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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
I went for the artichoke tortellini that is talked about. Excellent! Excellent, excellent. And I don't even like Italian food that much. Melt in the mouth, excellent broth, perfect portion of dough and cheese. The drinks wer very refreshing. The sandwiches were great and so was the cucumber gazpacho. Will be back.
Rioja was one of the best meals I've had in Denver. We started with the complimentary bread service, which included cornbread, olive bread, and sourdough. The Harvest Salad was fresh, balanced, and absolutely hit the spot. The standout dish, though, was the truffle tortellini. It was rich, flavorful, and easily the star of the meal. My only regret is ordering the 4-piece portion instead of the 7-piece! I loved that the restaurant offers both half and full portions of their pastas, making it easy to share and try multiple dishes. We also ordered the Thai Pork, and the kitchen was kind enough to split it onto two plates for us, which was a thoughtful touch. The service throughout the evening was attentive super attentive and friendly. We ordered all that was recommended. The three dishes we shared were the perfect amount for two people. In fact, not a single bite was left on our plates. We were so satisfied that we didn't even make it to dessert, but that's just a reason to come back. Highly recommend: Harvest Salad, Truffle Tortellini, and Thai Pork.
I genuinely cannot believe it took me this long to find Rioja. This place is it for Denver. Located on Larimer Square, the vibe alone is worth the trip - but then the food goes and makes it unforgettable. We started with the bread and whipped butter, which sounds simple but honestly set the tone for the whole meal. So, so good. From there we had the tuna tartare, artichoke tortellini, goat cheese gnudi, and the mushroom pappardelle - and I don't know where to begin. The handmade pastas are the star of the show. The pappardelle was my unexpected favorite, followed closely by the tortellini and the gnudi (genuinely a tough call between those two). The asparagus salad was fresh and delicious. The tartare was the one thing I'd say was just good rather than transcendent -- still solid, just didn't blow me away the way everything else did. Service was attentive without being overbearing, the atmosphere is elevated but not stuffy, and the menu apparently rotates often so there's always a reason to come back. Perfect for a nicer dinner with friends, bringing your parents, or just treating yourself to something special. Already thinking about my next visit.
Rioja is a fancy restaurant that delivers high quality dishes and a great atmosphere. Given its downtown location, it's a perfect option for visitors staying downtown or for a fine dining experience prior to a show. We had an out-of-town friend staying in downtown Denver for a conference. We wanted to impress her, and I had been wanting to visit Rioja for some time, so we gave it a go. Everything about the experience was perfect. This includes the service, which was warm and knowledgeable. We ordered the two James Beard award dishes, the fresh bacon and the artichoke tortellini, to share between us. Both were delightful and definitely worthy of the attention. I had the mushroom pappardelle; which was appropriately rich and satisfying. We also had a round of drinks. We all enjoyed our drinks and found them to be well-balanced. My friend was delighted by this experience. Mission accomplished.
Met an old friend (from kindergarten!) and her son for a pre-theater dinner, with my daughter. We sat outside, but did see the interior, which was lovely. There's a small, limited menu, which I always like because they're focused on doing a few items very well, as opposed to many items less well. They do not have gluten-free pasta items. All their pasta is made in-house, and the server told me that so far, efforts with 1:1 flour have not achieved the texture that they want. But they do have risotto, so I ordered that, and the tuna tartare. The tuna was wonderful!! Really delicious. Our server brought me some papadum, because the olive crackers have wheat. The flavors were perfect. The half-order of risotto was quite small, and the piece of smoked trout was small as well, but combined with the tuna, was a perfect meal. The sauce was silky. My daughter and my friend's son both had the steak, and she said it was great. It was a nice size, and perfectly cooked. My friend had the pork. She's a trained chef and a serious foodie, and mostly enjoyed her entree. The "What's up Doc" cocktail with mezcal was very, very good. My daughter had one too. A lovely dining experience! I would return, just for the tuna tartare. Service was attentive without being intrusive, and I really appreciated the papadum.
One of the best pasta experiences I've ever had. The Artichoke Tortelloni is a must. No wonder it won a James Beard Award. The staff at Rioja were so kind and helpful. It was such a cool area to dine as well. The serving size and price was the only complaint we really had. They didn't match and I've been to equivalent restaurants. Generally a $27 pasta dish has more. read more
29 days ago
Business owner information
Beth G.
