Izakaya Den is simply outstanding and easily one of the most impressive dining experiences in Denver. From the moment we sat down, it was clear that the service here operates at a different level. Our server was exceptionally well versed in the menu and sake pairings, explaining ingredients, preparation, and flavor profiles with confidence and genuine enthusiasm. You can tell the waitstaff is deeply trained to understand the food, beverages, and how everything works together. Their sake recommendations were spot‑on and elevated the meal even further. Every dish we ordered was executed beautifully. The miso eggplant was silky and deeply flavorful, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet. The miso black cod was rich, flaky, and melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender, while the mixed seafood tempura was light, crisp, and impeccably fried without a hint of greasiness. Each appetizer showcased refined technique and restraint. The Colorado steak with truffled potatoes was another standout. The steak was cooked perfectly and paired beautifully with the earthy richness of the truffled potatoes, easily holding its own among the sushi offerings. The moment that truly made the night unforgettable was the Osaka‑style pressed sushi served aburi‑style. It quite literally changed my son's life and opened his love for sushi. We ended up ordering several more of these incredible bites of salmon, topped with mayo and lightly flame‑kissed, resting on perfectly seasoned sushi rice. The fish here is so clean, well cured, and expertly prepared that I strongly recommend ordering a side of fresh wasabi--it brightens and elevates the flavors even further. The lobster sushi and scallop sushi were also exceptionally fresh and delicious, reinforcing the level of care taken with their seafood. Dessert was the perfect finale. The green tea tiramisu was light, creamy, and indulgent without feeling heavy. To cap it off, our waiter brought us yuzu and lychee sorbets, which offered a refreshing, citrusy finish and showed thoughtful hospitality. As we were leaving, something small but meaningful stood out. All of the sushi chefs looked up, raised their heads together, and warmly thanked us with sincere goodbyes. It was a gracious, heartfelt gesture that perfectly reflected the hospitality we felt throughout the evening. We cannot wait to return. read more

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good place for date night! the ambience and lighting is intimate, especially the upstairs patio the best bite of the night is the osaka style nigiri. sometimes seared fish can taste too fishy for me, but that wasn't the case here. so soft and the rice didn't overpower the fish at all the bento box was probably the best value, with a miso soup (stellar btw had chunks of mushroom in there that offered a good bite) and side salad. the salmon and beef were both okay; i thought the steak was a bit tough and could have done without the sauce. the tempura and truffle mashed potatoes were both phenomenal. california roll was standard the chirashi bowl also came with soup and salad. all of the fish was pretty good, with the tuna being the standout bite. the octopus was tough to me. the amount of rice that came with it was truly comical. it probably could've fed 4 people. all of the drinks were strong, but the ruby red was probably the best. the citrus cut through the alcohol well! they also have a free scoop of ice cream for the bday! the lychee sorbet was insane. it wasn't icey, but instead was thick. almost like italian ice and the lychee flavor was fantastic read more

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brehhh i am still thinking about this dinner till this day. it was pretty busy but we got seated after walking in on a thursday night. honestly order anything (or ask waitresses for recs) but everything will be yommyyy !! the seared fatty tuna and the osaka style aburi socket eye salmon gmfu ... i nearly cried they just melt in your mouth. we ordered seconds for those lol xD and the drinks were so strong yet fruity and sweet. i always lov a good hamachi carpaccio too ugh i can't wait to be back in denver just to get this hehe read more

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Overall the experience was wonderful! Good service, great ambiance. Food was a little expensive, but that's expected for good sushi. I got the shrimp entree on top of the sushi, and it was amazing! Definitely worth a visit. read more

A lot has been said about this place: the fish from Japan is unique, fresh, and worth the trip for that lone. And the other dishes like vegetable tempura are standouts. But shoutouts to the servers who were highly professional. Like the one who brought a fork to my dining mate who was debating it with me when the server overheard and just brought it. Helpful. And great with suggestions on a menu that can be overwhelming. Absolutely loved this place. An easy easy five stars. Among the best sushi places I've had. read more

