Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ototo

    4.3 (300 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Ototo Photos

    OTOTO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ototo

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Happy Hour
    Erick D.

    Nice spot for happy hour. Most of the food is good, but there is opportunity for improvement. The pork rib appetizer should be grilled a little more to add char flavors to the ribs. The service was good. Our server was friendly. The space isn't very large and super tight in the front by the bar. Cool spot to grab a drink and something to eat.

    Brena E.

    I went with a group of eight for happy hour, and it was pretty busy, but we had good service. I enjoyed the food and drink and said I would absolutely come back again for happy hour. The one kind of annoying thing is that they wouldn't split checks which made it complicated for our group.

    Janet D.

    Since closing during the pandemic I haven't been back. Finally did yesterday. I was so happy! Finally I can order the whole squid!

    New happy hour deals!
    Jon L.

    This is the news. A great happy hour. Before you grab a $6 beer or $8 wine be sure to check out the rest of the new happy hour menu. Like a high ball, kare-age and edamame combo. The best vibe and now best deal in the neighborhood. Also, if Nick is your bartender ask him to create something special for you.

    Shake Don (top) and Maguro Don (bottom)
    Meagan N.

    This story begins like all great food adventures: with rejection. We had our sights set on Izakaya Den, only to be met with the dreaded one-hour wait. We all know that an hour wait is basically a lifetime in hangry person math. So we did what any desperate slightly dramatic food lovers would do: we wandered Pearl Street praying for a miracle. Enter: Ototo. A little less crowded, just down the street, and totally unassuming. We walked in expecting another long wait but instead we were immediately seated at the sushi bar. At this point, I knew fate had intervened. Our waitress was fantastic. Super friendly, attentive, and just generally someone I would trust with my happiness (which at this moment was entirely food-based). We started with the tonkatsu cutlet, and I'm convinced it was fried by angels. Perfectly crispy, light, and not greasy, with pork so tender and juicy that as soon as we took our first bite, my friend and I gazed at each other as if we just met God. Then came our donburi bowls (specifically the Maguro Don and Shake Don). They looked small at first, but crazy enough the portions felt endless. The fish literally melts in your mouth like butter and the rice is fluffy and perfectly seasoned with furikake. My friend and I walked out of there so full and happy, we were ready for an immediate food coma only to dream about our next experience here. Ototo was truly the happy accident we never thought we needed. They won my heart and my stomach, and I will 100% be coming back.

    Matthew M.

    Without a doubt a new favorite spot of ours. Located on Pearl st, this tiny restaurant is the younger brother to Denver staples Sushi Den & Izakaya. However, don't let the size fool you - this restaurant may be the best out of the 3. Combining excellent service from servers such as Kelly, exceptional hospitality from manager Mark, and a talented yet humble team of chefs behind the counter and you have yourself a recipe for success. Do NOT sleep on this restaurant.

    OTOTO roll
    Emma C.

    I mostly enjoyed my birthday dinner at OTOTO! The atmosphere was nothing special and the service was pretty slow because of how busy they were, but the food was great! The standout dishes for me were the scallop carpaccio and the aburi salmon belly nigiri. Everything else was good but nothing crazy, I would order that salmon belly again and again though.

    Sushi sampler and kushiyaki
    Jessica C.

    This was the last of the Sushi Den restaurants for us to try and we were not disappointed. They have an excellent Happy Hour menu and all the ingredients are very fresh, just like the other 3 restaurants. From the Happy Hour menu, we got the Sushi Sampler and all 3 options for the Kushiyaki. I did feel like the sushi sampler fish was not the same quality as the ones you get when you order from the regular nigiri menu but it was still good. The Pork Belly Kushiyaki was our favorite. We got a few pieces of nigiri, tonkotsu ramen, and the pork chashu garlic rice. The nigiri was excellent, tonkotsu was smoky (good amount for 1 person without being overly stuffed at the end) and the garlic rice is very crispy and rich. Upon delivery, the server comes over and mixes the soft boiled egg for more creaminess. Ototo den is a more low key/casual option compared to Sushi/Izakaya Den with a great happy hour. I would absolutely stop by again!

    Ambience, cocktails, indoor/outdoor
    Spencer F.

    Don't pass it up. I don't like passing out 5 star reviews easily but I don't have anything to take away from. Straight forward selection, fresh and delicious food, and friendly/quick service. Don't overlook the garlic fried rice. That's what really sold me, it really hit the spot. I'll definitely be back and will 100% be ordering that again. Intimate spot, great ambience when the weather is nice and the windows are open. Not the largest of restaurants so you definitely want a reservation. Enjoy!

