Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar — Restaurant in Greenwood Village

Are we allowed to give Hapa MORE THAN 5 STARS?? We’ve been meaning to review Hapa for a while now because they have been our go-to sushi spot for long time. In our opinion, they are stellar in the 3 most important criteria for any restaurant: (1) Customer Service, (2) Food/Menu, and (3) Ambiance/Location.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: We can’t rave about Hapa’s customer service more! Superstars on the wait staff include Skyler, Alyssa and Alana. We’ve had several wait staff members who are awesome. Those three ladies in particular are super friendly, attentive, and just simply awesome. Just yesterday we were there dining, and Alyssa was covering our spot at the sushi bar. The place was packed with a good vibe. She was great about checking in on us several times throughout our dining experience despite being super busy. We sat at the sushi bar and Alex was our sushi chef. We can’t say enough about him and Dane. The rest of the team behind the sushi bar like Justin are very friendly and customer-focused. Both Dane and Alex are excellent and have impressive skills. When you sit at the sushi bar you can see those guys work their tails off and always serve consistently, delicious, fresh sushi. Their presentation on the longboards and detailed décor (orchids and radish) are amazing. Aaron, the owner, was super personable and friendly. You can tell why the team at Hapa are all friendly and have good energy. Aaron sets the tone for the place and we love it!

FOOD/MENU: There is a great selection of items on both the regular menu as well as the happy hour menu. Dishes are creative and the flavor pairings are perfect and make for a great dining experience. Their cocktail menu is fun and unique. Their sushi is consistently delicious and fresh. Their appetizers are fun and creative with a little Hawaiian flair. We’ve brought several out-of-town guests there and they have loved it as well.

AMBIANCE/LOCATION: We’ve been to two of their locations – Downtown Cherry Creek and DTC/Greenwood Village. While our review is specifically about the Greenwood Village location, the Cherry Creek location is centrally located, and we had a great dining experience there too. Parking is super easy at the location we go to the most (GV), and they are in a nice dining area. Once you’re inside, the vibe is always great. It’s never too loud in there, but a good amount of energy so you can still have a private conversation. Just right! Whether you’re at a table, at the sushi bar, or grabbing a drink in the lounge/bar area, you can’t go wrong. It’s a diverse crowd and perfect for date night, family dinner night out, or even ladies night out!

In summary, we can’t say enough good things about Hapa. It’s on the top of our list of go-to sushi, happy hour, and fun dining. We are BIG FANS!...

If you are talking about the most average place you can go for sushi this is it. Atmosphere seems disjointed and more set up for a hotel lobby bar. I can’t say the hostess was very happy when I walked in but she was engaged with her phone more than the guests. If you look at the lighting on the ceiling they definitely took out some bulbs from it and it just looks bad. There were some areas that need to be dusted, I could see the dust right away and makes me wonder what the kitchen or stations look like.

Service was pretty mediocre at best. From the start they didn’t have our table ready so we had to go to the “lobby” which is just an area the servers go so they don’t have to be on the floor and want to gossip. They did bring edamame which was nice but then it was included in the meal and they didn’t bring it with us. Effort was good, execution was lacking. Our waiter took over 5 minutes to get to our table which I would say is too long considering you are the face of the brand. I can’t say he checked on us a lot but he did keep us informed on the status of our food and drinks but pretty average service.

When I talk about the food this is where is went down quick. We had the waygu bao for an appetizer and that was the best part of the meal. When I look at the sushi, the overt sexual naming of the sushi is rather trashy to me. They have the multiple orgasm, XXX roll, orgasm, tootsie roll, etc. These probably should be renamed because it totally downgraded the place in my mind instantly. Shock value doesn’t equal sales or brand loyalty. We had the xxx and multiple orgasm and the toro roll. First off, toro is blue Gil and it had a pronounced sweetness that I absolutely hated and would never eat it again. The xxx was alright but nothing I haven’t had done better at other places and the multiple orgasm was mush. The highlight of the meal was the appetizers and after that, I was purely disappointments. The food was edible so it is not a one star but if you have a refined pallet in sushi and know your way around a sushi menu, I would skip this place.

Overall, this is a largely forgettable place and there are many other places that serve sushi better, create a better experience, and deserve your business more. $106 for an appetizer, 3 rolls, and 2 cocktails was not horrible but not worth the money when you look at the quality of food, atmosphere and service. I don’t see any reason to go back and the only reason I would is if I had to. I would rate the whole experience a 5/10 or 2 stars. I would say go to uchi if you want something better that is not far off that price. Uchi is superior...

What a magical Christmas Eve at Hapa! My fiancé and I decided to break away from the traditional holiday feast and indulge in a sushi extravaganza. Little did we know, it would turn out to be an unforgettable experience, thanks to the outstanding service provided by the dynamic trio of Bailey, George, and Leighlee.

From the moment we walked through the door, we were greeted with warm smiles and a festive atmosphere. George rearranged the bar so we could squeeze in. Our excitement only grew as how promptly we were seated, and our adventure began.

Bailey and George, the charismatic bartenders, immediately caught our attention with their expertise in mixology. Their recommendations were spot-on, and each sip of the custom Christmas Eve cocktails was a delightful experience. The drinks were expertly crafted, perfectly balancing flavors that complemented the exquisite sushi awaiting us.

Speaking of which, the sushi selection was nothing short of divine. Every piece was a work of art, showcasing the chef's dedication to quality and precision. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the creative combinations had our taste buds dancing with joy. From classic nigiri to innovative rolls, each dish was a testament to the culinary mastery at Hapa.

What truly set this Christmas Eve apart, however, was the server Leighlee. Despite working a double shift, Leighlee maintained an unwavering enthusiasm and attentiveness. She guided us through the menu with patience, offering insightful suggestions and ensuring our glasses were never empty. Her genuine passion for creating a memorable dining experience was palpable, making us feel like valued guests on this special night.

The seamless coordination between Bailey, George, and Leighlee transformed our evening into a symphony of flavors and service. Their teamwork, combined with the culinary excellence of the kitchen, elevated our Christmas Eve celebration to new heights.

In summary, if you're looking for a unique and delightful way to spend Christmas Eve, Hapa is the place to be. The combination of exceptional sushi, expert mixology, and top-notch service from Bailey, George, and Leighlee make it a must-visit destination. Our heartfelt thanks to the entire staff for creating a holiday memory we'll cherish for years to come. Cheers to a fantastic Christmas Eve at Hapa!!

Disclaimer: I took the picture after the fact because I was...