Izakaya Tori is easily a 5-star spot for sushi in Tampa Everything tasted incredibly fresh, high quality, and thoughtfully prepared. The sushi was beautifully presented, and every roll we tried was packed with flavor without feeling overdone. You can really tell they care about the ingredients and overall experience here. The atmosphere is also a huge part of what makes this place special...cozy, modern, and perfect for either a casual dinner or a night out. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the entire experience feel welcoming from start to finish. Definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in Tampa right now, and I'll absolutely be coming back. read more

Izakaya Tori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I thought the service here was poor :/ From the checking in to the manager to the server. We got a text that our table was ready and we had to flag someone down to let them know cause no one was standing at the front. And when we got someone flagged, they took the couple that came in AFTER us first. Then our server was not friendly, I had asked if they had the mentaiko sauce and she asked me what's that? They literally hahe mentaiko on the menu.... And then our ramen came out without the spicy paste and we flagged someone down , I assume the manager? Since he was dressed differently and he rudely said that's no wrong, they just didn't give you the paste. Okay....? So it's not what I ordered lol. He came back with the paste and very condescendingly asked is that right now? I also thought the ramen wasn't very flavorful and the noodles were on the softer end. All in all won't be back read more

Izakaya Tori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I ordered the scallop skewers, the steak skewer, mentaiko fries, sashimi platter, & the yummy roll but man the fish was so chewy and over cooked this easily became the "yucky roll" for me. The cocktails are pretty sweet and tasty, I enjoyed the yuzu cocktail a lot. I wouldn't come for their sushi, but for late night bites and tapas, I would definitely order. Parking is tough, it's very crowded in the restaurant. The sushi rice was not good whether it was on a roll or not, the sashimi is not as fresh. The tuna was tough. Was it worth 50 minutes probably not.. but it's good for an experience this was my 2nd time here, and I don't live in this area but my brother wanted to try this place. Our waiter was not as friendly. Everything felt kind of rushed because there was such a long wait. This place is kinda pricey overall. All the tables were close to eachother, but very nice decor. read more

We have gone to Izakaya Tori a few times now and it never disappoints. The sushi is excellent and the service is also wonderful. We love the inside as it has a chill vibe. Even though it's always crowded, we don't find it overly loud. And we have never had to wait for a table. read more

Ambience was fantastic. almost reminded of a NY dive or sorts. The ramen was good but not top tier, good enough for sure but had an overpowering flavor (it may have been bamboo shoots or some veggie in the ramen). The crab rangoons were unique and almost tempura fried with shiso. Tasty but I've had better iterations. It did take a while to get our food, prices were ok for certain items. Nothing bad, but nothing five star worthy either. read more

Izakaya Tori - ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Love coming to Izakaya and enjoying some skewers or ramen. The ramen was tasty and I like that you can change out protein. I wish they had a build your own ramen though that would be amazing! We sat at the table that requires you to remove your shoes and this table is cute and intimate I would recommend for a larger party. Table was super clean which I also enjoyed especially since we are removing our shoes and are barefoot. Overall I love coming here the vibes are always on point as is the food! read more

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Always soooo good!!! On a busy Saturday night we waited 35 to get in but well worth the wait! read more

Izakaya Tori - Lollipop - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Izakaya Tori is a hidden gem located on S Dale Mabry. I have never been to a Japanese pub but I was told this was a great example of one! I would recommend sitting at the bar if able to have a true pub experience. The sushi was incredible and some of the freshest I've had in Tampa. I got the toro roll and would definitely come back just to try more of their toro options. The fries and krab rangoons are also a must order. The whole vibe of the restaurant is lively and aesthetic. We were sat right next to lovely people who even let us try one of their own rolls and it was so good! Highly recommend and will be back. read more

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I've been on the hunt for my go-to Tampa sushi spot and I think I found it with Izakaya Tori. The staff is really friendly and attentive, the vibe inside is cool with a variety of seating options, and it's an easy place to spend a relaxed night out. Parking can be tricky, but if you don't snag a spot out front, there's usually parking behind the gas station after business hours. The pricing is very reasonable, which makes it easy to try a lot of dishes without breaking the bank. The fish is super fresh and the rolls are huge. I especially love the yellowtail jalapeño carpaccio in ponzu: so clean and flavorful. I've also tried several of the yakitori skewers, all of which were great, and they have an excellent sake selection to round everything out. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to. read more

