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    Kōsen

    4.2 (55 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Kōsen Photos

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    KŌSEN ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Kōsen

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    Rich M.

    We just had a fantastic dinner! 2 hours and 20 courses. The service was excellent and the chefs were friendly. I did not take any photos except of the menu they will give you at the end. Enjoy the experience. You will sit at the chefs counter and watch them prepare all of the food and serve you. Ambiance was great. We will definitely be back! Thank you!

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    Ashley J.

    Amazing service and an amazing unique experience. It is expensive but worth it. It's a once in a lifetime experience with the most delicious food. Every bite was delicious. It is a beautiful and intimate restaurant. Highly recommend for a date or special occasion

    James D.

    I took my mother here for the 20-course omakase dinner. This is one of Tampa's few 1-star Michelin restaurants, and the service didn't disappoint. This isn't fine dining, it's an experience. The 12-seat chef's table is very comfortable and accommodating. Normally after a typical omakase experience, I leave hungry, but not at Kosen. The chef's selection were very, very good. Chef Andrew knows what he's doing. There's something here for everyone, but at it's price point, you're going for quality ingredients and basically "dinner and a show." If you like raw fish, and have an open mind (and wallet), this is the experience for you.

    Samantha E.

    culinary artistry. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance sets the tone for a memorable evening. The warm backlighting of the open kitchen casts a soft glow, the booths, thoughtfully arranged to face the open kitchen. Diners watch as the chefs meticulously curate each dish, turning the preparation itself into a performance. We opted for the 11-course dining experience at our table rather than at the bar, paired with a thoughtfully selected wine and sake pairing. Each course was a sensory journey. The staff approached with a balance of professionalism and warmth, presenting each dish and drink with detailed explanations that enhanced our appreciation of the flavors, textures, and plating. Their attentiveness and knowledge made every bite feel intentional and special, adding layers of meaning to the experience. The flexibility of the atmosphere stood out--whether you're looking for a formal, quiet evening or a lively, engaging conversation with the staff, Kosen caters to your vibe. Every dish brought something unique: vibrant flavors, contrasting textures, and stunning presentation. Highlights included the tableside preparation of nigiri, which added an intimate, interactive touch to the evening. Not a single dish disappointed, and the care taken in every element, from ingredients to plating, was evident. Kosen is a celebration of culinary creativity and hospitality. Whether for a special occasion or a treat-yourself moment if you have the opportunity, try it.

    Aurora H.

    Superp! The food was unique and I was very impressed by all of the different types of food that they served. They explained each course very well with information about where the food items came from and they were fresh. Although I don't eat meat the seafood was amazing, but they were not able to substitute some of the meat portions because I did not let them know in advance. So I was a little upset about that but everything worked out. It was a great evening and I would definitely consider going back.

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    muhammad A.

    Honest review of Kōsen restaurant: There are a few options for diners to choose from. A 20 course Omakase at the 12 seat chefs table, The Kaiseki room with a choice from a 5 course and 10 course option. My party of 3 chose the 10 course Kaiseki experience. Entering this beautiful establishment with its sleek design, beautiful booths and lighting that sets the stage for a memorable dinner you are greeted by a very courteous and knowledgable staff that shows you to your booth. The relaxed ambiance was a refreshing contrast to other restaurants that are noisy and chaotic which allowed us to hold conversations without yelling. I would go through the whole Kaiseki menu explaining each dish we experienced with a long explanation on how it felt to me but I would be sharing the emotions I felt while tasting these well designed, well planned and let's not forget well paired courses. I will say you can see the creativity, you can taste the attention to detail and you can definitely feel each and every texture presented! I just recently was in NYC for 3 months. I went to Saga a 3 star Michelin restaurant, a few 2 star and about seven 1 star restaurants and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt Kōsen should be a 2 Michelin star restaurant. People in Tampa complain about price, if you are complaining about price you should not go here. Not because they are expensive but because you don't know the amount of detail, preparation, skill, and patience it takes to deliver this type of quality. Lastly, I cannot recommend this place enough if you want to celebrate a meaningful occasion or just indulge. A lot of these Yelp reviews that used words to describe the food as uninspiring, or claim the staff was not attentive...it was the exact opposite for us. Most of those reviews were a year or so ago. Everything was outstanding and this staff takes pride in what they do. I would again like to thank the staff (especially Megan) for making us feel like a priority. I took sooooo many pictures of ever dish but I want whomever reads this review to be just as surprised as us! Enjoy the pics of my favorite courses.

