A Denver restaurant tops the state
That restaurant is Alma Fonda Fina, a contemporary Mexican spot in Denver’s Highland neighborhood. According to OpenTable, it ranked as Colorado’s favorite restaurant for 2025. The list is built from verified diner reviews.
Alma also landed in OpenTable’s Top 100 restaurants nationwide. That puts it in rare company. The ranking reflects consistency, not a one-time buzz moment. Diners kept coming back.
Why OpenTable rankings matter
OpenTable rankings are based on actual reservations and reviews. They are not editor picks or influencer lists. Diners rate their experiences after eating, not before. That gives the data real weight.
Alma Fonda Fina holds a 4.9-star rating across nearly 900 reviews. Maintaining that level of consistency is difficult. It signals strong food, service, and overall experience. Numbers like that drive national attention.
The chef behind the acclaim
The kitchen is led by Johnny Curiel, who grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. He began working in restaurants at just 14 years old. Alma Fonda Fina is his first solo project. That makes its success even more notable.
Curiel is also known for Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder. His cooking blends traditional Mexican flavors with refined technique. The result feels creative but grounded. Diners notice that balance.
A Michelin Star changed perceptions
Alma Fonda Fina earned a Michelin Guide Star after opening in 2023. Michelin recognition instantly changed how people viewed Denver’s food scene. It signaled that serious dining belonged here.
For Colorado, this was a milestone. Mexican cuisine has long been underrepresented in fine-dining awards. Alma helped close that gap. It showed regional Mexican food can lead at the highest level.
A menu that diners talk about
Guests consistently praise Alma’s creative menu. The camote asado, a roasted sweet potato dish, comes up again and again in reviews. So do scallops prepared as callo de hacha al horno. These are not typical menu items.
The carnitas de pato, a duck confit meant for sharing, is another standout. Diners describe bold flavors without heaviness. Portions encourage sharing. That keeps the meal social and memorable.
Simple dishes still shine
Not everything on the menu is elaborate. Alma also excels at basics done right. Fresh masa tortillas anchor many dishes. Tacos and enmoladas highlight careful sourcing and technique.
Prices remain approachable for a Michelin-recognized restaurant. A taco de asada typically starts at around seven dollars, keeping prices approachable for a Michelin-starred venue. It helps the restaurant feel welcoming, not exclusive.
Drinks match the creativity
The drink menu plays a big role in Alma’s appeal. Cocktails include unexpected options like avocado and sweet corn margaritas. These drinks feel playful but balanced. They pair well with the food.
Mexican spirits and a thoughtful wine list round things out. Guests can explore mezcal or stick with familiar favorites. The bar program complements the kitchen’s creativity. It adds to the overall experience.
An intimate dining room
Alma Fonda Fina is intentionally small. The dining room seats just 28 people. There are also eight seats at the chef’s counter. That intimacy shapes the experience.
From May through September, patio seating expands capacity slightly. Even then, reservations are essential. The small scale keeps service personal. Diners often mention feeling looked after.
How to plan a visit
Reservations are released regularly and tend to fill quickly. Planning ahead is key, especially on weekends. The chef’s counter offers a deeper look into the kitchen’s rhythm. Many guests recommend it.
The Highland location puts Alma near trails and city attractions. It works well as a special-occasion stop. Visitors often plan their Denver trips around it. That speaks to its pull.
Denver’s food scene is growing fast
Denver’s dining reputation is rising nationwide. New restaurants continue to open across the metro area. Culinary curiosity is driving foot traffic. Alma is part of a larger shift.
According to Visit Denver, tourism bookings in 2025 surpassed pre-pandemic highs. Food plays a major role in that growth. Restaurants are now travel motivators.
Food tourism fuels the economy
Tourism spending in Denver reached more than $24 billion recently. Large conventions and events bring in thousands of visitors. Many extend trips for dining experiences. Restaurants benefit directly.
Michelin recognition amplifies that effect. Travelers plan meals before flights. Alma Fonda Fina benefits from this pattern. It turns a dinner into a destination.
For travelers, it offers a reason to stop and stay. For locals, it’s a point of pride. In 2025, Alma stands as Colorado’s most celebrated restaurant. And it earned that spot.
A local favorite with national reach
Being Colorado’s top restaurant does more than boost reservations. It changes perception. Alma Fonda Fina puts Denver on the national dining map. That matters for the city’s identity.
Locals take pride in the recognition. Visitors leave with new expectations. Word of mouth spreads fast. The ripple effect reaches beyond one dining room.
Recognition has significantly increased reservation lead times, with many guests now booking up to eight weeks in advance, as food-focused travelers increasingly include Denver in their itineraries.
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Why Mexican cuisine stands out
Beyond Alma Fonda Fina, Denver boasts a vibrant culinary landscape featuring numerous highly-rated and Michelin-recognized establishments such as the two-Michelin-star The Wolf’s Tailor, the upscale Italian dining at Tavernetta Denver, and the acclaimed Japanese cuisine at Sushi Den.
Other top food spots include Annette (winner of a James Beard award) for American scratch-to-table dining, the contemporary Chinese flavors at Hop Alley, and the ethical, retro-vibe A5 Steakhouse.
For those seeking different experiences, options range from the lively atmosphere and authentic Mexican street food at Mezcaleria Alma to the unique, all-you-can-eat style at Casa Bonita, which has improved its menu under a James Beard-nominated chef.
Have you dined at Alma Fonda Fina or tried Denver’s Mexican food scene? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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