Japanese in Tampa

4603 N Florida Ave. Tampa

Japanese

From the same owners of Asian fusion restaurant Chop Chop Shop comes Chanko, a quick service Japanese eatery that specializes in Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

1 article

House of Vegano

1990 Central Ave., St. Petersburg St. Pete

Japanese

Vegan sushi bar located inside of the Body Electric Athletic Co. in St. Petersburg. Alongside sushi, this cozy restaurant serves poke bowls, ramen, and speciality beverages.

2 articles

Kōsen

307 W Palm Ave. Tampa Heights

Japanese

Set to open this winter, the concept's chef, Wei Chen, spent the last six years at Japanese restaurant Masa, a 3-Michelin star concept in New York City's Columbus Circle. A press release said Chen has plans to do a $250 per person, 18-course reservation-only omakase, which includes 12 nigiri pieces. The omakase will go down in a separate room that can accommodate 10 people at the sushi counter, and a separate dining room will accommodate 25 people who can partake in a 10-course, $150 per person chef's tasting menu.

3 articles

Maru

2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd. Tampa

Lounge, Japanese, Tampa Bay rooftop restaurant, Japanese restaurant in Tampa, Peruvian Restaurant in Tampa

Maru features Nikkei-style offerings that blend Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. The 21-and-up spot—which boasts about 90 seats between indoor and outdoor seating—will also offer a range of craft cocktails, wine and champagne, but focus on fresh dishes like ceviche, hand rolls and more.

1 article

Mei

320 3rd St. S, St. Petersburg St. Pete

Japanese, Norwegian, Tampa Bay restaurants, Japanese food in St. Petersburg, Norwegian food in St. Petersburg

A concept debuting in the former Bento space this spring, and helmed by Executive Chef Alex Chamberlain, who will be moving from his current position as Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin-starred Kōsen in Tampa. Michelin-awarded Sommelier of the Year, Benjamin Coutts, will run the beverage program. Named after Chamberlain’s sister, Mei “brings together French technique, Nordic ethos, and Japanese ingredients,” says the press release.

Noble Rice

615 Channelside Dr. #112 Tampa

(813) 542-2021

Japanese

Modern Japanese restaurant with sushi, small plates, ramen and fish shipped directly from Toyosu Market in Japan.

1 article

Pepper Lunch

4699 Park Blvd. Pinellas Park

Japanese

The Japanese-born experiential fast-casual teppanyaki concept announced that its first Tampa Bay location hopes to open in Pinellas Park by September. The restaurant at 4699 Park Blvd. will pack 38 seats into a 1,435-square-foot dining room, with 25 more seats on the 500-square-foot patio.

1 article

ro

1500 W Swann Ave. Tampa

Japanese

1 article

Samurai Cat

407 Central Ave., St. Petersburg St. Pete

Japanese

1 article

Sushi-Go

1208 E Kennedy Blvd. (Suite 115) Tampa

Japanese

With a small menu of both raw and cooked rolls, this Japanese--Brazilian restaurant offers dishes like its Hot Philadelphia roll—complete with panko-breaded hossomaki tempura, green onions and sesame seeds. The newly-opened restaurant shares a space with dessert cafe Gelato-Go—although we’re not sure how well raw fish and ice cream go together. A representative from Sushi-Go, Flabeano Castro, tells Creative Loafing in an email that all orders will be made to-go, to encourage guests to eat in the building’s outdoor courtyard.

1 article

Tokyo Swim Club

1229 E 8th Ave. Ybor City

Lounge, Japanese, Tampa Bay restaurants, rooftop lounges in Tampa

Orlando Michelin-starred chef Johnny Tung has plans to open Tokyo Swim Club on the rooftop of Ybor City’s Casa Gomez building, where Tampa restaurant scene staple Mise en Place has moved into the ground floor. A rep for Tokyo Swim Club told CL that Tung and his brother Jimmy are backers of the project, which is led by Mike Western, who will serve as director of beverage and sustainability. @tokyoswimclub’s Instagram page says the concept plans to open in the fall of 2026. —Ray Roa</b>