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Review

Khoi Sushi, Thai and Bar

Date of Visit: June 12, 2026
Best of the BestBest Dish AwardFavorite Tables Around TownOn the RoadMoments Worth SavoringSweet EndingsDining with a ViewCraft Cocktails and Local Pubs

Total Score

57/60

Star Rating

★★★★★

Susan and Peter Martin

Reviewed by

Susan and Peter Martin

Every once in a while we discover a restaurant that checks all the boxes. Great food, beautiful atmosphere, attentive service, and enough personality to make us want to come back again and again. KOI Sushi & Thai & Bar in Ponte Vedra Beach is one of those places. From our very first visit, we had a feeling KOI would become a regular stop for us. As longtime sushi lovers, we have visited sushi restaurants throughout Florida and beyond. What separates a good sushi restaurant from a memorable one is not simply the fish. It is the complete experience. KOI understands that better than most. The restaurant combines the artistry of Japanese cuisine with the bold flavors of Thailand, creating a menu that offers something for virtually everyone. Whether you are craving fresh sushi, comforting Thai soups, handcrafted cocktails, or creative specialty rolls, KOI delivers a dining experience that feels elevated without feeling pretentious.

Ambiance and Décor

10/10

One of the biggest reasons KOI stands out is its atmosphere. The moment you enter, your eyes are drawn toward the enormous video wall that showcases breathtaking underwater scenes. Schools of colorful fish swim gracefully across the screens. Sea turtles drift through coral reefs. Ocean life fills the room with movement and color. For Peter, this feature is especially meaningful. As an avid scuba diver, watching these underwater scenes while dining adds another level of enjoyment to the experience. It creates a calming environment that immediately puts guests at ease. The dining room itself strikes an excellent balance between modern elegance and casual comfort. The booths are comfortable, the lighting is warm, and every detail appears carefully considered. Even the chopsticks deserve mention. They are so attractive that the restaurant reportedly had to begin selling them because guests wanted to take them home. This attention to detail is present throughout the entire restaurant.

Menu and Drinks

9/10

One of the things we appreciate most about KOI is the variety. The menu successfully combines Japanese and Thai favorites without feeling overwhelming. Sushi lovers have an extensive selection of traditional rolls, specialty creations, sashimi, and nigiri. Thai food enthusiasts can enjoy soups, curries, noodle dishes, and other authentic favorites. The full-service bar is another strong point. Cocktails are well-crafted, portions are generous, and the bartenders understand how to create drinks that complement the menu. We also appreciate that KOI offers options for diners with different tastes. Susan tends to gravitate toward lighter, more traditional sushi selections. Peter enjoys richer, fried specialty rolls. Both of us can easily find multiple favorites here.

Food Quality

10/10

This is where KOI truly shines. Susan's Favorite: Tom Kha Soup The Tom Kha Soup is nothing short of exceptional. This creamy coconut-based Thai soup features mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers served in larger cuts than most restaurants use. That simple preparation choice creates a richer texture and allows each ingredient to contribute its own distinct flavor. Susan first fell in love with Tom Kha Soup at KOI, and despite trying it at numerous restaurants since then, she still believes this version remains the benchmark. It is comforting, flavorful, aromatic, and perfectly balanced. Best of the Best Award: Pink Lady Roll The Pink Lady Roll immediately captured Peter's attention. Wrapped in delicate pink soy paper, this visually stunning roll contains tuna, salmon, eel, avocado, seaweed salad, and masago. What makes this roll special is balance. No single ingredient overwhelms the others. Each bite delivers layers of flavor that unfold gradually. It is sophisticated, creative, and beautifully executed. That combination earned it our prestigious Best of the Best Award. Best of the Best Award: Lobster General Roll If there is a roll that perfectly represents both of our tastes, it is the Lobster General Roll. Inside, guests will find lobster tempura, avocado, and spicy tuna. On top sits crawfish salad, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. Susan loves lobster and spicy tuna. Peter loves crawfish. This roll combines all three into one extraordinary creation. The contrast between crispy lobster tempura and creamy toppings creates incredible texture while the flavor profile remains rich without becoming heavy. This is not simply a great roll. It is one of the most memorable specialty rolls we have enjoyed in recent years. Garlic Edamame Sometimes the simplest dishes reveal the most about a restaurant. Garlic edamame may sound basic, but surprisingly few restaurants prepare it properly. KOI's version reminded us of our favorite sushi restaurant from our years up north. The garlic is evenly distributed, the seasoning is balanced, and the preparation transforms a simple appetizer into something crave-worthy.

Service

9/10

Service at KOI consistently enhances the dining experience. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and knowledgeable. Food arrives promptly, drinks stay refreshed, and questions are answered confidently. Most importantly, the service feels genuine. The team strikes the ideal balance between attentiveness and allowing guests to enjoy their meal without interruption. Whether you are visiting for a quick lunch, a date night, or a special celebration, the service team helps create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Value and Pricing

9/10

Considering the quality of ingredients, presentation, atmosphere, and overall experience, KOI provides strong value. The portions are generous, the specialty rolls are substantial, and the overall quality exceeds what many restaurants charge considerably more for. You leave feeling like you received an experience rather than simply a meal. That matters.

Overall Experience

10/10

KOI Sushi & Thai & Bar has become one of our favorite dining destinations in Ponte Vedra Beach. The combination of immersive atmosphere, excellent Thai cuisine, creative sushi rolls, attentive service, and memorable signature dishes creates an experience that continues to bring us back. Restaurants earn our Favorite Table Around Town designation only when they consistently deliver excellence while creating lasting memories. KOI has accomplished exactly that. The underwater video wall provides a unique backdrop. The Tom Kha Soup remains Susan's favorite. The Pink Lady Roll and Lobster General Roll earned our highest culinary recognition. The garlic edamame gives us a nostalgic connection to favorite dining experiences from years past. Most importantly, every visit leaves us looking forward to the next one. That is the mark of a truly exceptional restaurant.

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Awards

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