The Explosion of Omakase Dining in Denver — and the City's Top Sushi Spots
- Natalia Story
- Jul 24, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
When you think of great sushi, Denver might not be the first city that comes to mind — after all, we’re about as landlocked as it gets. But here’s the key: Denver has direct daily flights from Tokyo, and many of our top chefs source their fish straight from Japan’s famed Toyosu Market. The result? A surprisingly strong and ever-evolving sushi scene.
Sure, that’s not always been the case here in landlocked Denver, but the popularity of sushi in Denver began as far back as the 80s, though. One of the earliest sushi restaurants in the city was Sushi Den, opened in 1984 by Toshi Kizaki, who had been a chef in Tokyo and Los Angeles before this. Sourcing fish directly from Japan long before it became the norm, Sushi Den set a new standard for quality and authenticity in the region. It remains an icon in the Denver culinary world, and three of Toshi’s restaurants are actually featured as my current favorites in the list below (and one even has a Michelin star). That kind of longevity and continued raising of the bar in the Denver dining scene is pretty incredible.
Over the decades, as access to high-quality fish improved, the Mile High City embraced sushi wholeheartedly. The city’s growing population, adventurous food culture, and daily direct flights from Tokyo have spurred the growth of more and more sushi restaurants. Today, Denver is home to everything from casual neighborhood sushi joints to high-end omakase experiences, with chefs combining traditional Japanese techniques with local creativity. It was actually very difficult to pick a small list of just 15 favorites — but here they are below, with the first half devoted to omakase-specific experiences!
Top 5 Japanese Omakase Spots in Denver
The first 5 restaurants on this list showcase Denver’s rapidly growing love affair with omakase — a style of dining where you leave the menu in the chef’s hands. Omakase (which means “I’ll leave it up to you” in Japanese) started as an insider move at small sushi counters in Japan, where regulars would sit in front of the itamae (sushi chef) and let them serve whatever was freshest that day. Today, it is typically a multi-course tasting experience featuring seasonal ingredients, chef's specialties, and plenty of wow moments.
With the first 4 of the spots below having opened in just the first half of 2025 — it’s safe to say it’s one of Denver’s hottest culinary trends right now.
Opened in January 2025, this immersive 10-seat sushi speakeasy tucked under NADC Burger in Larimer Square is probably my favorite special-occasion dining experience in Denver right now. I've been several times, despite the hefty price tag. Originally launched in California by award-winning chefs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, this location is helmed by the charismatic Chef Munetoshi Taira and offers a dramatic 17-course omakase experience with three seatings per night. Expect a cozy, elegant setting, a welcome cocktail, high-end sake pairing options, and a performance as much as a dinner. The vibe is intimate, theatrical, and unforgettable.
From legendary Sushi Den founder Toshi Kizaki comes this deeply personal, long-awaited omakase spot that opened in April 2025 and has since earned a coveted Michelin star. The fish is flown in daily from Japan, and every dish reflects decades of mastery. Guests can book the nine-seat counter or one of two intimate private dining rooms seating six (although I highly recommend the chef's counter, of course). This is sushi at its most refined — with Chef Toshi sourcing some of the best and most unique fish from around the world, including directly from his family in Japan. Perfect for the sushi purists.
Opened in late 2025, Sushi by SYC is the latest concept from SYC Concepts — led by brilliant female restaurateur Shuang “Sherry” Crossland, who has opened a series of successful local concepts like Bronze Empire, GoFish, Miya Moon, Chubby Fish, Mikaku, and Blossom — to name a few. This stylish, neon-lit 12-seat omakase bar delivers a polished 16-course tasting menu that blends modern flair with traditional finesse (and offers à la carte add-ons). It's definitely more affordable than the two options above, but no less tasty — plus the creative cocktail menu is a standout on its own.
This hidden gem operates out of Odell’s Bagels, transforming from a bustling daytime bagel shop into a refined kaiseki-inspired tasting experience by night. Launched in March 2025 by Chef Miles Odell — who trained in Japan and worked at NYC’s Nobu — The Counter offers a highly seasonal omakase that fuses fine-dining precision with relaxed, neighborhood charm. The menu here isn't just sushi, with some hot courses mixed in (for example: when we were there, scallops over noodles, seared wagyu, rice with uni and caviar, and more).
