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.

Linger

Trend: Global street food, small plates

Chef-owner Justin Cucci first made his mark on Denver’s dining scene with the perennially cool Root Down. And now, all it takes is a spin through Linger to see that Cucci has—once again—created the hottest restaurant of the year. It all works: Linger sits like a beacon in the booming LoHi neighborhood. The vast windows and rooftop patio (soon to be festooned with a food truck—yes, really) put the city skyline and the mountains on display. And what was the Olinger Mortuary’s parking garage and offices is now outfitted with retro-cool wallpapers, swirling booths, and multiple levels that showcase the beautiful, cocktail-sipping crowd.

Ever one to push diners, Cucci opened Linger without a single entrée on the menu. Instead, there are two pages of globally inspired small plates where the familiar (sliders, pad thai, ceviche) mash up against the less so (goi Bo, kofte, bhel puri, dosa). All are passed through a global sieve to excellent result. Rely on the army of servers to explain, recommend, and create a thrilling meal. 2030 W. 30th Ave., 303-993-3120, lingerdenver.com

■ Opened: June 2011

■ Order this: Masala dosa, Mongolian barbecue duck buns, carrot and lentil kofte