La Chiva Colombian Cuisine

Colombian restaurant · Platt Park

La Chiva Colombian Cuisine

Colombian restaurant · Platt Park

1

1446 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210

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La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by La Chiva Colombian Cuisine
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null
La Chiva Colombian Cuisine by null

Highlights

Authentic Colombian fare, empanadas & tropical juices in a vibrant setting  

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1446 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210 Get directions

lachivacolombian.com
@lachivacolombian

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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1446 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210 Get directions

+1 720 389 9847
lachivacolombian.com
@lachivacolombian

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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The Best Places to Dine Outdoors in Denver | Eater Denver

"Umbrella-topped tables and flowering plants make the back patio of this Colombian charmer feel like a vacation retreat — and dishes like beef empanadas, fried plantains topped with chicharrones and avocado, and chicken- and pork-filled tamales with potatoes and peas only boost the mood, especially when paired with cocktails such as the Huaracan Chiva featuring Tingala, rum, maracuyá, and piña." - Gigi Sukin

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-restaurant-patios-denver-boulder
View Postcard for La Chiva Colombian Cuisine

Tiffany Chang

Google
I absolutely loved the food here! We ordered a huge spread, and everything was not only delicious but also very reasonably priced. I’m not too familiar with Colombian cuisine, but a Colombian friend recommended this spot, and it did not disappoint. I also brought my father-in-law, who is remarried to a Colombian woman, and he was just as impressed. The flavors were incredible, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff was wonderful. Overall, an awesome experience—I would love to come back!

Lunita

Google
Everything was delicious! We started with Empanadas de Pollo. Cooked to perfection 👌🏽. My husband had the Pabellón La Chiva & thoroughly enjoyed it! I had La Chiva Picada for 1 (they have an option that serves two). It was divine. 10/10 recommend this dish to try a little bit of everything! For drinks we had a Mango creamy drink and a Limonada Cartagenera . Both delicious. The Mango drink was my favorite. We took home a Tres Leches cake & Batido de Cafe 🤤. Also, we called ahead to see if dogs were allowed in the patio seating and they are! Best to call ahead though, just in case. The restaurant is beautiful and the patio was perfect. They have a really great spot.

Justin Martin

Google
This is a good similarity to a restaurant you would find in a non touristy area of Colombia. Typical dishes, same music, familiar environment. We were all happy with our choices. Bandeja Paisa, Sobrebarriga, Pescado, y Sopa. The food, environment, service, and prices were good. If you were in Colombia however, you would spend a quarter of the price in dollars.

Adriana K

Google
Great experience! We had generous portions of delicious food and enjoyed the restaurant ambience with the patios (front and back) nicely decorated. They serve delicious authentic Colombian food (If you haven’t tried Colombian food is not spicy but you can add ‘ají’ the local hot sauce if you want). Every plate was very flavorful, there were a few of us and we had different steaks, bandeja (typical plate with ground beef, beans, chicharrón, etc), parrilla (mix plate of meats), and soup, and all were delish. We pair our food with mojitos (recommend the one with a fruit call maracuyá), margaritas and beer, but they do have fruit juices too. The service was great, very friendly and with good suggestions. Nice background music, with a good level so you were still able to carry a conversation. We came for the food, but the patio sitting really added a sprinkle to the full experience. Fully recommend it!

Deja Ellese

Google
I love a good family-owned restaurant that feels and tastes authentic. The service was fast, even though they were busy and everything was delicious! Will definitely return.

Kate Lubotsky

Google
A truly transcendent experience if you like amazing food. Also the drinks are amazing and the atmosphere is beautiful with a wide range of equally vibey sections. I’m a huge fan. DO NOT SKIP THE CHEESE EMPANADAS!!!

Gus (GusGus)

Google
An almost great experience. The downs come first which would be that the "Paisa" is only served with ground beef not carne asada (if you order it with the steak it's an additional charge) which is normally and either/or situation. The steak was a bit on the raw side even though I hadn't asked for it that way. That's really the only issue I had. The Service was great there were plenty of waitresses that were willing to help each other so it was great. The desserts were incredible, the guava bread was INCREDIBLE!!!.The MILHOJAS incredible...so yeah basically if you have a sweet tooth go ahead and try it out. Thank you for An amazing experience.

