
From vegan carnitas to Horchata Lattes.
Welcome to Hispanic Heritage Month, a full 30 days of celebrating the diverse and eclectic range of Hispanic culture from all countries. With Denver being a transplant city, there’s a big array of people who live in the city, and Hispanics make up 22% of the metro area’s population. That means there are a ton of unique businesses in Denver that are Hispanic-owned, and that’s what we wanted to highlight today. While this list only covers a small portion of all of the Latin-owned businesses in the city, there are so many more that we weren’t able to cover, and we encourage you to dig around in your own neighborhood for more. With that being said, here are 10 Latin-owned businesses you can support and enjoy here in Denver.
1. Cervecería Colorado
This Mexican-inspired brewery is all about building bridges and celebrating comunidad with their excellent tasting, Mexican-inspired beer. From Mexican lagers to Churro stouts, and even a Cocolimon Coconut Lime Sour, they’ve got a little something for every kind of beer lover out there. They often promote inclusivity, diversity, and other social causes with their beer releases and events. Most recently, they hosted the Great Mexican Beer Fiesta, a homage to Mexican influences in food and beer, and will likely have some upcoming holiday events you can attend.
Where: 1635 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
2. Lala’s Bakery
We’ve featured Lala’s before, and we’re here to do it again because they are just that good. Lala’s is a local, Latina-owned small bakery, creating beautifully decorated cakes, pastries, and more. Their origin came from the sad end of a local favorite, the Market, which closed permanently during the Pandemic. Three former workers came together with a brand new worker to keep the magic of the Market going and to bring a little joy back to the community. At Lala’s, they have an entire menu of their own cake creations (make sure to order ahead of time) like Chocolate Raspberry, Mango Cream, or Double Chocolate, and do custom cake orders as well.
Where: 5604 Kendall Ct. Denver, CO 80206
3. Raíces Brewing
Raíces is a Latin-owned brewery that has a rotating selection of award-winning beers, different types of Latin American food, and unique cultural events. It serves to be a learning source for all things Latin-culture, food & beer for Latinxs and non-Latinxs alike, and has become a mainstay in the Denver community through its various festivals and collaborations, like the upcoming Suave Fest and their new collab with the highly anticipated Meow Wolf. One of their most unique offers is their Cafecito, a specialty coffee blond ale that brings together coffee from an Indigenous Woman-owned Guatemalan fair trade farm and Raíces own blonde ale.
Where: 2060 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
4. X’tabai Yucateco
Another amazing stop we’ve talked about before, welcome to X’tabai Yucateco, Denver’s premier Mayan-food truck, named after female demon from Mayan mythology. Order tacos, costras (protein wrapped in a cheesy crust), or panuchos (a housemade corn tortilla stuffed with beans and a protein of your choice) and enjoy a little taste of ancient mayan culture.
Where: Location Calendar
5. Cabrona Coffee
Cabrona Coffee is a specialty coffee shop creating craft drinks with Mexican-inspired ingredients. The owner , Monica Villalobos says, they intend to “incorporate women throughout the supply chain.” By giving jobs to women producers, roasters, and farmers, they’re providing real opportunities to women in the industry. Some of their speciality coffees include Cafe de Olla, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Horchata Lattes.
Where: Inside Cultura Chocolate at 3742 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219
6. Cultura Chocolate
Cultura Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate making company here in Denver that also puts on a multitude of different cultural events in the community that support Hispanic culture. In partnership with Hecho en Westwood Collective, they put on culturally relevant. community based events that inspire, engage, and educate. Because of this, there’s also something going on in the area, like this year’s workshop creating Amaranth Skulls out of grains and the first annual Mikailhuitl Festival in Westwood that celebrates the original dates of Day of the Dead. We’d highly recommend keeping up with their Instagram to catch all the latest and greatest events coming your way.
Where: 3742 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219
7. Museo de Las Americas
Denver’s premiere Latin American museum is a great place to stop for an emphasis on art and education. There’s a ton of exhibits, old and new, going on at all times, and we’d recommend keeping up with them on Instagram to see the latest of what there is to do.
Where: 861 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204
8. Cholo Ass Vegan
David Alires, the owner of Cholo Ass Vegan is creating authentic and delicious Mexican food that you wouldn’t even know was vegan unless you were told. But Cholo Ass Vegan is 100% vegan. From fiery elote to soy pollo tacos, carne asada tacos, and even tacos al pastor, you can get everything you’re Mexican cuisine-loving soul wants without the animal products.
Where: Inside Cultura Chocolate at 3742 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219
9. Cafe Cruzano
Cafe Cruzano is creating the highest quality, ethically sourced roasts from Veracruz, Mexico. They work with other regional farmers in their community, which produces their coffee in high altitudes over 3000ft and is grown in volcanic soil. They’re specialized in three different roasts, light, medium, and dark so coffee lovers can experience each type to get the whole experience or tailor their beans to their taste. You can order from then online here.
10. Work & Class
Work & Class’ name reflects the nature of its two owners, Tony Maciag, a Detroit native and Dana Rodriguez, who grew up on a farm in Chihuahua, Mexico, and their menu aims to reflect this ethos as well with full meals and fair prices. The food itself combines American and Latin flavors with items like Green Chile Pork Carnitas, Blue Corn Empanadas, French Onion Braised Brisket, and Loca’s Carrot Cake as a dessert option.
Where: 2500 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
11. Cantina Loca
Denver’s latest in a string of new Mexican restaurants is Cantina Loca, where Mexican street food is taken to new heights by the owner, Dana Rodriguez. The past chef at Work & Class, she also has her own line of Mezcal which you can try at Cantina Loca, plus she’s the executive chef behind the improved food of the new Casa Bonita, which should be unveiled by next year, fingers crossed.
[featured image by cabrona coffee via instagram]