{"id":187459,"date":"2026-03-11T17:01:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/187459\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:01:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:01:09","slug":"acclaimed-japanese-restaurant-o-ku-nears-opening-in-bayshore-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/187459\/","title":{"rendered":"Acclaimed Japanese restaurant O-Ku nears opening in Bayshore Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of Tampa\u2019s more hotly anticipated restaurants has teased an imminent opening. O-Ku, a Japanese sushi restaurant from the same team behind Maru<\/a>, made its first social media post this week, announcing a \u201clate spring\u201d opening of the new restaurant at 2907 W Bay to Bay Blvd.<\/p>\n

O-Ku has a growing number of locations across the southeast, including Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, D.C., Jacksonville Beach and more, all under the umbrella of Charleston-based The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. While it\u2019s already mid-March now, the \u201clate spring\u201d opening window gives the restaurant a bit of wiggle room. The restaurant isn\u2019t even listed yet on O-Ku\u2019s brand-wide reservations list, so you almost certainly won\u2019t have to worry about scrambling for a table as soon as this weekend, or even this month. We\u2019ll be sure to share any opening updates as they come.<\/p>\n

\"the\"theThe Maru rooftop, O-Ku\u2019s neighboring concept from The Indigo Road<\/p>\n

When it debuts, O-Ku will feature an array of signature nigiri, sashimi, and makimono, alongside chef specialties and curated omakase offerings. The restaurant\u2019s beverage program will include specialty cocktails, varietally correct and food-friendly wines, small production sakes, international and domestic beers, and thoughtful zero-proof selections.<\/p>\n

The restaurant, which is the brainchild of James Beard Award semifinalists Steve Palmer and Kimball Brienza, promises warm hospitality and authentic Japanese cuisine inside the renovated Bayshore Gardens. <\/p>\n

More from the O-Ku team: \u201cO-Ku celebrates unique ingredients, traditional techniques, and sophisticated presentations through an approachable menu featuring sushi, sashimi, and nigiri alongside contemporary robata-style offerings and savory dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

While each location varies with exact hours and offerings based on individual chefs and management, O-Ku is dinner service only, though most locations offer an early sushi happy hour on some weekdays. No O-Ku location is like-for-like with its sister restaurants, and we\u2019re excited to see what the local culinary team at O-Ku Tampa comes up with.<\/p>\n

You can keep up with any news and updates on the O-Ku Tampa website<\/a>, or on their instagram<\/a>.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n