Ready to take your Japanese dining experience to new heights?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end Japanese and sushi restaurants around Denver, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best upscale destinations to fill the bill.
1. Sushi Den
Topping the list is Sushi Den, which opened in 1984 and is credited with pioneering the sushi scene in Denver, as the The Denver Post has detailed. Located at 1487 S. Pearl St. in Platt Park, Sushi Den is the most popular high-end Japanese restaurant in Denver, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,318 reviews on Yelp. Owned by brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki, the sushi spot explains on its website how it sources the freshest fish: A third brother, who still resides in Japan, hand-selects the highest quality catch each morning at the Nagahama Fish Market, with shipments arriving in Denver within 24 hours. Besides an extensive list of sushi offerings, there's a dinner menu featuring hot pot with New York strip steak, udon noodles with roasted duck breast and tofu steak drizzled with a soy-ginger sauce. A private chef's table dinner is also available, starting at $120 per person.
2. Izakaya Den
Next up is Izakaya Den, the Kizaki brothers' sister restaurant next door to Sushi Den at 1487A S. Pearl St. With 4.5 stars out of 324 reviews on Yelp, the sake house with tapas has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. The ever-changing menu features several global dishes infused with Japanese flavors. Look for sushi, ramen, lobster spring rolls, steamed duck buns with Asian slaw and crispy calamari with a Vietnamese fish sauce for dipping.
3. Sushi Sasa
LoHi's Sushi Sasa, located at 2401 15th St., Suite 80, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy sushi bar and Japanese spot four stars out of 680 reviews. Marking its 13th year in Denver, the restaurant is helmed by chef Wayne Conwell. On the menu, offerings include the Sasa trio (spicy tuna, salmon tartare and yellowtail poki topped with sturgeon caviar), baked black mussels, a selection of sushi and daily specials. Stop by for brunch from noon.-3 p.m. Sundays and try the Asian-influenced cocktails or the French toast buns stuffed with fruit and a cream of mascarpone and sweetened condensed milk.
4. Departure
The sleek Departure, a sushi bar and Asian fusion spot in Cherry Creek, is another pricey go-to, with four stars out of 168 Yelp reviews. Head over to 249 Columbine St. and check out the stunning rooftop patio. With a modern, artful twist on classic Japanese and Asian cuisines, look for crispy pork belly, Kampachi (yellowtail) sashimi, grilled sirloin with miso and pickled mushroom, and a seared tuna salad. Departure says it wants to take diners on a culinary adventure and has a "deep passion for bold, exotic tastes and crafting memorable experiences."
5. Matsuhisa Denver
The elegant Matsuhisa Denver in Cherry Creek comes courtesy of renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa and is his third Colorado restaurant. Known for blending Japanese and Peruvian cuisines, the restaurant at 98 N. Steele St. has earned four stars out of 146 reviews on Yelp. For dinner, standouts include the tiradito sashimi (white fish, octopus or scallop), the Wagyu beef with Himalayan salt and the rock shrimp tempura served spicy or with butter ponzu. The extensive drink list includes wine, sake, Japanese beer and cocktails like the Matsutini (vodka, shochu, passion fruit, citrus and champagne).
6. Sushi Ronin
Finally, there's Sushi Ronin, a LoHi favorite with four stars out of 131 reviews. Featuring an outdoor dining area and lounge, stop by 2930 Umatilla, Suite 100, next time you're craving Japanese fare. “The concept of Sushi Ronin is rooted in traditional sushi preparation, which is juxtaposed with an esoteric-traditional menu to create an intimate, yet energetic environment,” chef Corey Baker tells Zagat. The menu features nigiri and sashimi combination plates, yakitori chicken skewers, noodle dishes and a seven-course tasting menu for $90.
