Cancel

Open app

Search

Rioja

4.3 (2.9k reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Rioja Photos

RIOJA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for kids

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Rioja

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Mezcal cocktail
Jaclyn N.

Weekday dinner: Upon entry the hostess was welcoming and assisted me with obtaining a seat at the bar. I started off with a mezcal cocktail which was really good but note that it does come in a small glass. The bartender presented me with a variety of breads and biscuits to try and provided a nice place setting. I loved that on the menu you have the availability to order a full or half option on entrees and appetizers. I decided on trying the Chef's James beard awarded dishes to see what the hype was about. The fresh bacon aka pork belly dish was amazing as well as the artichoke tortellini. My least favorite was as the lamb gnocchi dish as the lamb was spicy and it didn't have a sauce to balance. But overall I had a great experience and would return.

Julia K.

We stopped by for their happy hour between 3-5pm, and didn't need a reservation while sitting in the patio. The interior is modern and upscale. We ordered sangria, lamb kofta ($9.5) , which has lamb, hummus and pickles. The highlights were the lavender bread, halibut ($49), nori tagliatelle ($27) Amazing! We like this one the best! and the artichoke tortellini ($27) , a bit too salty, which is their James Beard winner. They offer smaller portion of their homemade pasta for $14, which is a good option for tapas style dining.

Artichoke tortelloni
Joseph R.

After a brief walk from the hotel around 12PM on a Sunday, we found ourselves in a nice section with shops and eateries. Outside, there appeared to be some construction going on where there'd be outdoor seating, but it was too hot anyway so we wandered on in. It wasn't busy when we arrived, 1 party visible (later I realized there was another section with customers.) Cute decor with plenty of seating. Our server immediately greeted us and seated us right away. The brunch menu wasn't too overwhelming and she went over the specials. Ultimately, we ordered the following: Artichoke tortelloni Eric's bao-nuts Gabe's chronic chicken salad sandwich Rioja Benedict Colorado lamb burger From beginning to end, all the dishes were exceptional! Everyone loved their meal! The artichoke tortelloni was enough as an appetizer for a party of 4. Apparently, we ordered a "desert" with the Eric's bao-nuts to start everything off. This in itself was so good, I'd go back just for this if I had the chance. I personally had the colorado lamb burger. I generally tend to eat light and don't finish my meals in one sitting. This definitely wasn't the case. The presentation for the burger caught my attention as well. We were so happy with our meals that we decided to get a "2nd desert", the flourless fudge torte. Man, I'm impressed. Chocolate was not too rich or sweet, loved the cherry compote. This is was a winner! Overall, it was a great lunch dining experience to start off my mother's birthday. The service, presentation and food were on point! I'll be back in the future to try out their dinner menu. Thanks Rioja!

July 28, 2026 - Summer Harvest Salad. We split the order, so this is just one of the two portions!
Michele O.

July 28, 2026 - Denver, CO After a midday hike on the Cherry Creek Trail, we were looking for a shaded, dog-friendly patio to escape the heat. As we wandered through Larimer Square, the menu posted outside Rioja caught my eye, and we decided to stop for lunch. I'm so glad we did. The service was exceptional from start to finish. Our pup was immediately greeted with a bowl of ice water, and despite the hot afternoon, our own water glasses were never allowed to get empty. Those little touches made us feel genuinely welcome. We started with the Summer Harvest Salad ($14) with Rebel Farms greens, freekeh, crème fraîche, pistachios, and fresh herbs. The kitchen thoughtfully split it into two bowls for us, and it was one of the best salads I've ever had--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. For our entrée, we shared the Dumpling Lasagna ($18), made with duck sausage, mushroom ramen broth, egg roll dough, chili crunch, and green onions. It was unlike any lasagna I've ever tasted, wonderfully creative and absolutely delicious. Although it couldn't be plated separately, they provided extra plates so we could easily share. We couldn't resist dessert and ordered the Flourless Fudge Torte ($14) with milk chocolate ganache, cherry compote, and vanilla crème anglaise. It was every bit as decadent and delicious as it sounds, and the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. Between the exceptional food, attentive service, and welcoming patio, we left feeling pampered, well-fed, and truly appreciated.

Lunch menu
Tiffany S.

Stopped by for lunch right after landing in Denver and snagged an Al fresco table at Rioja, right in the middle of Larimer Square. The non-traditional chicken salad sandwich was delicious and the Pomegranate 75 special hit the spot. My friend enjoyed her sandwich and sangria, too. Great first stop!

Goat Cheese Gnudi
Morgan P.

