Shop Local: Show Some Love to Colorado Black-Owned Restaurants & Shops

Date Night Ideas for Everyone

Whether you’re looking for romance or prefer to wine and dine with your BFFs, you’ll find plenty of ways to have a great time while supporting Black-owned Colorado restaurants and shops. Here are some ideas.

If you’re on a first date …

• The upscale-meets-homey vibe at Mateo is the ideal setting for outstanding cocktails (seriously, don’t skip these) and charcuterie, cheese and more. If the date goes well, move on to main courses like steak frites and duck confit. (Boulder)
• Make a novel first impression at TeaLee’s Tea Co. with an afternoon tea tray and book browsing in an environment that “moves to the rhythm of tea.” (Denver)
• The Tapout Session at Lucky Dumpling is a surefire first-date icebreaker. Get the conversation going as you leave your dinner destiny in the hands of the chefs, who take you on a seven-course tasting experience. (Colorado Springs)
• Plan a picnic (or car picnic in winter) and place a pick-up order with Susan’s Samosas. Bond while comparing notes on the flaky delights filled with everything from beef and chicken to veggies and fruit. (Boulder)

If you’re looking to spice things up …

• Jessie’s Smokin’ NOLA brings the heat as only Cajun and creole seasonings can with muffulettas, po’boys, gumbo, jambalaya and, of course, red beans and rice. (Centennial)
• Spicy Ethiopian chicken stew, peppery steak tartare and flavorful lentils — there’s no shortage of tummy-pleasing spice at Ras Kassa's Ethiopian Restaurant. (Lafayette)
• The food hall at Mango House is a culinary haven for immigrant and refugee chefs, where you can savor the tapestry of flavors in authentic Ethiopian and Burmese fare. (Aurora)

If you need ideas for friend dates …

• Urban Sanctuary Wellness Studios offers an array of classes — both in-studio and online — so you can bond with your buds while working on your bind poses. (Denver)
• Get crafty with a pal thanks to Maker General’s DIY weaving and embroidery kits — featuring Black American legends like Harriet Tubman and Prince — or paint-by-numbers kits of Rosa Parks and Michelle Obama. (Longmont)
• The all-day happy hour at NATIV Lounge is perfect for drinks and a nosh — on street tacos, sliders and brunch fare — while spilling the tea with your besties. (Denver)
• Nothing says “friendship” like sipping coffee or hot cocoa over a breakfast feast of buttery chocolate croissants, muffins and quiche at Le French Bakery & Cafe. (Denver)
• Novel Strand Brewing Co. is your friendly neighborhood brewery with rotating sours, hoppy styles and other pleasant surprises on tap. (Denver)

If you want to spend extra time together …

• The no-rush atmosphere of Axum Restaurant pairs perfectly with traditional Ethiopian and Sudanese-style dishes, making this the ideal spot to silence those phones, sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal together. (Denver)
• Sit by the fire pit and sip house-made gin, whiskey, vodka and flavored liqueurs (think lavender hibiscus) at Rising Sun Distillery. (Denver)
• Unwind with a four-course meal at Four by Brother Luck. Seasonal menus feature multiculturally influenced dishes, such as blue-corn bread with wojapi (Native American berry sauce), rabbit green chili and roasted cauliflower enchiladas. (Colorado Springs)
• Spend some laid-back time with your favorite person over pints of bitters, porters and pale ales at Hogshead 54 Brewery, where the beer and conversation both flow liberally. (Denver)

Gifts for Your Most Special Someone

• Black Travel Box, Denver — Travel-ready skin- and haircare products for women of color are the name of the game.
  Shop at MATTER, Denver — Your go-to for books, cool typography crafts, prints, games and so much more.
• Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver & Littleton — Roses wilt, but a good book lasts forever.
• ICONI,Greenwood Village — Oprah named this activewear line as one of her Favorite Things of 2020. Need we say more?
• Lawrence and Larimer Clothing + Supply Co., Denver — These clothes encourage you to just be comfortable being you.

Sweet Treats & Caffeinated Cuddles

• Caffeinated Cow, Colorado Springs — Family-owned and -operated coffee and ice-cream store that also sells sandwiches, bagels and breakfast burritos. (What more do you need?)
• MyKings Icecream, Denver — A community gathering place scooping Colorado-made ice cream, milkshakes and snow cones.
• Sweet Sweetz, Denver — A fun selection of dairy and vegan ice creams plus pies, cobblers, brownies and other goodies.
• Endless Grind Coffee, Aurora — Family-owned shop using fair-trade coffee that also sells teas, specialty drinks and light bites.
• Federal Coffee, Denver — Coffee, teas, pastries and fair-trade beans served from a cheerful yellow to-go window.
• Walia Creamery, Denver — Traditional and vegan ice cream in flavors like sweet potato, lavender and mango ginger as well as classics like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
• EmNet Organics, Aurora — Organic, raw juices and superfood smoothies are perfect for those who like to keep their sweets on the healthier side.

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