Absolutely fabulous. We had such an amazing time at Rioja. We just got drinks at the bar but the smell was intoxicating-- everything looked absolutely delicious. The environment was wonderful and the hostess was extremely sweet. We stumbled in after strolling Larimer Square and it definitely did not disappoint. We look forward to returning on our next trip to Denver! read more

First time in Denver, we chose this place as the first stop after checking into our hotel two blocks away. The ambience of this whole street lit up by the overhead string lights makes for a pretty romantic ambience. We were lucky to snag a table outside and share a selection of delicious food and drinks. It was a great introductory meal in a new city. Friendly servers, the drinks kept flowing and the food was great. The waiter made recommendations and we ordered one of each! YUM! read more

Absolutely fantastic service! The wait staff were all excellent, the food is fantastic (we especially loved all of the breads, the risotto, and the scallops) incredible wine list, great location. And again, the staff here are great -- knowledgeable, attentive, unpretentious, and all-around excellent service! Will be coming back many times! read more

This delightful restaurant on Larimer St. In Denver was recommended to us by several people. It is in a beautiful location and we sat outside enjoying all the flowers around us. We started with house salads and they were delicious. We also had their very fruity red sangria. For entrees we had the vegetarian four squares which had so many different flavors, including a square with a grits creation. The Hawaiian fish nicoise was excellent. The chocolate dessert with banana genache was absolutely mouth watering. This restaurant is a must when visiting Denver! read more

Love, love, love this place! We went here for a private event. The dinner was items from the main menu and the most recommended dishes. I was a little intimidated by the menu at first- but that was definitely put to rest once we started trying the dishes. For starters I tried the fresh bacon-pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean purée. This was not ordinary bacon- it was a thick cut of pork. It was so soft, tender and fall apart! The puree was amazing with the pork. I tried the gnocchi as my next dish and hubs tried the tortelloni. Both were so yummy. The pasta dishes here were so fresh and the combination of tastes was mind blowing. I really enjoyed the lemon taste with the gnocchi. For my main entree I had the beef tenderloin-pommes aligot espuma, maitake mushroom, asparagus, red wine demi glace. It was like butter and the demi glace sauce went perfectly with the tenderloin. For dessert we were able to try a few things: the chocolate and peanut butter torte, the passion fruit cannolis and the beignets. All were to die for. I am a huge PB and Chocoloate fan and loved every bite. The beignets were smalle and delicate and cooked just right. The cannolis were crisp and the passion fruit filling was delicious. GO HERE when you visit Denver if you want a memorable meal out and in the lovely area of downtown!! read more

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Was looking for a dinner spot while in Denver for a conference and found a seat at the bar. House salad, grilled octopus, paired with a glass of Tempranillo all recommended by the bartender- absolutely perfect meal. Great atmosphere and excellent food. read more

My favorite restaurant in Denver, hands down! Creative yet solid cuisine, worthy of a Michelin star!! read more

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Went here for a client lunch and asked the waiter for a vegan salad with extra grilled veggies on the salad. Portion size was tiny. Waiter was less than helpful. Burnt smell poured out of the kitchen was we were paying the bill. Thankful this experience will not be repeated. It's 2020....get a clue on how to serve ALL clientele. This restaurant aspires to be high-end but certainly falls short on the customer service aspect. read more

So delicious! If you like clam chowder, you have to get their oyster chowder - it is phenomenal and has forever ruined other chowders for me. It's creamy yet light. Don't ruin it with the oyster crackers, just ignore those gross, store-bought things. Duck confit pizza - sitting at the Chef's table, we watched a sous chef make this dish. This dish is on the sweet side. Rioja picnic - I read a lot of reviews about this dish and thought it was fine, but not newsworthy. Although yes, we ate every single olive in that cabbage leaf. However, I think I'd save my money for other dishes here, as this doesn't really show off any skills. Of course, had to get the artichoke tortelloni and it lived up to all the rave reviews. Just get it and treat yourself! On special that night was lamb chops and this was just another amazing dish. We requested medium and the lamb was cooked perfectly. The sauce was great and we had a surprise lamb sausage in our dish. My dinner companion had raved about the lamb dish on the menu, but he was exceptionally pleased with this special. We topped off our meal with their beignets. The goat cheese and fig flavoring was delicious. It was a great 2-bite dessert to finish the night off. read more

Had dinner last night and have to say it was fantastic. The halibut was the best piece of fish I've eaten in my entire life! I've also never had bread as good as served at Rioja. My wife's Corn Risotto was equally delicious. We've been going there for year and one thing we missed was the sugar coated mint leaves! Regardless, treat yourself and patron Rioja! read more

