My partner and I have had Lucina on our list for quit sometime. We finally made it last night and we were pleased with the ambiance and the "vibe" as soon as we walked in. The restaurant is located in a quiet little neighborhood with plenty of parking. We were greeted and quickly taken to our table with our waiter following soon after. We ordered some tapas and the paella. To my surprise, we were able to customize the meats/seafood in the paella, which was awesome! We took most everything out as one of us is vegetarian but unfortunately had to pay the same price ($70). The tapas came quickly, one after another. We were, unfortunately, pretty disappointed. We thought the flavors were bland and most items lacked seasoning. We didn't end up getting one of the tapas we ordered, which is the one we were looking forward to most. Seems like the kitchen just missed it. Our waiter informed us that the paella would take about 45 minutes, so we were expecting to wait as long as we did, which was a nice heads up for sure. By the time it came out, we were hopeful, hungry and excited to try it. The presentation was superb. Once again, and very unfortunately, we thought the paella lacked flavor completely. We have a lot of paella, and although you can't ever really have bad paella, we could instantly tell that this wasn't a "wow!". One thing that saved them, though, was the service! Our waiter was attentive and very sweet. I asked for hot sauce, and although they didn't have any, the chef came out with fresh ground habanero peppers. This was a really nice gesture. After we were done with our meal and as we were walking out, the chef came back to us and asked us about our experience and how his make shift hot sauce was. We really appreciated this as they were clearly busy. Given our overall positive experience (minus the food itself) we will probably give Lucina another try and hope last nights food was just a one off. read more

Amazing all around! We had a group of 5 and everyone absolutely loved this place! The food was flippin' amazing. Our server was fantastic and we made the wise decision to let him pick our food. He gave us one of, if not the best, dining experiences ever! Thank you Rocco and all at Lucina. I live in Larkspur but I want to move so I can eat with you every day! read more

// Summary I hope it was just an off-day, but there was a great mismatch of my expectations and my experience of the food and service. // Experience I ordered a pupusa and mofongo along with a glass of wine. I'd say that the flavor was mostly there - but there was enough off with my meal where it didn't really sit well with my overall experience. There wasn't enough salsa for the pupusa, as I don't think it was portioned appropriately. The pupusa was also a bit drier and crunchier than I had anticipated. The mofongo was less than stellar. There were definitely some good flavorful parts of it, but the pork rind felt way too hard to chew. It was an overall unpleasant experience. // Service Service was a bit disappointing. There seemed to be a great degree of inconsistency in the timing for when they'd check up on me: taking my order, refilling my water, and getting situated with the check. Also, I don't know if it was just me, but one of the guys was trying to be all "buddy-buddy" with me, and gave me random shoulder taps. Physical contact may not be appreciated by all patrons - but I think I found it annoying because of the quality of service that I had been receiving throughout the night. The waitstaff also seemed to have good rapport with some of their patrons, and they would focus a lot on their friends, as opposed to the customers. // Ambiance They do seem to got a lively vibe to them. Part of that is their decor, and part of it is also the energy of their waitstaff - if you're one of the favored ones. // Convenience If you do choose to come here, you should absolutely get a reservation. This place can get crowded real quick. Street parking around the area is usually manageable, but if you're coming during a busier time, you might need to make one or two trips around the blocks. read more