Sarah Wise

Google
This restaurant had amazing Colombian food! Their empanadas are amazing! I came with my friend who is from Colombia and she said this place was authentic to what she has in Colombia! The service was amazing, they were very thoughtful and considerate. I also accidentally left my ring in the bathroom and came back the next day to find it, and they had it! I am a person who is constantly losing stuff, and at most places I never find my lost item, so I was very grateful that they had found it! I am very happy with their service and food and hope to come back often!
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Molly W.

Yelp
Really great experience at La chiva! Saturday night and 7pm and there were a bunch of open tables. Perfect for walk ins. It's a big place too! The service was awesome-- loved the staff that helped us. We had a lovely conversation with a woman who moved here a couple years ago from Cali, Colombia. I went to Colombia about 5 years ago and felt that the food was super authentic, exactly what I had when I was there! We split 3 things between the 2 of us and it was more than enough with leftovers. We ordered the papacon with chorizo-- the sauce is spicy if you're sensitive! I probably wouldn't get this again just because we had chorizo in our other dish ( SO GOOD) and there are so many others apps. We also got the papacones montados with shredded pork & chicharron. I love the savory plantains !! And the chicharron literally melts in your mouth. You get 2 of each. Lastly, we got the Bandeja Montanera main dish. This is a classic Colombian dish where you get a little bit of everything. Shy of the sampler platter, this is what I would recommend to anyone trying Colombian food for the first time! There's literally 9 things on your plate. And don't forget to get a drink (or two)! Only reason I docked a star is because of the environment-- it was sooo hot. Maybe it was just me because I was in a sweater but I was warm.
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Gina K.

Yelp
So freaking cute and delicious!!!! I had never had Colombian food until eating at La Chiva. I went with friends and one is Colombian. She said it is the most authentic she has found in Denver. A lot of the dishes were similar to Costa Rican and Cuban food I have had before. The empanadas, plantains, and shredded beef were amazing!!! I would come back and eat my weight in those three items. I highly recommend experiencing Columbia food at La Chiva.
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Sanaz M.

Yelp
Absolutely outstanding! I've eaten at a handful local and chain places and this ultimately is my new fav place now. The atmosphere is very family friendly, they take great care of their. Customers and absolutely everything we ate was sooo good!!! We ended up ordering five servings of the empanadas and that was our kids fav part of the place along with some kind of coconut drink. I got the vegetarian plate and it wasn't greasy but was sooo tasty. My kids also get the beef arepa and enjoyed it. They food was all delicious to point my family will be there again to enjoy. I would love to see how it is in the summer as they do have a great patio to enjoy.
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Megan H.

Yelp
Shared dinner here with a friend tonight. We each ordered an empanada as an appetizer. Mine was beef and was really good. We shared the La Chiva Picada (serves 2). I wouldn't order that again. The best part of the plate was the sweet plantains and maybe the yucca. We used all the sauces and could have used more because a lot of it was dry (aoli helped!) or greasy (salsa helped!). Our server was very attentive and the decor and ambience is excellent. I will come back to try something more up my alley like the Pabellon La Chiva or carne asada! The perfect sample patter, Colombian chorizo, yuca, Sweet and savory plantains, rellena, papa criolla, chicken, Chicharron, arepa and salad
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Kevin W.

Yelp
This was a great find! I love latin American cuisine and La Chiva did not disappoint. This cute restaurant is located along Broadway, and what may look like a small establishment, is a restaurant that makes you feel like you're in Colombia. The decor, music and staff are friendly. The seating itself is plentiful, and actually is a two story establishment. I do have to say that they seem understaffed, though friendly, they took a while to get our orders and get the food out. The empanada is one of my favorites here in Denver, I love the corn based shell and the beef is packed with flavor. This gets a solid 5 out of 5. It is pricey for the small portion but it is worth it! The arepa is good but nothing special. My girlfriend opted for more of the vegetarian filling which included avocado, rice, beans and cheese. It's filling and huge but flavor wise lacking. We are not fans of many latin style cheeses due to the eraser/rubbery texture. I opted for the bandeja Montanera which gave me a plate filled with grilled and fried meats. The patacones tasted great and went well with the meats. My favorite was the pork, it was succulent and juicy. Overall it gets a 4 out of 5. Like the arepa, it was also lacking in seasoning. Overall great experience, though some of the dishes can use a little more seasoning, it was a great find!
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Amanda C.

