Coral Gables has quietly become a destination for Japanese cuisine. While Miami’s flashier spots grab headlines, this elegant enclave offers everything from intimate omakase counters to bustling izakayas. Even as new concepts emerge, the classics continue to draw loyal regulars. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving late-night ramen after strolling the Venetian Pool, these eight restaurants represent the very best.
Sawa Restaurant & Lounge
$$ | (305) 447-6555 | WEBSITE
At Sawa Restaurant & Lounge in Coral Gables, it’s wise to ask about the live entertainment schedule before you book a table so you can plan your evening around the belly dancing. If that sounds like an odd priority, then you’ve never experienced the vibrant atmosphere here. If there’s a secret formula for balancing flavors across Japanese, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines, Sawa has it memorized by every chef in the kitchen.
The service can be hit-or-miss, so don’t expect every server to be equally attentive unless you luck out with one of the gracious ones. But you really want to focus on the food here, anyway—each dish, from the Dragon Roll to the Pasta Antigiano, delivers consistent quality that makes the menu’s variety genuinely exciting.
107 Taste Coral Gables Asian Restaurant
$ | (786) 409-6951 | WEBSITE
With its authentically-flavorful-yet balanced, generous-portioned, Asian-style dishes, 107 Taste is now the Coral Gables go-to for all things Japanese. With classics like padthai and specialties like pineapple chicken or Tonkotsu Ramen, it can be hard to choose which to go for. But every dish we’ve tried is a good, savory bet.
Join the procession of folks on weekends grabbing blue crab rangoon to go, or sit back in the clean, well-lit dining space, share a meal with friends, and split a $22 pineapple chicken that takes up half the cozy wooden table.
Sakura Gables Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (305) 665-7020 | WEBSITE
Part-neighborhood Japanese spot and part-family-friendly hangout where kids can enjoy fun touches, Sakura Gables has the classic cozy restaurant thing down to a science. All the dishes at this Coral Gables favorite are good, but it’s their Moose Roll that sets them apart from other Japanese places in town. The fresh and crispy tempura comes with just the right batter, ensuring each bite has that perfect crunch and lightness.
Bring the family to the long-standing spot to enjoy ample parking, look at the authentic décor, and split some tempura in the comfortable seating.
Su Shin Izakaya
$$ | (305) 445-2584 | WEBSITE
Su Shin Izakaya makes the best Japanese comfort food in Coral Gables. The curry somehow stays rich and deeply flavored, despite working as a smooth base that’s hearty enough to complement the tender chunks of karaage, the delicate gyoza, and the many other dishes that come on their extensive menu of specials.
One of our favorites at this beloved mom-and-pop shop, which draws regulars who treat it like a second home, is the simultaneously savory and comforting tamagoyaki with sprinkles of green onion over a layer of fluffy egg, paired perfectly with a glass of their house umeshu.
SHINGO
$$$$ | WEBSITE
Unlike a lot of the places on this guide, you go to Shingo in Coral Gables to sit down, drink fine sake, eat meticulously prepared sushi, and go bonkers over omakase courses that balance and surprise with each bite. The space itself feels like an intimate and artistic sanctuary, with beautiful flower arrangements hanging over their reserved seating area. Get the Salmon Teka Maki, which is cut and seasoned by acclaimed Michelin Award Chef Shingo.
It sort of tastes like a delicate dance of texture and flavor on top of expertly crafted rice.
Miss Crispy Rice
$$$ | (239) 980-2912 | WEBSITE
Miss Crispy Rice began as a humble sushi bar, which made it tough to snag a seat for their acclaimed Omakase menu. Now, it’s settled in a vibrant Coral Gables spot with a spacious courtyard. There’s a chance you’ll still find the online reservations filling up fast. Keep checking. The immersive tasting experience, especially the hand rolls and spicy tuna flight, is always worth the effort.
We usually opt for the Omakase with Wagyu robata style and Wagyu nigiri, which pairs beautifully with the fresh, made-to-order presentation. If you’re not up for a full multi-course journey or want something quicker, the à la carte options are also solid.
Sushi Maki – Coral Gables
$$ | (305) 443-1884 | WEBSITE
If we played a word association game and someone said “Coral Gables sushi,” Sushi Maki would be one of the first places to pop in our heads. The modern spot makes fresh, tasty dishes like the Coral Reef Roll, spicy tuna roll, and ALHOA poke bowl. But our favorite sushi here is the simplest: the spicy tuna roll with fresh fish and smooth, creamy avocado.
Sushi KONG
$$ | (305) 800-5664 | WEBSITE
Sushi KONG in Coral Gables crafts sushi with fish so fresh—cool and clean tasting—that you could treat the nigiri like regular sashimi. The menu changes pretty frequently, but you’ll usually find at least two Latin fusion and traditional options. Come here to spend an evening sipping sake, watching chefs slice fish behind the counter, and dine under warm pendant lighting.