If you have not been here GO and try it! This place overs all the bases and then some! Lucina's is on my list of Top 5 in Denver Date Nights! Service: We stopped in late on a Thursday night after an event. They were 1 hour from closing and the service was impeccable! Our waiter was knowledgeable, kind, and very tentative! The best part of the service was our waitress and bar tender were inspired sold out on the culture, the vision and even the back ground of the owners and their stories! Our waiter light up with passion as she told us about the menu, their story, and why she enjoyed certain dishes, aspects etc. Food: The food was incredible! Highlights were: Everything we ordered were well portioned, beautiful, and high quality! The Flavors were thorough, intentional and well paired! Everything was colorful fresh and offered great textures! My favorite part of the food was in was all of the hype with a grounded authenticity you would only expect from a Abuela's kitchen! Made with love and respect for generations! Tip: The Chimichurri steak and Frites are the best!! It was the best steak I have ever had in Denver! The steak was flavorful, cooked perfectly, was a great portion and a high quality! We have paid 9x the price for a similar steak and it was half of what Lucia's! Drinks: They are just as good as the food! Beautiful, with color, presentation and just the right amount of spunk! Well pored, not burnt and worth the price in my opinion! They also whipped them up fast! The ambience is cozy, fun and flows well! The tables are not over crowed and every thing feels intentional! It's classy and warm. They offer a diverse atmosphere and it feels welcoming when you walk in! You could stop by on a causal date or be dressed up. Either way you would feel right at home! The design is beautiful and colorful with lots of Latin vibes! It seems that they use local venders. The owners are present, empower the staff from what I witness. If you want a beautiful spot with great food, fun drinks and amazing service this is your spot! read more

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Great food. Lousy service. Our experience: Had to use a credit card to reserve a table. It was our anniversary so we were looking forward to a nice night out. Took an Uber 20 min away to get there. The drinks & appetizers were great. Ambiance was nice. The positive experience ended there. Waiter was clearly very distracted. He struggled to focus when we ordered appetizers and basically left us alone the rest of the night. He never replenished the water or came back to take the main entree order. We eventually decided to skip dinner. We got up from our table to ask the bartender to give us water and close us out because he literally never came back. We waited a while before we decided to do that. The other staff seemed great so it was really just the waiter we had. He was so distracted and disoriented that the experience went beyond no return. Something was just really off. We are not even that picky. Would never go out of my way to go there again. The experience left a sour taste in our mouths. Here is a photo of our table as we just sat and waited. read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar - Latin American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

The food here is incredible! If you're looking for flavor in Denver, this is the spot. The hospitality is top notch, too. The owners/head chefs chip in, just has much as everyone else. I recommend a reservation because it's in high demand. read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar - Latin American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Great food - dynamic. Also appreciate they have good options for kids. Fun cocktails too

I've heard about Lucian for quite some time and I was finally able to make in. I can't begin to express how impressed I was with this space. The service, the food, the complete attention to detail. They hit everything out of the park. Our bartender, Billie, did an absolutely incredible job pacing out our dinner and guided us through the experience sharing recommendations and local favorites. The food was absolutely spectacular and honestly I would have spent twice as much for half the experience elsewhere. Everything we ordered was incredible, but the ceviche Amarillo and the empanadas were particularly outstanding. Easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in Denver in quite some time. read more

We love Lucina! From the moment you walk in, the staff is warm and friendly and the restaurant is inviting and beautifully decorated. Been here many times and the food is fantastic. Highly recommend! read more

Holy Schnikies!! Tried this cute place for the first time this evening with coworkers. We were lucky to get reservations at the time we wanted. We all got different dishes so we could try different things. Wow was everything incredibly delicious ! Pappusas, Alcapurrias, Agua Chile Negro, Maduro, chocolate and cinnamon cake. Yummmmmmmmmmm. The owner Ras is incredibly personable, stopped by table and explained different dishes, it was delightful. It was worth the drive to get there. Definitely 10/10 recommend. read more

This was our second time at Lucina and it was another wonderful dinner. We had the amazing paella and everyone loved the ceviche, salads and empanadas. We especially appreciated the manager and staff who were incredibly accommodating to us allowing us to move to another part of the restaurant. We look forward to going back again soon read more

Y'all. The deliciousness of Lucina, the super cool space with the authentic neighborhood and cuisine attitude has catapulted it to the top of our fave date nights at the bar or dinner spots with friends (especially paella night!). The drinks, the service, the decor, the conversation AND of course the food make it a do not miss. Portions are generous and the prices were semi shocking - in the BEST way. From the bread (and insane butter) to the empanadas and finally the hangar steak, we loved every bite (and the leftovers too!) read more

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Went with my husband and another couple, we ordered many small dishes and a whole fish. Some of the dishes were very good, others were forgettable. The server was helpful in recommending vegetarian dishes, some could be made veg that weren't listed with that option on the menu. Otherwise the service was pretty terrible. Drinks took a very long time and the dishes were served completely out of order. How does a whole fish come out before potatoes?? The place is very cute and comfortable, I'd maybe give it another shot. read more

SO good! Food, staff, ambiance! Best chimichurri you'll ever have. We love having Lucina in our neighborhood.

