Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).
Restaurants that have earned an official nod by Michelin aren’t usually known for budget-friendly menu items. But at Temaki Den, you can get a killer deal on high-end handrolls — if you time your visit right.
From the team behind Sushi Den, Temaki Den is a handroll-focused concept that opened in the Source in 2020 and later grew to add Bar Ikki, a first-come, first-served cocktail bar that serves Temaki Den’s full menu.
Temaki Den at the Source in Denver on Sept. 28, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
If you visit without a reservation during prime dinner hours, you may face a lengthy wait. But there are very good reasons to hit this place up earlier in the day.
During both lunch (12-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday) and happy hour (4:30-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday), a set of five handrolls is just $24 and includes negihama (yellowtail), red shrimp, negitoro (beautifully fatty tuna), salmon and blue crab. Add a bowl of miso soup ($3) and you’ve got a flavorful, well-rounded meal for around $30 (plus tax and tip, of course).
You’ll find it much easier to snag a walk-in table earlier in the day; ask to sit at the sushi bar to watch these expert chefs in action.
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While dropping $30 on lunch or a happy hour meal isn’t exactly cheap, the key thing to consider here is the quality: You’re eating at a Michelin-recommended restaurant known for its commitment to sourcing impeccable seafood.
If you’re just dipping your toe into Denver’s high-end sushi landscape, this $24 special is the perfect introduction. Plus you can always add on nigiri (the salmon oshizushi is a must!), sashimi or other handrolls, and don’t forget to ask what’s on special that day.
Temaki Den at the Source Market Hall, 3350 Brighton Blvd., temakiden.com.