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Gyu-kaku - Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station, Denver, CO

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station

4.9 (561)
$31 to $50
Japanese
1998 18th St, # B, Denver, CO 80202

Make a reservation

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station restaurant

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station

4.9
$31 to $50
Japanese
Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 40 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Barbecue, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 12:00 pm–6:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    You are the Chef!
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / LoDo
  • Cross street
    Chestnut Pl
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine
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Experiences

  • Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

    $37.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Enjoy our delicious prix-fixe Japanese BBQ courses for any occasion and for parties of all sizes! Our courses are designed on a reasonable budget and for beginners and fans alike. Try a variety of popular small plates, signature BBQ dishes with our unique marinades, and more. Selection and pricing varies between courses, and may not match the starting price listed. Visit our website for more details. www.GYU-KAKU.com
    Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at... Photo
  • Mother's Day Special Niku Flower Courses

    May 5, 2026 - May 11, 2026
    Make memories at Gyu-Kaku this Mother's Day! Gift Mom a beautiful arrangement of handcrafted Niku Flowers! From 5/5 (Tue) to 5/11 (Mon), we're offering 3 different limited-time courses for parties of 2 or more. Enjoy a variety of signature Gyu-Kaku BBQ meats, appetizers, and a very special dessert of Strawberry S'mores or Chocolate Fondue. Bring the whole family, and friends for a large celebration. Download our Gyu-Kaku Mobile App and earn points and a very special chance at up to 20% off on a future visit when you order Mother's Day Course. Please visit our site for full menu, pricing, and promotional details. Other restrictions may apply. Visit our website for more details. www.GYU-KAKU.com
    Mother's Day Special Niku Flower Courses Photo

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What 561 people are saying

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Denver / Colorado

    Japanese

  • Denver

    Best Overall

  • Denver

    Best Food

  • Denver

    Japanese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Denver offers a unique and interactive dining experience with "great food and service." Customers rave about the all-you-can-eat options and variety of dishes. The atmosphere is fun, and servers like Alex and Seth are "amazing," enhancing the overall experience. A must-visit for Japanese BBQ enthusiasts.
561 Reviews
  1. Tory

    Cincinnati2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Gyu kaku never fails to be one of our favorite dining experiences. Despite how crowded it was and we could tell our server was busy, we still felt like we had plenty of time to order all the food we wanted. Everything was delicious (we had 4 orders of the spicy cucumbers) and our server was so on top of it! Had a great time and we look forward to coming back.

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  2. Jessica

    Unspecified1 review

    4.0

    Dined on April 25, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food and service! Affordable for the amount of food.

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  3. Garrick Gold

    Denver16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 15, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful first experience at Gyu-Kaku! All of the food was absolutely delicious. The meats were fresh and we truly enjoyed the variety of dishes and price points. Masa and Tahir were both superb—we can’t wait to come back.

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  4. James

    Denver12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Kai was a great server and the manager on duty stopped by and was very friendly and helpful. Great spread of delicious food

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  5. Mike Gold

    Denver38 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 5, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went to Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ for a family dinner (6 of us) and had a really great time. We ordered the Ultimate All-You-Can-Eat, which was totally worth it. Our server Alex was awesome—super friendly, checked on us a lot, and gave some really good recommendations on what to try. He definitely made the whole experience better. The food was really good too. Everything tasted great, and cooking it at the table makes it a lot of fun. We all left stuffed. Overall, just a really fun night and we’ll definitely be back!

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  6. Charles

    Denver37 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 4, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and great tasting food made for a pleasant dining experience.

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  7. Erin

    Tampa8 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 29, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Came here with my family of four. We had a short wait after our reservation. My daughter is a vegetarian and only wanted rice and veggies but we had to pay for a whole meal because the others at the table were getting the premium dining experience. The food was good the server was slammed. Overall a good experience.

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  8. Megan Gold

    Nashville4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Love downtown Gyu, always excellent service and quality.

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  9. renee Gold

    Atlanta8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was friendly, helpful and attentive. We did the Wagyu upgrade. Everything was very tasty. We’ll definitely be on our list now to visit often.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Denver1 review

    3.0

    Dined on March 15, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    This was our first time at this type of restaurant and the positives are, the food was good, and the service was good. The table was very difficult to sit at, and the paint peeling off the walls, the unclean table that we sat down at, the general ambience was poor.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Barbecue, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 12:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 12:00 pm–6:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    You are the Chef!
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / LoDo
  • Cross street
    Chestnut Pl
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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FAQs

Yes, Gyu-Kaku Denver is a fun, interactive choice for date night. Guests frequently mention the lively, hands-on tabletop grilling as a memorable experience, plus attentive servers who help guide the cooking and drink choices. The spot is casual but can feel special for a night out, with options for sushi, premium cuts like Harami skirt steak and Kalbi short rib, and happy hour cocktails. For a quieter vibe, try a weekday or an early evening seating.