I recommend this place to everyone that wants to experience a unique interpretation of plates from different parts of the latin American countries. As a Spaniard, I was impressed with the amazing interpretation of the Tortilla Española. Congrats to the chef!!! read more

I don't know why it has taken me so long to write a review for a Lucina! Aside from their amazing food, what stands out to me is the service. I don't know how you keep a restaurant staffed nowadays, let alone with amazing and kind servers that truly care about you. We live down the street and we have been in many times with our baby (now toddler). We haven't been there in months, and yet they always remember us and welcome us with open arms! For new parents, it is such a breath of fresh air to eat fancy food, and feel like we're out on the town in a fancy city, at a place where even our toddler is welcomed. Thanks for being such a lovely addition to the neighborhood! read more

While the husband was out of town, I brought my 3 yo and 5 yo after school for an early dinner at Lucina (they love the kid's steak and fries there, and I had a hankering for ceviche). While we waited for our meal, an elderly couple from the bar came to my table and asked me to "keep my kids quiet" and said, "we belonged at Chucky Cheese." To say the least, I was mortified. Before I could say a word, a waitress came over to ask if I was ok. They brought us bread, offered free desserts, and insisted on covering our meal. The entire establishment, from the GM, to the chef, to the busboys, checked in on us, making sure that my children and I felt welcomed. They also addressed the couple, respectfully noting that the establishment is a family restaurant. These people care a lot and it shows. On the way home, I was brought to tears thinking of their kindness. For someone who never does reviews, I write this personally as a thank you to their team, but I also urge others to visit here for a great vibe, consistently excellent food, and unparalleled service. read more

Excellent food, friendly waiters and management. Service prompt. Ambiance pleasant , relaxing modern. read more

Came here for date night on a Friday, and so happy that we did! We had to wait a few minutes for our table despite having a reservation, but we were glad to see that the place was busy despite being relatively new. The servers were knowledgeable about the menu and cocktails and did not lead us astray. We found that two small plates and the paella was more than enough for two adults. The paella is made to order, so be aware for timing purposes. My only complaint is how loud the space is. Concrete floor, concrete ceiling, and an open kitchen do not help the noise. It was difficult to hear across the table. I would go back for the food, but not until some noise mitigation is done. read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar is the newest restaurant to the Park Hill neighborhood. I can't begin to share how wonderful this eatery is. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the ever changing menu, I felt so lucky to have a chance to speak with owner/restauranteur and Chef Ras Casiano about this new venture. Lucina is named after his amazing mother Santa Lucina. I can't begin to thank Ras for taking the time to share how he and his partners finalized their ideas for this restaurant. From the decision to stick with their roots and look at the foods that reminded them of home. He also told us about his cooking school located at the Stanley Marketplace. You can get plenty of information at createfoods.co. We started with the Maduros a lightly fried plantain sprinkled with sea salt. Then we shared the Provoleta (Chimi Marinated Provolone, Piquillo Relish, Boquerone and Pan) and the Congrly Maduros (Black Beans and Rice, Sofrito and Sweet Plantains). We finished off our dinner with El Vuelo (South American Chocolate Flight), which was a selection of chocolates that complemented the theme of South and Central American foods. Everything was delicious and we would have them again, if there weren't so many other yummy items to choose from. The Lucina Burger and the Churrasco Y Papas looked amazing as they came by our table and will be on the list of foods I will try next time. Don't miss out on the gem of a restaurant. read more

