My husband surprised me with the Winter Omakase for our anniversary. Honestly, it was better than our first omakase in Japan! The menu was curated by Chef Andrew Huang and incorporated different flavors from different cultures. I did the zero alcohol pairing and Mike did the normal version. Each drink was curated to pair perfectly with what we ate. Chef Andrew was amazing he would tell us about the dishes and the ingredients used. I fell in love with the uni (sea urchin) in Japan. Chef Andrew recommended the caviar instead. His recommendation was spot on! The caviar blew my mind I am now converted. I understand now! I highly recommend the experience! We can't wait to come back to try the new menus! read more

See all

Was running late to a reservation. Called and let them know I may be 15-20 minutes behind and they told me there was nothing they could do and I would be charged the full amount without accommodations to reschedule. Further asking to reschedule they still told me no and charged me the full amount for 3 people. Having been to an abundance of much nicer reservations around the country, it was a disappointment to receive this service in my home town. read more

What an amazing experience. Service was impeccable, food presentation and taste was beautiful and delicious. Wagu beef melts in your mouth like butter. I highly recommend Kosen to try for a once in a lifetime experience. You won't regret it. My son and I went to celebrate his birthday and Mother's Day. It's an experience you must try at least once in your life! read more

See all

Really fantastic kaiseki experience! A lot of people go for the omakase, but be sure to check out the 10 course kaiseki menu that changes seasonally! They really knocked it out of the park! Presentation and taste were spot on. Really loved the way they paced the meal. The meal progresses from light to heavy and ends on light and refreshing. Likewise, the flavors of the food get more intense with each dish before wrapping up with a delightful dessert. Service was excellent, with lots of attention to detail. Ambiance of the restaurant, while small, is intimate and very classy. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the Tampa area! :) read more

See all

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! read more

Kōsen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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. read more

See all

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 read more

Kōsen - Menu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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. read more

Kōsen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

See all

Went on 8/8/25 for Omakase. This is a 20 course experience for $250.00. I added a non-alcohol pairing for an additional $85.00. Lasts 2-2 1/2 hours. The entire experience was perfect. The food left you wondering what the next course would bring. The courses are very small, but there are 20 of them. The non-alcohol paring was very unique, with a lot of the drinks made using house made ingredients. Deserts were included, four total. The entire experience was exceptional, food, service and ambiance. I would highly recommend this restaurant. They have a well deserved Michelin star. read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

We returned for Valentine's Day dinner, and the food was undeniably exceptional, there's no debate about that. The service was equally top‑notch. However, the overall dining experience is heavily influenced by fellow patrons. Last night, while lively conversation and drinks are part of the atmosphere, the excessive use of crude language, boisterous laughter, and drunken antics disrupted the ambiance. It's disappointing to pay over $1,000 for a meal only to have it cheapened by patrons who are overly loud and intoxicated. I'm not sure what actions the restaurant can take, but such behavior certainly detracts from an otherwise wonderful experience. read more

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

My best friend and I chose the 10-course tasting with a wine pairing. The Ingredients were fresh and complimented each other nicely. Our issue arose after we closed our tab and left. My friend paid the bill which includes a 20% service fee but the next afternoon she was notified her debit card was charged an additional $184. It took six days of her repeatedly following up to resolve the issue. Just an "oops, you'll get the money back in a few days". As a Michelin star restaurant, it's unacceptable to take a week to respond to a billing issue that seems unethical as an additional 23% tip was added to the bill long after the tab was closed. Pretty disappointing as I love omakase and was looking forward to returning to try Ko. I will just go to Koya or Noble Rice for omakase in Tampa or go to Rocca a few doors down for a true Michelin experience. read more

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. read more

See all

Me and my wife chose to come here after our wedding. Everything from the service to the food to the ambiance was sublime. The sake pairing was also amazing and the staff was very passionate and knowledgeable about their craft and the food. Would definitely recommend read more

