In its third and latest annual awards ceremony since the prestigious Michelin Guide began evaluating Colorado, big winners were announced, and the state reached new heights with its first restaurant to earn Two Michelin Stars. Three new One Michelin Star awards were given. One restaurant was added to the Bib Gourmand list. Michelin added three new Recommended Restaurants and gave out four special awards.
“We are incredibly proud to see Colorado’s culinary scene continue to thrive and gain prestigious recognition through the Michelin Guide,” said Timothy Wolfe, Colorado Tourism Office director in a press release. “These honorees not only highlight the exceptional talent and creativity of our chefs and restaurateurs, but they draw out-of-state and international visitors to experience our vibrant food scene and support a strong tourism industry statewide.”
“Our favorite restaurants are the heart of our communities and important job creators and this celebration will strengthen the entire restaurant industry,” added Governor Jared Polis.
Colorado Springs does not participate in Colorado’s Michelin Guide evaluation, but you can find our list of 30 Best Restaurants in Colorado Springs here.
Here’s a breakdown of all the Colorado Michelin Guide awards in 2025 with excerpts from the Michelin Guide descriptions. Add these to your restaurant bucket list.
Colorado’s First Restaurant to Earn Two Michelin Star
The Wolf’s Tailor
Denver
Cuisine: Contemporary, Creative
“Offering a seamless dining experience as intriguing as its name, this comfortable haven blends together creativity, attention to detail, and charm. Chef Taylor Stark and his team stitch together an ambitious multicourse menu from culinary influences near and far. The meal starts with a trio of canapés utilizing product trim, making a clear statement about the kitchen’s sustainable gastronomy efforts. From there, meals may include a Berkshire pork dumpling with a turmeric and dill broth, inspired by the flavors of Chiang Mai, or velvety Colorado bison loin plated with apricot and grilled zucchini glazed with a dried shrimp caramel.”
As part of the Id Est family of restaurants, the chef’s table experience of The Wolf’s Tailor could be considered its culinary laboratory. With two Michelin Stars, The Wolf’s Tailor stands above the rest, but sister concepts BRUTØ, Basta and Hey Kiddo have all been honored by the Michelin Guide. And its owners Erika and Kelly Whitaker received the national James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur award last year. Undoubtedly, the group stands at the forefront of Colorado dining.
New One Michelin Star Restaurants in Denver
Kizaki
Denver
Cuisine: Japanese
“Going back more than four decades, Chef Toshi Kizaki has been a veritable trailblazer of Denver’s sushi scene, but even now in his 70s, he’s not content to rest on his laurels. In a culmination of his long career, he now raises the stakes with this luxurious counter, bringing a new echelon of omakase to the Mile High City. Blending traditional edomae techniques and creative modern flourishes, the extensive menu alternates between small dishes like gorgeously marbled black-and-white sesame tofu and nigiri carefully crafted by Chef Kizaki himself.”
Margot
Denver
Cuisine: Contemporary
“After years spent as an esteemed pop-up, Chef Justin Fulton’s passion project has found a permanent berth at a cozy eight-seat counter tucked inside a larger shared space. Offered as a contemporary multicourse tasting that follows the seasons, his signature cuisine is both global and distinctly Coloradan, taking inspiration from local ingredients while weaving together wide-ranging influences.”
Mezcaleria Alma
Denver
Cuisine: Mexican
Chef Johnny Curiel continues to collect honors, including this Michelin Star for the parallel concept next to his flagship Alma Fonda Fina.
“As the name suggests, the small stylish space has a mezcal bar vibe — and a list of inventive, mouthwatering agave spirit-based cocktails to go with it — but it’s also a showcase for Chef Curiel’s culinary talents. Evoking the vibrant creativity of Mexico City’s restaurant scene, the succinct menu is sprinkled with international flavors, as in an herbaceous ceviche of kanpachi that incorporates dill and roasted garlic, or a subtly spiced aguachile of Santa Barbara uni and Hokkaido scallop with mandarin and crispy ginger.”
New Michelin Bib Gourmand in Boulder
The Michelin Bib Gourmand designation recognizes restaurants for great food at a great value.
Cozobi Fonda Fina
Boulder
Cuisine: Mexican
“Named after the Zapotec god of corn, it’s only fitting that Chef Johnny Curiel’s second venture should be a celebration of maize in its many guises. Corn is flown in from Mexico and nixtamalized in house before being transformed into a variety of preparations, from tender tortillas to lightly fried quesadillas, matched with the likes with juicy cochinita pibil made from pork collar, or tender oyster mushroom, poblano rajas and queso fresco.”
New Michelin Recommended Restaurants in Colorado
Michelin Recommended restaurants are judged by the same five criteria used for Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand restaurants, and they are recognized as establishments serving good food. This year’s Michelin Guide introduces three new recommended restaurants in Denver.
Alteño
Denver, Cherry Creek; Mexican cuisine
Chef and Owner Johnny Curiel is on a Michelin roll. This creation pays homage to his Jaliscan Highland roots and traditions, incorporating a mix of heritage flavors and rustic preparations that spotlight the cuisine and culture of Mexico’s Los Altos de Jalisco.
Ukiyo
Denver, Larimer Square/LoDo; Japanese
Reserve your spot at the 12-seat chef’s table omakase restaurant, curated by chef Phraseuth ‘Paul’ Sananikone. The Ukiyo multicourse experience blends Japanese techniques with worldly flavors to craft a unique tasting menu that changes seasonal ingredients.
Wildflower
Denver, LoHi; Contemporary/Italian
Inside the Gravity Haus hotel, Wildflower is a moody, eclectic bar and restaurant with vintage vibes and a contemporary, plant-forward menu that explores seasonality through predominately Italian cuisine. The experience draws inspiration from the Western landscape and the traditions of the Lower Highlands neighborhood’s original Italian and Mexican settlers.
Michelin Guide Special Awards for Colorado in 2025
Michelin announced four Special Awards recognizing outstanding individuals for their unique contributions to the Colorado culinary scene.
Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award
Dustin Lawlor, Hop Alley, Denver
Michelin Sommelier Award
Nick Heilman, Bosq, Aspen
Michelin Outstanding Service Award
Heather Morrison, Olivia, Denver
Michelin Young Chef Award
Aiden Tibbetts, Wildflower, Denver
You can explore more info about the Michelin Star restaurants in Colorado, across the U.S. and around the world at guide.michelin.com.
