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.“

“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.“

“After a year of waiting, I was finally able to try Kosen for the first time. Absolutely worth the wait. The food was meticulously curated, and the service was top notch. Far too often, you are beaten to death with the same classic pairings that you have enjoyed elsewhere. That is not the case here. Many of the dishes included ingredients from the laundry list of items that they fermented in house. What a great way to ensure the experience is uniquely their own. It seemed like each member of their service team had stopped by to introduce themselves and ask if they could do anything to enhance the experience. The courses were paced well, and service was attentive. In a world of cookie cutter omakase and sushi restaurants popping up and offering little to distinguish themselves from eachother, Kosen was refreshingly original. The Michelin recognition is well deserved and I look forward to my next visit. Huge thank you to Dakota, Andrew and the rest of the team for making such a memorable experience.“

“A great spin on traditional sushi. We loved every dish served. The all you can eat is a great option to try the menu items. Service was fast and friendly. We had a great date night. Definitely worth a trip! Tampa restaurant“

“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.“

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

“excelente servicio y la comida deliciosa“

“Best Sushi in Town!

This is hands down the best sushi spot in town! The miso soup is incredible, and the quality of the ingredients in every dish is top-notch. The service is always welcoming and attentive, making the whole dining experience even better. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for fresh, delicious sushi and great service. You won’t be disappointed!“

“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.“

“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.“

“I would say this is the best sushi you'll find in New Tampa. The staff is always very nice, and they have yet to mess up a to-go order that I have placed. I have been going here for about 5 years now and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.“

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

“Good service and great food.“

“Super Friendly Staff , and Great food“

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

“Located inside of Jug & Bottle, you walk over to the little ordering windows and make your selections from the Ichi Koroshi menu, from there you're welcome to sit at the bar, at a table or outside on the covered patio. My partner gets a traditional ramen (obviously add that seasoned egg) and I either do the mushroom ramen (w/vegan truffle butter) or the Tofu Don add shitake mushrooms. Honestly, everything we've tried has been delicious! The bartenders are nice and they have a great selection of anything you want to drink. Dare I say it's even better than Ichicoro?? There are former members of that staff who've open this spot and they've carried over all the right elements/ingredients.“

“Never disappoints.🍱🍤🍣🍶🥟🍤🥢“

“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“

“Excellent place, delicious food. This is my first time trying the beef bowl here. It was amazing. And the rice ball—I don’t remember its name—but it was great too. I’ll be back to try the other dishes they have. Five stars, no doubt.“

“five stars , great service“

“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!!;-)“

“awesome food went here a few months ago but yet again awesome food😍“

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

“Stopped in for lunch today and had the best okonomiyaki since being stateside. Brought me right back to Japan! Food was great and staff is awesome! Can’t wait to eat here again.“

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

“Here, after you buy sushi and pay any amount, you do not have the right to a sauce that comes by right with the sushi, they charge you .54 cents and they do not receive a card, so if you do not have them, no matter what you pay, you do not have the right to a sauce. spice mayo believe it or not“

“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“

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

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

“My all time favorite place for happy hour sushi! You just can’t beat their prices (and quality for the price) at about $5 per roll. Our go to HH order is usually: Tampa, Florida, Philadelphia, Mexican, spicy tuna, and the tempura salmon rolls. For apps the stuffed mushrooms are amazing but this time we tried the tnt mussels and they did not disappoint. I also typically order the lollipop roll but this time my friend ordered the scorpion roll and it was amazing! Definitely better than the volcano fyi. They also have bogo wine and beer during HH, but you have to wait until after 8pm for the sake to be bogo. Service is always pretty decent consisting of mainly a younger waitstaff. The noise level is pretty loud but much to be expected with the dining room being a large open space. For a quieter dinner I would suggest sitting outside, and if it happens to be chili out you can always catch me at the fire pit! Great place.“

