Tampa Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Tampa - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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15 Recommendations
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1. Bern's Steak House
$$$$ | Hyde Park |With the air of an exclusive club, this is one of the finest steak houses—if not the finest—in Florida. Rich mahogany paneling and ornate chandeliers define the legendary circa-1956 Bern's, where the chef himself ages the beef, grows much of the produce, and roasts the coffee. There's also a Cave Du Fromage, which houses a discriminating selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world. Cuts of prime beef are sold by weight and thickness. There's a 60-ounce strip steak that's big enough to feed your pride (of lions), but for most appetites the veal loin chop or 8-ounce chateaubriand is more than enough. The wine list includes approximately 7,000 selections (with 1,000 dessert wines). After dinner, tour the kitchen and wine cellar before having dessert upstairs in a cozy booth. The dessert room is a hit.
1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-251–2421Known For
- Colossal wine list
- Exclusive atmosphere
- After dinner, a trip upstairs to the famous dessert room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Jacket and tie -
2. The Columbia Restaurant
$$$ | Ybor City |Make a date for some of the best Latin cuisine in Tampa. A fixture since 1905, this magnificent structure with an old-world air and spacious dining rooms takes up an entire city block and seems to feed the entire city—locals as well as visitors—throughout the week, but especially on weekends. The paella a la Valenciana, bursting with seafood, chicken, and pork, is arguably the best in Florida, and the 1905 salad (with ham, olives, cheese, and garlic) is legendary. The menu also has Cuban classics such as boliche criollo (tender eye of round stuffed with chorizo), ropa vieja (shredded beef with onions, peppers, and tomatoes), and arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice). Don't miss the flamenco dancing show every night but Sunday. This place is also known for its sangria. If you can, walk around the building and check out the elaborate, antique decor along every inch of the interior.
2117 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-248–4961Known For
- Paella a la Valenciana (with seafood, chicken, and pork)
- Delicious sangria
- Flamenco dancing shows
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3. Ulele
$$$ | |Named after a 16th-century Tocobagan princess, this hot spot was created by the family behind the historic Columbia restaurant in Ybor City. Although diverse, the menu focuses on local ingredients and has an easy-to-detect Southern accent, with appetizers such as alligator hush puppies and okra fries and entrées like pan-seared Florida pompano served with sun-dried-tomato shallot cream and fried carrot ribbons. Set in the refurbished old Tampa Waterworks building, high on the bank of the Hillsborough River, its water views are particularly spectacular at dusk; Downtown is an easy walk away. Beer is brewed on-site, and the creative cocktail menu (go for the Ring of Fire, a spicy creation of vodka, gin, and lychee liqueur) is supplemented with wines from domestic, family-owned vineyards like Silver Oak Winery.
1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33602, USA813-999–4952Known For
- Go-to spot for Tampa diners in the know
- Spectacular views of the Hillsborough River
- Creative cocktail menu and house-brewed beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
4. Bella's Italian Café
$$$ | Hyde Park |Although this SoHo (South Howard Avenue) mainstay earned its wings by offering crowd-pleasing Italian classics, much of its popularity stems from creative takes on such dishes. Carnivores are not slighted here, but it is often more delicious to go meatless, perhaps with the pear sachet (pasta purses packed with pear and three cheeses and topped with a creamy saffron sauce). The grouper alla calabrese (lightly battered and sautéed with red wine, capers, olives, and onions) is another memory maker. Bella's is not too highbrow to ignore pizza and calzones—there are dozens of options. Offerings like these have kept the restaurant popular since 1986. If you're in a rush, there's curbside pickup.