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. read more

Kōsen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Lovely omakase Japanese with great food as one would expect for a Michelin starred restaurant in Tampa. Several options for tastings but the 20 course is the most elaborate and is served by the head chef at a "chef's table' where many items are completed in front of you. Courses are delicious and ingredients high quality but don't expect revolutionary creativity or too much wow..Just solid courses. The desserts were an afterthought and they should consider bringing in a good pastry chef. We did the wine/sake pairing but found it lacking--recommend skipping it given the price as there are few surprises and pours are short even though they cover multiple courses. Service was fine but not Michelin level at all. Waiters seemed a bit sloppy in dress and the sommelier and chef sometimes talked over each other. Service lacked precision and proactivity though was well-intentioned. The restaurant is beautifully designed but was sad to see it so empty during our visit during prime dinner hours. Overall, this is a very good, but not great, restaurant and would not be close to earning a star if in a more competitive culinary city. The Kosen experience comes with a steep price but is worth the investment of time and dollars if you don't expect it to be the best meal of your life. Worth at least one visit if you are curious l. read more

We love omakase and have been here several times since they opened. We' were sad to see chef Wei is no longer there, but they're still amazing with chef Andrew at the helm. We've been for some special nights too, such as Valentine's and the Slow Drinks. Always a great experience! read more

See all

The service was what I would expect from a mich star establishment. It was amazing. The sommelier is the best person I have ever interacted with in that role. Each of his recommendations was top notch. A wine I have never tried and perfect. Wow My review goes down from here. The food was ok. Not great not bad. But it certainly was not one of the best meals of my life. Not even top 20. I often weigh experience vs cost. For 250 a person I expected to be wowed. I was not. There are so many other exceptional experiences in Tampa that cost less and deliver more. Try Rocca, Lilac, Restaraunt BT, Beccafino, Pont, Crave and Berns before going here. Your food exp will be better for less money. In short: service A+++. Food experience. B- read more

Terrible customer service! We booked a reservation a week in advance for a Wednesday night. The day of our reservation we get a confirmation email at 2:52 pm confirming our reservation and then another one at 3 pm showing it's been cancelled. When we called the restaurant and explained this to them they hung up on me. We finally got through to the manager who did not give two shits. They claimed they did not have enough food to accommodate us. For a restaurant charging these prices and offering these kinds of experiences, I would expect a much much better customer service from them. Would not give them 1 cent of money ever. read more

Booked a reservation a week in advance, confirmed multiple times--including the day of--only to have it canceled four hours before. When we called, they admitted they don't check emails for days and gave conflicting excuses--first "no food," then "we gave your table away." For a place that requires significant upfront payment just to book, the lack of communication and accountability is unacceptable. Would not recommend. read more

Amazing quality, great presentation, and great team. The best omakase I'm the area by far. Highly recommend if you want great sushi.

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. read more

See all

Did the Omasake experience here last week and it was amazing. The chefs really know what they are doing and the food is FRESH as can be. The Omasake will make you think you are in NYC. I have eaten at the sister restaurant in NYC (Masa) and this one definitely held up. read more

See all

I cannot speak highly enough of Kōsen. I have been to numerous Michelin star restaurants and Kōsen certainly ranks among the top experiences. We had the 10 course kaiseki menu, which I understand is curated by the Chef de Cuisine, Alex Chamberlain (who I feel the need to shout out by name for the meal). It was obvious that every aspect of every dish was carefully crafted with the highest attention to detail from flavor to texture to presentation. Of course you expect quality ingredients at a place like this, but how these ingredients were transformed into a truly unique dish is where Kōsen shines. Would also highly recommend the zero-proof drink pairing, which is truly unique and completes the experience because they use leftover menu ingredients to repurpose into crafted beverages to pair with each dish. Extremely pricey but worth every cent if you are someone who appreciates the art form of a menu. read more