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I LOVED our meal. We tried everything from miso soup, rolls, sashimi, sake, cocktails and dessert. The sea urchin was outstanding. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend a reservation, the place was completely full on a recent Saturday night but we loved the experience from start to finish read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Had a fantastic time at Izakaya Den. Highly recommend making reservations for this very busy, popular place. We had the option of sitting at the bar when we checked in, and we were glad we did because the bartenders were very attentive. The area was less crowded and more intimate than the other areas, which were filled with larger groups and families. The food--amazing. I was eagerly anticipating some of the dishes that I ate with my mouth first instead of my camera (sorry, no pic of the incredible Garlic Calamari, order it, trust me!) I also had the Crispy Spicy Tuna Roll (no avocado since I am allergic), Hamachi sashimi, and the Osaka Style Aburi Sockeye Salmon. All the fish is super fresh, and the homemade sauces are not overpowering, making a perfect complement to each dish. read more

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How strange that Colorado has the best sushi!!! This place is the same menu as the infamous Sushi Den in Denver and it's by far the freshest BEST sushi I've probably ever had. I loved Izakaya den because of the vibe! I came with my bestie and we didn't want slow date night vibes we had wanted ambience and lively vibes with good sushi and we sure got that! We sat on the second floor at the bar, and our bartender really knew her stuff! We tried the New York roll which was her recommendation and it was soo tasty! We even had some nigiri and the eggplant dish that were both very good and prices were reasonable. I'm obsessed and will definitely be back. Trust me it's weird but doesn't disappoint, you can see how fresh the fish is just once walking in! read more

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Gorgeous restaurant. I love all the plants, it really adds a relaxing vibe to the whole place. I attended a work event here and had a wonderful experience. Appetizers were edamame (can't really mess that up ), and an eggplant dish which was incredible, whatever sweet sauce was on it was so yummy. The sushi was fresh, tasty, and refreshing. Nigiri was very fresh and delicious. The Rainbow roll and the salmon nigiri were my favorite. I can't wait to come back! read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Probably the BEST sushi in Denver, and it rivals any place on the coasts. Third time here, and never a bad meal! Eric was our server & he was very attentive & knew his stuff! Actually, everyone that works there knows sushi, the names, etc... Check out my first review of Izakaya Den for a more in-depth description & pictures. read more

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I dined here with my family and overall had a positive experience, with a few notable points worth mentioning. First, the service was excellent: our waitress was genuinely attentive and checked in at just the right moments without being intrusive. Her professionalism and friendly demeanor definitely elevated the meal. As for the food, the sushi was top-notch. Each piece was fresh, well-prepared, and beautifully presented. The quality of the fish, especially the blue fin tuna, was impressive and clearly a highlight of their menu. However, there were a couple of aspects that could be improved. The wait time for our food was quite long, which made the pacing of the meal feel drawn out. Additionally, we were served the blue fin tuna as our very first dish. While delicious, it would have been more enjoyable to start with the appetizers as planned, allowing the meal to build up to the premium cuts of sushi rather than beginning with them. Also, the miso cod was too sweet to our liking. It wasn't our favorite. Despite these minor hiccups, the overall quality of the food and the great service made the visit worthwhile. I would recommend this restaurant to sushi lovers but suggest they communicate clearly with the server about the preferred order of courses to enhance the dining experience. The ambiance was really calm and inviting for a weekday evening. We were seated right away for our party of 6. We ordered many dishes to try and share among 6 people with 20% gratuity automatically included, our total came to $700. read more

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Had the BEST server wade, he was so sweet and so great with explaining everything to us. We're from California so had high expectations but the fish quality was genuinely really good. Our favorite was the seared toro, the mandarin yellowtail, crispy spicy tuna and the miso cod. We were also very surprised by the banana cream pie! read more

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My friend and I met up at Izakaya Den around 8:15pm on a Monday for dinner. My friend informed me that it was connected to Sushi Den next door, and they had the same owners. It was my first time at Izakaya Den, which was much more hip and trendy looking than Sushi Den. If you're looking for ambiance, then Izakaya Den serves. Food was excellent, drinks were flowing, and our server/bartender named Nate was awesome. Couldn't have asked for a better time. We had some nice hot sake but also had their Shikuwasa gin martini. The gin martini was out of this world. I highly recommend! We ordered several items to share, and I honestly enjoyed everything I ate. - Assorted Tempura: small plate of tempura but had lots of items to choose from. It had shrimp, fish, and your typical tempura fried veggies like kobocha, sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli, etc. - Firecracker tuna roll: My favorite specialty roll between the two we ordered. I really liked the freshly sliced jalapenos. The salsa on top of the tuna roll was like a pico de gallo. I've never had anything like it. - Crunchy bincho roll: This roll was made with soy wrapper, which was a welcomed change. The pieces were huge. I'm not the biggest fan of cream cheese in sushi, but I didn't mind it this time. - Assorted nigiri including saba, sake, scallops, toro, yellowtail: The fish tasted really fresh. I particularly loved the saba and toro. - Chocolate velvet mousse cake: This was Nate's recommendation off the dessert menu, and I can see why. It was decadent and lived up to its velvety name. We devoured the cake. read more

