The New Wave of Mexican Cuisine in Denver and the Restaurants Leading the Movement

Denver’s culinary landscape has been quietly — and then suddenly — transformed over the last few years, with upscale Mexican cuisine taking center stage. What we’re seeing now goes far beyond tacos and margaritas (though we still love those). Today’s standout restaurants are honoring Mesoamerican ingredients, ancestral cooking techniques, and regional traditions, while presenting them in thoughtful, elevated ways that feel both modern and deeply rooted.

Denverites have always embraced Mexican food. A long list of beloved spots — from La Calle to El Taco de Mexico (which opened in 1985) — proves that point. For years, when friends from out of town asked where to experience “elevated” Mexican flavors in Denver, I’d point them to longtime institutions like La Loma, known for dishes that feel inseparable from Colorado’s food identity, including their iconic pork green chile.

But something has shifted.

Today, there are at least half a dozen newer Mexican restaurants that come to mind before those legacy spots — not because the old favorites aren’t great, but because the conversation has expanded.

So what changed?

You can’t talk about the evolution of Mexican cuisine in Denver without talking about Chef Dana Rodriguez, a six-time James Beard nominee who opened Work & Class back in 2014. Originally from Chihuahua, Dana infused Denver’s dining scene with flavors and techniques drawn from her Mexican roots — even if Work & Class itself isn’t strictly a Mexican restaurant. Dana has opened multiple successful concepts across the city, from Super Mega Bien to Carne. For me, her most distinctly Mexican (and favorite) concept was Cantina Loca, which opened in the Highlands in 2022 and, sadly, closed in 2024. But while Cantina Loca is gone, Chef Dana Rodriguez's imprint on the local Mexican dining scene is unmistakable.

Perhaps the tide really began to turn in 2021 — a year before the opening of Cantina Loca. That summer, James Beard–recognized Chef José Avila opened the buzzworthy RiNo hotspot La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, introducing downtown Denver to some of the city’s best pozole, trompo-roasted tacos, and an exceptional mezcal program. The restaurant was named Denver’s Best New Restaurant by The Denver Post that year and later earned a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand, further cementing its place as a defining force in the city’s Mexican dining evolution. Longtime Denverites may actually remember Chef Avila from his legendary Sunday barbacoa pop-ups, where he served authentic barbacoa de borrego — whole lamb slow-cooked overnight in an underground pit — on the side of the road. In 2025, he actually brought the El Borrego Negro concept downtown, hosting weekend pop-ups next door to La Diabla that quickly became must-visit experiences in their own right — and were, quite simply, phenomenal.

Things only grew in 2022. That year brought the opening of Lucina Eatery & Bar in Park Hill — a James Beard–recognized Latin concept from Chefs Erasmo (“Ras”) Casiano and Diego Coconati. Lucina helped move the conversation forward by spotlighting traditional techniques like maize nixtamalization, reminding diners that Mexican cuisine is built on centuries-old culinary science and craftsmanship.

2022 also marked the rise of two Mexican food trucks that would soon become household names: Kike’s Red Tacos, founded by the González family, and Luchador, from Chef Zuri Resendiz. Both have since opened successful brick-and-mortar locations — Kike’s in the Highlands and Luchador in Whittier. Honestly, I’m not sure half my friends even knew what birria was until Kike’s introduced it to the broader Denver dining crowd.

Then came the moment that pushed Denver firmly into the national spotlight.

In late 2023, Alma Fonda Fina opened, led by Chef Johnny Curiel and his wife and business partner Kasie Curiel. Within a year, Alma earned a coveted Michelin star and was named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America, instantly propelling both Johnny — and Denver — into the upper tiers of the national food conversation. Their momentum didn’t stop there. Within a year of Alma’s debut — in 2024 — the Curiels opened Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder, followed by Mezcaleria Alma, a moody, Mexico City–inspired mezcal bar located next door to the original. Today, Cozobi Fonda Fina has a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition and Mezcaleria Alma boasts a Michelin star and a mention by the New York Times as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America.

2024 also saw the debut of Xiquita in Uptown Denver, a standout concept from Chefs Erasmo (“Ras”) Casiano of the aforementioned Lucina and Chef Rene Gonzalez Mendez. Highlighting authentic, Mexico City-inspired cuisine with a focus on ancestral ingredients and traditional nixtamalization, it earned recognition from Bon Appétit as one of the top U.S. openings of 2024. In my opinion, their food deserves its own Michelin star.

