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  5. Downtown / LoDo
Rioja, Denver, CO
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Rioja

$31 to $50
Mediterranean

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 66 times today
Experiences are available.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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

Experiences

  • Lunar New Year 2025

    $95.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jan 22, 2025 only
    It's the Year of the Wood Snake and we're celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year with a four-course special menu paired with outstanding beverage selections from the Rioja bar team.

What 10,422 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

NoiseModerate

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."

10,422 Reviews
  1. Kelly

    VIP

    Denver

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So delicious with excellent service, drinks and overall dining experience! We go every year when in Denver and love it each time!

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  2. Clair

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, kind staff and great ambiance. First time here, got the seared venison and the short rib both were to die for. We also loved their bread and their cheese and meats with house made parm crackers. Thank you!

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  3. Barbara

    Denver

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delightful meal. Service a bit slower than usual

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  4. Ken

    VIP

    Indiana

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great ambience and service with delicious food. The artichoke tortellini as an appetizer are highly recommended.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Dawn

    Denver

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    I've been to Rioja several times and each time was so special. I brought my staff for our Christmas party, truly just wanting an exceptional experience with lots of great wine, cheese, apps, full bellies, and great service. I called ahead to make sure we would have enough time to sit for a few hours. I was told that as long as we ordered on time from the kitchen, we could stay as long as we'd like, as the restaurant would still be open for happy hour. The service from our first waiter was what you'd expect at Subway, he should not be at a place like this. His wine suggestions were not great (I've always enjoyed the recommendations from the waiters here), and we felt like he was rushing us out the door. They cleaned up the appetizers before we were finished, brought the dessert at the same time as the entrées, and then took away our silverware before we could eat the dessert. We asked for an extra cheese plate for a table of 5, he brought two tiny cheese squares- we just had to laugh. The service from the second waiter (who ended up closing us out) was much better, but we still felt shooed out. All in all, it was not a special experience. We left laughing about how UNspecial it was.

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  6. Mary

    VIP

    Denver

    13 reviews

    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was actually cold! I thought it might just be mine, but several people had cold food!

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  7. Dawn

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

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

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  8. Amber

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 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.

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  9. Laura

    VIP

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    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.

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  10. Wendy

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2024

    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.

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FAQs

Rioja is rated 4.7 stars by 10422 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 66 times today
Experiences are available.
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
  • 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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