Rio Izakaya: professional exterior shot of venue

Rio Izakaya: appetizing, high-quality food photography

Rio Izakaya: professional, high-quality food photography

Rio Izakaya: professional and appetizing food photography

Rio Izakaya: appetizing photo of restaurant food

9 photos

Rio Izakaya

Name: Rio Izakaya
Address: 5232 Bridge St, Tampa, FL 33611, Tampa, South Tampa, 33611, US
Telephone: +18139187777
Rating: 4.9

★ 4.9 · 165 reviews Tampa Opened 7 April 2026

Directions Instagram

Dry-aged sushi and binchotan yakitori in Westshore Marina

The fish here spends time dry-aging before it hits the counter, and the yakitori gets its char from binchotan coals, the old-school Japanese way. It's a small, cozy room built for date nights, not group dinners.

South Tampa has picked up several Japanese spots this past year, but Rio Izakaya stands out by treating yakitori as seriously as the sushi. Its marina district spot puts it minutes from Westshore's office towers, so expect an after-work crowd.

What guests say

Reviews by Google

Mana Laha 88 reviews · Local Guide 6 August 2026

One word amazing , service , food , drinks absolutely top notch, Zane took care of our table and he is the best from food and drinks recommendation to remember from reservation it’s our anniversary .. next time we go back we will definitely request a table in his section ! Drinks are delicious try the last samurai and Wagyu fat washed old fashion !! Must try the yakatori .. pork belly and American Wagyu is chef kiss !! They serve dry aged fish .. it is just so good .. And finish off with black sesame ice cream and waffles.. Definitely we will go back there ..
abbie dunn 12 reviews 6 July 2026

First timer last night, and this spot is absolutely incredible! The food, the service… everything was top notch. Giovanni was a fantastic server, and Joe, the GM, truly went above and beyond to make sure our experience was wonderful. We’ll definitely be returning on a regular basis. Thanks for a great night, team!
H Elizabeth 3 reviews 21 June 2026

Went to the bar last night and let me tell you….. their cocktails SLAP. I got the “it’s complicated” drink cause my ex man be pissing me off. Nancy served me and she was amazing!!! I ended up getting some sushi based off of Nancy recommendation. Got pretty tipsy & loves the sushi. Ask for Nancy the bartender when you come :) 10/10 we love a girls girl.
Will Wooten 123 reviews · Local Guide 6 June 2026

This is a great sushi restaurant with high quality ingredients. The miso was rich in flavor with mushrooms, seaweed, and tofu. The ginger salad was crisp and the dressing was great. The sushi was high quality, fresh and prepared well. The waitress did have a bit of a mishap at our table but handled it so gracefully and the GM came over to make sure everything was okay. Pro team ensuring a great experience!
Deemerz Pandamic 13 reviews · Local Guide 17 May 2026

This place is an absolute masterpiece and a total hidden gem. It’s rare to find a spot that excels at both delicate sushi and high-end grilled meats, but they nail it. Highly recommend getting a reservation ahead of time, as it fills up fast! The Sushi: Incredibly fresh, melt-in-your-mouth quality, and beautifully presented. The Wagyu: A total showstopper. Rich, buttery, and cooked to absolute perfection. Yakitori & Pork Belly: The yakitori was juicy and perfectly glazed, but the pork belly stole the show—crispy on the outside, incredibly tender on the inside. Great ambiance, impeccable service, and worth every penny. We will definitely be regulars!