Izakaya Restaurants in Boulder, CO

“This is such an excellent restaurant, and a very special family-owned business that warms my heart every time I go in. There's no other restaurant in the Boulder-Denver area that compares for its quality of ingredients, perfect execution of the hot and cold traditional dishes, great sake selection, and friendly ambiance. They do the best salt-grilled mackerel I've ever had, the best agedashi mochi, the best nigiri sushi--and the miso-simmered dishes are amazing and hard to find elsewhere. The prices are fair and the food beats more expensive places in Denver. Yes, sometimes a dish will be sold out--but that's because they do everything fresh! I always feel taken care of there, and I always leave happy and well-fed, and thinking about my next visit.“

“Finally tried AOI after suggestions from friends. I was super happily surprised. Great fish, really friendly staff and some kind of unusual but authentic Japanese cooked dishes.

I liked that the rolls were fairly straightforward. No super complicated names rolls with too many sauces and flavors.

Prices were also very reasonable. Much better than some of the places downtown. The vibe is much more mellow than other places but quite nice on the patio.“

“The restaurant features a warm and inviting atmosphere, with soft lighting that creates the perfect mood. The service was excellent—attentive and friendly. The prices were reasonable considering the quality and portion sizes. I’ll definitely be returning soon! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“