Absolutely incredible. Wonderful hospitality, DELICIOUS food! I came here while on vacation after a day of jet lag sickness. This was my first full meal in Denver and I'm glad it was!! read more

One of my favorite openings of 2025. This hidden gem on Welton Street in Five Points. You could walk right past the door and miss the sign, but this is a spot you'll want to try! From the creative forces behind award-winning Yacht Club, Rougarou is "a little bit swampy, a little bit rock & roll" -- and easily the best (and most interesting) take on Southern food I've had in Denver. I am slightly biased because they lean gluten-free, and because I am also a lover of all things Louisiana (the main Southern influenced here). This isn't your "fry everything and call it Southern" spot -- it's fresh, creative, spicy, and pays tribute to the South's rich cultural influences (e.g., the Caribbean and Chinese immigrant populations). Bold claim: best martinis in town - Holy Trinity Martini = onion, celery & green pepper infusion in a refreshing, unique take on the classic - Apple Martini = cognac + riesling + absinthe = boozy apple juice perfection Dishes we loved: - Blue Cheese Tart is a fascinating combination of textures and flavors: creamy blue cheese, crumbly crust, sweet jam, and crunchy pickled veggies -- not everyone's cup of tea, but how interesting! - West Indies Crab Salad with mint & serrano is a fantastic fresh take on all those classic southern crab/fish dips - Pickled Shrimp with fennel, celery, dill, and pickled jalapeño makes for another fresh, heat-filled starter - Creole Tofu (holy trinity meets Sichuan spice in Southern take on mapo tofu) - Granddad's Chicken in white BBQ sauce is so tender, it falls off the bone - Sorghum Sundae with caramel corn is the perfect sweet, but light, finish Only dish I would say could stand to be improved is the collard greens. Perfectly serviceable, but needs some flavor -- like bacon! When in doubt, always add bacon, haha. read more

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Staff are great and a nice vibe. Music is loud "for high energy", but more for getting customers in and out in my opinion. The food is meh - cocktail was really good! read more

Don't miss this must on Welton Street. Its a little inconspicuous but don't let that fool you. This is is an unbelievably great place and Im so excited that there is finally something in this location again, and its amazing. Inside is very cool, trendy, cozy, decent liquor wall. And that's all well and good, but the menu is obviously the main event. Starting with the drinks, cocktail list is short but to the point. I got the champagne killer, which is a must, but there are no losers on this list, which makes sense coming from the minds behind Yacht Club. The food, extremely hard to decide, and not in the way that "everything sounds good" at any ole good place. Everything here sounds good and is interesting, as southern comfort food it really just strikes a good balance of adventurous and approachable. We started with the chicken on a stick, because how do you not get the chicken on a stick? Bomb, of course. Smoked fish dip was fun, although on our heavy hitter order the least essential. We got the grillades which were surprisingly complex. The rolls are a must as a side, that's non negotiable. But I have to say the drop dead show stealer for us was the grilled cabbage. You may be thinking that doesn't sound right and if you are I think you oughta just try it and see for yourself. Gotta also shout out to the staff. Everyone was kind, helpful, interesting to talk to. Its a southern place and the staff provided southern hospitality. read more

Service was excellent, and the space had good ambiance. The food was tasty as well, but portion sizes were a bit on the smaller end and the flavors were good but not standout. I would give a 4.5 if I could. read more

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I saw their catfish featured on Mile High and Hungry and planned this dinner as a Christmas gift for my brother and his new girlfriend. He loves southern catfish so I was really excited for him to try their entree. I made the reservation while they were in town but had a hard time trying to edit or call them to see if I could adjust the party from 4 to 5 people. There's no phone number anywhere to contact them. We took a chance and showed up with 5 anyway and they were happy to squeeze us into a booth so all good. Once seated at 6pm, our server told us we had a brunch menu. Hmm. Once we looked at the different menu, we still were happy to see the catfish listed but didn't see the martini options we had seen on their website. Our server said they could still serve me the muffuletta martini but they had not prepped the garnish. I still agreed but was secretly hoping they could still add it anyway. It didn't come with the garnish, so I'd give it a 3/5. Mai tai presentation was nice. Strong drink. Red wine was a little light pour for $15 so I'd probably stick to mixed drinks. I think we must've been their last seated party and I'm guessing their staff was tired. We felt a little rushed. We sat at 6:05pm and were served our check at 7pm. We were warned that our sweet dessert would come first which was a little odd. The rest of the food came out quickly. Everything was made fresh and tasted delicious. The catfish had more breading than my brother liked but still flavorful. We noticed other tables had asked for a bottle of hot sauce. Greens and black eyed peas were very good. I'd probably skip the country fried steak. My daughter loved the sweet potato biscuit. We had healthy portions and enjoyed the baby lettuce salads. Very fresh and light to balance the fried foods. We parked right in front and it was easy street parking but be careful crossing the light rail tracks as that train is hauling by. Music was fun, funky and upbeat. I'd like to give them another try. I think we had a unique experience given NYD. I appreciate they were open! read more