“Tốt quán ngon, đồ ăn phong phú đa dạng rất thích sẽ quay lại“

“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!!!!“

“This is such a nice spot. Food was fresh and delicious. Drinks were amazing. My friend lost her card and the staff was looking all over for it. They even offered to take her number in case it turned up. Excellent service. Great vibe for date night or chill night with friends.“

“My husband and I came to Tampa to enjoy a 3 night getaway from kids and work. I, in advance, booked us a romantic dinner at Haiku which I found on TikTok. Everything was amazing and hopefully when we visit again we will be able to book again in the future.“

“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.“

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

“Amazing flavor, and quality rolls ! Eclectic options will not find anywhere else. Definitely be back !!!“

“I got the scallops entree with veggies and brown rice. It was made very well and had tons of flavor. The entree came with a “salad” that consisted of hard, yellow chunks of iceberg lettuce hearts. You shouldn’t disrespect your customers, like that. You could’ve left that part out because it screams cheap and mediocre. Elevate or just don’t serve it with your opinion of a salad. Thanks.“

“The sushi was amazing! We tried the gyoza and several rolls which were all delicious. My favorites were the Volcano and the Ribeye Campfire. Our server, Catherine (sp?), was knowledgeable about the offerings and the service was awesome. Ambiance was nice. Will definitely return.“

“Highly recommend Ichiban Japanese Cuisine & sushi. My family’s favorite. Try the Fireworks and Monk Fish rolls - although the California tempura and Spider rolls are pretty great too. The staff is amazing! Always so welcoming and friendly. ❤️“

“This place is teeny tiny and that's honestly one of the reasons I wanted to try it! Something so small has to be good right?! So my wife and I went on a random Thursday and it was surprisingly busy. There were plenty of tables available outside but 1. it was very hot and humid, 2. I was not trying to be a mosquitos meal while I eat my meal, and 3. based on the reviews with service being touch and go, we didn't want to be out of sight, out of mind. So we happily waited for our table inside. Lots of people came in and either decided to go somewhere else or to eat outside but we kept waiting. A 4 top came available first but they asked us to wait a minute or 2 more for a 2 top which made sense to us because it was busy. This was all fine until the 4 top next to us that had just arrived got exponentially better service than us and had their food ordered and served before we even got our appetizers ordered. Our waitress forgot about us, which, honestly, was expected based on the reviews. Once we finally got our food, it was really delicious! The orange sunrise roll was so beautifully bright with citrus, the seaweed salad was so yummy, and the nigiri was bangin. Our waitress did apologize a couple times for the wait and forgetting about us so we are very thankful for that. We will come back! It was still great food! Maybe next time we'll try to get in at the bar.

The pricing was also really great, btw. I've seen a couple reviews that it's overpriced which I find crazy. We easily would have spent double for the same quality at any other sushi place downtown, in South Tampa, or Hyde Park.“

“I’m a sushi lover and have had plenty in my life. This place takes first place, by far…..best sushi I’ve ever had, nicest owner -dedicated to his work, business, and customers. This sushi will literally make you put down your phone and just enjoy “the moment” of indulging in this delicious cuisine. Go get some!“

“Our server was Jackson and he was a fantastic waiter. We’ve been here several times and every time it’s exceptional every time. The building is a beautiful historic building in Ybor. The food is always super high quality with unique selections. Cannot recommend this place enough“

“This place isn't much to look at and the inside looks like a package store, but the food is excellent and many different choices. The staff is great,I'm disabled and they really take care of me. Try it once, you'll be back.

Parking: Handicapped parking and plenty of other spots.

Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp for wheelchair access“

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

“We welcome sushi bowls by Kazoku to new Tampa. The food is phenomenal and I can’t get enough of it. The staff here are very professional. Sitting down getting ready to eat my crunchy Tuna Sushi. I Definitely recommend this place.“

“Took my wife and my Son to eat there and they gave us the worst waiter possible after we got our food we must have seen him about once for a refill and nothing else up until when we were ready to leave. Other than that the food is outstanding you guys should give it a try and cross your fingers you don't get the way that we had“