I had a wonderful dinner at Rioja last night after arriving in Denver on business. I sat outside under the cafe lights and the atmosphere could not have been more enjoyable, especially after a gentleman began serenading those in Larimer Square with a violin. Drew was a great server, very attentive and made great recommendations for a solo diner. I enjoyed a glass of Grenache rose and the half portion of Goat Cheese Gnudi. The Gnudi were the fluffiest pillows of yum and the lamb ragù made it the perfect amount of filling for a late evening meal.

Mei T.

My colleague and I had a nice brunch here. I ordered the chef's crepes that came with crab filling and she ordered a green breakfast bowl with grilled chicken added. We shared our dishes and they were a perfect combo. The food was excellent, but service was lacking. I had to ask multiple times for a second glass of grapefruit juice. We also had to wait quite a while for our check. It's worth noting that they were a James Beard Award Winner. The food was 5 solid stars, but I knocked off a star for the service. The inside of the restaurant looked cozy and tastefully decorated with white tablecloths, but it was a beautiful day so we sat outside facing the shared courtyard.

Grilled Steak
Rebecca S.

I would rate this a solid 3.5. My favorite thing we ordered was the cocktail and the tuna tartar. Entrees we got the steak and lamb. The lamb was not good and didn't have that lamb flavor I love. Spouse got the steak and it was really good. Service was great. Table was wobbly. Probably won't be back.

Artichoke Tortelloni (tortellini has meat)
Dan D.

Had an *off-the-charts* delicious meal @ Rioja on Larimer Square - there's a reason it has a James Beard award: amazingly good. The server was top-tier, she knew what she was talking about: outstanding. The vibe is upscale & hip. Put this spot on your list. I also recommend reservations

Beignet
Justine Ray M.

James beard tortellini truffle! I had a great time here at this restaurant. I used OpenTable to get me a reservation right before closing was like 30 minutes before and I arrived around 45 minutes before my before closing. Ordered a little bit. Greeted and checked in, got a seat right in the front. View was the beautiful street lights. Kyle was my server for the night and he gave me a great layout of whats were the good things to have. I already had the tortellini in mind since it was featured in James Beard awards so I got that it was really cheesy and the truffle was really powerful and then I packed a punch. It was a little bit underwhelming however, I really enjoyed the artichoke soup with chili sauce or chili and then I also really like the beignet. I think I didn't have to go with the seafood. I only had a little bit of the octopus and I was like I don't think I'm gonna get this next time but the next day it was a delicious left over for lunch. It look like a paella. Pretty elegant spot, and recommend for date night spot. Ps loved the starter bread with lavender fragrance. Also the rosemary bread was a majestic touch too!

Martha W.

This is my third time here and it's been great service each time at the bar by Rachel and Joe, who were really nice. The ambiance is lovely and they have lots of soft seating and romantic booths. I had the pork belly/ bacon and it was good both times.Also had the Amish chicken and their wine list is amazing.

Alexander T.

The food and dining experience was superb. My party sat outside on the patio. The menu is very well planned. Our entrees were well portioned. Dessert was absolutely delicious and fantastic! If you are in Denver, I highly recommend Rioja!

Hunter S.

I only have photos of my food and drinks, but I came here with two friends, and we had the grandest of times. This is a restaurant that exhibits superb service and phenomenal food. The restaurant is modern, sleek, open, and well lit. The service is out of this world. Everyone is falling over themselves to help you, though not in a gross way. I had two pastas (you could have either a full pasta dish or a half, and I chose to have two halves). I had the goat cheese gnudi (lamb ragu, fennel pollen, pecorino). Half portion was 14, whole 28. It was rich, meaty, and delish. I also had the mushroom pappardelle (pickled pearl onion, crispy maitake, sheep ricotta, dill). Half 18, full 29. Rich, filling, luxurious. My friend had the duck, which she loved. She can't eat red meat and it was prepared in such a way it almost made her feel like she was eating red meat again. My friend's husband had the scallops as an app (we tasted them too, they were decadent). Then he had the paella, again, a crowd pleaser. We ate every bite of all of it. We had several complex, amazing cocktails. Not the run of the mill. Ingredients that are more unique than the average spot for sure. A lot of gin and absinthe. We had one called Ecto cooler (rum, lychee, kiwi coriander shrub) that we all enjoyed immensely. It's not cheap. For all three of us, with our decadent entrees and multiple alcoholic drinks, as well as dessert and apps, was around 450 with the appropriate tip (I did tip heavy because the service was so spectacular). But I also appreciate this restaurant pays a living wage and charges a small uncharge to allow for this. Amazing experience. And on a pedestrian walkway and near clocktower cabaret, so you can have a great evening.

