The food was mediocre for the price you pay. The Szechuan based food (the pork dumplings and lamb dan dan noodles) lacked the potent flavor that Szechuan food usually has. Barely any peppercorn was in it so there is not the signature numbing spice that is in the cuisine. We also ordered the crab rangoon, it was quite tough and not much flavor in the filling. The crab fried rice was good, particularly in how they cooked the crab. And the kaarage was good as well, but again for the price I would pass. The highlight of my dinner was actually their sparkling lavender lemonade, absolutely delicious. I think my expectations were quite high in how the food would taste due to the high reviews, price, and the restaurant being in the Michelin guide. However being from Seattle and having eaten at so many Asian restaurants in Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver BC, this place does not even meet the flavor profile of mom and pop shops on the West Coast. This was a watered down version of Asian food, unfortunately.
Now for service, I will give them grace because it was a busy Saturday night but it took roughly 20 mins after getting small plates to get our larger plates. And as for atmosphere, it was a very cute place to eat and has the aesthetic a lot of people would like to take pics of and share on the internet.
Overall the only way I’d eat here again is if the prices were lowered, as the flavor of the food does not warrant such a high price tag.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Madeline LeFrock
Incredible, worth the wait for a reservation. We got the pork dumplings, chicken karage, salmon rice dish and a beef noodle dish. Everything was delicious and we will be back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings, Karaage Don Rice Bowl
Brett Baker
I am visiting Denver and wanted to try an Asian restaurant. I couldn't have been happier with my decision. Drew and Erin at the bar had educated suggestions on the menu. The Hamachi is one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten. The red curry beef udon with butternut was phenomenal and the matcha tiramisu is such a cool variation on a classic dessert. Lots of good energy in the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erika
I LOVED the atmosphere of this place before I ever ate there. Shortly after it first opened, a very friendly and helpful waitress who was out on the patio gave me a menu to take home when I stopped to ask her a question while I was out walking my dog. Dogs are welcome on the patio! I was excited to go there some time.
I met my parents there for my birthday. I purposely arrived 10 minutes early so I could enjoy a solo glass of wine on the patio, before parents arrived. It was early evening and Kawa Ni wasn't busy yet. That was my biggest wish for my birthday dinner that evening and I was so looking forward to that relaxing solitary pre-dinner glass of wine.
The hostess told me to go sit where I wanted on the patio. I asked her for a glass of wine. She basically said that wasn't her job. She did not offer to tell a waiter. Horrible hostess. I went inside and asked a cheerful man in an apron for a glass of white wine. He didn't seem to speak English and smilingly waved me off, perhaps in confusion? I walked up to the bar and asked a bartender for wine and they said my waiter would be out.
I did not smell bad. I smelled very good, actually. I'm conventionally attractive, not that that should matter where service is concerned. I'm quite tall and not invisible. I was clean and well-dressed. I was relaxed, at least at first.
I staked my table, then went to my car and got my dog to settle him in near my table. He's decently behaved at restaurants. Calm, though lots of begging with his eyes. I sat out there with nothing for several minutes. Then the guy in the apron came out with a big metal dog dish of water, smiling and bent down to give it to my dog (A star for that!) He spoke heavily accented English to both of us. It was very sweet. I was touched and sincerely thanked him. And since he DID speak English, I asked him again if I could get a glass of wine. He said my waiter would be by. I told him the waiter hadn't been by yet, and that I'd love to order that glass of wine now. He smiled, shrugged and walked back inside. I hoped maybe he'd tell someone. That was too much to hope.
I hung out with my lovely sweet dog, who was cooed at and admired by all who walked by. I was no longer relaxed about being in what's supposed to be a nice place. Parents, also clean smelling and nicely dressed, finally arrived. Waiter came over after a few minutes. After that, his service was excellent, very well timed for the food we ordered. The food was fun and enjoyable. As he served us birthday dessert, he delivered a very sincere little speech about how he should be given a large tip--as though wed had no experience with tipping. What a phuquing DIQUE! Rather than calling him that, I responded by gently telling him that I'd asked three different people, four different times for a glass of wine when I arrived, to no avail and that he'd never even come over to greet me as I sat there for 10 minutes. I would have left him a symbolic dollar, maybe a nickel (but who has one of those, let alone three shiny pennies?). My father, a generous person and generous tipper, was paying. I don't know if he tipped well or not.