    Outrageously priced sake
    Kristen R.

    The food is fine, nothing to write home about. However, the sake prices ARE notable -- for how outrageously expensive they are. I understand markups, but take the Otokoyama "Man of the Mountain," Tokubetsu Junmai. The 720ml sells for $29.99 at a local wine seller. But at Ototo, it sells for $130. That's MORE than four times the markup. The 300ml Drunken Whale goes for about $11, but they charge $45. Absolutely CRAZYTOWN!

    Eggplant
    Richard G.

    Really liked our first visit to Ototo. Very comfortable interior with exposed brick and lots of wood. Cool garage door line an entire side of the restaurant. Everything is meant to be shared and really enjoyed the eggplant, short ribs and fried chicken. Great flavors and beautiful presentations. Need to go back and try a few more things on the menu. And loved the Denhattan, had two they were so good.

    Spicy crunchy tuna
    Catherine C.

    Great! Very fresh and delicious food. Great customer service. We will be back. Didn't get a photo of the pork chatsu fried rice that was also delicious. Reasonable prices.

    Maguro sashimi yoten mori (four types of tuna)
    Jessica P.

    Dropped in randomly on a weekday night without a reservation, and by some miracle there were three seats available at the bar. Coming in with no expectations, the food quality blew my mind; it is the pricing of some of the smaller appetizers that prevent Ototo from being 5-stars. For instance, edamame for $8, spicy edamame for $9, and agedashi tofu for $8? Takoyaki for $12? It is hard for me to justify this pricing. The items that stood out to me were: - Hana kama: Grilled to perfection. So much meat. Well seasoned. - Bacon mochi: I mostly ordered this for fun and out of curiosity, but it turns out that I love fried mochi so much that I would absolutely order it again. The bacon went well with the mochi and didn't overpower it! - Brussel sprouts: Loved the flavor and thought the portion size was very reasonable. - Maguro sashimi yoten mori: Fish quality was great! - Beets salad: Really refreshing. I would love to visit here again and hopefully try some other items on the menu as well as their signature cocktails.

    Sushi sampler

    See all

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nina C.
    496
    599
    1971

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Oto T.

    Oto T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of H H.
    0
    16
    0

    4 days ago

    Food, Service & Ambiance are always exceptional. Been there a dozen times and Ototo never disappoints!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Spencer F.
    16
    44
    116

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Oto T.

    Oto T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Oto T.

    Oto T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Doug B.
    49
    228
    17

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Very creative and interesting menu. We loved the garlic rice and chicken thigh dish. I look forward to going back and trying more.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ototo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ototo

    You might also consider

    Brutø - Rice + Carrot - koji 'rice cream', carrot + orange jelly

    Brutø

    (144 reviews)

    Lodo, Northwest

    Bruto is always such a memorable and enjoyable experience. This is a food Laboratory at its finest…read more Fine food, fine wine, fine service, fine ambience, fine, fine fine. Always exceptional food, beautiful presentation, with sustainable practices, this is the place to celebrate a special occasion. The current menu, which runs through June, is the final menu by the current chef and it highlights Costa Rican cuisine. The chef and staff have gone to great lengths to showcase this Latin American dining experience. The Barramundi was by far my favorite on the menu, although that is relative among the 7-course meal. Everything we tried was knock your socks off delicious. I love the quiet dining room, with a chance to visit with others sitting near you at the chef's counter. Their fermentation program is second to none. One thing that always makes a meal memorable is the service. The Bruto team takes care of everything and knows just about everything food or drink wise. Again, I counted the kitchen staff: The ration is 1 to 2, meaning you will feel like a VIP with the personal interaction. It's not fake either; these young men and women want you to have an enjoyable and memorable time. What an impressive restaurant and food laboratory where they are always pushing themselves for tasting excellence. Bruto = passionate knowledgeable people

    Note that my partner and I dined at Beckon a month prior. We opted for the multi course menu…read more Friendly staff. Well coordinated. But the food was just ok. For $650 (with one alcohol pairing), it could have been better. The only dish that stood out to both of us was the barracuda fish. Everything else was just ok.

