BearLeek

The brioche buns were phenomenal, a great way to start off the meal. all waiters were so helpful and top tier service with our waters always refilled. Crude was so refreshing and the sauce was so tasty alongside the turnips too. The vibe was very welcoming and I enjoyed the lighting alongside the open kitchen concept. The fried chicken had a mix of peppercorn and was flavorful but not too greasy. Tres leches and the pear dessert were a great way to top off the meal. The plating of all dishes were delicious. Definitely worth to visit and I will be returning!!!

Probably the best meal we’ve had in Denver in the 20 years we’ve lived here. We sat at the chef’s counter, and it was like watching a great movie. Each dish we had was presented perfectly, at exactly the right time. While I’d order everything again, the tuna crudo was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. Service was amazing, food was even better. I actually think they’re undercharging - we would have gladly paid more…. Especially for the French onion tartlet! We will be back!

Had a great first time experience at Bearleek. Luckily made a Saturday night reservation for the chefs counter. It was fun being able to watch the chefs in action and interact with them. The menu is simple though there are some terms that we needed to ask the chefs about. Started with the burrata and the onion tartlet. Both were perfect for sharing and delicious. Then we had the beets and the tuna crudo. Again shareable and delicious. Followed by sharing the grilled shrimp which was fabulous. Finished with the Basque cheesecake and the tres leches cake. Both were great and surprisingly light. Looking forward to the next opportunity to eat here. One final note...had read that for some people the restaurant was very loud because of the music. We did not experience this. Was very easy to carry on a conversation.

Our reservation was the day after Valentine’s Day so they had a set Galentine’s Day menu. I love having a set menu so that no decisions have to be made! Everything was delicious with a great variety. Will be back to try their regular menu.

This place rocks! Cozy, hip atmosphere with an electric energy. Higher prices and smaller portions but the quality of the food itself is great, so I found it to be worth it. We ended up splitting a bunch of small plates and it was fun to try everything. The cocktails are some of the best in Denver, I’m still dreaming about the pistachio one! Make sure you grab a reservation, the restaurant fills up quickly.

It was a fantastic night. Great attentive staff who will match your energy and always be around to get you what you need. We never had to call on anyone for anything, they just knew when to come around. The food was phenomenal and we enjoyed sharing all the courses (we were on a double date). The atmosphere was good, but got a little loud and crowded as the evening went on. I enjoyed it more before the rush. Favorites were the brisket skewers, French onion tartlet (soooo yummy, my husband doesn’t care for onions and he’s now reconsidering his preferences after this dish), the cabbage and the lamb. All phenomenal in their own way. I can’t wait to go back and try a different dish! Happy hour is pretty worth it. The four of us had a LOT to eat (5 side dishes, a main course and dessert) and 2 drinks each and the total before tip was ~$250 which for the ambiance, service, and level of food and amount of food, well worth it. Might’ve been double if it wasn’t happy hour, but we always choose happy hour when it’s available 😉

Small, but mighty is how I've viewed this place since I saw the menu online. I'm glad to see a good restaurant take over the unique space that Osaka Ramen left behind. They did a great job utilizing the layout so the tables didn't feel claustrophobic, although the bathroom hallway does feel like a liminal space. The lighting is cozy without needing a flashlight to read the menus. Happy hour all night Mondays is a great deal on a day where so many places are closed. We got the beef skewers, mushrooms, and cabbage from the happy hour; all 3 ended up being delicious, especially the tenderness of the beef. The burger for $16 looked amazing at a neighboring table and would be a hefty little meal on its own. The milk bread and bear butter were both delicious and fluffy. The tartare had a tasty creme on top and the house chips were a good vessel. The pierogis were a new fall dish on the menu and utilized the squash well. They also had a squash cocktail that was creamy and just the perfect amount of sweet. The chicken had a great crust that was very satisfying to chew and the meat was deliciously tender. We finished with the panna cotta and bear ice cream bar, both good palate cleansing choices. The panna cotta had a thick creaminess to it that felt like a fun take on the original. The bear ice cream bar was a nice salty-sweet, fruity-savory combo. They also do a seasonal limoncello that pairs well with dessert. We got 6 drinks in total, and all 3 of us were full by the end for about $75 per person after tip. We felt it was worth the price and enjoyed the experience.

