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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.
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.
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.
10/10 would absolutely recommend. Joe we love you thank you for amazing service! We had it all, the lamb burger, the donuts, the tortellini, the chicken salad sandwich, Benedict's and the best margaritas in Denver. The food, the service - I couldn't have asked for a better experience after a prior evening letdown. I'm not a chicken lover but the chicken salad sandwich was phenomenal. It was well balanced and the focaccia delic. My absolute favorite were the donuts, I could swim in that compote. Every dish was spot on and I'd absolutely return. Thanks for the Texas inspired margaritas Joe
Had a really nice dinner at Rioja in Denver. The atmosphere felt warm and romantic without being stuffy, and the service was friendly and very attentive the whole night. We started with a couple of great cocktails, then shared the Fresh Bacon (which totally lived up to the hype), butternut squash ravioli and artichoke tortelloni, a soup pasta, all were flavorful and well prepared without feeling overly heavy. The steak was cooked perfectly and flavorful, accompanied by a complex green sauce. Dessert was a highlight. The cheesecake was excellent, and the fig beignets were warm, light, and a fun way to end the meal. It's not a cheap night out, (we paid $188 with tip and shared everything) but everything felt thoughtfully done and worth it for a special dinner. Would definitely go back.
This was my first time at Rioja and what an outstanding experience! I'm a Chicagoan so my standards are high...Rioja was such an invigorating Valentines weekend dinner! This spot is dripping in atmosphere and is so cozy. Their complimentary lavender sourdough and goat cheese biscuits were so tangy, buttery, and a great start. We went with the prickly pear barramundi agua chile and a half order of goat cheese gnudi as appetizers. The gnudi was heavenly and I could easily have eaten an entree size - so pillowy, and smothered in perfectly seasoned lamb ragù. The barramundi was refreshing and as a prickly pear lover the flavor was on point. For our mains we went with the pistachio crusted duck and Thai chili pork. My duck was impeccably cooked and melt-in-your-mouth. We loved the copacetic flavors of the dates and sauces on the dish! The purple veg was maybe a bit too bitter for me, but I can see how it would fit with the duck. The pork was also so juicy and the Thai inspired sauce the veggies are cooked in was excellent. For dessert we chose a valentines special- flourless fudge torte, rose scented whipped mascarpone, strawberry cava consommé. This was one of the best desserts I've ever had - every bite of the rich fudgey torte was imbued with a citrus flavor, and the carbonated cava was such a fun pairing! Every bite was like a perfect chocolate covered strawberry with a sip of sparkling wine. We truly loved this meal - the servers were all so kind and attentive too - and I'll be back soon to try out their lunch!
We came here with a huge party and it was a fun experience! The servers kept our waters topped up and we had a really interesting experience eating all the food. The server gave us a lot of info like telling us which food dishes were James beard award winning. The breads were yummy but very small and the server came around to distribute it to us individually. We tried the fresh bacon first -- it's basically a piece of pork belly in a garbanzo bean mush with butter / oil around it. I liked the bean mush the most, it added a lot of flavor to the pork. The pork is actually pretty similar to a piece of Kalua pork, we were eating with some Hawaiians and they thought it was just like kalua pork minus rice. I ordered the artichoke tortellini but it was extemely rich and I was a bit shocked by how creamy it was. Served with small pieces of artichoke hearts and some cheese. I found it was best if you ate it with a bit of the broth as it adds a lot of flavor that balances the super creamy tortellini. I loved the dessert-- it's basically a chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. Some of my table mates ordered the peas and carrots dessert and it looked really interesting kind of like a salad. I took off a star because they seemed to keep clearing only half the table and taking away our silverware without giving more. We found ourselves short of utensils a few times! There could also be more clear signage about where the bathroom is.
