Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Denver / Colorado

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Denver / Colorado? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Kawa Ni - Denver

4.9

4.9 (288)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Whittier

About the restaurant

izakaya
(居酒屋)
Japanese Pub

A type of Japanese drinking establishment which also serves food to accompany the drinks. They are casual places for after-work drinking. "Izakaya" entered the English language by 1987. It is a compound word consisting of "i" (to stay) and "sakaya" (sake shop), indicating that izakaya originated from sake shops that allowed customers to sit on the premises and drink.

The basics...
…Order a drink.
Explore the menu.
Ask as many questions as you want.
Almost everything on the menu can be shared.

Kanpai!

Top review

mark

Dined 3 days ago

The food was very good, service was great. The music was to loud, I struggled to hear our guest and noticed everyone had to increase their voices which made it even louder. We were in the 4 person table in the back corner so not sure if the acoustics in that corner were stronger. I noticed that when I went to the bathroom everyone was leaning towards each other to hear each other. Normally noise is not an issue for me, but for a Tuesday dinner…..a bit much. The buns were really good, wife loved the cabbage salad.

Matsuhisa Denver

4.9

4.9 (2752)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Cherry Creek

About the restaurant

Featuring Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature new-style Japanese cuisine, Matsuhisa Denver anchors the ground floor of the Steele Creek luxury apartment building in Cherry Creek, Denver’s premier shopping, restaurant, and entertainment district. Our 7,800 square foot dining room is open for dinner service from 5pm nightly. Takeout available nightly from 5-9pm.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s world-famous cuisine draws influence from his classical training in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru, Argentina, and around the world, showcasing signature dishes such as Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Black Cod Miso and Whitefish Tiradito.

Top review

Lyndsey

Dined 3 days ago

Always an exceptional experience - staff, food and ambience were on point! Thank you for a great kick off to the holiday!

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4.8

4.8 (1506)

$50 and over

Japanese

Platt Park

About the restaurant

For over 37 years, Sushi Den has been regarded as one of the premiere sushi and Japanese restaurants in the United States. Located in the historic Old South Pearl St. neighborhood in the heart of Denver, CO, the restaurant delivers consistently excellent cuisine made from the finest ingredients from around the world.

Master Chef Toshi Kizaki, the visionary behind Sushi Den, continually raises the bar & sets the standard for the restaurant’s high quality cuisine. Youngest brother, Koichi, lives in southern Japan where he makes daily trips to the fish market to purchase fish for the restaurant. The fish is dry iced and reaches the restaurant within 24 hours. Sushi Den’s mission is to maintain one of the nation’s top sushi restaurants through fresh ingredients, innovative, healthy dishes and exceptional service.

We utilize available seating at both Izakaya Den, our sister restaurant next door, and Sushi Den for all reservations through the Sushi Den portal on

Top review

midoriVIP

Dined 5 days ago

other menu items look tempting, but I'm stuck on the chicken katsu lunch: juicy chicken filet deep fried in a crunchy batter and drizzled with a traditional sauce that has a perfect blend of salty and fruity sweetness. the cole slaw accompaniment and dollop of mashed potatoes round out the entreé.

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4.8

4.8 (1919)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Platt Park

About the restaurant

Izakaya Den is Denver’s popular Japanese gastropub, modeled after the lively after hours establishments found throughout Japan. The restaurant is located on South Pearl Street and is the second restaurant of the Kizaki brothers, founders and owners of Sushi Den.

The menu is arranged in a tapas style, serving traditional Japanese small plates along with dishes infused with international flavors and textures. The more traditional Japanese offerings include sashimi and nigiri, sourced from daily fish shipments from around the globe, along with dumplings and noodle dishes. The global cuisine experiments with a bevy of different flavors including unique items such as Grilled Panzanella Salad (jumbo lump crab, toasted focaccia, local goat cheese, pistachios, plum wine vinaigrette), Kobe Beef Sliders (seared foie gras, pomme frittes). A gluten-free menu is also available along with a popular weekday happy hour from 5 to 6:30 pm.

Top review

Sara

Dined 1 day ago

Great dinner at Izakaya tonight. Try the aged Tuna if they have it!

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4.8

4.8 (1404)

$50 and over

Japanese

Vail

About the restaurant

If your desired reservation time is not available online, please call the restaurant at 970-476-6628 and press option 1 between 3:30 and 9:30 p.m. MST. Walk-in and waitlist options are available in person beginning at 4:45 p.m. daily. We do not utilize the Open Table "Notify Me" feature.