I've never been back. I'm planning to meet up with family for another dinner now and though Japanese is my favorite cuisine, and this restaurant, in my neighborhood has excellent atmosphere and good food, I really can't come here. It just brings back sad and disappointing memories. This restaurant has been ruined for me by truly obnoxious service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Grldne
Kawa Ni for me is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The dishes are not only beautifully presented, but they are also packed with incredible flavor. The ramen, with its rich broth and perfectly cooked pork belly, is a true standout. The dumplings are a must-try, offering a delightful blend of spices and a satisfying kick. And you absolutely cannot leave without trying the dessert 🤩🖤 the melon pan black sesame ice cream a unique and delicious way to end the meal. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making for a fantastic dining experience from start to finish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deja Ellese
Kawa Ni was the perfect date night spot. The service was perfect. Our server very welcoming, energetic, and warm. The music was perfect, quiet enough for conversation and tasteful enough to enjoy. The food and drinks were also amazing! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Howes
Top notch food, dismal service. Be very patient and you’ll have a phenomenal meal. 5 stars, but definitely a little to work on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Ryan A
Cute little spot with good food and good vibes. Diverse and enjoyable menu if you’re not gluten free. We wanted this to be another regular spot, but their gluten free mark up crosses out 90% of the menu; see pic. We did enjoy what we had, but disappointing that there is so little for the gluten free community. Little reason to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
John Curvey
Cam was our waiter and knocked it out of the park. He suggested incredible cocktails and dishes (red curry coconut onigiri was the highlight) that made the evening and meal special. Cannot speak highly enough of the service and meal. Thanks Cam!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Geraud Gonzales
Great food and drinks...service was above and beyond. Shout out to our server Cam - he was incredibly attentive and friendly and really made this one one of the best Denver meals we have had in some time. Celebrated my wife's birthday with a high end meal that didn't feel pretentious/stuffy but still had elevated food and bev. Will come back here asap.
I recently dined at Kawa Ni in Denver and had a mixed experience. The food itself was excellent—especially the pork dumplings, which were a standout dish. Cocktails were beautifully crafted and visually stunning, adding to the overall dining experience.
However, despite having a reservation, our party was seated almost 45 minutes late. The only gesture offered during the wait was a simple cabbage salad, and the staff’s apology felt more like an excuse (“It’s a busy Saturday”) than genuine regret.
The atmosphere was lively but very loud, which might be fun for some but made conversation a bit difficult for our group. That said, the space and energy make it good for large groups looking for a vibrant night out.
Overall, while the flavors and drinks impressed, the long delay and lackluster handling of the situation took away from what could have been an outstanding evening. I’d return for the dumplings and cocktails but would temper expectations around service and noise levels on a busy weekend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
nick d
5/5 across the board. Food was incredible, service was outstanding. Well worth the price, can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings, Lamb Dan Dan Noodles, Crab Fried Rice Full Bowl, Shaved Broccoli Salad
Lenore
Only in Denver would this place have an overall rating of 4.6. The 50/50 ramen was unbalanced and overwhelmingly salty, three people at the bar agreed it tasted purely of salt. I mentioned it to the bartender as a courtesy when asked ‘How was everything?’ but was brushed off with, ‘I’ve never heard that.’ Asian cuisines typically emphasize balance, and there was none to be found here. I will say the Szechuan dumplings were good, though I’ve made LEGIT chili oil at home. And a 20% auto-gratuity on a $60 bottle of sake? No thanks. No umami, or “ooooh mommy” to be found here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings
Sean
Cool spot with good service and tasty bites. Gluten free options are pretty limited (as expected) but just wanted to post a pic of the altered menu for my fellow gf diners. Top right corner was the miso salmon which was a mistake it’s gf. Red curry coconut onigiri was delicious
Josh
Terrible music playing loudly throughout. I want to enjoy a meal with my friends, not go to a den club.