Izakaya Tori - Double tuna - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This spot is amazing! It's a tightly packed restaurant but they make great use of the space. It's quick service and they have more parking in the back but we snagged a front spot. To the actually food- yum. I was between the ramen and this bowl and I should've chosen ramen. This was a delicious meal as well but it needs a sauce for the rice, thankfully I stole some curry sauce and it worked. The curry was phenomenal. Aromatic and flavorful but not so overpowering that you get sick of the savory taste. The cocktail was delicious and the atmosphere was welcoming. We will be back for sure. read more

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I'd been wanting to visit this place for a while since I know it's the sister restaurant of Tori Bar on Kennedy and I finally made it during my trip to Tampa! We ordered a few of their special sushi rolls and they were all amazing. It came with the miso soup was super tasty, and we ordered the mango sake (my favorite) was perfect to drink something good. The Volcano Roll was definitely the best, full of flavor and just delicious. We also tried the green tea crème brûlée as dessert and it was good. The service was great and the staff were really nice. The place itself is beautiful, small but cozy and it really gives you that Tokyo vibe. Definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in Tampa! read more

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Delicious food! Parking lot gets full easily so I would try to go early! We sat at the sushi bar and service was quick. Everything we ordered was so good! Can't wait to come back to try the sushi! We tried the skewers, fried chicken appetizer, and pork belly rice bowl. Great atmosphere. read more

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Ambiance is great! The food, however was mid. It was missing flavor. We got two kinds of sushi (best sellers and waiter's favorite), some pork belly ramen and gyoza. The gyoza was the best thing we got imo. The place is very cool and picturesque though. read more

Izakaya Tori - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Wow, I love Izakaya Tori! Genuinely, this is one of my favorite spots in the Tampa Bay Area, the vibe is amazing- the exterior is a little unassuming, but when you walk in- it's such a vibe! the Japanese hideaway energy is fun, eclectic and dynamic, I was totally transported, which added to the experience. The food. OMG. We started with the garlic bok choy- it was garlicky, leafy and crunchy. Then, I had karaage and smoked salmon nigiri as my entree. The karaage was fried to perfection and the sauce was zesty, lemony and succulent. The smoked salmon nigiri was super fresh. I am a dessert enthusiast and the matcha tiramisu at Izakaya Tori might be one of the best desserts I have ever had. The cream was fresh and the cake was spongy, herbal and decadent. Our waiter was super kind, attentive and made sure our water's were filled- couldn't ask for any better. I can't recommend Izakaya Tori enough, SO good. read more

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Had a great time here at the sister restaurant of Tori bar, got the spicy edamame and a miso soup. Miso soup is how I judge a restaurant and it was soooo delicious. The skewers were also fantastic and we got the spicy scallop handroll and tuna roll. Very good! We will be back read more

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EXPERIENCE: My friends and I made a last minute decision to come and grab dinner here. The placed was decked out in Japanese culture. It is a small restaurant so the atmosphere is very bustling -- I liked it though. Definitely expect a wait of at least 25-30 minutes, but once you sit down and order, your food comes out really fast! FOOD: Mentaiko Fries 10/10 -- Delicious! Definitely my #1 recommendation here. Krab Special Salad 6/10 -- You taste more mayo than anything. Shiso Rangoon (n/a) -- No rating because I didn't try any. Just keep in mind that the rangoon is wrapped in shiso leaves and it's tempura styled. It's not in the pictures since we ordered it later on. My friend liked it though. Takoyaki (n/a) -- I never tried it but my friend who loves takoyaki said it tasted really good. Katsu Curry 8/10 -- The rice to katsu ratio is upsetting because the curry sauce is soo good. BBQ Eel on Rice (n/a) -- My friends entree. She liked it enough to say she would get it again the next time she comes. Kimchi Cream Udon (n/a) -- Two of my friends ordered this entree. One enjoyed it and the other one couldn't finish it because she got sick of eating it. Said it tasted too "fatty", needs more seasoning (?). However both felt queasy on the ride home. read more

Izakaya Tori - Katsu Curry - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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My boyfriend took me here and it is absolutely a hidden gem! It has been on my list for a while and was excited to finally try it. We went on a Friday night and waited 15 minutes, which was not bad at all compared to a lot of places that have an hour wait. The inside is very cute and intimate. I loved that you share tables with other guests and that chopsticks are the default utensil choice! We ordered the Shiso Rangoons that were phenomenal! These were so different from any Rangoon I have ever had and they are a must try. We shared two sushi rolls - the dancing crab and the yummy roll. We both liked them, but preferred the dancing crab and will definitely get that next time. House sake was also great and I had a lychee cocktail that was also delicious. Love this place and how affordable it is for great sushi!! read more