Felicia,…
Beautiful James Beard winning restaurant on Larimar Square. We sat indoors facing the square. Joe was our waiter & today's specials had our mouths watering. The cozy restaurant with a big bar is trendy. I enjoyed watching the chefs making the bread & desserts from scratch. Trip Advisor rated Rioja as #12 out of 2,700 in Denver. We shared the pea, sunchoke salad with sugar snap peas, ahi tuna, pickled sunchokes, torn herbs, freekah, red onions, pistachios, and crème fraîche. It was fresh, crisp, divided into 2 bowls & perfect. We also shared Jay's chronic chicken salad sandwich with chili marinated, grilled chicken salad, bacon, curry, aioli, ratatouille, celery, candy, cashews, and mixed greens on focaccia. For dessert we shared the half order of House made donuts. Lunch was exceptional, 5 stars doesn't do Rioja justice! read more
9 months ago
It's been over 2 years since I dined at Rioja. I have been on their mailing list for years. On New Years Day, I received an email about a January Happy Hour promotion called Sips & Snacks where 4 wines with paired snacks would be available at the bar for $28. I arrived at 4pm. This week they were offering 3 oz pours of 2 whites & 2 reds from Portugal and Spain. Very interesting wines. In fact, one of the reds Corriente Tempranillo was good enough to get a full glass. So I decided to have dinner. I got an arugula salad and Fideua, a paella type dish made with vermicelli noodles instead of rice with gigande beans, chicken, Chorizo, shrimp, clams, saffron and shishito peppers. I was served by John at the bar and assisted by John. They add a 5% fee for Denver minimum wage and a 1% Larimer Square fee. I plan to be back next week for another Sips & Snacks. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for the amazing review Bennett P! We can't wait to see you…
Loved this place!! We wanted something small to share and drinks. We loved the vibe in this place! Fun decor. Our server, Vivienne, was so nice and helpful! We really appreciated the other staff too - bread guy, water guy, dish cleared - everyone chipped in to keep us happy! We had drinks, a salad, and the picnic with just cheese, no meat. So good!! read more
We did it... we finally went to the famous Denver dining gem and we get the hype. First of all, the service- most attentive, knowledgeable, and cohesive team I've ever experienced! Exceptional! The vibes are cozy, upscale, and perfect for date night! And then... the food! The pictures may look unassuming but the flavors are the work of an artist! The stars of the show were the fresh bacon (absolutely divine... totally get why it's award winning) and the goat cheese gnudi (hubby's fave was that amazing lamb ragu). We also enjoyed the house salad (perfectly dressed, loved the combo of the dates and Gorgonzola), the mushroom pappardelle (loved the sauce, pappardelle was a bit think for me), the artichoke tortellini, and hubby had the bavette steak. I enjoyed a glass of the Gundlach cab blend (paired exceptionally and a 5 oz pour was very generous) and my husband had their firestarter cocktail (like a margarita... phenomenal... delicious and refreshing). They also have a nice bread service with yummy sea salt butter. Wish we saved room for dessert. Next time! Thank you for a truly lovely meal and an even lovelier night, Rioja team! read more
3 months ago
Great Food & Amazing Service! We tried Rioja this past Sunday and overall had a really great experience. The food was delicious, but the standout service is what really made our night! The Food Fresh Bacon: Absolute perfection. The entire family loved this dish--highly recommend! Peas & Carrots (Dessert): A unique and very tasty way to end the meal. Goat Cheese Gnudi & Chicken Entree: Both were very good, though the sauce/soup with the chicken leaned a bit too salty for our taste. Tortelloni: This one was just average compared to how spectacular the other dishes were. The Service (5/5) They have these little cone ice creams that aren't on the regular menu (usually reserved for birthdays or anniversaries). My 7-year-old really wanted one, and when we asked our waiter about it, she was incredibly generous and brought out four of them so our entire table could enjoy one! Between the excellent bacon and the wonderful staff, we will definitely be back! read more
I loved the house salad at this place so much that I returned again a few days later while still in town. With the 90 degree weather outside, I was looking for a light lunch that wouldn't require me to take a nap afterwards. Their house salad is made just perfectly. I like to substitute the gorgonzola with goat cheese, and it's just absolutely delicious! I also asked for some lemonade, and my server was kind enough to have the bartender shake it for me. I had never enjoyed lemonade that way, and I don't think I'm ever going back to drinking it regularly lol. So yummy, didn't even need ice, which I'm not a huge fan of in drinks anyway. read more
What a great place to eat! My favorite dish was their James Beard dish,the tortellini. I didn't know I ordered their most popular dish until the server brought it out. Be sure to order a larger order of this because it can go fast. Overall we had a great experience. The food, service, and staff was excellent. Cheers!! read more
