The Tampa Bay Area Restaurants
We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Tampa Bay Area - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.
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1. Bern's Steak House
$$$$ | Hyde Park |With the air of an exclusive club, this is one of the finest steak houses—if not the finest—in Florida. Rich mahogany paneling and ornate chandeliers...
With the air of an exclusive club, this is one of the finest steak houses—if not the finest—in Florida. Rich mahogany paneling and ornate chandeliers define the legendary circa-1956 Bern's, where the chef himself ages the beef, grows much of the produce, and roasts the coffee. There's also a Cave Du Fromage, which houses a discriminating selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world. Cuts of prime beef are sold by weight and thickness. There's a 60-ounce strip steak that's big enough to feed your pride (of lions), but for most appetites the veal loin chop or 8-ounce chateaubriand is more than enough. The wine list includes approximately 7,000 selections (with 1,000 dessert wines). After dinner, tour the kitchen and wine cellar before having dessert upstairs in a cozy booth. The dessert room is a hit.
1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-251–2421Known For
- Colossal wine list
- Exclusive atmosphere
- After dinner, a trip upstairs to the famous dessert room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Jacket and tie -
2. Bijou Café
$$$ | |This 1920s-era gas station–turned--restaurant has been expanded over the years so that it now has 140 seats. The enchanting decor is what you might expect...
This 1920s-era gas station–turned--restaurant has been expanded over the years so that it now has 140 seats. The enchanting decor is what you might expect in a quaint, modern European café—think French windows and doors, sparkling glassware, bouquets of freshly picked flowers, and the soft glow of candlelight. Lunches begin with an inspired soup, salads, or sandwiches such as the pesto chicken salad croissant. Dinners emphasize fresh local produce and sustainable seafood.
1287 1st St., Sarasota, Florida, 34236, USA941-366–8111Known For
- Contemporary takes on traditional dishes, heavy on the seafood
- Cheaper bar menu
- Pre- or postshow dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch weekends -
3. Casa Tina
$$ | |At this colorful Dunedin institution, vegetarians can veg out on roasted chiles rellenos (cheese-stuffed peppers), enchiladas with vegetables, and a cactus salad that won't prick...
At this colorful Dunedin institution, vegetarians can veg out on roasted chiles rellenos (cheese-stuffed peppers), enchiladas with vegetables, and a cactus salad that won't prick your tongue but will tickle your taste buds with the flavors of tender pieces of cactus, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, lime, and queso fresco. The chayote squash relleno also makes the grade. Tamales, tacos, and tortillas are prepared in dozens of ways. The place has nearly tripled in size since its inception, so getting a table isn't nearly as hard as it used to be.
365 Main St., Dunedin, Florida, 34698, USA727-734–9226Known For
- Chayote squash relleno
- Duck sopas with cotija cheese and guava sauce
- Good margaritas and sangria
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. -
4. Euphemia Haye
$$$$ | |A lush tropical setting on the barrier island of Longboat Key, this is one of the most romantic restaurants around. Signature dishes include crisp roast...
A lush tropical setting on the barrier island of Longboat Key, this is one of the most romantic restaurants around. Signature dishes include crisp roast duckling with bread stuffing, and flambéed prime peppered steak; the popular dessert display is a sweet ending. The staff are friendly and gracious, the food delightful, and the atmosphere contagious. The upstairs Haye Loft, once the home of the original owner's grandson, has been converted into a more casual bistro and lounge.
5540 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, Florida, 34228, USA941-383–3633Known For
- Crispy roast duckling with bread stuffing and tangy, fruit-based sauce
- Upstairs dessert bar offers delicious, heaping portions
- Quaint, intimate atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential -
5. Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
$$ | |Sunsets and Gulf views are the bait that hooks regulars as well as travelers who find their way to this somewhat hidden pit stop in...
Sunsets and Gulf views are the bait that hooks regulars as well as travelers who find their way to this somewhat hidden pit stop in historic Pass-A-Grille. Dating to 1977, it's mainly heralded as a watering hole where you can hoist a cold one while munching on one of the area's better grouper sandwiches. (Speaking of this sweet white fish, it's the real deal here, which—be warned—isn't always a guarantee in some restaurants.) There's also a range of seafood and steak entrées, and the crab cakes are legendary. The aforementioned sunsets are best seen from the rooftop sundeck.
809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach, Florida, 33706, USA727-360–9558Known For
- Genuine grouper sandwiches and delicious crab cakes
- Spectacular views, especially at sunset
- Great tropical mixed drinks
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
$ | |Picture this: flip-flop-wearing anglers and beach-towel-clad bathers lolling on picnic benches, sipping a beer, and devouring oak-smoked salmon, mullet, mahimahi, and mackerel. Dinner comes to...
