Celebrate the start of 2026 while indulging in an international culinary journey at these new hotspots across the region
Chefs are ringing in the new year, bringing flavors from around the world to Denver and nearby cities, inspired by their travels and childhood memories. More than a dozen new restaurants will open in early 2026, offering bold cuisines from Japan, Mexico, Spain, Afro-Latin, France, and the Mediterranean region—crafted by James Beard-recognized chefs, local restaurateurs, and a Denver-based developer.
Meet these new spots defining Colorado’s Front Range and beyond!
Uchiko (Japanese Cuisine)
With an ode to artistry and a sibling concept to Uchi from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole, Uchiko will open its doors to the public in early 2026. Translating to “child of Uchi,” this outpost will pair smoke and char with clean Japanese flavors in both hot and cold dishes. Along with the menu, guests can enjoy Japanese whiskey, sake-crafted cocktails, and wines.
Uchiko occupies the former Ginny Williams Gallery and will honor the noted Denver art collector and philanthropist through rotating art installations.
Location: Cherry Creek North, 299 Fillmore St., Denver, CO
Ash and Agave (Mexican Cuisine)
The latest venture from Denver restaurateur Sean Huggard (Blue Island Oyster Bar and Oliver’s Italian), Ash and Agave is designed for power lunches, post-boutique happy hours, and is on a mission to redefine evening dining. This destination sets out to usher in fire-kissed flavors of coastal Mexico to Cherry Creek.
Inspired by the Mexican Riviera, the vibrant restaurant centers around a custom wood-fired grill, adding a touch of smoky depth to fresh seafood and premium meats. The bar will feature an extensive agave-driven menu showcasing curated tequilas and mezcals, bold cocktails, and a refined list of wines, premium beers, and spirits.
Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 3000 E. 1st Ave, Suite 185, Denver, CO
Dear Emilia (Italian Cuisine)
Created by co-owners Chef Ty Leon, Bar Director Austin Carson, and Michelin Award-Winning Hospitality Director Heather Morrison, Dear Emilia is meant to be a love letter to Emilia Romagna—celebrating the agricultural heart of northern Italy.
Drawing on creative inspiration, the team designed the 3,700-square-foot space to feel like a blend of modern elegance and welcoming comfort.
The menu features Romagna’s classic culinary traditions and highlights local Coloradan-sourced ingredients, including handmade pastas, house-made duck sausages, and main dishes like Boulder County beef.
At the bar, cocktails reflect their key ingredients, like the bright and aromatic “Blood Orange” spritz, complemented by an Italian-inspired wine selection curated by Scott Thomas (one of only 22 certified Italian Wine Experts worldwide!).
Location: The Current, 3615 Delgany St., Denver, CO
Mar Bella Boqueria (Spanish Cuisine)
Mar Bella Boqueria is inspired by Chef Johnny Curiel’s love for the indulgent but delicate dining scene of Spain, which he experienced while traveling with his wife and business partner, Kasie. This restaurant aims to honor these nostalgic coastal traditions in a Spanish-flavored neo-bistro and wine bar at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club.
The menu will celebrate flavors found along its coastal regions, featuring seafood-forward tapas, house-made preserved seafood, rich spreads, and a selection of dry-aged fish. Guests can enjoy hand-sliced hams, meat and cheese boards, Spanish wines, and creative gin-and-tonic cocktails, among other creatively curated and lovingly cooked bites.
Location: 233 Clayton St., Denver, CO
Mawita/Mawa’s Kitchen (Latin and African Cuisine)
Chef Mawa McQueen debuted two new concepts in her hometown of Aspen in late 2025: the highly anticipated return of her Snowmass restaurant, Mawita, which gets a new home in a dedicated 50-seat space within Mawa’s Kitchen, and an all-new tasting menu experience at Mawa’s Kitchen.
Mawita seeks to serve as a community neighborhood gathering place, welcoming walk-ins at the bar and in the dining room, inviting guests to linger for après-ski in this lively, communal atmosphere.
With a renewed focus on Spanish and Mediterranean tapas and bold Afro-fusion elements, these spots will offer small plates such as plantain bravas, rotisserie chicken yassa—a classic West African dish—truffled grit croquettes, and more, all complemented by a culturally reflective wine list.
Evenings at Mawa’s Kitchen will feature a four-course tasting menu that explores McQueen’s signature Afro-Caribbean-French heritage. The regular à la carte menu enjoyed on breakfast, lunch, and brunch on weekends will remain as is.
Location: 305 Aspen Airport Business Center, Aspen, Colorado
Heretík (Spanish and French Cuisine)
James Beard-nominated Chef Theo Adley of Lyons’ beloved restaurant, Marigold, is bringing culinary traditions from Northeast Spain and Southern France to the Front Range with Heretik, which will celebrate seafood and rotisserie dishes while honoring American-raised heritage poultry.
The menu will consist of hyper-seasonal seafood—and even Chef Adley’s own self-proclaimed “death row meal”—cou-nou heritage chicken, with a heaping plate of fries and a house sauc
Diners can also enjoy a selection of daily rotating oysters, raw fish, shellfish, Spanish-style tortilla with spider crab, scallops, seaweeds, and more—alongside family-owned wines sourced from the Pays Basque and Côte d’Argent regions.
Location: 1441 26th St., Denver, CO
Casa Juani (Spanish Cuisine)
Chefs Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun are set to launch their first solo debut in Boulder with Casa Juani, a restaurant inspired by the flavors of Spain—and a personal tribute to Eduardo’s mother, Juani.
Set to open in February of 2026, this outpost’s 5,340-square-foot dining room aims to reflect the emotions sparked by the couple’s extensive exploration of Spain and their experiences across Spain’s Atlantic, Cantabrian, and Mediterranean seas.
The menu will center on coastal traditions like seafood-driven tapas and Juani’s home-cooking (including savory homestyle braises, stews, and Madrid-style rice dishes). Beyond the seafood bar, the dining room will also offer an intimate chef’s table experience centered around a multi-course tasting menu.
Guests can savor their meal in a setting with a warm design aesthetic, featuring white oak, cozy horseshoe-shaped corner booths, and sophisticated high-top banquettes near the bar, as well as large round tables ideal for gatherings.
Location: 901 Pearl St., Boulder, CO
Fino, at the All Inn Hotel (Mediterranean Cuisine)
What was once a retro 1950s motel has been transformed into a contemporary 54-room boutique hotel outfitted with a Mediterranean-style restaurant. The All Inn Hotel & Fino, a historic landmark on East Colfax Avenue, is returning to Denver’s revitalizing hotel and dining scene in Spring 2026 with a refreshed energy and design from Denver-based developer Brian Toerber.
His investment in the property is aimed at focusing on bringing the community together and welcoming a new generation of travelers. The hotel renovations boast modern amenities while still preserving the nostalgic, signature features, such as exposed rock walls, vertical windows, and, of course, the motel’s iconic sign.
The property’s on-site restaurant and wine garden, Fino, reflects the Mediterranean coast, serving seasonal shared plates alongside a carefully curated wine menu amongst a warm European-style dining atmosphere.
Location: 3015 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO