Take all my money! BearLeek is now up there for my favs in Denver from their friendly and interactive service at the chefs counter, to the unique array of food options to the all around good vibes. All of our food was amazing and it even accommodated to my wife's dairy intolerance without any issues. This usually means the food will be missing something but dairy was just a bonus for me in this case. Oh another thing is I have never been somewhere that completely transforms fruit and vegetables the way this place does! The melon salad was incredible! My only complaint is having to walk up Those stairs after that massive meal but honestly it was probably needed after we practically inhaled all of that food read more

See all

Note you have to walk down steep stairs to enter this basement level resetaurant. My partner booked reservations ahead of time and read all the rave about this place; however, it unfortunately did not deliver. Service was good. Debatably too attentive. They refilled our water super frequently which kept interrupting our convos. I think in order to avoid that, just leave a jug of water on the table for us to refill ourselves. Bread and butter: Hot fresh brioche rolls with honey butter in the shape of a gummy bear. It was good but reminded me of Texas Roadhouse ones with cinnamon butter and those are free. Def not worth the $11 Burrata: This was a different take on burrata with hot chili oil. Not bad. More burrata than crackers provided. French Onion Tartlet: Overhyped, this was my least favorite. Flavors didn't mesh well together for me. Piergo: 4 pierogies. This was just OK. Nothing special. Hamachi Crudo: 4 pieces. Nothing special. Def not worth $20. Overall, we were super excited to come here but left disappointed. Didn't see what all the hype was about. read more

Staff are amazing and the vibe is interesting in a good way. I found the food to be simple and elevated with flavor. The bread and butter is their shtick, but I probably would not order again. I mean it is good, but it is brioche with infused butter. We had 4 dishes and I found them all to be balanced, interesting and delicious. For me, the dessert was lacking. There was basque cheesecake that looked good, but I do not like cheesecake. A popsicle that ties in that theme? Above my head and not anything that speaks to me which left the brownie which I found mediocre; however, my dining partner loved. For me there was no depth of flavor. read more

We had an incredible meal last night celebrating our last year of dating and one year till our wedding! I love getting to watch food being prepared and the dance of chefs in a kitchen, so the Chefs counter was a no brainer when booking. We were lucky to be served by Andrew who did an exceptional job on checking in on us all while plating and manning his station. There were just two of us and the amount we ordered left us satisfied but not overally full. The dishes were coursed out and we were there for about two hours. Chicken liver tart (we could eat the mousse by the spoonful) Beef tartare served with toast which was a lovely addition in comparison to the traditional cracker with tartare Tomato and melon salad that I might dream about. It was a mix of sweet, salty, hint of spice from the jalepeno slice. It's amazing. Perogies!! They were delicate and buttery seriously devoured within a few short minutes. Fried chicken was the winner for me. I have never had a crust on fried chicken like we had last night. The mix of gluten free flours encapsulated the chicken so well that it was incredibly moist inside. The fennel salad below was tangy cutting through richness of the chicken. We finished with the pavlova. It was good but not our favorite. The ice cream below was a little too frozen so it was a little hard to eat. I'm a sucker for sweet and salty but the amount of flaked salt on it maybe over poured the taste of peach. Overall, we will be back forsure. The atmosphere, food and service were memorable. read more

See all

BearLeek is amazing! From the attentive service to the top notch food, you truly cannot go wrong with this place. Came in for Valentine's Day and had a great time! Certainly on the pricier side, but 100% worth it. read more

BearLeek - Schnitzel - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

We joined friends here for our monthly dinner outing, and wow - BearLeek absolutely delivered. From the moment we sat down, the vibe, the service, and the food were all perfectly in sync. We told our waitress to take us on the ideal food journey, and she nailed it. Every course built beautifully on the last - thoughtful, flavorful, and full of surprises. We started with the French Onion Tartlet, a flaky, caramelized bite of heaven - rich, comforting, and perfectly balanced. The Hamachi Crudo was next - bright, delicate, and fresh, a total contrast that worked so well. The Wedge Salad somehow managed to make a classic feel new again - crisp, creamy, and deeply satisfying. Then came the Pierogi - pure comfort with a gourmet twist. But the Burger... that's where BearLeek truly flexes. This isn't your average burger - it's a masterpiece. Perfectly cooked, layered with unexpected flavor and texture, and honestly worthy of its own cult following. (Seriously, look it up - there's a reason people are talking about it.) Every plate felt intentional, every bite memorable. The atmosphere was relaxed but refined, and the staff made the night feel effortless. BearLeek is one of those rare spots that makes you rethink what dining out can be - approachable, elevated, and just darn good. Denver, this one's a gem. They are young, so let's so them some love so they are around for a long time. read more

