Cuba Cuba has been “Cubanizing” Denver for over 20 years, and it’s easy to see why. A menu that includes slow-roasted pork shoulder, “mojo” marinated flank steak, and a ton of tapas sounds amazing as-is, but just wait until you taste it. Add some fan-favorite flavored mojitos to the mix and it’s a meal to remember (and that’s an understatement). Plus, relishing in savory meats and flavor-packed Cuban food while supporting a family-owned and Cubana-operated business is always a win-win.

Jose Vilchez Avila is no stranger to epic foods produced by a dedication to simplicity and tradition. Avila, who runs the X’Tabai Yucateco food truck and is also the heart and soul behind El Borrego Negro, the whole-animal barbacoas slow-cooked in an underground fire pit, recently opened La Diabla as part of Avila’s mission to bring the flavors and cooking methods of Mexico City and Hidalgo to Denver.

Chocolate that makes you feel so, so good, for a few reasons. It tastes incredible, it comes from a Latina-owned company, and it’s setting the bar high for sustainable, accessible, and high-quality chocolate. Owner Damaris Ronkanen grew up visiting family in Mexico and enjoying her abuela’s signature champurrado (chocolate atole) and mole sauce, and her experiences shaped her journey through culinary school and opening Cultura.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, owner Lorena Cantarovici built her empanada empire in Denver from scratch. Named for her mother, this spot serves up empanadas of all varieties from generations-old recipes. Stuffed with everything from chorizo and eggs to a caprese-style with tomato, basil, and mozzarella, you’ll want to order at least a dozen at a time.

This small family-owned spot is easy to miss. But if you skip it you’ll be missing out on traditional Salvadoran specialities made right, including pupusas stuffed with queso and chicharron and yuca frita for just a few bucks.

Owner Jorge Aguirre had Denver craving his Columbian specialties served from his original food truck for years before adding a brick and mortar location in 2017. The food truck still operates in the summer (order the lomito sandwich loaded with pork shoulder and smoked ham) but you can score empanadas, arepas, arroz con pollo, and more at the Broadway location anytime.

Federal Boulevard is a destination for a ton of Latin cuisine but this is definitely one of the standouts. The spot from chef/owner Noe Bermudez (who also runs Kahlo’s in Westwood) specializes in Michoacán dishes, including a must-order seven chile mole along with favorites like enchiladas, burritos, and sonoran-style bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

What started as a wholesale empanada business in 2016 from co-owners Francois and Christian Saber and Luis Gomez soon expanded and now has five locations (with more on the way) where you can get their expertly crafted savory pastries made with dough imported from Argentina.

This spot that specializes in making a “square meal” way more special than that sounds is co-owned by chef Dana Rodriguez who also owns nearby sister restaurant Super Mega Bien. Rodriguez grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, eventually training under James Beard Award-winning Denver chef Jennifer Jasinski for a decade before opening this popular spot with co-owner Tony Maciag.

This brewery co-founded by beer industry vet Judd Belstock and fermentation expert Sam Alcaine (who is the son of El Salvadoran and Cuban immigrants) specializes in chicha and pulque, two styles of beer brewed from corn instead of barley. These unique brews are the only ones of their kind in Denver, so if you want to change up your all IPAs all day routine, this is the spot.