Koya
Japanese restaurant · Tampa ·
Eight-seat tasting counter: East-West fusion, rare seafood, sake.
Eight-seat tasting counter: East-West fusion, rare seafood, sake.
"This Michelin-starred, intimate eight-seater serves a tasting menu ($295 per person) of East-West fusion dishes that depart from the standard omakase experience. Dishes are comprised of top-notch ingredients such as bluefin tuna and uni flown in weekly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market." - Laine Doss
"Tampa's first omakase-only restaurant, a short walk from Palihouse Hyde Park Village. Known for its exceptional dining experience." - Kevin Chau
"There is a watchful eye over the experience at this intimate eight-seat counter, where a multicourse contemporary tasting menu shares a singular interpretation of Japanese cuisine. The dishes are often unexpected yet always thoughtful." - MICHELIN Guide
"The big news of the night came out of Tampa which saw One Stars doled out to Koya, Lilac, and Rocca bringing the entire stadium to roaring heights (and cheers) with chefs from all destinations applauding with enthusiasm and verve." - MICHELIN Guide
"When reservations for Koya's first month sold out within minutes, Eric and Adriana Fralick knew they had a hit on their hands. But Koya's success wasn't always as clear as it is today. Before selling out month after month, Koya was uncharted territory. Being Tampa's first omakase-only restaurant, the dynamic duo knew they had their work set out for them. 'At the time, there was not a single tasting menu only restaurant,' explains Eric who prepares and serves each piece behind the counter. 'We approached the concept as if we were headed into the wilderness. When we looked at that definition of wilderness and its Japanese translation (Koya) we knew it fit perfectly.' The power couple's goal, Eric tells me, 'was to break the stereotypes of Japanese food that most Americans, especially in Florida, were used to.' The result is a menu with a unique combination of Eastern and Western influences that is luxurious yet unexpected. It’s been almost three years since Koya first opened its doors. From Covid-19 to the closing of Noble Rice's original location, a lot has happened. But among all those changes, one thing has managed to remain constant. And that is the intimate 8-seat tasting-menu-only experience that is Koya, is still on top of Tampa's omakase world." - Kevin Chau