Yelp
A couple of things that make this a 3 star. 1. Service fee (i.e. mandatory tip amount): unless it's a large party, I will never understand a mandatory service fee. The mandatory tip here is 18%, and this applies to all party sizes, whether the service is good or bad. Just raise your prices and be upfront about it! We had no idea until we were paying and saw no advertising. 2. The food was good but I wouldn't eat here again. It wasn't that good, and my t-bone steak wasn't super quality.
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Casey P.

Yelp
My Colombian wife really enjoyed the sancocho here, and generally thinks this is a great spot for more regional soup and stew based dishes. I got the bandeja montañera , which unfortunately we both agreed was quite bland and dry and just not enjoyable at all.
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Joy Q.

Yelp
Ambiance - 5/5 Service - 4/5 Food - 3/5 Drink - 5/5 This place is so unique. With Colombian music playing and fairy lights, its patio has a lot of charm. We made a reservation and we're seated on time. Service was really friendly and got everyone's drink order immediately. I had Mojito and it was awesome. For entree, I shared the La Chiva Picada for two. Waited 30+ minutes for the dish and it was underwhelming. The sauce was delicious but the meat (the fried chicarron and chicken were very dry. I liked the fried yuca and rellena Colombiana (a stuffed sausage. very unique and delicious)
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Cathy L.

Yelp
Met friends for lunch on a Sunday. We were seated right away in a quiet area. I ordered the special soup the Santandereano which was delicious. There was rice, avocado, and a nice salsa next to a large bowl of a meat/vege soup. The meat was very tender add the broth flavorful. There was quite a bit of pork belly, and potatoes along with some pieces of beef. Others in our group ordered different things, and while I didn't get the name of what they ordered, they were very happy too! Nice to find a Colombian restaurant where many of the patrons seemed to be from that area.
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Sheryl S.

Yelp
We headed to La Chiva on a recommendation of a friend. Needed a change of pace from the ho-hum suburban chains. What a unique place. La Chiva hit the mark. Our waiter was very friendly and super helpful. Our meal started with a cocktail, my dinner companion ventured out and tried the mango margarita which was lovely, I just needed wine. Now for dinner. Our friend suggested the sampler platter La Chiva Picada which included a generous assortment of Columbian items including plantains, chicken, potatos, rellena and 2 tasty dipping sauces. Next we ordered the Bistec and the Piscado. I LOVED the fish... a flaky fillet swimming in a creamy coconut broth. The steak was nice served with rice and patacones. Finally, the desserts were calling.... we order the flan the the guava bread pudding. They were delicious. La Chiva was such a fun change of pace. Great place to go with a group that likes to share. Only down side is the mandatory tip.
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Felipe P.

Yelp
Let me explain my rating. My party ordered a sampler platter with a side of red beans and rice. The presentation was fun and the food was good. Rice & beans were delicious and the Tres Leche' cake was the best I ever had. I know this is gonna sound crazy but, I want more before I push my rating to a 5. Service is great. Bring a sweater. Lots of old windows so, it can be a little chilly.
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Pamela M.

Yelp
Really cute place inside. I love super ethnic restaurants and trying new food/drinks so this was right up my alley. The server was super friendly, gave me the wrong drink, but I didn't really care haha. I just drank it anyway. His energy was too good for me to get bothered by it. We shared the platter, they have it for 2 or for 1 and the 1 was enough for two if you just want some snacks. They were saying they were out of some meats, like chicken. I don't know how you run out of chicken...? And said we could get more of something else to replace it. But, when the platter came, I don't really think we got extra of anything. I didn't love the arepas, they were just the bready part of an arepa, nothing in it. I also didn't like how they made the yuca, it was oddly stringy. There must be a way to rid of the stringy bits, I've never even known yuca could be stringy in all the times I've had it. The sausages were good, though. So, good & bad with this platter food. I was hoping for more and to like the restaurant more.
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Michael F.

