The Yummiest Tapas/Small Plates in Aurora

W XYZ Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Hip and laid back. Nice staff and pretty bar! Not crazy busy but they have a decent selection of liquor. It's also not over priced for a hotel bar and I could go here even if I just want to have a chill night. They are always playing good music and the furniture is extremely comfortable. Drinks are made well and the bartenders are always happy to make something new that they haven't heard of."

Trellis Wine Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 (26)

"Denver has really been surprising me with the wine bars lately. I'm rather obsessed with Trellis. It's only 15min from my house haha!The space is great, open, yet cozy seating. The staff was very friendly and helpful.They have a super fun and interesting wine selection, which I love. The more varietals or regions I've not tried before, the happier I am!We were there on a Sat and they had bruncharcuterie board which was hard boiled eggs, waffles, yogurt w/fruit, bacon, and marcona almonds. I loved it! It was effectively finger food b'fast.I wanted to move in but they closed for an event so I couldn't sadly, lol. I can't wait to go back!"

Tula's Tapas

★★★★★ 5 (43)

"The food truck was in our neighborhood tonight and was so, so, so good!! We ordered coccoli, piri piri and wings. My favorite was the piri piri was made mild for us, still had a tiny quick and great flavor! The bread was perfect pairing for the shrimp and flavors in the dish. The coccoli was second the puffy bread with sweet, salty prosciutto and tangy balsamic was again a pairing of magical flavors. The wings were cooked to a perfect crisp and unique flavor, I love me some ranch, but these did not need any extra sauce!! Can't wait to try again!!"

The Rouge Wine Bar & Patio

★★★★☆ 3.9 (65)

"Lovely ambiance. It is a different decor than most restaurants which was appealing. The food was decadent and service was phenomenal. We got the marrow bone, truffle fries, split a salad and had the French onion soup. Everyone helpful and kind. We sat on the patio and it was cold out but the heaters were working. The best spot on the patio is next to the fire pits but those were taken of course. Oh and the drinks were delightful. Unique and delish."

Dio Mio

★★★★☆ 4 (382) • $$

"Alright Dio Mio. Here's the 5 stars you deserve! This is one of my most recommended spots in RiNo, especially if my friends and I are trying to brainstorm last minute plans for dinner. I've lost count how many times I've been here. Even though I keep ordering the same items, I'm constantly impressed by the quality of food, beverage, and customer service.My top dish is the Radiatori (second is the Cacio e Pepe) though I'll deviate every once in awhile to get a seasonal special. Friends often gravitate towards adding on appetizers like Broccoli and Artichokes, both of which are artfully crafted in terms of flavors and textures. Paired with wines or cocktails, it's quite the romantic venue!"

Miya Moon

★★★★★ 4.5 (32)

"Amazing service and unique food in a sophisticated yet, relaxing atmosphere! There are so many tapas options, which is great for trying something new or trying multiple things. All of the food was seasoned so well and had accompanying sauces. The mala cauliflower and mala steak fries were both delicious, as well as, the tempura fried asparagus. They were so light and crispy. The pork potstickers were my favorite! I also enjoyed the pepper filet with noodles, the filet was very tender. Miya Moon is a delicious and unique addition to the community. I will definitely return to this location to try more!"

Barcelona Wine Bar RiNo

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1105) • $$

"My daughter recently invited me to dinner at Barcelona's and she made reservations for the Monday night, knowing how busy the place gets. Indeed, when we arrived, the restaurant was packed, with a few customers waiting, hoping for a table.This spot is trendy, lively and welcoming, with a large bar and a couple rooms, one of them opens via garage doors onto a small patio. Our friendly waitress brought us a complimentary basket of yummy crusty bread with olive oil, always a promising sign. Although the menu features paellas, we opted to share some tapas. The selection is extensive, making it hard to choose. We settled on a few dishes, all of them delicious, but if I had to pick favorites, the oyster mushrooms and seared diver scallops were outstanding. The red sangria was on the sweet side, and since I am not into sugary drinks, I liked the white one better. For dessert, we both found the flan a bit too dense, and agreed that the olive oil cake was by far the star to end a fun and delicious meal!"

