Rioja

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1. S

   Souschef

   Denver

   47 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   47 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   For the 1st course, I had the chestnut soup which was delicious but it could have been better without the fried zucchini. My husband had the saffron pasta. He particularly enjoyed the sausage in the dish and ate the eggplant, which he usually isn’t a fan of. For the main entree, I had the scallops, which is usually served as a starter. They added an extra scallop for $6.00 which was almost enough for an entree. It was very tasty, the scallops were cooked perfectly but the curry didn’t have as much flavor as curry usually does. My husband had the lamb loin which was done to perfection but wasn’t as flavorful as he has had in the past. We shared the pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. For $10.50, there was not a lot of it. There were 3 tiny square pieces which were dwarfed by the plate. We were celebrating our anniversary, so they were good enough to bring 2 glasses of complimentary sparkling wine to our table. That was a very nice gesture.

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2. T

   Tony

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful experience! Will definitely return soon!

   Report
3. c

   canihaveabite

   Denver

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We had an incredible meal and still thinking about the Tortelloni!

   Report
4. j

   johnm

   Denver

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food4service5ambience4

   Loved the sea bass! Highly recommended. Great drink menu.

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5. B

   Betty

   Denver

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Good and service were outstanding….

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I’m pretty well travelled but I’m putting this on top three best restaurants I’ve been to. Every dish was so well presented and the food was fantastic. Definitely recommend half orders of several items to try out more things. Price was incredibly low for quality in my opinion so that’s a definite plus.

   Report
7. JM

   JylM

   Indiana

   8 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on January 23, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   50th bday celebration

   Report
8. JE

   JohnE

   New England

   11 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on January 22, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I always visit Rioja every time I’m in Denver!! Looking forward to the next time!!

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9. S

   Scott

   Denver

   6 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on January 20, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great, as always!

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10. AF

    AForgione

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First class service, exceptional food, memorable experience. We will definitely be back!

    Report
11. CV

    CrystalV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went for our Anniversary. I highly recommend. The food and drinks were amazing as well as the service our waitress Torri was great and had wonderful recommendations

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall4food4service2ambience4

    One of our favorite places over there the years unfortunately poor service today and long wait times

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13. T

    Texie

    Denver

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall3food4service1ambience3

    The food was beautifully presented and delicious. However our experience from Rioja is one of poor service. The server didn’t offer suggestions for wine and when asked if there was a chef’s special for dinner, he glibly answered it was all special. He insultingly “presented” the can from which he poured the IPA. He forgot one of the appetizers and the coffee we ordered with dessert was also forgotten. Considering the restaurant has a James Beard, the service should’ve been impeccable. Big disappointment as the food wasn’t special enough to overcome the bad service.

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Great food and service.

    Report
15. c

    colink

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I loved Rioja! The staff was excellent and the food was great. Dessert was fantastic as well

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16. LS

    LauraS

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was prepared so elegantly and presented so well by the servers. I had chestnut soup served in a tiny pumpkin that was smooth and very tasty and my husband had the cheese tart which he liked very much. I especially liked the handmade ice cream for dessert.

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17. I

    Internationalfoodie

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Truly special. Innovative, thoughtful and delicious. Exceeded every hope. Thank you

    Report
18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Not enough butter,

    Report
19. S

    Sarah

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Rioja is the most authentic Spanish food I’ve had in the United States. From the moment I walked into Rioja I felt like I had been transported back to Europe. As the food came out that amazing feeling continued. Not only that but they have the most amazing wait staff and bar tenders. They were all super knowledgeable on the menu and able to help us pair wines with our meals. I definitely recommend going if you’re ever in Denver. I, myself, will be returning to Rioja.

    Report
20. MS

    MaryS

    Austin

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our waiter was outstanding and very nice. Food was amazing.

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21. CA

    CATHYF

    Denver

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous food, excellent service. And we appreciate the fact that it was calm & peaceful in the restaurant. No loud music. Good acoustics. We loved it.