Yelp
Great little find on Broadway. Read the menu beforehand, and think through what you may want as the wait staff's English is light, but they are super friendly and the service is generally good. The empanadas are a must, consider trying all five fillings. I am looking forward to returning and trying some other items I was eyeing.

Deborah B.

Yelp
Wow! I've never had traditional Colombian food. Thus, we had the sample platter for two. It was ALOT of food...we probably could have split the one for one person. Ut every single thing was delicious!!!!! Service was warm and attentive. The restaurant is in an old home and is so cute and inviting. Will be back.
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Michael B.

Yelp
We'd had this cozy spot in our sights for a long time and finally made it for lunch. Did not disappoint! The interior is larger than you'd expect when you approach the building. We were seated in an area that has been opened up so a second floor balcony overlooks the ground level seating. Very dramatic and prettily illuminated by a large stained glass window. We opted for refrescoes naturales (fruit drinks), which are served either in milk or water, the traditional practice in Latin America. I had guanabana in milk-really outstanding-and my partner had lulo in water. Lulo is also sometimes called naranjilla, a citrus fruit with a distinct flavor profile. She loved it. Other flavors include mora, maracuya, pina, and guava. Lots of room to explore but there's also a full bar. For lunch we shared La Chiva Picada, a sampler platter that includes arepas, patacones, maduros, potatoes, two types of sausage, chicken, and pork. It was super good! More food than we could eat at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately we didn't have room to try tres leches or flan for dessert. Definitely headed back for more!
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Juanita L.

Yelp
Delicioso! I'm Colombian and I've been craving colombian food for a while. The service was super fast and the restaurant interior decorations made me feel back home. I definitely recommend the chicharrones! Freshly made and sooo good! The bandeja was perfect! I wished they had additional menu items, but will be going back for sure.
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Maria B.

Yelp
Really wanted to like this place. The steak was super tough and dry and the rice with chicken super dry and crunchy like the bottom of the pot was incorporated a little too much. The lack of Latin restaurants sets the bar low in Colorado. These dishes disappoint and would not cut it anywhere else with a rich population of Latin Americans. On the plus side, the arepa with pork was flavorful and tender. The empanadas will be enjoyed at home. Don't be surprised about the 18% surcharge which they call a servicing fee. 3% goes to staff tips and the rest is to offset operational costs. That put me off completely. Raise your prices, and remove the surcharge. The service is quick and pleasant. Let's hope it was an off day for the cook and our experience improves next time around, but I doubt I'll be back.
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Emily M.

Yelp
The main reason for 3 stars: paying on the Toast app was deceitful. This is the main reason I likely won't be back honestly. I knew there was an 18% auto service charge, which is fine. It was even on the paper receipt. But the toast app receipt didn't show it and gave the option for tip on the total without service charge. So we assumed it wasn't included there, and we tipped. But it was actually ON TOP of the total inclusive of service charge (which was not a line item and not included in the total in the app). Ultimately we paid almost 40% in tip. Hopefully someone is happy, but this seemed so wrong to me. Ok everything else: The setting: awesome, colorful, great spot. They did an excellent job with the inside. The food: it was ok. The veggie plate was ok for me but nothing outstanding. The appetizer empanada was my favorite - super fresh and flavorful. The sweet plantains were yummy, and the potatoes were buttery smooth. Otherwise, the arepa, fried plantains, rice, and beans were all meh. My friend enjoyed most of the meat items, especially the chicken leg (it had a crispy skin). The service was friendly and slow, as expected in a Latin spot. Ultimately I'd have recommended this spot, but the way the bill was handled left a negative taste in my mouth.
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Wendy M.

