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Rioja, Denver, CO
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Rioja

$31 to $50
Mediterranean
A photo of Rioja restaurant

Rioja

4.8
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 43 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Innovative
Chef Jennifer Jasinski's creatively inspired food is influenced by local seasonal products. Rioja is simple, pure food that emphasizes bright flavors and textures. The wines are a collection of fun interesting varietals that complement the cuisine.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Jennifer Jasinski

From the OpenTable editors: Rioja's Jennifer Jasinski is a trailblazer, being the first chef from Denver to win a James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest in 2013, along with many other accolades. The Larimer Square restaurant recently celebrated two decades, and the open kitchen still fires out rustic Mediterranean fare, from fresh handmade pasta to smoky grilled octopus.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (303) 820-2282
  • Website
    http://www.riojadenver.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Catering
    Whatever the occasion, Crafted Concepts has a venue and menu to exceed your expectations. We truly thrive on creating custom events and exciting experiences – the only limit is your imagination!
  • Private party facilities
    The culinary prowess of James Beard award winner, Jennifer Jasinski, is highlighted at every meal served by the talented Rioja staff. A Mediterranean menu with local, seasonal influences is served in semi-private or restaurant-wide events from 20 to 150 handled with Rioja’s award-winning expertise.
  • Location
    1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / LoDo
  • Cross street
    15th St; Larimer St
  • Parking details
    Valet available on Larimer Square each night of the week for dinner, $10 off with Rioja validation.A parking garage is located directly behind the restaurant on Market Street. Street parking is available throughout Larimer Square.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 10,414 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rioja in Denver offers "amazing food and cocktails" with standout Mediterranean cuisine. Guests rave about its "great service" and "wonderful ambiance." It's a top choice for special occasions, known for artfully presented dishes like artichoke tortellini and grilled octopus. Consistent excellence makes it a "Denver gem."

10,414 Reviews

  1. Dawn

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was outstanding in the service was wonderful

    Is this helpful?

  2. Amber

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    In full agreement with all of the reviews for this restaurant. There was not a bad dish, in fact they were all excellent! Service is amazing. From walking in the door to walking out, everything met and exceeded expectations. If you are looking for an amazing dinner Rioja will not dissapoint.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Laura

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Rioja never disappoints with friendly, professional, cheerful service and outstanding food. The Vesper Martini was sublime! Wonderful wine recommendations to pair with the most delicious short rib. Perfect dinner on cold night.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Wendy

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I made a reservation here for my husband's birthday on OpenTable. Our server had just the perfect amount of attentiveness. She had great recommendations. We started off with the bacon and appetizer portions of artichoke stuffed pasta and wild boar mataki pasta. The bacon was very tender and delicious. My husband loved the artichoke stuffed pasta which is the chef specialty. For my taste it was a little too pungent with the manchego cheese. The special pasta of the night was the wild boar and mitaki stuffed pasta. It was delicious. I loved all the flavors. My husband had the venison which was very tender and had some delicious sauces with it. I had considered the bacon wrapped cod but our server recommended the octopus. I am so glad I went with her recommendation because it was the best octopus I have ever had. So tender and charred. The grapes added a nice acid to the light barbecue sauce. I will be back again if only for the octopus. Because I had told them that we were there for my husband's birthday, our server brought a birthday card signed by everyone who was working that evening and brought us to little mini ice cream cones. We also got the ginger blackberry curd tart with yuzu ice cream. I probably wouldn't get this again but it did work if you took a bite of everything together. The use of ice cream was the only sweetness to the dish.

    Is this helpful?

  5. David

    San Francisco

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love this place… ambience is great, our server was outstanding! Food is excellent.

    Is this helpful?

  6. sujin

    Detroit

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wide ranging palate of flavors and textures that were skillfully and harmoniously combined.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Jeff

    Denver

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything was top notch! This is a memorable place to go.

    Is this helpful?

  8. John

    Denver

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Good service.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Michael

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and wonderful food!! We will be back soon

    Is this helpful?

  10. linda

    Denver

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    it is still just great. food and service, as well as atmosphere. our table had the special dessert, which was fantastic! Rioja was a nice place for our women's holiday party. elegant but comfortable and not fussy.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rioja is rated 4.8 stars by 10414 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

A photo of Rioja restaurant

Rioja

4.8
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 43 times today
Google Map for Rioja

1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Additional information

  • Cross street
    15th St; Larimer St
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / LoDo
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Daily 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Mediterranean, Fusion / Eclectic
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Valet available on Larimer Square each night of the week for dinner, $10 off with Rioja validation.A parking garage is located directly behind the restaurant on Market Street. Street parking is available throughout Larimer Square.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.riojadenver.com/
  • Phone number
    (303) 820-2282
  • Catering
    Whatever the occasion, Crafted Concepts has a venue and menu to exceed your expectations. We truly thrive on creating custom events and exciting experiences – the only limit is your imagination!
  • Private party facilities
    The culinary prowess of James Beard award winner, Jennifer Jasinski, is highlighted at every meal served by the talented Rioja staff. A Mediterranean menu with local, seasonal influences is served in semi-private or restaurant-wide events from 20 to 150 handled with Rioja’s award-winning expertise.

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