1413 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-254–3355Known For
- Hearty Italian classics
- Homemade pasta
- Intimate dining environment
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5. Bernini
$$$$ | Ybor City |Named for the 17th-century Italian baroque sculptor, this trendy restaurant is something of a gallery for copies of his works. In the former Bank of Ybor City building, it has a classy look and creative takes on Italian classics. The menu includes such fare as penne Sicilia (veal meatballs, homemade sausage, and hard-boiled eggs tossed with pasta and tomato sauce); cioppino à la Cinzano (a stew with fish medallions, clams, sautéed mussels, and shrimp over polenta); and pistachio-crusted grouper.
1702 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-242–9555Known For
- Trendy atmosphere
- Cioppino à la Cinzano
- Good drink specials
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Café Dufrain
$$$ | Downtown |Dogs can tag along if you dine on the front patio at this pet-friendly eatery right on the Hillsborough River across from the Amalie Arena. Creative menu items, which vary by season, might include teriyaki-glazed salmon and homemade dim-sum. The bar menu has a nice selection of craft beers and cocktails.
707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa, Florida, 33602, USA813-275–9701Known For
- Internationally influenced American cuisine
- Excellent water and Downtown views
- Large selection of craft beers and cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
7. Cappy's Pizza
$$$ | Seminole Heights |Chicago may be the first place you think of when you hear the words "deep-dish pizza," which is why this local chain's high-quality pies might surprise (and please) you. The menu at this family-friendly spot is pretty simple: choose either a Chicago- or New York–style crust, and select your toppings. The Cappy features a blend of pepperoni, ham, onions, green pepper, sausage, and mushrooms. You can also go with a calzone. There's no hostess here, so put your name on the (usually long) list you see when you first walk in. If it's not too packed, try to get garden seating. The feel inside is very nostalgic—vintage signs and an old toy train set adorn the walls. You'll find a lengthy list of craft brews, and the kids might enjoy an IBC root beer. This location is cash-only, but there is an ATM on-site.
4910 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33603, USA813-238–1516Known For
- The Cappy pie (pepperoni, ham, onions, green pepper, sausage, mushrooms)
- Bottled beer selection—grab one yourself from the cooler
- Real-deal vintage decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations not accepted -
8. Casa Santo Stefano
$$$ | Ybor City |Appropriately housed in a renovated 1920s macaroni factory, this restaurant pays tribute to Ybor City’s sometimes overlooked Sicilian roots. Each dish is lovingly created and transports you straight to an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
1607 N. 22nd St., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-248–1925Known For
- Homemade pasta
- Sicilian wines
- Colorful, historic decor
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9. Edison Food + Drink Lab
$$$$ | Downtown |In the relatively short time this gastropub has been around, it has handily earned a spot at the table of Tampa culinary musts. The internationally influenced, creative menu changes almost every day as chef–owner Jeannie Pierola experiments with a revolving list of intriguing ingredients. Choices include Korean-style fried chicken and waffles as well as butternut squash and coconut gnudi (a type of gnocchi). And the list goes on. The kitchen happily makes substitutions or changes recipes if you have any dietary restrictions. The bar has a great list of craft cocktails.
912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-254–7111Known For
- Inventive dishes like octopus bolognese and monkfish bourride
- Interesting cocktails
- Extensive wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
10. Flor Fina
$$$ | Ybor City |Celebrated Miami chef Douglas Rodriguez has brought his globally inspired flair to historic Ybor City as part of the gorgeous new Hotel Haya. Whether you’re grabbing a drink and a bite at the wraparound bar or luxuriating over a meal in the dining room, this swanky restaurant is rich with an atmosphere that’s upscale and cozy all at once. Rodriguez’s Nuevo Latino-menu features wood-grilled coastal cuisine, an imaginative selection of ceviches, and a range of rum-soaked cocktails.
1412 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-568–1200Known For
- Nuevo Latino cuisine
- Inventive selection of ceviches
- Extensive rum-focused cocktail menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
11. JoToro
$$$ | |This fun, friendly, flavorful Mexican eatery from Michelin-star chef Joe Isidori is the latest full-service restaurant to join a stellar line-up at Channelside’s Sparkman Wharf. The globally inspired menu offers playful renditions of classics—from wood-fired tacos with fillings you might not think to try on your own (think: Korean-style barbecue, Vietnamese steak, tempura fish) to hearty knife-and-fork burritos. And the starters and sides are as delicious as the entrées. Make sure you try the street corn and the crispy Brussels sprouts.