Yelp
First timers at La Chiva and so happy to have found them. Beware, they still have signage at their old location - which of course we saw and headed there, lol. We realized we should have followed Apple maps a tad closer. No worries, as they are just a short walk down the street and across. We sat at the table, which is our go to. This usually always guarantees great service, but this time, most of the action and service happened at the tables. I'm not sure the bar is used often, but even that aside, we were able to flag down a few folks as needed and get our needs met. Excited to have Columbian food - La Chiva didn't disappoint. We ordered mixed empanadas (of course) and the weekend special (meatballs). Can I just say - WOW. Very flavorful, well cooked and not too spicy. My man has a beer and I enjoyed the Mango Tango. Super fun visit.
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Tammy S.

Yelp
Our second time here and I'm so impressed not only with the food but the people who are so gracious and happy! Yes, they seem happy to be at work. This says a lot about a place, and I want to acknowledge that strong positive culture. The food is amazing! We ordered the appetizer empanadas again and got one of each. I think I could live on these! I got the fish soup which was not only beautiful but also delicious and hot! What can possibly be wrong with flaky fish in a coconut and yum soup?! With a flower in top!? Say yes to the fish! My husband ordered the sampler (this is not what it is called but I can't remember) for one and everything I ate was delicious. I am not a fan of blood sausage but it is one of my husband's favorites. He ate the leftovers for breakfast. We use visiting my son in south Denver as an excuse to go here and "wait for the traffic to die down" wink wink. Thank you!!

Brooklynn B.

Yelp
Food was great! Loved the platter and there was more than enough food for Two people share. Cocktails were so reasonably priced. Loved it will absolutely be back.
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Nathalie C.

Yelp
I am so grateful I discovered La chiva. They serve True authentic Colombian food. It tastes just like as if I were in Colombia again. The feel of the restaurant also gives that true Colombian vibe. I definitely recommend this place. Their service has also gotten immensely better over the years too. Now stop reading and GO eat some delicious authentic food!
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Camila M.

Yelp
Great service. Food (calentado) was delicious. I know the arepas con queso are delicious too. Years ago, when they were in another location (crossing the street),I didn't like their juices cuz they had too much water and few flavor so I never ever came back until yesterday. I went with my family yesterday, and the juices were delicious (that means they improved) my brohters ordered Picada, and they also gave it 5 stars. The restaurant decoration is pretty, and it is clean. I do recommend this place. I'm so glad there is a Colombian place in Denver and for sure, I will be stopping by more often.
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Magda C.

Yelp
The flan was really good, not too sweet. Vegetarian platter is big, but the fried plantains were too dry. Overall a good meal. Service here is great.

Jeanette A.

Yelp
I thought the vibe was nice. Waitress attentive and sweet. The food was lacking. Small portions and very bland.
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Scott E.

Yelp
Let me be fair. The food is good to really good. With that said, be aware that before you pay the automatically add a 15% "service charge" to your bill. I am a believer in tipping so I added an additional 15% tip on top of the service charge. NOT COOL of them to slide this extra cost in the bill. Honestly it's enough to make me want to try different places before I go back.

Marlon R.

Yelp
Super cute place, great food & good service! I had the picada for one, a cheese empanada, and the guava bread pudding,
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Meghann P.

Yelp
What a wonderful and authentic gem for the city! The service and staff were amazing! We were able to pull up the menu that had lots of details about the different items, but the staff was also great at answering questions and making sure we were taken care of! We ordered way too much food, but couldn't help ourselves! We got the empanadas, the corn was slightly sweet but with an amazing chicken filling. Then we got the guisado de pollo which was delicious, arroz con pollo, arepa's and ajiaco soup. Everything was wonderful and gluten free which makes my heart so happy! Highly recommend a visit to La Chiva!
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Ashley T.

Yelp
Went last weekend and the drinks were very good. Service was slow, and we had to ask for things multiple times. However, they have a very good ambiance and it is a very cute shop. For a beverage, I tried agua de panela fria and it was so good! I definitely want to have it again. I got the empanadas as an appetizer and they were absolutely delicious! For my main entree I got Sobrebarriga Criolla, which was dry. Overall, will definitely come back again to try another dish. You will need to find street parking but it was easy for me to find on a Sunday. They previously were located on the opposite side of the street so make sure to go to the new location. There was a sign posted on the door of the old restaurant but know that they are open if you don't see this! Just look across the street!
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Amber P.

