Still as good as I remembered it from last time! Small plates actually were the highlight this time.

Food and service were great, we will return! Price was right, too. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We liked the menu and setting[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Give this place 3.5. Fish in chirashi don was generous and delicious. The salmon and the smelt egg was the star. I'd skip the bincho roll. Rice was soggy and not rolled well. Highly recommend the salmon belly Ngiri. It was fatty, and. Had a nice sear to it. Also the uni was super buttery and not fishy. Toro, seared tuna and kaibashira Ngiri were okay. They were a little fishy for my preference. Staff was super friendly and quick to serve. read more

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If this is what people consider to be good sushi...yikes! After reading the reviews, I had high hopes, but the meal was such a disappointment, especially for the price and quantity. The good news is that the sashimi wasn't fishy tasting, but I did get a pretty sharp, thick bone on my last piece of salmon belly. Thank goodness I caught that! In all honesty, I did feel a bit queasy a few hours after the meal, which definitely wasn't ideal since I had plans later that night, but luckily I was able to stop my queasiness in its tracks. Although I knew I'd never return before finishing my meal, not feeling well after the meal was definitely a turn off. Save your money and stomachs and go elsewhere--where do you get good sushi around here?? read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Salmon sashimi and salmon belly sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Very friendly staff and great sushi! Their hostess (I think Caroline or Courtney, started with a C) was awesome!!! Super friendly! I will try to come back when I'm in Boulder the next time! read more

I've dined at AOI Sushi twice in the last week. There won't be a third time. The sushi is good, not great, but certainly competitive with other Boulder sushi restaurants. The service is less good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The noise is deafening, making conversation difficult.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]But that means there's a lot of people there, which means it works for a lot of people.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But getting rushed by extremely forceful wait staff, constantly being reminded there is a 90 minute limit on your table, etc., kinda ruins the whole experience. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I get that this place has a bit of a buzz about it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But I'm guessing enough people are gonna decide the food isn't good enough to offset the less-than-great dining experience. That'll remedy the noise issue. The two people I brought to AOI the other evening were literally speechless by the time we were rushed out. As you can see, I am less speechless. :) My two cents. read more

Servers were incredibly rude - took no ownership of their mistake, snapped at us for bringing it to their attention and didn't do anything to make it right. They forgot to put in the order and all of us were finished eating except one person was left without food. It wasn't rushed, infact when we mentioned it the servers were very rude, not understanding, there was nothing done to make it right. Poor hospitality. read more

We decided to try this place after reading the reviews and honestly we won't be back for a number of reasons. The miso soup has a very odd seasoning and I can't put my finger on it, but having had Miso soup in at least 2 dozen Japanese restaurant, in LA, SF, NYC, HNL, Sydney & Tokyo to name just a few cities--this was the worst one I have had and couldn't eat it. Husband didn't like it either. Sushi was okay but doll-sized and for the price point--it was not worth it and definitely won't be back. Had grilled mackerel and it was just okay and the salad was average. Hubby had tonkatsu and it was too thick, not tender, and the breading was not flaky and it was cooked too dark. Had several sashimis and sushi rolls, all average in taste but tiny in size. We wanted to try this place but it was a total disappointment and we are incredulous at all of the rave reviews. The Japanese restaurant in Louisville is our favorite so far and it also had tiny portions for the price. I would much rather pay a bit more and have a decent portion of fish and properly seasoned miso soup. Also the rice was too wet, edible but not the type of texture that compliments Japanese cuisine. We have a number of other Japanese restaurants to get through here to compare but we will most definitely NOT return here. We go to Asia for 2 months every year and have never had a bad sushi experience and dine out in Honolulu often and eat a lot of sushi--we'll save our Japanese cravings for a more authentic and delicious meal elsewhere. Will go back to Louisville, Co.again though. read more

Our go-to sushi place in Boulder. We like others in Denver too, but AOI is consistent, has a great menu in addition to sushi, and the service is always great. The hard part is getting a spontaneous reservation! read more

I love the food and staff so I come here often. They are small and quick to serve you. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cozy ambiance which is hidden on the north side of town.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Very authentic Japanese food. I'd give it ten stars if I could. But how do I keep this a secret? read more

Amazing food and ambiance!!! Service was so kind and decor is so beautiful!!! Everything was delicious, fresh, and beautiful. Even the water was good! read more

