Denver's ten best sushi restaurants

Jim Wills

3. Land of Sushi
Back in 2000, Land of Sushi opened in a strip mall across from what was then Southglenn Mall -- now the Streets at SouthGlenn -- and quickly made a splash. Over the years, the spot has just gotten better. The restaurant itself doesn't look like much, but the bare-bones ambience just means there's nothing to distract your attention from the food -- and the food definitely deserves all your attention. Owner Steve Lin gets shipments every day, and he regularly posts specials like live scallops and uber-fresh uni. But even if you're ordering the usual suspects -- like salmon, tuna and yellowtail -- you're assured some of the freshest fish around, cut excellently and displayed beautifully.

Jim Wills

2. Sushi Den
In Denver, all roads lead to Sushi Den, the restaurant brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki opened over 25 years ago, immediately proving Colorado's status as a land-locked state was no excuse for bad fish. Sushi Den sources from all over the world, flying many selections in from markets in Tokyo. The chefs use those ingredients to turn out platters both traditional and inventive -- sometimes at the same time -- to the fans that pack this South Pearl spot on a nightly basis.

Jim Wills

1. Sushi Sasa
It's been six years since Wayne Conwell opened Sushi Sasa, bringing to Denver the new-style Japanese cuisine he'd learned under Iron Chef Morimoto. Six years of dishes punched up with the influences of Italy and France, six years of stellar fish, six years of imaginative omakase menus exploring the best Japanese cuisine the city has to offer. Six years of Conwell staying spot-on in his execution of everything from tenderloin to toro.That landed Sushi Sasa our Best Sushi award in Best of Denver® 2011 -- and made it the restaurant to beat in Best of Denver® 2012.

Have another favorite? Tell us about it below.

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