The food was mediocre for the price you pay. The Szechuan based food (the pork dumplings and lamb dan dan noodles) lacked the potent flavor that Szechuan food usually has. Barely any peppercorn was in it so there is not the signature numbing spice that is in the cuisine. We also ordered the crab rangoon, it was quite tough and not much flavor in the filling. The crab fried rice was good, particularly in how they cooked the crab. And the kaarage was good as well, but again for the price I would pass. The highlight of my dinner was actually their sparkling lavender lemonade, absolutely delicious. I think my expectations were quite high in how the food would taste due to the high reviews, price, and the restaurant being in the Michelin guide. However being from Seattle and having eaten at so many Asian restaurants in Washington, Oregon, and Vancouver BC, this place does not even meet the flavor profile of mom and pop shops on the West Coast. This was a watered down version of Asian food, unfortunately.
Now for service, I will give them grace because it was a busy Saturday night but it took roughly 20 mins after getting small plates to get our larger plates. And as for atmosphere, it was a very cute place to eat and has the aesthetic a lot of people would like to take pics of and share on the internet.
Overall the only way I’d eat here again is if the prices were lowered, as the flavor of the food does not warrant such a high price tag.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Incredible, worth the wait for a reservation. We got the pork dumplings, chicken karage, salmon rice dish and a beef noodle dish. Everything was delicious and we will be back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings, Karaage Don Rice Bowl
I am visiting Denver and wanted to try an Asian restaurant. I couldn't have been happier with my decision. Drew and Erin at the bar had educated suggestions on the menu. The Hamachi is one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten. The red curry beef udon with butternut was phenomenal and the matcha tiramisu is such a cool variation on a classic dessert. Lots of good energy in the building.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I LOVED the atmosphere of this place before I ever ate there. Shortly after it first opened, a very friendly and helpful waitress who was out on the patio gave me a menu to take home when I stopped to ask her a question while I was out walking my dog. Dogs are welcome on the patio! I was excited to go there some time.
I met my parents there for my birthday. I purposely arrived 10 minutes early so I could enjoy a solo glass of wine on the patio, before parents arrived. It was early evening and Kawa Ni wasn't busy yet. That was my biggest wish for my birthday dinner that evening and I was so looking forward to that relaxing solitary pre-dinner glass of wine.
The hostess told me to go sit where I wanted on the patio. I asked her for a glass of wine. She basically said that wasn't her job. She did not offer to tell a waiter. Horrible hostess. I went inside and asked a cheerful man in an apron for a glass of white wine. He didn't seem to speak English and smilingly waved me off, perhaps in confusion? I walked up to the bar and asked a bartender for wine and they said my waiter would be out.
I did not smell bad. I smelled very good, actually. I'm conventionally attractive, not that that should matter where service is concerned. I'm quite tall and not invisible. I was clean and well-dressed. I was relaxed, at least at first.
I staked my table, then went to my car and got my dog to settle him in near my table. He's decently behaved at restaurants. Calm, though lots of begging with his eyes. I sat out there with nothing for several minutes. Then the guy in the apron came out with a big metal dog dish of water, smiling and bent down to give it to my dog (A star for that!) He spoke heavily accented English to both of us. It was very sweet. I was touched and sincerely thanked him. And since he DID speak English, I asked him again if I could get a glass of wine. He said my waiter would be by. I told him the waiter hadn't been by yet, and that I'd love to order that glass of wine now. He smiled, shrugged and walked back inside. I hoped maybe he'd tell someone. That was too much to hope.
I hung out with my lovely sweet dog, who was cooed at and admired by all who walked by. I was no longer relaxed about being in what's supposed to be a nice place. Parents, also clean smelling and nicely dressed, finally arrived. Waiter came over after a few minutes. After that, his service was excellent, very well timed for the food we ordered. The food was fun and enjoyable. As he served us birthday dessert, he delivered a very sincere little speech about how he should be given a large tip--as though wed had no experience with tipping. What a phuquing DIQUE! Rather than calling him that, I responded by gently telling him that I'd asked three different people, four different times for a glass of wine when I arrived, to no avail and that he'd never even come over to greet me as I sat there for 10 minutes. I would have left him a symbolic dollar, maybe a nickel (but who has one of those, let alone three shiny pennies?). My father, a generous person and generous tipper, was paying. I don't know if he tipped well or not.
