Best New Restaurants 2012

Our food scene has never been more vibrant, and with global street eats, Scandinavian-inspired cuisine, and modern comfort food, it’s a thrilling time to be a foodie in the Mile High City. Book a table at one of these eight newcomers—and taste the future of Denver dining.

CafeBar

Trend: Comfort food, pierogi

Every neighborhood needs a corner spot where you can grab a solid burger and a good salad—and all the better if that place is appealing for date night or an evening out with the kids. Situated on the corner of Pennsylvania Street and Alameda Avenue, CafeBar reads its West Washington Park residents perfectly, and, based on the crowded dining room and bar, it’s found its niche. Come here for the juicy bison burger stacked on soft brioche and dressed up with grilled onions and heavenly molasses-glazed bacon. If you’re in the mood for something a little more refined, try the sliced duck breast or lamb T-bones with smoked tomatoes and roasted leeks. Either way, chef Eric Rivera’s nuanced menu of comfort classics fits the occasion. The space—upscale without being uppity, sleek without being rigid—feels just right, and come patio season, the tucked-away courtyard will be one of the best in the city. At just seven months old, CafeBar is already so knit into the fabric of the neighborhood, it makes you wonder what residents did before the doors opened. 295 S. Pennsylvania St., 303-362-0227, cafebarcolorado.com

■ Opened: September 2011

■ Order this: Hazel Dell Mushroom pierogi, Brussels sprouts salad, bison burger