Sushi
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KOJO

4.6
·491k reviews·,

KOJO offers an upscale Asian fusion experience in downtown Sarasota with innovative dishes, creative cocktails, and a vibrant, trendy atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Sushi

KOJO

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

KOJO offers an upscale Asian fusion experience in downtown Sarasota with innovative dishes, creative cocktails, and a vibrant, trendy atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Every single dish we ordered was hit after hit after hit! Absolutely loved this place."

TIP

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to guarantee a table, especially during busy periods.

Bar Seating Option

If no reservation, consider the bar for drinks and tapas-style dishes. You might get seated right away.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5PM

Cuisine

Asian Fusion

Price

$$$

Phone

(941) 536-9717

Address

1289 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Innovative Asian Fusion Cuisine

Innovative Asian Fusion Cuisine

Experience a fusion of Asian flavors with fresh seafood, unique small plates, and wagyu steak. Highlights include kimchi fried rice and truffle stone bowls.

Craft Cocktails & Ambiance

Craft Cocktails & Ambiance

Enjoy a vibrant cocktail program in an upscale, trendy atmosphere with dim lighting and house music. Perfect for a date night or special occasion.

Must-Try Nori Tacos & Bao Buns

Must-Try Nori Tacos & Bao Buns

The spicy tuna nori taco and various bao bun options are frequently praised for their unique flavors and delightful presentation.

Google Review+3
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

You must stop by Kojo next time you’re in downtown Sarasota 🍣🥢 #florida #sarasota #sushi #thingstodo #vacation #sushirestaurant
@selenaguoo
33 likes • 918 views

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to guarantee a table, especially during busy periods.

Bar Seating Option

If no reservation, consider the bar for drinks and tapas-style dishes. You might get seated right away.

Kojo has my heart!! It’s a tradition every time we’re in town and it never disappoints💌 A must try in downtown Sarasota #kojosarasota #sarasotaeats #floridaeats #fyp
@rachelmurciano
45 likes • 1.2K views
We love Kojo & Bao Buns I’m in my unhinged content era #kojo #kojosarasota #restaurant #baobuns #traveltips #sarasota #florida
@fthedistance1
37 likes • 1.7K views

Ask for Recommendations

Servers are knowledgeable and can offer great suggestions, like the popular bao buns.

Weekday Visits

To avoid crowds and noise, try visiting on weekdays or earlier in the evening.

Birthday dinner was absolutely fantastic! Thank you @Colleen Martens for this beautiful dinner! #sarasota #KOJO #birthday #florida @Kenny @tannercloses @jenna @Aspenn☀️✝️💗
@donnie.martens
25 likes • 304 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Reserve Ahead

Make reservations in advance to guarantee a table, especially during busy periods.

Bar Seating Option

If no reservation, consider the bar for drinks and tapas-style dishes. You might get seated right away.

Ask for Recommendations

Servers are knowledgeable and can offer great suggestions, like the popular bao buns.

Weekday Visits

To avoid crowds and noise, try visiting on weekdays or earlier in the evening.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

KOJO is celebrated for its exceptional Asian fusion cuisine, particularly its innovative small plates like nori tacos and bao buns, and expertly crafted cocktails. Diners praise the vibrant ambiance and attentive service, making it ideal for special occasions. While the food and drinks receive rave reviews, some mention that the patio area could be improved and the espresso was watery.

"We absolutely loved our experience at Kojo Sarasota, hands down the best sushi in town!
Beautiful salon, bar and high tables as well, gets very crowded but still feels spacious enough.
The food was outstanding!!
Every dish was packed with great flavors and well prepared. You can truly taste the freshness of the ingredients in every bite, which makes the whole experience even better.
Great menu, The sushi rolls were outstanding, and the seaweed crunchy taco was such a fun and delicious surprise.
We also tried the greens and Brussels sprouts, and they were incredible too, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly done.

The cocktails were top-notch, crafted with high quality products and creativity.
On top of that, the service was excellent — everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome. The atmosphere is elegant and classy, with a beautiful design that makes it perfect for a special night out.

We celebrated a birthday, and Kojo made it unforgettable with a complementary dessert and some bubbly, a thoughtful and classy touch!
They also offer a separate gluten-free menu, which is a huge plus.
Overall, we had an awesome time, a very unique experience and can’t wait to come back and try other delicious dishes.
5 stars for this great restaurant.
Truly the best sushi experience in Sarasota!"

ludy casey

"Went for a birthday dinner and they were so sweet to create a cute, hand decorated card. The restaurant is romantic and aesthetic with its tiki bar connected next door. Great selection spanning small plates, sushi and main entrees. Would definitely come again."

Felicia Chang

"Man, this place was amazing! Went here on a whim for date night without a reservation and we were seated right away (we were here on a Tuesday). Every single dish we ordered was hit after hit after hit! Have to recommend the Torched Salmon Tacos, literally one of the best things we've had. Shout out to our server, Clayton, who was patient with all our questions and had perfect timing. And the manager Dustin gave great service as well! All of the staff we talked to was phenomenal. Worth every penny!"

Flare

What People Like

Inventive small plates (nori tacos, bao buns)
Delicious and creative cocktails
Vibrant atmosphere and excellent service

What People Dislike

Patio area could be refreshed
Espresso quality inconsistent

Frequently Asked Questions

It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially for weekend evenings, as the restaurant can get busy.

