FORTU – Japanese
Inside the Ponce De Leon Hotel on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg, Fortu serves modern Pan-Asian small plates rooted in Japanese technique, under chef Nathan Howey, and carries a Michelin Guide recommendation. The kitchen turns out dishes like spicy pork wontons showered in crispy garlic and chili crisp, glazed carrots in kimchi butter, and a raw bar with nigiri and sashimi, paired with a cocktail program built around ingredients like rye, butter, and mushroom. Diners consistently praise the food, the drinks, and the lively, people-watching energy of the room. A polished, shareable-plates destination for a St. Pete night out.
97 CENTRAL AVE, ST PETERSBURG, FL, 33701 +1-570-526-6892 https://www.forturestaurants.com/0Cuisine: Japanese
Price range: $$$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at FORTU
Dairy-Free at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Bluefin Akami Tartare, Cucumber Salad and Smashed Avocado Toast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 4 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Bluefin Akami Tartare, Cucumber Salad and Wagyu Ribeye. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 14 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Miso Black Cod, Hamachi and Tempura Squash. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 1 high-protein-tagged dish on its current menu, including Burger. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 2 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Cucumber Salad and Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 2 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Cucumber Salad and Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 6 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Cucumber Salad, Choy Saum and Sakura Blossom Cocktail. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at FORTU
FORTU in St Petersburg has 14 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Ube Cheesecake, Cucumber Salad and Kizame Cesar. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at FORTU
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Breakfast | 37.8 g | 53.9 g |
| Steak Tartare | 39.2 g | 49.6 g |
| Hokkaido Scallops | 30.1 g | 32.4 g |
| Burger | 4.4 g | 29.9 g |
| Japanese Sweet Potato | 24.6 g | 25.2 g |
| Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc | 0 g | 23.5 g |
| Wagyu Gyoza | 51 g | 17.1 g |
| Sticky Bun | 43.6 g | 13.6 g |
| Pancake | 163.6 g | 11.3 g |
| Ube Cheesecake | 37.7 g | 9.2 g |
| Lamb Loin | 20.3 g | 6.5 g |
| Steak & Eggs | 13.9 g | 3.9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Menu
Raw & Chilled
- Steak Tartare - $23: Japanese egg salad, masago, hokkaido milk bread Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bluefin Akami Tartare - $28: Coconut cream, shiso oil, caviar Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hamachi - $23: Tomato zu, fried caper, citrus Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kizame Cesar - $15: Baby gem, kizame wasabi-parmesan dressing, citrus crumb Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cucumber Salad - $11: Sesame scallion kewpie, shiso, crispy shallot Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Starters
- Wonton Tacos (4) - $20: Braised oxtail wagyu or tamari apple tuna Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sakura Pork Belly - $18: Koji apple hoisin, cornbread veloute Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wagyu Gyoza - $19: Shiitake mushroom, brown butter ponzu Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp & Lobster Dumplings - $19: Aromatic ginger broth Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Japanese A5 Nigiri - $34: Yakiniku, scallion relish Available at: dinner, lunch
- Potato Mille Feuille - $18: Summer truffle, creme fraiche, parmesan Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tempura Squash - $16: Kimchi sofrito, aged comte Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Signature Dishes
- Miso Black Cod - $46: Happo dashi, choy sum Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Loin - $39: Heirloom carrot, ginger, five spiced yakiniku Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner
- Hokkaido Scallops - $41: Okonomiyaki, roasted sesame cream, tobanjan kewpie Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wagyu Ribeye - $90: 14 oz, koji aged, shiso chimichurri Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner
- Beef Tenderloin - $54: Caramelized onion soubise, pink peppercorn jus Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Fried Rice - $16: Crispy bonito, soft egg Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Rice with Wagyu - $24: Crispy bonito, soft egg, added wagyu Available at: dinner, lunch
- Choy Saum - $11: Chili garlic, citrus Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Japanese Sweet Potato - $15: Miso French onion fondue Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Brunch Signatures
- Classic Breakfast - $16: Three eggs your way, thick cut bacon, grilled milk bread Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Steak & Eggs - $27: Petite fillet, two eggs, crispy potatoes, yuzu kosho emulsion Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Burger - $19: Aged cheddar, bacon, oxtail Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sticky Bun - $15: Hokkaido milk bread, chai infused icing Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Pancake - $14: 24 hour ferment, honey maple soy, salted butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Smashed Avocado Toast - $15: Marinated tomato, soft boiled egg Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: breakfast, brunch
Desserts
- Lychee Panna Cotta - $11: Yuzu-mint, fresh berries, raspberry gelato Dietary tags: Pescatarian
- Ube Cheesecake - $11: Biscoff, ube, white chocolate Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Chocolate Mousse Cake - $12: Dark chocolate sponge, milk chocolate mousse, espresso syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Beverages
- Kakao Kohi Cocktail - $18: Grey Goose vodka, d’usse, cacao, allspice, espresso Dietary tags: Lectin-Free
- Oritsu Mandarin Cocktail - $18: Toki whiskey, mandarin, soda Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Sakura Blossom Cocktail - $18: Bombay Sapphire gin, cherry blossom, lychee Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Konteki ‘Pearls of Simplicity’ Sake - $18: Junmai Daiginjo - Aromas of white flower, Asian pear, and steamed rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Frenzy Sauvignon Blanc - $14: Marlborough, New Zealand Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Atkins, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
Frequently Asked Questions about FORTU
- Is FORTU dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. FORTU has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Bluefin Akami Tartare, Cucumber Salad and Smashed Avocado Toast.
- What can I eat at FORTU on a dairy-free diet?
- Bluefin Akami Tartare, Cucumber Salad and Smashed Avocado Toast carry the dairy-free tag, out of 5 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does FORTU have vegan options?
- Yes. 6 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Cucumber Salad and Choy Saum.
- Is FORTU gluten-free?
- 4 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at FORTU?
- Classic Breakfast, at roughly 53.9g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near FORTU
- Sushi Sho Rexley — Japanese
- CRANE — Japanese
- Pacific Counter — Japanese
- BENTO CAFE — Japanese
- SUSHI-SHO REXLEY — Japanese
- PACIFIC COUNTER — Japanese
- HOUSE OF VEGANO — Japanese
- IN BETWEEN DAYS — Japanese
- PACIFIC COUNTER — Japanese
- MR SUSHI — Japanese
- Ichiban Japanese — Japanese
- EASTERN KITCHEN AND SUSHI — Japanese
