Small plates are all the rage, and it makes sense given you get all the experimentation with zero commitment. Think of it as the casual dating of going out to eat. From tapas to wine bars to dim sum, these places offer up some of the best sharable plates in and near Denver.
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar has been a seafood mainstay of the Front Range for over 30 years, with a dedication to sustainable seafood sourcing. Recently, all Jax locations went through a menu refresh, complete with a new “For the Table” section loaded with shareable plates. Order dips, crudo, deviled eggs, and other goodies to share, plus oysters for the table, of course. Multiple locations, jaxfishhouse.com
The 9th Door
The 9th Door, a Spanish wine and tapas bar, was designed for gathering. You can play it safe and order favorite tapas like Tortillas Españolas and Patatas Bravas, but the beauty of eating from small plates is the ability to be adventurous and add a new dish to the mix. Think bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese, blistered padron peppers in a chorizo vinaigrette, and marinated white anchovies on goat cheese toast.
Bonus: every week The 9th Door offers Tapas Tuesdays, with select tapas just $9 all day. 925 Lincoln St. Unit C., Denver, 9thdoorcapitolhill.com
FiNO
FiNO opened recently in the new All Inn Hotel on East Colfax, and in true Mediterranean style, small plates make up the crux of the menu. Experience the dimly-lit restaurant for yourself, where conversations echo around plates of Spanish tapas-style toasts, smoky Grilled Artichokes, stuffed chicken wings, and an umami-packed Charred Cabbage in a browned butter, caper, and lemon sauce.
Wash it all down with a smart glass of wine or a creative twist on a classic cocktail like the Dirty FiNO, a martini made with cornchone vodka and pickled tomato water. 3015 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, finocolfax.com
Ash’kara Denver
Ash’kara has the atmosphere of a neighborhood Greek taverna and the cuisine of a Mediterranean restaurant steeped in North African and Middle Eastern influences. Fill the table with as many mezze as you can, paired with pita (or gluten-free pita) baked on-site in a wood-fired oven.
Some of chef Reggie Dotson’s standout dishes include the Htipiti red pepper and feta dip, Falafel, and Manti Dumplings that ooze lamb and herb filling. All are perfect to nibble on when gathered with a group of friends or colleagues, cocktail or glass of Greek wine in hand. 2005 W. 33rd Ave., Denver, ashkaradenver.com
Ultreia
In Spain, tapas or pintxos are a way of life rather than simply a style of eating. Diners usually share a number of small dishes over a long, drawn-out meal, often with plenty of wine as well. Get a taste of the meal in Denver at Ultreia, located in a chic corner of Union Station.
Get a stunning Spanish-style Gin & Tonic, glass of wine, or even a Negroni from the happy hour-only fountain. Then order an Iberian Board with cured meats and almonds; opt for tinned fish; or mix and match items like Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Broccolini Toast, and blistered Shishito Peppers. Don’t miss the signature Gilda bite, it’s as classy as the actress it was named after. 1701 Wynkoop St. #125, Denver, ultreiadenver.com
Kawa Ni
Kawa Ni in LoHi brings Japanese izakaya culture to Denver, as a casual restaurant and bar hybrid with small plates and drinks. The shareable plates get organized into sections: Cold, Hot, Raw, Sandwich, and Rice- or Noodle-Based. There’s no wrong answer.
Peekytoe Crab Rangoons dipped in ginger-kosho dressing and raw hamachi drizzled with leek oil are crowd pleasers. During Happy Hour (Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), get $6 draft beer and sake bombs to pair with $6 Tofu Pockets and other snacks. 1900 W. 32nd Ave., Denver, kawanidenver.com
Heretik
Chef Theo Adley’s RiNo restaurant just opened, but it’s quickly becoming a favorite for small, shareable plates. In fact, the only entree on the menu is the rotisserie chicken, which is also meant to be shared. Pair cantabrian anchovies or the oysters du jour and chipolata sausages with a tomato martini or glass of txakoli, a light, effervescent white wine often poured with a flourish. 1441 26th St., Denver, maisonheretik.com
Ma’s Kitchen
In traditional Cantonese dim sum, friends and family share communal baskets of steamed buns, dumplings, and other small dishes as they socialize. You can get that same experience at the casual Ma’s Kitchen, which serves up authentic shu mai, salads, and an almost overwhelming variety of dumplings and buns.
In March of 2026, the same owners opened a more upscale take on the concept next door, complete with a full bar. 2301 E. Colfax Ave.; and 1514 York St., Denver, no website
Fin N’ Tonic
In a landlocked state, seafood is always a treat. At Fin N’ Tonic, order oysters, caviar, crab cakes, and even snow crab legs and claws for the table. Plus, don’t miss out on the Fin ‘N Tonic cocktail itself, which pairs perfectly with seafood thanks to the lemon-infused Hendricks, tonic water, celery bitters, and a plant-based botanical pentire.
This is the kind of place where you’ll meet up with friends for one drink and some oysters and end up spending hours, ordering more rounds of drinks and small plates until it’s way past your bedtime. 2461 Larimer St., Denver, fin-n-tonic.com
Safta
At this Israeli restaurant tucked into the unassuming Source Hotel + Market Hall in RiNo, sharing is the way to go. That’s because the focus revolves around building community at the table. Start the process with a traditional salatim, or Israeli cold salads and spreads. Next, mop up the Foraged Mushroom or Lamb Ragu Hummus with freshly-baked pita bread, and split plates of falafel, kebabs, labneh, whipped feta, and more. 3330 Brighton Blvd. #201, Denver, eatwithsafta.com
Postino
Postino may be a chain, but you probably wouldn’t guess it thanks to the high-quality food and neighborhood vibe giving a mix of wine bar and coffee shop. If you’re in the mood to split dishes with friends, opt for a mix-and-match bruschetta board. You can choose four kinds (with gluten-free bread available) cut into personal slices, from classic tomato and basil to smoked salmon with pesto to mushroom with mascarpone cheese, and more.
With charcuterie boards and Italian aperitivo-style snacks on the menu as well, there will be more than enough food to go around. Plus, plenty of wine by the glass and bottle. Multiple locations, postino.com
