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…