Alma Fonda Fina
Restaurant · Highland ·
Contemporary Mexican small plates & avocado margaritas
Contemporary Mexican small plates & avocado margaritas
"Named for his mother (Alma) — the name meaning “fine eatery” in Spanish — Alma Fonda Fina in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood is a deeply personal fine‑dining project built on memories of family and Guadalajara; it earned a MICHELIN Star in 2024 and retained it in 2025. I see it as proof that Johnny can tell a personal story through fine dining without losing soul, launching a movement that began with a 12‑person opening team and has grown into a company of more than 160 employees across four restaurants with notably high staff retention; when the team won their first Star we celebrated as a family, complete with a mariachi band, mezcal, and even a tattoo artist so everyone could mark the moment together." - Katie Shapiro
"I noticed Denver’s Alma Fonda Fina was called out as a restaurant offering a reasonably priced à la carte menu, demonstrating that the list includes more affordable options alongside tasting-menu spots." - Matthew Kang
"This Denver establishment was a finalist in the Best New Restaurant category at the James Beard Awards but did not take home the prize." - Paolo Bicchieri
"By turns bold and intricate, grounded in tradition and wildly creative, Guadalajara-bred rising star Johnny Curiel’s seasonal repertoire packs a wallop of intrigue for its size. For the ultimate Alma experience, book seats at the chef’s counter and order at least one item from every section of the menu: Think frijoles puercos with chorizo and fabulous sourdough tortillas, adobo-seared hamachi with roasted pineapple puree and tepache oil, enmoladas de pollo in mole pipián rojo, and halibut a la Veracruzana in tomato-olive broth with chive-serrano butter. Make sure to order an avocado margarita. (All that said, don’t sweat it if reservations are proving hard to come by following Alma’s Michelin Guide recognition — instead, check out adjacent cantina Mezcaleria Alma or brand-new Cherry Creek sibling Alteño, which are every bit as commendable.)" - Ruth Tobias
"This place lives up to its name in spades. Alma is Spanish for “soul,” which emanates from every inch of the earth-toned decor, every interaction with the thoughtful staff, and every inspired bite of Mexican food that chef-owner Johnny Curiel and his team painstakingly present over the course of a meal here — be it diver scallop crudo in serrano ponzu and tomato butter, enmoladas de pollo, or Sakura pork belly with frijoles charros and salsa verde. Aeats at the chef’s counter may be the hottest ticket in town." - Ruth Tobias