Yelp
The service here is quick, and the staff is friendly. The ambiance is fun and they have a really adorable courtyard where you can enjoy your meal. The food is good, we tried a little bit of everything and really enjoyed our evening
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Drew K.

Yelp
This WAS our favorite Colombian restaurant and felt it WAS very authentic. My wife is Venezuelan and her mom was Colombian so she knows Colombian food. After my wife's experience there today, we will NEVER go back. She ordered Sobrebarriga Criolla, one of her favorite dishes there. When it came out, she let the waitress know there a was a problem that the meat was literally hard. So the waitress got someone who said they were the owner. He said there was no problem with the dish despite my wife having eaten it there several times and said don't ever order it again. Not what can I do - don't ever order it again!!! The self proclaimed owner!!! If he treats customers who have identified as having been there several times, can't imagine how he treats his workers. Unfortunately after this experience, we can't justify ever going back.
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Yelpalicious L.

Yelp
Not as savory as I recall Colombian food to taste like! I've been to Colombian restaurants in NYC, Miami and New Jersey and unfortunately this one falls short. The rice needs help. Mad help.
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Cameron D.

Yelp
Very good, family-owned small restaurant! The environment is welcoming and cozy, and the service is always really good. The food is phenomenal. I always start my meal off with a mora (blackberry) juice con leche. They have a ton of flavors to pick from. From there, I get my main dish which is usually the Calentao special (chicken, rice, avocado, beans, and egg), but if I can't decide on what to get the La Chiva Picada is always a safe bet since it's like a charcuterie board/ sampler with all of their best menu items. They have these boards for a single person, or for two (a group of 4 could easily share this). Keep in mind there is an automatic service fee of 18% included on each bill. I didn't realize this for the first few times I went and tipped ~40% lol. even with a ridiculous tip, it's still so worth it and I'm sure the workers appreciate the love. Last thing i will note, is parking is free and usually pretty easy to find. Make sure to stop by and get some amazing columbian food! Support local businesses
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Ritu R.

Yelp
In the words of my husband "everything about this place screams legit". He right AF! Your experience begins on bustling Broadway, a charming exterior lures you down a pathway to an entry transporting you to South America with the warmest welcome. We came on a Saturday afternoon with no reservation and were seated immediately, not to imply it was empty in any way. Service was attentive but not rushed. Food was authentic and flavorful. Drinks were refreshing and tasty. Husband had and was gushing over his entree, the Bandeja Montanera, a traditional Colombian dish of red beans, white rice, chorizo, sweet plantains, patacon, arepa, chicharron, carne molida(ground beef) & avocado, with fried egg I had the Arroz con Pollo* (GF) mixed yellow rice, shredded chicken breast, green peas, carrots, sweet peppers, corn, served with 2 sides that I chose yuca and arepas. Delicious!!! If you're looking for authentic Colombian food in Denver, stop here, you won't regret it!
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Estefania S.

Yelp
This place has great flavor! It was my first time getting Colombian food so my friend & I ordered La Chiva Picada which serves 2 & has an array of items. It's a great starter dish (as shown in the photo). We also got the Empanada appetizer which comes with 5 empanadas & you can mix & match the flavors! Everything was jam packed with flavor! My favorites were the chicharrón, the patacones, & Colombian chorizo. Not to mention the empanadas & arepas! They also have a delicious chimichurri sauce that needed a shoutout! Lol Our server recommended so many other dishes that I will definitely have to go back & try.
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Jesse B.

Yelp
Delicious Colombian food. Everything is so tasty from the arepas with chicharon (other proteins available) to the sweet plantains (savory also available). The empanadas come five to an order and you can't go wrong with beef, chicken or jalapeño beef or chicken. The dipping sauce is perfect with herbs (chimichurri possibly) The limonada Cartagena is a blended juice drink with lime & pineapple juices and coconut syrup. Sweet but not overly so. The staff is friendly and takeout has been our go to since COVID started La Chiva is now in a bigger space on the east side of Broadway just across from their original location.
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Laura F.

