Hard to Get Reservations in Denver

Every day, we have hundreds of thousands of reservations flying through our system—and some are tougher to get than others. According to our data, these are the restaurants in Denver where it’s hardest to snag a reservation. Impress your friends and family and score a table; we wish we could join you.

The OpenTable team

7 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	El Five, Rioja, Barolo Grill…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Mediterranean, Italian…
Neighborhoods:	Highlands, Downtown / LoDo, Cherry Creek…

El Five

$$$$

Mediterranean

Highlands

4.8

3439 reviews

They know how to combine things beautifully, harmoniously, and deliciously at this chic fifth floor eatery. Their three distinct tapas menus—in addition to small plates and paellas—are a hybrid of flavors and dishes from all regions in the Mediterranean. The modern design is eccentric and colorful, with Arab and pop art references all over, but it’s hard to compete with their panoramic view of the downtown skyline. Patio seating offers the clearest view, but with floor-to-ceiling windows, you can still see the epic city outline from an indoor table or the bar. Regardless of where you sit, order their shawarma spiced lamb ribs and delicious cocktails.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Rioja

$$$$

Mediterranean

Downtown / LoDo

4.7

9557 reviews

Chef Jennifer Jasinski and her team are cooking up a solid menu of consistently delicious dishes worthy of a James Beard award (that’s why they won one). Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t Spanish food, it’s American with some Mediterranean hints. Though the menu changes often, there are some staples you can count on. Try all of their yummy breads and cheeses, and if there’s a dish with octopus, order it, they really know their way around that mollusk. There’s also a tasting menu, if you want some more variety.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

View Takeout Menu

Barolo Grill

$$$$

Italian

Cherry Creek

4.7

3122 reviews

If their name’s got you thinking about red wine and saucy Italian food, that’s perfect. You can enjoy them both at this elegant and romantic restaurant with a huge selection of Barolos to choose from. Their menu changes seasonally, but always focuses on dishes from Northern Italy. To start on a high note, they have a dreamy foie gras terrine that marries perfectly with the strawberry compote and rhubarb it’s paired with, and unlike most calamari starters, theirs is lightly fried and served with rock shrimp and sundried tomato-lemon aioli. And even though they continually adjust their menu, their ricotta gnocchi is a star fixture and whatever tagliatelle they’re offering is always in high-demand. The food is plated artfully and served with great grace. You will love it here.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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Palace Arms at the Brown Palace

$$$$

Contemporary American

Downtown / LoDo

4.3

1100 reviews

If you’ve ever wanted to eat in the lap of luxury, this place is truly a gilded dining palace. Whether it’s the colorful flags and historic pictures adorning the space or the presidential carpeting and myriad of golden chandeliers hanging about, you could easily think you were in an American museum. Their plating almost looks too beautiful to eat, but when you know what’s in each dish, you won’t be able to resist. Truffles and foie gras make multiple appearances, like in their wagyu filet (with truffle jus and braised beef cheek), ribeye with caramelized onion (and foie gras puree and mushroom bread pudding), and tagliatelle with truffle basil (and parmigiano-reggiano). Holy smokes! They also have exquisite service and suggest jackets for men, so as you can imagine, the prices are lofty and this is the type of place you come for an occasion, but we can guarantee they will really deliver.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Guard & Grace

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown / LoDo

4.8

4798 reviews

They could easily call this place sleek & swank. The modern and beautifully-designed large space sets the tone for their decadent steakhouse dishes that will wow you all the same. If you’re a steak savant, you’ll go nuts for their filet mignon flight (yes, you read that correctly), which includes three 4-oz cuts of prime, angus, and grass-fed beef. They also offer their oak fired prime rib in two sizes. If that weren’t enough, they have a deep love for truffles (bless their hearts), and serve both truffled gnocchi and black truffle mac & cheese sides.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Prelude + Post

$$$$

Tapas / Small Plates

Downtown / LoDo

4.2

1904 reviews

If you’re going to see a show at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Limelight is a fun little spot for dinner and cocktails before it all begins. With its palm plants, lime-colored chairs, and matching bar with retro bar stools, it definitely has an old-school Miami supper club vibe, which is surprisingly fun to embrace. Their truffle fries are outrageously popular, so if you get those and their baked goat brie (served with Grand Marnier berries, orange, and crostini), you’ll be set for your first act. Follow those up with the whiskey braised short rib, which is well-cooked and deeply flavorful, and then enjoy the show!

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Sushi Den

$$$$

Japanese

Platt Park

4.8

810 reviews

This destination sushi spot serves the freshest fish in Denver, and is actually one of the first US sushi bars to order fish directly from Japanese markets. If you can’t nab seats there, go next door to Izakaya Den, which is hardly second best. Both spots get their fish from the same market in Japan, but Izakaya is much bigger and feels like an indoor atrium, with additional seating on their beautiful glass-enclosed rooftop.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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