Kawa Ni
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The ambiance and staff were all amazing and made it extra special and enjoyable. The food was delicious. The cabbage salad, everyone at the table raved about it. The pasta carbonara was sooooo good and completely recommend. The make your own handroll was so worth it. Dumplings and buns were so flavorful!! Go with a group so you can taste it all. But first make your reservations.
The food was delicious! It was a great place to order a few things and try them. The spam bao buns were a stand out. The service was good. The dishes came out quickly and the server was attentive. The ambiance was nice inside but we sat outside which was perfect.
Our favorite ramen in Denver (so far)! We started with the hamachi which were thick slices and a fresh green sauce. The pork and garlic ramen were our favorite. Thick noodles that held on to the broth. The broth wasn't too creamy which sometimes tonkatsu leans that way. Black garlic added a nice essence. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here and have been comparing all the ramen we've had since to Kawai Ni.
Came back this week and re-ordered the hamachi, red curry coconut onigiri, and szechuan pork dumplings because they were absolute perfection the first time I came! They absolutely lived up to the hype again and the hamachi and onigiri remain the standout dishes on the menu by far. We also tried a couple of new items, including the cucumbers with pomegranate, kelp, sunflower, and shiso, which were a refreshing, crunchy bite and a great palate cleanser between the richer dishes. We also tried the pork & garlic ramen which was solid, the pork belly was delicious, and the noodles had a great snap. Once again, the service was great all around! Our server was extremely attentive and engaging and this second visit reinforced how consistent Kawa Ni is! I'll absolutely be back again!
Kawa Ni still feels like a late-night flirt. It's packed, loud, and absolutely not trying to make it easy for you. Two years after opening, nothing about this place has cooled off. I was flying solo on a Thursday night and snagged the very last bar seat, perfectly wedged between two very demographically represented LoHi couples who were deeply committed to each other and their dinners. Honestly? Ideal. Peak people-watching, zero awkwardness, exactly where I wanted to be. I started with the cucumbers, and they were excellent. Super crisp, super crunchy, with bright hits of mint and pomegranate that immediately reset my palate and signaled that the kitchen is still capable of executing. Simple, refreshing, and smart. Next came the crab rangoon and this was the one miss of the night. Overfried, somehow not even properly crispy, and heavier and greasier than expected. I've had this dish multiple times and it is usually light, crispy and exceptionally crab forward. What stood out, though, was the service. The bartender comped the crab without me saying a word. Not because it looked bad, but because it took forever to come out. In hindsight, that delay should've been my sign to skip it on this particular evening. I finished with the tuna tataki, deconstructed, which arrived as a beautiful little DIY project. I'll admit it, I had to look up how to assemble it using my AI "companion." No shame. The process is simple once you know it: grab a sheet of nori, spoon on a bit of rice and tuna, fold it like a sushi taco, and eat immediately so the nori stays crisp. Crunch meets melt in one perfect bight. Also, it's just genuinely fun to eat at the bar. Misses happen at times and it's about how a restaurant handles those situations. At Kawa Ni the room, the energy, the execution everywhere else, and the way the staff handled the one stumble still reinforce why Kawa Ni remains one of the most popular spots in the neighborhood and in all of Denver. I'll be back. I'll order more. And if you can grab a bar seat, especially solo, do it.
Meeting old friends in Denver for dinner and the adventorous menu at Kawa MI looks intriguing. The restaurant is somewhat difficult to find. On a a Friday evening this place was packed and a nice vibe. Kawa Ni is known for their ramen, izakaya, korudo (cold dishes), nama (raw), and hotta (hot dishes), sandwiches, and men (noodles). Meals here are tapa-ish and meant to be shared. The options here are almost overwhelming, but the wait staff was more than helpful in navigating the extensive menu. We started with the addictive cold cabbage with yuzu, sesame and wasabi. The flavor was unique, crunchy, and not over seasoned. The kung pao karaage was well seasoned, spicy, packed with flavor and a nice crunch. The szechuan pork dumplings had a bite, great flavor and moist. The peekytoe crab rangoons were a bit dry but accompanied with a nice ginger kosho dressing. The crab fried rice was tasty, savory and contained bits of pork belly, corn and egg. Our favorite dish was the baing baing chicken bao with hot honey, yuzu, and pickles. They were a homerun and definitely, a Must Try. Reservations here are a must as the joint is poppin. The vast selections gives everyone a great option for shared plates. If you are adventourous and a foodie, Kawa Ni is a great choice in Metro Denver. My only criticism is a sign out front would be helpful. A fun time was had by all. Good job, Kawa Ni.
Happy hour here is just wonderful. The drinks were around $10 for a cocktail and mine was really delicious. The ramen was well priced and a good size. We sat at the bar and the place filled up fast. Reserve ahead if you can. The communal table seemed fun as an option. The bartenders are well-versed, making perfect recommendations on food and drinks with fun personalities and a friendly demeanor! One spoke highly of the kimchi ramen with parmesan so I tried it. It definitely is an acquired taste. I love kimchi, but the combo with parm made it kind of funky! I wouldn't get it again. My friend enjoyed it. We also tried the yellowtail sashimi after happy hour and the shishito peppers. Both were spectacular! The shishitos were charred just right and had so much flavor! Will return.
First time here and I'm pretty stoked so let's start strong with the food! Szechuan Pork Dumpling The wrapping itself is to be commended. Perfectly steamed with a soft chew stays rather than disappears. The initial flavor is a spicy zest followed by a mellow pork flavor and ends quietly with a hint of astringency which was nice. I'd like a little more pork flavor coming through but honestly the Szechuan flavors are so pleasantly balanced that it's just reaching at this point. Beautifully plated and works well with the More Passion drink. Pork & Garlic Ramen The broth is complex with flavors of rich pork, black pepper, and a smooth umami finish that lingers. The bok choy is appreciated for texture but the pork belly's crust and light chewiness is more than enough. The pork belly itself is a presence that stands out. The noodles are semi thin, perfectly cooked, and provide a satisfying chew that works well with the rest of the ingredients. The egg's texture is akin to nicely done firm tofu and the yolk flavor has an almost bright but earthy flavor that is quite tasty, appearing out of left field. Overall this ramen competes with the best on my list from California and has cemented Kawa Ni on my highly recommended places to try in Denver. More Passion (no booze) Passionfruit, aperitivo, orgeat, lemon Wonderfully refreshing, bright and fruity, lightly sweet and tangy. Compliments the spice of the dumplings nicely. Fantastic food, interior design, atmosphere, and genuine service is all you'll ever need and it's right here. Just go already
We stopped by here for lunch on our way to Estes Park. Came around noon & place is nice. Asked for a table but staff told us all tables are reserved when 80% of the restaurant is empty. We sat at the bar. Ordered ramen & carbonara... and a cocktail. Server never brought us any water. Had to ask the bartender for water. Food was descent. Automatic 20% gratuity added to the bill. No wonder servers didn't care to do a better job. We left around 1:20pm and the place is still 80% empty... so why wouldn't they seat us at a table is annoying.
I've been waiting about a year to go to Kawa Ni, but not for the reason you would think. My siblings informed me that they had wonderful heated toilet seats and man were they right. Of course I had also heard the food was incredible, but the bathrooms need an honorable mention. Before I dive into talking about the food, I want to give a giant shout out to our waiter, Drew. He not only gave great recommendations and was so warm and wonderful, but he also shook each of our hands and remembered all six of our names for the whole meal - even when we were not sitting at the table! We were mind blown. Thank you, Drew, for service beyond compare! Ok onto the food - a lot of the plates here are very splittable and I definitely recommend trying a handful of things! My standouts were easily the red curry coconut onigiri ( do not sleep on this!), the chicken bao, cold sesame noodles, and beef curry udon. The red curry onigiri was one of the most flavorful things I've had in a while and incredibly well balanced. The rice was crispy on the outside, which was a nice mix of textures along side of the squishy tofu. The other dishes I mentioned were bomb as well put my brain didn't dial in on the detail as I scarfed them down, so I don't have as much to say ! Our table also ordered a couple drinks with dinner. Kawa Ni has a nonalcoholic sake bomb, which none of us had ever seen! One person in our group ordered the passionfruit option and said it was delicious. I ordered the Mazenta which was a shaken gin drink that had Ube in it. It was refreshing with just the right amount of tartness and didn't taste too strong. One of us also ordered the Hokkaido leaves cocktail, which was a whiskey drink with pan dan. If you enjoy those two flavors separately, I definitely recommend this cocktail . It was smooth and the pan dan was subtle but recognizable. Even though our table ordered a ton of food, we always save room for dessert. We tried the Matcha tiramisu as well as the black sesame ice cream sandwich ( which 100% had a better name than that). The matcha tiramisu is a hit for the reason. It has great texture, great color and just enough of the delicious Matcha flavor you are looking for. It's a perfect size to split, but I wouldn't blame you if you ordered one for yourself. The sesame ice cream sandwich was definitely the much more unique dessert option. I can't say I would eat a ton of it, but it's worth ordering with a group so everyone can have a bite to experience it. I can confidently tell you I have no idea what my facial expression was when I tried it for the first time. Kawa Ni definitely lived up to the hype with incredible food, great service, nice atmosphere, and of course, awesome toilet seats. So glad we planned ahead to make this reservation happen - the wait was definitely worth it
Kawa Ni is a Izakaya-inspired Japanese pub. The word Izakaya in Japanese is made up of three kanji (居酒屋) with the meaning, "stay-drink-place." Happy Hour is Tuesday-Friday 4-5pm. AMBIANCE Packed with people inside, I appreciated Japanese decor and wood elements accented by dimmed lights. There's also exterior seating. SERVICE Host seats guests, while staff primarily interacted with guests, and kitchen brought out dishes table-side. Note 20% surcharge is automatically included. FOOD 3.5/5 SHAVED BROCCOLI (raw) - MISO GOMA (didn't taste much miso or sesame as it may have been overshadowed by the honey) - ham: best but smallest part of the dish - flavorful, tender - burnt honey: this overpowered the dish with too much sweetness and did not taste burnt imo - crunchy ra-yu: no chili oil was provided, and when i requested it I was given chili paste instead
Everyone in the universe, including all of the professional critics and the vast majority of customers, seems wildly enthused by this place, but I guess I'm one of the few contrarians. I was not impressed. I've had a better version of every dish we tried at other venues. The space is a former firehouse which is completely encapsulated by an office building built over and adjacent to it, occupied by Compass Real Estate. Access to the restaurant is very confusing. The property comes to a point at 32nd and Erie with a high concrete platform that supports the restaurant's outdoor patio. There is an unmarked staircase off 32nd with a steep wheelchair ramp. There is a small, private parking lot just west of the staircase which is reserved for Compass; however, it includes one handicapped spot. This is completely unmarked, but I was informed by the staff that it could be used by restaurant guests. Once I found this, it was very convenient, but I had driven around the block three times by then, finally stopping the car in a no parking zone to investigate on foot. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately at a table properly set up for my handicapped friend. The restaurant is small, but attractive with a long bar and a row of booths on one side, tables on the other. It was unbearably noisy with blasting music and loud conversations. We were also treated to two screaming children in stereo, on either side of us. We should have chosen the peaceful patio, but it was a bit chilly. The server was very pleasant and knowledgeable and other staff popped by to help, but we felt rushed as our four dishes arrived randomly with no attempt at coursing. Despite the fact that the dishes are designed to share, our plates were not swapped out and became very messy. Empty serving dishes were eventually picked up, but crowded us on the small table for far too long. I finally started stacking them (I know this is rude) which attracted the attention of a staffer. There's a nice list of wines and cocktails. I started with the Kiku-Masamune Kimoto (junmai) saki which I enjoyed. The first dish was the "Szechuan" Pork Dumplings in a ponzu and garlic hot oil sauce. These were not at all warm. I thought for a moment they were intended to be served cold. Other than that, they were fine--nothing special. Despite a warning from the server, the sauce was very mild. Nothing Szechuan about the dish. The Peekytoe Crab Rangoon with a ginger-kosho sauce was also OK. I'm confused about the emphasis on natural crab when most of the filling was surimi. The server did make this clear. The wontons were crisp, the dish was fine, if rather bland. The Biang Biang Chicken Bao (fried chicken sandwiches) with "hot" honey, yuzu goma (citrus sesame dressing), and pickles was adequate. Karaage chicken should be very tender and juicy. This was just fair, but I apparently picked the good sandwich. My friend said his was so tough that it was mostly inedible. The final item was the Crab Fried Rice with pork belly, corn, kani (another surimi product), and a fried egg. This was our favorite dish and was quite flavorful. The pork belly was a little tough, though. To sum things up, the space is attractive, the service was pretty good, the noise was unbearable, and the food was very average. I would probably not return.
Kawa Ni in Denver delivered a solid dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere. We walked in without reservations and still managed to get seats at the bar, which ended up being a good spot. The bartender handled both drink service and food orders and made an effort to learn our names and use them throughout the night. It added a personal touch that stood out. We ordered the creamy tuna, dumplings, and udon. All three dishes were prepared well and had clean, balanced flavors. The menu isn't overwhelming, but what they offer is executed with care. Drinks were well-made and matched the style of the restaurant. Overall, it's a place worth recommending for a casual night out or a last-minute dinner, especially if you can grab a bar seat.
3 years ago
I expect the portions to be small and very pricey. However, we were shocked by how big the portions were especially in that area. It's dimly lit and it's quite small. They do provide you with a lamp to help with the menu. Staff is really friendly. And bathrooms have bidets and heated toilet seats so when you're here, check the bathroom out. The food was delicious. The cucumber drink was refreshing (does contain alcohol). We ordered karrage and shave broccoli as an appetizer. The karrage was super crunchy and flavorful. The yuzu really does provide a nice kick. The broccoli was delicious. The burnt honey didn't taste burnt but was quite nice in a salad. The beef tetaki is essentially raw beef. It came with this green salsa verde like sauce and that really brings the dish to life. My personal favorite was the pork and garlic ramen. This broth is probably one of the best ramen broth I've had in CO. There's so much flavor and it's a nice rich broth. The spicy lamb Dan Dan was okay. It really was more like a bolognese than Dan Dan noodles. The dessert menu isn't found online but there were three options: mochi, matcha tiramisu, and this kabocha squash cake with coffee ice cream and red beans. The match tiramisu was delicious. It's quite large so can be shared between three people. But it was so yummy and a wonderful way to end dinner. The kabocha squash cake tasted like zucchini cake and it was still delicious. read more
6 months ago
The ambiance was nice and the service was great! However, I was very unimpressed by the food. I thought it was quite bland and some of the dishes overall had the same bland flavor. There was no distinct essence (for example the noodles and cabbage). read more
6 months ago
Might be my new favorite place in Denver...amazing food, yummy cocktails, great vibes, good service. We stuck with the left and middle side of the menu and decided not to get any "mains". We got 5 dishes and 2 desserts between 2 people and were stuffed. Cocktails are also really good and they ring the gong every time sake bombs are ordered. Service was very nice and prompt. Be sure to book in advance bc they do fill up quickly. A bit pricey to come back frequently but already can't wait for the next visit. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Such a vibe and dining experience. It's one of those restaurants that would be great for any adult occasion. We based our meal on recommendations from the server. The food was flavorful, unique, light but filling. My husband loves to eat and even he was super satisfied. One of the most unusual item we had was the black sesame ice cream with miso caramel sauce. Plus - bathrooms were clean WITH heated seats read more
Loved it here! Walking in felt warm and vibrant as I gazed upon the sleek wooden walls while groups chatted loudly. The espresso cocktail I ordered had a subtle taste of both sweetness and bitterness that went down easy. Can't go wrong with any of the dishes: my personal favorites were the addictive cabbage and the kani salad, but all dishes were lovely. 3 appetizers and 2 dishes were good for 2 people. Service was very friendly. Even without a reservation, they accommodated by reaching by when there was availability. read more
6 months ago
Just had the most incredible dining experience at @kawa_ni_denver, a new Japanese Izakaya-inspired spot in Lohi! Chef-owner Bill Taibe has brought his culinary expertise from Connecticut to Denver, and it shows in every dish. After 15 years in business, it's clear that Kawa Ni is a winner! The food is amazing, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is so warm and helpful. It was packed on a snowy Friday night, and for good reason. There's such a great variety of dishes that will leave you wanting more! If you're a foodie or just love trying new places, definitely check out Kawa Ni and support this new addition to Denver's culinary scene. Can't wait to go back for more! #kawani #denvereats #japanesefood #lohi #foodie #newrestaurant #supportlocal #culinaryscene #deliciousdining Featured KARAI ME A RIVER tequila, habanero, yuzuCOOL AS A... gin, cucumber, lemon, bubblesMAYA BAE tequila, coconut, sesame, cucumber, pineapple, limeSAKE-IT-TUMI Vodka, blood orange, yuzu, lim -----COLD DISHES----- CUCUMBERS karikari ume, kelp, sunflower, shisoPERSIMMONS pecorino, puffed rice, thai basil, yukhoe sauce ------HOT DISHES------ MISO + MANILLA CLAM SOUP warame, tofu ------DUMPLINGS------ SZECHUAN DUMPLINGS ponzu, garlic hot oil -----RAW------ SCALLOP "Steam" jus:ginger, turmeric & appleBEEF TATAKI persimmon, miso aged tofu, mizunara soy ------NIGIRI/ONIGIRI/TEMAKI------- WASABI TUNA TEMAKI ginger, black + white sesame, kombu oil --------NOODLES WITH BROTH------- VIRGIL'S KIMCHI UDON pork + pecorinoPORK & GARLIC braised belly, soy egg, buttered corn, black garlic, tonkotsu noodles -------DESSERT------- STEAMED KABOCHA RED BEAN CAKE (with cold brew ice cream)MATCHA TIRAMISU(enough for two) read more
3 months ago
@kawa_ni_denver is one of the latest additions to LoHi's Japanese food scene. This restaurant focuses on a nice blend of hot, cold, raw, and noodle based dishes. My favorite was the red curry coconut onigiri. * Shaved Broccoli Miso Gila * Persimmons (seasonal) * Szechuan Dumplings * Peekytoe Crab Rangoons * Scallop Temaki read more
2 years ago
Absolutely loved this restaurant. Beautiful decor with lots of wood and warm tones. Lots of fun to sit at the bar and talk with the bartenders. Fantastic arrays of small bites both hot and cold. Lots of noodles and Ramen options. Plenty of sushi options. Just overall menu a great menu. Can't wait to go back. read more
1 year ago
Just moved to the area and found this (Michelin star) spot on a foodie social media page. Loved the ambience. Casual vibe but service and food were exceptional. Taste and portion size were so good, we wanted to order more dishes but will have to wait for our next visit. In regard to the staff, everyone was very friendly and detail oriented. Special shout out to Bethany who took care of us and was very knowledgeable about the menu (especially the Saki choice) - she also took our food allergies/restrictions into consideration. We'll be back very soon! read more
Wow wow wow. I was really impressed! We came here for a birthday celebration and really enjoyed trying a new restaurant. We got four dishes + a sake to share (dreamy clouds) and felt like it was the perfect amount of food. My favorite was the Szechuan dumplings, then the kung pao karaage, the Dan Dan noodles, and lastly, the biang biang chicken bao. The seasoning and spices on the dumplings and the chicken were incredible. One bite in and you'll be blown away. The dumplings were really soft and the karaage was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. I loved the switch up with the lamb on the dan dan noodles instead of pork. I didn't think these noodles were spicy at all though. The noodles were an amazing texture...a bit chewy I would say, and so good!We chose to get the bao without the pickles on it so maybe that's why it fell a little short to me, in terms of the taste. But everything else, I would get again! This place is also beautiful and has an elegant and calming vibe. I love the wood they've incorporated and I can confirm the toilets are heated and awesome too! In terms of payment....they do charge 20% for the team right off the bat, and then you can choose if you want to tip your individual server on top of that. This is definitely a pricier spot but feels worth it for a special occasion. Would love to come back! read more
A 10/10 experience for sure! The decor of this place is amazing. I constantly looking at the walls and admiring how good of a job they did with the place. It is also welcoming without feeling stuffy. The service was amazing. We got great recommendations by our server and none of his suggestions missed. 10/10 The food - wow! We ordered pretty much every item on the menu but our favorite was the chicken karagee and the bao buns. Honestly, it was all hits. Not a single miss. Check them out now' read more
