Interested in discovering the freshest new spots downtown? From a build-your-own sushi joint to an upscale lounge, read on to see the newest spots to make their debut in this area of Denver.
What The Pho
1600 Champa St., Suite 110
What The Pho is a Vietnamese spot, offering phở, vermicelli noodle bowls, steamed rice platters, fried rice platters and more.
What The Pho currently holds 4.5 stars out of 15 reviews on Yelp, indicating that it's been well received by local diners.
Selene L., who reviewed it on June 9, noted, "Best phở in downtown Denver, by far! So glad to have a reliable place to go to nearby now. The beef is delicious and so tender. Very flavorful broth."
Yelper Christine P. wrote, "The phở was very good. I would have preferred a bit more beef flavor and a bit less salt, but that's personal taste. The serving size was substantial — I ordered the medium and only managed to eat half the bowl."
What The Pho is open from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)
Courier Market Bar Kitchen
1750 Welton St.
Courier Market Bar Kitchen is an upscale New American restaurant and cocktail bar that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Its dinner menu includes ancient grain paella with chorizo scallops, chicken and shrimp; spring risotto with peas, mushrooms and peppers; and smoked duck a l'orange with orange saison glaze and forbidden fried rice. (Check out the breakfast menu here and the lunch menu here.)
Cocktails from the bar include The Daily (gin, lavender and grapefruit) and the Local Edition (bourbon, absinthe and Peychaud's bitters), among others. (See the happy hour menu here.)
Courier Market Bar Kitchen's current Yelp rating of five stars out of three reviews indicates positive attention from diners, who seem to be embracing the new spot.
Yelper Kevin N. wrote, "Fantastic restaurant. Great food. Amazing service. They have a proper restaurant if you want to sit down and relax, or a market bar if you just need to grab something to go. Both have great food options."
Kelly O. noted, "Guys, this place is such an amazing hidden gem. Every single dish we had here was outstanding and so original. The scallop ceviche and the risotto were incredible."
Courier Market Bar Kitchen is open from 6 a.m.–11 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 6 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Motomaki
500 16th St., Unit 184C
Motomaki is a fast-casual Japanese spot that serves up sushi, poke bowls and more.
The new location is inside the Denver Pavilions Mall, and is the growing chain's third location after the ones in Boulder and Lakewood.
It allows you to choose from preconceived sushi rolls and poke bowls, or to build your own. Its menu items include the Kalbi (Korean-style shredded beef, kimchi, cucumber, sesame bean sprouts, avocado and jalapeño dressing), the Hawaiian Salmon Poke (bacon, grilled asparagus, avocado, cucumber, crispy onions, moto slaw and Sriracha aioli) and the Banh Mi (five-spice pork, pickled daikon, pickled carrots, kimchi, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño dressing). (See the full menu here.)
With a four-star Yelp rating out of 28 reviews on Yelp, Motomaki has been getting positive attention from the community.
Yelper Moana L., who reviewed the new spot on May 5, wrote, "What I love about this location is that they are consistent with portion size, and the staff is so welcoming! Everyone knows the food is bomb, but the staff is awesome at this location too!"
Yelper Shawn L. wrote, "I had never had Motomaki before and had several questions that the cashiers were able to help me navigate through... loved every bite of what we got and would definitely go back!"
Motomaki is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Tony Roma's
1480 Arapahoe St.
Tony Roma's is an international American chain that's known for its steaks and barbecue ribs. It pulled out of the Denver market a number of years ago, but is back in town. This is the second location to open in the city.
Menu items include baby back ribs and various cuts of steak. You can also get seafood like the Chilean salmon with garlic butter, garlic green beans and saffron and kale rice, chicken (such as "Not Your Mom's" fried chicken) or burgers. (Check out the full menu here.)
Yelpers are generally positive about Tony Roma's, which currently holds four stars out of 15 reviews on the site.
Jason M., who reviewed the restaurant on March 3, wrote, "Got the $12 lunch special. The mac and cheese was so good. I also got the potato soup and cheeseburger sliders. Amazing."
Tanner P. noted, "Very rib and steak heavy, which is what Tony Roma's is known for. The fillet medallions were impressive when compared to the price — truly, I was impressed. The flavor was so enjoyable."
Tony Roma's is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sip
891 14th St., Suite 110
Sip is a restaurant and lounge that serves up tapas, charcuterie platters, salads and traditional American entrees.
You can snag a chef's board of meat and cheese, or order up some pork belly tacos (with hoisin glaze, Fresno peppers, cilantro and miso coleslaw); a pan-seared duck salad with goat cheese, strawberries and candied pecans; or the hanger steak with red wine reduction and purple potato mash. (See the full menu here.)
There's also a dedicated weekend brunch menu if you want to hit it up earlier in the day. (See that full menu here.)
Sip's current rating of 4.5 stars out of 20 reviews on Yelp indicates positive feedback.
Yelper Ashley Noelle A., who reviewed the newcomer on April 4, wrote, "Sip is Denver's newest place to be! The atmosphere is inviting and warm! Everything about this spot screams Colorado, from the Aspen tree-themed straws to the handmade tree trunk tables!"
Jennifer B. noted, "Sat at the bar and enjoyed some rose and a charcuterie plate. The highlight of the visit was the charcuterie — wow! An excellent variety of meat, cheese and all the accoutrements."
Sip is open from 3 p.m.–midnight on weekdays and 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3 p.m.–midnight on weekends.
