Erica Morris
This is one of the best all around dining experiences I have had in some time. It’s rare that the food, service, and decor all combine to such excellence.
The moment we walked in we were greeted by a few staff members with sincere warmth. Our server Christian was professional, helpful and had such a positive energy it was infectious.
Our food was stellar - everything we ate was flavorful and delicious. Our water glasses were always full and the service hit the perfect balance of being attentive but not fussy or intrusive.
Highly highly recommend. Keep up the good work team Noble Rice!
Christina Luong
Service:
To start, big thank you to Byron our amazing server. So extremely knowledgeable & passionate about everything on the menu which was splendid. Great recommendations & attitude.
Ambiance:
The vibe in there is spectacular, super dim & moody, great intimate feel to the whole place. Private booths w/ gorgeous wood accents. There’s not a ton of space between you & other guests but it doesn’t feel cramped whatsoever
Food:
Everything on the menu from start to finish was incredibly intentional & delicious. This was my first time dining at Noble Rice but I’ve been looking forward to trying it out ever since I touched down here in the Tampa area, and they did not disappoint whatsoever. The shrimp toast was the best bite of the night for me personally because I’ve never had shrimp toast fried in wagyu tallow & it absolutely blew me away. The karaage was unfortunately a bit too spicy for my liking but it was very juicy & had a fantastic crunch to it. The salmon sashimi was more on the sweeter side which was good but not my favorite, however the salmon quality was spot on. My Toki Whiskey Sour was delish, I’m a big fan of all House of Suntory spirits, so this very well executed. Overall, Noble Rice is a MUST try, delicious, well-thought out, and stunning.
maryroselol
Wow. Great fusion Japanese restaurant in Channelside. Every dish was unique and flavorful in each bite. From the sushi to the dessert, I can’t say I’ve had anything similar anywhere else before. Their tiny chocolate dessert takes your mouth on a rollercoaster with all the flavor and textures that develop as you eat it. Mock-tails were delightful as well. Cant wait to come back and try even more!
Rebecca Gleason
We really enjoyed our time at Noble Rice! Our waiter was awesome and very helpful on a lovely bottle of sake, pictured here. The miso salmon and rice was awesome, other picture. We had multiple rolls and fatty tunas and it was just great.
Pro tip for parking, if you use the garage across from noble rice and show them your reservation confirmation you can get $5 parking which is a huge help as that area is crazy for parking.
Allison D
Constantly searching for high quality Japanese cuisine, we finally decided to visit Noble Rice. As we waltzed down Channelside, the entrance to Noble Rice snuck up on us. We always appreciate restaurants that lack “over-the-top” signage. As we entered, we were greeted by the absolute star of the show, Christian. He was a phenomenal host, We were fortunate enough to receive booth seating, which was much more intimate than the other tables in the restaurant. Our waiter did not leave a great impression on us. As he guided us through the menu, he always pointed out the most “bang for your buck” dishes, which immediately diminished the class of this establishment. For their drink options, we were deeply let down that they did not have plum wine, or sparkling sake, so we started off with the hojicha. Their green tea was lovely, and clearly authentic. Deep, earthy, and without fault. The first dish we received was the Akami Nigiri, and it was our least favorite dish. The akami was extremely fresh. However, the bed of crispy sweet potato was awful. It was not crispy, it just got stuck in our teeth. We then received the Beef Tartare. We would unquestionably order it again. A divine balance of sweet and savory. Creamy beef and sweet kimchi paired with lovely notes of maple, cut with the beautiful crispiness of a fresh wonton. After finally making a decision on a couple of cocktails from the bar, we ordered the Sakura martini. It was dangerously balanced and heavenly. The dish that followed was our A5 Wagyu Tasting. Served in a very traditional nigiri style, this Japanese BMS 12 Wagyu was clearly of high grade. Make sure to order freshly ground wasabi to truly enjoy the wagyu. We ordered the wasabi and sadly watched it die in the window for over fifteen minutes. The wagyu was very high quality, and of course, the iconic “melt in your mouth” nature of true wagyu. Alongside this plate, we also received our two maguro nigiri flights, as well as our shima aji and kanpachi nigiri. We would recommend the tuna flight to anyone experiencing Noble Rice for the first time. It solidly exemplifies the difference that fat content makes in the flavor and texture of a fish. From left to right, leanest to fattiest, you receive akami, toro, chutoro, and otoro. The otoro was by far the best bite. With the chutoro cut, you still get the flavors of the fish, paired with beautiful fattiness. The kanpachi and shima aji nigiri were high quality and fresh. As simple as that. Make sure you order extra ginger to cleanse your palate. After our nigiri plates, we received the Kano Crostini. This was another one of our “must-haves.” Noble Rice yet again hit that stunning harmony of savory and sweet. The duck and onion jam were a pristine pair. Along came the Hokkaido Uni and Avocado Yakitori. This adorable plate of flavor was a very intriguing dish. Fatty ingredients do not typically coincide well with fellow fatty ingredients, but did so, all due to the grilling factor. The light char tied this dish together. The Crispy Pork Belly, which was the next dish we received, was a plate that we for sure could have done without. The flavors were not exciting at all. We just had to try the uni on its own. It was good quality, and unquestionably came from the cold waters of Hokkaido. However, you could taste that the uni was box transported, and not freshly cracked. The stronger flavor of boxed uni can be off-putting for some people. We finalized our meal with possibly the best dessert we have had in a long time, and paired it with a tawny port, the Soy Milk Panna Cotta. We would go to Noble Rice solely for this dessert alone. Perfectly executed. Without flaw. The gracefulness and light-nature of the panna cotta fused with the rugged burnt honey, and the nutty black sesame in such an astonishing manner. With only a few faults, we will visit Noble Rice again. With spending over $500 (not including tip) for two people, we would expect everything to be perfect, thus why we must retract a star. Now we know what to order for our next visit. (More detailed review on Yelp!)
Greta Martinez
We had a great experience at Noble Rice, beginning with the friendliest bar staff who guided us through the menu and helped us make our decisions. Sally was fantastic and brought out a couple of wines based on the notes I usually go for and she nailed it. The food was delicious and did not disappoint. This is definitely a pricier restaurant, expect to pay over $100 but it’s very worth it. Would recommend for anyone seeking a unique dining experience.
Fernando Priego
This is an amazing place to enjoy some incredibly good sushi. From top notch service, to excellent customer service, this place is to die for. Next time you’re in TAMPA, do yourself a favor and come eat here!!
Jordan Thomas Nurse
Always 5 stars. No need to elaborate, just go. Everything is ALWAYS amazing including the service. Tyler has always taken care of us and she is excellent - very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu.
We have been several times and the experience is always the same.
Sumer Davis
One of the best dining experiences I’ve had. Byron was amazing and every suggestion was on point. Was a night for the books. Thank you again!
Ashley Blasak
The food was so amazing I'm still daydreaming about it. Each roll was paired with the most perfect sauce. Cannot wait to go back. Beautiful and inviting dining space with a welcoming atmosphere. The service was great, even seated at the bar. Drinks were perfection. Loved it.
Jack
Each course were amazing, chefs and servers were great. I liked the vibe a lot, and the drinks were good. Only thing for me was that no one said the last course was actually the last course and didn't even say a few words like "we hoped you enjoyed this experience and hope to see you again." We had to ask the server if that was it and she brought out the final bill. Still, great and unique courses. That "taco" and wagyu beef were amazing 👏
Jasmine McNamara
The best omakase experiences I've had in Florida! Creative and delicious high quality fish and seafood dishes. My party and I were taken good care of by our chef, the service was friendly and enhanced the experience. I will definitely be returning! A few of the spectacular standouts for us were the wagyu sushi rice risotto, milk bread egg salmon bite, and the otoro tuna rice cake!
DJ Lovecraft
Sally and Georgi know what service is all about. The Umami Martini was one of the single best martinis I’ve ever tasted. I went with Sally’s recommendations and every bite was wonderful. They are welcoming, kind, and absolutely adept at proper service. And the menu… simple… complex…. Delicious.
Clinton Hobbs
Phenomenal experience! Byron our server was super attentive and knowledgeable. The hospitality was top notch; from the hosts to the server, to the management.
The food was outstanding, tried multiple items from the shared plates, sashimi, hot items, and their desserts. (The panna cotta literally blew my mind.) The food also came out surprisingly quick. Would definitely recommend and will definitely be back.
Tony Pierce
This was my first time eating at Nobel Rice. The atmosphere is trendy and buzzing, albeit a bit loud. Definitely a youthful vibe. The staff was all friendly and accommodating. The service was a touch slow initially, but that is to be expected on a busy Saturday night. The food was pretty good although I would not say it was memorable compared to many other sushi places in Tampa. It is also possibly the most expensive sushi I've had in Tampa. It is worth a visit but expect to spend quite a bit.
Annalise Mabe
One of my favorite restaurants in Tampa. Super fresh nigiri and omakase. Ramen and fresh takes on light desserts as well. Love this spot!
Jessica Best
First time for all 4 of us (2 Tampa natives and 2 Kansas City visitors) and it did NOT disappoint.