Located right around the corner from Larimer Square, hidden underneath Bao Brewhouse, Ukiyo was the first of the new wave of modern, upscale omakase spots to open in Denver (in February of 2024). It is a 12-seat chef's table experience curated by Chef Phraseuth "Paul" Sananikone — focused on Japanese techniques (but not just sushi), and with two nightly seatings from Tuesday to Saturday. The dishes here range from traditional Japanese to creative and whimsical, which has sometimes garnered Ukiyo mixed reviews from those expecting a more traditional sushi experience.
10 of My Favorite Sushi Restaurants in Denver
Not every sushi craving calls for an omakase splurge. A lot of the spots below do offer an "omakase" option on their menu, which can often be had at the sushi counter or at your table — but they're not dedicated chef's counter experiences. These spots offer standout sushi options even without the tasting menu format — perfect for casual nights, happy hours, or spontaneous roll cravings.
Trendy, creative, and always packed, Uchi delivers non-traditional sushi with serious flair. The Austin-born concept blends inventive flavor combinations with high-end ingredients in a vibrant, modern space. Don’t miss the hama chili, wagyu hot rock, or 72-hour short rib. There's also an Uchiko that just opened in early 2026 in Cherry Creek — a cousin of Uchi that also features more wood-fired dishes on the menu.
While not exclusively dedicated to omakase, Hana Matsuri has one of my favorite casual omakase options on their menu, crafting a multi-course menus of around 20 dishes and featuring rare selections like monkfish liver, sardine nigiri, and black cod. With a focus on aburi-style searing and a low-key vibe, it’s a favorite among locals. They also do a very affordable whole-tuna carving night once a month or so, but it sells out in minutes, so get on their newsletter!
This low-profile suburban gem offers one of the most affordable and underrated omakase options around — which you can have just by sitting at the chef's counter. Chef Michael Kim sources excellent fish and serves it with care, warmth, and skill in a laid-back setting where the omakase counter sits alongside the main dining room. It may also be the last place in town still serving foie gras — a must-try!
GoFish is a go-to for happy hour deals and late-night cravings. Their daily happy hour (until 6:30pm, and again after 9pm) includes killer prices on rolls, sake, and appetizers. The aburi-style sampler here is one of my favorites in town. Late at night, this turns into a great party spot — complete with the Jameson towers owner Sherry Crossland is known for. The vibe is friendly, upbeat, and great for groups.
A longtime neighborhood favorite, Taki Sushi offers consistently fresh, affordable sushi with generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s everything you want in a local sushi joint — no frills, just solid food and friendly service. There's usually not a line to get in here and reservations aren't required, which is more than can be said for most places on this list.
Chubby Fish is a super fun all-you-can-eat sushi spot with made-to-order rolls, nigiri, appetizers, and even ramen. The decor is vibrant and modern, inspired by the neon-lit streets of Asian food alleys, making it a fun and trendy setting for a night out. Come hungry — and come early — because the line gets long, and there are not reservations.
Bamboo Sushi is part of the world’s very first certified sustainable sushi restaurant group, and it has two local spots — one in LoHi and another in Congress Park (but I prefer the original LoHi location for the beautiful patio). They have some great creative roll options and an excellent happy hour, but the patio is definitely one of the biggest draws in good weather.
Located inside The Source in RiNo, Temaki Den is an open-space, modern concept from Chefs Toshi Kizaki and Kenta Kamo — offering high-end hand rolls and aburi in a casual setting. The vibe here is very different from all the other places on the list: the focus is simplicity and freshness over creativity or menu length — but it remains a favorite for many Denver locals just for that.
Ok, so I'm going to be honest and say I am still slightly confused on the ownership structure here: the original Okinawa on East Colfax was a long-time casual favorite of mine in Denver. That has since closed, and now there are two locations: Okinawa on Tennyson and Okinawa in Golden, each run by separate teams while sharing some common menu items. I can only vouch for the one in Golden, which I think offers the best sushi west of Denver — which fresh, creative sushi options I keep coming back for.
Coming full circle to the intro of this article, Sushi Den is still at the top of its game — and has been since Toshi Kizaki opened it in 1984 (which is an incredible run in this industry). Sushi Den still sources top-quality fish directly from Japan and maintains fully booked reservations — a feat in the ever-changing and finicky Denver food scene.
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