This week, Denver-based entrepreneur John Goscha and long-time hospitality pro Jake Riederer (OPEN Sandwiches, Congress Park Market, Work & Class, Super Mega Bien) are opening a new, European-inspired café called The Carriage House, located at 1290 N Williams St. in Denver, adjacent to Cheesman Park.
The Carriage House will open in phases. The first phase opens to the public on Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 a.m., offering a European-style café menu of sandwiches, pastries from Black Box Bakery, “toastettes,” salads, coffee, wine, beer and all-day fare on the tree-lined patio or to-go.
Then in September, The Carriage House will unveil phase two: a full cocktail bar, expanded menu offerings with heartier fare, a gorgeously remodeled indoor cafe space with oversized French doors opening onto the park, and expanded happy hour. We’ll be sharing more from the owners about the full story behind the concept then; more details to follow as the September date gets closer.
The Carriage House is a small, jewel box café that feels worlds away from the city outside, reminiscent of courtyard cafés in quaint European parks with ivy-lined walls, dappled light through the trees, and seating that spills from a cozy interior out into a quiet, leafy retreat. It’s intimate by design, the kind of place you stumble upon once and then return to on purpose.
The interior space, designed by Pratt & Deutsch Interiors, has been entirely renovated, with counters covered in gleaming white marble, wainscoted walls, vintage mirrors, glass light fixtures, and a Parisian-style checkerboard floor.
The entire menu has been thoughtfully developed by Riederer and 2025 James Beard semifinalist Melissa Yanc, and each item is a standout: a French onion grilled cheese comes with onion consommé for dipping, and a North African tuna pan bagnat is loaded with olives, artichoke hearts, boiled egg, spicy harissa and preserved lemon on French baguette. There will also be toastettes, thin slices of focaccia lightly toasted and topped with combos like honey whipped ricotta and pepper jam, and savory garlic-pistachio butter with balsamic reduction. Guests can pick 3 toastettes for $10.
The cafe will offer a full coffee program with beans from Novo Coffee, tapped and bottled beers, a wine list including five wines by the glass and a summer-perfect spritz. A small retail area will offer snacks and picnic provisions, and thanks to Cheesman Park policy, guests can grab a bottle or six-pack on their way out and enjoy it in the park. The café will be open every day 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., with a daily Happy Hour menu from 3- 5 p.m.
This summer opening is phase one of the larger vision for the historic property, and partners John and Jake have built giving back into the concept from day one: all profits from The Carriage House will support local community causes. It’s part of what makes this more than just a café opening.
“This project started with a simple idea: create a spot in the neighborhood people would really want to spend time in. I love Cheesman Park and live in the neighborhood, so when I found out this spot was available, it felt like the right next step. We’re taking our time with the rollout, opening in phases with coffee and food first and the full bar to follow, because we want to get every detail right,” says John Goscha, owner of The Carriage House.