Rioja is my absolute favorite restaurant in Denver. I always receive stellar service and am consistently blown away by how knowledgeable the staff is. I had my birthday dinner here in January and felt like an absolute star as the servers doted on me and my friends as if we were the only table there. Last night a girl friend and I stopped by for after work drinks and had John as our bartender. He was hilarious, provided the most incredible dining experience, and made us feel like heard after we had a hard day at work. Needless to say the food has always exceeded expectations as well as the service. read more

What an amazing place to have a relaxed dinner. Some Of the friendliest staff I have ever seen. From the reception to bartender to the person bussing our table to the incredibly polite and friendly waitress- TOP NOTCH. We're vegetarian so tried the tortellini and the four squares, both were instant home runs. You can't go wrong here . read more

Robin was our waitress & she was excellent. She was extremely knowledgeable about the wines & we loved her recommendation. She was attentive & helpful. The bread selection was fantastic. Many yummy choices. My favorite was the whole wheat roll. We ordered the picnic platter & the beets for starters. The beet plate was delicious. The goat cheese balls & jamon on the platter were my favorites. The prices are way too high for what you get. (I know it's fine dining, but the prices are too high) For example, I ordered the full order of rigatoni. It was approximately a cup & a half of food. It was not even good. It was weird tasting & greasy. And it cost $19. So disappointing. One of my friends ordered the gnocchi & it was burnt tasting. The third entree we had was the tortellini. It was the only entree we liked. The dessert menu was completely unappealing so we passed on that. I cannot recommend this restaurant. If you are looking for fine dining, keep looking. read more

7 course tasting menu was amazing highly recommend. Great service and each course was better than the last. Bit pricey but worth every penny

I do not understand how this restaurant can be almost 5 stars with over 2000 reviews - did they all make a trip to the dispensary first? This was by far one of the worst dining experiences we have had in a long while - in terms of food - especially considering the price point. There was not a single course that we could say was good. Issues started with warm wine (this was a $100 bottle) not a glass of house, continued with stale bread and biscuits, and culminated with poorly executed and poorly conceived main courses. The 2 appetizers were the only thing edible that night. White gazpacho was plated well, and ok - although too sweet. Signature dish - fresh bacon (pork belly) tasted pretty good, but looked atrocious (like a big square turd in watery green baby poop). Finally came the main courses. One overcooked halibut with fried blue cheese squash blossoms (with fish?), on black salt (well supposedly black rice, but there was enough salt to take the skin off the roof of your mouth). The other was tuna and octopus duet, where the tuna was also coated in salt, to mask the lack of freshness, and grilled octopus that was blacked from a gas torch to the point that all you could taste was the gas. Maybe it was an off night, but given the sheer number of things wrong - I don't think so. Instead, this is another case of a well positioned restaurant catering to tourists that has focused on volume, cutting corners, with a lack of chef oversight. This has resulted in piss poor execution and sub-standard quality, which has overshadowed any originality and creativity the dishes might once have possessed. read more

Great food, great service, great atmosphere, and over-all amazing experience!! It definitely lived up to all the reviews on YELP. They serve very innovative entrees, that are truly amazing and you can't wait to take the next bite. We try to get to as many of the top rated restaurants that we possibly can, and very rarely eat at the same place twice. This is definitely one place that won us over so much, that we will definitely put this one in the rotation again & again!! A+ read more

Rioja - Appetizer called "The Picnic" that was crazy fun & really good! - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

A foodie friend recommended Rioja when we told him we would be in Denver for the weekend. Every aspect of our dinner was outstanding. The hand crafted drinks by Chad at the bar were memorable. For appetizers we had the Fresh Bacon "pork belly" and foi gras torchon, both were melt in your mouth good. My wife ordered the Grilled Lamb Loin which she absolutely loved and I had the Seared Venison Leg which was sublime. Service was spot on by Rory. He gave us our space, but was there when we needed him. He was quite knowledgeable with the menu and suggested a wine we really loved, the "Museum" a cab/Shiraz blend. The menu was interesting and I found it to be fairly priced. We will definitely return as soon as we can read more

Probably my favorite restaurant experience ever. Food, service, and atmosphere are all top notch.