3.5 but rounding down to 3. I was so excited to try this new spot in the neighborhood but I was definitely underwhelmed when I finished the meal. A group of friends and I tried this place out for our monthly girls night. The cocktails definitely deserve a 5/5. They were unique and all incredibly delicious. The sake was overpriced or lacked value. We ordered a $40 bottle and it was a 1 (maybe 2) person serving. For food we tried the cucumbers, kani salad, red curry onigiri, hamachi sashimi, spicy tuna nigiri, and shrimp pot stickers. The Kani salad was really good and refreshing and it was a huge portion for the price. I really respected that. The red curry onigiri was also exceptional - we ended up ordering a second one of these. The Hamachi and spicy tuna crispy rice were good but nothing special. The cucumbers and shrimp potstickers I would not order again. Both of them had a bad aftertaste to me. One of my friends did try a ramen and she said it was pretty good. I think my biggest gripe was that our bill was $410 for 5 people. We left content but not full. We did all get about 2 cocktails each and the sake so that made up a portion of the meal. They automatically add 20% for service which honestly I don't feel was deserved (at least for my visit). We waited a long time between each check-in from the waitress. We also would say please come back in just a minute, we need to finalize our order and then we wouldn't see the waitress for 10 minutes. I have no problem with auto 20% when it's a top-notch service experience but in this case, I didn't feel it was. Overall, this is a really cool spot with good ambiance. Maybe I'll come back for cocktails. read more
3 years ago
Definitely one of my favorite new spots in Denver! LOCATION Kawa Ni recently opened in a cozy corner spot in LoHi (at the southern end of the block housing Postino, Bamboo, and Recess). VIBE In concept, it's a Japanese Izakaya -- which means it's a local "stay-drink-place" where you're meant to get comfortable with a drink. The vibe here is definitely that of a happening, hip, neighborhood spot. FOOD While they serve fantastic, fresh raw fish dishes, it's not a "sushi" restaurant -- but a mix of sashimi, dumplings, noodle bowls, rice bowls, and much more. Standouts for us? The hamachi, the eggplant, the spicy Szechuan dumplings, the vegetarian red curry, the spicy lamb dan dan (we substituted gluten-free noodles), and the crab fried rice. Pro move: get a side of red curry broth for anything you can pour it on! Biggest surprise of the night: the edamame, which I didn't even take a video of -- because edamame, right? WRONG! The truffle edamame is the best and tastes like real truffles (not truffle oil) -- we almost drank the sauce at the bottom of the bowl. DRINKS There is a vast assortment of sake and whiskey, as well as fantastic cocktails! COST Prices here are totally affordable. They not only have a happy hour, but all the dishes normally range about $15-20. SERVICE We absolutely loved the staff here -- from the server to the manager to everyone in-between. It truly has that welcoming neighborhood feel that an "izakaya" should have. read more
Set within a gorgeous brick building on a busy corner in LoHi, Kawa Ni is the neighborhood Izakaya this neighborhood didn't know it needed! The ambience is sleek, hip and elegant. The food is elegant as well. We had the bowl of mushroom ramen, the tofu pocket and the biang biang chicken bao. All were excellent. I'm especially impressed by the delicacy and robustness of the mushroom dashi broth, and the juiciness of the chicken bao. My husband loved the tofu pocket, which contained crab. Pro Tip: The happy hour here is amazing. From 4-5 pm, you can get a slew of izakaya snacks for $5, several bowls of ramen for $12, beers for $5, and cocktails for $10. AMAZING!!! Definitely a cute spot to put on your list now! We will certainly be back. read more
I had high hopes but honestly my expectations were exceeded! The space is so cute and intimate. It's dimly lit and very much tailored for adults, so I wouldn't necessarily say that it's kid-friendly. But it's perfect for a date or a close-group dinner. The servers are very attentive and the pacing of their service is great! Now the food. Wow, I truly wanted to try everything on the menu. We definitely over-ordered but absolutely everything was so good!! Would totally recommend this place - and I already have! read more
2 years ago
My friend and I have been wanting to try this place for months and finally did last night. 12/10 it exceeded my expectations!! We ordered quite a bit of food but every bite was delicious. There are 2 baos that come with each order and they provide you with wet wash cloths! Our waiter Olivia was so nice and explained the menu ! The pork ramen and cold sesame noodle were my favorite. Both the desserts weee excellent as well. Can't want to come back as well !! read more
1 year ago
8 months ago