Bread

See all

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 days ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 7
Thanks 2
Love this 8
Oh no 0

25 days ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

19 hours ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Beth G.

Beth G.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

Page 1 of 74

Rioja Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Rioja

Does Rioja have private pods for those seeking to avoid COVID?

No pods or mini greenhouses. They do have tables outside on the sidewalk and in Larimer Street with propane heaters.

Is there still outside dining available that you can request at the Tim of booking your reservation?

Hello Kathy, You can request outdoor seating when making the reservation when you speak with us.… 

Do they offer Happy hours?

Rioja offers a daily happy hour from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Would it be terrible to bring children? We're traveling from out of state and have to bring kids.

This is not a stuffy place and the staff is very welcoming. I don't see a problem if your children are well-behaved and are adventurous eaters. However, the dinner menu is fairly expensive and even the basic items are prepared in an eclectic and… 

Are dogs allowed in the outdoor patio space?

Do they allow dogs on the patio?

Call to confirm, but I don't believe that's allowed in Denver. I've tried at a few restaurants on 17th and been told that I can't be on the patio with my little guy.

Do they have vegan options?

Vegetarian options, but limited vegan (typical salad offerings)

Is there a corkage fee? If so, how much is it?

When I called a few months ago they said they do not accept outside bottles. They have an amazing wine list though so you'll find a great bottle. We tried their 20+ year old Rioja and it was one of the best wines I've had.

Is there a dress code? We will be traveling from out of town and walking most of the day, not sure if we'll need to go home and change first.

No posted dress code. However, if you are a person of color and dressed casually, be prepared to be told that no tables are available even though tables are in fact available. A minute after being turned away, we called the restaurant and were told… 

Is this restaurant loud?

I went to Rioja on a Tuesday & there wasn't an open table in the restaurant. Although the restaurant was crowded, the noise is properly controlled through use of furniture , flooring , etc . Additional, I would not call the Rioja crowd, rowdy.… 

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Ultreia - Pan con Tomate with Jamon Iberico de Bellota

Ultreia

4.1(526 reviews)
0.4 mi•Lodo, Northwest
•$$$

Amazing experience at Ultreia- couple of highlights -…read moreService is always friendly and accommodating: recently we had a bartender gift us an extra drink to our table just because he had made one on accident. Very hospitable! Food is always on point- Tapas are a big draw for coming here. Shishito peppers are amazing and flavorful, also the boards are nice and bring big Spain flavor. We notice the boards are a bit smaller than what we'd normally expect but no less tasty. Drink program have been consistent and high quality- just going off of a basic gin and tonic with a Spanish flair, a nice selection of vermouth and Sherry, as well as a curated wine menu. Ambiance - place is clean and does call to mind Spain and its Al fresco dining styles. Overall- I'm reminded of Spain when I'm here!

I came to Ultreia for the Spanish tapas, so I went with the Chef's Feast and let the kitchen…read morechoose. The best dishes weren't the ones I came for. The Ensalada Verde was the surprise of the night. The farm greens, artichokes, and parmesan-garlic vinaigrette with crunchy Marcona almond migas made it a salad I'd order again. The Moorish Spiced Ribs were tender and full of flavor, and the pan-seared Trucha Navarra was nicely cooked and well balanced with the jamón and tonnato. For dessert I had the Pastel de Nata, and the crust was wonderfully flaky. I sat on the patio with a glass of Rioja, which was a lovely way to spend the evening. It was busy, but service stayed friendly. Four stars, because the dishes that stood out for me weren't the Spanish tapas that drew me in.

Photos
Ultreia - Happy Hour Gin&Tonic

Happy Hour Gin&Tonic

Ultreia - Piri Piri Breakfast Sandwich.

Piri Piri Breakfast Sandwich.

Ultreia - Patatas Bravas with Octopus

See all

Patatas Bravas with Octopus

Barcelona Wine Bar - Sweet potato Hummus

Barcelona Wine Bar

4.3(1.3k reviews)
1.3 mi•Five Points, Ballpark, Northwest
•$$

We had an great experience at Barcelona in Denver. The energy of the restaurant was incredible and…read morethe the place was packed, but it never felt overcrowded. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and the atmosphere was lively and a lot of fun. We had a reservation, but our table was delayed about 30 minutes because they had to close the patio due to the rain. The hostess recommended that we grab a drink at the bar while we waited. The bar area and the bartenders had the same great energy and we really didn't mind the delay as a result. Once we were seated, the manager, Dan, stopped by and surprised us with complimentary appetizers because of the delay. It was unexpected and it was a nice touch to welcome us to the restaurant. The food on the menu is mostly tapas-style. We were not sure what to order so we let our waitress choose for us, and she absolutely nailed it. Every dish she selected was fantastic, as were the choices in wine, and it made the whole experience even better. She was very thoughtful in asking us questions about stuff we liked and didn't like before she ordered, and also didn't try to oversell us on stuff or select the highest priced items. She genuinely wanted to make our food and drink experience great, and she did a great job of doing it. From the atmosphere and service to the food and hospitality, it was a memorable night. We had a great time and will definitely be back!

