Matoi Sushi

im sooo happy matoi is back in business! ive been craving good sushi and have tried elsewhere but not as good as my favorite place MATOI sushi! i have recently re-visited them and have noticed they hired a new staff a waiter who is absolutely hilarious and extremely nice! with lots of smiles and a great attitude! but he lacks in speaking english but tries his best!!! and tells funny jokes making me feel welcomed! i wish and hope the best for this restaurant and stays open forever!!!! Pros: absolutely best sushi and korean bbq in town more

I've been going to this Sushi Restaurant since I was in the womb. I go at least every two weeks, well not since the fire but still. Every time I walk in it's instant calm and sometimes yes the waitresses can be a little impatient but it mostly cause their trying so hard to get everybody's orders out ASAP. The sushi has never disappointed and I love their Volcano roll and Miso soup. I've tried other places while they are closed but every time I find myself comparing and Matoi has always won. Even their Unsweet tea is better. I've had my last 3 birthday parties there and the staff even bought me drinks for my 21st. I make sure I take every friend to this place and will continue to do so. Pros: rolls and fresh fish Cons: friday night crowds more

I heard very sad story on my number one favorite restaurant...\r MATOI SUSHI..\r caught on fire and closed for while...\r Like in Oriental Preverb,\r ""when a place caught on fire, that place will go well on business""\r I wish this place go well and overcome this critical moment and COME BACK~!\r MATOI SUSHI, you are still my FIVE STAR Restaurant.\r I miss you so much,\r hopefully everything goes well and see you soon~!!!\r I Still give you TWO THUMBS UP.... Pros: TWO THUMBS UP more

I've tried alot of sushi restaurants in the bay area and this is one of the best. There is a great selection of specialty rolls if you are up for something out of the ordinary. They also have korean bbq with all the little side dishes you would come to find at a sit down korean family dinner. My friends usually have large parties there and the staff and owner have always been very accomodating. I found out recently that they will be closed for renovations for a few months so they will be missed. I look forward to getting my volcano and SOJ roll when they reopen! They are rolls you have to try when you go there. more

My wife and I really wanted to like this place. We ordered a couple rolls each and none of them were any better than average. I go raw and the wife likes cooked. Sorry to bust anyones bubble, but maybe we went on a bad day. We were not impressed. Try Yoko's.. it was awesome! Pros: free sushi sample Cons: mediorcre sushi more

Four years ago my best friend took me to Matoi, since then, I have never gone anywhere else for sushi.\r The servers are wonderful, the ladies never fail to have my hot tea and onion soup in front of me within mere moments of me sitting down. \r The chefs are all fun and interesting to talk to, learn from and joke with. I have my favorites and they know I will be ordering them, but each visit I try something new and they know what i have tried or haven't tried yet, and they know which ones i liked best, so they make recommendations based on my personal history with them. That, to me, says more than anything else. The entire staff takes the time to get to know their customers.\r Let's not forget the food itself. Excellent. Fresh. With portions that sometimes I even have trouble finishing. \r I mainly go for the sushi, but every once in while, I branch out to some of the other dishes, and have yet to find something disappointing.\r I recommend Matoi to every one I talk to about sushi. I have even told exec chefs from other sushi bars to go to Matoi's to see what sushi should be.\r When I moved back to Tampa, I made sure Matoi Sushi was within a 5 minute drive. Pros: everything more

Eric and I have been going to Matois for approximately 1yr. Since we started going there has never been a time where we have not been greeted with a warm welcoming hello and fast service. \r Since our first visit we have come to love eating there and go at least 2x's a week sometimes 3. \r Now when we arrive our drinks are arriving at the sushi bar at the same time or right before us. That is what I call service. The servers and the sushi chefs are attentive to our needs, know our likes and dislikes and are always willing to explain things to us if we have any questions.\r The food is outstanding. The sushi is very fresh and delicious and the presentation is inviting.\r I would recommend anyone who has never tried sushi to make Matois your place to start. You will be sold as we were and keep coming back for more. more

I love this place! It's an absolute go-to place if you are a sushi lover, like myself. The atmosphere is comfortable & friendly, the sushi is innovative & fresh, and you get your money's worth! I frequent this place about once a week, and haven't been disappointed a single time! I highly recommend! more

I usally go to Tampa, Florida twice a month for my business trip.\r Every time I go down there, \r I always wasting my time to find a nice restaurant which I really don't like it.\r On May 25th that Memorial Weekend, \r I went to Matoi Sushi restaurant and I loooooo~~~ve that place.\r This is THE SUSHI Place I'd like to go to all the time.\r Food is great, Servers are very kind and specially, the owner, \r Mr Lim was very very friendly that makes me very special person.\r Mr. Lim, the owner, tolds me they were there for 20 years.\r Anybody who goes there and have a meal there will know\r how they can success in this economy condition.\r Absolutely, TWO THUMBS UP~!!!!!\r \r KD from Atlanta, GA Pros: TWO THUMBS UP more