10 months ago
2 years ago
We enjoyed our dinner at Rioja tonight! We shared 3 appetizers: beets and kampachi, goat cheese tart topped with toasted hazelnuts and huckleberries, and an amazing pork belly nestled on top of a curried lava been puree. Yum! Our entrees included a spectacular octopus with chorizo puree, and delicious artichoke tortelloni. We shared desserts: hot beignets drizzled with fig sauce, and a layered chocolate mousse. Wonderful! Great service, lovely setting, a great meal! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Another memorable and enjoyable dinner at Rioja --which after 20 years continues to serve consistently beautiful and tasty meals. This may very well be one of Denver's very best restaurants. Rioja focuses on Mediterranean inspired food with local, fresh ingredients along with Denver's first James Beard Award winning Chef about 8 or 9 years ago and she continues to shine, innovate and impress. We started with a Cardamom spiced Pork Belly that melted in my mouth, literally. The house salad with arugula, dates and gorgonzola was sweet, spicy and delicious. The wild mushroom risotto was heavenly, hearty and satisfying. The braised short rib was juicy and filling. The chef was visible and told me that it takes several days to prepare some of the courses we had. I believe her. Clearly their attention to detail and passion for great meals remains unsurpassed. A butterscotch Budino topped off a wonderful meal. There is a nice selection of wines with some great choices by the glass. Service was exceptional, good - attentive, always there when we need her. Thanks for a wonderful memory of a phenomenal meal. read more
2 years ago
Went here on a whim with a group of friends. Overall, it was hit or miss. The breads were amazing! The wine recommendation was great. Some of the dishes were excellent, like the artichoke tortellini. But other dishes were unsatisfactory, like the braised ribs with crunchy bits of gnocchi that just didn't seem to go well together. There was nothing on the dessert menu that appealed to me, which was sad. Service was generally good but they brought wrong dishes to the wrong people, and pacing was not great. It took forever for our food to come out. Not sure if they were short staffed or not that night. read more
2 years ago
4.5 rounded down to a 4! came here for an anniversary dinner and our waiter was so sweet, kind, and attentive. we got the Indian red lentil soup with butter chicken and IT WAS A 10/10, and we're Indian. It was really amazing, I've never tried anything like that and it was perfectly balanced. We also got the classic artichoke tortellini, which was also a 10/10. The octopus dish was 4/5. Well cooked but it could've been more flavorful, and could've had more chorizo puree. The dessert was a flop. We got the chocolate mousse and the kumquat syrup on top was way too sour, it took away from the richness of the chocolate. Left a weird taste in our mouths and didn't feel like the best way to leave off a meal, hence the 4 stars. However this was a lovely place, I would 100% come back for the lentil soup and the artichoke tortellini. The house breads were also unique flavors (lavender bread was delicious) and very fresh. I appreciated this restaurant with a cozy yet mature lively vibe. I'd come back for a special occasion. read more
8 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
3.5 Stars. Great service and ambiance. The food was okay but highly over salted ( something I really dislike): The Salad, the Goat Cheese Tart, even the Gnocchi was really salty ( hey Chef lay off the Salt). Other than that the Tart was great, the complimentary bread service was awesome. Would I come back sure and probably have a table outside....but please less Salt! Am I making my point clear? read more
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Casandra H.
David G, I have sent you a direct message regarding your recent visit.
Slowest service in Denver. Alright, now that's out of my system: overall this place is okay. There are some bright spots, there are some dull spots. The biggest issue I have is how slow and inattentive the service is. From the moment we walked in it was slow. We stood there for a few minutes before someone came and said "can I help you?". We were here on a Sunday night and it wasn't that busy. During the meal, I've never been to a restaurant that didn't ask if I wanted a refill on my drink. The drink cup from my first round sat empty on the table with the ice melting for 40 minutes until I finally flagged the server down and asked for another one. Everything came out extremely slow. We were here for two hours which is saying something because we typically spend 1-1.5 hours in any restaurant. My favorite thing here was the artichoke tortelloni. It was absolutely heaven. The fresh bacon was also very good. The complimentary bread they serve you is also to die for. The saffron fettuccine I didn't care for, pasta was way too hard and the flavor outside of the duck sausage was dull and bland. The grilled Wagyu tri-tip was over-powered by the sauce such that the flavor of the meat was hard to make out. We were here for our anniversary and were served a couple of mini ice cream cones complimentary and the ice cream was quite good. We also got the poached peaches for desert which was nothing special. Another thing that's worth pointing out is, Larimer Square and most of downtown Denver is a ghost town these days. It was quite surreal to be eating this kind of meal in an area that seems just completely abandoned. That certainly subtracts from the ambience and overall experience, even though it's not in Rioja's control. I can't say I'll be back for a lot of reasons, although I will miss that artichoke tortellini and the super cozy sofa seats we sat on. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Justin S, I have sent you a direct message regarding your recent…
Ambiance: On a pedestrian walk street full of restaurants. Outdoor and inside seating. Casual vibe. Service: Seated quickly and waiter was quick to come take my order. Food: Everything was fresh and spot on. The pork belly is a signature dish, perfectly seared on the outside and super tender on the inside. Fat was rendered fully. The octopus was grilled just right and sauce was tasty. The dessert was refreshing. Loved it and will be back. read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful review CiCi C! We hope to see you again soon.
