I was very intrigued by the use of the Konro grill that burns binchotan coal, I actually wanted to get a Konro grill but never got around to do it. It is my understanding that these are used at yakitori shops around the world. Anyhow, when I saw that Dojo Izakaya used this grill, I had to check them out. The restaurant is pretty modern and the service is top notch. I got a vibe of a x star Michelin restaurant, but fortunately/unfortunately it is not. I ordered the fried chicken, grilled gyozas, and a grilled branzino. The chicken was really good, with excellent flavors. The grilled items had a special grilled flavor, more intense but also more delicate than regular smoked foods. It is a nice alternative to regular charcoal grills that many places use, as well as smokers at smoked meat restaurants. I appreciate the offerings, the variety, good flavors, etc. The menu changes weekly or monthly, so this is an active menu that offers diversity. If the restaurant wants to be a fine dining restaurant, I can see them going in that direction. Otherwise, they could stay as they are and continue using the unique grill flavors. read more

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Absolutely amazing service and incredible experience. It was my first time here and I came with my friend and I was taken such great care of by Sam, Sophia, and even the host Gianna. It's the little things that go a long way, I loved the playlist too it really created an amazing ambiance as I dined with my friends. The oysters are an absolute must oh my god, I actually just got my wisdom teeth removed and I'm writing this in recovery and just salivating at the thought.... Will have to come back to calm the cravings! I cannot emphasize how much my experience was elevated by the more than amazing staff, I felt heard and taken care of the whole way through. The food was absolutely incredible, I even ended up eating new things, and as a relatively picky eater; I walked away from this experience feeling like I conquered a mountain and was just standing over the peak, in absolute bliss and amazement! Highly recommend:) read more

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Dōjō Izakaya & Sake Bar, located in Coral Gables, comes from the team behind the Michelin rated and James Beard nominated Zitz Sum so naturally, expectations were high. I absolutely love Zitz Sum, so I was really excited to try Dōjō and wanted to love it, but unfortunately I left feeling a bit disappointed. Nothing we ordered was bad, but nothing really wowed us either. The menu only offered three cocktails, and I tried the Tokyo Havana which is their take on an espresso martini using sake, coffee, Chazalette's, and milk froth. I really wanted to enjoy it, but I just couldn't. It wasn't drinkable for me, and I almost never send drinks back. We started with the Rock Shrimp which has chili brown butter, herbs, and shokupan which sounded amazing but ended up being overly spicy and lacking in balance. The Short Rib Onigiri which was huancaína, teriyaki, pickles also missed the mark , it was just okay. For mains, we shared the Grilled Branzino and the Prime Rib Eye. The rib eye was easily the best dish of the night super flavorful and cooked perfectly while the fish was pretty bland. The highlight of the meal was actually the Baked Japanese Sweet Potato with smoked maple and creme fraiche, which was delicious if you like sweet. We skipped dessert, worried we'd be disappointed again. Service was also a letdown .. super slow, inattentive, and we had to ask for water refills multiple times. The check took forever to arrive, which didn't help the overall experience. Overall, Dōjō has potential, but it didn't live up to the hype or to the standards set by Zitz Sum. Hopefully, it improves with time because the concept and team have so much promise. read more

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Came here with a fellow yelper as she told me it got stunning reviews! We sat outside on the patio and the weather was gorgeous in the 70s on a Saturday night. The vibe was so cute as there were little shops and bistro lighting surrounding the seating area. We started with the short rib onigiri which was essentially like a rice ball with black nori on the outside with short rib on the inside. It was super tasty and fresh. The sauce was pretty spicy, but smooth. We got the baked Japanese sweet potato and the ribeye for the main course. The sweet potato was crunchy, sweet & fresh! The ribeye was fantastic and cooked medium to perfection. Chef sent us the Osaka salad on the house which I thought was extremely kind! The yum yum dressing was a great touch. Service was a bit slow, we had to ask for certain things multiple times such as water refills and the check. Overall super yummy! read more

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Located in the center of coral gables I came in for a Collin of Dojo's food with Peacock ramen's chef. I can't speak enough towards the quality and attention to every ingredient in every course. It' chose the $75 tasting menu and the amount of food we were handed should be illegal. We all left like double stuffed Oreos. The service was amazing and super attentive. They had a great selection of sake to choose from which paired great with every course handed our way. Although this was a collab they offered tons of the foods they offer on the daily and if you've walked passed this restaurant and haven't stopped before then you're doing yourself a disservice. 10/10 for food, service, and decor! read more

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Dojo Izakaya is highly recommended for a reason. My friends raved about it and told me to go. Everything was delicious. The short rib onigiri with huancaina was awesome. The branzino is not to be missed. The portions were impressive and the ambiance is understated but very nice. read more