My wife and I have tried sushi & rolls from Tampa, New York & Vegas and just can not compare Matoi's great service and best tasting sushi & rolls. Highly recommended. more

How do you know when you've came to a nice restaurant?? It's not just by what you eat and how good it is. A lot of it, for me, has to do with the service they provide. It's a very important thing to keep your customers satisfied, which Sam (the owner and chef) has never failed to do. I met him while dining in his restaurant and he is a swell guy! He not only creates it into a perfect and creative dish but he takes the time to talk to his customers and joke with them, he's hilarious! Not only is he hilarious but he's a genius, his specials taste amazing! The Bucs roll, Volcano roll, Steve's special, and of course for all the couples..The Love Boat Special! How does he come up with these ideas? I wouldn't know! The most important of all important facts about this restaurant....Their fish is probably the most fresh I've had at any restaurant! Don't believe me? Go try it for yourself, I highly recommend Matoi Sushi Restaurant! more

Out of the many years I've lived in the tampa bay area I've been to countless sushi restaurants. Sure a lot of them were good, but Matoi Sushi has without a doubt the best sushi in town. The quality of their fish is outstanding and very creative, as if that weren't enough their service is amazing! They try as hard as they can to cater to your needs, and not once have they failed to meet my expectations. Not only are their staff members friendly and comforting but the environment of the restaurant also keeps me comfortable. Setting sushi aside, they also have a korean menu if you aren't a fan of sushi which is also delicious. They have anything from Terryaki to grilled delights, such as Gal Bi and Chicken. The best part? Everything is all very generously priced! more

I have business in Tampa Bay that requires me to travel to the area several times a year from up north. We stumbled upon Matoi by complete accident one day several years ago, I will never look for another Sushi restaurant in Tampa again, there's no need this place is that good. The servers are friendly and the sushi is outstanding. Even though I only visit the restaurant 2-3 times per year I feel as though I am a regular. Do yourself a favor and get a sushi boat, you won't be disappointed. Keep up the good work!! Pros: Great sushi, non tourist trap environment more

Let the chef choose, take some friends and order a boat. The variety and quality are both top notch! more

I would highly recommend Matoi Sushi. I have been a frequent customer since I was 14 years old. Back in the days of 'Sam Oh Jung'. Every year since I started going there to eat I have returned for my birthday as well as my mother's, brother's and little sister's. The food is absolutely amazing and the service is about 88% dead-on good service. The only problems I have ever had were with newer servers, but that's to be expected. My favorite rolls: VOLCANO - Absolutely too much of a roll, but well worth it. You would pay the same price for half the size anywhere else. Beautifully displayed and there's never a piece left on the table. SOJ - This roll has my favorite orange sauce on it and is the favorite of my 6 year old's picks. Something that needs to be tried atleast once. I guarantee you will be hooked! SAM OH JUNG SPECIAL ROLL - A very tasty roll filled with crab salad mixture topped with Salmon and avocado. Sweet taste and the fish always tastes like it is caught outside of the back door. Another must have is the ginger salad. I cannot live without them! Matoi is a quiet, cozy and relaxing atmosphere and I hope all who read this give it a try...it may turn into your favorite place too! more

Good and Fresh Sushi... presentation not that good and service is mediocre. \r \r The first waiter that approach us was tapping in the table with a pen as we were making the selection, it seemed to be that she was running out of patience or time. I don't like to feel like they are doing to me a favor when I am eating in their restaurant.\r \r The Sushi was good... perfect Nigiri size, fresh and wide variety of fish.\r \r If you are looking for a fresh and safe Sushi meal and you don't mind the service. It is a great option. Pros: Good variety of fresh sushi at a reasonable price Cons: Mediocre service more

This was the best sushi and service that I have experienced in the Tampa area! We have visited and been constant customers for many of the sushi restaurants in the Annapolis area. The atmosphere at Matoi, the service and the sushi was phenominal. I would highly recommend going to Matoi. Pros: Great service, great sushi and the kimshi was fabulous. Cons: Can't think of any! more

I'll agree with a previous poster that Matoi's has the BEST Volcano roll. It is unlike any other volcano roll you'll get anywhere else. I'm sure there is any nutritional value has been removed from it but it is a decandant indulgence.\r \r Unfortunately, I'll agree with another poster that the service can be slow and abrasive (depending on who is serving you, that is/not naming anyone particular [cough, cough]).\r \r I still recommend Matoi's, however, cause I do believe the food is that good. It's always fresh and never sub-par. Pros: Great food. Fresh sushi. Cons: Service can be mediocre. more

We visit Tampa several times a year and never go without a visit to Matoi Sushi. The service is excellent, the waitstaff is very helpful with suggestions and specials. Their spider rolls are amazing, their sashimi is incredibly good and good value and there is such variety. We always order too much! We often see celebrities there, but the staff treats us just as famously! Love it! Pros: Great Service, Great fun more

I eat there once a week. The Bangkok roll is the best roll I have ever had!!! more