The food was so good! Diego, the owner, ran all ylthe food out. He explained each dish in such detail and had so much passion for his cooking. His mom's chimichurri steak sauce was the best we've ever had. Absolutely the best service we've had in a long time and the food was top of this world. Only knock is the restaurant was so busy and it was very loud. Very difficult to carry on a conversation, at the expense of sounding "old," the concrete ceilings need a lot more noise acoustics. But i will definitely be back. read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar - Latin American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I don't even know what to say... this was not what I was expecting at all... everything was perfect. Every dish was balanced and still had its own flare! I really cannot stress it enough, try it before you regret not doing it sooner. It is almost impossible to find great food in Denver and this place has revived my hope for the food scene here. read more

Best food EVER!!! It slayed SO HARD and was literally the most slay food ever. The service was super good and everyone was really nice 10000/10 i definitely recommend read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar - Latin American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Our party of 6 tried almost the entire small plates menu. We made a reservation and arrived at 5 PM, opening time for dinner. We liked almost everything we had. Ceviche just ok. But we loved everything else: Mussels and chorizo, croquetas, yuca frita, pupusa, grilled flank steak with fries. Wine list is decent, our favorite being the MARQUES DE CACERES, RESERVA. Friendly service, nice atmosphere. read more

We were there on a Thursday night barely made it , I was surprised on how long it took for our drinks to be prepare maybe 10 minutes and the place was almost empty and to be honest not tasty at all maybe mixiologist had a night off , the food nothing remarkable I had the hangar steak great fries and a side order of choclo Peruvian style that was the highlight of my dinner ,in all honesty I have been to Xiquita, Alma Fonda , and now Lucina and not one has blown my mind hopefully they are not just trendy restaurants one minute in one minute out, I want all 3 to succeed but it is a tough business ! By the way the guy running the kitchen was the highlight of the ambience he represented the restaurant and engage and connects with guest but I guess in this types of restaurants ( elevated Mexican and south american cusines )the last thing you want is guests engaging with the help .He should be running the floor he was the face of the restaurant and not the other employees just roaming around . read more

We've been waiting for this place to open and it was WELL worth it! Fantastic vibe, great energy. The staff seem like a family, always smiling. The food was incredible. Every bite. Cocktails are really good too the flavor combo of everything we tried was amazing. Will definitely be back again and again! Definitely make a reservation btw read more

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This restaurant is amazing!! It opened in March and I have been more times than I can count. The buzzing, feel-good energy inside Lucina is infectious - I dare you to come here and not have the best time! You truly cannot go wrong with this menu - they have something for everyone - just make sure you come with friends who like to share food because you will want to try everything! My favorite dishes are: the Tlacoyo Cochinita, the Pupusa de Res, the Churrasco y Papas, the Mojo Pork Chop and Abuelita's Xocolatl! Or just order some bread with the chimichurri to dip! You won't be disappointed. Make sure you ask for Henry, he's the absolute best. If you're drinking, The cafe con leche is unreal! I love Lucina! read more

My wife and I went to this restaurant excitingly to celebrate her birthday. While we definitely appreciate the diversity of cuisine this restaurant adds to the Denver food scene, the service could have been better. We had a 9pm dinner reservation. We ordered drinks within minutes and all of our food within 10 minutes of being seated. We ordered an assortment of small plates. The cocktails came out timely and were great. Food also came out timely in batches as expected and was overall good. By the time our last plate came out, it was 10:10pm, they were already picking up tables/chairs and mopping the floors, and our waitress asked how everything was. We were getting full, but coming in to this restaurant, we were most excited about dessert and couldn't pass that up. We asked for a dessert to-go. Our waitress returned and said they couldn't make it because the kitchen was closed. Not only did she not let us know as a courtesy when the kitchen was closing to see if we wanted anything else, but I also included in our reservation notes online that we were celebrating a birthday. I don't think it's too much to ask to let a table know when the kitchen is closing, or just don't accept 9pm reservations if the kitchen closes at 10 and you're going to begin cleaning up exactly then. Overall, we appreciate what the restaurant is doing to create a more diverse food scene in Denver, drinks were great, food was good (we especially liked the empanadas and mofongo) but we expected better service and an overall experience. read more

Do not wait- you must enjoy an evening at Lucina. Food is out of this world but the bar is not to be missed. Staff feel more like family.

