Kojin 2.0 Coral Gables: The $125 Tasting Menu (and a $75 Midweek Secret)

Kojin 2.0 Coral Gables: The $125 Tasting Menu (and a $75 Midweek Secret)

If you're searching for the Kojin Coral Gables tasting menu, here's the short answer: Kojin 2.0 now offers an 8-course Discovery Tasting Menu for $125 per person, plus a 5-course tasting menu for just $75 per person on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's Japanese-influenced, seasonal fine dining at 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd, and it's one of my favorite hidden gems in the Gables.

I've eaten my way through a lot of Coral Gables restaurants over the years, but Kojin stays with me for a different reason. Yes, the food is incredible. What really makes it special is the husband-and-wife team behind it, Chefs Pedro and Katherine Mederos. Here's everything you need to know before you book.

Meet the Chefs Behind Kojin: Pedro and Katherine Mederos

Kojin is run by a young married couple, Chef Pedro Mederos (@petemederos) and Chef Katherine Mederos (@katherine_j_mederos). They met in California, where Katherine became his partner in both the kitchen and in life, and they brought their shared vision home to Miami.

Pedro grew up in Miami with Cuban roots and found cooking as a teenager. He trained at the Culinary Institute of America in California and cooked in Napa Valley, including at the three-Michelin-star Single Thread. That seasonal, ingredient-first mindset shows up in every plate at Kojin.

Katherine graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2017 and worked her way up from washing dishes to running kitchens. Today she leads Kojin's pastry program and helps run the restaurant's operations, so if a dessert there makes you close your eyes for a second, you have her to thank.

Longtime Miami foodies may remember the original Kojin. It started as a pandemic-era pop-up and became a tiny six-seat chef's counter tucked inside Hachidori Ramen in Little River, where it earned a Michelin recommendation. When it closed in 2023, a lot of us were heartbroken. In 2024 the couple reopened as Kojin 2.0 right here in Coral Gables, and the Michelin Guide lists the new restaurant as well.

The name Kojin comes from a Japanese word meaning "individual" or "personal," and honestly, that's exactly how a meal there feels. Watching the two of them work, you can tell how much of themselves they put into this place.

The 8-Course Discovery Tasting Menu ($125pp)

Kojin's new Discovery Tasting Menu is eight courses for $125 per person, and it's the best way to experience what this kitchen can do. The cooking is modern and playful with clear Japanese influences, built around local and seasonal ingredients. The Michelin Guide describes it as bold cooking that takes risks while still being approachable, and I couldn't agree more.

Because the menu is seasonal, the dishes change throughout the year, so I won't promise you a specific course. What I can tell you is to come hungry, go in with an open mind, and let Pedro and Katherine take you on the journey. Expect thoughtful, beautifully plated dishes and a dessert course from Katherine that ends things on a high note.

A few things worth knowing:

  • Let the restaurant know about dietary restrictions at least 24 hours ahead. Kojin says it can generally accommodate them with notice.
  • Mention them again to your server when you sit down.
  • Kojin also has a small à la carte dinner menu if someone in your group isn't in a tasting-menu mood.

The Midweek 5-Course Tasting Menu ($75pp, Wednesday and Thursday)

This is my favorite tip: on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Kojin offers a 5-course tasting menu for only $75 per person. For a chef-driven, Michelin-recognized restaurant, that's a fantastic value, and it's the perfect excuse to break up the week with something special.

It's a great option if you're new to tasting menus and want a shorter experience, if you're planning a weeknight date, or if you simply want a beautiful dinner without the weekend crowds. I love a midweek reset, and this one comes with dessert.

The Space and Vibe at Kojin 2.0

Kojin 2.0 is intimate. When it opened, the restaurant had about 30 seats spread across banquettes, tables, and a counter, with a couple of prime counter seats that look straight into the open kitchen. Bright floral artwork by local artist 22nd of Never adds warmth and color to the room.

What I love most is the energy. It doesn't feel stuffy or intimidating. The chefs care about hospitality, and it feels like being welcomed into someone's home, if that someone happened to be an incredibly talented chef. Kojin also takes sustainability seriously, with a zero-waste approach that includes composting partnerships and whole-ingredient cooking.

Practical Info: Address, Hours, Reservations and Parking

  • Address: 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
  • Dinner: Wednesday through Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday brunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Reservations: Book through OpenTable. With only around 30 seats, I'd reserve ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday.
  • Phone: (786) 747-1404
  • Website: kojin2.com
  • Parking: Kojin doesn't list parking details on its website, so give yourself a few extra minutes and call ahead if you have questions.

Menus and prices can change with the seasons, so double-check the current options when you book.

Who Kojin Is Perfect For

  • Date nights and anniversaries: The intimate room and tasting-menu format make it feel like an occasion.
  • Adventurous foodies: If you like creative cooking and trying things you can't get anywhere else, this is your spot.
  • Tasting-menu first-timers: The $75 midweek menu is an easy, budget-friendly introduction.
  • Locals who love supporting independent chefs: This is a true chef-owned, family-run restaurant in our neighborhood.

If you love Japanese-inspired dining in the Gables, you might also enjoy my posts on Mottai's business lunch, Osumi, and the omakase at Miss Crispy Rice.

Kojin Coral Gables FAQ

How much is the tasting menu at Kojin in Coral Gables?

The 8-course Discovery Tasting Menu is $125 per person. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there's also a 5-course tasting menu for $75 per person.

Is Kojin a Michelin restaurant?

Kojin 2.0 is listed in the Michelin Guide, and the original Kojin chef's counter in Little River earned a Michelin recommendation.

Do you need a reservation at Kojin?

Yes, I strongly recommend one. The restaurant is small, and you can book on OpenTable or by calling (786) 747-1404.

What days is Kojin open?

Kojin serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., plus brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Plan Your Visit

Kojin is the kind of place that reminds me why I love this city so much. Talented local chefs are pouring their hearts into something personal, right here on Ponce. I hope you get the chance to visit soon, and if you go midweek, tell me what you thought of the 5-course menu.

Save this post for your next date night, and follow @coralgableslove on Instagram for more hidden gems around Coral Gables. And give @kojinmiami some love while you're at it!