Portions are generous, many guests say the all-you-can-eat and set meals provide plenty of food and good value. People often leave stuffed after the Ultimate All-You-Can-Eat or group packages, and combo plates include multiple cuts and shareable sides, so it’s easy to feed a group without running out. If you’re very hungry, the unlimited or meat-lover style options are commonly recommended.

The restaurant is open daily from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm, with a daily happy hour from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Guests have also reported visiting during holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve/Day, and New Year’s Eve, so hours may stay consistent for some holidays. It’s a good idea to check or call ahead for holiday hours or special events.

Family-friendly seating: yes. Guests frequently bring kids and families celebrate birthdays here; children enjoy helping cook at the table. The team has accommodated groups of all ages and made celebrations special. Accessibility details aren’t consistently mentioned in reviews, so if you need wheelchair access or specific seating for mobility needs, call the restaurant ahead and they’ll usually help arrange appropriate seating.

The best time depends on your goal: for lower noise and quicker service, choose weekday lunch or an early dinner, many guests say noon openings had no lines. If you want deals, visit during happy hour (daily 12–6:30 pm) or Denver Restaurant Week, which several guests called excellent value. For a lively atmosphere, evenings and weekends are busier and more festive.

Gyu-Kaku uses tabletop grills at most tables, expect booths or tables built around the smokeless grill so groups can cook together. The location accepts private parties, so they can accommodate larger groups or celebrations. Guests have noted booth seating and placements near the kitchen doorway at times; if you prefer a quieter table or a private space, call ahead and request it when booking.

The atmosphere is lively, casual, and social, a hands-on yakiniku experience that many guests call fun and memorable. Expect energetic dining, occasional loud tables, and a bustling downtown vibe near Union Station. Most guests find the space neat and clean and the staff welcoming, though a few noted moments of noise or minor wear in decor. It’s a great spot for groups, dates, and celebrations.

Casual dress is appropriate, the restaurant lists a casual dress code and guests consistently arrive in relaxed, comfortable attire. It’s a casual downtown spot suitable for date nights, family dinners, and group outings, so dress for comfort, especially since you’ll be cooking at the table.

Yes, call ahead. Guests report managers and staff who follow up on reservations and help set up birthday surprises or seating needs. If you have allergies, dietary preferences (including vegetarian options), or celebration requests, contact the restaurant when you book and staff are likely to accommodate or advise on menu choices and seating.

Yes, families dine here regularly and kids often enjoy the interactive tabletop grilling. Guests have celebrated birthdays and brought children as young as toddlers who loved helping cook. There aren’t consistent reports of a children’s menu, so plan for shareable plates or all-you-can-eat options; if you have young children or special needs, call ahead to discuss seating and menu flexibility.

There can be waits during peak dinner times and weekends, though many guests who reserved had only short waits. Walk-ins may face a wait, but reservations and early seatings help avoid lines. If you’re visiting for a weekend night or with a large group, book ahead or call the restaurant to secure seating and reduce the chance of waiting.

Busiest: evenings and weekend nights, guests often note a lively, bustling crowd. Quietest: weekday lunches and opening-hour seatings, where several guests reported no lines and quick service. Happy hour (daily 12–6:30 pm) can be busy but offers good value, while holidays may vary, some guests enjoyed holiday meals without long waits.

Weekdays, especially weekday lunch or an early weekday dinner, are often the best choice for shorter lines and quicker service. If you’re chasing deals, happy hour (daily) or Denver Restaurant Week (when offered) gives great value. For a lively night out, choose a Friday or Saturday evening when the restaurant is more energetic and festive.

Yes, Gyu-Kaku is an international chain with over 700 locations worldwide. Guests familiar with other cities note consistent food and service standards across locations, and many compare the Denver spot favorably to other Gyu-Kaku restaurants they’ve visited.

Yes, the restaurant allows private parties and can host groups and celebrations. Guests frequently used the space for birthdays, family events, and larger gatherings, and staff often help coordinate menus and special touches. Call ahead to reserve a private area or discuss menu packages for groups.

Often yes, guests have reported dining here on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve and enjoying full service and holiday offerings. Because holiday hours can vary, it’s best to call the restaurant or check their listing before special dates to confirm hours and availability.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Denver / Colorado
  4. Denver
  5. Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station restaurant

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Denver, CO | Union Station

4.9
$31 to $50
Japanese
Downtown / LoDo

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 40 times today
Experiences are available.
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