Welcome back to our monthly Dig Into Denver series. At the beginning of each month, we deliver a food and beverage-based itinerary for the best ways eat and drink your way through the city — including what’s recently opened and what’s worth celebrating for no reason at all.

Bookmark this page to reference these Denver food events all month long, and let us know in the comments what Denver food events you’d like to see included in Dig Into May next month.

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Food News

In case you missed it, here are the biggest announcements in Denver food news from last month.

Red Rocks Has New Food This Season

Red Rocks. Photo by Ryan Good.

The Lowdown: Don’t eat before you head to Red Rocks this season. The team announced new vendors like Biker Jim’s, Rolling Smoke and a pop-up from famed restaurateur Frank Bonanno. Click here to learn more.

The Former Squeaky Bean Has a New Tenant

Photo by Lucy Beaugard.

The Lowdown: Chow Morso, known for its outpost in Avanti Food & Beverage, will take over the former Squeaky Bean spot at 15th and Wynkoop with its first full-sized brick and mortar. The fast-casual Italian concept from the owners of Barolo Grill will add Osteria to its name to signify the growth of its offerings. Click here to learn more.

Union Station Farmers Market is Opening Early This Year

Courtesy of BCFM

The Lowdown: You don’t have to wait until June to get your farmer’s market fix at Union Station this year. It’s opening in May. Click here to learn more.

Milk Market Vendors (and Pop-Ups) Announced

Lou's Food Bar

Photo Courtesy of Lou’s Food Bar Facebook

The Lowdown: Frank Bonanno is opening his own food hall downtown at the Dairy Block, and last month his team announced the 16 concepts that will be waiting inside. Click here to learn about each and click here to see dates for the preview pop-ups coming this month.

Broadway is Getting Its Own Food Hall

Stanley Beer Hall inside Stanley Marketplace. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

The Lowdown: The minds behind similar concepts (including The Stanley Marketplace, The Source and Avanti Food & Beverage) are coming together to create Broadway Market. Click here to learn more.

Newly Open

These are notable restaurants, coffee shops and bars that opened in Denver last month. For locations that we expect to open this year, click here.

Zeppelin Station

Photo by Amanda Piela

The Lowdown: Zeppelin Station opened its doors March 12 as an international food hall, featuring vendors like Aloha Poke Co., Au Feu, injoi Korean kitchen, Namkeen, Vinh Xuong Bakery, No Vacancy (currently featuring Comal) and Gelato Boy.

Don’t Miss: In addition to the food vendors, you can also try one of the three beverage spots — Dandy Lion Coffee, Kiss & Ride and Big Trouble.

READ: First Look at Zeppelin Station’s Market Hall

Shake Shack

Photo by Amanda Piela

The Lowdown: Burger sensation Shake Shack is here. And, it’s coming to the airport and Highlands Ranch later this year.

Don’t Miss: The Colorado-exclusive menu items, including the Colorado Green Chile CheddarShack — a cheeseburger served on the iconic soft Martin’s potato roll and topped with shredded white cheddar and green chiles and scallions that are marinated in vinegar, honey and more.

READ: A Look Inside Colorado’s First Shake Shack 

Sushi Rama

Photo by Alden Bonecutter

The Lowdown: Chef Jeff Osaka opened another location of Sushi-Rama at Belleview Station in March. The conveyer belt sushi concept features a total of 40 rolls and nigiri, with prices starting as low as $1.50.

Don’t Miss: The Rama Box 1 ($16) features an assortment of rolls — including the signature angry tuna and hama rama — hamachi, maguro, salmon and unagi nigiri, and the oceanic sunomono salad.

READ: New Sushi-Rama Opens at Belleview Station, Two More to Follow

Stanley Beer Hall (re-opened)

Photo by Kyle Cooper.

The Lowdown: After closing for a month to renovate the space, Stanley Beer Hall reopened with new menu items and a totally new way to serve drinks.

Don’t Miss: The new iPourIt system allows guests to pour their own drinks — including beer, wine and cocktails — by the ounce.

READ: Stanley Beer Hall Re-Opens with Self-Serve Beer (and Margarita) Taps

Wayward’s Spring Break Pop-Up Bar

Photo by Kacie Loura

The Lowdown: After hosting the pop-up Christmas bar (Miracle on Little Raven) and Olympic bar (The Podium Cocktail Bar), Wayward is going beachy with a ’90s-themed spring break bar.

Don’t Miss: The cocktail menu will have all of your summer guilty pleasures, including Sex on the Beach, frozen Long Island Iced Tea and Frosé.