    Hannah B.

    I can't even begin to describe how amazing this place is. Anyone who gives it less than 5 stars is crazy! Favorites: Nigiri, sorbet, scallop in no particular order Jeremiah provided some of the best service we ever ever had I can't wait to come back.

    Chris T.

    The establishment has an amazing vibe and the staff/service was incredible. Dinner was an event for sure. It took a little over two hours but felt like less time had passed. It truly was a roller coaster ride of flavors and hands down some of the best sushi I've ever had. We eat sushi a lot and I'm sure most of us eat it the same way. Put wasabi in the soy sauce and dunk the piece. Here they add the wasabi to the rice and lightly brush it with soy and WOW what a difference it makes. Everything prepared was a piece of art with a roller coaster ride of flavors. If you're looking for a fun experience with great food, this is the place.

    Maria K.

    Tampa needs to get it together. The fact that I got a same day Friday night reservation for this restaurant is a travesty. This place should be packed. Kosen is located across the street from armature works, so while there is no valet there is plenty of off street parking available. We paid 10$ to park right across the street. The service was first class. It felt like we were the only table in the restaurant. We never wanted for anything. Glass empty, only for seconds, next course- coming right up. The ambiance is great for a date night. Dimly lit, mostly cozy booths. We sat in a booth facing the kitchen and got to watch the action. We did the 10 course tasting and it was a culinary journey at its finest. The courses were inventive, and each one more different than the last. One course was tableside nigiri with the chef making us three different nigiri to try and explaining each one. One was flambéd lamb made right at the table. The indulgence of this menu.. it had it all... lamb, wagyu, toro, crab rice, beluga caviar... it was.. perfection. One thing to note is there is no liquor. Just beer and wine and some very fine sake both by the bottle and the glass. It's pricey no doubt. 10 course tasting without any alcohol included was $180 per person. They also offer a 5 course tasting. Go. Whatever your next celebration is- go. If you're looking for an indulgent date night, or just a date night that's more than a meal- but an experience- GO. But don't take it from me. While we were there, a pitcher for the NY Yankees was also there for his second time, and was raving to the kitchen about the food. Trust us both. GO.

    CT W.

    Such a wonderful meal. It is a glorious dining experience. It isn't cheap, but it's worth it. Splurge for this. The head chef serves up everything fresh and explains it all. The vibe is electric yet focused. The staff are attentive.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Incredible food, service and ambience. The omakase experience was as good as advertised.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Easily the best dining experience I've had in Tampa. Shout out Jeremiah for great service!

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    2 years ago

    Everything was excellent ! Coming from NYC , this is what we needed in Tampa . Had a nice dinner with friends and enjoyed the Omakase

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    3 years ago

    Kosen was an incredible experience. The food was delicious and Ian was even better!!! Thank you for the great birthday night

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    2 years ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kōsen

    Review Highlights - Kōsen

    A lot of people go for the omakase, but be sure to check out the 10 course kaiseki menu that changes seasonally!

    Mentioned in 12 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Izakaya Tori

    Izakaya Tori

    4.6
    (710 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Grab-and-go

    Izakaya Tori is easily a 5-star spot for sushi in Tampa…read more 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.

    I thought the service here was poor :/…read more 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

    Photos
    Tonkotsu ramen.
    Tonkotsu ramen.
    Assort of skewers
    Assort of skewers
    Variety of Japanese sakes and Japanese craft beer

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    Variety of Japanese sakes and Japanese craft beer
    Tori Bar

    Tori Bar

    4.5
    (330 reviews)
    1.2 mi
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    My partner and I tried this spot during their happy hour, mainly for the matcha martini but we…read moreluckily tried a few other items on the menu and loved them! The ambiance is very dark and intimate inside, moderate noise from all the other parties around but the decor is too notch. They have very fast service with plenty of workers constantly around cleaning and bringing items. We ordered the matcha martini which was very good but on the sweeter side, we also tried the HH highball and cocktail of the month which were also good. For food we tried the shishito skewer, karage, and 4 different hand rolls which came with wasabi and ginger on the side. Everything tasted fresh and was very flavorful, what a great spot for happy hour and we will definitely be back!