TikTok

Diners frequently rave about the spicy tuna nori tacos, pork belly bao buns, and kimchi fried rice. Many small plates are designed for sharing.

Google Review+3

KOJO has an upscale and trendy atmosphere, so smart casual attire is generally recommended. However, some reviews suggest flip-flops are acceptable.

Yes, KOJO offers a separate gluten-free menu, making it easier for guests with dietary needs.

Google Review

The restaurant features a vibrant and energetic vibe with low-playing house music and dimmed lights, creating a chic and modern dining experience.

Google Review+1

KOJO boasts a vibrant cocktail program with both traditional and innovative drinks, as well as sake and beer selections.

Google Review+2

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Best new restaurant in Sarasota is Bar Hana by Kojo downtown

Opened in April, Bar Hana is the sister business of Kojo, offering an upscale drinking and dining experience unlike anything else in the area. Start with their Instagrammable cocktails, served in a delightful collection of fun and vintage tiki glassware, but be sure not to overlook the food. Bar Hana's menu features some of the most creative and satisfying dishes I've tasted this year — dishes that may only be rivaled by the offerings of their other sister business, Palm Avenue Deli, when it opens next door.

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AnnaMaria.com

Downtown Sarasota Bars For A Craft Cocktail

In the pulsating heart of Downtown Sarasota lies Kojo, a remarkable dining destination where the line between the art of food and drink blurs, creating a memorable experience that tantalizes your taste buds. As you step into Kojo, you’re welcomed by a beautiful amalgamation of ambiance, a meticulously curated menu, and a vibrant cocktail program, each as inviting as the other. Kojo’s cocktail list is an intricate blend of traditional and innovative.

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Sarasota Magazine

These Restaurants Are Actually Open on Mondays

From Palm Avenue’s ubiquitous Hi Hospitality Group comes Kojo, which serves upscale Asian fusion cuisine. The sleek dining room gives way to an open kitchen, where cooks remain as cool as the cucumbers they include in the sushi rolls. The tender bao selections are a unique interpretation of the Chinese street food, with options like crispy rock shrimp and barbecue mushrooms.

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Pages of Travel

The Best Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida

Kojois new to our favorite Sarasota restaurants and also relatively new to Sarasota and we are definitely adding it to the date night rotation. We first went to Kojo to celebrate Logan’s birthday and they brought out some complimentary champagne as well as a birthday card which I thought was a nice touch. But the food and service at Kojo were outstanding.

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She Needs Less

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From the beautiful decor to the hip playlist, and top-notch cocktails and meals—you’ll love eating at this downtown Sarasota restaurant!. The plates are designed to be shared, so plan on getting multiple and trying all different menu items. Or, better yet, go with a big group and order TONS of plates so you can try everything without spending too much!

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LWRHome.com

Best Restaurants in Downtown Sarasota

One of downtown Sarasota’s latest additions is the everso trendy KOJO. Upon arrival, you’ll instantly notice the energetic vibe with low-playing house music and dimmed lights. The Pan-American cuisine is a treat to the Sarasota culinary mixing pot and adds dumplings, fresh tuna, and delicious bon buns to the menu.

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This hot new downtown Sarasota restaurant, KOJO, was an instant favorite. Service is friendly, and attentive, and the food is inventive. Start with a craft cocktail (my choice – Lychee Martini), and continue with the truffle oil Tuna Pizza (crowned with a colorful bloom) and the addictive Szechuan Chicken Wings.

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Enjoy rock shrimp tempura, broiled oysters, shrimp and pork gyoza, and even tuna pizza, or try one of their unique nori taco flavors. KOJO also offers high-quality steaks served with grilled shishito peppers, garlic chips, and the choice of a signature sauce.

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The Adventurist Magazine

The 17 Best Restaurants in Sarasota Florida

Ramen meets Southern comfort at Kojo, a Japanese-inspired restaurant that’s anything but conventional. Wood-fired ramen, pork belly buns, and a cool vibe make this the spot for anyone who wants a global twist in a place where flip-flops are still acceptable.

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Sarasota Experts

19 Best Sushi Restaurants in Sarasota, FL [2022]

It’s an Asian inspired upscale restaurant that is revolutionizing Sarasota as we know it. Not only is it the best restaurant in downtown Sarasota, it also has excellent sushi. When it comes to atmosphere and food presentation, KOJO wins by a long shot.

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This upscale Asian-fusion restaurant features modern twists on classic Asian dishes, thoughtfully curating each flavor of your meal. Kojo’s menu is dynamic, changing with the seasons, so you’ll always have a fresh and exciting dining experience.

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Despite being relatively new, this is a good sushi joint in Sarasota. This restaurant is Asian-inspired and slowly changes Sarasota from what you know. They serve excellent Sushi and emerge as one of the best restaurants in downtown Sarasota.

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If fine dining is what you’re craving, dress to impress and book yourself a table at KOJO. This is an ideal spot for an intimate dinner for two. The romantic atmosphere is accentuated by the cherry blossom decor and soft colors.

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Restaurant Observer

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KOJO is Japanese dining that is sure to be special and unique. Sample the spicy tuna nori taco – Thai chili, sesame, and shiso mint leaves.

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