The Aquarium Restaurant in Denver, Colorado, offers a truly unique dining experience, combining an upscale-casual restaurant with a massive public aquarium.1
Here is a comprehensive overview of the restaurant, its history, menu highlights, events, and essential contact information.
What Makes It Unique
The Aquarium Restaurant is best known for its 50,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium, which surrounds the dining area.2 As you eat, you have a floor-to-ceiling view of a vibrant marine ecosystem.3
- Underwater Dining Adventure: Guests are seated around the gigantic cylindrical tank, giving the illusion of dining at the bottom of the sea.4 The tank is home to over 100 species of colorful, tropical fish from the Caribbean, Hawaii, the South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.5
- Mystic Mermaids: A highlight, particularly for families, is the Mystic Mermaid Show, where performers swim inside the aquarium with the fish.6
- Part of a Larger Complex: The restaurant is located inside the Downtown Aquarium complex, which features over one million gallons of exhibits, including a Shark Cage Experience, interactive Stingray Reef, and a 4-D Theater.7 The venue also features the Dive Lounge, an upscale bar perfect for pre or post-dinner drinks.8
History
The facility has a history that predates the current restaurant.
- 1999: Colorado’s Ocean Journey: The complex first opened on June 21, 1999, as a non-profit public aquarium named Colorado’s Ocean Journey.9 Its initial focus was on two river-to-ocean journeys: the Colorado River to the Sea of Cortez, and the Kampar River (Indonesia) to the South Pacific.10
- 2003-2005: Acquisition and Rebirth: Due to financial difficulties, the non-profit filed for bankruptcy.11 In 2003, it was purchased by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc.12 The company undertook significant renovations, including adding the full-service restaurant, the Dive Lounge, the Nautilus Ballroom, and the massive centerpiece aquarium in the dining room.13
- 2005: Downtown Aquarium: The redesigned complex reopened on July 14, 2005, under the new name, Downtown Aquarium, with the Aquarium Restaurant as its central feature.14 It remains accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback for the Aquarium Restaurant is often polarized, with guests loving the experience but having mixed reviews on the food.
| Area | Positive Feedback | Critical Feedback |
| Ambiance/Experience | “Fantastic for families,” “An incredible and memorable dining adventure,” and “The ambiance is why you go.” | |
| Food Quality & Value | “Steak and shrimp dinner was tasty,” “Great for a fun date night.” | Many describe the food as “mediocre” and “overpriced,” suggesting it is more about the spectacle than the cuisine. |
| Service & Facility | The experience is well-managed and safe for dining around the tanks. | Some reports from past employees and visitors have raised concerns regarding animal welfare practices and management’s priorities (e.g., maintaining event schedules over animal cleaning). The presence of a tiger exhibit has also drawn specific criticism. |
| Recommendation | Many suggest it’s a worthwhile one-time experience for the novelty, or recommend visiting during Happy Hour for a more cost-effective way to enjoy the setting. |
Highlight Menu Items
The menu focuses on seafood, steak, chicken, and pasta.15 Some of the most frequently mentioned and popular selections include:
- Seafood Specialties: Grilled Mahi Mahi & Shrimp, Tilapia New Orleans (with a creamy Cajun sauce), and the elaborate Broiled Fisherman’s Platter.16
- Appetizers: Fried Onion Stack and Shrimp Kisses (bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeños and cheese) are popular choices.17
- Steak: Certified Angus Beef selections, such as the Top Sirloin and Ribeye.18
- Dessert: The Shark Attack Dessert is often highlighted as a fun, must-see item to end the meal.19
Significant Events and Programs
The restaurant and its connected complex host numerous special events and educational programs throughout the year:20
- Nautilus Ballroom: The venue includes a beautiful ballroom that hosts major events, including weddings, corporate meetings, anniversaries, and special banquets.21 A unique offering is the Specialty Dive package, where a diver can hold a personalized sign inside the dining aquarium for a guest’s special occasion.
- Regular Family Events: The Downtown Aquarium hosts recurring events such as Friday Family Nights with discounted kids’ meals, Mother’s Day Brunch, and special themed days (e.g., Binturong Day).22
- Educational & Interactive Programs: The facility features programs like Marine Biologist for a Day and Zoologist for a Day for various age groups, as well as an informative Lecture Series focused on marine topics.23
Contact Information and Links
| Category | Details |
| Address | 700 Water St., Denver, CO 80211 |
| Phone Number (Main) | (303) 561-4450 |
| Website | Downtown Aquarium Denver |
| Social Media | You can connect with the Downtown Aquarium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram via the links on their website. |
| Reservations | Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable (or their website). |
| Map | |
| The Aquarium Restaurant in Denver, Colorado, offers a truly unique dining experience, combining an upscale-casual restaurant with a massive public aquarium. |
Here is a comprehensive overview of the restaurant, its history, menu highlights, events, and essential contact information.
