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Rioja

4.6

About this business

Rioja, this eatery on Larimer Street has an intimate feel to it. Glass fixtures, a unique bar with a copper-topped surface, and the serene ambiance lend it a relaxing air. Appetizers include Steamed Manila Clams and Mint-Grilled Shrimp. Among the main courses you can opt for a Chilled Gazpacho Soup or a Roasted Beet Salad. The Muscovy Duck Two Ways and the Grilled Hanger Steak come highly recommended. You can also seat yourself outdoors on the charming little patio – a perfect way to dine on a balmy Denver night. 

Location details

1431 Larimer St, Denver, CO, 80202, United States

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WeekdayScheduleStatus
Mon9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tue9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wed9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thu9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fri9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
SatClosed
SunClosed
4.62,347 reviews
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mo11's profile image
17 years ago

Fantastic food and professional service! – Please pay no mind to the vindictive reviews from dining ?newbies? who have not been to Rioja more than once and who probably think the average McChain restaurant is innovative. As someone who has been going to Rioja since their opening, I can assure you that this is one of the best restaurants in town and they just keep getting better. Not only is the food sublime, but the staffers are consistently friendly, efficient, and work together well as a team. For one diner?s claim that th... read more

noir14's profile image
17 years ago

Absolutely horribe – Last night I went to Rioja in a group and it was a complete disappointment. My girlfriend and I are both vegetarians, and there was only one thing on the menu for us to eat. It came out in under ten minutes, clearly pre-prepared and reheated. We didn't even eat it and the waiters didn't offer to get something else. Also, our waiter was extremely rude and unappreciative of us as customers; when I asked her if she could slightly augment a dish by not putting artichokes in it she refused. It wasn't only me ... read more

mixer_star's profile image
mixer_star 
17 years ago

Very disappointed! – My husband and I went to Rioja on a gift certificate. Thank goodness, because we would have never wanted to pay for the food we got. Every piece of meat was overcooked. Everything was really oversalted. It was just a terrible disappointment. The service was good, however. 

drlsubaru's profile image
drlsubaru 
17 years ago

Didn't live up to t he hype – Don't get me wrong, Rioja has good food... but it definitely did not live up to the hype. Our waiter was courteous and patient. My fiancee started with some sangria which she found to be nothing special. I played it safe with a Pellegrino. Took a while for the bread to arrive. When it did, it was nice to be able to select from a unique assortment. For appetizers we ordered the fig, goat cheese, polenta tart and the pancetta-wrapped mozzerella. Both were good. I preferred the tart but my fiancee ... read more

qwestdir's profile image
qwestdir 
18 years ago

Love this place. – I was impressed with the selection of items on the menu. There was really good desserts too. Not the greatest place for kids, as we got some "looks" from the hipsters everytime one made a peep, but the food was some of the best I've had in a long time. 

anneee's profile image
18 years ago

This week was my third visit to Rioja. My two other visits were in 2006, and I walked out feeling very satisfied with my meal and overall dining experience. This time I was very disappointed. I hope this was just an off night and not a sign that the staff of Rioja are letting their usually outstanding cuisine slide downhill. The food was just okay and the service was also less than I expect. At this point in time, I would not recommend Rioja until they get their act together. 

cavery's profile image
18 years ago

Small Plates, Great Taste – My fiance and I went to Rioja for a romantic dinner. We were seated immediately, and our server was very attentive. I ordered the horseradish and potato-crusted salmon, and it was absolutely delicious, as the salmon was perfectly cooked and the flavors well-developed and creatively combined. My fiance ordered the artichoke tortelloni, but he was less impressed than I - his plate barely contained enough pasta to feed a five year old, let alone a grown man. My plate also contained a little less food... read more

carolinefugler's profile image
carolinefugler 
18 years ago

Perfect First Anniversary Dinner – I had heard good things about Rioja, so I booked it for our first anniversary dinner on New Year's Eve 2006. Everything at Rioja was better than I hoped for. We had a reservation, and we were seated immediately. The restaurant was full, but the tables are spread out so it was not overwhelmingly packed. the atmosphere is nice while also hip and urban. We had complimentary glasses of champagne and appetizers brought to our table as a special anniversary treat! Our waiter was very attentive, a... read more

robn's profile image
18 years ago

Over-hyped – We moved to CO 6 months ago so as "foodies" we are trying all the restaurants - Loved their other restaurant (Bistro Vendome - everything is great) so looked forward to Rioja - I could go into detail but it easier to say that everything was mediocre. Nothing really bad just very average. 

Frequently asked questions about Rioja

How is Rioja rated?

Rioja has a 4.6 star rating with 2,347 reviews. 

When is Rioja open?

Rioja is closed now. It will open tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. 

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