50 Best Japanese Restaurants in Tampa

“I can’t believe it’s been over 3 years since Noble Rice opened and this was our very first visit! It absolutely blew us away. The service was impeccable. Hostess Angel greeted us warmly, and our server Allison A. was simply outstanding ~ easily one of the best experiences we’ve had anywhere in Tampa. We started with drinks, and every single one was perfect. The Lychee Martini was smooth and floral, the Espresso Martini had just the right kick, and the Haku ~ their version of a Moscow Mule ~ was phenomenal. My husband is a self-proclaimed Moscow Mule connoisseur, and he gave it high praise. The food? Next-level. The Tuna Carpaccio was the star of the show ~ literally melted in our mouths. We also loved the Classic Poké, Tempura Poké Rolls, and the Tekka Roll ~ all fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented with different types of soy causes for each. The only item that didn’t quite hit the mark for us was the Hanabi Maki ~ still very fresh, just not our personal favorite. I’m sure many others enjoy it! What really stood out was the service ~ something that has unfortunately been on the decline across Tampa in recent years. But at Noble Rice, everyone went above and beyond. Allison didn’t just take our order, she asked thoughtful questions about our taste preferences, made drink and dessert recommendations (the Panna Cotta dessert was heavenly), and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. Our only wish? Larger portions ~ because everything was so good, we didn’t want it to end. An amazing 18th anniversary dinner!! We’ll absolutely be back. Thank you, Noble Rice, for making it so special.“

“11/5 STARS, BEST SUSHI I'VE EVER EATEN! Best waiter ever TRAVIS, see him, you will be taken care of!!!. Look how amazing the food and atmosphere is!! It's All You Can Eat for $30, WOWOW! I'm posting the menu, look if you buy too things the all you can eat makes more sense. The boba tea and green tea pots taste heavenly!! The sushi is mouthwatering, portions are great! With all you can eat you can do this until you are stuffed. Look at the presentation?! It tastes better than it looks even. Menu is one of the most robust I've ever seen. I'm posting their small menu, but the in restaurant one is like a dozen pages. Its all delicious. The chefs are amazing and very nice. The wait staff is incredible. This is the second time I've gone and cannot speak highly enough. They should get awards for best sushi in the area, but really anywhere in the country. They had like 14 people in the restaurant working which is amazing considering Walmart has like 5 people working nowadays. Their staff was super attentive and food came out in like 5 minutes. I cannot speak highly enough, this is my forever go to place and so reasonable with how expensive everything is with inflation. Go here, seriously or wait, don't I' want all the foods. It will make you very happy, nice job Ajisai 3, you truly are the best of the best!!! #ajisaiayce ; *WAIT I forgot to mention something REALLY important... The All you can eat sushi that's $30, its FREEEEEEEEE on your birthday, bring your ID and I think I said, its free, like free like Free Willy free. Who does anything free nowadays?! He77 yea Ajisai, you truly are the best of the best, you take care of your customers like I have never seen and on top of the food is YUMMY to the maximum. Can I leave more reviews, can I get you an award for your complete satisfaction for customers? I'm posting to every site on the Internet, its the least I can do. If my ex-wife satisfied me half as much as this this, we would still be married. Can we start dating? I think you would take care of all my needs. The best way to a man's heart is through their stomach, well here is my heart cause my stomach is fulfilled.“

“Kinjo, you guys were absolutely fantastic. The plates, the presentation, and the service, phenomenal. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised, knowing that Chef Eric and his team responsible for Koya are also behind Kinjo. 10/10. My brother and I feel very blessed to have experienced a wonderful meal here, and we appreciate the teams at both Kinjo and Koya coming by, to share their passions. I'll be looking forward to bringing my spouse/rest of my family, so they can also share in an excellent experience.“

“Food was phenomenal. Highly recommend“

“I have not been to the new location yet but will visit very soon. I have been coming to ichiban since i was 12-13 years old and i just rolled over to 38.it is the ONLY sushi spot i will go. The sushi is always amazing caroline makes dining inviting and enjoyable the atmosphere is always pleasant.“

