They say a rising tide lifts all boats, but what about the fish? Swollen with sushi joints, Denver — though landlocked — loves its raw fish. From the stunning Matsuhisato the irresistible Sushi Ronin, the sustainability focused Bamboo Sushi, and the quirky Sushi Rama, the Japanese restaurant scene has grown tremendously in the city and beyond. Here are the 14 sushi spots that are worth visiting now.
Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order. Add a missing favorite to the comments.
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Out-of-towners make specific stops to this sushi spot, knowing fish is flown in daily from Tokyo and the finest preparation and artistry can be found here. With two nearby sister restaurants, Izakaya Den and Ototo, the Kazaki brothers practically own the block, but that doesn't mean you won't find a line wrapped around the corner from this hopping, traditional Japanese eatery.
Wayne Conwell's modern minimalist LoHi restaurant, Sushi Sasa introduces Denver to Japanese soul food with inspiration and infusion from various other cultures around the world.
Upon moving across the street in 2013, chef-owner Toshi Kizaki raised the bar on a setting and menu that had a fan following. The south Denver restaurant on quaint Pearl Street derives its name from izakaya, the name for a Japanese restaurant that serves small plates alongside varieties of sake. Kizaki’s cuisine is firmly planted in Japan, including ramen and udon noodle dishes, sushi and sashimi.
Modern in its aesthetic and creative in the crafting of its fresh fish combos, this LoHi sushi bar is intimate and eager to educate diners. Corey Baker spent years perfecting the cuisine at Sushi Sasa, Sushi Hai, Sushi Yoshi and a seven-year stint at Sushi Den.
The posh Cherry Creek outpost of Matsuhisa opened to great reviews and brought chef Nobu's upscale Japanese cuisine to Denver. Lunch service is expected to be added in July.
From chef-restauranteur Jeff Osaka, the RiNo sushi park that delivers rolls and more to diners via conveyor belt, is in the process of launching three more locations of the popular business throughout the Denver Metro area.
This classic Japanese restaurant owned by chef Miki Hashimoto offers a variety of ramen and small plates but also a full sushi selection with traditional nigiri and a variety of rolls.
So, this address is somewhat of a lie – because the new location one-third of a mile west at 2715 17th St – is opening this fall and comes with great expectations after posting up in food collective, Avanti F&B. Dubbing itself the “world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant,” Bamboo Sushi works with naturally grown and humanely raised ingredients and a philosophy of “no compromise.” Meanwhile, QuickFish Poke Bar, a sibling project from Bamboo’s creator Kristofor Lofgren, will take over Bamboo Sushi’s top-floor space, still bringing fresh fish to hungry visitors.
All-you-can-eat sushi deals are sometimes too good to be true. But not at this strip mall surprise, where, for lunch on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can eat all the sushi you would like for just $15.95.
Sakana is a dressed-down, family-owned, authentic Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi and sashimi, along with popular traditional dishes like ramen, and a chef’s-choice nigiri platter.
This tiny, takeout-friendly counter-serve slot specializes in fusion-style sushi rolls, nigiri and bowls. As the poke trend has struck Denver, Sushi Cup's bowls start with rice and then venture in creative and unexpected directions.
This 3,000-square-foot sushi-meets-martini bar is a LoHi staple, decorated with local artists' works. Offering three Tatami Rooms, these private spaces accommodate eight to 12 diners in traditional Japanese floor-seating. This place also takes $2 to $3 off per roll for happy hour, and on Broncos Sundays, happy hour lasts all day.
This is easy sushi done right. With two locations – the other on Arapahoe Road – a full bar and screaming deals, the service is stellar and the interior is warm and inviting. A line of sushi chefs meticulously work the line, churning out plates so fast you won't stay hungry for long.
This casual Japanese joint is a true ma-and-pop shop that’s friendly and relatively cheap. The team churns out creative sushi and sashimi, noodle bowls and other Japanese fare.
Out-of-towners make specific stops to this sushi spot, knowing fish is flown in daily from Tokyo and the finest preparation and artistry can be found here. With two nearby sister restaurants, Izakaya Den and Ototo, the Kazaki brothers practically own the block, but that doesn't mean you won't find a line wrapped around the corner from this hopping, traditional Japanese eatery.
Wayne Conwell's modern minimalist LoHi restaurant, Sushi Sasa introduces Denver to Japanese soul food with inspiration and infusion from various other cultures around the world.
Upon moving across the street in 2013, chef-owner Toshi Kizaki raised the bar on a setting and menu that had a fan following. The south Denver restaurant on quaint Pearl Street derives its name from izakaya, the name for a Japanese restaurant that serves small plates alongside varieties of sake. Kizaki’s cuisine is firmly planted in Japan, including ramen and udon noodle dishes, sushi and sashimi.
Modern in its aesthetic and creative in the crafting of its fresh fish combos, this LoHi sushi bar is intimate and eager to educate diners. Corey Baker spent years perfecting the cuisine at Sushi Sasa, Sushi Hai, Sushi Yoshi and a seven-year stint at Sushi Den.
The posh Cherry Creek outpost of Matsuhisa opened to great reviews and brought chef Nobu's upscale Japanese cuisine to Denver. Lunch service is expected to be added in July.
From chef-restauranteur Jeff Osaka, the RiNo sushi park that delivers rolls and more to diners via conveyor belt, is in the process of launching three more locations of the popular business throughout the Denver Metro area.
This classic Japanese restaurant owned by chef Miki Hashimoto offers a variety of ramen and small plates but also a full sushi selection with traditional nigiri and a variety of rolls.
So, this address is somewhat of a lie – because the new location one-third of a mile west at 2715 17th St – is opening this fall and comes with great expectations after posting up in food collective, Avanti F&B. Dubbing itself the “world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant,” Bamboo Sushi works with naturally grown and humanely raised ingredients and a philosophy of “no compromise.” Meanwhile, QuickFish Poke Bar, a sibling project from Bamboo’s creator Kristofor Lofgren, will take over Bamboo Sushi’s top-floor space, still bringing fresh fish to hungry visitors.
All-you-can-eat sushi deals are sometimes too good to be true. But not at this strip mall surprise, where, for lunch on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can eat all the sushi you would like for just $15.95.
Sakana is a dressed-down, family-owned, authentic Japanese restaurant serving fresh sushi and sashimi, along with popular traditional dishes like ramen, and a chef’s-choice nigiri platter.
This tiny, takeout-friendly counter-serve slot specializes in fusion-style sushi rolls, nigiri and bowls. As the poke trend has struck Denver, Sushi Cup's bowls start with rice and then venture in creative and unexpected directions.
This 3,000-square-foot sushi-meets-martini bar is a LoHi staple, decorated with local artists' works. Offering three Tatami Rooms, these private spaces accommodate eight to 12 diners in traditional Japanese floor-seating. This place also takes $2 to $3 off per roll for happy hour, and on Broncos Sundays, happy hour lasts all day.
This is easy sushi done right. With two locations – the other on Arapahoe Road – a full bar and screaming deals, the service is stellar and the interior is warm and inviting. A line of sushi chefs meticulously work the line, churning out plates so fast you won't stay hungry for long.
This casual Japanese joint is a true ma-and-pop shop that’s friendly and relatively cheap. The team churns out creative sushi and sashimi, noodle bowls and other Japanese fare.
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