Awesome place for some drinks and a snack, always a great vibe here!…read more Barcelona wine bar is a perfect place to grab a bite with friends or have a date night, the atmosphere is awesome, especially the patio in the warmer months. The menu is very large, with tons of small plates to choose from, making sharing easy. Lots of wine option with great happy hour deals. Patatas bravas are a must- every time!!

Photos
Barcelona Wine Bar - It shouldn't take 45 minutes for an aperitivo board... 45 minutes and counting...

It shouldn't take 45 minutes for an aperitivo board... 45 minutes and counting...

Barcelona Wine Bar - HOUSE MARINATED OLIVES - Garlic, Citrus, Thyme, Giardiniera

HOUSE MARINATED OLIVES - Garlic, Citrus, Thyme, Giardiniera

Barcelona Wine Bar - Oyster Mushrooms

See all

Oyster Mushrooms

El Five - Bison Meatballs

El Five

4.1(1.2k reviews)
1.0 mi•Northwest, Highland
•$$$

Such a great experience at El Five! The atmosphere is intimate, and sitting at the chef's bar with…read morebeautiful views of downtown Denver made it even better. The smoked burrata was delicious, especially with all the toppings it came with. The sea bass completely surprised me, in the best way. Sweet, spicy, savory, crunchy, with so many different textures and flavors happening at once. The lamb skewers were another favorite. The meat was thinly sliced and secured on the skewer, which made every bite incredibly tender. They were just bomb overall! The drinks were also very well put together and complemented the food perfectly. The server was outstanding. Definitely a place I'm eager to come back to and try more dishes from the menu!

Second time back here for date night! The vibes are always great. Our favorites were the Patatas…read moreBravas and the Goat Cheese Croquettas. We had a 7:30 reservation and got seated almost immediately. Great place to go and share tapas family-style. The drinks were super yummy and strong! We had the Tarquin's G&T, Picatini and 2 Atlas. Atlas was definitely my favorite with the passion fruit flavors. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because we were told our first round of drinks were complimentary thanks to an Edible Beats special we had, but we didn't realize they were still on the bill until later... we weren't a huge fan of the Galician Empanada but still great quality and made well. Overall, a nice place for date night and we will probably be back soon!

Photos
El Five - Dining Room

Dining Room

El Five - Lamb Skewers

Lamb Skewers

El Five - Juniper Jones cocktail. Don't be a fool and pour in the tonic. Enjoy the infused flavors of the rosemary with the gin.

See all

Juniper Jones cocktail. Don't be a fool and pour in the tonic. Enjoy the infused flavors of the rosemary with the gin.

Zocalito Latin Bistro - calamari salad

Zocalito Latin Bistro

4.1(206 reviews)
0.4 mi•Central Business District, CBD, Northwest
•$$

Zocalito was amazing! Came on my recent CO trip. Everything was so authentic. I got the Oaxaca…read morerelleno and it was by far the best chile relleno I've ever had. Such a unique and solid flavor, and presentation was exquisite. Asked for extra hot sauce and was provided with a couple different options including a ghost pepper sauce. Also got an appetizer of their homemade chips, salsa, guac. Superb. Service was great, I came at the close of business but my guy took great care of me and was so attentive. Also had a margarita with fresh squeezed lime juice. Prices are a little more but this place is quality, and I'd return in a heartbeat.

Went to dinner here on the recommendation of friends. We had an enjoyable time thanks to Zocalito…read more There were two people working on a Thursday night. One in the kitchen, the chef and one bartender who was also the server and host for the evening. There were several guests and a larger party as well, but somehow they managed to keep up with everyone's wants and needs. I'm impressed! I selected the grilled prawns for dinner. The prawns were cooked perfectly. The chilcosle sauce was very tasty and yes, it was spicy, but not overwhelming. As Goldilocks would say, "it was just right". To end the meal, the group selected the banana split for dessert. YUM! I hadn't had banana split in years, and this one was excellent. Great dining experience with comfy seats both inside and out. Definitely recommend and next time I will have to try the rellenos as those are a frequent recommendation for Zocalito!