BearLeek definitely exceeded my expectations! I had seen some reviews and hype online, but it's hard to know these days if it's just trendy or actually good food. I went for an early birthday dinner with some friends and did a bunch of shared plates. The all day Monday happy hour was a pleasant surprise and we all enjoyed our drinks. One friend is totally GF and we were able to still find plenty of options to share which was nice. The brisket skewers were incredible as was the Happy Hour cabbage. I enjoyed the meal so much I returned on my actual birthday with my partner and family to introduce them and selfishly so I could try the items that do have gluten in them. Both times we've had an error with ordering but our server was quick to correct the mistakes. It's a smidge loud being a windowless basement so it's fair that there may be some occasional miscommunications, and I do not mind that at all when service is friendly with correcting the mistake. I ordered the Potato Middie both times and realized it had switched from a scallop like pate to a rosti. While the rosti was good, the 'scallops' were better in my opinion. The server explained that it was for making sure it was standardized and high quality every time because the original had been more difficult to assure high quality with (I think this was the gist of it) which is fair. I like that the staff regularly wipes down the table. I had to try the Bear Pop for dessert because it's so weird and unique and I loved it both times! It's been a while since I've been to a new restaurant that feels actually new and different without sacrificing the food quality. I'll definitely be back. Thanks for 2 great birthday dinners BearLeek!

The food here is fabulous!! Got to try so many things tonight with my friends. Definitely a weird experience first walking in as we were told we would have to leave our table within an hour because we didn’t make reservations and they were pretty stern about it (the hostess) But we ended up having another hour at the table. I wish I wasn’t so stressed about timing though! I would’ve been able to enjoy my meal more but oh well.. Here are my thoughts: I would absolutely go back and get everything again except the Tres leches And cabbage. Not that they werent good but everything else was exceptional ! You have to get the burger, mushrooms, bread & butter, and French onion tartlet. I am literally going to dream about the French onion tartlet tonight. The brisket skewer & potato rosti were also super delicious.

Great food in a vibey spot! Everything we tried was good. Lots of diversity and great options for the gluten free people too. Stand outs for us were the Rosti, happy hour beef skewer, and fried chicken, but everything was in some stand out.

What I really appreciated about Bear Leek was that the staff had a deep love of food and service without any pretentiousness. The quality of the hospitality was exceptional and the food quite good. I had the sense that the whole team was industry professionals running a restaurant in a way that they would want it run. I had questions and concerns about a black garlic old fashioned which I thought would ruin the nuance of the drink, but the bartender assured me otherwise. The old fashioned had nuance and was reasonably good. The bar menu had the best value to price options. The eggplant pakoras, tomato dish and the beef skewers were well done. We also had the radishes, halibut Ratatouille, milk, bread and butter. Every dish was well presented and well cooked. For dessert, we had the lemon poppy cake which was a bit dry but passable. The ambiance is hip but dark in a basement with black walls. It was well attended and seemed like many young people out on date night. For a Tuesday night, it was bustling. Overall, thoroughly enjoyable and we will return again.

This new spot is fantastic! The food was delicious, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We even brought our young kids once, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure they had a great time. Good Food, Good Atmosphere, Good People!

Such a great experience. You go down stairs to this beautiful restaurant and we were so charmed by the hostess Nellie. Her vibe was infectious and she went above and beyond. Completely understand why they have her up front for everyone’s first impression. We got 5 dishes to share for 2 people and it was all delicious! The Tuna and Onion tart were our favorite. Finished with the bear pop (don’t try to eat it like a pop though-glad I got the pic in time). It’s right next to all the breweries and bars so great for a night out.