    Tori Bar was a great experience! It's very loved by the locals and seems like THE spot to be on a…read moreFriday night. We did not have a reservation (party or 2) and we waited about 45 min for a table. The ambiance is dim lighted and lively, perfect for dinner. The food was very good as well! They're smaller plates so trying many things is common. I loved everything we ordered especially the cucumber salad, lychee mocktail, and Rangoon! Wasn't a fan of the Lump Crab Meat Cucumber and Avocado hand roll but I think that's more of a me thing than the food itself - it is a popular one. Highly recommend this place and would love to come back!

    Photos
    Wine display at Tori Bar!
    Wine display at Tori Bar!
    Braised pork belly, mentaiko fries (huge portion even during happy hour!)
    Braised pork belly, mentaiko fries (huge portion even during happy hour!)
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Kanji Sushi & Ramen

    Kanji Sushi & Ramen

    4.8
    (287 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    I really love this place and I will definitely come back when I visit this place again!!! let's…read morestart with the fried rice that my husband got he doesn't like seafood so he didn't get any sushi. But this fried rice was so good. It seasoned perfectly with the fatty beef make that whole fried rice flavors were very rich. I got the Uni sushi and it was the sweetest and the creamiest thing I've ever had. The server told me that they get fresh Uni every week from Japan. I also got the sushi combo and they were very nice that they let me substitute tuna to more salmon because I personally don't like tuna. Everything was so fresh. Everything was so good even the water was very refreshing and did not taste weird. The server was very sweet and kind. She tried her best to cater us such as substitute my sushi she was talking to us and she's very likable. We will definitely come back and try other things. The Whole place was very clean and big.

    OK, I was spoiled in San Diego with Michelin Star Ramen, but this is the first spot since moving…read moreback to Tampa that I feel is on the same level as back in San Diego. Let's start with the ambiance. I have been at this location when it was previously another restaurant and the upgrades done are exceptional. Kanji is a perfect date ambiance. (bring a jacket though, it can get chilly). As far as service, I've never had bad service here, and the recommendations are truly to leave you satisfied, not just to pad the bill. THE FOOD. The spicy Tonkatsu, fried oysters, gyosa, fried rice...heck almost anything on the menu as been amazing and the Sushi isn't stingy. You might pay a little more but you get a lot more. Full bar selection and good bartenders are just the plus. Clean bathrooms, clean restaurant, great food, great service. Highly recommend.

    Photos
    Kanji Sushi & Ramen
    Kanji Sushi & Ramen
    Kanji Sushi & Ramen

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    Haiku Tampa

    Haiku Tampa

    3.8
    (522 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$$

    Recently visited Haiku for a friend's Birthday Dinner and had some items I loved and some that I…read moredid not care for. To start the crab cake was amazing. Didn't need all the micro greens for garnish on top but this could be overlooked because taste and flavor was amazing. The tuna tartare was super tasty as well and I would definitely order this again same comment for micro greens on this dish - didn't need this and found myself moving it off the dishes to actually enjoy the item. The two not so favorite dishes for me were the fried rice topped with fried chicken. While chicken was very tasty the rice was extremely basic. Could have used eggs or other ingredients to elevate this dish. Also the Volcano roll was extremely disappointing. Normally the volcano topping is cooked or (torched) and this topping was cold and very unappetizing. Would not recommend this roll. Overall this place is a hit or miss. Service for our large party wasn't bad and everything came out pretty quickly!

    Terrible from start to finish. Waited 25 minutes at hostess stand without anyone coming to help…read more Ended up seating myself and waiting another 15 minutes for a waitress to help. Food is terrible - they even forgot the egg as a part of my ramen and brought me a frozen egg when I mentioned the missing item which was disgusting. Octopus is so tough and chewy. Terribly cooked from frozen. Mango sticky rice is absolutely horrendous. Nothing like what you expect. Temperature is terrible - they don't use A/C so it's incredibly hot and humid in restaurant. Avoid this place at all costs.