What a special dinner! We took my parents to dinner to celebrate a birthday and it was MAGICAL. The service was phenomenal. My dad is quite the sushi snob and asked the server to customize his order based off of his taste preferences and she crushed it! She gave sublime recommendations for drinks, entrees, and dessert. There was nothing we didn't love. The miso black cod, tuna firecracker roll, crunchy tuna appetizer, and raspberry hazelnut dessert were our favorites! Oh and the overall ambiance and vibe were 10/10. Incomparable to any other dining experience in Denver! Fancy dinner for 4 with alcohol was very pricey though! read more

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My son and I went to Sushi Den to celebrate his 21st birthday. We had spent a substantial amount of time deciding where to go to mark the momentous occasion. After much deliberation and consideration he decided on Sushi Den. We did not have a reservation, but the host told us that if we went to their sister restaurant Izakaya Den, that we would be seated immediately. The restaurants are connected and share a kitchen, so we didn't mind the move. Overall, we had a positive experience at Izakaya Den and the night was successful. I let the host know that we were here to celebrate my sons 21st and asked that, if there was any way possible, that we would be incredibly appreciative if could be seated in one of their more "picturesque" spots as we were going to be taking lots of pictures. We were certainly willing to wait for such a table to become available, and did wait, only to be seated in one of the least picturesque spots they have after studying their yelp page before we went. I understand that people come in claiming such celebrations all the time expecting to be treated favorably...but it was truly his birthday dinner. We were willing to wait, and did, hoping for more. The restaurant was not full once we were seated just before 8pm on a weeknight, and in my observation, they could have done better. Nevertheless we made the most of it and did not let them damper our spirits. We ordered the Osaka style aburi sockeye salmon, crispy spicy tuna, jalapeno sashimi Hamachi, Aburi toro, and kanpachi. All were really good and the best sushi/sashimi we have experienced in Denver thus far. We have been very lucky over the past 10 years to have spent a lot of time in LA, as well as Oahu and Seattle. While Izakaya Den does what it can being landlocked, the quality was great, but the price point is unattainable for anything other than a landmark celebration for most. read more

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An amazing place to celebrate a birthday, special occasion or even a week night dinner out! Everything we ordered was delicious. I recommend ordering a lot of different dishes and take the server's recommendations on food. I forgot to take pics of a lot of the food. Every presentation was beautiful! read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Izakaya Den does it again absolute excellence from start to finish. We booked our reservation semi-last minute, and not only did they make it happen, but they did so with genuine warmth and a "we've got you" attitude that set the tone for the entire evening. From the moment we walked in, the experience felt seamless and intentional. We were offered the option to sit at the sushi bar a decision we'll never regret. The energy, the craftsmanship, the intimacy of watching art unfold in front of you it was magical. Our evening began with beautifully crafted Japanese smoked Old Fashioneds formerly known as "The Founder." They were elegant, smooth, and perfectly balanced. Then came the seaweed salad: fresh cucumber, tender octopus, ribbons of seaweed, and a sauce so delicate yet flavorful it left us speechless. We ordered from the daily catch, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Every piece from the bright and delicate to the bold and smoky was plated with precision and paired with intention. We opted for the Drunken Whale sake, and it complemented the experience beautifully. And then there was Chef Keiji. Unforgettable. Not only did he guide us through the menu with expert recommendations, but he crafted 3-4 off-menu creations right in front of us each more impressive than the last. One standout: an eggplant nigiri that was surprisingly rich, complex, and absolutely delicious. To close, the dessert menu looked incredible, but after indulging in so much incredible sushi, we couldn't find the room. Still, they brought out a beautifully plated orange with fresh mint simple, thoughtful, and the perfect palate cleanser to end an unforgettable night. As someone who grew up in an Italian kitchen, I rarely go for matcha tiramisu but even that was a masterpiece. Izakaya Den isn't just dinner it's a curated experience. Every detail is intentional, every moment memorable. We'll be back. Again and again read more

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Cool atmosphere. The nigiri from Japan was a very good treat. Great cocktails. Service was excellent. Bathroom was a bit messy.