Yum! is all I can say. We had such a great dinner at Rioja before the theatre on Sunday. We started with cocktails (I had the bourban beltway) and the duet of fresh bacon and artichoke tortellini. All of which was amazing. The fresh bacon is a MUST! Next we shared the wagyu beef and Nairagi both were really creative and just so darn yummy. Whatever the potato gratin is on the beef is so impressive and delicious! You seriously can't go wrong. One of the people at our table had the lamb and if I was ordering again I would pick that. Absolutely perfect. read more

I had dinner at Rioja several years ago (apparently before I joined Yelp) and had what I remember to be a pretty nice dinner. There was definitely an upscale restaurant feel and our table out on the patio with a view of Larimer was just lovely but the service was a bit pretentious and I didn't wholeheartedly love the food. We finally made it back last night for their Sips & Snack program (something I'd been dying to try out for many months!) and once again, I wasn't overly impressed with the experience. The whole scene behind the bar seemed very chaotic -- wines and plates coming out a different times and too many servers trying to access the space at the same time -- and it all felt so impersonal. No one explained anything about any of the food or wines or if I was supposed to pair the first sip with the first snack. I also felt my plate was assembled somewhat haphazardly and portions were different between my plate and my husband's. I did think some of the snacks were very inventive (lamb tartare with dehydrated strawberries!) but overall, I wasn't blown away. read more

Delicious! Maybe it's because I'm from LA, but I felt that the food was well-priced for what we got. Close to $60 per person including way too much food (we couldn't finish everything we ordered), and drinks for all 4 of us. The hearts of palm salad was delicious (with that grapefruit sabayon!) I would pass on the "fresh bacon" (aka brined pork belly?) but I loved the cavatelli (too al dente for one of my friends), the duck and the lamb were both delicious, and the scallops were cooked perfectly. No room for dessert but my parents raved about the apple pie... next time Denver! P.S. valet parking for $10. read more

Great ambiance, service, food and wine list. Outdoor seating is limited but awesome for people watching. Had the artichoke tortelloni for brunch which was excellent. Definitely coming back! read more

Rioja - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

amazing service, great food. really proper sizes with great timing of the dishes. The plating was beautiful and when we shared a dish, it was brought out on separate plates. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful and contributed to the dining experience. The restaurant was sanitary and abided by covid guidelines. read more

A wonderful culinary experience. The atmosphere, service and of course the food were all impeccable. I enjoyed the Strawberry Nixon Martini - refreshing with some kick as it goes down. The dish the chef is known for is the artichoke tortellini with handmade pasta. Amazing flavor it's a definite must have should you decide to dine here read more

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Way above our usual grade. Fine food but small portions. The white gazpacho is genius and the deserts are really good. The entree selection is good too but I had higher expectations. there's a huge wine list and a good beer selection as well as cocktails so the bar is definitely dominant in this place - there are bottles of wine everywhere and they seem to take this very seriously. The menu even suggests wine pairings with the different dishes. I think if they made the portions a little bigger that would be on the best places to get some fine food in Denver. read more

Amazing restaurant. The food was spectacular with creative and mouth-watering flavor combinations that wowed us from start to finish and delicious cocktails as well. We were truly wined and dined for my boyfriend's birthday! Highly recommend Rioja to anyone. read more

This restaurant and it's staff are amazing. Stumbled across this place for lunch on accident and had such a great experience, came back for dinner a few days later. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, at this establishment is great. They were professional, friendly, knowledgeable and so so kind! Nick, Jordan and Justin helped us the most and were INCREDIBLE! I cannot say enough great things about this restaurant! Would love to Denver just to eat here!!! read more

The food was absolutely delicious and the service was amazing. We ordered a bunch of different dishes to try and literally everything was amazing... highly recommend the bacon and Tri tip. Our waiter, who was in training, was super friendly and was always there when we needed anything. Will definitely go back! read more

Sat at the bar and still got the VIP treatment ! Presentation and the verbal description of every dish was amazing. Even the bread presentation was great. Good job Rioja read more

Based on the reviews and awards that have been heaped upon this trendy Larimer Street restaurant, we were expecting the meal of our lives. But while the dishes were flavorful and tasty, our party of 8 felt the plates were a bit too small for the price. Despite the fabulous ambiance, great service and outstanding selection of wine and local craft beers, we left a bit underwhelmed. We started with a selection of appetizers that ranged from the outstanding Pizza Bianco and delicious Ricotta Gnocchi (which I wished came in an entree size) to the disappointing Rioja 'Picnic', a sparse selection of nuts and cheeses. For my main course, I took the waiter's suggestion and tried the 'life-changing' Porcini Cavatelli, which was excellent, but didn't quite live up to the hype. My colleagues ordered dishes ranging from Hanger Steak to the Snake River Sturgeon, and all came away with the same impression -- Rioja is a wonderful restaurant, but doesn't quite deliver on the hype. read more

