Tampa is a vibrant city on Florida’s Gulf Coast known for its delicious cuisine featuring fresh seafood, creative flavors, and diverse culinary influences. From fine dining establishments to hidden gem eateries, Tampa offers outstanding meals for every palate and budget.
Situated on Hillsborough Bay and Tampa Bay, Tampa provides spectacular waterfront dining opportunities. Watching the sunset while enjoying fresh catches of the day or signature cocktails makes for unforgettable evenings. These restaurants take full advantage of their locations with expansive windows, outdoor seating, and dockside tables.
Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers provides the pinnacle of waterfront fine dining in Tampa. Located in the Hyatt Regency, this restaurant offers an extensive menu of seafood, steaks, and specialty cocktails. The scenic views of the downtown Tampa skyline and Glazer Children’s Museum make any meal feel special. Their happy hour is very popular with its extensive small plates menu and drink specials. With impeccable service and top-notch food, Oystercatchers guarantees a memorable dining experience.
Ulele
Ulele transports diners back to early native Florida settlements along the riverfront. This restored 1903 waterworks building features soaring ceilings, brick walls, and ironwork bringing old Tampa to life. The diverse menu incorporates native flavors into dishes like alligator hushpuppies, Tocobaga tuna, and crispy Florida soft shell crab. Their beer garden offers one of the best views of the Hillsborough River. From the architecture to the food, Ulele encapsulates the unique history of Tampa.
Rusty Pelican
Overlooking the deep blue waters of Tampa Bay, Rusty Pelican provides exceptional waterfront dining in Rocky Point. Known for its seafood and steaks, this restaurant offers a creative take on classics like black grouper and prime ribeye. Their Sunday brunch draws big crowds with signature cocktails accompanied by spectacular views of the Bay. With indoor and outdoor seating, Rusty Pelican allows patrons to soak in the tranquil ambiance of the waterfront while enjoying fantastic food.
Best Restaurants for Authentic Tampa Cuisine
Beyond the scenic waterfronts, Tampa boasts distinct flavors showcasing the area’s history and cultural influences. From Latin inspiration to Southern comfort foods, Tampa restaurants put their unique spin on classics. These establishments truly capture the palate of the city through inventive dishes and multicultural fusions.
Bern’s Steak House
No list of Tampa’s best restaurants is complete without the legendary Bern’s Steak House. A Tampa icon since 1956, Bern’s pioneered the fine dining scene in the city. Beyond their expertly aged steaks, Bern’s makes their own caviar, breeds their dairy cattle, and boasts a wine cellar with nearly half a million bottles. Their diverse menu has something for everyone like Florida black grouper, roast duck, or their famous dessert room. Bern’s remains an absolute must-visit for an authentic Tampa dining experience.
Columbia Restaurant
As Florida’s oldest restaurant, Columbia Restaurant brings Spanish Cuban cuisine to Tampa since 1905. Their original location in Ybor City transports diners to the historic Latin quarter with an ornate interior and floral courtyard dining. With a huge menu of tapas, paellas, sandwiches, seafood, and steaks, you may need multiple visits to try everything. Daily flamenco dancing and sangria pitchers add to the vibrant ambiance. For true Tampa flavors, Columbia’s diverse dishes and family recipes create an exceptionally authentic experience.
Ichicoro Ramen
Tampa’s SoHo neighborhood boasts one of the best ramen shops in Florida with Ichicoro Ramen. Their specialty is Tokyo-style ramen featuring 13 hour broths made from chicken, pork and vegetables. Customize your bowl with additions like marinated soft boiled eggs, crispy pork belly, or Japanese curry. Beyond ramen, their small plates like gyoza pot stickers, crispy Brussels sprouts, and Japanese fried chicken satisfy. From the handmade noodles to the traditional techniques, Ichicoro brings diners true authentic Japanese ramen flavored with Tampa influence.
Best Restaurants for Foodies Seeking Inventive Dishes
Known for innovation and eclectic fusions, several Tampa restaurants push boundaries on inventive new cuisine. Leading the adventurous dining scene, these restaurants take risks on unexpected ingredients while mastering flavors and technique. Their ever-changing menus offer one-of-a-kind dishes you can only enjoy in Tampa.
Edison: Food+Drink Lab
Located in downtown Tampa’s new Edison Avenue destination, Edison: Food+Drink Lab provides boundary-breaking flavors from celebrity chefs. The research and development style kitchen allows endless experimentation with new dishes like Waygu beef tartare, cauliflower tempura, or crab stuffed squid. Their bar lab concocts unique zero proof cocktails along with clever takes on classics. With an ever-evolving menu, Edison creates an electrifying fine dining experience of bold new flavors.
Rooster & the Till
At the cornerstone of Tampa’s Seminole Heights dining renaissance sits Rooster & the Till. By supporting local farms and utilizing the entirety of ingredients, their farm-to-table dishes burst with bright flavors. Their menu changes frequently based on seasonal availability with creative plates like grilled cauliflower steaks, duck leg confit, or banana leaf baked cobia. Inventive vegetarian options shine as well like charred carrot tart and stuffed squash blossoms. Rooster & the Till encapsulates the spirit of Florida’s flavors through sustainable ingredients and talent in the kitchen.
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Tampa
Beyond the wildly popular establishments, Tampa rewards food lovers willing to venture off the beaten path. Tucked away in unassuming strip malls and overlooked neighborhoods, hidden gem restaurants serve outstanding cuisine without the hype. These under the radar spots offer some of Tampa’s top meals hiding in plain sight.
La Segunda Central Bakery
In operation over 100 years, La Segunda Central Bakery still makes their legendary Cuban bread entirely from scratch. Just off the beaten path in Tampa’s Ybor City, this unassuming bakery stacks fresh loaves hot from their ovens. Beyond the deliciously crispy Cuban bread, they sell Cuban sandwiches stuffed with ham, pork, and Swiss cheese with pickles. Alongside guava pastries, croquetas, and flan, La Segunda offers a literal taste of Old World Cuba transplanted to Tampa.
Nebraska Mini Mart
Inside a convenience store on the outskirts of Tampa, Nebraska Mini Mart serves unbelievable Latin comfort food alongside grocery shelves. Operating out of their small kitchen, they dish out delicious homemade tamales, pozole stew, pupusas, Nicaraguan vigoron, and more. This humble hidden gem brings authentic Latin American street food to Tampa for a fraction of typical restaurant prices. Don’t let the unlikely location deter you from some of the city’s best empanadas and yuca fries.
Wright’s Gourmet House and Sandwiches
Situated below Suite Life Furniture store near the University of Tampa, Wright’s Gourmet offers enormous gourmet sandwiches at affordable prices. Massive hoagies overstuffed with premium meats and cheeses keep college students and office workers returning every day. Their Reuben layered with hot pastrami, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss is a local legend. Alongside their sandwiches, their homemade side salads and desserts make Wright’s a delicious hidden gem restaurant.
Exceptional Fine Dining Restaurants
Refining flavors into edible art, Tampa fine dining restaurants provide sophisticated cuisine served by experts. Patrons dress to impress while enjoying multiple courses paired with premium wines in these upscale establishments. For special occasions or memorable nights out, these restaurants guarantee impressive meals showcasing Tampa’s excellence in high cuisine.
Bernini
Found within the epicurean hotel, Bernini delivers extraordinary Italian fine dining utilizing Florida seasonal ingredients. Under the direction of award-winning executive chef Jeannie Pierola, Bern’s sister restaurant interprets Italian classics through the lens of Floridian flavors. Complex pastas, locally sourced fish, herbaceous risottos, and tender meats star on their ever-changing menu. Meticulous plating and attentive service help create one of Tampa’s ultimate luxury dining experiences befitting the restaurant’s name after famous Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
For exceptional seafood and steak, Eddie V’s glamorous atmosphere matches their outstanding contemporary American cuisine. Their extensive raw bar offers chilled shellfish and delectable oyster varieties from both coasts along with their famous pacific bigeye tuna tartare. Moving to entrees, selections like chili glazed salmon, crab crusted sea bass, and black peppercrusted filet mignon satisfy any level of taste and hunger. With live music and their signature handcrafted cocktails, Eddie V’s remains a top choice forpremium dining along the Tampa Riverwalk downtown.
Best Restaurants for Families in Tampa
Family friendly restaurants provide casual atmospheres for parents and kids to enjoy dining together. These establishments focus on comfort foods, kid approved dishes, quick service, and reasonable prices. With menus catering towards picky eaters alongside play areas to occupy short attention spans, parents can finally relax with a decent meal outside the house.
Mel’s Hot Dogs
A softball fieldside staple for over 60 years, Mel’s Hot Dogs serves simple American classics perfect for famished kids. Their namesake foot long hot dogs headline the menu alongside other greasy delicious treats like cheese fries, thick milkshakes, zesty chili cheeseburgers, and crispy onion rings. With picnic tables outside and sports constantly playing on their TVs, kids stay occupied at thisSEMINOLE Heights institution while parents enjoy inexpensive comfort food.
Skipper’s Smokehouse
Skipper’s Smokehouse offers live music plus quality barbeque selections excellent for the entire family. Known nationally for booking renowned blues musicians, all ages shows keep parents entertained alongside their slow smoked brisket platters and pulled pork sandwiches. Reasonable prices, indoor and outdoor stages, plus creative kids meals help make dining out smooth for families even on show nights. Their delicious barbeque and regular musical acts keep Skipper’s filled with fans of all ages.
Best Brunch Spots in Tampa
One of the toughest decisions on weekend mornings involves where to indulge in brunch cocktails and comfort foods. Luckily, Tampa provides plenty of restaurants serving creative takes on breakfast staples plus classic morning libations. These hot spots offer a little bit of everything keeping their tables filled through the early afternoon hours.
Oxford Exchange
Situated inside an historic 1890’s building, Oxford Exchange’s soaring ceilings and funky decor set the stage for an incredible brunch. Their unique menu features surprising plates like Baja fish tacos with mango salsa, Korean sticky ribs with kimchi fried rice, and ube milk jam pancakes. For classic fare, their flawless eggs benedict over house cured ham and smoked salmon hash deliver. To drink, build your own bloody mary bar allows unlimited combinations alongside specialty espresso beverages. Whether meeting friends or treating out-of-town visitors, Oxford Exchange’s stylish atmosphere and standout brunch creations make it an unforgettable Tampa destination.
Datz
Consistently voted one of the best brunch locations in Tampa, Datz draws huge hungry crowds. This casual SOHO restaurant packs bold flavors into playful dishes like their ropa vieja hash with fried eggs, Korean pork belly Benedict, and chicken n’ waffle quarters with hot honey drizzle. Beyond their signature mashup meals, Datz nails basics too with perfect omelets, golden pancakes, and fluffy biscuits. A great selection of mimosas, bloody marys, and local craft brews pair nicely with any meal. Due to frequent waits, arrive early or put your name down for their buzzing brunch.
Best Restaurants for Big Appetites in Tampa
Sometimes a regular meal simply will not satiate your hunger after a long day. When you need serious portions, these Tampa restaurants deliver oversized appetizers, enormous entrees, and belly busting desserts. Meat lovers salivate over generously prepared steaks while seafood fans drool over gigantic platters piled high. No matter what you crave, these restaurants ensure no one leaves hungry.
Sparkman Wharf
The restaurants at downtown’s Sparkman Wharf serve indulgent eats perfect for big appetites. Their beer garden features loaded soft pretzels, giant Bavarian pretzels, monster pizza slices, and loaded tater tot poutine perfect for sharing. At the Boathouse, tackle land and sea with their 32 ounce tomahawk ribeye or insane seafood tower piled with lobster tails, clams, shrimp and oysters. Save room for their giant coconut cream pie or massive warm chocolate chip cookies. When only quantities over quality will do, Sparkman Wharf is a must for hardcore foodies.
Shane’s Rib Shack
Serious carnivores require serious portions of smoky barbeque served overflowing at Shane’s Rib Shack. Featuring certified Angus beef, their piled high platters are measured in pounds instead of ounces. Brave their Boss Hog Challenge featuring 5 pounds of pulled pork, 8 ribs, plus sides within 45 minutes for a coveted spot on their wall of fame. Beyond mountains of meat, Shane’s offers incredible banana pudding, giant stuffed baked potatoes, cheesy Tot-chos and their outrageous Front Yard milkshake with an entire slice of pie blended in. When you need meat by the pound instead of ounces, Shane’s satisfies even the most ravenous appetite.
Conclusion
This overview just begins to cover all that Tampa’s exceptional dining scene has to offer. From scenic waterfront restaurants to hidden neighborhood gems, Tampa’s creative chefs utilize local ingredients to craft global flavors. High-end epicurean experiences coexist with casual comfort foods and authentic ethnic eateries. Regardless what you crave, Tampa’s dining diversity guarantees memorable meals morning, noon, and night.