Dojo Izakaya - Japanese Near Me - Coral Gables, Florida

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If I could give this restaurant 20 stars I would! Dojo, is the definition of what a good restaurant is all about, it's one of a kind, and a phenomenal culinary experience, which allot of restaurants in Miami should learn from. The service was great, we arrived a bit later than our reservation due to traffic, but they were very accommodating. The vibe is very laid back, relaxed, welcoming, and very family oriented. The service was top notch, and John our waiter was the best! He was knowledgeable of the menu and gave us the best recommendations. All the dishes are shareable, but be mindful that their menu is always changing. The food was out of this world, the Pichana was my favorite dish, once that blew me away, and I was not expecting. This is truly a great establishment and everyone should experience it, at least once. read more

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Pablo Zitzmann does it again bringing unique flavors into classic Japanese dishes. Exactly what Miami needs more of do yourself a favor and go. read more

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Came for Miami Spice and left feeling satisfied with their three course tasting menu! The interior is cozy and intimate, and the presentation of each of our courses was gorgeous. I love their seasonal menu rotation concept, and everything we tried had a sense of freshness, creativity, and attention to detail. I can't stop thinking about the branzino I had, and while I'm sure the menu is fully different now, I would definitely recommend to someone looking for an elevated dining experience read more

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Nice spot to have dinner. The area has alot of restaurants and bars in the area and ample outdoor seating. We were seated right away by the kind hostess. Our server was also quick and attentive. We started with the kampachi crudo: big chunks of juicy fish with serrano chilis. Very tasty with a little kick. this was my favorite item. We had a dish with tuna on grilled bread with stracciatella and it was just okay. The duck handrolls were very good, the only downfall was I had two bones in mine. Their fried chicken was just okay to me. The sauce was good to dip, and the meat was tender. I feel like the meat was under seasoned. Tonkatsu is good to try if you've never had it, but for someone who has had it before, its not too good. Very under seasoned and overcooked. I agree with the reviews above that it is a fun place to check out if you've never had Japanese cuisine, but for people who have, you may feel a little disappointed. The sake was probably my favorite part. Nigori was served chilled and it was really nice to sip on. I would return for happy hour to try their sandwiches and more sake. read more

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Ok. Probably wont be back. As others mentioned the music is so loud in the restaurant you cannot hear the server. The server goes through the whole menu describing each item and it was very difficult to hear. Service was really great and attentive. Food was good but not out of this world. In my opinion there was just something missing out of this dining experience. read more

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Dojo Izakaya comes from the magnificent minds behind Zitz Sum so I was already prepared for a phenomenal meal. The ambience is set with dim lighting creating a super cozy vibe. The team is diligent and always checks in on the table. We enjoyed a variety of small plates, sharing everything tapas style. The standout was the steak with a ramen style raw yolk that was available to drizzle over the top of the steak - the balance of the creamy yolk with a perfectly cooked steak was just divine. The chicken karaage was stunningly fried and the yuzu ranch brought a much needed lightness and acidity to the dish. The tonkatsu was super juicy but felt under seasoned, I was expecting more punch from the curry. My qualm was the dessert -- let me know how we were served HALF a small tart and for the price that just felt a little ridiculous. Worth coming to try and dipping into their happy hour specials read more

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Wow. The long anticipated second location by Chef Pablo Zitzmann and his team is finally here in the Gables, and damn are we lucky. You may have heard of their sister restaurant - Zitz Sum - also located in the Gables. I've been following Pablo and his team since his days at No Name Chinese, and also his pandemic pop up, so I knew that Dojo would be delish. I popped in last weekend during their soft opening with my friend and her parents. Luis was our server and started us off with some great wine recs. I was surprised to learn I enjoyed his suggestion of La Chupacabra - a chardonnay - as I don't normally like Chardonnay. We were popping in for dinner before an event that started at 10 pm that would also have food so this is what we ordered to share: +Baja Kampachi - the dashi cream on this is something that I would have gladly taken home on its own. I drank it all with a spoon. The fish was also great and I loved the pairing with the white asparagus. +Hokkaido Scallop: another interesting crudo that had florida corn in a white ponzu. +Karaage: these were delish little fried chicken oysters with ranch +Negima: this is probably one of the best chicken thighs I have ever had. It was prepared on a skewer and so juicy. Funny enough, at an event back in 2020 Chef Pablo prepared a chicken thigh that to this day is one of the best bites I have ever had, so I am not surprised this bite was one of my favorites of the evening. +Niman Ranch 14 oz Denver Steak: I loved everything about this, especially the little condiments that came with it. Overall, I loved my experience here. Pricing is also really reasonable. As they continue to evolve I'm sure the menu will rotate. I am also sure you can expect well-prepared, creative menu items, a solid wine list and friendly service. read more