Get the artichoke tortellini. It was so delicious that I regret splitting one with my dining companion. Or ordering the other stuff. I think I'm going to dream about that artichoke tortellini. Lavender sourdough was also a very nice touch. Halibut entree was good but not memorable. PSA... There is a curb at the front of the restaurant that throughout my dinner I watched people trip over all night. Make sure you watch out for it... read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the feedback Sallie D! We really appreciate it and do hope…
Roja is inviting like something you would find in Europe. Atmosphere alone is a reason to visit. The restaurant is expensive for what you get. I had the chicken cannelloni which had a nice flavor including some heat after burn. The cocktail ran $17 and the cannelloni was small plate size despite ordering the larger serving. I felt like a paid a lot for what I received. Then again, I did expect Rioja to offer "value meal deals" for that go somewhere else. Server staff were very professional and experienced. read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the great feedback Adam C! We hope to see you again soon.
4 years ago
TREAT YOSELF!! My friend and I were excited to dress up for a fancy dinner at Rioja. It's the perfect "special occasion" restaurant. Between the upscale dishes, classy vibe, and phenomenal service, it's no wonder Rioja is considered Michelin Star level. Well, there's of course their James Beard award. Our waiter was fun and helpful throughout the entire evening. We started with an assortment of bread. The lavender bread was the BEST, and I wish I could have taken some home. Got the Lions Tale cocktail, though I should have asked the bartender to make me something more spirit-forward. This was the closest they had. Love all the dishes we got to share, most of which were recommended by our waiter: * Seared Scallops (fregola salad, sugar snap peas, green curry, oven dried tomatoes, pea shoots) * Fresh Bacon (pork belly, cardamom, curried garbanzo bean purée) * Duck Breast (honey pistachio crust, candied olives, olive oil poached dates, radicchio, carrot-turmeric purée, five spice jus) * Artichoke Tortelloni (artichoke mousse, white truffle brodo, Manchego) I don't have individual comments because they were ALL incredible dishes. Perfect presentation, texture variety, and flavors. The menu itself isn't super comprehensive, and I love that. Specialize in a set of dishes and nail them each time. Every foodie in Denver (or passing through) should check out Rioja. Not too hard to get a reservation. I'm excited to come back again someday! read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the amazing review Stefanie C! We really appreciate it.
What a dining establishment! Everything about this place screams class. From the service to the presentation to the food itself, everything was terrific. Our waiter was super friendly and even gave us complimentary champagne as we were there celebrating a special occasion. To start, a server comes around with a bread basket where you get to choose your choice of bread. Talk about service! For starters, we got the smoked burrata and it was phenomenal. I love how it comes with a side of salad with a honey vinaigrette which adds a nice balance to the dish. For my main, I got the wagyu tri tip and it was delicious. It's cooked perfectly medium rare and it was so tender. It comes with a skewer of shiitake mushrooms which were also terrific. The xo sauce for the wagyu was superb. I also got to try the duck breast and a part of me wishes I ordered that instead. You really can't go wrong with either choice. What a treat to be able to dine here! read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the great review Jason!
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
Cold, that's all I felt having brunch here a week ago. So cold I had to ask for a blanket. So cold my coffee went from hot to... well, in a matter of minutes. So cold that the fat on my "Fresh Bacon" congealed in a matter of minutes. So cold the Artichoke Tortelloni's soup felt like I was having liquid fat. Both signature dishes tasted to me like they had the same profile - salty, but not savory. It's a shame. My girlfriend seemed to have enjoyed her benedict very much - she had three layers on, good for her. At last it was my idea to share a dessert. She picked the Peanut butter/Fudge Tort. Good choice, it's every bit as described and expected. Finally something other than salty and cold (needless to say, I didn't touch the ice cream that came with). Staff is very polite and gentle, space is clean and upscale, just cold. read more
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Casandra H.
