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Rioja, Denver, CO
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Rioja

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Visa Dining Collection

$31 to $50
Mediterranean
1431 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80202

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 32 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for fine wines
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

Experiences

  • Sips and Snacks with Rioja's Sommelier

    $65.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jul 5, 2025 only
    3:00 PM
    Join Richard Ross, Rioja's Certified Sommelier, for a curated food and wine pairings while learning a bit more about those wines you've come to enjoy. Ticket price includes tax and gratuity.

  • Running of the Bulls Dinner

    $125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jul 9, 2025 only
    the food and wine of Pamplona and the Navarre region

  • Learn pasta making and enjoy brunch

    $195.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jul 19, 2025 only
    11:00 AM
    Join Chef Jen for a hands-on pasta demo and a three-course brunch at Rioja. Ticket price includes tax and gratuity.

Menu

Rioja's menu was last updated on 3/19/2025.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 10,585 people are saying

Rioja reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Denver / Colorado

    Mediterranean

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rioja offers a "jaw dropping culinary experience" with a menu that features "mind blowing food combinations" and "exceptional service." Diners rave about the "artichoke tortelloni," making it a must-try dish. Situated in a vibrant area, Rioja's "creative and delicious" offerings make it a top choice for special occasions and casual dining alike.
10,585 Reviews

  1. Philip

    Denver / Colorado10 reviews

    3.0

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 1
    The noise level inside the main dining area was so high we had difficulty communicating. It was painfully loud and we will not return. Our daughter became violently ill the next morning and we alerted the management.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Jamie VIP

    New York City50 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We always visit Rioja when in Denver. It did not disappoint this time either. Food was amazing! Highly recommend the halibut & artichoke tortellini. And don’t pass up the fig & goat cheese beignets. Yummo!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Andrew VIP

    Denver / Colorado72 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous everchanging menu with choices for most kinds of diners. Our server was really helpful and honest. We often take out of town guests here to impress them with the quality of the restaurant scene in Denver.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Kiran VIP

    New York City173 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Larimer Square is a very cool area. The food was very good. Service was a little slow. Took 25 minutes to get drink orders and water for the table and then 30 minutes before dessert came out and we only had 4 desserts for our entire group, 1 of which was sorbet. While they were very apologetic, their AC was not working and it was an unseasonable 93 degrees so it was very uncomfortable during our entire meal. It would have been nice if they acknowledged this somehow, ie maybe a comped dessert? Overall good choice to consider.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Faith

    New Orleans / Louisiana1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Jaw dropping culinary experience from the food to the service to the ambiance. Justin was an exceptional server and made my birthday a 5 star experience! Mind blowing food combinations and textures- can’t stop dreaming about everything we tried!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Priscilla

    Phoenix / Arizona1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We had delicious and creative food. The staff was very attentive and you could tell they all were passionate about what they do and serve. Good wine list as well..

    Is this helpful?

  7. Scott VIP

    Greater Boston7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Every plate was beautiful, delicious, and well described. Nothing was ordinary and even normal sounding dishes were extraordinary!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Emilee

    Denver / Colorado1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    fun experience, delightful cuisine and wine selection

    Is this helpful?

  9. Marjorie VIP

    California Central Coast4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love the food and our waiter Matt so much! We came back for lunch the next day. 

    Is this helpful?

  10. Carl

    Houston12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice meal, presented by staff very well. Nice explanation of the menu and the specials. Always nice when the server sets the meal they explain why they are serving. Great experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rioja is rated 4.7 stars by 10585 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Denver / Colorado
  4. Denver
  5. Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 32 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
  • 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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