Linglon

★★★★★ 4.6 (93)

"The thought of some delicious sides that would nicely accompany the steamed rice I had at home sounded good to me so I wasted no time to stop here yesterday afternoon and got me my favorite, South Style Garden Delight. I also wanted to try something new so I got Five Spice Beef Shank to go along with it. This place is always clean. Like he last time, it was spotless. Service was good as well. The lady who took my order and some other lady who handed me my to-go order were pleasant to me. They both had nice smile on their faces. At home, I started to savor my food in the early evening. Garden Delight was, as usual, so delicious; this never disappoints me. And the new discovery, Beef Shank is now my favorite. It's got some kick in it but the spiciness is easily handled. The cilantro sprinkled over the beef simply did the magic to enhance it. This is a well-seasoned dish to say the most least.I have to try their noodles next time. I feel like I keep saying that (lol) but will do it next time for sure!"

Brutø

★★★★☆ 4.4 (111)

"Writing this review brings tears to my eyes because it was such a treat dining at one of Denver's first Michelin-starred restaurants. Brutø was just as you'd expect from the reservation flow on Tock to the seating process upon arrival. My partner and I came here for our anniversary and felt incredibly special throughout the evening. I'm still drooling over the menu.Everything was exquisite, served with detail and enthusiasm. My favorite dish was probably the Lamb + Eggplant because I had no idea lamb or eggplant could taste so emotional. The bison carpaccio as part of the Canapes was also delightful. I'm sure none of this will sound familiar as Brutø rotates their menu, but all I'm saying is that it's worth saving up to visit.I didn't do their alcohol pairings and went down the street for a brief happy hour instead, since we got to Dairy Block earlier than expected. From experience, call a car if you're doing any of their pairings. I had some FOMO from our neighbors that indulged. Maybe next time! I will forever cherish the printed menu from our dinner, to keep the memories alive."

Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates

★★★★☆ 4.2 (177) • $$

"Very spacious wine bar. The wines are delicious, great prices. Great place for friends or going solo. Cute patio for when the weather is nice and warm. Feels like you're in Italy."

Nest At Nurture

★★★★☆ 4 (37)

"Food - the egg mess with avocado was delicious and so was the chai. I also really liked both juices I tried - Onyx and peridot I think. Service - they were pretty busy but I still got my drink decently fast. My food also came in time. Ambiance - it's a cool space to eat, work, relax, etc. very cool and casual vibe."

Ambli Global Cuisine - DTC

★★★★☆ 4.3 (203) • $$

"Ambli DTC had been closed for a LONG time. As a matter of fact, it had been closed for a good amount of time even after the peak COVID period had been long gone. One of the newsletters I had received from Belleview Station said it finally reopened; this was not too long ago. Since then Ambli had been on my mind and finally today, I came here with my daughter on a quiet Tuesday night in early October of 2023. Ambli, it's so good to have you back!!We got a nice two seater table in the lounge. A beautifully dimmed light made the ambiance so inviting and comfortable. The young man at the reception and our waiter were very welcoming and attentive. They were well-dressed in black...I appreciated their impeccable professionalism. We went with zero proof tonight. The non-alcoholic gin tasted exactly like the same as alcoholic gin. I got the grapefruit and my daughter got lychee. There is one more flavor which is pineapple. I truly hope that they'll expand more on the zero proof side. My suggestion is that they add a cucumber flavored cocktail. We were pretty impressed with the food we ordered. Indian Trio (hopefully that is the name for it) had 3 different kinds of items and each one came with 2 pieces (so 6 pieces total.) The sauce that accompanied them made the whole dish so delightfully delicious.And Kuku Paka! This dish ($30) comes in this large plate that's big enough to feed two adults easily and this stole the show! The chicken pieces in the creamy coconut curry, the generously portioned/placed rice and the freshly baked naan bread gently placed on top of the rice were beautifully presented on a large white plate. And the cilantro sprinkled on top of the curry enhanced the whole experience. I can easily come back to get this amazing curry dish just about any time; it's that good!!"