    Photos
    Lobster Tamaki Roll
    Lobster Tamaki Roll
    Haiku Uramaki
    Haiku Uramaki
    Crab Maki, Haiku Uramaki, Lobster Tamaki

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    Crab Maki, Haiku Uramaki, Lobster Tamaki
    Otsuka Ramen

    Otsuka Ramen

    4.3
    (255 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    My son was visiting from Upstate NY and he's a picky eater. He is pescatarian and loves ramen, so…read morewe had a family dinner at Otsuka. They were very accommodating to our party of 9 and we all sat at the same large table. The service was expedient and friendly. As for the ramen, each of us ordered something different as our tastes vary across the family, but no one was disappointed. Of the ramen joints near us, this one is heads and tails above the rest. We now order take out from there even though it's a bit of a drive from home. If you're a fan of ramen, give it a shot.

    I've been to Otsuka Ramen a handful of times just because it was near the area. There are plenty of…read moreRamen places in the area and this is probably one of the first ones I went to. The Ramen is okay, but it just doesn't hit like before. The restaurant was a laid back vide with Japanese inspired themes and music in the background. Our server points us to our table and hands us menus to start. We always start out with an edamame appetizer and then go ahead and order the ramen. My partner got the spicy tonkatsu and I had wanted to do the "make your own ramen" option. I really wanted wagyu but didn't like the toppings it came with. So I just made my own, though it was very costly to add more toppings, so I just chose 2. Overall, the experience was okay. It's not the worse ramen place I've been to but I'll probably only swing my when it's out of convenience

    Photos
    The inside, very cute and feels pretty authentic from videos I've seen
    The inside, very cute and feels pretty authentic from videos I've seen
    Otsuka Ramen
    Interior (June 2026)

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    Interior (June 2026)
    Koya

    Koya

    4.8
    (24 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    What a fun experience. The food was exceptional. We weren't sure exactly what to expect being our…read morefirst time to an omakase style restaurant but Koya sure delivered. Each course was thoughtfully prepared, inventive, and flavorful. Service was beyond exceptional with our glasses never dipping less than half full. It was fun to watch the chef prepare our next course in front of us and I appreciated being able to ask questions and have everything explained as he went. One of the highlights for me was the caviar service (extra charge). We have never ordered caviar outright and were unsure of what we were in for but thought "Let's do it!" It was phenomenal. Light, briny, creamy and paired with panna cotta (I know, I know but trust me ) and potato churros (everyone needs these in their life). Another wow moment was the chutoro nigiri and the salmon nigiri...omg. I love cooked salmon but not normally raw salmon and so this was a complete surprise that I loved it. The chutoro, my fav tuna, has ruined me from enjoying it anywhere else. My hubs favorite bite of the night was the waygu beef sando (think grilled cheese w a piece of filet tucked inside) which was so much more that a fancy steak and cheese sandwich. Made with homemade milkbread and wrapped in a delicate Korean seaweed "wrap," he was asking for more for the rest of the meal! This experience was one for the books and highly recommended, however, be forewarned, it is super expensive. I would love for this place to be in regular rotation for us but Koya might just need be in the "once a year on your birthday, honey" category

    We finally got to try this spot out and it was great. It's a small spot and a very intimate…read moresetting. We were greeted and sat. The Chefs came up and explained everything to us. Everyone was super nice, I loved the vibe. Everything we tried was delicious. My favorites were the Uni, King Salmon, the little green crab dish, the squid soup, wagyua grilled cheese and the scallop. I loved the presentations. Some were very unique! My least favorite was the duck, I wished they had replaced that one with a seared wagyu dish, especially for the price we paid I was kind of expecting something like that. Also, was a bit disappointed we were not served tuna belly. I'm not a huge fan of tuna because there isn't much flavor. The desserts were good, but to have three as each course separately was a bit excessive. I would have rather had more seafood dishes or wagyu and one desert at the end. The wine I ordered was great and I wish I could remember the name of it. All in all this was a great experience and glad I tried it out however I think I had too high of expectations.

    Photos
    Koya
    Salmon nigiri
    Salmon nigiri
    Waygu sandwich fried milkbread yes please!

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    Waygu sandwich fried milkbread yes please!

    Kōsen - sushi - Updated August 2026

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