8 Rivers Cafe

In the last month, we tried this place on two occasions in order for the entire family to have an opportunity to taste 8 Rivers version of Jamaican dishes. For approximately 20 years Jerk and various other Jamaican foods have been family favorites, and after mastering a number of recipes from a friends grandmother (Jamaican) and spending a lot of time with Jamaican friends, we know what the dishes should taste like. What drew me to this place was the fanatic website and the chef/owner's bio. I said to my spouse, ""I found this place that we have to check out."" Presentation of the dishes was good, but the chicken wings (only a slight jerk taste), the pork was dry and overcooked, the journey bread was big piece of bland flour (sent it back), and the jerk chicken dinner (give me a break, this was only smoked chicken). I never would have known that it was considered Jerk, had I not ordered it. The Coconut Shrimp was over cooked the first time; but my daughter said the second time it was perfect. Regarding the Rice and Peas, let me tell you they were very dry (you could count the 1 to 3 beans in each serving)/no spice; just bland dry rice/dry beans. The dipping sauces were good (used them to bring life to the Rice and Peas and to put moisture in the pork). The collar greens were good and spicy and we enjoyed the idea of French fried plantains (these were our favorite dishes). For the quality of the food, I expected a lot more for the money (I am so happy we had Groupons; otherwise this would have been a greater disappointment. The place itself was nice. The wait staff was really good the first time, and seemed a bit rushed/not focused on giving the best customer service on the second occasion. A much better option in my occasion is Weldon Cafe. Since we discovered this place, the Jerk Chicken dinner plates have been consistently the same (declious) each time we ordered. Now you will want to call in your order at least 30 mins to 1 hour ahead of your pick up time because they are a bit slow; but the Jerk was really close to that I learned to love. I also sent the last 7-8 months in Cuba and made friends with the Jamaicans their, and the dishes equaled that which I learned years ago from my Jamaican friends grandmother. If I were looking for a place to hang out and drink (I don’t) then I might consider 8 Rivers because those around the bar and in the place seemed to be having a good time; but for dining the website and others may have overrated it. Maybe it is in the taste buds; but you really have to know the food in order to fairly compare this to the authentic Jamaican dishes. more

We went to 8 Rivers on a Friday night at 10:40pm for a mojito. When we got there the bartender told us they close at 11pm but would be happy to make us a drink and a shot. As soon as 11pm hit they shut off all of the music and tried kicking us out very rudely. The mojitos were average size but we still had about half of the drink left. The bartenders and waitstaff were yelling at us from across the bar that they wanted to go home and that we were taking too long. I understand the restaurant closes at 11pm but at 10:40pm the bartender should have refused to make us a drink if there were going to be so completely rude as soon as 11pm hit. I would never go back here, it was the worst experience with customer service i have ever had. PS. The mojito and the shot were pretty awful as well. Cons: horrible customer service more

My friends and I went in to get a few drinks. They pour us our mojitos, which tasted like a coke with mint leaves. Really gross! They turned the music down and when we asked about it the hostess said, ""I could turn the music up, but I choose not to!"" The server then asked us to leave and the waiter said what we are doing (drinking) is what he wants to be doing so they are closing. It was an awful experience and I will NEVER go back. Cons: Rude service more

I have been to 8 Rivers over a dozen times and tried nearly everything on the menu. I can honestly say that I have not had a bad meal there - EVER! The staff is great, and if you go there more than once you will realize that it's the same staff over and over. They're great people ! Some of the highlights include the Smoked Jerk Crab appetizer, the Jerk Chicken, Bread Pudding and Rum Ice Cream. The House Dirty Mojito is one of the most refreshing drinks that I've ever had. Try 8 Rivers, you will not be disappointed!! Pros: Excellent food, atmosphere, service, drinks more

Food is consistently good, if you like it spicy. Over the years this place had been a favorite of ours, but sad to say that the service has consistently gone down hill. Most notably on a recent trip: after we paid our bill we still were finishing our drinks. Wife had about 1/3 glass of wine left and I had about 1/2 a beer. The server came back and told us that people were waiting on our table and they'd appreciate it if we'd hurry up. We had a reservation, wouldn't that at least give us the table long enough to finish our drinks? I later complained to the owner who seemed to be appalled and said she would send a gift card, but that never happened. Not the first experience with poor service at this restaurant. We do like the food, but will not be returning. Pros: Food Cons: Good service not a high priority - Lodo Location more

The hostess asked us to wait for ten minutes after acknowledging our reservation and then forgot to seat us. After 45 minutes when approached she bought us each a drink (2 people) and seated us within minutes. The waitress ignored us until prompted by the hostess. The food was mediocre bordering on bad. The bartenders were competent, the music too loud for the space, and we will not return. We will make faces at them when we walk by and tell our friends not to attend 8 Rivers. Pros: bartenders competent Cons: sucked more

We decided on trying this restaurant based on CitySearch reviews and a Westword 2008 recommendation. In that regard, it was disappointing. However, overall, like many restaurants, it was just ok. more

Had lunch there and liked it so well took my husband there the next night for dinner. The ambience and service are great. Try the white berry sangria. Yummmm! more

I have to say that this was one of the best dinning experiences we've had in a while. The atmoshere was romantic and the food was spicy. Our server was polite and made an excellent wine suggestion. We started off with soup for me and a salad for him. My JRK chicken and rice soup had the perfect amount of spice and his salad had the most wonderful curry dressing atop mixed greens with tomatoes and cucumbers. We had to keep switching back and forth. Our entrees were no let down either. I had the Tropical Chicken which was incredible. Who knew chicken wrapped plantains could be so divine? He had the Jrk Tenderloin, impressive indeed. Needless to say we have been raving about it to our friends ever since. Certainly a place I will be returning to again and again. more