Lily S, I have sent you a direct message regarding your recent…
Came here on a Sunday evening for dinner. Make sure you book a res! The inside is more upscale and outside is more casual. I saw people dressed in hiking clothes as well as cocktail attire. Their house bread selection is lovely. I had the goat cheese biscuit. Their wines are offered by the half or full glass. I tried the Rioja rose and red wines. Their artichoke tortellini is a must order! The full size portion comes with 5 pieces. Their octopus is good but not quite as tender as some other's. I also loved their lamb 2 ways dish. Service was excellent. Tried the angel food cake for dessert, and the presentation is beautiful. Overall, highly recommend! read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the great review Karen D! We really appreciate the…
1 year ago
First impression: It's in the heart of the vibrant Larimer St area with a spacious outdoor dining area. Very friendly people as the hosts! But, the complimentary bread was served almost cold which was disappointing since the biscuits would have been better, and lavender in the sourdough more pronounced, if served at a hotter temperature. Breads were presented in such a beautiful way, though. Second half of the dining room didn't have the same ambience that the front of the house did as the front looked well decorated and had an overall better vibe/aesthetic. Am I being nit-picky? We still really enjoyed our 1st meal here, especially with our great waitress and the amazing team in sync with each other! Ordered: * fresh figs + goat cheese tart: not the most sharable size but perfect for my partner. * peach caprese: i like regular, fresh burrata more (i realized after eating this) but was delicious and refreshing with the sauce. Save some bread to dip! * vegetarian four squares: was basically 3 kinds of sautéed veggie/salad dishes + a too-sweet butternut squash soup. The past versions of this that I've seen on here looked waay better so we'll have to try again soon! * halibut w/ saffron braised fennel, olive oil poached fingerling potatoes, caldeirada sauce, baby heirloom tomatoes: sounds great but lacked complex flavor. Sides were good but could have been thought out a little better. Maybe just not my style. Halibut was cooked to perfection though which is what I care about the most! * Palmer & Co. Blanc de Blancs Champagne: was great with our meal, highly recommend. Dessert + cocktail menus look heavenly. Happy Hour menu looks quite fun, too. We might have not picked the best dishes this time so we are coming back to try some pastas! read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the feedback Emina S. We really appreciate it. We do hope…
8 months ago
Amazing amazing meal at Rioja! We actually had to cancel our dinner reservation here during our Denver trip. But we were able to randomly fit them into our schedule for lunch before our flight out and we were so happy that it was fate. Everything we had was delicious! Light, fresh, balanced and the service was amazing. Definitely recommend the artichoke tortellini!! Don't care how full you are, get it!the chilled noodle dish was superb and the soba noodle dish was amazing. This place is a must visit! Great service as well. read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful feedback Uyen D!
8 months ago
4 years ago
We walked up to Rioja on a Saturday night without a reservation. Not a good idea but luckily for us the host staff is so welcoming and didn't make us feel bad about it. They put our names down and gave us a good estimated time. In fact, we sat earlier than the time estimated so that was even better. The ambiance is really nice. Low candlelight (even if it's not open flame). We sat outside (by request) but the inside looked really nice and cozy too. There are good heaters and flames to keep you warm and wonderful people watching. Our server and the assistant were great. We got waters right away. Our drink order was taken quickly with good suggestions. My bf got the boss hog. That's a strong pig but it was delicious. I forgot the name of mine but it tasted just like an alcoholic orange bang (or orange creamsicle drink for those of you not from Hawaii.) The bread service is great. Hard to choose but hey you can have one of each or more than that if you really want it. They had some interesting sounding specials but we decided to order off the menu and split the house salad (dates! so good with arugula, who knew?!?! Rioja did) and basically shared the duck and the octopus. The duck was freaking stellar. Perfectly cooked with nice skin. The puree was just sweet enough but savory enough to be a perfect one bite vessel. The octopus was tender and packed with flavor. We also had cheesecake for dessert. It wasn't what I was expecting and I appreciated that. It was good but not something I'd crave. I'll try something else next time. If I had any criticism, it would be that the plates are fairly small but to be honest, I think things are meant to be shared so it wasn't a big deal. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderfully detailed review Christina R! We really…
2 years ago
Tried the tasting menu, the Artichoke Tortelloni was the best plate I've had in Denver. If I ever come back I'm skipping the tasting menu and getting a full order of this. The tasting menu was great but seriously that was the star of the show. read more
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Casandra H.