I've never been back. I'm planning to meet up with family for another dinner now and though Japanese is my favorite cuisine, and this restaurant, in my neighborhood has excellent atmosphere and good food, I really can't come here. It just brings back sad and disappointing memories. This restaurant has been ruined for me by truly obnoxious service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 1
Kawa Ni for me is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The dishes are not only beautifully presented, but they are also packed with incredible flavor. The ramen, with its rich broth and perfectly cooked pork belly, is a true standout. The dumplings are a must-try, offering a delightful blend of spices and a satisfying kick. And you absolutely cannot leave without trying the dessert 🤩🖤 the melon pan black sesame ice cream a unique and delicious way to end the meal. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making for a fantastic dining experience from start to finish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kawa Ni was the perfect date night spot. The service was perfect. Our server very welcoming, energetic, and warm. The music was perfect, quiet enough for conversation and tasteful enough to enjoy. The food and drinks were also amazing! Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Top notch food, dismal service. Be very patient and you’ll have a phenomenal meal. 5 stars, but definitely a little to work on.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 2
Cute little spot with good food and good vibes. Diverse and enjoyable menu if you’re not gluten free. We wanted this to be another regular spot, but their gluten free mark up crosses out 90% of the menu; see pic. We did enjoy what we had, but disappointing that there is so little for the gluten free community. Little reason to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Cam was our waiter and knocked it out of the park. He suggested incredible cocktails and dishes (red curry coconut onigiri was the highlight) that made the evening and meal special. Cannot speak highly enough of the service and meal. Thanks Cam!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and drinks...service was above and beyond. Shout out to our server Cam - he was incredibly attentive and friendly and really made this one one of the best Denver meals we have had in some time. Celebrated my wife's birthday with a high end meal that didn't feel pretentious/stuffy but still had elevated food and bev. Will come back here asap.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently dined at Kawa Ni in Denver and had a mixed experience. The food itself was excellent—especially the pork dumplings, which were a standout dish. Cocktails were beautifully crafted and visually stunning, adding to the overall dining experience.
However, despite having a reservation, our party was seated almost 45 minutes late. The only gesture offered during the wait was a simple cabbage salad, and the staff’s apology felt more like an excuse (“It’s a busy Saturday”) than genuine regret.
The atmosphere was lively but very loud, which might be fun for some but made conversation a bit difficult for our group. That said, the space and energy make it good for large groups looking for a vibrant night out.
Overall, while the flavors and drinks impressed, the long delay and lackluster handling of the situation took away from what could have been an outstanding evening. I’d return for the dumplings and cocktails but would temper expectations around service and noise levels on a busy weekend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
5/5 across the board. Food was incredible, service was outstanding. Well worth the price, can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings, Lamb Dan Dan Noodles, Crab Fried Rice Full Bowl, Shaved Broccoli Salad
Only in Denver would this place have an overall rating of 4.6. The 50/50 ramen was unbalanced and overwhelmingly salty, three people at the bar agreed it tasted purely of salt. I mentioned it to the bartender as a courtesy when asked ‘How was everything?’ but was brushed off with, ‘I’ve never heard that.’ Asian cuisines typically emphasize balance, and there was none to be found here. I will say the Szechuan dumplings were good, though I’ve made LEGIT chili oil at home. And a 20% auto-gratuity on a $60 bottle of sake? No thanks. No umami, or “ooooh mommy” to be found here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Szechuan Dumplings
Cool spot with good service and tasty bites. Gluten free options are pretty limited (as expected) but just wanted to post a pic of the altered menu for my fellow gf diners. Top right corner was the miso salmon which was a mistake it’s gf. Red curry coconut onigiri was delicious
Terrible music playing loudly throughout. I want to enjoy a meal with my friends, not go to a den club.
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