Our group of nine had dinner here last night, and everything—from the food to the service—was incredible. The pre-fixe menu was a great value for the quality and creativity of each dish. We enjoyed standout plates like the sweetbreads with Fresno plum sauce and blue cheese, tartare with coconut “Leche de Oso” and Mayu chili oil, burrata with BearLeek chili crunch, hamachi crudo with ajo blanco and pickled peaches, beets with labneh and za’taar vinaigrette, pierogi with squash velouté, grilled cabbage with koji breadcrumbs, lamb shank with parsnip and pita, and fried chicken with orange beurre blanc and green Sichuan oil. Dessert was a showstopper too: a big Bear popsicle, panna cotta, and tres leches. Huge thanks to Andrew for the outstanding service and to Carlos for helping us pick the perfect wine. BearLeek is a must-visit in RiNo, with inventive dishes, great vibes, and true hospitality all around.

Wow this place is amazing! The food here are so unique, innovative, and delicious. Cocktails are great and reasonably priced too. I will be thinking about the fried chicken and the tahini tres leches until I come back here.

I’m visiting from Florida, and as soon as I knew I’d be in town, Bear Leek was at the top of my list after reading all the amazing reviews online and let me just say, it did not disappoint! The food was absolutely delicious, every bite packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The restaurant itself is super clean and well-kept, which made the dining experience even better. The staff was very attentive, friendly, and really on point the entire time, making us feel welcomed and taken care of. Definitely worth the stop.I’ll be coming back anytime I’m in town!

I had the sweetbreads which were fried nicely and the sauce they come with was great. I also had the French Onion Tart that was very rich in flavor and I enjoyed the presentation of it. I finished off my meal with the tres leches cake which was also pretty good. I would love to come back soon and try more of the menu.

Excellent surprise across the board. Nice little nook, good service and tasty treats all round. Will definitely make one of our regular spots.

Amazing. Unique. Would 10000% go back. Happy hour menu was great. -Just order one of every thing then order your favs next. We really annoyed the whiskey chai drink. And def try dessert. Enjoy the experience.

A bear and a leek walk into a basement… and somehow Denver got one of its hottest new restaurants. BearLeek in RiNo is a total vibe, and I’m already planning my next visit. The food was fantastic overall. The tartare was easily one of the best I’ve ever had — bold flavor and served with incredible fluffy bread. Speaking of bread, the Bread & ButterBear was such a fun, whimsical touch, and those rolls? Absolute fire. Other highlights for me were the burrata, tuna crudo, and pavlova. Drinks were just as impressive. The cocktails are balanced, complex, and beautifully made, and the wine list pairs perfectly with the menu. Add in a lively, moody atmosphere and welcoming service, and it’s the kind of spot that works for date night, a friends’ night out, or anything in between. The only miss for me was the fried chicken, which leaned a little dry (though the skin was flavorful). But even with that, the overall experience was excellent, and I’ll absolutely be back — especially to try their happy hour burger.

Take all my money! BearLeek is now up there for my favs in Denver from their friendly and interactive service at the chefs counter, to the unique array of food options to the all around good vibes. All of our food was amazing and it even accommodated to my wife's dairy intolerance without any issues. This usually means the food will be missing something but dairy was just a bonus for me in this case. Oh another thing is I have never been somewhere that completely transforms fruit and vegetables the way this place does! The melon salad was incredible! My only complaint is having to walk up Those stairs after that massive meal but honestly it was probably needed after we practically inhaled all of that food

Bear Leek is a true gem in Denver! The staff was so welcoming, and the menu was packed with unique dishes full of flavor. Highlights for us were the burrata, Pomme Paillasson (fancy tater tots), charred radish with whipped chickpea, and their take on fried chicken with orange and fennel. We also loved the prime NY strip and ended the night with their SproBro, a creative twist on an espresso martini. We had the chance to meet the owners and chefs, Rema and Harrison, who were so kind and hospitable. Thank you for the amazing food, great atmosphere, and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend!