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I've been meaning to go to AOI since last summer and glad I had a chance to go. Their sushi is tasty, but they also did a great job in the small plates. Their cod was mouthwatering delicious and their Mochi Kakiage is a must try. They convinced me to try the sesame ice cream which had a nice sweet and salty taste to it. It's also peanut butter like in flavor so if you don't like that combo, would not recommend, otherwise, enjoy! We got here right around 5 to "beat the rush" and there were already a few groups there doing the same. We did get a nudge that we had 15 mins left at our table before we'd been there for an hour which was a little confusing/rude for us, so maybe check in if they have some sort of "time limit" on the reservation. read more

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The quality of food is definitely 5 stars! Variety of fish, freshness & quality, technique, and authenticity are all amazing. So this has been my go-to sushi place at the special occasions along with Osaka's and Tasuki. Many sushi restaurants here are not authentic at all. That is OK - locals love these American sushi (BTW, I hear that is the new category.) As I grew up in Japan and spent several decades in NY, my desire is to have a simple and elegant Japanese sushi. And Aoi can deliver that. But I have to delete one star as it is IMPOSSIBLE to get in touch with the restaurant. I call and it is either busy or the phone keeps on ringing. I do not know how many times I had to give up. I called yesterday from Ned after my hike at 5pm. Surprise!! Someone answered! I was put on hold for a minute and I was to order and it was hang up. I called again, the phone was busy. I called again, it was just ringing. I gave up and went back to Boulder. I called again and I could finally speak with a person!!! She said that the takeout order was 1 1/2 hour wait, but after taking the order, she went to the kitchen to get more accurate wait time. It was one hour. I asked her about the inability to communicate on the phone. It seems that they are just too busy. Maybe they just keep the phone "do not disturb"? Is it easier to place an order a day before at the restaurant in person? [[HIGHLIGHT]]I went to pick up my food and the line was long! I am happy to see that there are so many people who appreciate the real sushi![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I wish it was easier to connect as I am so hungry for their sushi. read more

Ordered the sashimi plate, 2 nigiri, 3 vegetarian rolls and a cucumber seaweed salad as takeout. Incredibly disappointed that they packed everything in one container, when this was food for two people and one person was vegetarian so all the fish and veggie options were mixed up. I've never seen this at any other sushi place I've ordered takeout from. Tried the food and we were both disappointed by the quality and taste. read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - veggie options and non veggie options all mixed around in one container - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Service was fantastic. Food was good, not amazing. Not comparable to Sushi Den. But much better than Boulder Hapa and more original dishes than most places. read more

Can I say: as a vegetarian that doesn't eat fish I DREAD going for sushi! It's always the same: an avocado roll and a prayer that it hasn't hit fish on it's way to me. Not here. I went in with the same dread as always. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find something on the menu that sounded yummy. I got the $8 sun-dried tomato roll. I also got some edamame to start. I begin by saying the edamame was cold. Normally this would be a big deal. They should warn that it is cold. I prepared myself for what was going to be, in my mind, nasty next: the roll. However, when the sun-dried roll came out (LONG AFTER my friends fish items were out and ate) I dug in. It was wonderful. The sun-dried tomato was to a point that it almost had a prosciutto flavored hit, without the meat. The way tomatoes are served in Italy. It was an Italian-Asian roll that was heavenly!!! I also enjoyed a pretty experience $12 glass of Plum Wine which was tasty!! Overall, this place has non-fish-eating-vegetarian options outside the normal avocado roll. The edamame is served cold, and the drinks are on the expensive side. Your fish eating friends will be long done by the time you get your food. But it will be worth the wait. I would return again, just next time I'll order my food 15mins before the rest of the table and stick to the water. read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Sun-dried tomato roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Visited twice last week while in town and the service was lightning quick! The staff were very friendly, attentive and eager to please. Everything from the #9 Roll, Dougy Fresh Roll to the vegetable Tempura were Spot on!! The best surprise was the house made Sesame Ice Cream! We'll be back next month when we're back in town! read more