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Reading all the great teviews about the restaurant, I was so excited to visit Rougarou! That must have inadvertently gotten my expectations higher, as my experience at Rougarou was quite lackluster. Firstly, the store front is quite hidden and not obvious, as going there at night, most of the neighborhood is underdeveloped with empty and overgrown lots, that we werent sure if Rougarous was one of the empty/closed stores. Upon further investigation and seeing a patron leave, the front door was open, but the choice of curved wall entrance combined with a grey wall paint choice looked like a closed door from afar. Upon going in, we stood around for a bit as they must have less staff on a weeknight, but were seated early since we arrived 30 minutes early to the reservation. The feeling from the staff most of the night was as if we were the side characters in their story; they were loud, boisterous, and friendly amongst each other and friends who had come visit, but would put on a coolf acade when talking to us. I can not deem if this was a "professionalism" switch, as as soon as they were done talking "directly" to us, they are well within view/earshot and had a switch of a personality instantly, which seemed quite weird for any waitstaff anywhere. Other than that, the food came out quickly and was great tasting; like others have said, this catfish is a 10/10, a sweet chili glaze with crunchy catfish that just flaked apart, and paired so well with my side of maque choux (a spiced corn dish). My dinner companion has grandpa's chicken, which whiled cooked a tad dry, had plenty of sauce to make up for it, and went so well with the green missmanti rice for our imprompty chicken and rice dish. The non-alc spritz was quite a sugary mocktail, so would not recommend for our non-alcohol drinking friends. Additionally, the restaurant is dim lit, most likely for a romantic atmosphere, but we were served and drank out of cracked glassware and didnt realize until halfway through our meal since we couldn't quite see. May be a few more months before the staff really settle into a rhythm here. read more

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I'm past due on this review as I went to a Tasting Collective dinner in the fall which is not a traditional dining experience. I did come later than my table mates (although not late) and it took me awhile to get a drink. I found out later there was a wine pairing option which wasn't on the menu and I wish I would've known that before I ordered as I would've done that. It's a nice atmosphere, but was pretty loud and hard to hear. I ate things on the prix fixe menu that I probably wouldn't have ordered on my own (pickled shrimp and collard green salad), but they were delish. Great experience. read more

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I don't mean to be dramatic, but Rougarou is home to the best catfish I've ever had. This is a dish you bite into, pause, and say, "WOAH." Rougarou is one of the more highly anticipated restaurant openings in all of Denver this year. From the team behind the ever-charming Yacht Club, who have garnered national recognition as one of the top cocktail bars in America, this is their love letter to the South. Swamp lore lives at Rougarou. The menu is meant for sharing. There are mains, appetizers, sides, and desserts. It'll add up, especially with every cocktail or glass of wine priced at $15, but your tastebuds will go on a unique adventure of the American South. Stating the obvious, you won't find too much authentic Southern food in Denver. Insert Rougarou, changing the game when it comes to honoring culinary Southern tradition, yet at the same time flipping it completely on its side. I tried many different items, i.e. collard greens, pickled shrimp, grandad's chicken, maque choux, etc. But good golly miss molly, this Hot & Sour Catfish, y'all...In all my years being surrounded by Southern food, I've never seen catfish prepared like this. This was one of the best things I've eaten in Denver this year. Hot, crispy, yet flaky and tender, the sauce was to die for. Service was friendly and the restaurant is beautiful with exposed bricks and hanging plants. They have a gigantic patio that I'm sure they'll activate soon once they get through the first few months of opening. If you're looking for a delicious foodie roadtrip to the American South, consider spending some time at Rougarou and diving into their menu of devilishly delicious cuisine. read more