My visit to Kawa Ni had a blend of highs and lows. The restaurant has a charming, aesthetic ambiance, but the smaller size makes it loud, making conversations challenging. Service was a significant letdown. Our waiter's performance was subpar; the automatic 20% tip felt undeserved. Repeated requests for water, it took forever to even put in our order and a prolonged wait for the credit card return left a sour taste. Despite the setbacks, the Kani Salad proved delightful, with a harmonious blend of flavors. The Spicy Lamb Dan Dan, unfortunately, missed the mark with overly seasoned meat and the noodles were pretty basic. The Kani Udon had more crab than udon, with a milder broth than anticipated. The standout dish was both the Karaage Don (fried chicken) and the Crab Fried Rice, with a unique twist on classic fried rice. I look forward to a return visit to try the Sandoitchi and Temaki and I'm hopeful for improved service. Was really hoping this would have been a 5 star experience! Food: 7/10 Service: 3/10 read more
3 months ago
A sexy, loungey Japanese spot with creatively crafted signature cocktails and fun small plates with a modern traditional inspiration. The Cold Sesame Noodles, Scallop Temaki, and Shaved Broccoli Miso Goma with prosciutto and burnt honey -- divine and made it impossible to take a photo before consumption!! Our server was excellent and thorough as well. read more
1 year ago
I love this place. Snap peas were amazing. Ramen delicious. Miso salmon was beautiful but not our favorite- maybe slightly overcooked. Hamachi crudo amazing. Cocktails always amazing, service great read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
Very flavorful dishes, nice ambiance inside the restaurant. It wasn't busy at all and my entree ticket somehow was missed in the kitchen, so it took roughly 30 minutes for my dish to come out. Kind of concerning that something like this would happen when the place wasn't busy at all. read more
1 year ago
One of my favorites in Denver - went again last night and it was spectacular. Cold Noodles = fire dish. Love the Szechuan Dumplings, Tuna Temaki, and Lamb Dan Dan as well. Highballs are on point. Just an awesome experience overall. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
PARKING -- the Highlands can be tough but there's plenty of street parking in the area. I was easily able to snag a spot just a block or so from the restaurant. SERVICE -- our server Matt was attentive and friendly. Food came out really quickly and the whole experience was fantastic. FOOD -- this is one of the best meals I've had in Denver (and really as a whole) in a long time. Everything was tasty but my favorites were the infuse sake bombs, tofu pockets, tuna, and Szechuan dumplings. Truly you can't go wrong with this place. I can't stop raving about it. read more
11 months ago
we had the most beautiful dinner here and had the kindest server roanan. thank you for the incredible food and impeccable help with choosing items and pacing the meal. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
An interesting concept of an Izakaya Japanese restaurant, Kawa Ni, transplanted from Connecticut. Inside the place is stunning with beautiful blond wood paneling and an attractive bar. There are Japanese figures, posters, tea sets and other Japanese trinkets adorning the walls of the restaurant. The bartenders mix up some inventive and creative fusion drinks. The Mescal and Yuzu cocktail was amazingly well done. An exceptional bar. The food was all well prepared. Every course was huge -- just too much food for me. I should have shared more. Fried salt & pepper tofu was interesting -- not to my taste and 3 large pieces. The citrus salad was a work of art - delicious. Braised beef rib with sweet potato puree savory, rich and filing. Another large serving. The (I suspect canned) crab and rice was bland and again too big, more than I could eat. Dessert was a black sesame ice cream in what appeared to be a hamburger bun. The bun was dry. Service was efficient. Prices are relatively expensive, but there is a lot of food. Off street parking--it's a crowded neighborhood. read more
More info about Kawa Ni
1900 W 32nd Ave
Denver, CO 80211
Northwest, Highland
Directions
(720) 712-3371
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.kawanidenver.com
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
Ask the Community - Kawa Ni
What's the difference between the dining room and the OCHRE room?
The semi-private Ocha Room is separate from the main dining room and accomodates up to 24 guests.
Is there a dress code or is casual dress acceptable?
Casual attire definitely acceptable!
What is the difference between the dining room and the Ocha Room for the reservations?
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
8 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
7 months ago
2 years ago
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Kawa Ni - izakaya - Updated September 2026
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