Picture this: flip-flop-wearing anglers and beach-towel-clad bathers lolling on picnic benches, sipping a beer, and devouring oak-smoked salmon, mullet, mahimahi, and mackerel. Dinner comes to the table with heaped helpings of potato salad and coleslaw. If you're industrious enough to have hooked your own fish, the crew will smoke it for about $1.50 per pound. If not, there's always what many consider to be the best burger in the region. The popular smoked fish spread and Manhattan clam chowder are available to go. There's also indoor seating at Ted's, which has been a south-side fixture for more than six decades. Closing time is 7:30 pm, so dinner is only for early diners.
1350 Pasadena Ave. S, South Pasadena, Florida, 33707, USA727-381–7931Known For
- Red oak–smoked fish
- Region's best burger
- Smoked fish spread
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues, No credit cards, Reservations not accepted -
7. The Columbia Restaurant
$$$ | Ybor City |Make a date for some of the best Latin cuisine in Tampa. A fixture since 1905, this magnificent structure with an old-world air and spacious...
Make a date for some of the best Latin cuisine in Tampa. A fixture since 1905, this magnificent structure with an old-world air and spacious dining rooms takes up an entire city block and seems to feed the entire city—locals as well as visitors—throughout the week, but especially on weekends. The paella a la Valenciana, bursting with seafood, chicken, and pork, is arguably the best in Florida, and the 1905 salad (with ham, olives, cheese, and garlic) is legendary. The menu also has Cuban classics such as boliche criollo (tender eye of round stuffed with chorizo), ropa vieja (shredded beef with onions, peppers, and tomatoes), and arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice). Don't miss the flamenco dancing show every night but Sunday. This place is also known for its sangria. If you can, walk around the building and check out the elaborate, antique decor along every inch of the interior.
2117 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-248–4961Known For
- Paella a la Valenciana (with seafood, chicken, and pork)
- 1905 salad (with ham, olives, cheese, and garlic)
- Delicious sangria
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8. Ulele
$$$ | |Named after a 16th-century Tocobagan princess, this hot spot from the same family behind the historic Columbia restaurant in Ybor City has become the go-to...
Named after a 16th-century Tocobagan princess, this hot spot from the same family behind the historic Columbia restaurant in Ybor City has become the go-to spot for Tampa diners in the know. The diverse menu focuses on locally available ingredients but has an easy-to-detect Southern accent. Favorites include gator bites, okra fries, pan-seared Florida pompano fillet (served with sun-dried-tomato shallot cream and fried carrot ribbons), and a deconstructed seafood potpie (featuring Gulf seafood chowder shrimp, pulpo, grouper, smoked oysters, vegetables, and white wine cream) with a side of puff pastry. In the refurbished old Tampa Waterworks building, its location high on the bank of the Hillsborough River offers spectacular views of the water, especially at dusk, and it's an easy walk from downtown and the Straz Center. 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
- Florida pompano and seafood potpie
- Spectacular views of the Hillsborough River
- Creative cocktail menu and house-brewed beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
9. Beach Bistro
$$$$ | |The menu at this cozy beachfront spot offers such standards as a melt-in-your-mouth, herb-rubbed rack of lamb; seafood bouillabaisse; and duckling confit with peppercorn-and-cognac demi-glace....
The menu at this cozy beachfront spot offers such standards as a melt-in-your-mouth, herb-rubbed rack of lamb; seafood bouillabaisse; and duckling confit with peppercorn-and-cognac demi-glace. But the menu also includes a variety of specials and small plates. The signature "One Helluva Soup" is made from plum tomatoes with sweet cream and blue cheese. Every night, five or six specials supplement the menu, and you can also get a prix-fixe tasting menu of favorites. Smaller appetites can save some pesos by ordering from the menu of small plates served at the bar, which features the likes of "lobstercargots," large chunks of buttery lobster. Outside seating at tables that are directly on the beach offers amazing sunset views.
6600 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach, Florida, 34217, USA941-778–6444Known For
- "One Helluva Soup" with plum tomatoes, cream, and bleu cheese
- Beachfront dining with amazing sunset views
- Prix-fixe tasting menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch -
10. Bella Brava New World Trattoria
$$ | Downtown |This trendy eatery is one of the more sought-after places on equally trendy Beach Drive. It offers a fresh, imaginative approach to Italian fare. Dishes...
This trendy eatery is one of the more sought-after places on equally trendy Beach Drive. It offers a fresh, imaginative approach to Italian fare. Dishes like ravioli Genovese, stuffed with fresh goat cheese and toasted pine nuts, and the lobster mac and cheese with black truffle bread crumbs, are some of the more decadent menu items; a spate of colorful salads and flatbreads make up the lighter side of things. Specials often feature fresh, local seafood. There's almost always a lengthy wait for a table, even on a weeknight, so reservations are really a must. Nevertheless, sitting at the bar, which has an equally creative beer, wine, and cocktail menu, is also an option.