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From the geniuses behind my favorite bar, Yacht Club, comes Rougarou, a new addition to Denver's Five Points neighborhood that's already making waves. Rougarou is a wine and cocktail-focused restaurant highlighting the culinary traditions of the American South. While Yacht Club will always hold a special place in my heart, Rougarou brings an entirely different concept to the area -- one that's soulful, creative, and well executed. We tried the blue cheese tart, Granddad's chicken, pork shoulder, hot and sour catfish, benne seed rolls, pimento cheese, and chicken on a stick. The cocktails were, of course, exceptional (no surprise there, given the team's Yacht Club pedigree). It's cozy, elevated, and effortlessly cool and a perfect spot for dinner and drinks with friends or a date night out. Make a reservation, though, they're already very popular! read more

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Pretty interesting menu and ambiance. Loved the vibe - desserts and chicken! Loved the rice pudding and buttermilk cake. You can tell there was extensive thought put into the details of this restaurant from cutlery to the art hanging on the wall. Service was knowledgeable about the menu and friendly. The seating is weird. They have a line of seats by the kitchen where you can't face each other... wouldn't exactly be conducive for a first date. The sauce for the catfish tasted a little off. Hard to pinpoint what it was but there was a faint smell of trash. Overall will be back to try new things on their menu as the menu apparently changes seasonally. Having an elevated southern dining concept in the heart of Denver. read more

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Stop reading reviews and just go!!! This place was such a warm, inviting, and lively spot--it's truly a hidden gem. From the unassuming entrance to the bold flavors, this spot checked all the boxes. I walked in and luckily snagged a couple of bar seats, but I'd definitely make a reservation if I were you--this place was poppin'! Next time I go, I'm getting my own crab salad and not sharing! The citrus and lightness of the crab paired with those buttery crackers was exactly what you're looking for. I also loved mixing the black-eyed pea salad with the crab salad--so good. We also tried the Granddad's Chicken and the pork shoulder. The pork was sweet, tender, and the perfect portion. I was a little disappointed that the Granddad's Chicken wasn't fried--because that's what comes to mind when I think of "granddad's chicken." The flavor was still great, but I probably wouldn't have ordered it if I had known. Maybe the staff could mention that up front or note it on the menu. The cocktails were handcrafted, creative, and boozy--all good things at Rougarou! Can't wait to be back! read more

Rougarou - Southern Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Great overall dining experience on a whimsical Tuesday dinner night evening. Ordered the pickled shrimp, chicken on a stick, pork shoulder, trout, creole tofu, broccolini, and crab salad. Loved the pickled shrimp and crab salad. Had just the right amount of zing of citrusy savory blend. The trout was also the big standout for me in terms of the cook on the fish. For the newer opening of the restaurant - I was impressed at the service and overall design of the restaurant. Would love to come back and try out more of the cocktails. Let me tell you - the bourbons cocktails were STRONG. read more

My friends, mom and I came here and first off, my mom is a NOLA native so we were really excited to try this new gem. And let me say, it really was something special..it took southern classic flavors or dishes and elevated them in a way that was different in the best way possible. Also, from the second we walked in, we were so kindly greeted by Mary one of the owners alongside our wonderfully kind, attentive and informed server, Mia! Mia provided excellent service. Also if you think you want one order of the chicken on the stick, just go ahead and order four because we had to order more for dessert because we just couldn't get enough! I could go on and on and on but instead I will just go back and enjoy their DELICIOUS drinks and food! read more

Might be my new favorite restaurant in Denver. The vibes, the service, the food, the drinks - everything was perfect. We did the tasting menu and it was well worth it. We took home a LOT of leftovers. What was included: Pimento cheese - the crackers were unreal Blue cheese tart Crab salad - probably my favorite starter Chicken on a stick Collard salad Sea island field peas Coconut creamed kale Cat fish Grand dad's chicken - I'm not even the biggest chicken fan and I'm still dreaming about this. I cannot wrap my head around how something can taste this good. Buttermilk pie I will definitely be back! read more

Came here for a tasting and my, my, what an experience. We got to hear it from the chef, too! I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed their rendition of southern food, something that I've not always been keen on. Their collared green salad was out of this world. It was raw, thinly chopped, with the most wonderful accoutrements that made it the highlight of our experience. They have excellent wine pairing for food, too! With the excellent take on southern food paired with the most inviting atmosphere, it's definitely a place to check out. read more