Photos
Zocalito Latin Bistro - Bar area

Bar area

Zocalito Latin Bistro - Chicken peanut mole

Chicken peanut mole

Zocalito Latin Bistro - I wanted to take Freddy home!

See all

I wanted to take Freddy home!

Toro - Lomo Saltado

Toro

4.4(367 reviews)
3.1 mi•Cherry Creek, Southeast

Stellar restaurant with amazing, inventive food and fantastic ambiance and service…read more I went with a few people and some of our favorites Filet - while not in the Latin theme of this restaurant, just stellar Lomo - stir-fry tenderloin on amazing rice Chicken - Latin inspired spices done really well Ceviche - many different options, all unique and well done Corn Soup - poured tableside, one of the best I had The Bomba Dessert is a great presentation but the mismatch of flavors and textures just did not work for us. Yuzu Cake - fantastic texture and taste Lava Cake - was giving off unusual banana notes Definitely a place that I will return. Valet parking available as well as meter and further free street parking.

Great dinner at Toro Latin Kitchen with a large group, and everyone left happy…read more We started with the sweet corn empanadas, the clear highlight of the apps, sweet, warm, and perfectly crisp on the outside. Beef tartare was close behind, finely diced and well-seasoned. The guacamole was fresh and chunky, the prawns had a nice char, and the Amarillo ceviche brought a bright, citrusy heat from the aji amarillo peppers that balanced beautifully against the cool, tender fish. But the real highlight of the night was the steaks. My skirt steak was cooked perfectly, well-charred outside and tender inside, paired with the potatoes three ways, crispy, creamy, and roasted, each with its own texture and seasoning. Even better was the tomahawk ribeye, flambéed tableside in mezcal, a great bit of theater with a smoky, slightly sweet flame that infused the meat. I got lucky enough to try a bite. Rich, buttery, and delicious with heavy rosemary. A real treat. Service was a bit spotty for our group. I won't go into details, but our server disappeared for long stretches and it took a long time to finally get our entrees. This was likely because of our specific server.

Photos
Toro - Interior

Interior

Toro - Just okay play

Just okay play

Toro - Lomo Saltado

See all

Lomo Saltado

The 9th Door Capitol Hill - Tapas Frios Salmon

The 9th Door Capitol Hill

4.2(363 reviews)
1.3 mi•Capitol Hill, Southwest
•$$

My husband introduced me to this restaurant for a date night. We had a great experience and loved…read moreit - the food, location and staff! So much so, that I returned a few months later with a friend before watching the Harry Potter play at DPAC. And AGAIN last night with my husband, sister, mom and her dance instructor and best friend. They are visiting from Atlanta to compete in a ballroom dance competition this weekend. Our waiter was impressive and he managed us well! First drinks, then specials and a handful of tapas while our last guest arrived. Followed by a full on tapas conquest to try every single dish (without seafood). The staff brought several dishes at a time, ensuring we weren't overwhelmed with too many at one time. Perfectly timing the next round of tapas, with new dinner plates, and the next round of drinks. Our waters were consistently topped off. It was a lot! We were a handful! Our waiter (Christian S) knew exactly what to do. Exactly what drinks to recommend. Exactly which tapas and desserts to recommend. Exactly what to say to make us laugh. He rounded out the experience to ensure it was a perfect evening! Thank you Christian! These were some of the highlights: Pan with the homemade salsa verde as well as the pan de tomato The pork with manchego, pepper special was divine! As well as the chicken with garbanzos! Amazing flavor and sauces. The ham, Salchicha, chorizo, olives tray was incredible Other amazing tapas included beets, mushrooms, Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas, meatballs/albondigas, carrot salad, chicken croquetas and the salmon special Followed by churros with chocolate, flan and crema catalana for dessert. It was a delicious meal with a wonderful staff! We would highly recommend and we will definitely return! My only regret is we didn't take pictures of the food except the first one! Beets with Valencia orange and lemon (not sure on the exact name). It was so flavorful, as were all the tapas! Wow! Best meal in Denver we've had in a while! Thank you 9th Door staff, chefs, and Christian!

Although I only make it out to this part of town but rarely, I always make a point to pop in at The…read more9th Door for their great ambiance, stellar service and delectable, shareable tapas. Don't even think twice about coming here for the best tapas in Colorado!

Photos
The 9th Door Capitol Hill - 9th Door, Denver's best kept secret

9th Door, Denver's best kept secret

The 9th Door Capitol Hill - Calamari

Calamari

The 9th Door Capitol Hill - Tapas Caliente Pork

See all

Tapas Caliente Pork

Rioja - newamerican - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...