Izakaya Tori - Fried Spring Roll and Shiso Rangoons - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food here was good. I had the ramen and I've had much better, but it was good. The pork and chicken thigh skewers were VERY good. The main reasons this place loses stars for me is the ramen it's being OK and the tightness of the space. Getting around is tight. Seating areas are tight. Not intimate, no breathing room. I'm more likely to grab carry-out from here in the future than eating in ever again. read more

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I live in Fort Lauderdale and traveled all the way to Tampa just to visit Izakaya Tori, and it was absolutely worth it. This was my second visit, and both experiences have been amazing. My most recent visit was to celebrate my niece's 16th birthday. I made a reservation the day before, and the staff was incredibly accommodating, seating us at a great table. We ordered a wide variety of dishes, and everything was delicious. I was especially grateful that we were allowed to bring a cake. The staff stored it in the fridge and later brought it out to celebrate her, which made the night feel extra special. It truly was the sweetest 16. Thank you to the staff for the endless Thai teas and for going above and beyond to make sure we were well taken care of. We felt welcomed, celebrated, and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. read more

I really enjoyed this place. The sushi is outstanding. The proportion of rice to fish is great. They also offer a lot of other things on the menu like ramen, which my friend said was also delicious. They do not accept reservations for parties under 6 and there is usually a wait. They also have a strict 2 hour table limit. We had a very understanding hostess who gave us a grace window on our reservation because we were a little late, which was very nice. The drink menu is wine saki and beer, but I was hoping for a cocktail. All and all a good restaurant. read more

Izakaya Tori - Passionate Salmon Roll Spider Roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This is a cool small sushi place in a strip mall. Parking can be a challenge but the food is worth the inconvenience. The staff is very friendly and the fish very fresh. Great place! read more

Izakaya Tori - Sushi lunch - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Amazing atmosphere and food, the parking situation is terrible and always feels like a battle to find a spot! Other than that a very enjoyable time read more

I've been wanting to try Izakaya Tori for a while now and I finally tried it for dinner. Atmosphere: Don't let the outside of the building fool you, Izakaya Tori makes you feel like you're in another world. It's quaintly decorated on the inside. You can tell the focus is food and fast service when you arrive. The place has NO windows so don't be shocked when you exit the building and are blinded by the sunlight going to your car. Parking: I usually don't write about parking, but it's definitely a good thing to know about for this restaurant. It's located in a shopping mall with a SMALL parking lot, the earlier in the day you get there the easier it is to find parking. We were very lucky and found a spot right away, I saw people parking on the side street to eat here. Bathrooms: I didn't visit them, but they looked like single stall bathrooms. Service: Our service was quick and tentative. Everyone was so nice and professional. I always love to ask the servers for their favorite dishes and were pleased with the recommendations. Food: The food was unique and good. For an appetizer, we tried their 'Tako Yaki' which was a dumpling filled with octopus. That was my favorite thing I ate the entire night. It was so good and flavorful. It was perfectly fried and didn't feel greasy. We also tried the 'Shiso Rangoon' which was some sort of leaf stuffed with crab Rangoon and then fried. I was very confused by the dish and amazing you can stuff a leaf! It was good and definitely unique. For my entree, I tried their 'Tonkotsu Ramen' which was ok, it wasn't as good as I'd hope. We were there at happy hour so they had some specials during that time. I'd love to come back and try their sushi, lots of their options were good. Overall, we enjoyed our food and will be back to try more of the menu. This place was busy and I can see why it's been in Tampa for so long. TIP: on a Friday night arrive at 5/5:30 to avoid the rush of people! Instagram: living.with.reg read more

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Wow this place is so amazing I can't wait to be back. Portions are large and their flavors pack a good punch, you won't leave unsatisfied. I had their Japanese bowl that was very flavorful but not over the top. I would highly recommend you try a variety of menu items. Parking is tricky, as you should ideally park across the street at the gym. This place is full so get there early. There's a lot of Japanese decorations inside from anime to more traditional items. They also pack tables a little closer inside so you may be nearer to the table next to you, but it's not uncomfortable. We will be returning. read more