Sage Speakeasy & Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.3 (21)

"We stopped by this place the day after it opened, around 1:30pm on a Tuesday. We were immediately greeted by Benny who answered any questions we may have, then led us to a cozy high top next to the window. The decor is beautiful in here! Very classy with soft chairs and couches, drapes hanging down the windows and a piano waiting in the corner.We started with some beverages - Bacon Washed Old Fashion for me, smoked. My dad got The Last Breath, and my mom got a glass of chardonnay. Benny walked us through each of our drinks to help ensure that we'd be happy with the flavor profiles and interesting ingredient additions. The drinks only took a few minutes and we ordered the Mediterranean Hummus to split since we had just eaten. The drinks were incredibly complex and every sip kept us coming back for more. The hummus was creamy and rich while being light at the same time, with so many different flavors that each bite was an adventure in itself. The pita was soft and pillowy, and perfectly seasoned as well.The owner Celestina took time out of her day to come and talk to us and tell us about her concept and a little of her history, and answered our questions about reservations for the future. I was sad when my drink was gone, and even more bummed out that we'd eaten right beforehand. We'll be regulars here for sure. It is pricey, but the ambience and the service, as well as the quality of the food and beverages is worth the price for a special afternoon/evening out."

Erie Social Club

★★★★☆ 4.3 (34)

"I'm here to share that should you find yourself in Erie, Colorado and a lover of cocktails, treat yourself and visit Erie Social Club. (I went to dinner around the corner with a friend it was just okay. Super sugary watered down drinks so we decided to mosey.) I figured there had to be an option for a real cocktail. Imagine my excitement when I saw ESC was around the corner. Extensive menu of cocktails and a lot of riffs off classics. The bar itself has a lovely selection of booze and liqueurs. They also have some cool wine tools, good size wine collection, and beer. We'd already eaten but they had food too. The venue itself is quite large but comfortable. Leather loungey chairs, couch area, high tops, and plenty of seats at the bar (where we sat). This would be a great spot to bring a large group of friends! It's also a great spot for just two! Make it a date night with friends or significant other. I had them make me a black Manhattan (made by Steven) and then tried their whiskey sour (made my Jose) which were both mixed and served well. We also met Nick who was super personable and informative. They have a happy hour from 3-5 every day they're open! Love that they open at 3 and not 4. Nearing closing time (9 t-th), they play Closing Time followed by Happy Trails. Color me entertained. Cannot wait to return here."

Ototo

★★★★☆ 4.3 (265) • $$

"Finally made it to Ototo after wanting to go forever, and it was well worth the wait! Absolutely loved the size and intimate setting of the restaurant. Felt so cozy! We had a lot of different dishes, and enjoyed every one of them! The bacon mochi was so much fun...great texture. I can't remember what the special sushi roll was, but it was amazing. The highlight, though, was the hama kama. We devoured that! Just writing this is making me want to go back stat! Really, really great evening!"

Miya Moon

★★★★★ 4.7 (29)

"10/10 recommend this place! I love a good tapas place and I've found our new fun spot. We tried the Spicy Edamame, Crispy Cauliflower with Mala sauce, and chili wontons. Each dish was good, even our toddler ate everything! We got the orange chicken entree to share and it was the perfect amount of food for 2 adults and a 2 year old. The restaurant has such a great ambiance and atmosphere, and the service was impeccable (Javier was our waiter and he was great!) Will definitely be coming back to try other dishes!"

Piripi

★★★★☆ 4.1 (133)

"Absolutely love this place! Came for dinner on a Saturday. Thankful to make online reservations. They staff was very friendly and attentive and helpful. The decor was cozy. Very awesome the food is 99% gluten free. Made ordering and sharing food at our table super easy. I highly recommend eating here and I hope to be back! Don't forget dessert!"