Yelp
We have been going to la Chiva for years and the service is pretty hit or miss. I love Colombian food and there aren't a lot of options in Denver. The moved across the street in Colfax to a bigger location. It's really cute and has a full bar. I called a few days prior to pick up a to-order - 4 orders (20) of empanadas and arepas with queso for Christmas Eve. When we went to pick them up they had only made one order (5 empanadas). What should have been a 15 minute trip ended up taking over 45. We waited for the order to be made and added a few extra items. We sat at the bar and waited. Our waitress disappeared for a while and we had to flag her down to pay for the order since they also only charged us for 5 empanadas. Hopefully it is just the Christmas rush, but I hope the service improves.
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Stephanie B.

Yelp
So they automatically add the 18% tip on the check, since they do that, the waiters do not care. Asked for a straw, they didn't bring it. Asked for an extra bowl, they didn't bring it, asked for a high chair, didn't bring that either. Service sucks. The food, is mediocre. It's probably good to people that aren't familiar with Colombian cuisine. Though the empanadas are good. You can tell the beans are from the can. The only thing that was enjoyable was their outdoor seating.
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Carolina S.

Yelp
This is probably the WORST restaurant experience I've ever had! We came in around 3pm, and the man at the front was so rude. He told us it would be over 20 minutes for a table. We decided to wait and were seated maybe 10 min later. We flagged down a girl to take our order. We waited a really long time just to get our waters. 20 minutes AFTER we were seated ,that same nasty man came over and said he would take our order. Who in their right mind would sit at a table for 20 min before even being acknowledged?!? We had driven over 30 minutes to eat here, and what a disappointment it was! The food was mediocre at best, nothing special about this place! Will never, EVER, come back and I'll make sure everyone knows how nasty they are here. I don't need this place, this place needs customers! Ugh
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Martin E.

Yelp
No longer good. Avoid! I've been coming to La Chiva for ~5 years. Since moving to their new location, this place has gone downhill. We came here for my friends birthday today and were treated to one of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. Some of the lowlights from our awful experience: - We were charged an 18% service fee. When asking about it, I was told it was a fee for bringing food to the table but not the tip. I was then asked to tip on top of it. In total the service fee and tip ended up being ~40% of the bill. - Our table asked for the bill and water multiple times and our server continued to forget it. We seriously asked for water 2-3 times before getting it... our server kept forgetting and they had 3-4 tables in the whole restaurant - We ordered 10 vegetarian and chipotle beef empanadas and got a weird concoction of empanadas which only 2 of them were vegetarian. Obviously not ideal when one of our friends is vegetarian so wasn't sure what he was eating I was born in Bogota and having an authentic and delicious Colombian place in Denver was awesome. I used to bring all my friends here to get a taste of Colombian cuisine. Needless to say, I will not be coming back after tonight.
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Jessica S.

Yelp
My husband is Colombian and he said its super authentic. Delicious well rounded menu! Tropical juices you can't find here in Denver!
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Adam C.

Yelp
The only LEGIT Colombian eatery in Denver. How do I know? I've been to Colombia. I've eaten at Colombian spots in Florida. The servers are mostly Colombian. And? My Colombia-born GF says so! On our recent visit, we had empanaditas (another bit of evidence - Colombians Spanish speakers often add the endearing "-ita" or "-ito" to the end of words like empanada ... or beso) to start. Somehow these crisp, deep fried masa corn meal pockets stuffed with chicken or beef are light to the bite. My GF ordered a Maracuya juice (passion fruit) drink common in the pais nativa. Then we shared the La Chiva Picada platter (serves 2 but we shared with our 2 dining companions) to experience a delightful tour of Colombian comida tipica: chicharrones, fired yuca, sweet plantains, arepas, green savory plantains, papas, chorizo, blood sausage (not gross like the Irish kind), and chicken. Delicious and satisfying without feeling stuffed. The new-ish location is an old building formerly inhabited by an Italian restaurant on the EAST side of Broadway across from their old spot (some nav systems are not updated). The only downsides were the drafty interior of the old building on a cold winter night and they were out of some favorite pastries like bunuelos and pandebonos. PS Everything we ate was gluten-free....
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Sarah E.