One of the best meals we've had in Denver. There were two of us, and we shared three small plates, one entrée, a dessert, and four drinks. The total was just under $200, though we could have easily spent less. Everything we tried is shown in the photos, but the standout for me was the burrata, while my husband's favorite was the pierogies. The restaurant is on the smaller side, so making a reservation is a good idea. The staff were especially friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share their own recommendations. Overall, it was a memorable dining experience and absolutely worth a visit. read more

See all

Went to BearLeek to celebrate my siblings all being in town for the first time and years and the experience did not disappoint. The service was attentive, kind and very quick. Checking in on our experience and making sure we were enjoying ourselves. My family tried almost everything on the menu and everything was delicious. The French Onion Tart blew us all away as well as the Tuna Crudo. The biggest surprise of the night was the Compressed Melons! read more

We had a wonderful time for date night on Halloween. Sat at chefs counter, which got a little toasty at times, but it was still very fun to watch the process. Music went from Khruangbin to 2000s rap, which we loved, True to the Denver vibe. We ordered the brisket skewers from the happy hour menu. I got a St. Germaine, Tito's, soda and lemon which was made perfectly. We added the hamachi crudo, wagyu tartare, burrata, and beets. It was all delicious. Will be back- and next time I will get an entree! read more

See all

4.5 stars. Very inventive and cool space in RiNo. New American cuisine that makes use of seasonal ingredients and put together with a lot of creativity and playfulness. Service was incredible, kind and personal, and the team were able to accommodate to very specific food allergies and vegetarian preferences. Some entrees didn't quite come fully together as concepts, but we still respect a kitchen taking risks and experimenting. Highlights were the celtuce and plum salad with whipped tofu and the french onion tartlet. The opening bread course with ramp butter was outstanding as well. Cocktails were creative spins on staples. Only downside is value for money, but it is to be expected for the area and this is inventive cooking, which seems to be a rarity in Denver's current dining scene. Recommended for a fun outing. read more

I rarely write glowing reviews, but this establishment and its incredible staff deserve serious recognition. Every single item I tasted made my mouth water--this menu is a series of surprises, where each ingredient is intentional and perfectly balanced. It's clear the kitchen is run by people who care deeply about flavor, creativity, and presentation. The atmosphere transported me straight back to San Francisco--dark, intimate, and full of edge. I loved the neon lights and graffiti touches, which gave it a bold, urban character. That said, it wasn't so dim that I couldn't read my menu or see the stunning plates being served. I've sat both in the main dining room and at the chef's counter--both excellent choices, each offering a different but equally memorable experience. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just someone who appreciates a thoughtful, well-executed meal, this place will leave you impressed. read more

See all

I love going underground and how they have moody lighting but not dark. Sitting at the bar was the move. The happy hour menu is fantastic! We loved how each dish came out one at a time so we could savor each plate without getting overwhelmed. The bread with orange cardamom butter was a beautiful pairing of flavors. The burger was my favorite bite of the night. The tartlet is so decadent and rich! My happy hour drink (not pictured) the El Oso was great and so was the Sherman Klump on the regular drink menu. I can't wait to come back here. Great experience overall! read more

See all

So happy this spot opened up in RiNo--such a great upgrade from Osaka Ramen. The ambience is sleek and elevated, and the cocktails are amazing. We loved the milk punch (Rummin all over the world), Garden Grove, and the complimentary melon bearcello was a standout. The tuna crudo and tomato & melon in bear cham were both super fresh and flavorful. Also loved the Bear Pop--a fun, ice cream-style treat. Carlos took great care of us at the bar, and I'm excited they're launching a 4-5pm happy hour. I'm picky, but I'll definitely be back regularly! read more

See all

Tucked into a cute space in Denver's RiNo neighborhood, BearLeek IMHO IS one of the most exciting restaurants in Denver. A sleek, industrial-chic space that perfectly blends underground cool with culinary sophistication--a vibe that's both stylish and inviting, What truly sets BearLeek apart is its inventive and globally inspired menu. The Chef brings a fusion of unique flavors creating amazing surprising dishes. It also seems like the menu changes frequently with the seasons and fresh ingredient availability. Do not miss the thoughtfully prepared koji-brined, Sichuan-kissed fried chicken, tuna crudo with whipped labneh. The gummy bear-shaped butters and passion fruit cream pops are delicious and playful. The globally influenced mash-up of flavors somehow works and translates into heavenly bites. Complementing the food is an inventive beverage program that mirrors the kitchen's creativity, with high-technique cocktails and a curated wine list that elevate the entire experience. With its buzz-worthy atmosphere, standout dishes, and creative flair, I think BearLeek is a must destination. Great job! read more

