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Rioja

1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202 (Downtown)
(303) 820-2282
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Ranked #2 of 1,704 restaurants in Denver
Price range: $42 - $82
Cuisines: French, Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Business, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, After-hours, Dessert
Dining style: Casual Elegant
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Description: Chef Jennifer Jasinski's creatively inspired Mediterranean food is influenced by local seasonal products. Rioja is simple, pure food that emphasizes bright flavors & textures. The wines are a collection of fun interesting varietals that compliment the cuisine.
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412 reviews from our community

88% Recommend
    288
    78
    32
    10
    4
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Centennial, Colorado
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

Had dinner tonight and was not "wowed". Food was good but not great, tried it once and will move on. Service was terrific, however food rated a "B". Food presentation outstanding, taste did not met the same standard.

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Dayton, Wyoming
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
56 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

From start to finish everything was amazing. We showed up without a reservation on a Saturday night and were seated in the bar, where four of us had planned to eat at too tiny table. Almost immediately we were moved to a great table, near the window. We started with the Rioja picnic, which was a wonderful selection of meats,... More

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See 6 more reviews by Tamara L for Denver
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013 NEW

A beautiful Evening enhanced our dining experience. Food was delicious but service could have been better. Understand that they were very busy. A little pricey for what we had but dining outdoors on Larimer street made it worthwhile.

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See 2 more reviews by Mo H for Denver
boulder, co
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
28 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

This is to of the line service, the food is delicious, the presentation is outstanding, as is their wine selection... I think you get it, we love this place, If you want to enjoy a nice dinner in LODO, you will never regret choosing Rioja. I always get the duck breast, whatever the featured preperation is.

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See 8 more reviews by fredstrong for Denver
Chicago,IL
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
21 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

I was in Denver in March and had to stop into Rioja for dinner it is one of my favorite places in the country. I have only one word to say to everyone "Bacon" get the bacon it is the most delicious appetizer that you will ever eat. I always eat at the bar and convince people to try it... More

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See 3 more reviews by phamus for Denver
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

Three of us dined at Rioja. While we could not get an early reservation in the main dining area (last minute reservation), we were able to dine in the bar/lounge area. It was perfect! We had a seat in the front window and it was actually quieter than the dining room. Tony, our server, was friendly, entertaining and knowledgeable about... More

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Aurora, Colorado, United States
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
37 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013 NEW

I have been trying to give out less five star reviews recently as an Excellent rating should truly indicate an excellent experience. Rioja deserves it. Last night I visited Rioja with some friends without reservations and were seated surprisingly fast. Once we were seated we ordered the Bacon appetizer which was to die for. For an entree I ordered the... More

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See 5 more reviews by Casey M for Denver
Henderson, Nevada
Top Contributor
86 reviews 86 reviews
44 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2013 NEW

I went with a friend that had eaten here before. We were both visiting Denver. On a Friday night, the restaurant was crowded, but we were able to sit at the bar for drinks and appetizers. We started off with water and drinks (I had a blackberry whiskey sour). The appetizers we chose were Fresh bacon (cardamon spiced Kurobuta pork... More

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See 9 more reviews by SharonB2 for Denver
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

We ate both here, and at Fruition in the same weekend (two top rated (TripAdvisor) restaurants....and honestly pretty close tie. I'd say (personally) I loved Rioja for the atmosphere, food, location. I loved Fruition for the food, the atmosphere, and the location (in that order).

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See 4 more reviews by MplsLakes for Denver
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
8 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013 via mobile

Went on a Saturday with brunch being served at 1pm (as an Australian this is not what I expected). I had octopus farfalle, very tasty, but the savoury crepes looked even better. Great atmosphere. Shame outside seats occupied as Larimer Street is very atmospheric.

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See 2 more reviews by mjedavis for Denver

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