What Makes It Unique
The Aquarium Restaurant is best known for its 50,000-gallon centerpiece aquarium, which surrounds the dining area. As you eat, you have a floor-to-ceiling view of a vibrant marine ecosystem.
- Underwater Dining Adventure: Guests are seated around the gigantic cylindrical tank, giving the illusion of dining at the bottom of the sea. The tank is home to over 100 species of colorful, tropical fish from the Caribbean, Hawaii, the South Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.
- Mystic Mermaids: A highlight, particularly for families, is the Mystic Mermaid Show, where performers swim inside the aquarium with the fish.
- Part of a Larger Complex: The restaurant is located inside the Downtown Aquarium complex, which features over one million gallons of exhibits, including a Shark Cage Experience, interactive Stingray Reef, and a 4-D Theater. The venue also features the Dive Lounge, an upscale bar perfect for pre or post-dinner drinks.
History
The facility has a history that predates the current restaurant.
- 1999: Colorado’s Ocean Journey: The complex first opened on June 21, 1999, as a non-profit public aquarium named Colorado’s Ocean Journey. Its initial focus was on two river-to-ocean journeys: the Colorado River to the Sea of Cortez, and the Kampar River (Indonesia) to the South Pacific.
- 2003-2005: Acquisition and Rebirth: Due to financial difficulties, the non-profit filed for bankruptcy. In 2003, it was purchased by Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. The company undertook significant renovations, including adding the full-service restaurant, the Dive Lounge, the Nautilus Ballroom, and the massive centerpiece aquarium in the dining room.
- 2005: Downtown Aquarium: The redesigned complex reopened on July 14, 2005, under the new name, Downtown Aquarium, with the Aquarium Restaurant as its central feature. It remains accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback for the Aquarium Restaurant is often polarized, with guests loving the experience but having mixed reviews on the food.
| Area | Positive Feedback | Critical Feedback |
| Ambiance/Experience | “Fantastic for families,” “An incredible and memorable dining adventure,” and “The ambiance is why you go.” | |
| Food Quality & Value | “Steak and shrimp dinner was tasty,” “Great for a fun date night.” | Many describe the food as “mediocre” and “overpriced,” suggesting it is more about the spectacle than the cuisine. |
| Service & Facility | The experience is well-managed and safe for dining around the tanks. | Some reports from past employees and visitors have raised concerns regarding animal welfare practices and management’s priorities (e.g., maintaining event schedules over animal cleaning). The presence of a tiger exhibit has also drawn specific criticism. |
| Recommendation | Many suggest it’s a worthwhile one-time experience for the novelty, or recommend visiting during Happy Hour for a more cost-effective way to enjoy the setting. |
Highlight Menu Items
The menu focuses on seafood, steak, chicken, and pasta. Some of the most frequently mentioned and popular selections include:
- Seafood Specialties: Grilled Mahi Mahi & Shrimp, Tilapia New Orleans (with a creamy Cajun sauce), and the elaborate Broiled Fisherman’s Platter.
- Appetizers: Fried Onion Stack and Shrimp Kisses (bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeños and cheese) are popular choices.
- Steak: Certified Angus Beef selections, such as the Top Sirloin and Ribeye.
- Dessert: The Shark Attack Dessert is often highlighted as a fun, must-see item to end the meal.
Significant Events and Programs
The restaurant and its connected complex host numerous special events and educational programs throughout the year:
- Nautilus Ballroom: The venue includes a beautiful ballroom that hosts major events, including weddings, corporate meetings, anniversaries, and special banquets. A unique offering is the Specialty Dive package, where a diver can hold a personalized sign inside the dining aquarium for a guest’s special occasion.
- Regular Family Events: The Downtown Aquarium hosts recurring events such as Friday Family Nights with discounted kids’ meals, Mother’s Day Brunch, and special themed days (e.g., Binturong Day).
- Educational & Interactive Programs: The facility features programs like Marine Biologist for a Day and Zoologist for a Day for various age groups, as well as an informative Lecture Series focused on marine topics.
Contact Information and Links
The restaurant is located within the Downtown Aquarium complex.
| Category | Details |
| Address | 700 Water St., Denver, CO 80211 |
| Phone Number (Main) | (303) 561-4450 |
| Website | Downtown Aquarium Denver |
| Social Media | You can find links to the Aquarium’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) at the bottom of their website. |
| Reservations | Reservations are highly recommended, especially for evening or weekend dining. |