Millers & Rossi

★★★★☆ 4 (150) • $$

"The more I frequent the pole studio next door, the more Millers & Rossi becomes a food & drink go-to whenever I have a gap between classes. The first time I came here last year, I sat at the bar in the front and ordered a watermelon margarita. Still haven't tried a fishbowl. The next time, my friend and I headed to the back Ohana room where all the action was.This time, I got the buffalo wings, but they gave me boneless ones instead of regular. Oh well. The sauce was still tasty, and the meal overall was filling. Plentiful amount of carrots and celery (with dressing) on the side. The bartender seemed constantly distracted and scattered by her regulars, but maybe they were just understaffed. Until next time!"

Super Mega Bien

★★★★★ 4.5 (332) • $$

"The hubs and I met up with a friend to catch up. The space is beautiful and the staff was really friendly. We ordered all small plates and I have never had food come out so fast! The rules they have on their website are to not linger and they certainly have a menu that can support that. We started with papas bravas, artichokes and the croquettes. Then we moved to the ropa vieja and it was so good we ordered it again. That and the croquettes were repeats. We also added in a side of plantains which were crispy and oh so perfect. We chatted for just a bit more waiting for our bill and after we paid. This is a great place to come if you are short on time and ready to eat delicious food served very quickly."

Wolf Peach Public House

★★★★☆ 3.9 (85)

"Wolf Peach Public House was an impromptu date night for us. I saw they were available for reservations on OpenTable and we decided to give it a try. The restaurant was very nice, the dining area was average sized but they do have a large patio with outdoor seating. Our food was good, but not for the faint of heart (haha). This restaurant uses strong bold flavors which was not our favorite for one of our entrees. What we ordered: Wolf Peach Ricotta- Outstanding! We will definitely order this againScallops- this is the entree that was definitely outside of the box and was not our favorite. The order comes with 4 Japanese scallops. It is served with a pea purée, wasabi, chimichurri, prosciutto, and citrus. Flavor overload, we will probably not order this again. Also, the scallops were slightly fishy, which is a risk you take when ordering seafood in CO (haha). Burger- holy cow!! This was our favorite and will definitely order again. Everything tasted so fresh and the avocado aioli was on point. The side salad it comes with had the most delicious dressing, super refreshing. Fried fingerlings are not my favorite version of fries but good overall. Overall, we will be back and would definitely recommend checking this place out!"

Adriana's Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (431) • $$

"Adrianna's is consistently excellent! Trish is an amazing waitress, always pleasant even when very busy...(Actually all of the wait staff, from the owner o down, are always friendly and personable). The food is consistently excellent. The ocho on the dinner menu (picoso, por favor) is an absolute fave...but I'll occasionally surprise myself with a chimi or other, excellent, entree.Highly recommend!!!"

Daughter Thai Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (545) • $$

"Came here for a casual birthday dinner with my boyfriend. It has been on our list for a while. We walked right in on a Sunday, late afternoon and were seated immediately. We were sharing a few items because family style seemed like the way to go. Random people would bring out food and drinks which was nice to see as we never ran out of water or were looking for someone when we needed something. We ordered as a starter the coconut shrimp, and Chicken Satay/ Shrimp Pad Se Ew as our main with a side of white rice and peanut sauce. The food was really delicious. We enjoyed everything that we ordered. It was the perfect amount for two people and we had a small to go box with leftovers, enough for a small snack later. However, those three items cost over $100. I did take off one start because the prices were a bit much, all around $5-$10 overpriced for fairly small portions. I know it's rare to find good Thai in Colorado but $30 for Pad Se Ew is outrageous. $16 with maybe $5 more for protein is still above average. Honestly the food was good, but the prices would keep me from being a regular and coming back. Either lower the prices by $2-10 or make the portion sizes bigger. Overall, 3.5/5 stars"

The Night Owls Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (9)

"Really cool experience ! Hard to find at first but was a cool spot. Would need to arrive early to find good seats and get drinks."

