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Courtesy of CAYA.
Courtesy of CAYA.
CAYA to open July 13 in Edwards with global menu and live music
ColoradoBiz Staff //June 29, 2026//
In Brief:
- CAYA opening July 13 in former E-Town space
- Executive chef Carlos Castro leads seasonal global menu
- Live music scheduled Fridays through Sundays on patio
- Renovated space designed by Michael Currant and David Scheich
EDWARDS, Colo. — CAYA, a new restaurant and bar in the former E-Town space at 295 Main St., Unit C104, will open July 13 with a menu centered on globally inspired dishes, scratch cooking and live music.
The restaurant’s name, which stands for “Come As You Are,” was inspired by a song from the Colorado band String Cheese Incident. Owner JD Childress said the concept was designed to reflect how residents and visitors dine in the Vail Valley.
“We paid attention to how people actually dine here and built CAYA to match that rhythm,” Childress said. “You can come in for a quick lunch, share plates with friends or settle in for a special night out.”
Executive Chef Carlos Castro will lead the kitchen with a seasonal menu that incorporates international flavors into familiar dishes. Initial offerings include mussels with preserved lemon and fennel jus, a summer melon salad, a porchetta panini and shrimp and grits with smoked pork belly and Anson Mills grits.
“I start with a dish people already understand, then I build layers of flavor with techniques and ingredients that might come from another part of the world,” Castro said.
The beverage program features house-made shrubs used in cocktails, mocktails and dirty sodas. Drinks are named after songs as part of the restaurant’s music-themed concept.
CAYA seats about 125 guests, including a 60-seat covered patio and a private dining room that accommodates up to 25 people. Live music is planned Fridays through Sundays during patio season.
The restaurant occupies a renovated space designed by architect Michael Currant with interiors by David Scheich of Shike Design. Construction was completed by ULF Built.
CAYA will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available through the restaurant’s website.
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