Thank you so much for joining us! We are glad you enjoyed your…
This place was an absolute delight!!! We were visiting from Seattle and our local friends suggested this place. Hands down a 5/5 for: ambience, service, food and drinks! :D We ordered 3 appetizers (see pictures below) , 4 mains, a bottle of wine (Muriel Reserva), cocktails, and dessert (lemon and blueberries). Everything was superb. Huge compliments to the Chef for putting together all these wonderful flavors. I wouldn't change a thing. And the bread basket - wow! Lovely presentation. I had the lavender bread. Loved it! Being of Middle Eastern origins, I highly appreciated these Mediterranean flavors. Well done! If you're looking to have a delicious meal with friends/colleagues/or family, look no further! This is really such a spectacular place, well worth it! Thank you for making this a memorable evening for us. read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful review Nicole E!
5 years ago
My boyfriend and I wanted to celebrate during our vacation in Colorado and found this little gem on Yelp. We made a reservation a week and a half in advance and was able to get the last inside table at 7:30pm for the night we planned to go! It's located next to Corridor 44 on Larimer St. There's only paid street parking around (but I think it's free after a specific time?) and paid lot parking. The block is closed off for pedestrians to walk on so expect to walk a little. After ordering, we were offered bread. There were three types: lavender, Parmesan, and a cheese one. I can't remember the exact names of each of them but that's the gist of what we got. LOL. we were given butter that was topped with hawaiian salt. Each of the breads were delicious! Me and my boyfriend both personally liked the Parmesan one and tried to ask for more of that when they came back but ended up saying cheese and got the one we both didn't care for... DRATS LOL. But it was okay. We still had our appetizer and main dish to finish. On a side note, one of the lavender breads had a tiny rock in it. I almost bit it but luckily found it in my mouth before I cracked a tooth! We decided to share a pasta appetizer (smaller portion) and chose the Saffron gnocchi with shrimp. The gnocchi was suuuuper good. The pasta practically melted in my mouth which confused me a bit but then hits with full flavor. Loved it sooo much! I got the Pan Seared Spanish octopus and omg. The octopus was soooo tender and flavorful with the sauce spread. The starch, which I've never tried before, was super interesting. Almost like a mochi kind of rice (asian side of me coming out). My boyfriend got the Grilled Wagyu Tri-Tip. The steak was verrryyy tender. There was a sauce spread but also a sauce medley of things which was the winner for the entire dish. There were only 6 cuts of steak but soooo good and worth it. There was also a side of grilled mushrooms and cabbage as vegetables for the dish. Overall, my experience here was amazing! Food was super different from what I'm used to and the flavors were outstanding! read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful review Jessica S! We hope to see you again…
Delicious tapas place! I love the ambience here. The menu truly allows you to share as little or as much as you'd like. Their pasta dishes can all be ordered as halfs, meaning you get to taste more of their menu. The accompanied bread was also amazing. Lavender sourdough?! Insanely good. They sell it by the loaf, but you need to give them 48 hour notice. They had a truffle broth pasta. Divine. Their vegetarian platter was truly surprising. The flavors, the combination of textures, it was all spot on. Their vegetarian dish is where they shined, shows how you don't need excessive fat or expensive ingredients to create something delicious. I also got the octopus and that was amazing! Cooked to perfection, but the icing on the cake was the Spanish flavor it had to it. My fiance said it was like a "ratatouille" experience where you eat a bite and you're reminded of childhood. The desserts. Ooooh, the kiwi and kumquat Pavlova. So freaking crispy and just absolutely amazing. Give this place a chance! Make a reservation. Great wines. Outdoor seating. Amazing service. read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderfully detailed review Ariel C! We hope to see…
1 year ago
Guysssss this is the best meal I've had in Denver! I honestly can't begin to explain how wonderful this experience was. We made a reservation about a month ago and I definitely wasn't ready to have such an incredible experience. The service, cozy ambiance and delicious cocktails were a great start, but the food was out of this world. We had the fig and goat cheese pastry to start, and then we ordered the duck, the wagyu and the seared strip baja bass. Everything was insane! I was sad that it was my last day in Denver, otherwise I would've gone back. Pictures don't do it justice ... you just gotta try it! A+ for Rioja read more
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Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful review Cindy L! We hope to see you again…
5 years ago