Featuring Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature new-style Japanese cuisine, Matsuhisa Vail is located in the Solaris Plaza in the heart of Vail Village. Our dining room is open from 5pm nightly. Takeout available nightly from 5-9 pm.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s fusion cuisine draws influence from his classical training in Tokyo and his life abroad in Peru, Argentina, and around the world, showcasing signature dishes such as Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Black Cod Miso and White fish Tiradito.

Top review

MaryVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Very good sushi. Good service Loud noise. Hard to find

Izakaya Carbondale

4.8

4.8 (241)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Carbondale

About the restaurant

Thank you for visiting Kenichi Izakaya Carbondale. An Izakaya is a type of informal Japanese pub. At sake breweries during the late 18th century, people in Japan began using sake kegs as stools, and snacks were served. This small plate menu was designed to encourage sharing amongst friends and family. Food is prepared in multiple kitchens and arrives as it is ready to ensure freshness. We make most of our menu in-house, from scratch, and use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

If no reservations are available, please note that we do have walk in apcae at our bar and sushi bar. We hope to see you!

Top review

LucyVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

The ambiance is lovely here and the wait staff is highly attentive. The food creations are very creative. They had items I've never had in any other sushi restaurant and they were delicious.

KUMOYA

4.8

4.8 (275)

$31 to $50

Japanese

LoHi

About the restaurant

KUMOYA, is a Japanese Kitchen and Sushi Restaurant, the passion project of renowned sushi chef Corey Baker in collaboration with Max Mackissock, located in the heart of LoHi. We specialize in traditional sushi and innovative izakaya-style dishes with a modern Japanese twist. Our kappo-style dining concept allows guests to curate their own culinary adventure. Chefs Corey Baker and Max Mackissock draw inspiration from Kaiseki cuisine, celebrating the seasons and micro-seasons inherent in sushi and Japanese cooking, resulting in a dynamic, ever-evolving menu.

AT KUMOYA, we prioritize technique, vibrant hospitality, and the use of exceptional ingredients—from the Japanese fish markets of Toyosu and Fukuoka to the finest Japanese and Colorado produce. Join us at Kumoya, where each dish tells a story, and every meal is a journey.

Top review

Jeremy

Dined 1 day ago

Three words. Dry. Aged. Toro. The best bite of sushi my wife and I have ever had. Everything else was great, but do not miss this bite.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station

4.7

4.7 (456)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown / LoDo

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Liz

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Great place for groups! This was our first Japanese bbq experience and our waitress Himiko was fantastic and extremely helpful explaining everything in great detail. The food was delicious! Every single thing we ate was amazing! Restaurant is very clean and has a great setup.

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Makoto Vail, Modern Japanese Cuisine

4.7

4.7 (141)

$50 and over

Japanese

Vail

About the restaurant

Grand Hyatt Vail is thrilled to announce the opening of Makoto Vail, a new restaurant by Makoto Okuwa. The exclusive partnership with the lauded Chef is the brand’s first outpost at a resort, illustrating the natural synergy of global tastes and refined experiences that Grand Hyatt Vail and Makoto share. A master of Edomae-style sushi, Chef Makoto Okuwa has more than twenty-five years of experience in traditional Japanese cooking, which he combines with his own innovative style. Recognized by the James Beard Foundation for outstanding contribution, Makoto has acclaimed restaurants in Miami, Washington, D.C., Panama City, Mexico City, and São Paulo.

Top review

EkaterinaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Amazing food and atmosphere, nice personal, love this place!

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Experience

New Year's Eve Four-Course Dinner

Banzai Sushi - Denver

4.8

4.8 (385)

$30 and under

Japanese

Virginia Vale

About the restaurant

Limited seating available on Opentable, please call restaurant at 303-329-3366 for reservation availability.

An oasis of Japan in the heart of Denver, Colorado.
Banzai Sushi features the highest level of Japanese
cuisine crafted with a creative touch.
We're the home of "100 Rolls". Select from 100 sushi combinations ranging from the usual to the outrageous. There is a sushi roll here for
every taste. Or choose from our innovative lunch and dinner menus featuring fully cooked selections of fish, chicken or beef. All prepared in the time honored cooking traditions of Japan.

Top review

LauraVIP

Dined 1 day ago

One of our “go to” sushi places. The black cod tempura special tonight was delicious!

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