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We went here for a meal on a boat night and we had great service at the bar. We did not have a reservation but spots at the bar open up 1-2 seats at a time. Get a reservation in advance! But it is more than worth it! read more

So I want to caveat this review w the fact that we went on New Years Day and it was pretty clear the staff wasn't that excited to be there. It was a strange brunch menu that they carried through dinner and they were running low on a few things. My wife ordered the muffuletta martini but was told they had run out of the prepped garnish (strange they couldn't make a garnish real quick like). The drink tasted good so we move on. We ordered fried catfish, sweet potato biscuit w ham gravy, braised beef, and country fried steak (w pork loin), a baby lettuce salad for a side, and Cara Cara tart for dessert (the server asked we order everything at once). We were told they were out of braised beef but lo and behold it showed up so some kind of miscommunication somewhere. A pleasant surprise cuz it was really good! Every dish had a side of some kind including the baby lettuce salad, black eye peas and coconut cream kale which wasn't spelled out on the menu so not sure if they threw it on there to be nice or what (I wouldn't have ordered the side if it was included w the dish). Now for the food. They served the Cara Cara tart as the first course - what? So weird. Then when the country fried steak that was supposed to be pork loin showed up the server said it was actually chicken. Wait - what? I will say that the country fried (chicken) was very tasty. I also really enjoyed the sweet potato biscuit w gravy. The fried catfish was good and had a very crispy batter but the batter did slightly overwhelm the fish. For the sides, the black eyed peas were a pleasant surprise - not something I get usually but enjoyed. The coconut cream kale was too salty for my taste. The tart was delicious but def would have been better at the end of the meal. So 3 stars for the strange experience and 5 stars for the food lands us squarely at 4 stars. I'll go back and see if things improve during a normal service. read more

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We came here just the second week of opening. The restaurant is lovely with exposed brick, playing folk/jam band music in the background. Very chill ambiance. The waitress we had was extremely friendly explaining the menu, their journey to opening and their future plans for the backyard. The food is unique and exquisite. I don't normally eat much fruit but the Stone fruit salad sounded intriguing and it was incredible. read more

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The most fun, interesting meal we've had in a while! Started off with some bubbles and a cocktail since it was our anniversary. I'm a sucker for pimento cheese, and it was fantastic. The crab salad was also super refreshing with the muffelatta martini. But then we got to the blue cheese tart and HOLY COW! What a nice surprise. We would have ordered 2! Eggplant salad with ancho peanut butter was a great intermission, then we moved to the Grandpa's chicken and hot and sour catfish. Side of the cream peas and maque choux. Finished it all off with a champagne killer cocktail And buttermilk pie. No notes. One of the best new restaurants in Denver. Vibes are super chill, and the service was fantastic! We will absolutely be coming back. read more

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I had the opportunity to experience the Chef's 5 course tasting menu. Wow! Wow! This may be the best new restaurant in Denver. Everything was amazing. Food was delicious, service was over the top, the atmosphere warm and inviting. The pickled shrimp was fresh, tangy, tender and spectacular. The raw collard green salad with candied squash was probably my favorite dish. Simple but exceptional. The grilled trout tender, perfectly cooked. The braised beef rib, tender, tasty, with roasted root vegetables and creamy grits. Mississippi Mud Pie with chocolate and caramel was a decadent finish to an exceptional meal. Exceptional wine selection and the wine pairing was a bargain with high quality wines and an a sommelier who discussed the wine, vintage and pairings. Service was perfect, always there when we needed them. My only complaint is the place is loud and it got harder and harder to have conversations as the place filled up. Can't wait to return. This place serves comfort food par excellence. read more

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Had dinner tonight here, and it was what we had hoped for given the reviews. Food is excellent and a lot of care is put into it. Service was excellent and we highly recommend this to others! read more

Love love love! First, the staff were amazing!!! Super friendly, warm and personable. Atmosphere is very comfortable and chill, good music and energy. Food was delicious, flavorful and well cooked. We got the pork shoulder with chow chow, sauce was sweet with tangy notes and the shoulder was soft and flavorful. Sesame buns were addictive, pimento cheese was super tasty with seed crackers that were to die for. Greens were tender and flavorful and the cast iron grits and Grilllodas was tender meat with a ton of flavor. No pics because we ate it too fast hahaha.. We will be back for sure! read more

