Koya

Most enjoyable meal this year! Best comparable would be Jont in DC. You have to book through Tock. They take reservations on the 15th of the month for the following month. They have a parking lot to the right of the building.Austere small counter seating. There were 9 diners, 3 chefs and a sommelier who were very friendly and informative. It's fun to talk to them while they're preparing your meal. They have their own fish buyer who process fish from the Toyosu market in Tokyo). Did the same and wine pairing which was very nice (fyi the wine and sake list is very expensive). So many highlights it's hard to choose a favorite. I'd say the Baifun uni, bluefin tartare, olive wagyu tartlet, maguro sushi, dry aged duck, pear and caviar, and chocolate and truffle were all mind blowing. But all the others were fantastic as well. Highly recommend.

I feel like after living in Japan and NYC, I've been very, very fortunate to have had some incredible culinary experiences. My husband and I really appreciate/value an expertly crafted meal.. Koya in Tampa absolutely blew us away.We came here for an early birthday dinner. I often speak in superlatives, but I truly think this was the best course meal I've ever had. They absolutely deserve at least one more star on top of the one they already have. The fish was so tender and flavorful. So often the rice can be overlooked, but not here. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned.I thought I didn't love uni or soup broth. My husband thought he didn't like raw squid or raw scallops. We were both proven wrong.I honestly think I can say I've never loved a meal as much as this. (I'm so sorry to all the places that have come very close.) I can't wait to go back, and if you ever find yourself in Tampa Bay, please go here. It's worth it. On top of all of that, the service was excellent. Koya has a small team full of friendly and knowledgeable staff. Once again, absolutely incredible. The vibe is of a typical sushi bar, which fits the ambiance well. However, you can feel relaxed and not on edge. It's the best of both worlds. Have I adequately expressed how obsessed with this place I am?

Koya is such an awesome intimate dining experience with a level of food quality that is unmatched. The ingredient sourcing alone is just fantastic. Add thoughtful presentation and skilled preparation and your meal is destined to be one of a kind. We enjoyed everything placed in front of us and even made new friends in our intimate space. I definitely recommend Koya for any omakase, high end food lover. You will enjoy the food and the experience.

If you're looking for the most authentic and highest quality Japanese experience in Tampa look no further. I have been to this restaurant several times now and it just keeps getting better. If you are a little weary about going to a Japanese restaurant where it's omakase style where you leave it up to the chef and you have no idea what the menu is until you show up don't be afraid. Take a chance and try this wonderful cuisine to its fullest. Or if you know what you're getting yourself into then you will be very pleased with everything. Everything is flown in straight from Japan. Chef Eric and Adriana and their team are very experienced and operate a the highest of levels. Don't let the price scare you away. Treat yourself and save this for a special occasion.

Honestly some of the freshest creative sushi around. We did the seasonal tasting NOT the nigiri tasting and it was full of delightful varieties of delectable treats like the famous compressed melon and a triple corn panna cotta with corn sorbet and popcorn! The most amazing waygu "steak sando" and of course their famous UNI. Worth the Michelin star and the hefty price tag and my wife opted for the reserve sake paring which was a real treat and sensory experience. Service was impeccable and the atmosphere was a simple, intimate 8 person tasting counter.

I had an amazing Omakase experience at Koya and was blown away by the level of creativity behind many of the dishes that were served.There were too many dishes to recall each perfectly but I will go through some of the highlights:Scallop with passionfruit in some type of cream-based broth. Lovely blend of flavors here, scallop tasted very fresh.O-toro tartare with caviar on the side. A simple dish, but one of my favorites I tried tonight.Uni on toasted milk bread. I loved this concept! Milk bread being so sweet and savory, and the richness of the uni adding to that was next-level.King crab in some type of crispy roll. Delicious and I'd devour a second one in an instant.I was very impressed with their dessert dishes as well. I appreciate the blend of contemporary French and American in a traditionally Japanese setting.The service was immaculate and our host/server was always ready to refill our drinks and replace our dinnerware. This place definitely meets the service criteria for a Michelin star establishment.

Lovely. We've been here twice now and love the service and every handcrafted, well thought out, fresh, bite. It's not just a meal, it's an experience

Great food, service, and ambiance. Best sushi in town. Great prices, we had a bit of everything on the menu.

Amazing atmosphere, outstanding chefs who explain everything to you perfectly and interact with you throughout your tastings, highest of quality fish and meats, perfectly matched and balanced flavors, warning will leave you with super high expectations from any other Japanese restaurant!! Couldn't ask for a better experience.

We went for a Bday dinner for a sushi-lover 12 year-old son. The staff and the chef made the dinner to be quite a dining experience. The quality and presentation were exquisite. The chef came to us a few times, and quite inspiring for a young Connoisseur. Thank you for making this amazing experience.