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Rioja, Denver, CO
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Rioja

$31 to $50
Mediterranean

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 41 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
  • Charming
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
  • Neighbourhood
    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

Experiences

  • Celebration of Spring dinner

    US$125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Mar 26, 2025 only
    Rioja's creative team will feature first-of-the-season food and beverage pairings to toast the coming of Spring.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 10,514 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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Denver / Colorado

    Mediterranean

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rioja in Denver offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing food and cocktails" and "wonderful service." Highlights include the artichoke tortelloni and creative dishes like octopus and venison. The ambiance is cozy and perfect for special occasions. Despite some service inconsistencies, it's "one of the best restaurants in Denver."

10,515 Reviews

  1. Julie

    Denver19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We are regulars at Rioja and they never disappoint. Favorites: Artichoke rigatonni, chicken salad sandwich, beignets. Great staff, lovely atmosphere. Highly recommended.

    Is this helpful?

  2. OpenTable Diner

    Denver2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Must have the artichoke tortelloni and the fig beignets. Excellent service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ronald

    Washington DC1 review

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Service was excellent but my Black/White Tagliettel was lacking the seafood that was supposed to be part of the dish. My cappuccino was served in plastic. Kind of a turn off. The desert was the best part. We’ve been dining at Rioja for 20 years were a little disappointed. Will be back though.

    Is this helpful?

  4. JohnS VIP

    Greater Boston2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Obnoxiously good - exceptional dining in any local. Eat here!

    Is this helpful?

  5. ErinO

    Jackson Hole2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Perfect! The food is clean, beautiful, and delicious. The staff was very attentive but not over bering. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  6. David VIP

    Washington DC35 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience at Rioja. Our favorite in Denver this trip! We’ll be back!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ashton

    Phoenix1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious food and the menu was diverse and exciting. We had the squash soup for an appetizer (love!!!), and I had the artichoke tortelloni (to die for) and my husband had the black and white tagliatelle. Drinks and wine were excellent. Desserts are a MUST! Recommend the beignets and the cannoli. The ambience was very nice - we actually felt a bit underdressed! Good service too.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jacqueline VIP

    Denver68 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We hadn’t been to Rioja in several years and had a lovely time. The service is exceptional and well timed. Drinks were lovely. Bread selection was enjoyable. The artichoke tortelloni was spectacular. The octopus was the biggest disappointment but everything else was good. We had the ice cream and sorbet selection for dessert. Loved the lemon and passion fruit. Didn’t think the chocolate strawberry was amazing but it was all served on a thin cookie which was delicious. Our server was great, seating comfortable, restaurant wasn’t overly loud and all in all a nice experience.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Marcela

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    An amazing place to celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Thomas VIP

    Phoenix21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Rioja was great as always. Service, food, ambiance is our favorite Denver restaurant. Waitress Vivian was outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rioja is rated 4.8 stars by 10514 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 p.m.
Booked 41 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Rioja

1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    15th St; Larimer St
  • Neighbourhood
    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.

Featured in

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