Wonderful dinner from start to finish. Beautiful dining room, excellent service and delicious food. Cocktails were nicely prepared, and nicer to drink!. My son wanted to order the Rioja Picnic, and it is a beautiful presentation, but I really wanted to get into some of the other appetizers, perhaps next trip. The plate was delicious and indeed a showstopper when it arrives at the table. The gnocchi are light, fluffy and I thought just perfect. I had the pastrami beef short rib special which was a delight. The pastrami flavors were there, but not overbearing at all The other components of the dish were nearly perfect. If I have to give any criticism, the potato mash was a tad salty for my taste but I am pretty sensitive to salt. I do wish more chefs would dial the salt back a tad. I struggle when I want everything on the dessert menu, and this was one of those cases. I skipped over the cannoli, but our server explained that it wasn't really a classic cannoli at all. Instead, a delicious tube of cookie filled with a rice pudding, I'm so glad I ordered it! Not at all what you might expect. Don't hesitate to dine here, really is a wonderful special occasion restaurant. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for joining us for dinner Michael R. We are happy to hear you…
Fine dining vibe, amazing service, and fun decor - picnic cheese and charcuterie The meat are delicious - bread Really good and special. Server came with a basket for your choice - artichoke tortelloni The best of tonight!!!!! Melts in mouth with a rich flavor - duck breast Not impressed. Used Asian sauces on the side but the duck breast was not fully roasted and chewy. My thought was - if you are doing it the Asian way, why not just fully roast it and make it more flavorful? If you want to make fusion innovation, you can emphasize on the citrus flavor and blend in more ponzu/orange throughout your cooking. Also, personally I just don't think medium cooked duck is as nice as steaks, it's chewy - halibut Delicious. Would love a bigger portion of fish read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for the lovely review Jenna P!
The happy hour menu seems like it mostly has drinks at a discount vs food as the artichoke tortellini and house salad were the same prices. There were a few things that are only on this menu such as a hibiscus rum spritz that I didn't see on the dinner menu. Complimentary bread along with the butter (super rich, almost cheesy) was excellent. I liked the lavender sourdough the most but still enjoyed the parmesan focaccia and the goat cheese biscuit (this was the only one that came warm, not sure if intentional). We ordered and shared somewhat: - Rioja house salad: I liked the ingredients but there was too much vinaigrette - Fresh bacon: this is what they are known for and while the garbanzo puree was interesting and good, it was not enough to offset the saltiness of the pork belly. It was very salty and didn't think it was particularly tender. - Artichoke tortellini: the other thing they are known for. The full size comes with 5 pieces and the artichoke flavor is not very strong. My friend doesn't like artichokes and I couldn't convince him to try this. I really liked the white truffle broth, not very rich as you would imagine. It also comes with Manchego cheese and a white truffle slice. - Duck breast: this was served medium rare and tasted much more like steak. I would not have thought this was duck if not told. The accompaniments were good (squash puree, dates, etc.) - Hibiscus rum spritz: very refreshing and I'd get this again. Got this off happy hour menu. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for joining us for happy hour Austin K!
Quite simply one of the best dining experiences in Denver. Rioja always manages to be intimate and classy without being stuffy. The service is attentive and warm and contributes to the ethos of classy and inviting. The menu is so intentional and the flavors are well balanced. The bread basket at the start of the meal is such a treat and also a dilemma because they all look so good. My friend was raving about her lamb entree so I tried it and it was phenomenal and I have never enjoyed lamb before! Rioja is very small so I would advise against having a group dinner here. You're often seated very close to other diners. As may be expected, the portions are small. So, it's ideal for a special meal with one or 2 people...Rioja is a lovely dining experience and is on the all lists for a reason. read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for the great feedback Ivette D! We appreciate the photo's as…
We booked this well in advance for our trip to Denver. Absolute nightmare getting to the restaurant by car due to traffic, but they were nice enough to hold the reservarion for a few minutes. Valet is at ocean prime. Once inside we could tell that this was a more casual type atmosphere for a restaurant of this acclaim (good for us since we had kids). Service was excellent and they helped us find options good for kids. For starters the rioja salad option w meats and cheeses was plentiful and delicious. Ginger cocktail was outstanding. Least favorite part of the meal was the bacon Kids split the pea ravioli which they enjoyed. The lamb dish was excellent and wife loved her octopus. Highlight of the meal was thin mint ice cream dessert which didn't last more than 2 minutes in the table. Loved our experience and highly recommend for a Denver style more casual fine dining experience (some folks in ball caps, sweatshirts, shorts, etc) read more
Business owner information
Casandra H.
Thanks for the wonderful review Rob G! We really appreciate it.
More info about Rioja
1431 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80202
Lodo, Northwest
Directions
(303) 820-2282
Call Now
Visit Website
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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Rioja - newamerican - Updated September 2026
Best of Denver
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