Tennyson Street, where old Denver cottages blend in with under-construction apartments, is constantly evolving. There’s almost always something new to point out on the main Berkeley neighborhood drag, especially when it comes to restaurants and retail.
The six-block stretch between 38th and 44th avenues already has at least seven new restaurants that have either opened or are getting ready to this summer.
The Lantern
At the corner of 41st Avenue and Tennyson, RUE, a Dallas-based real estate firm, renovated the old Green Door Furniture, a thrift shop that shuttered after a fire in 2016. RUE, which refers to the property as The Lantern, has brought on three new tenants: Sweetgreen, Two Hands and The Salty Donut.
“The neighborhood continues to evolve and become more vibrant, and I just think the ecosystem of the Berkeley neighborhood is incredible and only continues to get better,” said RUE’s founder Jeremy Zidell.
Sweetgreen, the L.A.-based salad chain, opened its seventh Denver location at 3985 Tennyson St. in February.
Two Hands, which originally opened in New York in 2014 and now has nine locations around the country, is an Australian-inspired coffee shop and restaurant focused on fresh ingredients from local farmers and ranchers. The eatery plans to open its first Colorado location next to Sweetgreen this June, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including salmon quinoa bowls, pan-roasted half chicken and seasonal scrambles.
“The first time I walked down Tennyson Street, I knew it was going to be a perfect place for Two Hands,” said CEO and founder Henry Roberts. “There was such a warm, inviting vibe that really resonated with me.”
The Salty Donut, a Miami-based donut chain with more than a dozen locations across the country, is also opening its first Colorado location on the other side of Sweetgreen this summer. The artisan donut shop with playful flavors like guava and cheese or mini key lime pie has been named one of the best donut shops in America by Thrillist, Food & Wine and Tasting Table.
RUE is also building out a 3,000-square-foot rooftop with a terrace overlooking Tennyson and Chavez Park. Zidell said the company is getting ready to sign on a new tenant for the upstairs space. “Parents can walk over from the park when kids are at soccer practice, not to mention Berkeley Hotel guests,” he added. “It’s the cherry on top of a building we’re very proud of.”
Blackbelly Denver
Blackbelly Market took over the former il porcellino salumi space at 4324 W. 41st, just off the corner of Tennyson, in March. The Boulder deli brought its homemade charcuterie, salami and salumi selection from 2023 Michelin Young Culinary Professional Kelly Kawachi and the Blackbelly team, as well as a quick-service breakfast and lunch menu, nearly identical to its Boulder location. It also kept some il porcellino favorites, like The Bacon sandwich.
West End Tap House
West End Tap House closed in April without notice, but the 3,900-square-foot building at 3945 Tennyson has already been purchased by Nepalese restaurateur Khagendra Gurung for $2.26 million, according to public records. Gurung also owns Himchuli, a Highland Indian restaurant, and Mazevo, a healthy Mediterranean restaurant a couple of doors down from West End. He did not respond to a request for comment about his plans for the building.
Santo Remedio
Tres Chiles closed its doors for good in January after six years on Tennyson Street. A month later, Santo Remedio, a new Mexican restaurant, opened in its place at 3900 Tennyson With agave shot towers, rooftop happy hours and Sunday brunches, the lively new spot has already garnered a neighborhood following.
Night Off
Bakery Four launched a grain-forward pasta concept known as Night Off this weekend in its Tennyson space. Owner Shawn Bergin is using his 10-plus years of pasta-making experience to activate the bakery at night. During service, diners or Tennyson passersby can see Bergin prepping the next batch of pasta through the expansive street-facing window, Meals will start with burrata and bread service followed by a tasting menu with dishes like pappardelle bolognese, vegetable ragu lumache or brisket tortelloni.
To start, Night Off will have reservation-only seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. with a pre-fixe tasting menu for $80 per person, before it later expands hours and offers an a la carte menu.
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