Fonda Fina Expands to Charleston with New Restaurant at The Charlee on Cannon
Hannah Kamba Helped Michelin Star Mexican Restaurant Group Sign Lease for Downtown Charleston Location
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Oct. 23, 2025) – Fonda Fina Hospitality, the acclaimed restaurant group behind several nationally recognized Mexican culinary concepts, is bringing its bold flavors to Charleston. The group has leased a premier restaurant space at 89 Cannon Street, located within The Charlee on Cannon, a newly constructed mixed-use development in the heart of the city.
Fonda Fina was named Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit for 2025, with sister location Mezcaleria Alma winning a spot on the New York Times 50 Best Restaurant list. Both Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma earned 2025 Michelin Stars.
The lease was brokered by Hannah Kamba, Senior Broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic, who represented Fonda Fina Cannon LLC DBA Alteño in the transaction.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Fonda Fina to Charleston,” said Kamba. “The Charlee offers a rare opportunity for a chef-driven concept to thrive in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood that’s quickly becoming a culinary destination. Fonda Fina’s commitment to honoring Mexican heritage through food will be a standout addition to Cannon Street.”
Founded by Chef Johnny Curiel and his wife, Kasie Curoel, Denver-based Fonda Fina Hospitality has earned national acclaim for its innovative approach to contemporary Mexican cuisine. The group’s flagship, Alma Fonda Fina in Denver, holds a MICHELIN Star, and Curiel was named MICHELIN Colorado’s Young Chef of the Year in 2024. Fonda Fina was also a James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant Finalist in 2025, and has been featured in Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America and the New York Times’ Best Restaurants in the U.S. With a mission to share the beauty of Mexican culture through food, the group operates four distinct concepts: Alma Fonda Fina, Cozobi Fonda Fina, Mezcaleria Alma, and Alteño.
The Charleston location will operate under the Alteño brand, known for showcasing the bold, elevated flavors of Mexico’s highlands. The restaurant will occupy 2,303 square feet of first-generation space with over 100 linear feet of storefront, 13-foot ceilings, and sidewalk dining, a rare amenity on the peninsula. The space is designed to seat over 90 guests. Just a seven-minute walk from King Street, the location is poised to become a hub for both locals and tourists seeking elevated dining experiences.
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Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic, an affiliate of Coldwell Banker Commercial®, provides commercial real estate solutions serving the needs of owners and occupiers in the leasing, acquisition and disposition of all property types. With a collaborative network of independently owned and operated affiliates, the Coldwell Banker Commercial organization comprises of nearly 200 independently owned and operated affiliates as well as owned brokerage and more than 3,000 professionals in 40 countries. For additional information, visit www.cbcworldwide.com.
Media Contact: Kevin J. Guhl, kevin.guhl@cbrealty.com, 973-407-5916
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