See all

This review is only for service since we didn't get past the poor service to experience the dinner! My brother secured a seating for two for my son and me for the 10-course tasting for tonight at 6:15pm. I got a call from the restaurant two hours before the scheduled dinner to let me know that they could not accommodate our reservation since there was a glitch in the reservation system. The restaurant said they tried to call me yesterday, but when I said I had my phone with me all day and did not receive a call, that's when they said they emailed me. I checked my inbox, junk, and trash folders of my email and found nothing received from the restaurant. The restaurant then said they have open seating on December 26, but I explained that I was taking my son to a show at 3pm and I did not know when it would conclude. Plus, my son he was leaving town early the next morning. How can a Michelin star restaurant have such failure in the reservation system and after understanding the situation not extend seats to their guests to try and make an accommodation for the error? Kosen charges $75 per person for cancellations less than two days prior to the scheduled reservation. I think if the tables were turned, the guests should be able to charge the restaurant the same price for canceling on them within the same time frame. read more

This place is great! The ambience is rather casual, but still elegant. Such a great addition to the developing Tampa fine dining scene Must stop by here and also their sister concept KO, which serves kaiseki at sit down booths Beautiful food! read more

See all

3.5 stars We 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. read more

See all

When I think of a Michelin Star restaurant, service comes to mind immediately. Kosen needs to work on service and creating a fine dining experience from the moment you walk in. Our party waited for a few minutes before host came from the Kosen side of the restaurant. The employees preparing for dinner service could see us but did nothing. It was a little awkward, then someone closed the curtain to the kitchen. We had 5pm reservations and it was empty. Again, not a welcoming impression walking in. We followed the host to the Kosen side for the 20 course omakase experience. The food was delightful and better than I expected. Chef Wei did a fantastic job creating beautiful and tasteful courses. However, the tiny flies was a huge fail. It was not only annoying but disgusting. The food was superb, and Chef had a great sense of humor and personality. He really enjoyed making food for us. Thank you. read more

See all

This is hard. I have been to many upscale Japanese restaurants all over the world and this was very good but is it the best in Tampa? I have been to the other Michelin star sushi place in Tampa and I would say they are more mature when it comes to a fine dining restaurant of that caliber. Granted this place is a lot newer somehow I think it shows. It's always hard to schedule a dinner at these types of restaurants because I travel so much and my schedule is always changing but I finally was able to make it happen. I know it was a complete coincidence but the ac was down the night I booked for the omakase experience at the sushi bar. I know that's completely out of control but it's a big part of the experience of the restaurant. Maybe cancel the reservations for that evening. They did offer to reschedule my dinner but I was already drove there and valeted the car. It would have been nice to know that ahead of time before showing up. Everything was very good apart from the Tako (Octopus) it was very chewy. I also opted for the reserve wine paring ahead of time and when I showed up they just started service and didn't mention which pairing I had. I would give them another try however the other 1 Michelin star sushi place in Tampa is better in my opinion. read more

See all

When I compare the experience I had at Kosen to all of the other Michelin experiences I've had, I begin to feel confused as to why they have a star at all. The service, the interactions with the staff, the food, and everything in between just completely falls short of what you would expect. Our reservation was for 7:45PM and we were standing outside waiting until about 8:00. In the past, there is usually a small area with chairs or a sofa to sit on inside. The overall vibe inside of the place is fine. Nothing much to talk about either way. The real letdown was the service and the food. The chef only spoke to us when handing us our food and the description of the food was barely informative. My friend tried to ask the chef for clarification on a few of the items to which he would just repeat the same line and walk away. The service was slow and choppy. It seemed as if the staff didn't really know what was going to happen next. There were multiple occasions where the staff reached across me and leaned on me to put something down. Why? A few of the dishes were pretty good. The duck dish was probably one of the best I've ever had, but nothing else besides that was super notable. Some of them were actually not good at all. In general, this places needs some restructuring. I expect a much different experience, even from a 1 star place that is $360 per person after tax and tip. If it didn't have a star or if it was $180 per person, I would probably say it was good and would come back. If I'm being honest, they shouldn't have a star and you should go somewhere else instead. I am giving them the same rating on here as Michelin gave them, 1 star. read more