I came here on a Tuesday night with a party of six. We had reservations but probably didn't need them as the restaurant was not crowded. We sat indoors, but the restaurant wasn't running its A/C so it was a bit toasty indoors. More people gathered on the patio outside as the evening progressed. Service was okay. One plus is that they leave water pitchers on the table and kept the pitchers filled, so we didn't have issues with being thirsty. It took a while for the waitress to ask if we wanted another drink, however. (besides water) For appetizer, I had the spicy shrimp, which was FANTASTIC! And it was definitely spicy. For entree, I had the jerked chicken, which was good but nothing outstanding. For beverages, I tried the rum fruit juice drink, which was pretty good, and a mojito, which was just average. Overall, I had a good experience at this restaurant, but it will probably be a while before I come back again. Pros: prices are pretty good Cons: restaurant was too warm inside more

Went 8 rivers last night after wanting to for the last 6 months. Wish I would have waited. Took a friend for her birthday. We waited almost 15 min. before someone asked if we wanted something to drink. The meal was good but took forever to get. The staff never asked if we wanted another drink. some people around us were very angry about the service and asked for thier check before thier long awaited meal arrived. I was shocked to see they were charged for thier drinks which they almost had to begg for. Not sure I will ever go back after last night Pros: location and patio Cons: service, service more

I am regular at 8 Rivers. The food is over the top. The tofu is not my favorite, but you can not go wrong with the J e r k Chicken or the Tropical Chicken. Service can be a little less than professional ? however, that seems to be an issue in the Highlands overall. They have hired some new wait people recently who seem to know their stuff. Pros: Great spicy food Cons: could be larger more

I'd heard good things about this place and loved that it was right in the heart of the highlands, so I thought I'd check it out. I suppose nothing was terrible about it, it's just that absolutely nothing impressed. The plantain wonton wraps were pretty good, although the waitress did say ""no matter what they taste like, they are plantains"" -I have no idea what to take from that. She also didn't seem to know what ""jerkk(apparently citysearch won't allow the actual spelling as it is deemed inappropriate) spice"" was and had to look at the menu to explain it to us. The tofu was pretty bland (perhaps I'm just not used to jamaican food, but isn't it supposed to be spicy?) and the waitress was very nice, but not very attentive or knowledgeable. It's not a place I plan on visiting again. Pros: different/new cuisine options Cons: taste, service more

Several times when a restaurant is classified ""Jamaican"" I and my family are eager to try it out. Most of the time we are disappointed as we were last Friday night. We were seated immediately, our waiter brought out the completely wrong dish then commented that he had a ""brain f__t."" The plaintains were fried BANANAS not plaintains, the rice and peas were unrecognizable and my meal (which originally came out as tofu and callaloo) was not anywhere near spicy. Friends passed by when we were eating and asked what we thought, our comment was that if you didn't want authentic Jamaican food then it was an okay restaurant. By the way, my family and I were born in Jamaica and eat authentic Jamaican food at home all the time. We like to eat out though just like everyone else. Pros: sidewalk seating Cons: food more

There were some rough spots. But the food has always been great. My Grandmother is from the Caribbean and this is Denver's ONLY truly authentic Island restaurant. If it was too hot for you, you should have ordered one of the many entrees that have no spice just flavor, the curry chicken comes to mind. Pros: Great food, Great drinks Cons: Parking is hard. If you live close, walk over more

Locals will remember this place as Poggio's, prior to B ang!. The food is good, flavors are nice and authentic. The specialty drinks are a little pricey, but good. They are strong and sneak up on you. Pros: Good flavors, nice drinks Cons: Ambience must be in LA, parking can be a problem more

I ate at 8 Rivers with a large group just after opening. The food was so hot you could not taste any flavor- it made me sweat buckets and we were rudely ushered out of the restuarant at 8pm because they wanted to close the place. Pros: Small and Quiet Cons: Rude service and hot but bland food more

A warm, Caribbean moment awaits you when crossing the threshold. You?re swept away by friendly, courteous wait staff to your intimate hideaway, while Regge, blues and jazz fill the air as wafts of hot peppers, basil, curry and hints of cloves and fresh mint fill your nostrils. Enjoy a dirty mojito, a picturesque drink of rum and mint, and sink your teeth into fried wantons, filled with plantains, served hot and crisp with a fresh fruit salsa. If you?re feeling a bit adventurous, ask Scott to suggest your dinner selection. We enjoyed the Caribbean chicken, succulent with just the right amount of spice, and the curried shrimp, sauteed to perfection, a subtle blend of curry and cream. Dessert was exquisite, bread pudding alamode with French-pressed coffee. Pros: Fantistic experience, especially the value Cons: parking can be frustration. more

A wonderful experience for myself and my wife. We 8 Rivers Cafe because we heard of it from a friend that knows how we enjoy fine dining and were astonished. The food is remarkable, great tasting, beatifully presented and perfectly timed. Great service and beatiful decor has made this one of our favorite restaurants in Denver. Pros: A wonderful chef that informs his staff Cons: I have to drive from Colorado Springs and I could not eat more at one setting more

I have enjoyed several meals at 8 Rivers and each has been a pleasure whether at lunch or dinner. Sevice is prompt and friendly. There is a complete explanation of dishes and incredients as well as recommendations for first time customers. The presentation of the food is excellent and leads to a great dining experience. I will continue to dine at 8 Rivers. more