Best of Denver
🥂 Best Date Night Restaurants in Denver
The heart of Denver’s River North Art District, or RiNo, pulses with boundary-pushing restaurants, street art, and a crowd that loves great food. Whether you crave inventive small plates, sushi perfection, wood-fired pizza, or an energetic market, RiNo’s top restaurants welcome both culinary explorers and casual diners. Standouts range from award-winning Israeli plates at Safta to creative cocktails and live jazz at Nocturne.
Craving shareable Asian menus, American sake, or the freshest local oysters? RiNo leads the way. Our guide to the best restaurants in RiNo curates the buzziest destinations, genuine local favorites, and insider highlights.
🍕 Best Market All-Day: The Denver Central Market — Lively food hall for groups, pizza, coffee, and cocktails.
🍣 Best Sushi Experience: Temaki Den — Intimate sushi bar serving standout nigiri and hand rolls.
🦪 Best Seafood & Grill: Fish N Beer — Fresh oysters, wood-grilled fish, and a cozy, bustling atmosphere.
For couples who love to share, Barcelona Wine Bar in RiNo is a lively, Spanish-inspired escape. The tapas-style menu encourages lingering over plates of patatas bravas, charcuterie, and garlicky gambas while sipping from an extensive list of Spanish wines. The lighting is dim, the space buzzes with energy, and the cozy corners offer a touch of intimacy. It’s vibrant, social, and endlessly romantic — exactly the kind of date night spot where time disappears.
🍤 Paella Patience Pays Off: The signature paella takes about 30 minutes but is well worth the wait, served fresh and hot straight from the pan.
🍷 Bar Seating Perks: Guests recommend snagging a seat at the marble bar for personalized recommendations from expert bartenders.
🌞 Weekend Brunch Vibes: Brunch is available only on weekends with lively atmosphere; reservations are highly recommended.
🌿 Seasonal Tapas: The menu evolves seasonally, so expect exciting new dishes like fresh tomato and corn salads in summer.
🍶 Japanese Whiskey & Cocktails: Don’t miss the robust drink menu including unique cocktails and a curated Japanese whiskey list enhancing your dining experience.
🕓 Happy Hour Advantage: Visit between 4-6 PM for excellent happy hour deals on food and drinks, perfect for a trendy yet affordable outing.
🚗 Parking Tips: Street parking is limited; opting for the $5 valet garage is recommended for stress-free parking.
🎂 Personalized Celebrations: Staff often go the extra mile for special occasions, including personalized birthday cards and complimentary treats.
🍴 Shareable Plates Are Key: Guests recommend ordering several small plates to fully experience the menu's variety and communal dining vibe.
🥂 Cocktails & Wine: Safta’s drink menu is praised for great cocktails and an excellent wine list, enhancing the dining experience.
🎉 Book Ahead for Brunch: Brunch is popular and reservations are advised, especially for large groups or special occasions.
🥙 Don’t Miss the Pita: The wood-fired pita served with every order is a standout and a must-try signature item.
🍕 Must-Try Clam Pizza: The clam pizza is a standout favorite and highly recommended by locals as a must-order dish.
🌞 Happy Hour Perks: Daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM offers excellent deals on small plates, drinks, and oysters—great for afternoon visits.
🌿 Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly: Cart-Driver offers solid vegan and vegetarian options alongside classic pizzas, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
🍹 Cocktail Customization: The bartenders are known to craft cocktails to your preferred spice or flavor level, making for a personalized drink experience.
🍣 Sushi Bar Seats Are Prime: Sitting at the sushi counter offers an engaging experience with freshly made-to-order nigiri and interaction with the chefs.
🍸 Happy Hour Highlights: Make the most of their happy-hour specials for excellent cocktails and discounted sushi selections.
📅 Reservations Recommended: Temaki Den fills quickly for lunch and dinner, so booking ahead ensures a spot, especially on weekends.
🍽️ Slow-Paced Dining: The dining experience is meant to be savored slowly with each sushi piece served individually, perfect for conversation and relaxation.
🍺 Happy Hour Hits: Enjoy fantastic happy hour specials on both drinks and smaller plates from 5 to 6:30 PM, perfect for sampling a variety without overspending.
🔥 Open Kitchen Vibes: The small space includes an open kitchen where diners can watch seafood cooked over fire, adding to the engaging experience.
🍴 Reservation Recommended: Dinner crowds are common; booking a table or arriving early helps avoid long waits.
🐟 Seasonal Specials: Keep an eye out for limited-time seasonal dishes like buffalo blowfish tails, which are highly recommended when available.
🍹 Cocktail Craftsmanship: The bar features standout cocktails; don’t miss the Old Fashioned, praised as a must-try.
🥢 Shareable Plates: The menu is designed for sharing; two to four dishes per two people is the sweet spot.
📅 Reservations Recommended: Popular especially on weekends; securing a reservation ensures a seamless experience.