An exciting new addition to the Denver scene. While I'm a bit bummed Osaka Ramen's green chile ramen is gone forever, I'm quite happy with what took it's place. Service was great, exactly what I would expect from a place of its caliber. The staff was friendly and chatty without feeling excessive at the chef's counter. The table service seemed more intimate though I only took the occasional glance in that direction. We started with the burrata, which came with a spicy oil and a sesame and fennel covered cracker. The cheese had a smooth texture with just enough give to let the crackers separate it without needing a utensil. Solid opener. Next came the compressed melons and heirloom tomatoes with a vegetarian take on fish sauce, topped with jalapenos. Hands down my favorite bites of the meal. The melon (santaclaus melon tonight, though apparently it changes) had a nice sweetness and satisfying crunch, and the jalapeno had a lot more spice than I expected. There was a citrusy punch from the sauce, with a faint note of pineapple. Very satisfying in every way. We added an order of bread, which came with a charred leek butter pressed into a bear shape. Don't let the color distract you, it's a brilliant dish. The four fluffy yeast rolls with a light sheen of oil or butter were great alone, but oh so savory and delicious paired with the grey smokey leek butter. I will order this again on all subsequent visits. Our mains were well executed and quite filling. We sat at the chef's counter, so we watched countless half chickens get egged and floured before being dropped into the fryer. The meat itself was decent, but the standout was the sauce and slaw. The unusual mix of flavors left me excited and drooling for the next bite, though that might have been the szechuan in the sauce. The chef's take on a steak frites was competently done, sliced app style, and served with potato straws and a "broken A1 sauce." After every other dish pummeled me with flavors, it was a bit of a surprise in it's relative simplicity. I guess there aren't too many things you can do with steak and potatoes to make it stand out. If they're still on the same menu on my next visit, I'll go with the fish. Our last course was a round of drinks and the bear popsicle. The house made seasonal cello was melon (honeydew?). It was sweet and smooth, though a bit much for any course but dessert if you're not into limoncello variants. The Arnold palmer-esque drink my partner ordered was fantastic, capturing the look and feel of an Arnold Palmer with none of the ingredients. That brings me to the bizarrely delicious frozen custard bear on a stick. The sweet and sour filling was topped with a spicy oil with black garlic and peanuts. Absolutely none of those flavors seemed like they should have gone together, but I couldn't stop eating it. It was quite an experience. I feel like I need to have it another two or three times just to figure out if it was the taste or the feeling of bafflement the taste evoked that made it so enjoyable. The last bear themed food was a small jellied berry in the form of a gummy bear, dropped along with the check and two BearLeek stickers. I asked the server, and I managed to get all the bear shaped foods currently on the menu. I don't think the menu *needs* any more bear themed options, but if there are any more in the future, I'll order them. They added a nice layer of whimsy to the meal that fit quite well. All in all, I'm very happy I got to visit, and excited to see how the menu changes moving forward.

Just WOW. BearLeek exceeded even our greatest expectations and gave us a true culinary experience at the right price point. Special thanks to Carlos the Beverage Manager and chefs Rema and Harrison for treating us so well at the Chef’s table. Drinks were all smooth, unique, and thoughtfully crafted. There wasn’t a single bad thing we ordered out of 2 appetizers, 1 raw-ish, 1 mid, 1 main, and 2 desserts. And the portion sizes were excellent to share! Highly recommend the tuna crudo (I don’t even like tuna, but this is the best dish hands down), wedge salad, Steak (so tender), and the amazing bear popsicle at the end. Trust me, you won’t regret visiting. Well done, BearLeek.

Immaculate experience from start to finish. Every bite we had was incredible. I think in particular I’ll have dreams about that pork schnitzel. Really impressed with the service as well, Reagan(sp?) in particular was just the best. We will try to enjoy this place as much as possible before it becomes impossible to get a reservation.

My boyfriend is always looking for somewhere to take me with variety and unique flavors to try. He succeeded here, and it was one of my favorite dining experiences in the area so far. We were running a few minutes behind our reservation and called ahead. This was handled in a supportive and understanding manner and did not impact our visit at all. The staff were friendly and professional, from the kind woman who greeted us upon entry to the attentive waitstaff and manager who checked in several times throughout our meal. We were very satisfied with the service. I had the pleasure of tasting several cocktails and each was a balance of flavors thoroughly enjoyed. The attention given to each dish by the culinary crafters was precise and beautifully plated. A highlights was being served one of two available tuna collar portions. This was well prepared and we savored every bite. Other menu items that stood out for me include the pierogi which had a wonderful sweetness pulling the flavors together, and the lamb shank shared between us. There are other reviews mentioning the brioche rolls and butter bears and they are right to do so. It was a lovely way to kick of a memorable dining experience. I truly appreciated how the atmosphere, staff, and food all came together to make our meal special.