Yelp
Lovely people working there, and the ambiance is very Latin and colorful. I enjoyed every second until the food came. I've had better Colombian street food at a fraction of the price. Paying $87 for 2 drinks and appetizer style food is over the top. Nothing tasted like quality. Hopefully things will improve
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John R.

Yelp
Had a really nice date night out on the patio at La Chiva's new location. The meal was delicious as always and it's my favorite place to get delicious Colombian food! If you've been here before be prepared that they changed locations and the new spot is across the street. You enter through the front patio. The new location is really nice and has a good deal more outdoor space So I can see why they moved there! For our meal we started with the Chorizo Arepas it's was tasty and the chorizo was season perfectly and was super flavorful! It comes with a side of plantains which I love and were delicious! Next we ordered the soup of the day which was fantastic! It was a mix of chicken, potatoes, corn and plantains. I really enjoyed it and would say that's it's a must order any time you stop by La Chiva.
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Heather T.

Yelp
The hubs and I came here with a friend to finally give it a try. The location moved to across the street and the new spot honestly felt like we were in South America with the decor and vibe. First, the staff was so incredibly kind and worked very well together. Hands down that was the best part of our experience and that's saying a lot because we loved the food. We started with a variety of empanadas, Patacones Montados and palitos de queso (cheese sticks). The appetizers were an excellent start to the meal. The cheese sticks were wrapped in an almost bread like dough and were soooo good. I ordered the arroz con pollo for my main and didn't even eat it because I was stuffed from the apps. It made an absolutely excellent lunch the next day. We are already planning our next trip back. Everything was so good.
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Stephen R.

Yelp
I came to La Chiva after reading all the great reviews. My experience was not that wonderful. I tried the Bandeja Montanera, whose components I found to be bland and uninteresting, save for the plantains, which were yummy. I am not personally a fan of the style of meat that includes a 2" thick piece of fat . . . I did eat it, hoping to get some sort of pate-like experience. I didn't. Service was very friendly, but unfortunately lackluster, with my water glass only being refilled for the first time at my request while getting my check. This is a big negative for me. I liked the decor and could see how people could grow attached to the place. The number of reviewers here who liked other dishes than what I had makes me think I need to try it again, but for now, I found La Chiva to be a mediocre experience.
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Molly M.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday night and got seated right away - it was 6:30 so that's a shock to me but I'm a suburbanite so we already eating by this time and things are full! I saw more people rolling in as the night went by. Service was attentive and helpful. We shared the 5-sampler empanadas and the variety platter for 2 which was plenty for 4 people. I didn't like everything but it's because of my taste and not its preparation. It was all well-presented and prepared.

Raivyn S.

Yelp
Amazing authentic food! So delicious!! Takes me back home! This is one of the only places in Denver that has amazing, high quality and delicious Colombian food!
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Savanna B.

Yelp
OMG YUM! La Chiva was my first time trying Columbian food and I was impressed. I had an early dinner there last night with my aunt and toddler. We all ate way too much- and it's not easy to satisfy the palates of two adults and a two year old sharing the same food. We started with empanadas- 3 cheese and 2 chicken jalapeño. Both kinds were good- the cheese ones were mildly sweet , which sounds kind of weird but was actually quite lovely. The chicken jalapeño ones were very flavorful but still mild enough for my son to eat without and irritated exclamations of "Spicy mommy!". I don't remember the name of the cocktail we both had, but it was a blend of Stranahans whiskey, amaretto, and passion fruit pulp that had us both savoring every sip. We shared La Chiva Picada for our entree and it was an amazing array of flavors and really gave us the opportunity to sample lots of different foods. Even though we overate we still took home big togo boxes (compostable). I ordered the pork arape sandwich togo for my husband and even though it looked good I was way too stuffed to try it when he offered (but he ate every bite and said it was yummy). We're planning to go back soon and I'm looking forward to it...and even though I don't remember what it's called, I know what I'm getting to drink!