“great food great service we will return with an appetite“

“excelente servicio y la comida deliciosa“

“Koya is an experience not to be missed. The food is a fencing match of flavor and creativity. I would compare the passion that Chef Eric and his team bring to the culinary space to that of Steve Irwin and the way his eyes would light up while talking about wildlife conservation. The minute you walk into the guest dining area, you are wrapped in the warmth of welcoming intimacy as the team greats you by name and gently guides you to your carefully selected seat. Through basic observation, you can tell the Chef purposely designed the space to make the guests the focus of the evening. This is clearly shown in how the illumination in the room is focus on the guest seats in comparison to the rest of the space. The contrast of the natural wood counters against the shadowy background provides an understated grace and refined simplicity without the pretentious nature occasionally found in fine dining. The music is modern, melodic, and upbeat. It aptly fills the room without being overbearing so that conversation can be had at soft levels. The cleanliness of the restaurant is crisp from front entry to rear restroom. With that being said, the food is the star of the show. Simply put, it is an eye opening and daring journey. Chef Eric takes you through his mind as he lays his very thoughts on the plate in front of you. Each course is assembled with intent and purpose. The dishes expose the guests to gastronomical revelations that will leave you wanting more and forcing you to ask questions like; "What kind of madman created this and how/where do I get more of it?" Chef Eric has a story to tell, and each dish is an enthralling chapter of a book you never want to end. There is a sense of tradition and innovation that accentuates the culinary bravery that is Chef Eric and his team of exceptionally talented and personable chefs. My single, solitary negative is that I can never eat enough.“

“Our waitress Tiffany was a huge help to decide what to order. It can get pretty overwhelming with all the different varieties of Sushi, Appetizers and Sake. We definitely appreciated her input.“

“very friendly staff, food cooked to order, great food, and reasonable prices.“

“Best sushi ever, the monster and Mexican roll are my favorites

I haven coming to this place for over 9 years already, and still my favorite sushi place in town; the food is always fresh and tasty; and the service is amazing they even remembers my usual orders“

“The sweet potato roll is absolutely the best!!!“

“This place is stupid good. I don't even know the name of what I ordered, it was one of the first things on there. Got it with grilled chicken and the layered pancakes. Make sure you get extra sauce on the side. Get a green tea. I've never been, but it felt like I popped into someplace in Tokyo and had some local food. You order everything by yourself on the screen as soon as you walk in, then they call your name when it's ready. Seating for about eight groups of people or so. Go there immediately.“

“If I could give them a zero I would. My friend went there today and she was refused service because she has a skin disease called psoriasis. Shame on you all. You need to get educated the disease is not contagious I hope you and your ignorant staff learn some manners.“

“The food was absolutely delicious and the servings were plentiful. Service was good, and food delivery was very timely for our group dining at the restaurant. The atmosphere was satisfactory, some touchups could be done to spruce up the inside of the dining space.“

“I’ve been eyeing this spot for takeout for a while and finally ordered from this local food truck. I’m so glad I did.

The karaage (popcorn) chicken was both my partner’s and my favorite! It was really juicy and had great flavor. You can choose from several different sauces (at least when ordering online), and we went with the garlic aioli, which paired really well with it.

We also ordered the crab “goonies” (so cute!), a Philly roll, and a tuna hand roll. The portions were generous, and we felt like we got a lot of food for what we ordered.

It’s always nice to support a local business, especially when the food is this good. We’ll definitely be back, and I have to say the karaage chicken gives Guthrie’s a run for its money!“

“Super Friendly Staff , and Great food“

“Everything was good i especially loved the rice🗣️‼️ our chef Tadashi was hilarious and next time I come back to Tampa with the family we’re definitely coming back and I WANT TADASHI🗣️‼️🔪👨🏽‍🍳🍽️💪🏽🔥😁🏝️#Tampa“

“Good service and great food.“

“Great food as always! Everything was delicious! 😋“

“sushi was fresh, great prices and delicious.“

“Overall, I thought this restaurant was good, but I don’t think it was up to par with the Michelin service/food that’s usually expected. My friend and I are on the younger side and it was very obvious that we were being treated differently than some of the older people in the restaurant. We also were sitting in the middle of the restaurant, so my food was not coming out at the same time as my guest’s food, as we had separate chefs. The sushi was pretty solid, but I don’t think it was anything to rave about. What I did really enjoy was the duck and the Wagyu, which were the last two courses. If I were to do it over again, I would probably only get drinks and food at Tanto. We did not do the wine pairing, but had a bottle of wine. Our bill for 2 was $900.“

“visit from Ohio, always stop in.“

“Eating at Yokos is a must!! The quality of the food and the friendly service make for a lovely and authentic experience. Best sushi in Tampa!“

“Arrived at 9 pm.. fast service.. friendly and accommodating… delicious King”s roll and “ out of control roll “ washed down with Saki made for an excellent night!!;-)“

“great to have Japanese and Korean cuisine. Both are excellent.“

“Excellent food and service. Highly recommend this location.“

“Chicken Teriyaki bowl was delicious! Best miso soup in Tampa, also the spicy edamame was the best I’ve ever had! Will definitely be coming back:) they also sell Japanese cheesecake and I can’t wait to try it! Service was exceptional, Melissa helped us at the counter and we can’t want to visit again!“

“A wonderful menu of Japanese fusion and classic dishes. Great sushi and sashimi!“

“Ro is one of the top Hyde Park restaurants in Tampa and a go-to spot for incredible food and vibrant atmosphere. As a regular, I highly recommend the duck tacos—they’re packed with flavor—and their old fashioned is one of the best in the Tampa nightlife scene. The DJ nights bring great energy, and the private room is perfect for hosting events or gatherings. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out or a stylish place to dine in Hyde Park, Ro never disappoints!“

