Aug 24, 2026 - Things to Do

Casa Juani is among the nation's hottest tables

Mitchell Byars

On a wooden table, a white plate holds circular churros with a small cup of dark coffee; a white bowl contains caramel flan in syrup; a glass of red wine sits nearby. — Churros with chocolate dipping sauce and caramel flan at Casa Juani. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder

Boulder's Casa Juani is living up to the hype, landing on Bon Appétit magazine's 2026 list of the 19 best new restaurants in America.

Why it matters: The honor adds to a growing list of national accolades for downtown Boulder's dining scene, which has gained fresh momentum in the post-pandemic years.

Catch up quick: Husband-and-wife duo Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun left Frasca to open the Spanish restaurant at 901 Pearl St., naming it after Valle Lobo's 98-year-old mother.

Dig in: Bon Appétit singled out the arroz con sepia and jamón Ibérico that Valle Lobo carts around the dining room while sharing the stories behind his dishes.

"Every dish at Casa Juani hints at a little something special … Valle Lobo and Jeun are the lifeblood of a restaurant that is all heart," the magazine wrote.

What they're saying: "It's a dream come true to be recognized by Bon Appétit magazine for something that's so personal to us, and we're grateful for the chance to bring more national attention to Boulder's incredible hospitality community," Valle Lobo said in a statement.

The bottom line: Casa Juani opened with plenty of buzz, and so far, it's delivering.

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Casa Juani is among the nation's hottest tables

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