Kōsen

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

What an amazing, authentic experience. Everything from the wonderful staff, the calm ambiance, to the meticulous presentation and curation of the food. Kōsen takes you on a journey through Japan. This is probably some of the best fish I've ever had. This is a must for any special occasion and I can certainly understand why they were awarded a Michelin star at only about 1 year old. Bravo.

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.

3.5 starsWe did a 20 course omakase experience. Overall I would say it was a good experience. There were 2 phenomenal bites and a couple great bites but would I say it's worth almost $400 per person definitely not. Best bites of the night were the A5 wagyu and the duck. Each course is a bite or two so you won't leave hungry but you also won't be extremely full. Service left something to be desired. The sushi was made with very little description. Probably 1/2 the meals were made in the back and brought out. Wish more of the cooking was done in front of you and the chef engaged more/explained each dish. Ambiance of the restaurant was nice and clean.

Food was exceptional and very fresh. I see why they received a Michelin star. The only constructive criticism i would offer is we wished the Chef would have spoken more sharing his passion and split time preparing food in front of our group on the other side of the bar so we had opportunity to see better. The private room experience for 12 is beautiful but feel four of us were somewhat left out of the chef's presentation experience.