Cuban in Denver

248 Detroit St., Denver Cherry Creek

The Culinary Creative Group is a powerhouse in the local dining scene, and in 2021, it got into the bar game with Forget Me Not, creating a buzzy vibe in a neighborhood that’s not really known for nightlife. Ay Papi, which opened in June 2023, upped the game even more for Cherry Creek with its Latin-inspired atmosphere, rum-heavy drink list and bites like ceviche and Cuban sandwiches.

Canopy Grill

2770 Arapahoe, Lafayette Boulder

303-666-1130

Caribbean, Cuban, Recommended

The Canopy Grill has an open and airy tropical theme, including paper lanterns and hanging umbrellas, and wants patrons to feel like they're eating and drinking on the beach or in their own back yards. The cuisine is tropical, with many variations on both. Lunch and dinner are available daily. The sweet and gooey desserts are a treat.

1 article

Cuba Bakery & Cafe

15028 E Mississippi Ave. Aurora

303-752-2822

Cuban, Bakery, Essentials

Orlando Colombe opened this bright and welcoming strip-mall spot in 2013 after moving to Colorado from Florida for a change of pace. The often-packed casual eatery serves a wide variety of sweets and a lineup of sandwiches, such as a traditional Cuban and pan con lechon. But it also serves seriously impressive slow-cooked entrees such as ropa vieja, picadillo and tender pork ribs, along with daily specials like the Saturday-only marinated oxtail.

3 articles

Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar

1173 Delaware St., Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

303-605-2822

Cuban, Latin American, Recommended, Best Of, Readers' Choice

Kristy Socarras Bigelow, who opened Cuba Cuba in the heart of the Golden Triangle in 2001, is a poster child for the American Dream. A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college and who had little restaurant experience, she decided to create a Cuban-influenced eatery in two little conjoined Victorian houses. Socarras Bigelow has since opened several fast-casual spinoffs, but the original still charms with its tiny but friendly bar that specializes in mojitos and a fabulous shaded patio.

27 articles

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

654 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver Glendale

303-758-1167

Cuban, Sandwiches, Best Of, Slideshow

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria, which opened in late summer 2013 in Glendale’s CitySet complex, is the next chapter in Kristy Socarras Bigelow’s success story. She could be a poster child for the American Dream: A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college -- “Cuban moms are strict,” she explains -- and who had little restaurant experience, she opened Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar in the Golden Triangle in 2001, and it quickly became a hot spot. By the time fast-casual sandwich-shop spinoff Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria came to Glendale, Socarras Bigelow had a new partner, a restaurant-industry veteran who saw big potential in the concept. “Every neighborhood needs Cuban cuisine," says Socarras Bigelow. We couldn't agree more.

6 articles

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

8261 E. Northfield Blvd. North Denver

720-389-5221

Cuban, Sandwiches

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria, which opened in late summer 2013 in Glendale’s CitySet complex, is the next chapter in Kristy Socarras Bigelow’s success story. She could be a poster child for the American Dream: A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college -- “Cuban moms are strict,” she explains -- and who had little restaurant experience, she opened Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar in the Golden Triangle in 2001, and it quickly became a hot spot. By the time fast-casual sandwich-shop spinoff Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria came to Glendale, DTC and Northfield, Socarras Bigelow had a new partner, a restaurant-industry veteran who saw big potential in the concept. “Every neighborhood needs Cuban cuisine," says Socarras Bigelow. We couldn't agree more.

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

9567 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch Southeast Denver

303-791-2511

Cuban, Sandwiches

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria, which opened in late summer 2013 in Glendale’s CitySet complex, is the next chapter in Kristy Socarras Bigelow’s success story. She could be a poster child for the American Dream: A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college -- “Cuban moms are strict,” she explains -- and who had little restaurant experience, she opened Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar in the Golden Triangle in 2001, and it quickly became a hot spot. By the time fast-casual sandwich-shop spinoff Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria came to Glendale, DTC, Northfield an Highlands Ranch, Socarras Bigelow had a new partner, a restaurant-industry veteran who saw big potential in the concept. “Every neighborhood needs Cuban cuisine," says Socarras Bigelow. We couldn't agree more.

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria

5322 DTC Blvd. Southeast Denver Suburbs

303-741-4634

Cuban, Sandwiches

Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria, which opened in late summer 2013 in Glendale’s CitySet complex, is the next chapter in Kristy Socarras Bigelow’s success story. She could be a poster child for the American Dream: A Cuban-American from Miami whose family didn’t allow her to go to college -- “Cuban moms are strict,” she explains -- and who had little restaurant experience, she opened Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar in the Golden Triangle in 2001, and it quickly became a hot spot. By the time fast-casual sandwich-shop spinoff Cuba Cuba Sandwicheria came to Glendale and Denver Tech Center, Socarras Bigelow had a new partner, a restaurant-industry veteran who saw big potential in the concept. “Every neighborhood needs Cuban cuisine," says Socarras Bigelow. We couldn't agree more.

El Bohio Criollo

2080 Youngfield St., Golden Northwest Denver Suburbs

720-840-0342

Cuban

5 articles

La Guarida Cubana

5922 E. Colfax Ave. East Denver

720-328-6521

African, Afro-Cuban, Cuban, Latin, Latin American, Recommended, Slideshow

La Guarida Cubana opened in the summer of 2012 on a stretch of East Colfax known more for McDonald’s and pot shops than good food. But Lissette and Enrique Rosell, who run this no-frills mom-and-pop joint, are definitely serving good food, authentic Cuban fare that’s made with love, Lissette says. Although the names may not be traditional (coffee and milk rather than café con leche; rice with chicken instead of arroz con pollo), the tastes definitely are. Standouts include the Cuban and Midnight sandwiches and the No. 2 combo plate, featuring “lechon asado,” which also comes with the best sides: moro rice and maduros, soft slices of sweet plantains that are fried until dark brown on the edges, sugars transformed into caramelesque chewiness. Although there are a few misses on the menu (and no tres leches cake at all!), there’s a lot to love here.

3 articles

Cuban in Denver

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