I just hosted an event at BearLeek and I truly can’t say enough good things about the entire experience. The team was incredible - warm, professional, attentive, and it’s clear they’ve built a really special culture. The level of service was top-notch from start to finish and made hosting feel effortless. The food was outstanding: beautiful presentation, high-quality ingredients, and such a thoughtful balance of flavors. Everything felt creative and intentional in the best way, and our guests were genuinely impressed. BearLeek is a gem, and I cannot wait to come back as soon as possible. I highly recommend for both events and a memorable night out!

Went on our anniversary and was excellent. We ate so much and was worth it. The flavors of the food Got there at 7 and left at 9:30 so definitely not a place that felt rushed since each of our 6 dishes were brought out individually. The lamb shanks was amazing. The flavors made you guessing what it was, though it definitely had a Persian hint to them. Highly recommend foe something fun.

My daughter made reservation and took me to Bear Leek the night before I came back to Dallas. This is a an open kitchen restaurant, instead of seating at reserved tables, we choose at chef's counter, enjoying witnessing transformation from raw materials into final dish right before my eyes. Kind experience only had in sushi bar, as it is not just cooking, it is composition with each ingredient placed with deliverate care. The final plating was a moment of artistic arrangement, turning the dish into a beautiful, edible sculpture. The food was not only creative and pretty, they were full of flavor, delicious. Started with small dishes, beets, turnip, hamachi, sorry, do remember their creative names, especially after a couple of tasty old fashioned, well, they were very testy with wow moments. Main course was lamb shank with pita bread, the meet was very tender, sauce was tasty and went well with pita. All dish we had were crafted with creativity. The service, and atmosphere were incredible as well. Enjoyed every moment! Will be back to Bear Leek in every future trip to Denver.

Fantastic. We had reservations and still had to wait for our table, but it was still completely worth the wait. Every course we had was unique and unexpectedly delicious. The ambiance was busy and trendy, but service was on point. They have style. We can't wait to go back.

First time here & it did not disappoint. I heard they change the menu seasonally, so being my first time I wanted to try a little of everything. Wow! The different layers of flavors you could taste in each dish were impressive. I sat at the chef’s counter to see the magic happen, which was a cool vibe all its own. Friendly service & cool ambiance. The food is elevated with a comfort feel and the service is attentive and classy, while making you feel comfortable and casual. Will definitely be back! Loved everything I tried!

Memorable! We loved the creative mix of flavors and original menu. The staff were great, and made us feel very welcomed. Very affordable for the quality of the food, presentation, service and ambiance. Carlos made sure everything was perfect! Will for sure go back.

BearLeek is a gem and I cannot wait to go back and try more from their menu! We started with a couple of their perfectly made cocktails, Brioche Rolls and Seasonal ButterBear, which is phenomenal! Next it was on to the Taleggio Tortellini, I could have ordered two more plates it was so delicious and the sauce tasted like heaven! The Tuna Crudo is another plate not to be missed, the flavors are incredible. For our main entree we shared the Grilled Kaua’i Shrimp and Butternut Squash, simply out of this world delicious! Be sure to get a seat at the chef's counter, it's the perfect place to watch all the action and chat with the chefs!

Everything from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave is perfect. The menu is fun and creative. The Waygu kibbeh naye is delicious and one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The French onion Tart was so good and the cream fondue on to was so silky. The butter bear and rolls are so simple but amazingly flavorful. The pork schnitzel was tender and juicy and was able to serve our entire group of four. Love this new spot in Denver and it is a new night out favorite.

The dinner started strong with their homemade brioche that were some of the best we’ve ever had. I’m Polish so their version of pierogi was a bit offensive. The dough was way too thick and heavy, and the filling too dense. They should be taken off the menu until the kitchen figures out how to make them correctly, or just don’t call that dish pierogi. The fried chicken was very tasty but their lamb was the star of the show! The meat was literally falling off the bone. Overall we had a tasty dinner and even though there is room for improvement I’m looking forward to trying their other dishes.