Extremely rude door service that prevented even having the opportunity to try this place. While the place visually looked dead inside and had literally zero people outside, a group of four looking for drinks was told they can't accommodate us because their bar doesn't offer seating. Then after turning us down for entrance they had the audacity to say we couldn't wait 4 minutes for our Uber pickup in their outdoor breezeway. Completely un professional and un compassionate. I will actively advocate against patronizing this establishment. read more

We dined in for a brunch omakase. Brunch was 10 courses, and each course was great. Everything was fabulous and well executed. The chef was very inspiring. The chef, his assistant, the sommelier, and everyone else assisting us 12 that afternoon provided excellent service. Tye omakase room is beautiful, and it is the nicest space we have ever dined in for an omakase experience. Major thumbs up to Kōsen for finally being able to accommodate those of us with Celiacs Disease. I had made reservations here before on opening night, and they had to be refunded due to this. For this brunch, omakase every serving used a gluten-free soy sauce. 2 things I also really liked was the technique that was used to make the nigiri. The wasabe was placed underneath the fish. and two, I liked the selection of fish used. We got to try about three new fish selections that we have never had. We will definitely be back again. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you are a Celiac. It is hard to get a gluten-free omakase experience in Tampa, so it's nice to have one! read more

See all

Definitely special occasion only because of the price but this was an amazing experience. Enjoyed almost every course. read more

See all

Amazing first omakase experience! Each dish was delicious, they were able to accommodate my shellfish allergy, the chef was friendly and funny. 0 complaints except I did think it was odd that the servers never offered for 2nd rounds of drinks when we finished, they just took the glasses away. But small detail, I'd rather enjoy the food fully anyways. Highly recommend! read more

See all

What an amazing experience. Chef Wei Chen pours his heart and soul into each dish. We had the privilege of experiencing the new winter menu on the first night. All I can say is wow, this is the most intimate and knowledgeable fine dining experience you will ever experience. The only criticism I can give is that the white fish could've gone with a little less wasabi to experience the full flavor. The staff was so attentive, and very friendly. The only thing I would improve is that they could've placed dishes more towards the center of each person. I highly recommend this experience from this Michelin trained chef and it does not compare to anything else in Tampa. read more

See all

We definitely had a different experience on our last visit. The staff is all college aged kids. How can you run an upscale restaurant with kids who've never been to a Michelin star restaurant, they don't have any understanding of the pedigree. They think we're suppose to be impressed just to be there, as they are, thinking relative to their experience. I've never had a cart full of dirty dishes rattling by our table like an old trolley car at Le Bernadin haha. The course portions have certainly shrunk. The service was extremely disjointed and awkward. Generally a chefs tasting leaves you just satisfied enough. Here, we left very hungry... just because you have well curated components, doesn't mean you can whittle them down to almost nothing. A lot of the components did not come thru, due to the minuscule sizes, or use of component. It's one thing to delicately meld flavors and another to reduce to save money. It shows to the people who be coming to your place several times a year verses a couple one time a year for their anniversary. We also waited for 45 minutes for the check with no water in our glasses, drinks, or an offering of either. Very bizarre... again you can't have your dining room run by high school and college kids at an alleged Michelin star restaurant. Forget about Koya, the tasting bar at Noble rice is amazing and half the cost. I'm sorry, I have to tell it like it is.... You gotta get it together, or you're going to be in trouble soon.... read more

I have had the pleasure of several restaurants with Michelin stars including Alinea in Chicago. That being said, this was by far the best food I have ever been served. Many of the dishes presented me with flavors I had never before encountered. I liken it to, at the age of 50, being shown the color blue for the first time. I had placed in my cart for purchase tickets for the 20 course Omakase tasting menu multiple times, only to close my browser before hitting complete due to the price. In fact, had there been any kind of cancellation policy (other than a date change) I might have gone that route. I am so glad they are strict on that as I have zero regrets. Cannot wait to get in for the winter menu when chef has it ready! read more