Sullivan Scrap Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (92) • $$

"Cheers to the last meal of 2023! We went back to our favorite spot for NYE dinner and it was the easiest decision. The vibe is always so calm and the flavors and textures in every dish are out of this world. If you haven't checked out Chef Terence and his team yet, you're missing out! They have a nose to tail and roots to tip commitment that shines through in every bite. And let me tell you, their Apple Cider Margarita is a game-changer. The Bruschetta is a must-try, with four different toppings on perfectly toasted bread. And the house-made bucatini on the Lamb and Truffle Carbonara is next level. Plus, you can order some dishes in half portions, so you can try even more amazing flavors. If you want to know more, hop on to their page and see what all the fuss is about. Trust me, it's worth it! What's your favorite dish to order here?BRUSCHETTA DUO. stem and seed pesto, grilled apples, butternut squash, tomato jam, parmesan on house-made focaccia goat cheese mousse, roasted beet, tomato carpaccio, sesame, romano on house-made focaccia. SAGE GNOCCHI 19 / 31 stem and seed pesto, local mushrooms, squash, tomato carpaccio, parmesan, aged balsamic LAMB & TRUFFLE CARBONARA(NEW DISH) house Lamb Truffle Carbonara herb bucatini, black winter truffle, lamb sausage, romano AMERICAN WAGYU BEEF* AMERICAN WAGYU BEEF* (NEW DISH) smoked onions, potoates, carrots, kale, miso bordalaise"

Neighbors

★★★★☆ 4.2 (128) • $$

"My friend had this placed bookmarked on her Denver list. It was my first stop while visiting.Simple designed wine bar, with a neighborhood feel. Looked like the crowd was full of regulars. Nice indoor/outdoor seating.Food - was great. We split the mini crab cakes, the Greek salad and the hot artichoke and feta dip. Everything was super yummy.Service - was great, she was a kind young lady with a nice smile. She offered us wine samples, before we decided on choice. We stayed late, and they never rushed us out. My ticket says Noto was our server. Drinks - we all had glasses of wine. I had the Contacto Alvarinho, I belive. There wine menu rotates. We enjoyed our time here."

Ollie & Park's

★★★★★ 4.7 (12)

"I came here for happy hour the other day and it did not disappoint. We basically tried everything on the HH menus so can't comment on their dinner menu. With the exception of the chicken slider (a bit overcooked and dry), everything was wonderful especially given the price point. The menu had a large variety for HH food and the portion sizes were pretty big. We had the tacos, pimento cheese, Mac and cheese, chicken sliders and grilled Caesar salad. I do wish the salad came with croutons instead of bread, but that's my personal preference. Staff was super friendly and attentive. I had the HH wine which was fine, but hey for $5 wine on the patio it wasn't too shabby. I fear the space is a bit too big and there weren't too many customers, but I'm hoping that it changes in the upcoming months. I also appreciate the dishware, which was more upscale than your typical restaurant plates/silverware."

Corsica

★★★★☆ 4.2 (138)

"Came back to try this place again after a few months and changes to the menu--and was much more impressed. It seems as though some much needed changes were made after my last visit. I have to say I was stuck between 4 and 5 stars for the food alone, but the service pushed me over the edge on giving a 5 star review. The food was much better this time--our highlights were the Beef Brochettes (so tender and flavorful), the Barbajuan (the flakiness of the ravioli was so good) and the Almond Cake. The stuffed dates were the only item we ordered that we didn't love, but that was more of a specific flavor that just wasn't for me I think. The service was absolutely outstanding and definitely made this dinner experience notable. We will be back."

YumCha - Central Park

★★★★☆ 4 (180)