Bear Leek is an incredible new addition to Denver's dining scene. The vibe is spot on - cool lighting, great energy, and a team that makes you feel right at home. We sat at the chef's counter, which made the experience even more memorable. Chatting with the chefs (shoutout to Chef Andrew!) about their backgrounds and dishes added a personal touch that set the night apart. The Black Garlic Old Fashioned touched every tastebud on my tongue. Starting with the rolls with bear shaped charred leek butter is a must. Their take on the wedge salad was perfectly constructed so every bite was layered just right. The star of the night though was the French Onion Tart, which basically tastes like french onion soup meets a blooming onion. The fried chicken was also delicious: light, flavorful, and not overly breaded. We were too full for dessert, but the final touch of two gummy bears with the check was a nice, playful nod to their name - the perfect end to a fantastic meal. Bear Leek is creative, welcoming, and already feels like a Denver must-try. Can't wait to go back! read more

A fun alternative to other restaurants in the LoDo area. We sat at the bar and had a great time with the server. Cocktails are amazing. And food was really good. read more

Service is spectacular. The host was amazing! Interesting new spot. The bread is delicious and the butter tastes amazing. They were out of a few dishes which made our meal a bit challenging in terms of coursing out. Perogies were great - main issue is it's the same butter as the bread. Chicken liver was good as expected and the steak tartar was good. The same micro greens were repeated in two of the dishes. The burrata was subpar. It was incredibly salty and on top of that the crackers were salted. All in all - good key dishes but several similar flavors which hindered the over flavor. experience. Otherwise great attention to details! I'll visit again when the menu is more rounded out. read more

This was great! Went for a quick bite that turned into multiple bites. Everything we had was a hit! Specifically (and surprisingly) the French onion tart and raw radish dishes. We sat at the chefs counter top and would highly recommend trying to do the same. read more

Great atmosphere. Great service. Not a lot of gf options but the pork was good. Went on valentines Day.

I'm honestly shocked by the good reviews. This place was kind of a bummer. None of the food was outstanding except maybe the rolls and butter. Everything else was just ok, but took forever. Just a bummer. read more

Worth a visit despite nearby parking challenges. Great garden level dining spot with a creative food and cocktail menu. Great wine list as well. Support this local restaurant! read more

Delicious food in a unique dark black space with red lights. Service was perfect and wines were terrific. The only drawback was that it's very loud. Great for younger people. Not so great for anyone over 40. read more

Funny smell inside the restaurant like a toilet and bleach. Food is pretty good. I liked the turnips and bread the best. Probably fitting for the price. read more

Phenomenal service but underwhelming food. Fried chicken tasted like orange due to the overbearing / over-seasoned citrus. Batter had way too much flour to the point that the chicken felt like it had a layer of mochi around it. read more

Just truly mediocre - my guess is that most of the great reviews come from family and friends. Drinks are blah - food is tasteless - these guys have worked in good joints and you think they would know how to put on a good spread - but no. If these guys don''t get it together they won't be around very long - friendly bartender - read more

BearLeek is hands down the most complete culinary experience in all of Denver. Every dish we had was phenomenal. We started with the Chicken Liver Tart and the Burrata (paired with chili oil), both were delicious. The we had the charred radish and the tuna crudo. The Tuna Crudo was, without doubt, the best dish my wife and I have ever eaten in Denver. The fresh fish on top of the labneh was made even better with the lemon mint vinaigrette. The French Onion Tartlet and the Pierogis were both amazing. Our dinner finished with the Halibut and Ratatouille, where the fish was perfectly cooked. You cannot leave without first trying whatever flavor of Bear-Cello they are serving. The service is unparalleled, especially at the Chef's Counter, which gives you a first person perspective of your dish's preparation and an opportunity to chat with the chef's themselves. Carlos runs the bar, and is the best man in the business. Go to BearLeek and you will not be disappointed. read more

I LOVED my meal at BearLeek. Absolutely everything was delicious. Cannot say enough about it. Service was terrific, portions were great, prices were right. Highly recommend the bread and butter (airy and with a hint of sweetness), burrata (nice use of chili crisp and lavash) radishes (wow), tomato and melon in bear cham (surprisingly one of my top dishes), onion tartlet (omg so good), and the pierogies (my least favorite of all the dishes, but had I not had them, I would have given it a 10 and very hearty). Everything tastes great with the chenin blanc! read more

Great food. Great service. Really enjoyed this on all fronts. Best wishes to the whole team! Halibut and heirloom tomatoes were standouts for sure read more