Locally sourced, imaginative Mediterranean dishes & wines in a high-energy dining room.
Jessie Fleming
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 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!
… moreDrew Tj
Absolutely love the food and atmosphere. I have been to Rioja multiple times but this was the first I sat at the chefs counter. Sean was full of knowledge and was able to give me a detailed explanation of each dish he prepped and made. Truly a wonderful experience. Everything cooked to perfection, dessert and wine were spot on and I look forward to my return. Chefs counter was a dining experience like no other. Thank you Sean and the wonderful staff at Rioja. 10/10. I started with the beets and burrata which was insanely good and complemented it with the grilled bavette steak (medium rare) and finished with the dessert special Sumac Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Torte. Glass of Querceto Sangiovese was the perfect match to it all. Thank you again for all of the beautiful creations you make.
… moreAlexandra
Went here for Valentine’s Day and absolutely loved it! I don’t say that often about restaurants, but the food was next level and our server, Erica was great. She had suggested the artichoke tortelloni and bacon to start and they were great and very thoughtful dishes. While the starters/pastas were the most exciting part of the meal, the rest of the dishes were also great. We’ll definitely be back!
… moreJohn
Good service. Good atmosphere. Did not like sitting so close to other couples though. My Thai chili pork chop was supposed to be cooked at “chef” recommended medium finish. Probably over cooked. It was really tough to cut, let alone chew. Was not impressed. Everything else was pretty good.
… moreMel W
A contemporary yet cozy restaurant with great service and thoughtful food. The open concept makes it easy to see into the restaurant and have level eye contact with dining partners. The booths are comfortable. The music is played at an appropriate level (I really enjoyed this afternoon’s playlist). The food is top notch. The artichoke and truffle tortellini is a must try. The savory broth and flavorful filled pastas make an excellent starter. The potato galette was delicious and all the elements of the dish work well together. The blue corn pancakes are unique and I appreciate the elements that add crunch to the dish. The chocolate “pop tart” was an addictive cross between a croissant, brownie, and lava cake. The code donuts are very crispy with a creamy filling and paired with poached apples. With the complex flavors and elegant setting, I see why Rioja has won prestigious awards. It is definitely a splurge, but the experience is well worth it.
… moreTamara Borsos
This restaurant is one of my favorites in Denver! Perfectly located in Larimer Square, it offers an exceptional dining experience. From the moment you walk in, you immediately notice the attention they pay to their service. The food… my goodness! It did not disappoint. Although the menu is relatively small, it is bursting with an excellent blend of flavors. I enjoyed the lavender sourdough bread, the lavender haze cocktail, the tomato salad, chamomile-cured Hokkaido scallop crudo, and the grilled bavette steak. The combination of ingredients is brilliant! The restaurant was full even on a Tuesday, which reflects the wonderful ambiance they’ve created. I highly recommend this place as a must-try in Denver.
… moreGet Up & Go!
Dined outside so I can’t speak to the ambiance indoors. Service was prompt, friendly, and attentive. The menu is creative but not fussy, and I enjoyed the brassica salad with seared tuna despite the tuna bring a little dry. The Bloody Mary I got to go along with helped. My friend opted for Gabe’s chronic chicken salad sandwich – which was rather massive on the house-made focaccia. We topped it off with a plate of their mini warm fig beignets – filled with goat cheese – really nice. Will definitely visit again to try other plates.
… moreAlexis Sisson
This restaurant was wonderful!!! So glad we stumbled upon it on our trip to Denver! The artichoke tortellini was amazing! The bread served prior to the meal was very unique and contained unexpected flavors! And the dessert really finished the meal off – we chose the cheesecake! I really hope we get to go again before we head home! 10/10!
… moreNy Barber
I never give anyone a 5 star for my first time but this restaurant is AMAZING!!! Britain was a server and he is fantastic!!! An added bonus is that he is from our hometown of Philly PA. We were out browsing Larimer Square and this restaurant is rated the best. I ordered the artichoke tortellini 7 piece and a Lion’s Tail cocktail. Both were amazing. The tortellini is to beg for more. The broth is so luxurious and silky. The pasta and filling was fresh and savory. I wanted to pick up my bowl and slurp the broth. I wish I had time to try more items but I was walking around trying all the different spots that were recommended to me. I highly recommend this restaurant.
… moreB B
First guests in the door on a Wednesday, service was stellar, friendly & accommodating, food was spectacular. Great options. We enjoyed the celery root soup, chicken salad sandwich, the fig & goat cheese beignets were so good!
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