Just recently opened in RiNo, this is going to be a hit. Sexy vibes. Incredible food. Fantastic service. Canoodling space galore. Why aren’t you here yet?!?!!!?? Bookmarked this for our date night and it did not disappoint. You’ll almost miss it since it’s got a discreet logo of the bear on the door deceptively tucked between other ho hum shops. Like any spot in RiNo, you’ll have a park and jaunt over. Hey best way to work up appetite and work off the carbs end of night. Plenty of seating but make reservations since it’s going to be a hot spot. We sat at the bar and always my type of seating. Brendan was attentive, knowledgeable and efficient. All the staff is very sweet and welcoming. Someone is always checking on you like a wonderful host. Love seeing the open kitchen and they turn food very quickly to ensure you aren’t hangry. Cocktails, cocktails and more craft cocktails. I decided on Pretty Fly for a Chai Guy. Now I wouldn’t have chai or whiskey any other way after this. I will have the Tropic Thunder next time for a more sweet take. Simple menu that offers quite the tasteful delights. Next time I am having the brioche bread. The chicken liver tart is yummy; the surprising tartness of cherry mixed with the savory pate is refreshing and addictive to not share. The sharing plates are generous. We couldn’t believe our eyes on the chicken entree but I’m a carnivore. Naturally my favorite was the steak and cooked medium rare. While the special was a take on the traditional root beer float with Mexican beer, I couldn’t resist the peach pavlova. THAT is killer. Well next to the homemade in house apricot gummy bear. The next best thing is to serve it frozen during the summer heat. Trust me… game changer. You’re welcome. One star shy because the acoustics in here can be much. Not sure if the group next to us was inebriatedly loud or just the walls echoing. Forced me to whisper into the babe’s ear and I had to do it often. Thanks BearLeek. Since I believe this used to be an underground ramen spot, I can see why the combination of neon lights, dark walls and being under can give someone vertigo. However, ironically one of the best music play list at any spot I’ve been to so far here in Denver outside of a hip club or EDM rave. I’ll be back to see what else they come up with as well as to introduce my friends to a new spot. Bear Leek makes it seem like your own little world and but you don’t need a wristband to get in here to be in it.

The food was very good. We sat at the Chef's Counter. The rolls and seasonal butter was one of my favorites. We also had the french onion tart, it was tasty but a little heavy. We also had the Kauai shrimp which was also very good. My top dish of the night was the Tuna crudo it was amazing and my least favorite is their Bear Pop dessert, the flavors didnt work for me it was sweet, tart, savory and spicy, it didnt feel balanced like the rest of the items we tried but it was visually fun.

I wanted to like this place so much but the timing of the food and the drinks was so bad!!!!!! We got two courses of food before our drinks showed up then they brought us our sides which got finished before our proteins arrived…. For $200 a couple there are so many other places to go! Think hard before going. The noise is unbearable. Unless you plan to scream across the table plan to eat without conversation.

It’s in a basement, very small and dark, soooo loud you can’t hear your own party talking. Because it’s an open kitchen all the smells are everywhere, main smell is onions. Food was below average. Drinks below average. And this lively “danger” sign is what welcomes you first.

Had a 7:45 reservation, showed up at 7:40 as to avoid being late per email directions when we made the reservation, and wasn’t seated until 8:10 despite numerous warnings that the seatings are timed. Hardly a good start to what would be a lousy birthday dinner. No acknowledgement of my birthday was made despite notes in the booking reservation. Gave us one half glass of bubbly for having to wait over 25 minutes for our table (as they sat three other groups ahead of us that had later reservations at 8:00….). Limited menu was fine but definitely overpriced for the quality. There were 5 chefs running around a small kitchen like madmen but literally no food coming out… the chicken was “fried” but barely baked — the breading was literally still flour white. No birthday dessert or apology for the long wait to be seated. The couple next to us got a steak and sent it back because it came out cold, they flashed it - microwaved it and sent it back still lukewarm to the couple, on a $70 steak. NOT WORTH THE MONEY. Lousy management and mid food.