Then in 2025, Chef Johnny Curiel and his team opened Alteño in Cherry Creek, a more expansive expression of his culinary vision — one that revisits beloved dishes from his earlier restaurants while giving them room to breathe in a larger, more refined setting. Recognition came swiftly with a Michelin mention. Also last year, Chef José Avila of La Diabla continued to broaden his footprint in the city with the opening of Malinche Audiobar on Platte Street just outside downtown — a vibrant, mezcal-forward concept that was met with strong early reviews.

This year promises yet another Mexican concept from now two-Michelin-starred Chef Johnny Curiel and his wife, Kasie — with Maize planned for Spring 2026 as an intimate space seating 8 people at one time for a Mexican tasting menu.

I think it's clear that Mexican cuisine is no longer just part of Denver’s dining scene; it’s actively shaping Colorado cuisine today. These restaurants reflect the city's growing appreciation for authentic, regionally inspired, and thoughtfully elevated Mexican dining — each contributing something unique to the city’s culinary tapestry.

So with that, here are my current 8 favorite Mexican restaurants in Denver, in order of opening (not preference):

• Savina's Mexican Kitchen, formerly La Loma (across the street from The Brown Palace downtown): This is technically the direct descendent of the original La Loma, having moved in 2016 from the Highland neighborhood where it operated for more than 40 years. The various La Loma locations got split up in a messy divorce — and this one has the best atmosphere, food, and service — but owner William Brinkerhoff lost the rights to the name in 2025. Therefore, it's now called Savina's (to honor Savina Mendoza, the original founder of La Loma and inventor of many of its legendary recipes, including the green chile). For traditional, old-school Denver vibes and ranchero-style Mexican cuisine — this place is still the best. Don't miss the mini rellenos with a side of green chile or the mesquite-grilled fajitas!

• La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal (2233 Larimer St, RiNo): this buzzworthy little spot makes for the perfect casual date night with their dim lighting, moody vibes, and great music. The pozole (traditional Mexican soup) is obviously the highlight, but don't forget to check their instagram for when they might be putting some specials on the trompo (rotating taco spit). The mezcal selection is, of course, also notable (considering it's part of the name).

• Alma Fonda Fina / Mezcaleria Alma (2550 and 2556 15th St, LoHi): I'm grouping these Michelin-starred concepts from Chef Johnny Curiel together, as they're next door to each other and both excellent. Alma is the original — in a brigher, airier, somewhat-bigger space that can accommodate a few tables of four; Mezcaleria occupies a smaller, moodier, bar-dominated space that's more fitting for an outing for two. The menus are distinctly unique, but both clearly concepts of the same brilliant team — and both are worth trying at some point during your time in Denver. The only down side? To get a table at either spot, you need to be online on OpenTable at 8am, 60 days in advance of when you want a reservation — or you're SOL. In that case, I might try to get a spot at the bigger Alteño in Cherry Creek, which is also fantastic and features some of the dishes from the first two concepts.

• Luchador (2030 E 28th Ave): former popular food truck turned vibrant, lucha libre-inspired brick-and-mortar location in Whittier, this spot is a local favorite. Must-tries include everything from ribeye and pulpo al pastor tacos, to birria ramen, to slow-cooked beef cheek, to whole branzino a la talla.

• Xiquita (500 E 19th Ave, Uptown): pronounced “Chiquita,” this spot pays homage to ancient Mexican culinary traditions in an elegant, modern space. Their mole madre is, without question, my favorite mole in the city — and their beef tongue sope is also a can't-miss. Don't miss the taco happy hour with in-house made traditional corn tortillas.

• El Borrego Negro (alley behind La Diabla, 2233 Larimer St, RiNo): I keep expecting this weekend pop-up to shutter in winter, but it's going strong! It's open weekends 8am-3pm, so come here for breakfast/lunch (and just walk through the alley). Bring friends, because you can order pork or lamb barbacoa by the pound, and it will come with all the sides. Don't miss the rabbit tacos either!

• Special Mention: Riot BBQ (2180 S Delaware): This is a special mention because it's not exactly Mexican, but rather a fusion of Texas-style and Northern Mexican BBQ — from Top Chef alum Chef Manny Barella. The pork ribs al pastor are a must try.