“Lobster sushi roll was really good. It made me forget I was drunk.“

“This is one of my favorite sushi spots. The food is great and comes out relatively quickly, sometimes there is a bit of a wait depending on what day you go but that is usual. Their all you can eat option is the best in my opinion. They have a variety of other options if you do not enjoy sushi as well. -JL“

“This place is truly amazing, the staff is so friendly and helpful, the food here is absolutely delicious and they have so many options to choose from. The place is super clean and simple. The place is very peaceful and a great place to come and relax when needed.“

“New name, new management! Sushi Time is one of our favorite spots in the area! The food is always fresh, delicious, and consistently high quality. The service is friendly, attentive, and makes every visit enjoyable.

The Meat Lovers Ramen is an absolute must-try—rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. We also love the Tokyo Sushi, which is always fresh and beautifully prepared.

If you're looking for great sushi, amazing ramen, and excellent service, Sushi Time delivers every time. We love this place and will definitely keep coming back again and again!“

“Good food... the Chinese menu here is excellent. Have not tried the Japanese Menu yet.“

“We come here weekly! The food is always top notch, some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. But it’s the people that work there and own Ebisu that make it so special. Love this place!!

If you’re lucky enough to come on a day when they have specials on the chalkboard, take advantage of whatever they have that’s fresh!“

“I ordered the party tray and had a hiccup with the actual order when I opened it at home, when I called to see if this could be fixed I thought they would be dismissive but honestly they were so nice, the girl at the front was very sweet and understanding and they didn’t give me any problem at all. That was really really great customer service. Thank you! The food was great!“

“visit from Ohio, always stop in.“

“Food Excellent
Service Excellent
Atmosphere Excellent
Would totally recommend the crab and avocado hand rolls, chicken karage, fries, rice pot, chicken thighs/ribeye/pork belly skewers!

Lychee martinis are also a go to! Love this spot 5 stars!“

“Food was freaking great! One of the better poké spots I’ve found.“

“Incredible place with 5 star food and The artwork on the walls is so inspiring and the artist Sabien was sharing his art in house today. What a special place!!!! We will be back repeatedly and are forever thankful for your event on July 7th Super hero’s exist in many different ways. Thank you for this!!!!“

“I recently had the privilege of dining at Sarku Japan, discreetly located within the refined culinary enclave known as the Citrus Park Mall food court. From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere struck a delicate balance between contemporary chaos and suburban elegance, underscored beautifully by the distant hum of children near the arcade and the occasional announcement about lost shoppers.

For my entrée, I selected the chicken teriyaki accompanied by white rice, a composition that demonstrated admirable restraint while still delivering remarkable depth. The chicken possessed a glistening lacquer of teriyaki sauce that clung to each bite with intention and grace. The rice served as a humble yet effective canvas upon which the richer notes of the dish could fully express themselves. To elevate the experience further, I paired the meal with a peach lemonade from neighboring Charleys Cheesesteaks, whose bright citrus profile and delicate sweetness provided a surprisingly sophisticated counterbalance.

What truly makes this location exceptional, however, is its refusal to be constrained by traditional fine dining conventions. Where lesser establishments rely on waterfront views or candlelight, Sarku Japan is confident within eyesight of a coin operated kiddie ride. It is bold. It is fearless.

It is, quite frankly, one of the most emotionally complex dining experiences available in Tampa.“

“On a whim stopped by to snag some sushi and it was decently surprised about how utterly delicious it was. The portions were stellar and flavors married together very nicely. We ordered to go and they had out 5 rolls ready in less than 10 minutes. Highly recommend!!“

“We were impressed with the freshness and quality and wide variety of food. The service was excellent and 5 stars also for the cleanliness of all areas.“

“Highly recommend! Food was delicious and fresh, came out fast, great concept, and good prices. No hidden charges and our server Peter was very informative of everything from portions to how the restaurant came about. Peter was great, if he's working I recommend him as well! We'll definitely be regulars.“

“This restaurant is definitely my favorite sushi restaurant. Great sushi and great service extremely clean and nice atmosphere.“

“My wife and I have been going here for a year as a frequent date spot. The ambiance and atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous. The most idyllic date you could dream of. The staff is always so kind and talks with us about whatever feels fun that day. The food is also just incredible- I’ve had food all around the world and this is just so thoughtful and well put together it makes me so happy every time. I only really review places when i feel like they really deserve it, and the food is just so creative and the menu is so incredible i really cannot recommend this place enough. Also, if you want a recommendation- the kyoto roll is my wife’s favorite.“

“Great tasting food, great service, great prices, great ambiance..we were a party of eight and we all had a great time. Our server was wonderful and was the chef who presided over the hibachi grill. He was an artiste and very entertaining. We will be back.“