YUM! Industrial decoration. Servers tatted and pierced. Cool vibe. Blue cheese tart: super weird and surprisingly good how the blue cheese taste so good with the sweetness of the tart Chicken on a stick: def our favorite. it was deep fried to perfection and it had so much flavor. We would have eaten this for a main if it came in a bigger portion! Maque Choux: Smothered corn, bell peppers and onions. Flavored well but would pass on it next time Granddad's chicken: Cooked chicken breast with a creamy sauce. Did not taste like bbq sauce as the description would suggest. Cream was very tasty but wasn't a huge fan of it on the baked chicken breast. Fried might have tasted better with the sauce Hot and Sour Catfish: This was really tasty fish, texture was soft. I personally wouldn't get it again because the hot and sour sauce tasted just like sweet and sour sauce you get at any chinese restaurant. The catfish itself was very good but I would prefer a different less tacky sauce on it. Buttermilk pie: Yummy, this was very flavorful. I wanted more! Located in a gentrifying area. Park in side neighborhoods. Would def come again! read more

Amazing food. The grilled Napa cabbage, the trout, the peas! The best part though were the Jacob(s) had to wait to get space and the host was so kind and absolutely the person I would want representing a warm hospitality focused restaurant. Bartender was informative and served up great cocktails. Will be back to try everything. read more

I didn't know what to expect but was amazed! Loved the ambience, exposed brick decor. The food was delicious and fresh. The staff were super friendly. Really enjoyed it and would go again. read more

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So glad we dined here! As a GA girl, food was excellent. We had the Crab Salad, Mert's Salad, Grandpa's Chicken and the grits. Everything was excellent. Service was great as well, vibes were . We will be back! read more

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Our waiter was very funny and knowledgeable- the food was to die for. If you are from the South and enjoy the food, this is a perfect fusion spot. The pork Shoulder was respectfully the best I have ever had hands down. Ambience was nice with a country vibe, highly recommend this place! read more

Rougarou - Pork Shoulder - Southern Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Great unassuming restaurant from the outside. Once inside, you are transported to a Louisiana upscale food establishment with great service and food with unexpected delicious character. Great place to eat with friends or make friends at the bar. Chicken on a stick & house made potato chips with smoked catfish dip are good to share. Don't forget dessert. read more

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Food and ambience are top tier! Interesting menu, everything was delicious. Recommend ordering family style and sharing with your table

Had an amazing dinner last night with friends. Amazing service both at the bar and table. Had the catfish, shrimp and grits, pork shoulder and grandpa's chicken as mains with smoked fish dip and West Indies crab salad and all were top notch. For dessert, try both the buttermilk pie and spiced pear sorbet (if on the menu). Will definitely come back. read more

A bit hard to find but a great new place to have in Denver. Love me some Cajun food and the fried chicken appetizer was amazing.

Had a fabulous evening at Rougaroo with very interesting foods. It started with a pickled shrimp appetizer with very fresh flavors. Next was a collard green salad that knocked my socks off. I had never eaten collard greens before and this was delicious with crispy scallions and a tangy dressing. We than had their trout, then a braised beef which were both unique and hearty. Lastly, we had a Mississippi mud cake-type desert which was 5 stars. If you go, ask for a wine pairing. Their servers are very knowledgeable and the overall experience was terrific! Music was great although a bit loud for my read more

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all bites and sips god-tier. looking forward to my next visit to try the rest of the dang menu! but, best thing about our visit was how comfortable and relaxed the kitchen seemed while gettin' it done! I can only hope this was representative of a truly supported and cared-for staff. I recommend going with people you are comfortable sharing with, as you're going to want to try every last thing on this well-curated menu. read more

The food was fantastic! But the service was what really drove me to write a review. The staff working there are great people who made our celebration dinner a night to remember. read more

This place is really good, the vibe is really cool too. I had the catfish and grits. I'd recommend checking this place out.

Food was great and so was the service. Hip vibe with cool decor. If you get the chicken, ask for the sauce in the side.

SO good!!!! We got the crab salad, pimento dip, chicken, fried catfish, and green beans. To die for. Cocktails and strong and service is amazing! read more