The atmosphere of this place is incredible! Truly wish I could come here weekly (if my wallet would allow it). Everything is super fresh and delicious, as they fly in fish twice weekly from Japan. Service is top tier! read more

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After hearing everyone and their mom rave about Izakaya Den, I finally dragged one of my girlfriends with me to see what all the hype was about. Spoiler alert: I am now officially one of those people XD We arrived at around 6:30 on a Saturday night, sans reservation, fully prepared to spend an hour reflecting on our life choices while we waited. Joke's on me because within 15 minutes, we got a text saying our table was ready! We got seated upstairs, which basically felt like we were ascending into heaven's zen garden. Once we got seated, we were overwhelmed by the number of menus/options we had. It was like looking at a sushi bible, and my indecisive self wanted to order *everything.* After what felt like a whole high school graduation ceremony's worth of time trying to decide what to order, we went with the miso black cod, negitoro roll, new style salmon roll, and spider (soft-shell crab) roll. The cod was so soft and buttery, teeth were completely optional. The negitoro was so simple yet so delicious and addicting I really started to question whether I was literally in heaven. We ended up putting in a second order of negitoro because I couldn't help myself lol. And here's the kicker--I'm usually that person who side-eyes sushi in a landlocked state, but Izakaya Den has me questioning everything I thought I knew about Colorado. There must be a secret ocean here because damn, the fish was so fresh! TL;DR: If you want coast-quality sushi that'll make you question reality, served in a spot that's equal parts chill and chic, definitely check out Izakaya Den! Your taste buds and tummy will thank you later~ read more

Izakaya Den - Miso black cod - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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My daughter took me here to celebrate my early birthday. First, this place only had street parking. We had to walk a couple of blocks to find parking. But food was worth the walk. The toro was as delicious and fresh. They also had uni and that was very good. Servers were pretty attentive. it was a little noisy inside. I couldn't hear my daughter speak. But overall a great good experience. read more

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This was my second time at Izakaya Den. It was phenomenal! The sushi is pretty fresh for Denver. I don't think I need to mention the flown in every morning fact, as that is what they're known for. The ambience is amazing, not too loud, but loud enough to have to speak just a bit at a raised volume. We sat in the upstairs area. We ordered Toro in Tuna, Hamachi Jalapeño Sashimi, White Dragon Roll, Spicy Aburu Toro, Crispy Spicy Tuna, Poki Roll, and the Miso Eggplant. Out of these, the Spicy Aburu Toro was my least favorite. It was good, and had a slight smoky flavor to it. It was just overshadowed by the other dishes. The Miso Eggplant was so delicious. Had the perfect amount of umami and the eggplant was cooked so tender, but not mushy. The Crispy Spicy Tuna was great in flavor. Though, I wish the crispy bed of rice was a bit more crunchy, as the inside was slightly mushy like sticky rice. The Hamachi Jalapeño Sashimi was a standout. You can really taste the fish while the jalapeño complimented its freshness. Now on to my favorite, the Toro in Tuna. This was like a volcano of flavor and creaminess. As told be our server, this was a pretty fatty dish. It was very rich. We ordered this one twice actually because it was that good. All in all, an amazing experience. The service was very attentive, and dishes were cleared so quickly. Would always come back! read more

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wow i loved loved loved this sushi restaurant in denver! definitely check it out if you're in the area-- it will not disappoint! the fatty tuna was toooo good. 10/10 for food, service, and ambiance read more