Perfection on a plate, or in a glass! Beautiful restaurant with great servers, the pan de casa, Lucina salad, mojo pork, or their weekend paella, all amazing. read more

Food and service were top notch. The chef and owner walked us through multiple dishes and seemed extremely passionate about the food. It's a tight little restaurant but it was a great experience. We are already planning to go back. read more

My mouth is still watering over the mussels and chorizo. The flavor of the broth was to die for. Our drinks were perfectly made (daiquiri and uva sour). The service was fantastic! Overall, the vibe and ambience of Lucina is great. Perfect for a date, birthday, or casual dinner with friends. we will be back to try more menu items! read more

Lucina Eatery & Bar - Latin American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Amazing food. Even better staff! Bryan was our waiter and he was truly fantastic. Engaging in conversation, laughing with us, offering the best recommendations. We all had fun together while enjoying such a delicious meal. And amazing ambiance in general! Beautiful interiors. Highly recommend dining at Lucina. Plenty of parking out front! read more

Can't say enough about this place. The owners/chefs - Erasmo & Diego, have totally nailed it. The food is amazing. The absolute best Congri & plantains I have ever had - and I'm from Miami, where every Cuban restaurant has this on their menu - I can honestly say that the one they serve at Lucina's is the BEST! Also greatly enjoyed the Ceviche Agua Chile, which they serve with vegan chicharrones - DELISH! I recommend the Pato con Mole ( duck confit) - the duck is super super moist with a perfectly crispy skin. Erasmo shared that the mole, is his mothers recipe. Perfection!!!! The drinks are out of this world- the mixologist, Henry, is incredible. My fav is What Would Lucina Drink - which is gin, basil, pepper, lime & cucumber! My husband ordered the Old Fashion, and it was GREAT! The decor is beautiful - from the lively wallpaper, to the lighting fixtures - attention to every small detail. The service is Stupendous - the chefs come out to bring some of the plates, they check to make sure patrons are enjoying it. The waiters/waitresses are beyond attentive - tonight our server was Dewi - best smile, on top of her game, ensuring we were well taken care of. Kudos to the owners for the quality of the food, the amazing taste, and for putting such an amazing team together - a truly WONDERFUL culinary experience!! read more

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Lucina is a special place. The restaurant is always buzzing with great service, food and cocktails. I love when the chef personally delivers a dish. Bartenders are fun and they even have their own custom tequila. read more

Most amazing shared plates place ever. Every dish was insane and so flavorful. Highly recommend for date night. The ambience was phenomenal as well. So cozy and homey!! read more

Had a waiter named Brian who was super kind and professional, great family style joint with some of the best food I've had in Denver.

We came here last night for my birthday with a group. Lucinas fit us in with an email a week prior. The service was impeccable. The food was even better. We had a variety of menu items but the stand outs were the cocktails, the pork belly, yucca Fritas. The paella was better than most I ate in Spain. All around amazing meal and experience and so will be back. read more

Love this place! Great vibe, service, delicious cocktails and food. Can't wait to return soon

I did some research on local restaurants before my 3 day trip to Denver and was so happy to have found Lucina Eatery. Let's start with the vibe and atmosphere. I felt right at home. The staff was fantastic from Alexander Moon (GM) to Billie (bartender with the right amount of sass, playfullness and desire to please). NOW FOR THE FOOD. Well I went back 2x over the 3 days the food was so good, I sat at the bar (a lot of fun since I was by myself) and felt totally welcome and comfortable. THE CEVICHE and BROCOLLI were to die for. I have 4 orders of Ceviche. I love this place and will be back read more