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Magna Kainan, Denver, CO

Magna Kainan

4.5
4.5
131 Reviews
$31 to $50
Filipino

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2 people
19:00
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Lively
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Hot spot
Magna Kainan is the passion project of Chef Carlo Lamagna, Food & Wine’s 2021 Best New Chef and 2022 James Beard finalist and Chef Max Mackissock (Michelin recommended A5 Steakhouse and Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded Ash’Kara). Kainan, which means “eatery” in Tagalog, will be a refined, woodfired approach to Filipino comfort food..
At Magna Kainan, just like our sister restaurant in Portland, Oregon, Magna Kusina, our mission is to share the vibrant flavors and rich traditions of Filipino cuisine and culture through a contemporary lens. Whether you’re new to our culinary heritage or a longtime fan, we aim to create an experience that resonates deeply and sparks joy and connection.
We believe in the power of food to bring people together. Our doors are open to everyone, and we look forward to creating a space where great meals, creative cocktails and a warm, welcoming ambiance unite us all. As we say in our family, “Mangan tayon!”—Let’s Eat!

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Filipino, Asian
  • Hours of Operation
    Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Carlo Lamagna
  • Area
    River North (Denver)
  • Cross Street
    1350 40th Street. 40th and Walnut<br />Suite 120
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Experiences

  • Friends & Family Brunch

    30 Mar 2025 only
    Starting this Sunday March 30th, Magna Kainan will be open for brunch—and we’re kicking things off with a special sneak peek Friends & Family celebration. Come be part of this new chapter with us and help us bring some extra sunshine to Sundays.

What 131 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Magna Kainan offers a unique and elevated take on Filipino cuisine in Denver. Guests rave about the "amazing food" and "great ambiance," with standout dishes like "crab fat noodles" and "pork belly." The restaurant's warm atmosphere and attentive service make it a must-visit for both newcomers and Filipino food enthusiasts.
131 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service and food were excellent. Our server was helpful in navigating the menu. I love the different flavors and mostly how Filipino cuisine is elevated and celebrated by the restaurant. The menu leaves plenty to be explored and that includes the drink menu. Well done and Salamat po.
    Magna KainanResponded 3 days ago
    It means a lot to hear that the spirit of our Filipino cuisine came through in a way that felt both elevated and true to its roots. We're all about celebrating the richness and diversity of food—and we love that you’re excited to keep exploring the menu. Can’t wait to welcome you back to our growing community. Salamat po! Christina Stone, General Manager

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 18 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I live in Portland, OR. I came for a one night trip to visit MAGNA Kainan. I was treated like family royalty’s the food was as beautiful as it was delicious!
    Magna KainanResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you so much for making the trip all the way from Portland. It means the world to me to hear that you felt so warmly welcomed and that the food lived up to the journey. We always aim to make our guests feel like part of the family, and I’m so glad that came through. Hope we get to welcome you back again—your seat at the table is always waiting. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  3. JenTos

    Denver3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 16 March 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The place is fine, but everything about it feels like it's trying too hard. Our server was over the top effusive, and while I really appreciate good service and attentiveness, this was disingenuous and borderline obnoxious. No amount of trendy dishware will make up for the over-priced food; far too common in this Globeville/RiNo neighborhood. The salmon and lamb were tasty, but we don't need to go back.
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    Thank you for giving us a try and for sharing your feedback. I’m sorry to hear that the experience didn’t feel natural or inviting for you—that’s never our intention. We want our service to feel warm and genuine, and I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We know that pricing and style can be subjective, and while we aim to bring something unique to Denver, however we understand it’s not for everyone. I’m glad you enjoyed some of the dishes, even if the overall experience didn’t win you over. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  4. Laurie VIP

    Denver28 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 16 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Ate here during restaurant week. It was quite tasty and different from other cuisines in Denver. The drinks are very creative and pleasant to look at. We ate at the Chef's Counter - the best way to watch and learn and enjoy your meal. Everything we had was quite good - pork fried rice, salmon, a skewer of chicken, lamb in a hearty sauce, pork belly, cabbage, the rolls with 2 different butters and the egg cake for dessert. Attractive restaurant and not too loud; it's definitely worth trying to see if you enjoy Filipino food. We're likely to bring friends next time we go back.
    Magna KainanResponded on 18 March 2025
    Thank you Laurie, for joining us during Restaurant Week! Sitting at the Chef’s Counter is such a great way to take in the energy of the kitchen, and I’m glad you enjoyed the experience. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends next time—Filipino food is always best shared! Christina Stone, General Manager