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When your stepdaughter earns her master's degree and defends her thesis like a champ, you don't just take her to dinner--you take her to the dinner. So, when she chose Izakaya Den in Denver to mark the occasion, we were all in. After all, they offer an Omakase experience for the adventurous, with a safety net à la carte menu for the less inclined. Perfect match: she and I were ready to Omakase our hearts out, while my husband and his other daughter played it safe with their own picks. We booked our 7 PM reservation in advance, thoughtfully noted that two of us would be doing the Omakase, and even included our budget of $200 per person for that experience. We showed up on time, spirits high, and bellies eager. That's where the train left the tracks. Drinks took their sweet time arriving, and once they did, my husband and his daughter quickly received their food while the two of us doing Omakase sat... and sat... and sat. No appetizers. No starter bites. Not even a lonely edamame to whisper, "soon." We waited over an hour for a single morsel. For a $200 per head Omakase experience? That should've been 15+ courses of artful, inventive joy. Instead, it felt more like the server forgot to hit "send" on our order and just hoped we wouldn't notice. Eventually, I said something--because if there's one thing more awkward than a sad sashimi-less Omakase, it's watching your whole table eat while you wonder if you accidentally ordered the invisible tasting menu. When I raised the issue, the waiter offered a head-scratching explanation: he was "trying to time it" with the à la carte meals. Sir. They ordered a few rolls. We ordered an entire curated experience. It's not a three-legged race--we were never meant to finish at the same time. Finally, the sushi started to trickle in. Some pieces were decent, a couple even memorable, but overall, it felt uninspired--like they threw together a random sushi sampler and slapped the word "Omakase" on it. Not. a single course that made us pause and go, "Ooooh." It was more like "eh." Then came the moment that truly made this night unforgettable--in the worst way. Midway through our underwhelming meal (maybe six pieces in), the waiter approached and asked: "Are you still hungry?" At first, I thought he was being polite. Then he brought up that there was a budget. I. Was. Mortified. I had noted we were celebrating. I had put in the budget to guide the experience--not to stop it cold at six pieces and a guilt trip. I pulled him aside and said, "You can't possibly be telling me we hit $200 per person after six pieces of sushi." He said we hadn't--but he just wanted to check in. Check in? What is this, Omakase: The Motel 6 Edition? Eventually, he brought a complimentary dessert in what I can only assume was an apology for the world's most awkward tasting menu. With tax and tip, our bill clocked in at $775. Honestly? The sushi I get at Yakuza House in Metairie, Louisiana--at a fraction of the price--is fresher, bolder, and infinitely more satisfying. Izakaya Den may have a reputation, but after this experience, I can confidently say it's one I won't be helping to uphold. Would I return? Not unless someone's thesis is on "How to Serve Omakase Without Humiliating Your Guests." read more

It's been a few days since I ate here with my boyfriend and we're still talking about our experience. Our server, Jordan, was phenomenal and super knowledgeable. He gave us amazing recommendations including the New Style Salmon Roll, Hamachi Jalapeno Sashimi, Mikan Hamachi, and Aburi Toro. We were even unsure of what we wanted and he gave us a complimentary BF toro. Every single thing we ate blew us away... we were left speechless. Our Lychee Margaritas were unbelievably good as well. Jordan even included a free dessert at the end of two different kinds of mochi. I will be returning every time I'm in the area. I would even go out of my way to make a stop here. 10/10 read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

The food quality was delicious and our server was amazing educating us the different type of fish!! Best sushi I've had in CO read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Service was decent but not amazing. They were pretty packed. Food however was amazing. Some highlights were the king salmon, bluefin toro, and hamachi. The vibes of the restaurant were also super cool and upbeat without feeling cheap. Overall all I would highly recommend to anyone in Denver. read more

Izakaya Den - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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It's been a long time since I've had nice quality fresh sushi. Yes, it's expensive and yes, there are long wait times but it's so worth it as a splurge treat yourself celebration type of a meal. If you are lucky, try to get seated upstairs because the interior is so much better than downstairs. There's lots of plants, high ceilings, light, etc. just a better ambience overall. It can be loud. But service is great and friendly. Everything we ordered was delicious. My favorites were the fatty tuna, unagi, mussels, and the pumpkin crème brûlée. Each roll was a food ratio between rice and fish so you're not full from the rice. The tempura was delicious and the spicy edamame. We ordered a great variety so I can't recall all the names. The dessert is also super tasty and I highly recommend it. The crème brûlée and matcha tiramisu was perfect and not too sweet. Our bill came out to be over $400 with tip and we had 5 people dining. So it is a pricey meal but worth every penny. read more

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Sushi was pretty good, but this is definitely a once-in-a-while spot, since it's so expensive. They also took a while with the food, but it's an elegant ambience, so you can kinda just indulge in it while you wait. Eggplant appetizer was surprisingly good because of the sauce. Calamari appetizer was okay; the mushrooms were good but I don't think they trimmed the calamari very well - it was slimy and fatty. Japanese cheesecake was great. The something-sunshine mocktail was tasty, but a little bitter. read more

