The Tampa Bay Area Restaurants

Fresh Gulf seafood is plentiful—raw bars serving oysters, clams, and mussels are everywhere. Tampa's many Cuban and Spanish restaurants serve paella with seafood and chicken, boliche criollo (sausage-stuffed eye-round roast) with black beans and rice, ropa vieja (shredded flank steak in tomato sauce), and other treats. Tarpon Springs adds classic Greek specialties. In Sarasota the emphasis is on ritzier dining, though many restaurants offer extra-cheap early-bird menus.

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  • 1. 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, USA
    813-999–4952

    Known 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
  • 2. 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, USA
    813-254–7111

    Known For

    • Inventive dishes like octopus bolognese and monkfish bourride
    • Interesting cocktails
    • Extensive wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
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