We picked up Koyas takeout box for two last night for our New Years Eve dinner. It was $150 for two small boxes and we sadly weren’t very impressed. For starters, we didn’t receive chopsticks or any utensils which was a bummer. The presentation is nice but we also had no idea what we were eating. I expected maybe a menu or an explanation for what each item was but we blindly ate it not knowing what was in the box. When we ordered the takeout it really gave no explanation either so we just hoped for the best. The raw tuna was really good and buttery. That was probably the best part. The rest of it we really had no idea what we were eating and it was not exactly fun taking a bite of a mysterious meat, beans, vegetables etc. I thought one of the vegetables was a fruit and was unpleasantly surprised when it was salty.. The top box was all raw sushi and the bottom was different meats and some rice. We weren’t sure whether the bottom box was supposed to be eaten warm but it was room temperature when we brought it home. It would’ve tasted better if it had been warm i believe, but again we didn’t know if it should have been reheated or not because there was no information about what we were eating. Honestly we just were not impressed and threw away almost half of the meal. It really was not worth $150 and definitely not enough for two people. Thankfully we bought rice, gyoza, and edamame from a different sushi place just in case the Koya meal wasn’t enough food.

I have not had their omakase tasting yet, but have ordered their take out option a couple times now. You make a reservation and pay for it on their web site and pick up on your scheduled date and time. You order this one to two weeks in advance. I ordered their salmon, tuna, and sashimi/nigiri set. The sushi here is phenomenal, real deal! It melts in your mouth and you don’t drown it in soy sauce. It comes with light and dark soy sauce that you can apply a couple drops on. Hands down the best sushi in the Tampa Bay Area. I spoke with the owner and he told he picks up his fish at the airport since its flown in fresh. I have been to other sushi restaurants in south Tampa, Soho, ybor and they don’t come close!!

This is, without question, a 5-star dining experience. Chef Eric and his wife and team have created a unique and intimate experience with world-class cuisine that you would only find at top end locations around the world. Tampa is incredibly lucky to have such a location. Went for the tasting menu for my friend’s birthday. Each course was artfully crafted and carefully prepared and included ingredients flown in from all over the world. The wine/sake pairings were a real treat and exposed us to new combinations. I cannot say enough great things about this experience. If you think this is going to be a budget neighborhood sushi spot, don’t go. If you truly appreciate the art of food, then you won’t find a better place in Tampa!

We tried Koya for the first time a month ago and it was an absolutely fantastic meal at the restaurant. Only 8 seats all at the bar so you get tons of interaction with chef. The meal was delicious omakase style. We did not do the sake pairing because no one in our group drinks sake so I can’t comment on that. We recently did their takeout menu and that was just as delicious! I was surprised by how amazing it was even as takeout. I will absolutely go in person and do takeout again. The only problem is with only one seating of 8 guests a night it can be difficult to get reservations but I assume that’s what keeps the quality high. Can’t wait for Noble Rice to open at Sparkman.

I've been living in Tampa since 2014, and I've seen the city's restaurant scene transform over the years. This restaurant is one of the gems that has helped shape Tampa growing scence. The service here is excellent. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, and they really go the extra mile to make sure that you have a memorable experience. They even took the time to get to know every group, even though we were all a little shy at first and made our first anniversary one that we will remember for the years to come :)! The food is also amazing. Each dish is carefully crafted with fresh, imported ingredients. The flavors are all complementary, and each dish leaves you wanting more. You can really taste the love that the chefs put into their work. I'm excited to see how this restaurant's sister restaurants turn out. They are bringing their experience and passion to Tampa, and I'm sure they will help to continue to grow the city's culinary scene.

Exquisite food and overall experience. We walked in through the doors and got transferred to a world of culinary delight powered by Chef Eric and his team. Amazing food, excellent pairing of sake and wonderful people. Highly recommend

I hate to leave such an awesome review because it’s going to be impossible to obtain a reservation, however this was an absolutely amazing meal. The nigiri course was stunning, the passion of the chef is palpable, and everything is just next level. I could not recommend this place more highly. The “milk bread” knocked my socks off. I would highly recommend

An insult to omakase. I have been fortunate to experience omakase in multiple cities (including Tokyo) and this doesn’t even come close. The fish was pre-sliced and preparation was below average. A few courses were good at best. Overall this can’t be considered as a true omakase experience. A disappointing meal, even if you don’t factor in the price. I was very excited at the prospect of a high end sushi experience in Tampa, but this is not it. It smelled like a fish market the second you walked in. Multiple courses were off in flavor, and really just not an enjoyable experience unfortunately. No clue how they got a Michelin star.

Talk about epic meal time. This was the best Japanese meal that I've had outside of Japan. Reservations are required due to Covid-19 and the fact that the restaurant only seats 8. The chefs are literally importing their fish from the auction markets in Japan. I am very happy that something like this exists in Tampa. I can't wait to go back for the next special occasion.

Absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish. Courses were presented beautifully and well paced. Intimate dining experience and the staff made it feel like you were eating in their own personal kitchen. We're from the tampa bay area and are so excited that this level of cuisine is finally making its way into our city. Koya would be a good shot for a michelin star if in a guided city. Per the chef the menu will change seasonally, we cant wait to go back.

I’ve only been to one other omakase restaurant. This one was the best in my very limited experience. The set menu was delightful, simple but fun and I really love this type of dining. The flavors were exceptional and well curated.

Come have the best food of your life! I cannot speak more highly of the chef and his amazing partner/ sous chef. Every dish is amazing with each detail thought out. Do the pairing it's worth it.

This is the place to go for a fantastic dining experience. I loved learning about each course and where the food came from. Definitely worth adding the wine and saki pairing.

The most distinctive and delectable dining experience in Tampa. Every course was a culinary masterpiece, creating a symphony of flavors rooted in authentic Japanese cuisine and expressing the artistry that is Koya.

Start to finish, an amazing experience. You will have everything you love about Japanese cuisine with a couple of items that push your boundaries. I can’t wait to go back. Worth the cost, worth the time, worth the stories you’ll tell about the Uni.

Incredible combination of ingredients that made of every dish an explosion of flavours in my mouth. The team and the atmosphere in combination with the art behind every plate made the time there an amazing experience. Totally worth it!

Excellent experience (not cheap...). Chef Eric, Sarah, and everyone else did a great job to make this unique experience. I gave 5 stars, but I am a little bit too generous since the wow factor was missing (compared to other Michellin star restaurants).

This place did not disappoint. Everything was fantastic. Each dish was prepared elegantly and meticulously.