🌱 Vegetarian Friendly: Several highly recommended vegetarian dishes make it a great spot for plant-based diners.
If dinner and a show is your love language, Nocturne is the move. This RiNo jazz and supper club pairs seasonal prix fixe menus with nightly live performances, creating an atmosphere that’s sultry and soulful. The acoustics wrap around you, the cocktails are crafted with flair, and the vibe is equal parts glamorous and intimate. It’s not just a meal, it’s an experience — and one of the most memorable date night settings in Denver.
🎷 Music Timing Matters:Arrive early on weekends to catch the full live jazz sets and secure great seats in the intimate lounge.
🍷 Wine & Food Pairing:Nocturne’s sommelier offers expert wine pairings especially with their tasting menus for a fully rounded experience.
🍸 Bar Seating Perk: For a more casual night, bar seating offers some of the best views of the band plus quick access to top cocktail offerings.
🎉 Perfect for Celebrations: Known for thoughtful service, it’s a top choice for anniversaries and special dates with customizable experiences.
🍺 Beer Enthusiast’s Paradise: Explore a rotating selection of 70 local draft beers for a unique tasting experience every visit.
🐾 Pet-Friendly Patios: Bring your dog along and enjoy a meal on the spacious outdoor patios designed for pets.
🔥 Cozy Fireplace Spot: During cooler months, snag a seat near the fireplace for a warm, inviting ambiance.
🎉 Happy Hour Vibes: Take advantage of weekday happy hours from 2–6 PM for deals on drinks and food.
🍕 Go Early for Pizza: Arriving early on weekends helps beat the peak crowds and secure popular pizza slices fresh from the oven.
☕ Pastries Are a Must-Try: Regulars rave about the bakery’s delicious pastries as perfect companions to their morning coffee.
🍸 Full Bar for Drinks: Take advantage of the full bar to pair craft cocktails or local brews with your food selections.
🎶 Vibrant but Loud: Expect lively music which enhances the buzz but might challenge quiet conversations during peak hours.
Nocturne offers a memorable setting with live jazz and elevated plates, perfect for a special dinner or anniversary. Uchi Denver provides an upscale Japanese experience with acclaimed sushi and tasting menus, ideal for intimate celebrations. For groups looking for creative shared plates, Safta’s award-winning Middle Eastern cuisine stands out.
Temaki Den inside The Source Hotel specializes in made-to-order hand rolls and fresh sashimi, with seating that lets you watch the chefs at work. Uchi Denver also delivers innovative Japanese cuisine and consistently ranks as a top choice for sushi lovers in RiNo.
Cart-Driver RiNo offers wood-fired pizza, oysters, and small plates with a welcoming, informal atmosphere and daily happy hour deals. Fish N Beer provides a standout seafood menu and happy hour with well-priced oysters and inventive plates, making it a hit for quality and value.
Safta features many vegetarian and vegan options—think mezze spreads, wood-fired pita, and hearty veggie mains. Hop Alley stands out with creative meat-free plates like the lion’s mane mushroom dish, and Cart-Driver RiNo also offers vegan and vegetarian pizzas and small plates.
Parking varies by location. Many spots offer street parking, though it can fill quickly during peak hours. For stress-free visits, Uchi Denver and Safta (located at The Source Hotel) provide valet or ample parking options. Arriving early or using ride-shares is often recommended, especially on weekends.
Nocturne offers a memorable setting with live jazz and elevated plates, perfect for a special dinner or anniversary. Uchi Denver provides an upscale Japanese experience with acclaimed sushi and tasting menus, ideal for intimate celebrations. For groups looking for creative shared plates, Safta’s award-winning Middle Eastern cuisine stands out.
Temaki Den inside The Source Hotel specializes in made-to-order hand rolls and fresh sashimi, with seating that lets you watch the chefs at work. Uchi Denver also delivers innovative Japanese cuisine and consistently ranks as a top choice for sushi lovers in RiNo.
The Denver Central Market is a popular choice, offering pizza, meat, seafood counters, and a bar in a spacious market setting that suits groups. Colorado Sake Co. features shareable Japanese plates, lively music, and sake flights—great for casual meetups or dinner with friends.
Cart-Driver RiNo offers wood-fired pizza, oysters, and small plates with a welcoming, informal atmosphere and daily happy hour deals. Fish N Beer provides a standout seafood menu and happy hour with well-priced oysters and inventive plates, making it a hit for quality and value.
Safta features many vegetarian and vegan options—think mezze spreads, wood-fired pita, and hearty veggie mains. Hop Alley stands out with creative meat-free plates like the lion’s mane mushroom dish, and Cart-Driver RiNo also offers vegan and vegetarian pizzas and small plates.
Parking varies by location. Many spots offer street parking, though it can fill quickly during peak hours. For stress-free visits, Uchi Denver and Safta (located at The Source Hotel) provide valet or ample parking options. Arriving early or using ride-shares is often recommended, especially on weekends.