"Denver Resturant week ended today, March 10, 2024. We don't always manage to partake. But, this year, after spending the last 7 weeks somewhat housebound due to knee replacement surgery, I said we are going. I checked a few menus for some favorite restaurants. The choice was ChoLong Modern Asian in Central Park. Obviously, a lot of others thought the same thing. Every day and time that I tried in the Open Table reservation site was filled. Finally we got one for tonight..The selections for Small Plates were quite varied. Pot Sticker, egg rolls, soup dumplings-both the French Onion variety and the General Tao, Kaya Toast, and many more. You could choose four items. For Main course, again the selection was vast. We ordered the pork vindaloo, and for an up charge, the Mailaysian Noodles. Both dishes we as good as we have ever had them.A most unique dessert item are the donut rounds, sugar coated and served with a scoop of mocha ice cream. A perfect sweet bite to finish off this wonderful meal was enjoyed.As we finished and were chatting with our server, I asked when the patio was going to open. To my total shock and surprise, she told us that ChoLon CP as were know it, is closing after tonight. There will be remodeling and another Yum Cha will be there instead. We have eaten at the downtown Yum Cha several times and the food is excellent. The biggest difference, I guess, I the overall atmosphere. Instead of an upscale restaurant, Yum Cha is more like "drop in for a small bite and a drink." (Or so I understand it.)There will be new ChoLon at Sloan's Lake in west Denver. It will be in the building Boat House. So, there you have it. We were so glad that we were able to drive just 15 minutes from our Aurora home and get to Central Park area. We certainly will give a try to the new Yum Cha in two months. By then, the patio will be open and we can still enjoy both varieties of soup dumplings. As always, tonight's service was outstanding. The hustle and bustle of a busy time was still and enjoyable occasion."

W XYZ Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (7) • $$

"A hotel lobby bar, standard for the W hotels. This one just isn't off the ground yet. Reminds me of the bar my uncle used to have in his basement... not sure how they justified the cost of the liquor license for this one...Long story short, as soon as this corner of Broomfield gets populated, it'll probably be hoppin'. Until then, it's a neon-clad ghosttown. Sorry, Xyz."

BEZEL

★★★★☆ 4.2 (45)

"Really cool spot with great drinks! We had four plates and each were great. The fries were crispy and delicious and a nice picking at over the night kind of plate. The blue cheese Oreos were super delicious and the cheese sauce was great. The lamb tataki had great flavor but was a bit fatty. The sauce had butternut squash and orange which felt more like a fall dish to me but I did enjoy it. The bao buns had a lot of meat in them and they were great. The Colorado summer dessert was delicious and not too sweet. In all honesty not sure if the panna cota was the right consistency but the dessert itself went well together. We tried the carrot in the rye drink which was whiskey based but it was actually very mellow and good. The apricot and tonic was more acidic than I thought it was going to be and I didn't taste the earl grey, but still good and refreshing. The espresso martini which was tequila based was so delicious and made very well. Definitely one of the better espresso martinis I've had. The cyn strap was very smoky and bitter and not for someone who doesn't like those specific flavors. Overall the service was kind of slow. The bartender and servers were all friends and were hanging out and talking a lot. The place wasn't also very busy on a Friday night around 7 pm. The music with the dj was fun and not too loud. The ambiance was great."

Lot 46 Music Bar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (7)

"This new location is awesome pizza was yummy the service was amazing I think our bartenders name was Ben the cook even came out and made sure everything was on point. It's dog friendly with live music inside they have a nice pool table as well."

Locust Cider Belmar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (33) • $

"Really enjoyed my cider flight. Loved the vanilla bean and ginger (on the sweeter side) as well as the original dry (dryer side per the name). Come check it out!"

Lounge 5280

★★★★☆ 3.9 (161) • $$

"Wow, usually can't get a table but I did today and happy. Food was great. Easy, quiet spot to work and chill. Certainly in the madness that is Christmas travel an oasis.And so impressed that they bring the second glass of wine in a carafe so you use the same glass. Eco conscious! My server, Curtis, was STELLAR! Merry Christmas!!P.s. so glad the United lounge was full...."

Miners Saloon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (349) • $$

"The hubs and I caught up with friends on a weekend day. The service was friendly and fast. The food seems to be pre-prepared which is totally fine, just limited in any modifications (more an fyi than an issue). I got the veggie wrap and picked out the onions, no biggie. It was a delicious veggie wrap and went well with the sour lemon beer on tap I sampled. Everyone else got a turkey sammie and we're happy with their selection. The space feels quintessential Colorado and had a nice view of the mountains. I'd absolutely come back again."

Highlands Cork & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (250) • $

"Stopped by for a quick lunch (egg on a bagel) and fell in love with this place. The food was 3/5 but the service, vibe and overall experience was 5/5. Loads of charm, warm and inviting interior and friendly staff. Sometimes it's about the experience and the memories - this is the type of place that will make you feel special. Give them a try!"