Chiba Bar: The Coolest Restaurant in Colorado Springs?
Tucked away downtown, Chiba Bar feels like a Tokyo alleyway got dropped into the heart of COS. It’s moody, a little chaotic (in the best way), and cool without trying too hard. Neon lights bounce off the walls, anime plays on the TVs, and the soundtrack walks the line between laid-back and electric. It’s eclectic, it's funky, and it somehow pulls it all off.
My boyfriend and I recently went out on a date night here, expecting a fun vibe and tasty bites – but what really surprised me was just how good the food turned out to be. It wasn’t just “fun night out” good, but genuinely memorable. The kind of food that makes you pause mid-conversation because your taste buds are too busy freaking out.
What We Ordered
We kicked things off with the takoyaki – fried dough filled with octopus + ginger that are crispy on the outside and irresistibly gooey on the inside. These were next-level: rich, creamy, savory little flavor bombs that practically melted in your mouth. The exterior had that perfect golden crunch, while the inside stayed warm and velvety. They were topped with mayo, tonkatsu sauce, and paper-thin, crispy bonito flakes made from dried + fermented tuna. These were gone in seconds.
The Spicy Combo Donburi definitely brought the heat – but don’t worry, it was totally manageable even for a spice wimp like me (I’m working on it). The bowl featured salmon + tuna, both delicious, but I honestly preferred the salmon – it was tender and buttery, just melting in my mouth. The seaweed salad was the perfect fresh counterbalance to the richer, spicier elements of the bowl, and the topping of tobiko—a type of fish roe—was the perfect finishing touch, adding little bursts of salty pop with every bite.
The Warm Unagi Rice Bowl was seriously savory and satisfying. The BBQ eel had a deep, rich flavor that coated each bite with smoky, luscious goodness. Paired with crisp daikon and creamy avocado, the bowl had a perfect balance of indulgence and brightness. Those fresh elements cut through the richness beautifully, making every mouthful feel balanced and satisfying.
The Drinks
Of course, we couldn’t skip the cocktails.. I went with the “Meet Hanako at Embers.” It’s made with rosemary gin, sweet vermouth, lemon, egg white, Campari, and earl grey syrup – an unexpected mix that somehow works perfectly. The result was a drink that was smooth, complex, and subtly smoky, with just the right hint of citrus and spice. It was so pretty I couldn’t resist snapping a photo… even if the moody lighting at Chiba Bar made it a bit of a challenge!
My boyfriend went with the Highball, a clean, simple, and strong classic done right. No photo here – because, well, it basically looked like a glass of water. But, the twist was fun: Suntory Toki whiskey chilled and blended with 120 psi carbonated water, served with a twist of citrus. It didn’t taste overpowering, just refreshingly crisp and balanced.
The cocktail menu here is creative without ever feeling gimmicky – you can tell they genuinely care about the craft.
Looking for the perfect date night spot, a must-try restaurant to impress visitors, or just a place to treat yourself in Colorado Springs? Chiba Bar checks all the boxes. With its unbeatable vibe and some of the best Japanese-inspired dishes in town, it’s the go-to destination that keeps you coming back for more.
