Olive & Finch opens newest restaurant in downtown Denver

On a rainy Friday in late May, Mary Nguyen greeted approximately 500 attendees at the grand opening of Olive & Finch’s fourth location at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Guests enjoyed small bites such as vegetarian lumpia and Saigon Sammies made with plant-based crispy chicken.

This opening at the bustling complex marks a significant milestone for the Olive & Finch brand and fills a longstanding gap in the area’s dining options.

“When you attend a show at the Arts Complex, your dining choices are limited. Typically, you’ll find sports bars, greasy spoons, or upscale full-service restaurants that can be costly,” Nguyen explained. “It’s thrilling to have thousands of show-goers exposed to our brand and provide them with the option of not dining at a full-service restaurant if they just want a drink, a snack, to bring in their kids, or avoid spending $150 per person.”

This launch closely followed Olive & Finch’s Union Station opening in March. These new downtown locations not only signify bold investments in the city’s future but also showcase Nguyen’s personal dedication to Denver’s revitalization.

“There’s a narrative that downtown is dying, that it’s unsafe. But I’m here all the time, and I see something entirely different. New restaurants are opening, the streets are lively, and there are diverse individuals seeking things to do,” Nguyen expressed.

“As a Denver native, if I desire to witness a vibrant, active downtown, then I’m going to contribute to making that a reality. I’m not waiting for someone else to do it,” she emphasized.

Prior to the Arts Complex and Union Station locations, Nguyen initiated work on Little Finch, Olive & Finch’s fast-casual sister concept on 16th Street in 2021, even before the area’s extensive renovation plan commenced. Instead of viewing the once vibrant corridor as a lost cause, Nguyen saw herself as a pioneer in an area brimming with potential.

“Considering the city’s substantial investment… no other city in America is allocating $600 million to rejuvenate their downtown. Frankly, I believe I’ve made a smart move by entering at the beginning, as in just a couple of years, or even sooner, Denver will flourish,” she predicted.

These recent openings represent just the beginning for Nguyen. By the end of 2026, Olive & Finch aims to operate 10 locations, including one in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood and two additional storefronts at Denver International Airport. These sites will join the four existing Olive & Finch locations, Little Finch on 16th Street, and Finch, On the Fly, a grab-and-go kiosk that debuted at Denver International Airport in January.

“Every step we’ve taken has been deliberate. It just so happens that now we’re prepared, and everything is falling into place at the same time,” Nguyen remarked.

Intentionality has been pivotal to Olive & Finch’s expansion. From 2013 to 2017, the team concentrated on refining operations, establishing a robust infrastructure, and ensuring that every expansion would uphold the brand’s dedication to scratch-made, chef-driven cuisine. A significant aspect has been the introduction of an in-house production and distribution company, enabling all locations to maintain Olive & Finch’s standards. This same company also caters to wholesale clients like hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, and airport concessions.