Kona Grill - Denver — Attraction in Denver

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Kona Grill in Cherry Creek last night (March 18, 2025), and I can confidently say it was a 5-star experience from start to finish, thanks in large part to our phenomenal server, Brennan. Located in the heart of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, this spot has always caught my eye with its sleek, modern vibe and promise of a diverse menu, but this visit truly exceeded every expectation.

From the moment we were seated, Brennan’s energy and attentiveness set the tone for an unforgettable evening. He greeted us with a warm, genuine smile that instantly made us feel welcomed, echoing what others have raved about when it comes to the staff here—like Julian, who one reviewer called “a barrel of joy,” or Roberto, dubbed “hands down the best waiter” by another. Brennan easily joins that elite crew. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, offering spot-on recommendations that catered perfectly to our tastes, all while keeping the pace of service seamless despite a bustling Tuesday night crowd.

We started with the Ribeye Meatballs, a dish I’d seen praised in reviews for being “delish,” and they did not disappoint—savory, tender, and bursting with flavor. Brennan suggested pairing them with the Patio Bubbles cocktail (mango vodka, prosecco, and a tart raspberry kick), which was a tropical revelation and a nod to another reviewer’s love for the creative drink menu. For my main, I went with the Macadamia Nut Chicken, a fan favorite that lived up to the hype—crisp, nutty, and served with green beans so perfectly sautéed they might just be, as one diner put it, “the best I’ve ever had.” My dining partner opted for the sushi, and the freshness of the fish in the Rainbow Roll was impeccable, reinforcing Kona’s reputation for top-tier sushi alongside its American grill classics.

What stood out most, though, was Brennan’s exceptional service. He checked in just enough to ensure we had everything we needed without ever hovering—striking that perfect balance that other reviewers have celebrated in servers like Erica and Holden. When I asked about dessert, he enthusiastically recommended the pound cake, which arrived warm, indulgent, and paired beautifully with our after-dinner drinks. His passion for making our meal special was palpable, and it elevated the entire experience.

The atmosphere was buzzing yet refined, with the outdoor patio heaters keeping things cozy as the evening cooled off—a detail I’d read about and was thrilled to experience firsthand. Sure, it got a little loud at times, as some have noted, but the lively vibe only added to the charm. The value was surprising too; with happy hour deals still lingering from earlier (those $3 gyozas and $6 rolls are a steal!), it felt like a treat without breaking the bank.

Kona Grill in Cherry Creek is a gem, and Brennan made it shine even brighter. This wasn’t just a meal—it was a masterclass in hospitality, flavor, and ambiance. I’m already counting the days until I can return, hopefully with Brennan at the helm again. If you’re in Denver, do yourself a favor and stop...

I gotta get this out there - this is probably the most egregiously overpriced restaurant I've ever been to in my life and it isn't even close. Look at my profile - I've been to A LOT of places. Every single menu item should be AT LEAST $8-10 cheaper MINIMUM. Almost everything in this restaurant can both be beaten by yourself at home with minimal effort or beaten by another restaurant of higher quality for 30%+ cheaper. I'm not kidding - I wish I was.

I'm going to give you some TL;DR quick points in this review since this ended up getting long:

1). 90% of other sushi restaurants in Denver will give you the same quality rolls for $10 cheaper

2). Texas Road House makes better steaks for cheaper

3). You can beat out Kona Grills steak at home with minimal effort

4). I can give you 3-5 better options that are cheaper and better tasting of any type of food Kona Grill serves WITHIN THE CHERRY CREEK AREA ALONE. Up that to like 10 options of any type of food Kona Grill serves if you are talking about the entire Denver area. It's that rough.

I'll say the one good thing that was more on the 4/5 side was the chicken I got. It was $33 and really good + unique. It was still overpriced but at least you got a large quantity of food for your large amount of money and could maybe split the meal if needed.

The sushi was... Just okay? Like every other sushi establishment has the same types of rolls for $10 cheaper. It's pretty instulting. Like the roll wasn't bad or anything, if the roll was $12 instead of $22 that would have been fair, buy jeez it was so absurdly mid. You can go to top end sushi restaurants and order a roll 10x better for the same price - just to let you know.

The surf and turf. Oh the surf and turf. Probably the most embarrassing feature of this entire meal. I probably cooked a better fillet on my 2nd or 3rd try ever attempting to cook a fillet. Texas road house gives significantly better quality for a larger amount of food plus cheaper. I got a 4oz fillet + a shrimp skewer for $50. You can go to Guard and Grace, one of the best steakhouses in Denver, and get an entire waygu flight (3, 4oz fillet steaks) for $100. Enough for you to share with someone else and you still get more bang for your buck. Oh and the steak is just indescribably better. I don't really know what to say - go literally anywhere else for a steak... Just... Wow...

Kona Grill’s outdoor patio & happy hour was calling our names! Their Happy Hour menu runs Monday through Friday from 2-6pm & 7 days a week 9pm to close. The Happy Hour includes $3, $6, & $9 eats & drinks.

I valeted my car at Cherry Creek Shopping Center before heading inside to Kona Grill. We were seated outside on the patio that was airy & filled with greenery (definitely a place you want to sit and hang out for a while). Our server Dana was knowledgeable on the menu & quick with service.

For my Happy Hour cocktail, I got the Watermelon Margarita for $9. The Watermelon Margarita was made with lunazul tequila, Monin watermelon, & lime. This marg tasted like summer - naturally sweet from the watermelon with a kick from the tajin rim.

Tanya got the Raspberry Mojito for $9. The mojito was refreshing with the sweet raspberries complementing the cool mint & bubbly soda water.

Cassidy & Caroline got Skinny Margaritas for $9. The Skinny Margaritas were made with don julio blanco, cointreau, lime, & agave nectar. The skinny margaritas were light & tangy.

For $6 eats we got the Crab Crunch Roll & Spicy Tuna Roll. The Crab Crunch Roll was made with crab salad, motoyaki mayo, cucumber, tempura flakes, & eel sauce. The Spicy Tuna Roll was made with spicy mayo, & cucumber.

For $9 eats we got the Chicken & Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Avocado Egg Rolls, & the Bama Roll.

The Chicken & Shrimp Lettuce Wraps were made with bibb lettuce, cucumber salad, & spicy sesame sauce. I piled the finely diced chicken & shrimp into the crisp lettuce cups & enjoyed.

The Avocado Egg Rolls were served with honey-cilantro dipping sauce. I fell in love with these egg rolls - the delicious honey-cilantro dipping sauce really took them to the next level.

The Bama Roll was made with crab salad, cream cheese, jalapeño, tuna, avocado, soy paper, smelt roe, spicy mayo. This was our favorite sushi roll of the evening.

For $3 eats we got the Potstickers. The Potstickers were seared chicken & vegetable dumplings served with Asian slaw & traditional soy dipping sauce.

From the regular menu we ordered the Seared Sea Bass Sliders made with miso sea bass, furikake, miso aioli, Asian slaw, cucumber salad, king's Hawaiian rolls, & served with russet chips. This was a great way to enjoy sea bass - the miso aioli added savory spice to the buttery...