What a terrific dining experience, a great addition to the Boulder food scene! Owned by a native Japanese couple who been living here for a couple of decades, AOI Sushi and Izakaya is a wonderful combination of quality food, excellent customer service, and fair pricing. I visited on a whim on a weekend night, and it exceeded my expectations. Located in North Boulder, the restaurant has a huge outdoor parking lot adjacent, and the modest seating options are tables and at the sushi bar. It is a personal approach, which heightens the overall visit. sushi-chef Keizo and his wife, Yuki, are front and center with awesome personalities, and their staff reflects their superlative interpersonal skills. My server, Gloria, was truly excellent. I love Japanese food, and, having visited Japan more than fifty times, I have a high bar. They nailed it and exceeded it. I basically grazed most of my meal, trying multiple smaller dishes like edamame, miso soup, Japanese salad, great gyoza, and then had a spectacular order of Spicy Tuna Roll. This is a fantastic place that will be a regular stop on my Boulder Food Tour! read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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The food was okay...it's not even comparable to most places in Denver. The service was terrible besides our lovely waitress Courtney. We went for my birthday and ordered only nigiri.... Simple right? Everyone around us sat at the same time OR after us, and was already paid out by the time we got our food. They said that the chef was behind by I'm sorry it should not take 50 minutes just to get 6 pieces of nigiri. Not a single apology until I asked for one and when I said that they should've comped something or offered us something else while we wait...I was hit with a oh... interesting.... I'm sorry but I've worked in hospitality my whole life and I've never taken the time to write a bad review but I'm so disappointed that this was my birthday dinner experience. I will be calling and asking to speak to the owner because clearly the manager I spoke to doesn't know how to take care of people. read more

One of the best experiences ever. And to have such good food in Colorado was the best. This place was bustling from the minute they opened. We ordered a lot but they paced it throughout our stay. Tables are close together- probably to tease you with what everyone else is getting. Go - Enjoy. read more

Terrible. Food was some of the worst sushi I've ever had. Immediately got sick so I must have gotten food poisoning. Fish quality was terrible and the cut was even worse. The rolls were so poorly made I struggled to eat them. read more

We tried their lunch shake chirashi bowl. It is essentially a salmon ikura don with a quarter of an avocado and some pickled vegetables. It came with both salad and soup. The miso soup was rich and packed with umami, perhaps because of the unexpected addition of enoki (?) mushrooms. The salad dressing was also very flavorful. The centerpiece of the meal was the raw salmon. There were maybe 5-7 pieces of salmon, which just melted in my mouth - definitely higher quality than most sushi restaurants in Denver. The slices could have been thicker and more evenly cut, but for the lunch price of $16, I can't complain. The ikura was also fine. Overall, I believe this lunch shake chirashi bowl to be the best value for money at AOI and I would definitely order it again. My only gripe is the additional 18% surcharge for ordering to go. The explanation I was given was that this fee goes towards the cost of the plastic containers. I was not told whether this was a service charge/tip that supports fair wage and staff. In my opinion, the cost of the plastic containers should be a flat fee -- 18% is too much to charge for that alone. This is especially true as there was an additional tip line on the receipt. read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Shake chirashi (lunch) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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Super ! Full stop! Great quality fish and fun creative rolls! Friendly staff, attentive servers ... fun chefs behind the bar. Solid!! read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - a close up of the action figures - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Sure, great sushi and very popular place. But does that really mean that they should be unclear/rude to walk-ins? We arrived like 5:30pm, and the host (after a long analysis of the paper in front of him) told us "45 minutes" since we don't have a reservation. We decided to not wait, but then heard that (when he is talking to next person in line) he actually meant they could seat us for 45 minutes before a reservation. That party decided to leave, so we decided to take the offer since we just wanted a quick bite anyway (all this happening in 20 seconds). Now another host showed up and said that the kitchen wouldn't do it and he cannot seat us for 45 minutes. He didn't literally kick us out, but he started to offer us some alternatives in town and made me feel quite unwelcome. I was also very puzzled, so decided to ask if there was a waitlist or anything. After looking at the same paper the other host looked at, he said he can offer us a table at 7:45. Well, maybe I am the weird one here, but I think there must be a much clear communication: If you are a reservation-only restaurant, then simply ask for reservations and deny parties without reservation. If you want to get walk-ins, and if you want to squeeze them in, then don't change your mind after you offer something. Also, please let people know that if there is a waitlist or not (or if you cannot eventually seat them or not) before suggesting them a new place. read more

Shhh. Don't tell anyone that this place is the best. It is getting harder and harder to get a table.

Phenomenal. We had numerous rolls (some more on the raw side and some with fried elements), sashimi, nigiri, a salad (seaweed and cucumber) and edamame. The choice was over the top. THREE Snapper choices? Red, Black, Golden. The squid nigiri, squid layered on a shiso leaf (mint-like) was the one that had us all ... chewing, then eyebrows, then YUUMMMM" read more

The food was quite good. The sushi seemed really fresh. [[HIGHLIGHT]]My only concern was there was a little tiny mouse running around the restaurant![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Amazing food, cute small restaurant. Definitely make a reservation as they do book up. Will definitely eat there again.