9 days ago
Messaged the team ahead of time and they made the vegetable pot pie friendly to my diet (no alliums and no egg). They also made the Brussel sprouts for me which I really enjoyed. Great spot for a team dinner / group dinner. read more
5 months ago
The restaurant is beautiful. A very romantic setting before a lovely hearth with the open kitchen. The service is not the best. They are slow to seat, slow to bring menus, slow to take the order, slow to even bring drinks out initially, and slow with the food and check in. With that in mind, know that if you are ordering the Amish Natural Chicken, you should reserve about an hour wait - from the time they take your order. They did not tell us this upon ordering, so we ended up waiting all that time thinking our order was forgotten. Every table around us was served and finished eating before we got our chicken. I will say the squash soup is very nice. Its lovely presentation and a balanced flavor profile is satisfying. The Amish chicken, once it does get to you, is also tasty, juicy, and satisfying. Worth the wait? Depends on your evening plans. The wine selection is good, though expensive. The top off to the extremely slow service is learning upon receiving the check that they not only charge a 5% fee to support their servers having a living wage, which of course I support, but on top still ask for the 20-30% gratuity. That part is too much, and certainly not an invitation back. read more
This may be my new favorite restaurant on Larimer Square! We had the most wonderful time here. Our servers and the surrounding wait staff were so attentive, my water glass was never empty. Everyone here was so kind and consistently checked in on us. While the menu prices are high, the food here delivers. The snack picnic plate was beautifully arranged and had a lot of fun flavors and textures going on, this was great to share bewtween 4-5 people. We also shared the scallop crudo and this was overall just an okay dish. Appreciated the crunch of the hazelnut but would skip this dish next time. We ordered the chicken as an entree to share, and they elegantly plated our dishes separately, what you see in the pictures is only half of what our entire portion was. The chicken itself was juicy with some flavorful skin. The beans it was served on was delicious and made the dish even more hearty. This is a great spot to come with a bigger group or even just for a date night. Loved the darker ambiance and it was not too loud in here either. Would recommend! read more
1 year ago
While touring the city for the first time, we stumbled upon this restaurant and decided to go in for happy hour drinks and appetizers. We chose wisely because what a beautiful restaurant. The waiter/bartender was the absolute best. He even let us try some really good tequila which I will have to buy. I will definitely come back and I recommend everyone else going to this beautiful restaurant. read more
7 months ago
I came here for dinner with some coworkers as it was recommended by one of our other coworkers. It's in Larimer square and we were seated immediately. Our server was super nice! We started off with the bread. There were 3 choices: Olive bread, sourdough, & a rosemary biscuit hybrid. That Rosemary bread was a cross with the sourdough and a warm biscuit. It had the perfect amount of crunch and paired nicely with the butter, the sourdough was ok but lacked flavor in my opinion. We ordered a bottle of red and a half bottle of moscato d' asti to drink, and finished both bottles. Now onto the entrees. I started off with the brassica salad and honestly I wanted to love it but the flavor was off, it had a sour aftertaste which was not pleasant. I did enjoy the aguachile but didn't know what made it spicy, I would order it again, the fish was fresh and I enjoyed it. But the star for me was the goat cheese gnudi, it was served with a yummy ragu and the ghost cheese tortellini melted in my mouth. read more
Business owner information
Beth G.
While we are grateful for the four-star review, we truly strive for…
We started with the picnic and the pork belly. The picnic was good, but I would've liked more cheeses and meats at that price point. The pork belly was crispy and flakey and the garbanzo purée was excellent. Ordered the pork chop, which was excellently seasoned and very well cooked. The sweet potatoes were a fantastic side; they were nice and crispy without being too burnt. The Brussels sprouts were good, but there weren't enough of them at all. Drinks were solid. Very accommodating for my gluten free friend. The service was very attentive. The ambiance was plain. I definitely would want to try more. Overall 4.4/5 read more
Visited this restaurant while traveling to Denver. What caught my eye was that it won James Beard Foundation award so I made reservations. This place has a very classy ambiance and great for a celebration (e.g. birthday, anniversary, etc). It won the James Beard award for its fresh bacon start and artichoke tortelloni. I also got the smoked liberty duck breast since love duck. The portions sizes are appropriate and would definitely recommend two entrees and a starter in order to be full. My favorite was the the artichoke tortelloni. The duck was also decked but I wished that I came with some additional carbs to balance with the meat. They serve you some bread at the beginning but I wish that they came back again since I wish that I had additional bread with the duck. I also think potatoes would go nicely with the duck. Service was excellent and felt well attended to. Overall, great restaurant, slightly on the pricey side. read more