    El Five - Bison Meatballs

    El Five

    (1.2k reviews)

    $$$

    Northwest, Highland

    I'm mad. Not at them... at myself…read more I lived in Denver for over five years and just now made it to El Five, and now I understand why it's such a staple. The menu was recently refreshed and it shows. The mushroom paella was loaded and perfectly cooked, the burrata was a solid start, and the Turkish pizza with halloumi was a surprise standout. The poached cod was also great, especially the sauce. The drinks were just as strong. The L5 margarita with salt foam was really good, and even the frosé, which I usually skip, worked perfectly here. The vibe is a big part of it. The downtown views are hard to beat and the patio is easily one of the better ones in the city. Inside also feels intentional and well designed. Service was excellent. Avery was our server and it was her first day, which you wouldn't have guessed. Carl and Mark also made the experience feel smooth and welcoming. For dessert, the Lisbon chocolate cake and Turkish kunefe were both great. The Basque cheesecake and lobster salad also stood out and had those memorable bites that stick with you. Overall, a really strong experience and definitely a place worth making a reservation for.

    Full disclosure: I went in with the recommendation that this place is a great spot for a drink and…read morea view, but the food is overrated. I'd say needs and expectations were met and slightly exceeded. Our server was fantastic, very personable and engaging. The drinks were great. I tried their house marg with the salt foam and loved that, a unique experience compared to a salted rim. We sat outside and had a great view of downtown. I assume seating on the other side would give you a view of the mountains but we didn't explore. For the food, we just ordered 2 starters: eggplant fries and patatas bravas. The potatoes were dry and starchy and not crispy like I would hope and expect for the dish, would not order again. The eggplant fries on the other hand were amazing - crispy with a sweet glaze and perfectly tender on the inside. I would come back just for these fries. The seafood dishes looked and smelled amazing as we saw other tables get them and I'd come back to order other dishes just because the views, drinks, and service were so great.

    Super Mega Bien

    Super Mega Bien

    (358 reviews)

    $$

    Five Points, Northwest

    We came for the closing party, and what a send off! $20 all you can eat, $10 all you can drink. It…read morewas slammed but absolutely worth it. We got to try most of the menu one last time. The biggest standout was the papaya salad, which we wouldn't normally order, but glad we got to try it this time. The ceviche, pork wings, and ropa vieja were excellent as well. I definitely plan to keep an eye on where Chef Victor goes next, because his food is to die for. Love their decor as always, with its sense of whimsy mixed with the upscale. Super mega bien, you will be super missed! Wishing everyone the best on their next ventures.

    Super Mega Bien was delicious! Our first time there, we went with friends and enjoyed having…read moreeverything family style. The food came out a little fast in the beginning (we prefer to take our time) and we definitely missed any guidance about how the flag was supposed to be used, so that would be the only thing I'd change about the evening. Everything was delicious, and my favorites were the ceviche with house made chips, patatas bravas, and pork wings. Everyone loved their drinks--spicy margarita, red sangria, and a Paloma. We shared two desserts--the Media Luna de Limon for our friend who is gf and df, and the rest of us shared the brownie with coffee ice cream which was incredible--warm and just the right size if you want just 1-2 bites (between three of us) of something sweet.

    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    (234 reviews)

    $$$

    Cherry Creek, Southeast

    At the meat lover do 2. It was delicious. We were full. It wasn't a lot of meat but enough for the…read moretaste. Please get the roast beef.... OMG, was delicious!! Had the wagyu separately, it is always good but very expensive.

    Gyu-Kaku is a Japanese BBQ chain, and I mean that as a compliment. For what it is, it delivers…read moreconsistently. You sit around a small gas grill built into the table, you cook your own meat, and generally speaking, the food is good enough that this isn't a problem. Go with the all-you-can-eat. Come hungry. This is not a place to show up after a big lunch. The harami skirt steak is the move. It's well-marinated, cooks fast, and has actual flavor. The spicy addicting cucumber is exactly what it sounds like and I'd order three rounds of it without guilt. Everything across the menu is competently prepared and the variety holds up over a long meal. Now, about the price. The top-tier AYCE used to be around $50. It's crept past $80. I understand inflation is real, I understand restaurants are getting squeezed, I get it. But at some point the math starts to work against you. You're paying Vegas steakhouse money to cook your own food. That's the deal now apparently. There are better Japanese steakhouses out there. That's just true. But this is a chain with locations everywhere, and it executes at a level most chains don't. The quality is reliable in a way that actually means something. Worth it as an occasional treat. Just don't go in expecting the price you remember.

    Ototo - japanese - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...