Best Sushi place in Boulder. Staff is great. No matter how packed the restaurant is, the host always tries to seat us. Fish is amazing. WE LOVE!! read more

Walking in the front door of the restaurant was welcoming and very open. We were able to sit at the bar and enjoy the great service and food. The sashimi was very fresh, high quality, cut correctly and no connected tissues in the slices. This is very important in eating quality fresh fish. The flavors of the udon, miso soup as well as sashimi were excellent. The noise level was not very loud and people were enjoying their food and drinks respectfully and not being obnoxious. Our waiters were very attentive and friendly. It was the best sushi restaurant I have found west of Sushi Den that served excellent and exquisite sushi and Japanese cuisine. I will definitely be frequenting this restaurant again. read more

Hands down this is my absolutely favorite Japanese restaurant. Everything is delicious and the presentation, beautiful. The agedashi tofu is amazing (and I'm not a tofu person!), as is the mussels appetizer. The sashimi is very high quality, melt in your mouth. The staff warm, friendly and happy to answer questions about anything on the menu. I would eat here several times a week if I could! read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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Definitely top notch sushi, not that I've had bad sushi in Boulder (unless it's from king soopers), but at AOI the fish is very fresh and kitchen and staff seem to know what they are doing, tastes pretty authentic read more

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Consistently the best sushi in town and they have excellent small plates. The servers there are super fast and attentive. Low key atmosphere and easy parking. They rarely have an empty table so make a reservation. read more

Amazing, first time here will definitely be back. The service was on point. The combo I had was tasty. Reminded me of a place in California my dad took me to in the 80's the memories. read more

Very fresh and so great. Love the fresh wasabi and you won't find fresher fish than here. So I you're in Boulder and want sushi you should stop by here, you won't be disappointed! read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Tuna, black snapper, and red snapper with cold pork pasta - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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A big caveat I am not a big sushi fan and usually enjoy Japanese food that have been Americanized. Visited AOI on a business lunch around 1pm. We were seated right even though the place was somewhat busy. My business partner were treating me so I let her choose most of the orders. As mentioned above the sushi was just ok even though I'm not a person to judge because I'm not usually a fan. My business partner on the other love sushi and think this place is one of the best in Boulder. I believe the chef from Amu opened her own place her. As for the things I ordered were the salmon dish from the kitchen which is a generous dish given it comes with rice and soup. I also ordered the Spyder from the roll section was was also good but nothing spectacular. Here are my ratings: Sake Salmon: 7.5/10 Spyder: 8/10 read more

AOI Sushi and Izakaya - Sushi Bars Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

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The sushi was as expected good for a Japanese owned sushi place. The fish was fresh and delicious. We got takeout so not sure about dine in service. The waitress/hosts were nice and quick. My only grip is that they charge an 18% gratuity automatically in takeout. In my opinion that's kind of steep for lunch takeout. And I have worked at a sushi restaurant as a server before so I'm all for tipping well, but when you spend $160 for lunch the extra $30 plus tax is a bit much. Oh well probably won't be back since I live so far away. read more

Hands down the best sushi in the state. By a long shot too. They always have a special menu and I suggest just ordering everything off that. It's always different and fabulous. Details are key with sushi and every piece has the perfect topping. Service is always outstanding and they all yell welcome when anyone walks in. Fresh grated wasabi and even the miso soup is a bit different and delicious. Could not recommend this place more. read more

Came here with family for lunch- we arrived at 1 pm and already they were clear they close at 2. So we ordered by filling out their menu and having to go to the register to give it to them! I really hate it when wait staff are focused on their work schedule but don't come by the tables to collect orders. We got cucumber salad, shops pepper tempura, two veggie sushi's, one negi Hama roll and a salmon roll. The veggie rolls were repetitive with cycles, tofu and rice and difficult to eat. The negi and salmon rolls were good good but my stomach aches the rest of the day. I don't know if it was their fish or what but it took a full day to feel better. Maybe it was seeing one of the waitstaff wiping her nose while Making a dish? That was pretty gross. Fish tasted fresh but not sure why stomach didn't like it- dining room is a tight close fit with counter service too. Table was greasy and really needed a good clean. Located in a strip mall with easy and plentiful parking. read more

Hands-down the best sushi in Boulder. The fish is always outstanding, as are the sake selection and service. The sushi rice is perfectly vinagered and briney, but not too much. The karaage is a personal favorite; I could literally eat it every day. And their homemade ice creams and sorbets are incomparable. Unless you want to drive to Denver and spent five times as much at Matsuhisa, you must go to AOI. read more