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Wow, I can't say enough of how great the place looks and the food was amazing!! Got to give a shot out to my amazing server Gio for help my experience at the restaurant TOP NOTCH!! Sushi was so good. Nice, fresh pieces of fish. read more

Incredibly cozy and incredibly delicious. I would say it's the best izakaya style restaurant in Tampa. The service is great, the happy hour is perfect for trying a variety of dishes on their menu without breaking the bank, and overall the quality of the food and the attentiveness of the staff makes this place a repeat destination. read more

Came back here to say that the Izakaya Special roll is an absolute delight. It was fresh and delicious. As always, the service was friendly and quick. We got seated right away for a Tuesday night dinner, and luckily, we were able to find parking pretty easily. I still love this place so much! 10/10 recommend for a fun girls night or date night. read more

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Very good flavor, hot when served. Lots of ingredients, served timely, good service, location , clean

Ahh the hype ain't worth it here South Tampa. While I appreciate the traditional Japanese style seating, I can't say the food wowed me. The Food: Takoyaki- Fresh, hot, tastes like it should, topped with bonito flakes Chirashi Appetizer- I like the spicy mayo imitation crab mixture in the middle, minus the octopus... it was chewy Fantasy Roll- The taro chips were enticing, but not the chunky tuna mixture on top of the roll. Perhaps a smaller portion or a different presentation There were a few other rolls and I can't remember the names, but they were average. We asked our server for his recommendations, but it seems like he's not a fan of imitation crab or spicy mayo rolls. Perhaps we should have asked for "best seller" suggestions. I'm not sure if it's me or after Covid, but I found it weird the server didn't pour our water for us. Other than that, service is good. Reservations highly recommended and only available for parties or 6 or more. They don't take reservations for parties less than 6 people. The wait for a table on a Friday night is about 30 minutes-1 hour. PS- Parking is very limited! read more

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Overall: I went here on a Tuesday night. I sat at the sushi bar after a short wait. The food was all very good and an even better value. I wish the sushi bar was more interesting to watch, but still a good place to get a good and cheap meal. Food: 4 Service: 3 Value: 4 Atmosphere: 3 Food: The food was all very tasty even if some of their cooking methods seemed suspicious (automatic sushi rice machine and toaster ovens). I got the spicy tuna and California rolls, both of which came in large portions. I thought the meat skewers were the best part of the meal. The pork belly was good, but the chicken thigh was exceptional. I wish I had ordered several more. The pork belly donburri was probably the least exciting part of the meal - too little pork and the bok choy wasn't separated and difficult to eat. Service: Service was just ok. The host staff tried to tell me there was a 20-25 minute wait time, even though I was the only person waiting, the first person on the waiting list, and there were open tables. I was actually seated in 3 minutes. My waiter was friendly, but seemed like he had a separate area to cover besides the bar, so sometimes it took him a while to swing by my spot. Value: Each of the skewers was ~$4, the sushi rolls were `~$8, and the larger dishes were $15-20. Portion sizes were good and I left full. My food subtotal was $42 - not bad for as much as I got. Atmosphere: I sat at the sushi bar. This area was right next to the fake traditional seats - special seats that look like you're seated on pillows on the ground, complete with a shoes-off requirement. The sushi chefs themselves are also interesting to watch. They have a machine that prepares the sushi rice and nori for them - they only fill them and roll them. I saw them cooking with toaster ovens and blow torches, but never anything I'd consider a typical kitchen appliance. It was quite a sight. read more

Izakaya Tori - Pork belly skewer - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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DELICIOUS! We had the mentaiko fries (can't go wrong with this), kimchi cream udon (super umami and creamy with kimchi flavor infused), and the eel, pork belly, and chicken thigh skewers. All were cooked to perfection. I loveee how soft yet crisp the chicken thigh was. We came right when they opened on a Saturday. We received our food alarmingly fast, like 5 minutes after we ordered kind of fast. Service was quick, but come early to find the parking as it is VERY limited. Ambience is classic izakaya style. read more

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Great local spot for small bites and sushi. The restaurant is decorated like a Japanese bar with lots of signs and mask on the wall giving it an authentic feel. Everything we tried was excellent. Flavorful and just the right amount food. All the servers were awesome and attentive. A big special Thanks to Lena for making our night! read more

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Great food and atmosphere. Loved the open concept so you got to see the fresh seafood being made. Gets very busy, so I recommend making reservations ahead of time. read more

