The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
Yes, Denver is experiencing a bit of a restaurant boom right now, but guess what? So are the ‘burbs. In the northwest cities of Westminster, Lafayette, and Broomfield, sexy steakhouses, cool breweries, and niche eateries are opening—and these new spots also come with a side of ample, free parking, so take that RiNo! Here, nine new restaurants—all of which have debuted in the past six months—where you can get everything from ultra-crispy Korean fried chicken to Detroit-style pizza to buckets of sweet potato fries.
Ghost Box Pizza
Give the people what they want—and the people always want pizza. Ghost Box Pizza began as a ghost kitchen concept out of Acreage by Stem Ciders during the height of the pandemic, but the cheesy-crusted pies were so beloved that Ghost Box opened its own brick-and-mortar in downtown Lafayette. Besides the fan-favorite Detroit-style pizzas, Ghost Box also serves a good range of hoagies, salads, and wood-fired ’za. 103 S. Public Rd., Lafayette
Windfall Brewing Co.
Part brewery, part restaurant, and part arcade, Windfall Brewing Co. wants to be Westminster’s go-to for good times. On the menu: a wide range of beers, seriously good burgers, and vintage pinball. Oh, and there’s funnel cake, because when was the last time you ate a funnel cake while playing vintage pinball? 14694 Orchard Pkwy Ste 400, Westminster
Mono Mono Korean Fried Chicken
Fried chicken connoisseurs know that there’s something different about the Korean version, which includes a lighter, snappier crust—and Mono Mono Korean Fried Chicken has it down. One of the best spots in the state for KFC opened a third outpost in Lafayette in early 2022, and fried-bird lovers have been flocking to it for seasoned-to-order wings, spicy sandwiches, and sauced (or not) fried chicken poppers and drumsticks. 599 Crossing Dr., Lafayette
Westbound & Down Mill
Westbound & Down Mill opened at the end of 2021 with a menu focused on two very crowd-pleasing things: beer and pizza. While the award-winning beers might initially get you through the door (including 18 on tap), the beer-infused, sourdough-crusted pizzas, with toppings like green chile sausage, Castelvetrano olives, and romesco sauce, are what will keep you coming back. 2755 Dagny Way Ste. 101, Lafayette; 303-593-0120
Chicken Rebel
Spicy chicken sandwiches are having a moment, and now Westminster’s moment involves a drive-thru. Chicken Rebel, the former food truck known for its towering chicken sandwiches, just opened its second brick-and-mortar joint off Highway 36 with a takeout window so you can secure your bird without having to leave the comfort of your Subaru. All the chicken sandies, including the popular Rancher loaded up with bacon, avocado, and buttermilk ranch, are sous vide for an extra tender, juicy bite. 10448 Town Center Dr., Westminster
Donutsville Bakery & Cafe
At two-month-old Donutsville Bakery & Cafe off Sheridan Boulevard—which also has a drive-thru—you can order all the best breakfast fare: glossy cake and yeasted doughnuts in more than a dozen flavors, hearty croissant and bagel sammies, and an assortment of coffees, boba teas, and smoothies. Want the best of both doughnut worlds? Try the Double Decker, a glazed beauty with a chocolate cake topping. 5191 W. 112th Ave., Ste. 700, Westminster
La Distileria
Delvickio’s Italian is now La Distileria Latin cuisine, and the food is a little more personal for the former Delvickio’s co-owner, who wanted to bring the flavors he grew up eating in Mexico City to Broomfield. The expansive menu ranges from the indulgent quesabirria (the love child of birria tacos and a quesadilla) to fresh shrimp mango ceviche to lesser-known dishes like the chuletas, seared pork chops stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and onions. Wash it all down with mezcal and tequila flights. 1100 Hwy. 287, Broomfield
Tap & Burger Westminster
Built around the eternally right equation of beer plus burgers equals delicious things, Tap & Burger delivers on its name. There are taps, and there are burgers. There are also buckets of fries, sweet potato tots, and onion rings. So maybe they should change the name to Tap & Burger & Buckets, but for now it’s just Tap & Burger, which is now open in the downtown Westminster development. 8810 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
Law’s Chophouse
For an amped-up steakhouse experience, check out Law’s Chophouse in the Orchard Town Center development. The sides menu alone is 13 dishes deep, with truffled mac and cheese, creamy goat cheese grits, and roasted fingerling potatoes—and the meat and seafood entrées are almost equally varied. Throw in some wine and craft cocktails and this is the spot to go when you’re feeling fancy on a Wednesday night. 14694 Orchard Pkwy, Westminster
Read More About New Restaurants
15 New Bars and Restaurants Heating Up the Denver Metro Area Dining Scene