READ: Wayward to Open a ’90s Themed Spring Break Pop-Up Bar

Excuses to Celebrate

Ah, April. Spring is here and so are the food holidays.

April 4-8: Taste of Vail

Photo courtesy of Taste of Vail

The LowdownUp for a road trip this weekend? Drive up to Vail for the 28th annual Taste of Vail event. From April 4 through 8, the ski town is hosting a gaggle of food and beverage tastings, events and seminars.

Don’t Miss: The Grand Tasting & Auction on Saturday, April 7. This event features all of the Taste of Vail’s wineries and restaurants in one spot. For more information, click here.

April 6: Opening Day

Craft Beer, Beer, Denver Beer, Colorado Rockies, Opening Day 2017, 303 Magazine, Alysia Shoemaker, Baseball, National Beer Day

Photo courtesy of the Colorado Rockies on Facebook

The LowdownGrab a hotdog and cue the “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” tunes. Opening Day kicks off at Coors Field against the Atlanta Braves on April 6.

Don’t Miss: Even if you don’t make it to the game, you can head downtown and enjoy the action. Here are our favorite brats outside of the ballpark and breweries to hit up before or after the game.

April 8: National Empanada Day

Photo courtesy of Maria Empanada

The LowdownIf loving national food holidays as an excuse to indulge is wrong, we don’t want to be right. Dig into this Latin American comfort food this Sunday for National Empanadas Day.

Don’t Miss:  You can’t talk about empanadas in Denver without mentioning Maria Empanada.

April 11: National Cheese Fondue Day

Photo by Alexandra Palmerton.

The LowdownWe never need an excuse to consume large amounts of cheese, but April 11 seems as good a day as any to dig into some fondue.

Don’t Miss: We’ve written about this fondue before, but for melty cheese perfection, you’ve just got to go to The Truffle Table. The fondue, on the regular dinner menu at $30, arrives with seasonal accompaniments and a bowl of bread.

April 16-April 21: Colorado Natural Wine Week

Photo courtesy of Proof Wine and Spirits

The LowdownColorado wine has come a long way in recent years, and the Colorado Natural Wine Week is here to celebrate just that. The six-day event includes wine tastings, winemaker dinners, wine dive bar takeovers, in-store retail tastings and much more.

Don’t Miss:  Although some events are trade and industry only, the main event The Grand Showcase is open to the public and includes more than 200 winemakers for $39/person. For more details on all of the Colorado Natural Wine week happenings, click here.

READ: Weekend Guide to Winery Hopping in Colorado

April 20: Well, You Know…

Photo by Katt Isbey

The LowdownIf you’re 21+ and enjoy cannabis, April 20 is sure to be a buzz-y day for you.

Don’t Miss: Check out our Ultimate Mile High Munchies Guide or get fancy while celebrating with some gourmet chocolate edibles.

April 23: National Have a Picnic Day

Outdoor gyms, Denver outdoor gyms, ditch the gym, Denver, Megan McNeil, Mother Cabrini Shrine, Mile High Stadium Outdoor gym, Garfield Lake State Park, White Ranch, Manitou Incline, Infinity Park, La Alma Lincoln Park, Platte River Trail, Lookout Mountain

Photo Courtesy La Alma Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association.

The LowdownPack a picnic and get outside for National Have a Picnic Day. (Yes, this is a real thing). Grab your daily dose of Vitamin D along with your lunch by finding a great to-go spot and park near you.

Don’t Miss: Our round-up of the best places to picnic in Denver.

Eat Well, Give Back

Denver is a giving community, and there are countless events every month benefitting non-profits across the city. However, for Dig In, we specifically highlight food and beverage events that support food-focused causes and non-profits — those that tackle hunger, service industry assistance and more.

April 5: Celebrate Spring at The GrowHaus

Photo courtesy of The GrowHaus

When: Thursday, April 5, 6 – 7 p.m.

Where: The GrowHaus — 4751 York St., 80216

The Lowdown: Celebrate spring at the GrowHaus with a vinyasa yoga class. Shop for fruit and veggies before or after class in the market to support a great cause. Learn more here.

April 26: Slow Food Dinner at Urban Farmer

Photo by Amanda Piela

When: Thursday, April 26, 7 – 9 p.m.

Where: Urban Farmer — 1659 Wazee St., Denver

The Lowdown: Join chef Chris Starkus and Slow Food Denver for a dinner featuring ingredients and pairings from Cure Organic Farm, Corner Post Meats, Fortuna Chocolate and Idlewild Spirits. Click here to learn more, and here to see other events Slow Food Denver is hosting this month.