Denver Spotlight: Safta

Safta is one of Denver, Colorado’s most acclaimed restaurants, known for bringing modern Israeli cuisine to the River North Art District (RiNo).

Here is a detailed look at the restaurant, its history, menu, and key features.

What Makes Safta Unique

The core of Safta’s identity lies in its name and its founder’s personal history.

• Meaning & Inspiration: “Safta” (סבתא) means “grandmother” in Hebrew, and the restaurant is a heartfelt homage to the Israeli-American culinary heritage of James Beard Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya. The menu is inspired by his family’s recipes and his rediscovery of his Israeli roots. The interior design of the space, located in the trendy Source Hotel, is bright, airy, and designed to evoke the warmth of a grandmother’s home.
• The Famous Pita and Hummus: Safta’s most celebrated feature is the wood-fired pita bread and house-made hummus. The pita is baked in an oven steps from the table using a 100-year-old starter, arriving hot, puffed, and lightly charred. Customers often describe the bread and the impossibly smooth hummus as a “revelation” and the highlight of the entire meal.
• A Tapestry of Flavors: The cuisine is a journey through the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, reflecting the diverse influences on Israeli cooking from places like Bulgaria, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, and Greece.

History and Background

Safta opened its doors in August 2018 inside The Source Hotel in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood.

The restaurant marked Chef Alon Shaya’s first venture outside of New Orleans, where he previously gained acclaim for his work at Domenica and the namesake restaurant Shaya. Safta is part of his hospitality group, Pomegranate Hospitality.

Highlighted Menu Items

The menu is designed for a communal, shared-plate experience, encouraging diners to sample a variety of textures and bold flavors.

Customer Feedback (4.5 Rating)

The restaurant generally receives high praise for its unique food and inviting atmosphere, though reviews note the upscale price point and family-style service model.

• Praise: Customers frequently call the experience “absolutely delicious” with a “great environment.” The service is often noted as friendly and helpful. The hummus is consistently lauded as “exceptional” and a must-try.
• Note on Value/Service: Some patrons find the cost “quite expensive.” One review humorously noted a frustration with the family-style service, pointing out that “everything is served family style… [but] they don’t expect everyone to dig their dirty utensils into the shared plates,” suggesting a desire for more serving utensils.

Significant Events and Community Involvement

Beyond dining, Safta has been a community hub and a site for important charitable work.

• Restaurant Worker Relief (2020): During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef Shaya and his team converted Safta into a relief center, providing hundreds of free family meals and household supplies daily for furloughed hospitality-industry workers.
• Community Philanthropy: Safta is an active participant in community and philanthropic events, including hosting the annual Denver Planned Parenthood Bake Sale and contributing to organizations like the Jewish Community Center Denver.
• Pomegranate Hospitality Expansion: The owners, Alon and Emily Shaya’s group, Pomegranate Hospitality, are expanding their footprint in The Source Hotel by opening a new Italian lounge called Ceci! Italian Lounge in mid-2025.

Restaurant Information