulder
CY Steak, 1222 Glenarm Place
Delhi Darbar, 100 East 20th Avenue
El Charrito, 2100 Larimer Street
El Coqui d'Aqui, 2236 South Colorado Boulevard
Element Kitchen & Cocktail, 1134 Broadway
Ernie's Bar & Pizza, 2915 West 44th Avenue
Europa Coffeehouse, 76 South Pennsylvania Street
Famous Pizza, 98 South Broadway
FanDraught Sports Brewery, 19340 Cottonwood Drive, Parker
Fat Jack's Super Subs, all locations
Fate Ale House, 400 West South Boulder Road, Lafayette
Four Friends Kitchen, 2070 South University Boulevard
Garibaldi Mexican Bistro, 1043 Broadway
Gary Lee's Motor Club & Grub, 176 South Broadway
Govnr's Park Restaurant & Tavern, 672 Logan Street
Hangar Bar, 8001 East Colfax Avenue
Harpo's Sports Grill, 2860 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder
Hedge Row, 100 Steele Street
Hi*Rise, 2162 Larimer Street
Hororok Mandarin Noodle House, 12203 East Iliff Avenue
The Hound, 575 Saint Paul Street
iSushi, 801 Santa Fe Drive
Ivy at the Glenn, 6955 South York Street, Centennial
Jack-n-Grill, 2524 Federal Boulevard and 9310 Sheridan Boulevard
Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant, 5120 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial
La Chupaflor, 11 East Louisiana Avenue
Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria, 410 East Seventh Avenue
Lincoln St. Station, 776 Lincoln Street
Makan Malaysian Cafe, 1859 Pearl Street
Marion Street Tavern, 223 East 13th Avenue
Marlowe's, 501 16th Street
Mataam Fez, 4609 East Colfax Avenue
Merle's of Littleton, 2609 West Main Street, Littleton
Miami Vibez, 1523 Market Street
Milk & Honey, 1414 Larimer Street
Moe’s Original Bar B Que, 2727 South Parker Road, Aurora
Next Door Lounge, 1612 East 17th Avenue
Night Hawk Brewery, 2780 Industrial Lane, Broomfield
Old Spaghetti Factory, 1215 18th Street
Open Door Brewing, 2030 Ionosphere Street, Longmont
Paramount Cafe, 519 16th Street
Phil's Place, 3463 Larimer Street
Pizzeria Da Lupo, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder
Powder Keg Brewing, 101 Second Avenue, Niwot
Quijote's, 1043 Broadway
Randall's, 2217 Welton Street
Rebel Restaurant, 3763 Wynkoop Street
Red Sauce, 2230 Oneida Street
The Regional (inside Avanti Food & Beverage), 3200 Pecos Street
Rincon de Villa, 7685 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial
The Rosedale, 1135 East Evans Avenue
Salati Italian Street Food, 8270 East Northfield Boulevard
Salvage Steakhouse, 2700 South Havana Street
Second Home Kitchen & Bar, 150 Clayton Lane
Skeye Brewing, 900 South Hover Street, Longmont
Socorro's Street Tacos, 19 East Bayaud Avenue
Solera, 1540 East Colfax Avenue
Solitaire, 3927 West 32nd Avenue
Squared Pizza + Beer, 1123 Walnut Street, Boulder
Sunrise Cafe, 4390 Sheridan Boulevard
Taqueria Emmanuel, 810 Park Avenue West
The Tavern Wash Park, 1066 South Gaylord Street
Thai Street Food, 11650 Montview Boulevard, Aurora
Tom's Urban, 1460 Larimer Street
Tony P's, 777 East 17th Avenue
The Village Cork, 1300 South Pearl Street
Vindication Brewing Co., 6880 Winchester Circle, Boulder
Wahoo's Fish Tacos, 225 East 20th Avenue
The Walrus Saloon, 1911 11th Street, Boulder
Wash Park Sports Alley, 266B South Downing Street
Wayward, 1610 Little Raven Street
Wazee Lounge & Supper Club, 1610 15th Street
Western Daughters Butcher Shoppe (inside the Source), 3350 Brighton Boulevard
White Fence Farm, 6263 West Jewell Avenue, Lakewood
White Fence Farm, 1025 East Ninth Avenue
Zephyr Brewing, 1609 East 58th Avenue

*Opened and closed in 2018.

Have you spotted any other openings or closings that didn't make our list? Let us know in the comments or send an email to [email protected].