Stem Ciders RiNo - Taproom & Eatery — Restaurant in Denver

My wife and I decided to try the tasting menu. I have celiac so my meal needed to be gluten free. My wife communicated with the staff beforehand and they were able to accommodate me very well. The menu was well thought out and paced. The crispy tofu amuse was an excellent way to excite my pallet. Mine had the panko removed. The savory, sweet, spicy flavor of the tofu paired well with the bittersweet of the off-dry cider. The next dish was a deconstructed gazpacho. I don't like tomatoes but I still ate most of this dish. The grilled cucumber and red pepper foam were delicious and again paired well with the spicy sweetness of the paloma cider. The palate cleanser is why I'm writing this review. I rank it as among the best dishes I've ever had in Denver. It now sits on my list of "quintessential" Denver dishes. A simple execution of cubed watermelon with evoo and mint, I was immediately transported with the first bite of this dish. Cheese and watermelon is not something I would ever consider. I don't really like watermelon. This may have converted me. I was also skeptical of the singapore sling cider. For me cider loses its appeal if it's too sweet. However this was served with a cherry and the overall flavor wasn't sugary at all so it was another surprise hit between my wife and I. This was followed by a spectacular dish of honey harissa carrots. The carrots were served on a bed of what I assume was whipped feta. Fabulous texture and flavor throughout and again paired well with the chile guava cider. I'm normally not a huge fan of the chile guava but felt it was a nice spicy accoutrement to the savory sweet of the carrots. The main course was an Herbaceous short rib with creamy polenta and sauteed greens. It's hard to go wrong with short rib and these were quite good. The standout in this course for us was the Banjo cider. Cider aged in whiskey barrels is a wonderful way for me to enjoy the flavor of whiskey without drinking something that may have wheat in it as many whiskeys do. The pairing of the heavy smokey, vanilla-y flavor of the cider complimented the short rib perfectly. Finally for dessert I was able to enjoy some lovely chocolate ganache and luxardo cherry macarons while my wife enjoyed the blood orange eclair. This was a baked nod to the old fashioned cider that was served with it. Again cider with all of the elements of a whiskey drink, without the whiskey, this cider is a great new way to experience a classic cocktail. Overall the meal and service was excellent and I wasn’t worried at all about what I was eating. For $55 a person we would absolutely try one of Chef Alspaugh's tasting menus again. The food was so good we forgot to...

STEM Cider - A RiNo Gem You Cannot Miss!

STEM Cider has earned its place among Denver's must-visit destinations. This isn't just another cider house – it's a thoughtfully crafted experience.

What Makes STEM Cider Extraordinary:The Cider Selection. The star of the show is undoubtedly their cider list. Finding truly exceptional gluten-free options can be challenging. STEM Cider doesn't just accommodate gluten-free needs – they celebrate them. Their house-made ciders are crafted with precision and creativity that rivals the best breweries in the city. Each pour tells a story and you definitely have options, single poor, or their flights.

Food That Surprises and Delights-I walked in expecting good cider and left plotting my return for the food alone. Every dish exceeded expectations with flavors that complement their cider selection perfectly. The menu made me want to order one of everything – a rare occurrence that speaks to both creativity and execution. The kitchen clearly understands how to balance flavors that enhance rather than compete with their signature beverages.

The staff here deserves special recognition. Knowledgeable, inviting, and genuinely helpful – they elevated the entire experience. Whether you're a cider novice or enthusiast, they guide you through their selection with expertise and enthusiasm that's infectious. This is hospitality done right.

STEM Cider sits perfectly within RiNo's vibrant ecosystem, connected to surrounding businesses through a charming center court concept. This creates a unique community feel where you can easily hop between different experiences. The outdoor seating takes full advantage of Colorado's incredible weather and the district's energy.

STEM Cider represents what makes Denver's food scene special – innovation, quality, and community. They've created a space that works equally well for locals discovering their neighborhood and visitors experiencing authentic Denver culture.

STEM Cider delivers an experience worth planning your day around. For Denver locals: This is your new regular spot. For visitors: Add this to your must-do list immediately. STEM Cider isn't just serving great cider and food – they're creating community, one perfectly crafted experience at a time. Remember, if it’s...

I love stem ciders. They have the best ciders and are always so good. They also have excellent food and such.

Upon walking in it says to wait to be seated. We have on average waited at least 5-10 minutes to just sit down. They have open seats and are choosing not to come over and sit you until it’s convenient. I’d recommend an open seating sign at least so you aren’t waiting to be sat. If I never had been here I wouldn’t wait.

I don’t love the service I get here. It seems like the staff doesn’t care. Mainly one bartender it seems. He takes cash tips from people and pockets them. (Not sure policy but when I see other employees out working them it doesn’t seem fair.) also that employee does the job wrong and is messy. Also very slow to get stuff. We ordered something and they forgot it in which another employee had to pick up the slack.

The ciders are amazing and the food is delicious. It does take a while to order stuff as the staff takes about 20-30 minutes to be seen again for another drink or food. So I would come prepared for what you want to get.

It rained one day we had brunch in which we sat outside. The covers were ok for us but the staff was freaking out over too much water on the covers. In which the staff said we need everyone to come inside. We went inside in which we were ignored at our new location. And 5-10 minutes later the rain went away and they had a bunch of fresh people outside enjoying the weather.

I loved the old location. The staff made the location. Here it feels like they just have the name and that’s all that’s carrying them. If you like stem ciders you can get it to go so you don’t have to stay and deal with...