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  5. Helena VIP

    Denver66 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 16 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Interesting food, good service, beautiful space. Trendy for sure. Some of the dishes were a miss but the crab fat noodles with a soft shell crab were a 10!
    Magna KainanResponded on 18 March 2025
    Thank you Helena we appreciate you giving us a try. Glad to hear the service and space stood out. I love that the crab fat noodles hit the spot for you—that dish is something special. We’re always refining and evolving, so if some dishes didn’t quite land for you, we’d love to have you back to explore more. Thanks for the feedback, and hope to see you again soon. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  6. Crystal VIP

    Las Vegas8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 13 March 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was okay - some dishes were way better than others. The fish was undercooked on my second course, but the sauce and the crisp on it was DIVINE. They really lost us with the poor service. We waited a very long time for our entrees and tables that sat after us got their food first. In my opinion, the whole situation should’ve been handled better which I honestly think is a poor training issue with their staff. Now they DID comp our drinks which was super nice and we do appreciate it but we probably won’t be back. Which is a shame because I really wanted to like it!
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    I’m really sorry to hear that the service didn’t meet expectation, waiting for food can be frustrating, and I completely understand why that left a bad impression. I appreciate you recognizing our effort to make things right with the drinks. I wish we had been able to turn the experience around fully for you. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Denver1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 12 March 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    We were seated in the back room, and if they try to put you there, I’d recommend saying no! The acoustics were pretty bad, making it quite loud, it was hard to hear each other. That said, the food was good, and the service was great!
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    Thank you for sharing your experience. We want every guest to feel comfortable, and I understand how tough it can be to enjoy a meal when it’s hard to hear your table. I’m glad to hear the food and service made up for it. We’re always looking for ways to improve, so your feedback helps. Hope to have you back soon, and we’ll be happy to seat you somewhere quieter next time! Christina Stone, General Manager

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  8. Susan

    Denver1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 9 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious and unique. The drinks also were beautiful to look at and again unique. In spite of the chaos of Restaurant Week, the service was friendly and prompt. We highly recommend this restaurant. The only request: turn down the music a little.
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    Thank you Susan, for joining us during Restaurant Week! I’m so glad you enjoyed the unique flavors and creativity in both the food and drinks. It means a lot to hear that our team took great care of you, even during a busy service. We truly appreciate the recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    New York City2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 9 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We recently dined at Magng Kainan during Restaurant Week, and overall, it was a mixed experience. The ambience was really nice—warm and inviting, making for a pleasant dining atmosphere. We opted for the Restaurant Week menu, which featured some items not available on the regular menu. The skewer appetizers were a highlight—charred beautifully and packed with flavor. However, the main dishes were a bit of a letdown. The lechon belly lacked seasoning, though the accompanying sauce helped elevate it. The lamb caldereta, while well-cooked and flavorful, was overpowered by the taste of olives—rather than feeling like a creative twist, it seemed more like an oversight. When I mentioned this to our server, there was no effort to address it, which was disappointing. Service-wise, I wasn’t impressed. The staff simply placed the dishes in front of us without any explanation, leaving us to refer back to the menu to understand the components of our meal. Additionally, I had noted in the reservation that I was celebrating my birthday, but there was no acknowledgment of it at all—not even a simple "Happy Birthday" from the staff. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it did feel like a missed opportunity to make the experience more special. The saving grace of the night was the bibingka for dessert—easily the standout dish! It was served individually, cooked in a banana leaf with a wonderful charred flavor. However, I later noticed that on subsequent days, they switched to baking it in a sheet pan and cutting it into squares. While that might be more efficient, I personally preferred the original presentation. This dessert deserves a spot on their regular menu! Overall, while some dishes fell short and service could be improved, I’d still be open to giving Magna Kainan another try.
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    I appreciate your willingness to give us another try despite the mixed experience. We’d love the chance to make your next visit a better one, and we’ll take this feedback to heart. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us. Christina Stone, General Manager

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  10. denverfoodie

    Denver1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 8 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was outstanding, unique flavors with varied ingredients. Loved it!
    Magna KainanResponded on 19 March 2025
    Salamat po!

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FAQs

Magna Kainan offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (720) 524-8684.

Magna Kainan is rated 4.5 stars by 131 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 16 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Magna Kainan

1350 40th St, Denver, CO 80205-3315

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    1350 40th Street. 40th and Walnut<br />Suite 120
  • Area
    River North (Denver)
  • Hours of Operation
    Happy Hour Daily 16:00–18:00 Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–22:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Filipino, Asian
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Carlo Lamagna
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Vegan
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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