ISU Brings a Peruvian-Japanese Izakaya to St. Petersburg
The team behind a Michelin-recognized sushi spot opened an intimate izakaya blending Japanese technique with Peruvian flavor.
St. Petersburg's sushi scene gained a distinctive new player. ISU, a roughly 50-seat modern izakaya, opened from the team behind Fortu, a sushi restaurant already recognized by the Michelin Guide. The lounge blends Japanese artistry with Peruvian flavors — a Nikkei crossover that has become one of the more exciting corners of Florida dining.
The intimate format leans into small plates, sushi, and cocktails, giving downtown St. Pete a stylish spot that trades on technique rather than scale. It arrived amid a wave of openings that has transformed the city into one of the Tampa Bay area's most dynamic food destinations.
A deepening bench
ISU's debut reflected a maturing scene in which proven operators expand into new concepts rather than out-of-town chains simply moving in. For St. Petersburg, the result is a dining district with both range and identity — and a growing case that the region's best cooking is no longer confined to Tampa proper.
Sources: Tampa Bay Times; Tampa Latest.
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