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What a fantastic meal and addition to Giralda. The flavors throughout the meal were exceptional, I am still thinking about the scallops with charred corn. Another highlight was the tunnato salad. The favors and profile of the dish were simply mind blowing. By far the best chicken I've had in a restaurant. The krab dip was fun but I wish it had a spicy component. The steak was flavorful, cooked perfectly and was delivered with delicious additions like the carrots. The server was very knowledgeable and was super attentive which seems to be hard to find in Miami. The establishment was spacious and you didn't feel like you were dining to close to anyone. I enjoyed this meal and look forward to frequently stopping by. read more

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From the team that brought you ZitSum is Dojo an izakaya restaurant and sake bar that truly made memorable mark on me. Let me show you why. The first dish Kampachi, everyone said I'd like that plate clean and I did. That creamy ponzu was everything. Now I'm a ikura lover so when I saw the smoked kama dip, I knew this dish was going to do it for me. You can't do Japanese food without a good karaage. Coming from the girl who had to check out every combini fried chicken, I can certify that this was fire. Now I didn't know I could love crispy rice until I saw this fluffy extra large version. They can't supersize it for me any day. Now if you can only have one dish, it's this the Wagyu filet. If they take this off their menu, I will be the first one to boycott. Because this dish did it for me. Just when I thought I couldn't feel more in Japan I took a bite of this curry and it was game over for me. I was gnawing at the bone read more

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Oh my Jesus, was my immediate response after my first bite from my first dish and it only continued getting better after that. This spot will not disappoint. From start to finish and everything in between, this was a well-earned 5/5 experience. Gianna, the lovely hostess welcomed me with a warm smile and thanked me for arriving early to my reservation, porque ta tu sabes, Miami people are always tardy. lol! Anyhoot, she took me to my seat and made some recommendations that I simply couldn't ignore. When Johnn, my server, arrived, he echoed Gianna's suggestions. First dish: Kampachi, get ready for an amazing burst of flavor that ignites your tastebuds. You'll want to lick your plate after this one. Dish number two, I indulged in the delicious and perfectly seasoned and fried chicken thighs with ranch sauce. Main course was the branzino; oh my word, it's really good and made over their coal grill. To close out the experience, I had both of their desserts and they did not disappoint. The quality and impeccable service from the team; Dianne, Luis, Sam, Sophie, and the behind the scenes crew, this was phenomenal and I can't wait to go back! This is a spot you won't want to miss. The ambiance and sound of both the music and patrons were perfect and not noisy at all. It's a place where all are welcome; whether you're a party of one, two or more, you'll definitely have a great time. Check them out and enjoy! read more

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Loved this place. Went at 5:30pm and it was empty. By the time we left at 6:45, totally packed. Server was great, knowledgeable, attentive, caring. Food - even better. FYI, they don't have a full bar here but the sake cocktails are quite good. Scallop crudo was my favorite - huge chucks of scallop, as opposed to sliced thin, which was unique. The corn paired with the soy/ponzu type sauce was amazing paired with the sweet scallop. Good portion, and good price. The karaage for happy hour on a Friday was only $8! Great portion, great taste, incredible price. That dipping sauce was to die for, too. Tuna crudo was refreshing, cold, and I loved the ikura on top. the dynamite dip, while delicious, could be skipped. Will definitely come back here. read more

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We stopped by Dojo Izakaya on a date night and were blown away. The fried chicken was crispy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned -- hands down the best we've had in Miami. The branzino was incredible too -- tender, fresh, and beautifully plated. Oh and the sweet potato was fire. Service was on point the entire time -- friendly, attentive, and the food came out fast without ever feeling rushed. The atmosphere is cozy but lively, with that perfect balance of casual and elevated. Definitely a new favorite spot in Miami. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! Also a great area outside to walk around and enjoy. We will be back. read more

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Yummy and fun! What a great addition to Giralda. We really enjoyed the tapas style Japanese- reminded us of quaint little places we enjoyed in Japan when we visited last year. Not fancy- in good way. Best to share everything. read more

We thought this restaurant was fantastic and will definitely be back. Food and service were both exceptional. Our server made fantastic recommendations of what to order. The highlights: Kampachi Yellowtail onigiri Japanese sweet potato read more

My husband and I have been here a few times and try to bring friends to try it out w us. Staff/Service is great and the food is always delish. We are always impressed with new items on the menu and the classics are so good. Pork is a must. read more