Izakaya Tori - Yellowtail Jalapeno Carpaccio - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

If you're looking for authentic Japanese comfort food in Tampa, Izakaya Tori is a hidden gem you don't want to miss. From the cozy ambiance to the incredibly flavorful dishes, everything about this place feels thoughtfully curated and genuinely satisfying. What really made my experience stand out, though, was the amazing service -- Lily and Daniel were both exceptional. Lily was incredibly kind and attentive, offering great recommendations and making sure we were taken care of the entire time. Daniel brought such a great energy to the table -- friendly and genuinely welcoming. You could tell both of them really cared about making the experience special. The food was just as impressive. The yakitori skewers were grilled to perfection, the udon was rich and flavorful, and every bite felt like it came straight out of a Tokyo backstreet izakaya. It's rare to find a spot that nails both quality and authenticity like this. The otoro sashimi was also incredible. Definitely coming back -- and if you get Lily or Daniel as your servers, you're in for an even better treat! read more

It's good, not great. The sushi is the real draw here, it's very fresh. The gyoza and skewers were disappointing. The service was very friendly. It is certainly more approachable and casual, but for the price and quality, I do feel like Tori Bar is the better option. Especially for happy hour read more

I used to come here when it was Yoko's, and had seen that it changed names, but never tried it. My brother-in-law said that they went last night and it was some of the best sushi he ever had, so we had to try it. My husband and I were able to sit at the sushi bar with no problem, served water immediately, and then they took our drink order and any food we wanted to start with. We started with the Honor roll- scallops and tuna- wow - very delicious!! We also Gyoza- which was very tasty and crispy as well. We usually over order because we love sushi, so we were both trying to hold back. We ended up ordering the double tuna roll and a spicy scallop hand roll. (I was so excited to try everything, that I forgot to take pictures of our second round). Everything was so fresh and full of flavor. I can't wait to go back and order different items to try next time. My husband ordered a Kirin draft and I had a Kirin light bottle. They were both so cold- that's a huge plus!! Towards the end of our meal, we decided to get one Kirin light to split. That was a great way to end our meal. We have eaten at their sister restaurant- Tori Bar Tampa several times, and I didn't realize until last night that they were associated. Both places have their own personality and are both very delectable. Definitely recommend both of them. read more

Izakaya Tori - The Honor Roll, Gyoza and Kirin Light beer. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

THEEEE SPOTTTT IN TAMPA!!! GAAAAAAAHHHLLEEEEEEE--I'm literally slapping my knee just thinking about this place. Vibes? Immaculate. Service? Incredible. Speed? LIGHTNING. Food? ...BRUUUHHHHHH. "Delicious" doesn't even cut it. I had to bust out a whole new word: Ambrosial. That's right--this place is heaven on a plate. I've come here with family, friends, even solo--and every single time it's just bomb. I could go on and on, but honestly... I'll save you some time so you can just get in the car and come experience it yourself. read more

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Skewers were excellent!! Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs and we ordered too much but everything was very good. read more

Izakaya Tori - Mentaiko Fries - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Best sushi and ramen bowls I have had. They don't take reservations but have plenty of seating and a nice atmosphere read more

Izakaya Tori - Kimchi Cream Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I drove past this restaurant for like 2 years on my way to work and have had it on my "Tampa spots to try" Yelp list for just as long. I read the reviews and when we were talking about where we wanted to go for dinner for our anniversary I picked Izakaya Tori. I am so glad I did. We planned to get there close to opening so wait time would be lower and we arrived about 15 min after opening. Parking was a little tough but we finally got spot (typica for south Tampa spots tbh) - we were greeted instantly upon entering and the decor is so great. It def creates the atmosphere and is warm and welcoming. Water arrived immediately and our waitress arrived within seconds after the water. She was welcoming and friendly and offered the happy hour appetizer list as we were looking over the different options. We chose the Mentaiko fries and Shrimp Tempura - the fries were perfectly cooked and the sauce is fantastic. Great flavor! The tempura was lightly cooked and good as well. For dinner I picked a spicy tuna hand roll and the Izukaya special roll - my husband got a double tuna roll and two skewers (chicken thigh and lamb) - everything came out quickly and had great flavors, and nice presentation. The service was attentive but respectful. We really enjoyed our dinner and we will definitely be returning and bringing some friends to enjoy it with! read more

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