The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Hey, did I just hear about another new food hall?” the answer is yes. There are a lot of new and forthcoming food halls in and around Denver right now, and the latest to debut is the Edgewater Public Market.
The cavernous space is gritty and industrial, with exposed ceiling beams, wires, and ducts galore. Upstairs, a rooftop patio offers amazing city views, fire pits to keep you warm, and cocktails served from an Airstream trailer (also to keep you warm).
That's only $1 per issue!
Edgewater Public Market will soon be home to a few other food concepts, a brewery, and retail shops, but here’s what’s open now:
Barbed Wire Reef: The popular food-truck-turned-restaurant makes burgers, brats, and sandwiches using wild game (kangaroo! boar! rattlesnake!) and seafood. It may not be the most exotic offering, but don’t sleep on the ahi tuna sandwich.
Carnivore: Apparently the Barbed Wire Reef team had more meat than they knew what to do with, so they opened Carnivore, too, using those same wild proteins in tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas.
Moontime Crepes: So many crepes. From goat cheese, bacon, and cilantro-avocado-sauce-filled savory wraps to a banana-and-Nutella-rific take on a s’more crepe, there’s a lot coming off this griddle.
Konjo Ethiopian: You get your money’s worth with the piled-on platters from this stall. Sop up the veggie combo—with berbere spiced lentils, garlicky yellow split peas, and curried cabbage—with lacy injera flatbread.
Slideshow Sliders: The Longmont-based food truck’s spin on sliders includes a pulled pork, pineapple, and Hawaiian barbecue sauce version on a sweet potato bun, as well as pimento cheese and bacon iteration on a smashed beef patty.
Arepas House: Yes, there are arepas, but there are also patacones—shredded meat, veggie, and sauce-filled sandwiches nestled between two fried plantains.
Mac Shack: This stall was buzzing when we visited, because, well, it’s mac and cheese. Top your bowl off with lobster, bacon, green chiles, or be a traditionalist and stick with the classic five-cheese blend.
Rock N’ Lobster Roll: The value-priced shellfish truck brings its lobster rolls, mac and cheese, tacos, and grilled cheese to a stall at Edgewater. Considering lobster rolls have been selling for upwards of $30 elsewhere around town, the $16.99 price tag here looks pretty good.
Gyros King: Of course pork and beef gyros are the star at this counter, but don’t overlook the freshly-made hummus and spinach pie.
Lucky Bird: Grab hand-breaded tenders or a spicy chicken sandwich slathered with gochujang butter at the popular truck’s first permanent location.
Tilford’s Wood Fired Pizza: It takes just 90 seconds in the 900-degree brick oven to crisp up pies topped with prosciutto, sun dried tomatoes, pulled pork, pepperoni, and a slew of other top-notch toppings.
Happy Cones: This New Zealand-style ice cream stand blends fruit (berries, banana, pineapple) with a creamy base. It all gets whipped up in their blending machine, brought over from—you guessed it—New Zealand. The result is a swirly, colorful cone that’s 2/3 ice cream and 1/3 fruit.
Lazo Empanadas: Get legit Argentinian empanadas (they import the dough) in flavors like spicy chicken, caprese, and mushroom. Don’t miss the caramel-cream cheese-peach empanada for dessert.
Amethyst Coffee: The fourth outpost of the barista-owned-and-operated shop will get you going in the morning. (And keep you going throughout the day.)
Roger’s Liquid Oasis: The owners of Curio Bar and Brass Tacks bring a classic cocktail menu (think: palomas, mojitos, Negronis) to both the long ground-level bar and rooftop terrace. Be sure to check out the daily specials, like $6 Bloody Marys for Sunday brunch and happy hour prices all-day Monday.
If you go: Edgewater Public Market is open from 8 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater