3 Best Restaurants in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

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.

Within the chic Hotel Zamora, this popular dining spot has been getting much praise from local and national press. As the name suggests, most of the menu's inspiration comes from Spain, but many items—all the creations of executive chef Ted Dorsey—have other influences. Take the romesco butter sea scallops (keep in mind the menu does change a lot). One particularly brilliant creation is the Caesar salad, which has Parmesan custard and white anchovies. The bar here offers an extensive wine list, plenty of craft beers on tap, and handmade cocktails bursting with fresh fruit and muddled spices.

A choice romantic destination as well as an excellent launchpad for a night out, this restaurant offers an astonishing spate of meat, seafood, or veggie small-plate options. You can't go wrong with any of the ceviches, and the paella (featuring vegetables, seafood, or chicken and pork paella) is a good large-plate choice. In the catacomb-like bar downstairs, there's jazz, salsa, and flamenco many nights (the schedule varies each month). While you're here, the sangria is a must.