1 year ago
We enjoyed 3 excellent dinners during along weekend in Denver. Both my wife and I agreed that Rio a was the best of them. The service in this restaurant is absolutely first rate. It's not easy for t staff for be extremely attentive to their diners while at the same time not smothering them. At Rioja they have found the goldilocks balance. We were really well cared for and yet felt left alone when we didn't need or order anything. We were seated inside at a table near the door. It was a very warm day in Denver and we needed a break from the sun. The restaurant is well appointed with nice tables, chairs and white tablecloths inside. Our meal was a bit small as it was just too hot to eat and too hot (for us) to drink alcohol. The chamomile Scallop Crudo was absolutely fantastic. The scallops were tender, sweet and beautifully presented. The house salad was a nice portion of very crisp and satisfying veges. The lettuce and other ingredients were very fresh. Our entrees included the Smoked Fazzoletti. This was such an interesting dish-both flavorful with great texture of the pasta. My wife enjoyed her Seared Halibut that was very fresh and well prepared with a wonderful sauce that did not smother the taste of the fish. We shared the Strawberry Sumac Tart. I really appreciated both the fruit flavor and that the dessert wasn't too sweet. A truly enjoyable meal. You should know that your check will include a 5% 'DMW' charge for the staff. This is before you choose to leave a tip. read more
6 months ago
Business owner information
Beth G.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed…
2 years ago
Located in the heart of Larimer Square, nice spot to come to when you're shopping around or wandering in the area. We stopped in for lunch and they had plenty of seating. We ordered the short rib and wild rice bowl and Gabe's chronic chicken salad sandwich. Both came highly recommended by the waitress. We thought the short rib bowl was pretty underwhelming. It was a hunt to find many pieces of short rib inside, it was mostly filled with chunks of sweet potato and other vegetables, and we didn't think the short rib was great quality. It had kind of an off-putting flavor to it that we didn't enjoy. The chicken sandwich was pretty good, I enjoyed this one more. I liked the crunch of the nuts in the sandwich and overall it was tasty. Overall, decent meal but nothing mindblowing and prices are a bit steep. read more
8 months ago
An amazing dinner at Chef Jenn's restaurant, Rioja in Denver CO. We were fortunate to have her on a cruise from Venice to Athens. The bluefin tuna appetizer with the duck entree was superb! The staff and service was above reproach This dinner with Lisa and Tim (friends from Nocatee FL) will be so memorable. read more
2 years ago
While visiting for a conference in Denver Colorado, middle of September, several of my colleagues and I went to dinner at Rioja on a Monday evening. Rioja is located in Denver, downtown at Larimer Square. We ended up getting a table for four outside. It was pretty quiet Monday evening, but there were several live singers and musicians performing at Larimer Square. Rioja's menu is quite unique! The menu has a wide range of hand made pastas, entrees such as braised short rib, halibut, tuna, and much more! For appetizers, you can choose from soups, salads, bacon as starters! For starters, we ended up selecting the following Rioja Picnic: Artisan Meats and Cheeses, Olives, Pickled Green Tomatoes, Almonds, Tomato Jam, Crackers My colleague also asked for a Rioja house made salad. Complimentary bread was provided while eating at Rioja. We only saw one of the team members handing out bread once, after waiting about 45 minutes after placing our order. It was delicious though! The sourdough was yummy! For my entrée, I ended up selecting the Tagliatelle which was hand made pasta with beef and pork Bolognese, Basil, Parmigiano Reggiano. I had asked the waiter if it had any alcohol as I have a food allergy related to alcohol. It took about an hour and 15 minutes to find out if the Tagliatelle did not have alcohol before placing the order. The service was really slow. We ended up getting to Rioja around 5:15, and didn't leave until shortly after 9:00 P.M. The entrees took about 3 hours to arrive at the table. The salad was also missing. We had to inform the waiter that the salad never arrived with the appetizer. It also took awhile to get drink refills such as water and soda. It did seem busy inside the restaurant, but the seating outside was fairly open. The Tagliatelle was good, but it was slightly cold. The beef and pork was scrumptious. I did try mix all the ingredients to warm up the dish. The noodles tasted fresh though! You could tell it was hand made pasta! I'm not sure why the service was slow. I'm glad I got to experience Rioja though. read more
1 month ago
Business owner information
Beth G.
Matthew,…
An amazing meal before a show was nothing but spectacular. Service was attentive and each plate came out in an organized and timely manner. You could really see and taste the heart that went into curating each dish. It was a lovely modern feel with good space between tables to provide a sense of privacy. This is a great choice for a special night out. read more
On our first night in Denver, we ate at Rioja in Laramie Square, and were impressed. The dining area and bar were fabulous in design between the modern art hanging on the dark gray walls and the curtain of Edison lighting draped around the bar area. The restaurant and bar has outdoor seating as well with nouveau wooden tables and metal seating if you want to people watch those walking and hanging around Laramie Square. When we went the street was closed off to traffic, which was nice to see only people walking about as opposed to cars rushing back and forth. The bar was well stocked with an selected array of spirits where the bartenders made excellent cocktails such as the Lion's Tail and the Nude & Notable. The former was made with Old Forester bourbon, St. Elizabeth all spice dram, lime juice, and sage simple - my favorite of the two. The other was made with Union mezcal, Aperol, spiced honey, and lemon juice. The kitchen makes fresh biscuits at the start of the meal that includes whipped butter made from scratch with Himalayan sea salt. Probably my favorite order of the meal was the fresh bacon, comprising tantalizing pork belly, cardamom, and curried garbanzo bean purée that was savory deliciousness. It melted in your mouth and sent my senses into outer space with every bite. The seared venison was addition tasty, served with wild mushrooms, braised red cabbage, bitter greens, and huckleberry venison jus. My wife enjoyed the halibut with its serving of summer vegetables and herbs, Calabrian chile broth, and black olives. Rioja is fabulous. We would return the next time we are in downtown Denver, especially in CBD. read more
9 months ago
Food was great, we got all the things the server recommended. Would give them a try especially if you have the chase reserve card read more
1 year ago
Cool spot off Larimer square that offers a nice brunch on the weekends. Definitely feels more like a dinner place or an after work cocktail speakeasy type place. The space is rather large... perfect for a buy out but only appears to have two bathrooms. The food, service and atmosphere were all solid. I ordered the potato salmon gallete and we shared a beignet off the dessert menu. It was interesting to see that the beginner was stuffed with goat cheese. I wish it was dusted with less sugar (that's become a recent gripe of mine). But all in all it was good and I would be curious to try some of the other items on the menu. Cocktails felt a little pricey. I love their contraption on the tables for dispensing pink salt. To get this spot up to five stars I would expect a little more vibrant y in the flavors profiles, spice perhaps? read more
1 year ago
Service was impeccable! Ambiance was laid back but well considered. Limited menu options but so creative. Photo is of a lentil stew. Favorite was dessert. The tiny beignets were worth every calorie and the sorbet/ice cream trio was bursting with flavor. Party of 6 was each well satisfied for a C note. read more
At the heart of Larimar Square, this is such an elegant and upscale place to dine. The interior of the restaurant has beautiful rustic walls with gorgeous ambiance, accompanied by modern furnishings and tableware. There's a huge bar and lots of variety of seating both indoor and outdoor. The menu is mostly French oriented. We started with the delicious artichoke tortellini filled with yummy cheese. For entree I got the Colorado Lamb burger. Visually it was stunning with egg on top, and avocado slices spread on the top piece of the soft toasted brioche. The lamb paddy was cooked so well and had a really good taste. We ended our lunch with some French baguette, which was okay but not the best kind of baguette we had. The service is good. Very friendly staff. The manager came and checked with all the tables that were dining at that time. Dishes are prepared with a decent wait time. Highly recommended spot in the area. read more
5 stars all around at Rioja! I love it when you have a place on your list to try and it ends up exceeding your expectations! My husband and I went here for our anniversary dinner before seeing a show. The service was so great and they gave us a celebratory glass of champagne/ non alcoholic wine for me and were so helpful with what we should order since we've never been there before. I got the artichoke tortelloni because I kept reading about it- get it!! The pork chop was also amazing! We were even torn between the dessert options so they let us try the beignets on top of us ordering one of the other desserts. I already can't wait to go back! read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
This experience was enjoyable. Eating out on the sidewalk was very nice; plenty of shade to make sure it was comfortable for guests. The hostess (I didn't get her name but she had long hair and she had a silver streak or add-in to her hair) was very attentive, communicated well, and just seemed to have the whole busy affair quite organized. Impressive. Our server, an older gentleman with a beard, tended to our table well and made sure things were as they should be. He had to come back and confirm what we had ordered because he was relying on memory for our order and he had questions. (My husband had added a couple of extras to his salad). No biggie, everything came out fine after he confirmed. The food was served quickly and accurately and was delicious. I enjoyed my entire meal. I was a little disappointed in the number of beer offerings but I made my way through it. I'd go back but I wouldn't make a special trip to do so. Very nice though and I do recommend going for anyone that is reading this review. read more
More info about Rioja
1431 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80202
Lodo, Northwest
Directions
(303) 820-2282
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http://www.riojadenver.com/
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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.…
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