Fizz’s Top 5: The Best Sushi In Denver (That Won’t Require a Second Mortgage)

Let me be clear about something: You don’t need a $200 omakase experience and a sommelier explaining the “terroir” of your sake to have great sushi in this city. Some of us just want fresh fish, big rolls and enough money left over to fill the gas tank. I’ve eaten my way across the metro — again, for journalism, stop judging me — and here are five spots where the sushi slaps, the vibe is chill and your credit card won’t need therapy afterward.

No. 5 — Go Fish Sushi, 1 S. Broadway Go Fish is the friend who always shows up, never flakes and somehow always picks up the tab. This no-frills Broadway spot cranks out consistent, quality sushi at prices that feel like a clerical error. The staff is ridiculously friendly — we’re talking “remembers your name on your second visit” friendly — and the sushi-for-two dinner spread is the move for date night when you want to impress somebody without pretending to know what a “truffle-infused uni foam” is. Just good fish. Normal prices. No attitude.

No. 4 — Nozomi, 4100 Tejon St., Sunnyside Nozomi opened in 2023 in Sunnyside and immediately became the neighborhood’s worst-kept secret. The vibe is laid-back, the staff is warm, and the menu is packed with options — nigiri, sashimi, rolls, hand rolls — without ever feeling overwhelming. The seared scallop with tobiko butter is absurd in the best possible way. And here’s the thing: Despite being genuinely excellent, it still has “walk in on a Tuesday and snag a seat” energy. That’s rare. Protect this place at all costs.

No. 3 — Taku Sushi, 7530 S. University Blvd., Unit 100, Centennial Taku is the suburban sleeper pick that people south of Hampden have been gatekeeping for years. Opened in 2021 in a Centennial strip mall — yes, a strip mall, the birthplace of all great affordable sushi — Taku serves Japanese classics ranging from spot-on nigiri to creative signature rolls in a clean, modern space that’s spacious enough to actually breathe. The Sandwich Roll (spicy salmon, spicy tuna, avocado in soy paper) is $14.50, which is roughly what you’d pay for a mediocre airport California roll. Their Magic Roll with salmon, yellowtail, avocado and tobiko is $15.50 and worth every single penny. This is your new regular spot. You’re welcome, Centennial. My neighborhood joint.

No. 2 — Rocky Yama Sushi, Lincoln Park Sitting at 4.7 stars on Yelp with more than 300 reviews — in a city where people will one-star a restaurant because the parking lot was confusing — that tells you everything. The fish is fresh, the rolls are generous, and the happy hour prices are the kind of deal that makes you whisper “don’t tell anyone about this place” to your dining companion. It’s tucked in Lincoln Park with zero pretension, zero velvet ropes and zero need to Google the dress code. Just walk in, sit down and eat some of the best, most reasonably priced sushi in Colorado. If you’ve been sleeping on Rocky Yama, your alarm is going off right now.

No. 1 — Blue Sushi Sake Grill, 1616 16th St. Blue Sushi sits right on 16th Street, which means you can people-watch downtown tourists tripping over piano keys while you crush specialty rolls and a sake flight. The vibe is trendy without being try-hard, the cocktail menu is dangerously good, and they’ve got more vegan sushi options than most places have regular options — so your plant-based friends can finally stop pretending to be excited about edamame. Hit the happy hour Monday through Saturday AND ALL DAY SUNDAYS, order the Cherry Bomb bites and try not to post them to Instagram. You will fail. We all fail. It’s fine.

Honorable Mention: Sweet Ginger in Cherry Creek — 14 bucks for any three rolls at lunch with a free soup is the kind of deal that makes a grown adult giggle.