Their space is unique, open, and welcoming. The smiles are contagious. Everyone here was genuinely excited to share the food and experience with us. We were so grateful for our server's recommendations, because they ended up being some of our favorite bites!
Case in point: Best bite of the night was the Duck breast crostini with pistachio butter, onion jam, and shiso. Each flavor shines and the whole bite is just delectable.
We also got the perfectly crispy (and magically hot) Karaage spicy fried chicken with citrus miso kewpie.
Then spotted something that's not your average sushi restaurant appetizer: burrata and buttery milk bread toast with confit cherry tomato, black garlic molasses and yuzu marmalade. Yum.
And to be sure we got a little market fare: the kale salad with shiitakes, charred onion, and pistachios, and a fantastic maple gochujang vinaigrette. 🥬
The rolls were unique, which was fun: I'd never tried scallop as sushi/roll, plus we had the Negi Toro, which features the fattier tuna and a dollop of tobanjan kewpie that made it zing in your mouth for a few minutes. Covered in shaved green onions, it was another one that had multiple distinct flavors in it.
But the reason to go here: Absolutely luscious sashimi. We went for the Premium cuts, with a range of lean to fatty blue fin tuna (fun to taste the difference!), salmon, striped jack, and an array of soy sauces to compliment. (I liked the black garlic soy sauce best.)
But my favorite surprise was the kani sashimi, simply served loose in a nori wrapper. (Somehow the nori here is better...) So clean and such a unique bite of something I thought I knew the taste of... Nothing like the chunks in a Cali roll. 🍣
Paired with a range of sakes and a matcha mint mocktail, we were stuffed but pleasantly so!
Maj Vasigh
Went for lunch yestersay (Sunday) expecting to order some sushi. We were disappointed at first to learn that it was only a new brunch menu that didn't offer sushi or ramen. I decided to try the chicken and grits (at an Asian fusion place, really?). My God. It was easily the best chicken and grits I've ever had. It was like a damn Olympic opening ceremony of delicious flavors in my mouth in a combination I've never had before. Perfectly cooked grits, perfectly crispy fried chicken, and this gravy sauce I'd probably eat off the floor if I ran out on my plate. What started as a bit of a bummer quickly turned into an amazing meal. My wife got a chicken sandwich with some kind of hot pepper jam that was incredible too- my understanding is the chicken sandwich is on their usual lunch menu too. Go here. Order these things. Amazing.
Stevan Northcutt
Taste-wise, the food merits probably 4 or so stars. But it is laughably overpriced. And for a hole-in-the-wall gastropub, Japanese or otherwise, the place takes itself far, far too seriously, to the point of annoyance.
This self-importance was first impressed upon us when we were told that couples could not be seated in booths, which were "reserved for large parties." But throughout our visit only one of the booths was ever occupied--by a party of three. Ironically, a party of five came in and, being too large for a booth, was seated at two tables pushed together. So I guess to be eligible for a booth a party would have to be larger than a couple but not too much larger. I guess the booths actually are reserved for medium-sized parties, maybe. In any event, before our very eyes the minimal advantage to be obtained by excluding couples from booths was proved insufficient to offset the bad will it instilled in this couple of customers.
Then there is the menu's rather bizarre admonition that "to keep with Izakaya tradition, we do not offer ramen for take-out or as leftovers. Ramen is meant to be enjoyed immediately after being prepared." Oh, please. An izakaya is basically a Japanese tavern that serves food. Many of them don't even have places to sit. So where in this vaunted bar-food "tradition" is it said that one who pays for food--and therefore owns it--cannot take the leftovers home? Nowhere, of course, and I resent any establishment that is so taken with itself that it won't serve food to a customer the way the customer wants it. For the record, I wouldn't try eating leftover ramen noodles, but a ramen *bowl* frequently contains ingredients that would be perfectly suitable for reheating; indeed, at Noble Rice's prices, these bowls pretty much beg to be reheated. Speaking of which, I also submit that the "izakaya tradition," which generally involves inexpensive food, would not include a $22 small plate. It is telling that the menu posted on the restaurant's website does not list prices.
I love good food, but I despise pretentiousness. The food here is good, to be sure, but as a predictor of whether I'll ever go back to the place, it rates two stars tops.
Scott Sweeney
We were in for a volleyball tournament. This place only had 34 seats if you add up the 2-tops, 4-tops & counter seating. I took my daughter on a Sunday night. There were 3 tables open - a 2-top and 2 booths. I asked for a booth because sushi is a little different than just ordering 2 entrees. You have to make space for this big shared platter in the middle. The host/waiter was a dick about it and said he "needed those booths for other people." That 2nd booth was never sat while we were there. And the 1st booth was sat with only 2 patrons. We waited forever to order. We waited for ever for the food. We waited forever for the check.
