11 Florida Sushi Counters Worth The Drive
Florida doesn’t scream “sushi pilgrimage,” yet scattered between palms and highway exits are counters and omakase dens worth the chase.
I’ve followed nigiri trails along I-95, sipped miso in quiet beach towns, and learned what makes a sushi bar truly breathe. These places balance restraint with daring, fish flown in nightly, rice tended with monk-like patience, chefs committed to craft.
Each counter is more than a meal; it’s a pact between guest and maker. You sit, you trust, and the story unfolds bite by bite. Here are eleven Florida sushi counters that prove the journey is worth it.
1. NAOE, Miami (Brickell Key)
The stillness of Brickell Key sets the stage, water outside contrasting with the quiet intensity inside. The five-seat counter feels almost ceremonial.
Chef Kevin Cory builds the omakase step by step, weaving sashimi, nigiri, and small plates with his family’s shoyu and sake. NAOE has become one of Miami’s most exclusive seats.
Tip: don’t plan anything tight around it. A meal here is deliberately unhurried, and the slower you surrender, the more rewarding it becomes.
2. Sushi Erika, North Bay Village (Miami Area)
Slices of tuna glisten like jewels across the glass, while warm rice gives off a faint vinegar perfume. Simplicity is the draw here.
Opened by Erika Kushi, daughter of sushi pioneer Ken Kushi, this neighborhood spot channels decades of family craft. Locals line up early, and the counter feels like home ground.
Ask what’s freshest. Staff are open about the day’s best cuts, and following their suggestion usually means you’ll leave with a smile.
3. The Den at Azabu, Miami Beach
A hidden doorway leads to an intimate counter tucked inside Azabu, and it feels like stepping into another dimension. Low lighting presses the focus onto the fish.
This offshoot belongs to the Michelin-starred Azabu lineage, and in Miami Beach it offers hushed omakase experiences distinct from the bustling front room. Reservations are essential.
I loved how the energy drops once you sit, the outside world fades. Eating here felt like an intentional reset, one that stayed with me long after.
4. Midorie, Miami (Coconut Grove)
The counter gleams with silver trays of fish, salmon blushing orange beside ivory snapper, each slice like a painted tile.
Midorie sits quietly in Coconut Grove, opened by Shingo Akikuni after training under Makoto Okuwa. The restaurant marries local seafood with imports from Japan, making it stand out in a neighborhood lined with cafes.
Tip: watch their omakase reservations. Seats are tight, and dropping in without booking almost guarantees you’ll miss what makes this place special.
5. Ogawa, Miami (Little River)
The first impression is the hush: just a few diners, the scrape of knives, and the subtle shuffle of rice bowls behind the counter.
Ogawa is helmed by chef Masayuki Komatsu, who opened it in 2021 with a focus on fish purity over roll gimmicks. The omakase features a rotating selection of imports and regional catches.
Late seatings sometimes reveal the most prized cuts, held back for smaller groups. It’s an understated practice that rewards those willing to wait.
6. Shingo, Coral Gables
Warm lighting frames the counter, and every brushstroke of soy onto nigiri feels deliberate, like a painter layering color. The room leans calm and precise.
Chef Shingo Akikuni opened this omakase in 2023, earning fast attention for blending classic training with a more intimate neighborhood feel. His courses include seasonal sashimi, tamago, and grilled fish.
I left here feeling like I’d been guided, not just fed. The pacing felt like a conversation, and each bite made the next one inevitable.
7. Kadence, Orlando (Audubon Park)
The space feels serene: wood counters polished, soft lighting catching the sheen of each fish slice. The room stays hushed except for the glide of knives.
Kadence was founded by a trio of chefs trained in Japan, who set out to give Orlando an omakase on par with coastal cities. Their tasting menu is compact and changes often.
Reservations are essential here. With just a handful of seats, it’s not a walk-in kind of place.
8. Kabooki Sushi, Orlando (East Colonial And Sand Lake)
The plate arrives bright with color: tuna, salmon, and amberjack brushed lightly, while rolls showcase unexpected touches like jalapeño or truffle.
Henry Moso opened Kabooki at just 22, and his playful yet refined approach has since landed him national attention. The Orlando locations balance flashy rolls with strong omakase credentials.
If you sit at the counter, you’ll notice the chefs juggling classic technique and modern flair. It’s as much performance as it is meal.
9. Soseki Modern Omakase, Winter Park
The first thing you notice is scale: fewer than a dozen seats, a counter glowing under warm light, and plates arriving like small artworks.
Soseki calls itself “modern omakase,” and that means seasonal produce joins Japanese fish, creating pairings you don’t see elsewhere in Florida. The experience runs over multiple courses with quiet precision.
I loved the unexpected flavors here, citrus with nigiri, Florida greens alongside sashimi. It felt playful, almost mischievous, yet still rooted in discipline.
10. Koya, Tampa (Hyde Park)
A low hum carries from the open kitchen, knives tapping softly against boards while steam curls from a torch on the counter. The atmosphere is calm but concentrated.
Koya runs an omakase program in Tampa’s Hyde Park, emphasizing balance: seasonal fish flown in from Japan meets rice treated with equal care. Their menu rotates constantly.
Seats are limited and usually reserved. If you want the full counter experience, book ahead and plan on lingering, the pacing is intentional.
11. Dragonfly Sushi & Sake Co., Gainesville
The energy feels different here: louder, warmer, with izakaya plates moving alongside sashimi trays. Yet at the counter, the mood steadies into precision.
Dragonfly mixes sushi with robata and tapas-style plates, giving Gainesville a wide-ranging Japanese dining room without sacrificing the seriousness of its nigiri. Their menu stretches but never loses focus.
I didn’t expect Gainesville to deliver such polished sushi. Sitting at the counter, watching rolls and nigiri fly out, I realized it’s a place that balances fun with finesse.