5 japanese izakaya rooms worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
Izakaya Den ★ 4.5 · Denver
south-pearl · 1487A S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
Izakaya Den in Denver is the Kizaki brothers' South Pearl izakaya next door to Sushi Den, a small-plates and yakitori room with the same Toyosu Market fish supply.
Tip: Walk-up only at the bar. The dining room takes bookings; the kitchen closes at 11 pm, later than most South Pearl rooms.
Zuma ★ 4.4 · Miami
brickell · 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131
Zuma in Miami is Rainer Becker's modern Japanese izakaya at 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, on the Miami River at the Epic Hotel, open in Brickell since 2010.
Tip: Sit on the river terrace at sunset; the indoor robata bar is the chef-counter alternative.
Yopparai ★ 4.4 · New York City
lower-east-side · 49 Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002
Yopparai on Clinton Street runs the Lower East Side's most serious sake bar in New York City. 70 by-the-cup sakes, izakaya snacks, 25 covers, reservations essential.
Tip: Sake flights run with three-paragraph notes per pour. Bring patience and a friend who reads.
Two Ten Jack ★ 4.3 · Nashville
east-nashville · 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened in 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.
Two Ten Jack ★ 4.3 · Nashville
east-nashville · 1900 Eastland Ave #105, Nashville, TN 37206
Patrick Burke's Eastland Avenue ramen and izakaya counter in Nashville opened 2014. The tonkotsu and miso ramens are the canonical bowls in East Nashville.
Tip: Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00 runs $5 plates and discounted sake; counter seats easier than booths.