But the most disappointing thing is, as a sushi-aholic, paying $12-15 per roll for the smallest rolls I have ever seen. Good flavor, but so small. The same $ and roll at Amura's in Orlando, has 50% more fish. What a rip off!
Alena Anderson
This past Friday my boyfriend and I made our way over to Noble Rice because we both wanted to experience the restaurant. We decided to do the 7-course sushi and sake pairing ($125/pp), rather than the 15-course pairing (maybe next time!) We had no idea what to expect and went in with an open mind. We were both pleasantly surprised and enjoyed every course. Some of the courses were black sesame with spinach (first course, which was amazing!), then some seared tuna, a large scallop, sea urchin, Wagu beef and much more. The dessert was a matcha sauce on a moist cake with a small scoop of amazing ice cream. I am probably killing the descriptions of the food items, but I will just say I thought I was sitting at one of the top restaurants in Manhattan. Each plate was aesthetically pleasing and gourmet, It was fabulous! And let's not forget about the sake - each course was perfectly paired and we will be back soon. I may bring a cushion for my butt! The wood booth was uncomfortable for the length of time we dined. Keep up the good work, Noble Rice. Loved it.
Meg Sitterson
I had heard good things, so we drove to Tampa from St. Pete to check it out.
I also heard it was a small space, and to get there early to avoid a wait. We showed up right after they opened (around 5) and were the first ones there.
What an incredible menu! Sushi, small plates, ramen, steamed buns, skewered dishes, and more. Every dish is thoughtfully composed and beautifully presented.
Our server was informative, friendly, and attentive.
We shared a big bowl of tempura shishito peppers, which is now our favorite way to eat shishito peppers. Those peppers were huge and the tempura batter was so light. A great deal for $8.
My main squeeze spotted OToro (Fattiest Tuna) on the menu and had to get it, as well as mackerel sashimi. The OToro is a very rare menu item, so it was quite a splurge ($25). Fresh, raw seafood is expensive. The mackerel was only $12.
He also had the Wild Spanish Octopus nigiri with golden raisin & olive pistou, fresno chili, and preserved yuzu kosho. He was blown away by the flavors - sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. Worth every penny of the $12.
While he enjoyed his sushi and sashimi, I explored the other side of the menu. I was thrilled to find Veggie Steam Buns filled with avocado, charred maitake, fried pickled onion, and maple soy yogurt butter. It was just as tasty as I hoped it would be. $10 for two buns seemed reasonable to me.
I also had to try the vegetarian preparation of the Cider Brussels Sprouts with butternut squash, misoyaki, and cashews. It normally comes with Tan Tan Cured Pork Belly, but they also offer a vegetarian version. Being a brussels sprouts lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this. $12 for this dish.
I had hit my wall, but my fella wanted more. He ordered a Tengo specialty roll (crab, scallop, and scallion topped with shrimp) and devoured it. $15 for the roll.
The final nail in his food coffin was the Noble Fried Chicken (NFC) Buns filled with spicy fried chicken, country gravy, redeye curried gravy, and micro greens. He loved it and declared it the best steamed bun he's had. Two buns for $10.
The total came to $118, which isn't cheap, but we came prepared to splurge and felt the quality was worth it.
Jon Amador
1st the food was off the hook and service was excellent. the whole vibe was so cool from the staff, music and the beer. il def hit that spot again and againa and again. one more thing, everyone needs to try the omakase
Tyler Kline
My girlfriend and I have been coming to Noble Rice fairly frequently since about a year ago and each time we have dinner here, it is always a fresh and exciting experience. We finally got to do an omakase dinner last night, and it will be a dinner we will never forget. Chef Eric and his team craft bites of food that are complex, memorable, and even familiar, all at the same time. At times the food seems to be experimental in presentation or combination, but when we taste it, it reminds us of something from when we were growing up. We consistently have "WOW" moments when eating here. It is absolute magic.
Not only that, they also make an effort to forge a relationship with customers; the times we have had dinner here, I have watched Chef Eric ask how his guests are doing, or how they have been, or what they're up to in their life. Noble Rice is an extremely special place here in Tampa, and I'm not aware of another restaurant that compares in terms of quality, experience, atmosphere - the list goes on. They're pros at what they do, and it's worth every penny.
James Walbridge
The food here tasted as good as it looked. Excellent presentation on top of high quality food. I got the Ramen. Love the atmosphere, I definitely recommend giving this place a try.
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