The kind of place that's become all too common in this city. It's not *bad* per se; dishes are prepared in a technically sound manner, quality ingredients, etc. But I would describe this as the equivalent of a place where they put cream in their $28 Carbonara but it tastes pretty good. Is it good? Sure Is it true to the cuisine? No. Does it justify the price tag? Maybe, but I'd rather find a better place at this price point. You've heard it all before: small plates, innovative takes (on a cuisine that didn't demand innovation in the first place), and at the end of the night you're left wondering how the night got away from you when the three figure tab hits the table. The wine list is "innovative"--read: 4x markup on wines with fun labels from Whole Foods (they pair decently with the food I suppose). The service is friendly but inattentive. Don't bother with the cocktails. Cap it all off with doughy dessert (any pastry chef in house to justify the price tag?) and a 20% service charge and you'll be in the same place I am: 'I'd be stoked if this were $50 cheaper.' Again, this is our world in Miami. You know it, you might love it or question it, but it's your reality. This is the norm--though exceptions are out there. For my part I'd rather find those exceptions. read more

We went to Dojo during the Giralda block party and had a reservation for 7:30pm. When we walked in, there was an immediate sewerage smell. Luckily, we got to sit outside which was so lovely. Our server was very kind the entire meal. We ordered several items to try, all of which we can see where Dojo was going with the dish, but seemed to fall a little short for us. To start, the hokaido and tuna dishes were both decent flavor wise, however the cuts of both were off. The hokaido was too thick, and it carried a decent scallopy taste but not in a good way. Otherwise the corn and other touches were great. The tuna was cut way too thick for the dish and very oddly paired with a smoked salmon roe and a weird chunk of avocado. You can get a tuna crudo anywhere, and almost everywhere else I've had it has been better which was a bit disappointing. The steak tartare ramen eggs were such a cool concept, but we were both so confused as to why there was a fruity taste to them, so they fell short for us. The karaage was good, but the coconut ranch sauce with yuzu koshu was way too lemony and didn't allow for the other elements to come through. The yaki soba noodles were such an interesting dish. Right when they came out, they were good, but once they sat for even five minutes, they became way too fishy, so we didn't finish them. The tonkatsu was okay. The crunch was phenomenal, but the actual pork part was incredibly poorly seasoned and had almost no flavor. I'm not a fan of the curry pairing, but plenty of people are. Here, you need the curry to give the pork any flavor. It was also quite expensive for a pork dish ($42). Overall, I think people will think Dojo is good if they haven't had these types of dishes before. For me, everything was fine, but it all fell a little flat. Happy we tried it, but no interest in going back. read more

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Dōjō Izakaya was amazing! Small spot that felt like a hidden gem -- like being in a cozy shop in Japan. We had the chicken karaage, pork chop, and tuna crispy rice -- all . Flavors were on point. 100% adding this to our regular rotation! read more

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Customer service was good, friendly staff and they were helpful. The place is very small and there was so much noise we preferred to wait 15 minutes more to sit outside. The food had that Japanese-more American than anything- influence, however, just from the menu you cannot have an idea of how the food will look like. We ordered the okonomiyaki and found it was similar to a Spanish omelette rather than okonomiyaki. We ordered the mushrooms and after almost an hour they brought the mushrooms in a broth and a raw egg and it did not taste good. I understand it is about a Japanese inspired menu (not really Japanese cuisine), but the food is overpriced for what you get. This was my experience, it varies depending on each individual and what they were looking for. read more

Food and service 10/10. The kampachi is a must. Also tried the duck hand roll, karate and tonkatsu. Everything was delicious. Feel as though Miami doesn't have many Japanese/izakaya style restaurants so this is a great addition to the Coral Gables food scene. read more

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Food in general is salty and heavy. Most importantly, first time ever having katsu curry without rice. I can't even order one because they don't have white rice to order. read more

AMAZING experience! This is my third time in DoJo and can't wait to go back. The food is fresh, plentiful, and so flavorful. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and friendly. The space is beautifully decorated and it's perfect for date night or dinner with friends. Would recommend 100%. 10/10 experience. read more

I see the vision but it did not execute. Every dish fell flat. Curry was super thin and loose, the karaage was mid. Never been to any restaurant that serves curry without rice. An extra $8 for one cup of rice. I can buy a pound for that price. Felt straight up disrespectful. Server was great but would not come here again. read more

Terrible service - I went there last night knowing they had availability from checking open table. Didn't think I needed to go through the process of making a reservation with my credit card due to the fact that they had so many openings. When we arrived just before 7 on a Friday, the restaurant was nearly empty, the hosts said they had no tables and turned us away. Does this place not allow walk-ins? Why would they have a restaurant on Giralda ( a pedestrian street) if that was the case? And why wouldn't they say you can have a drink and an appetizer until the next seating arrives. I just have a bad taste in my mouth for this place all the way around. Bad business. Not friendly. Please go and hopefully a more friendly restaurant opens in its place. read more