Not sure where my prior review for Izakaya Den went, but that was also 5 stars! What a remarkable spot. For someone who appreciates great food, great service and great design, Izakaya does not disappoint. The "Sister" restaurant to Sushi Den across the street, Izakaya Den is the sexier sister. The ambiance is swanky and modern. There's plenty to look at while you're waiting on your courses. The sashimi, rolls and hand rolls are top shelf. The fish is reportedly flown in daily from Japan, and I don't doubt it. Mmmm. Someone please send me to Izakaya Den NOW. Go. You won't be disappointed. read more

15/10 The best experience I've ever had at a Japanese restaurant. Danny was an amazing server + bartender. The food was spectacular and still dreaming of it, even if it's been over a month. The fish is super fresh and melts in your mouth. The location is very welcoming and beautifully decorated. A must try in Denver and hoping to go back soon to go again! read more

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Miso soup really good full of flavor $2 with tempura assortment. No spoons Tempura assortment - large, big quantity but cheap ingredients like sweet potato, onions, etc. tasty tho. Well fried. 5 pieces Truffle kamachi $28 very plain just tasted like normal white fish hamachi not worth it at all!! Huge disappointment 2 omachi oysters. Tasty but very tiny not worth it $8 Fatty tuna- pretty plain for me. Reminded me of spicy tuna roll but not spicy. Super tiny bites. Not a fan New style salmon roll special roll was very very tasty. 6 pieces. Definitely get this one!!!! read more

Upscale atmosphere, wonderful romantic ambience and friendly service are all things you can expect here. You also can expect to dip deep into your bank account because this place is spendy! They have very limited non-seafood options so it can be tough to plan for groups, and the food delivery was chaotic. Everything came intermingled regardless of who ordered it and with no explanation of what each plate had on it so we were left to play the "who ordered this?" game. TL:DR: Expensive, great for date night, not great for a group read more

2 stars. Food was ok, nothing to write home about. Service was inattentive. All food came out piecemeal. 1 person would eat, while the other ate nothing. Then about 25 minutes later something else would show up. 2 people were never eating at the same time, which was really awkward. Place is pretentious. Pricing is arrogant. If you're gonna charge those prices you have to earn it by having exceptional quality and service. This place needs a reality check. Hard pass. read more

Absolutely loveeee the ambiance and the quality of the fish was amazing. I was disappointed in the roll choices though as most of them had odd ingredients for a sushi roll...like asparagus, bell pepper, carrots or beets. Because of this we ordered the Red Dragon and I have to say while I wasn't a huge fan of the roll itself (not sure why) the fish was very fresh. The service was also amazing. Maybe just not my type of sushi place. read more

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The food, service and atmosphere were wonderful! Drinks were amazingly tasty and the sushi was fabulous (we started eating so quick I forgot to take pictures). The service was great, food and drinks came fast and everything we got was so good. Highly recommend! read more

Izakaya Den - miso soup - Japanese Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Having lived in Tokyo for more than a decade we are sticklers for authenticity in Japanese fare. Izakaya Den more than met the test. Owned by the Kizaki brothers and staffed by Japanese chefs from Tokyo, Izakaya Den could be one of the better venues in Shibuya. The sushi is jet fresh from global fish markets and prepared with the deftness one expects from a Japanese master. The menu has a number of rolls and tapas-style small plates that honor the creativity and elegance of later evening dining in Tokyo. Cultural observation: The vast majority of "Japanese" restaurants in the States are neither owned nor operated by Japanese. So what you have is "Japanese" food prepared by non-Japanese for the gaijin palate. And one of the bizarre manifestations of this anomalous heritage is the ridiculous number of revolting rolls that purport to represent Japanese cuisine. Japanese fare is a celebration of the subtle. And most o sushi ya in the States offer page after page of absurd concoctions that would horrify patrons in Tokyo. Izakaya Den understands the art of the nuance because it is authentic. And that is the basis for this endorsement. read more

We stopped by Izakaya Den for our valentine's dinner and were extremely happy with our night! The restaurant was packed for the holiday, but there were multiple hostesses taking care of parties coming in at the front. We were seated upstairs, which was decorated beautifully. Izakaya Den shares a menu with its sister restaurant, Sushi Den, so we were able to enjoy the specials. The mandarin yellowtail was definitely our most memorable fish of the night. They also brought out our dessert with candles in celebration for our birthday as well. read more

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Tim was great! We had a great time with great food and service from Tim! Highly recommend tuna firecracker roll!

One of my favorite places around Denver. Coupled with Sushi Den, which is also great. The sushi chef helped us pick out nigiri and it was all delicious. read more