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22. LB

    LesB

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service. Great birthday date night.

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23. M

    Mckowals

    Denver

    20 reviews

    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We enjoyed the well balanced and complex flavoring across all of the plates we sampled: goat cheese fig tart, saffron fettuccine with duck sausage, duck breast and finishing with chocolate caramel peanut butter type of dessert. We savored every bite! Wait staff was very attentive and background music of flamenco guitar was delightful through the evening. Third time back and look forward to my fourth!

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24. F

    Foodie

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and amazing service. Thank you Eddie and team!

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25. KF

    KellyF

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We shared tapas with a friend at the same annual meeting in Denver. It was very relaxing, food was amazing. unfortunately, there was a very loud group of women playing a game at the table above us, and at times it became very loud. Other than that the service was great, and the food was excellent.

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26. k

    karint

    Dallas

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent menu ! The service was warm and friendly. I enjoyed the Colorado lamb and my husband had the duck , both were wonderful. We started with the charcuterie board called the “Picnic”. It was a wonderful spread and on the unique side, not average fare. The pear compote for dessert was light and fresh. We also enjoyed several mock tails while dining .

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27. E

    Eldf

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Delicious and interesting with a nice variety of options. Definitely recommend!

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28. J

    Jeneverre

    Denver

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We would return again and again. The food was fabulous. The service was phenomenal. The ambiance was perfect. It is great hidden gem on Larimer Street. I can't believe I did not know about this restaurant. I selected this place because it offered grilled octopus, a rare entree in Denver restaurants.

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Denver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    While we did have to wait 20 minutes past our reservation time for a table, the staff and the experience as a whole more than made up for it! The wait staff was friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, and very quick with their service. We were not left wanting for anything. Best dish we had was the scallops appetizer (to die for) and the Amish chicken. While the tortelloni was delicious, the truffle broth could be a little overwhelming. And the fig and goat cheese tart came with blackberries as they were out of figs! Not their fault, but definitely would have preferred the fig. All in all, we had a lovely time and will absolutely be visit Rioja again!

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30. CC

    ChanseC

    Boise

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience4

    Made reservations, when we got there a couple before us without reservations were given seats right away. We were asked to wait at the bar because the dining room was full. A couple behind us with the same reservation time were given seats. When we were seated our waitress was rude to my guest. It was a disappointing experience. We paid $20 for two scallops and then 40 for 2 pieces of lamb barely bigger than my thumb. The scallops themselves were good, everything else was seasonless or had flavors that weren’t great.

    Report
31. HT

    HenleyTex

    Houston

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great service. Food was excellent. Shocked by quality of desserts. Favorite spot in Denver

    Report
32. AB

    AshleyB

    Denver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a fabulous dining experience! The bread…omg, the bread!

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33. BC

    BruceC

    Denver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Our waiter was awesome, I am embarrassed to admit I don’t remember his name. He was helpful with suggestions and spent time working with us on a wine selection. Also appreciated the support team, always a nice touch when they remind you what dish is when it is served and specify what is in it. We hadn’t forgotten, but sometimes we do and appreciated it anyway. All staff were pleasant and attentive, but not at all annoyingly so!

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Mexico City

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service

    Report
35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Truffle tortellini = spiritual experience.

    Report
36. C

    Chef

    Dallas

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love coming here every time I’m in Denver! Great food and service. From one female chef/owner to you, keep up the good work!

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37. KC

    KarenC

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great dinner with unique food and excellent service!

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38. KS

    KathrinS

    Denver

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    A Lovely place. Love the food. Service was great.

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39. m

    mcatgirl

    Denver

    25 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service2ambience5

    Went for New Year's Day brunch. Food was amazing. The service was not the usual standard we are used to at Rioja. We still enjoyed our meal and will be back.

    Report
40. MC

    MichaelC

    Denver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Rioja's menu is innovative, the food is excellent--especially the A++ desserts--, and the service and ambiance are high-quality. Highly recommended!

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