Enjoyed a wedding anniversary vegan meal there this past Friday. Booked too late to get the main dining room but was able to obtain a window seat in the bar area. Hostess was good and the waiter and servers were helpful and friendly. Surprisingly they did have a vegan "pre-fixe" for $50 available which we enjoyed a great deal. Unfortunately everything else if wanted vegan was just based on removal of ingredients from an existing menu option, not designed from the ground up. Cocktail menu was eclectic and hit or miss with my palette. Overall it was a good experience and worthy of the 4 star rating from Michelin. The non vegan options were plentiful and sounded wonderful but from a vegan perspective it left me wanting for future visits. read more

This place is my favorite restaurant in Denver. I'm here once or twice per month (anymore and I'd go broke!!). I've seen the highs and the lows of eating here as a customer. To start at the most important aspect: the food! Wowza... every dish I've ever had here has been incredible. I sometimes get the same thing twice and it still leaves a smile on my face even the second time around. Whoever I bring with me to dinner is always blown away too. This place provides a true dining experience. The wine and cocktail choices here are off the charts too! So incredible. However, a great wine list doesn't do any good without knowledgeable staff -- which Rioja definitely has! The wait staff are observant and attentive. Now, I've notice that they often forget to deliver you some of their exquisite bread... sometimes I find myself asking two or three times if I get any bread at all. This has happened twice. Now, I know it may seem silly to complain about bread, but it's damned good! They shouldn't be so shy. So yeah, don't be afraid to be pushy for the stuff -- it's so yummy. If anyone in Denver asks for a recommendation for where to eat, Rioja is the place! Seriously, go try it. Even for a special occasion or if you're feeling like a splurge. I think it's impossible for this place to disappoint! read more

The atmosphere is fantastic and Rioja is one of our go to date night spots! The service is exceptional, the staff knowledgeable and cordial, and the food is rich and delicious. From appetizers to deserts the flavours are robust and I'm a particular fan of the chicken (which is not usually my go to at a fine dining restaurant, it's just that good) and the artichoke tortellini. If you want great food from a distinguished chef, great service, great drinks, and a great atmosphere Rioja should be on your to do list. read more

Fantastic food. We were also delighted to find out that this is a family restaurant. Children of all ages are welcome. And they do not even need to be encouraged to be well-behaved! read more

We sat at the bar and had the most amazing experience with Chef Abby. She guided us through the menu, gave us samples of fermented honey, recommended amazing dishes and made our experience over the top. read more

Rioja - New American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants around the world. I must say without a doubt, that my server Peter and the rest of my waiting staff provided the best customer experience I have ever had at a restaurant. I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my girlfriend at Rioja. Peter was mindful of the occasion and created an anniversary card, signed by Rioja's staff, which we really appreciated. I was also impressed by the creativity of the dishes in terms of the ingredients that were used. For example, my girlfriend ordered the lamb, which was served on a bed of risotto with pomegranate seeds. The food was excellent and the service was stellar. I will be sure to visit Rioja next time I am in town. read more

this will likely always be the bery best restaurant in denver (period!)! lagrimee area's finest.

Our favorite bougie-restaurant in Denver. We went for our Valentines dinner. Did their 7 course meal with wine pairings, and it is amazing. Even our picky toddler at the salad [they can do simple dishes for little ones too]. We plan to go back for just a regular meal and see how things fare. Service is also impeccable, they keep the bread coming, and time your course meals just right. read more

Best thing about our visit was the fact they have my favorite Priorat on the wines list. This place was recommended by our hotel bartender. I tried the signature artichoke tortelloni pasta dish, and was not impressed. It was more like dumplings in broth. The good thing is that you can order a half plate, so i ordered the other pasta dish, ricotta gnocchi...which was dry. No sauce at all, and I couldn't even finish it. i tasted my colleague's cauliflower soup, and it was not worth a second taste. The good news is that my colleague that ordered the Pork chop thoroughly enjoyed it. Be forewarned that the Filet comes pre-cut into medallions. The bread was also really fantastic. The James Beard award is a big draw, but i was underwhelmed and won't be back read more

Ugh. Omg. Please. I need to come back ASAP. Please. IF you come here try the artichoke tortellini (it'll blow your naive mind) and HONESTLY, their egg sandwich on toasted, jalapeño, cheddar bread is a REVELATION. On a more serious note, this is an upscale restaurant, but the decor is classy, elegant and charming. Looking forward to returning when I visit Denver again in two weeks! read more