615 Channelside Dr. #114, Tampa, Florida, 33602, USA855-352–8676Known For
- Creative wood-fired tacos
- Mexico City–style grilled street corn
- Craft margaritas and specialty tequilas
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12. Kojak's House of Ribs
$$ | Thonotosassa |Few barbecue joints can boast the staying power of this family-owned and -operated pit stop, which debuted in South Tampa in 1978 and moved to Seffner in recent years. Day and night, it has a steady stream of hungry patrons keen on digging into tender pork spareribs that are dry-rubbed and tanned overnight, smoked for a couple of hours, and bathed in one of a selection of sauces. Kojak's also has a nice array of sandwiches, including chopped barbecued chicken and country-style sausage.
1809 S. Parsons Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33611, USA813-837–3774Known For
- Barbecue meat dishes (especially spareribs)
- Great sangria
- Serene veranda
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
13. Mel's Hot Dogs
$ | Central Tampa |Look for the red wiener-mobile parked on the north side of the highway near Busch Gardens to find this 1950s-style diner that specializes in dogs and fries—perfect bites after a long day of riding roller coasters. Venture inside to find walls dotted with photos from fans and a hot-diggity menu that's heaven for tube-steak fans, with traditional dogs as well as those with a bit more pizzazz. Consider trying the Reuben-style bowwow on a poppy-seed bun or the Mighty Mel, a quarter-pounder decked out with relish, mustard, and pickles. Herbivores, fear not: there's a vegan option on the menu, and it's mighty tasty. To avoid lunch crowds, arrive before 11:30 or after 1:30. Ready for a beer? With a decent list of domestic and import beers, they've got you covered.
4136 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, Florida, 33617, USA813-985–8000Known For
- Long list of hot dogs
- Crispy, gold fries
- Decent beer selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
14. Mise en Place
$$$$ | Downtown |Known to locals as "Mise" (pronounced meez), this upscale, modern, Downtown space is a popular lunch spot for Tampa's political and social elite. At night, it transforms into an elegant, understated dining destination with an ever-changing, seasonal menu that offers adventurous yet meticulously crafted modern American cuisine. Inspired by both the seasons and the whim of chef Marty Blitz, the menu changes every week, save for staples like the chicken liver pâté and the rack of lamb. Another thing that doesn't change is the intricacy of every item listed—whether it's tandoori-crusted tofu or pumpkin-spiced rubbed scallops. The long list of boutique wines and specialty cocktails further demonstrates the intelligence and imagination that go into the offerings here. This place is on the western edge of downtown, just across the street from University of Tampa's shining minarets. Parking and entry are behind the building.
442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-254–5373Known For
- French-inspired cuisine
- Lovingly assembled wine and cocktail list
- Staples like chicken liver pâté and rack of lamb
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat. -
15. Restaurant BT
$$$$ | SoHo |Local restaurateur B. T Nguyen, who opened her first eatery in the early 1990s, has earned a following with her modern takes on high-style Vietnamese cuisine featuring fresh herbs grown on-site and a drink list that includes organic sake martinis. With the motto, "Eat local, think global," the BT menu is sophisticated yet simple, with offerings like Shaken Beef, a go-to dish for regulars, consisting of cubed filet mignon flavored with cognac and shallots. Vegetarians and vegans can rest easy here, with options such as Food Karma (braised tofu, edamame, eggplant, and ginger in coconut broth over black rice). Casual dress is acceptable, but patrons tend to dress up.
2507 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33629, USA813-258–1916Known For
- Creative dishes and local ingredients
- Vegan and vegetarian options
- Intimate atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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