204 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA727-895–5515Known For
- Ravioli Genovese (stuffed with pine nuts and goat cheese)
- Pasta brava (with wood-grilled chicken, cotto ham, peas, and Asiago cream)
- Lively happy hour and people-watching scene
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential -
11. Bella's Italian Café
$$ | Hyde Park |Although this popular SoHo (South Howard Avenue) eatery earned its wings by offering crowd-pleasing Italian classics, much of this mainstay's popularity stems from the creative...
Although this popular SoHo (South Howard Avenue) eatery earned its wings by offering crowd-pleasing Italian classics, much of this mainstay's popularity stems from the creative takes on them. Carnivores are not slighted here, but it is often more delicious to go meatless. Consider the pear sachet, which are pasta purses packed with pear and three cheeses and topped with a creamy saffron sauce. The grouper alla calabrese (lightly battered and sautéed with red wine, capers, olives, and onions) is another memory maker. Bella's is not too highbrow to ignore pizza and calzones—there are dozens of options. Offerings like these have kept the restaurant popular since 1986. If you're in a rush, there's curbside pickup.
1413 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33606, USA813-254–3355Known For
- Hearty Italian classics
- Homemade pasta
- Intimate dining environment
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12. Bernini
$$$ | 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...
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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13. Birch & Vine
$$$ | Downtown |Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients work equally well in both the surf and the turf columns at Birch & Vine, which has turned The Birchwood hotel...
Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients work equally well in both the surf and the turf columns at Birch & Vine, which has turned The Birchwood hotel lobby and patio into an evening dining destination for hungry diners in downtown St. Petersburg. Umbrella-covered patio tables face Beach Drive and North Straub Park to provide the best people-watching. Take particular note of the maple cream sous vide scallops, and the duck breast seared and topped with blackberry-and-five-spice sauce, contemporary preparations that complement the reimagined 1920s property. The lively weekend scene can create conversational challenges at the interior tables and banquettes; for a quiet dinner, reserve on Monday or Tuesday, or arrange to rent one of the private dining rooms for up to 12 guests.
340 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA727-896–1080Known For
- Maple cream sous vide scallops
- Blackberry-and-five spice duck
- Outdoor dining with views of downtown waterfront parks
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14. Bob Heilman's Beachcomber
$$$ | |The Heilman family has fed hungry diners since 1920, and although it's very popular with tourists, you'll also rub shoulders with devoted locals. Despite the...
The Heilman family has fed hungry diners since 1920, and although it's very popular with tourists, you'll also rub shoulders with devoted locals. Despite the frequent crowds, the service is fast and friendly. The sautéed chicken is an American classic—arriving with mashed spuds, gravy, veggie du jour, and fresh baked bread. Or try some Gulf shrimp prepared in nearly any way you can imagine, including lightly breaded and fried, tossed with pasta primavera and sautéed vegetables, or served Rockefeller-style.
447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, Florida, 33767, USA727-442–4144Known For
- Classic sautéed chicken with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and fresh bread
- Gulf shrimp prepared several ways
- Good wine selection
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15. Boca
$$$ | |One of four locations, this regional chain fits right into downtown Sarasota's hopping dining and shopping scene. The menu is as locally inspired as it...
One of four locations, this regional chain fits right into downtown Sarasota's hopping dining and shopping scene. The menu is as locally inspired as it gets—from the catch of the day courtesy of local fishing boats, to the fresh herbs that literally grow on the walls here. The zucchini fries are a crowd-pleaser as an appetizer, and the Florida pink shrimp and grits are a spicy entrée that can only be done right in the coastal South. For drinks, you'll find everything from locally made kombucha and fresh-pressed juices to local craft beers and signature cocktails.
19 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, Florida, 34326, USA941-256–3565Known For
- Locally sourced seafood
- Craft cocktails
- Prime downtown location
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16. Bon Appétit
$$$ | |Known for its creative fare, this waterfront restaurant has a menu that changes frequently, offering such entrées as broiled rack of lamb in herbed pecan...
Known for its creative fare, this waterfront restaurant has a menu that changes frequently, offering such entrées as broiled rack of lamb in herbed pecan crust, and red snapper on a bed of lobster hash. The creative grouper options, including grouper medallions, get well-deserved plaudits from many patrons. Bon Appétit has staying power, having served at the same location for more than three decades. It's a great place to catch a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. There's live music Thursday through Sunday, in addition to a pianist who plays Wednesday through Sunday evening and at Sunday brunch.
148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, Florida, 34698, USA727-733–2151Known For
- Real Gulf grouper on the menu
- Live music Thursday through Sunday
- Gorgeous water views
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17. Café Dufrain
$$$ | Downtown |Dogs can tag along if you dine on the front patio at pet-friendly Café Dufrain, an eatery right on the Hillsborough River across from the...
Dogs can tag along if you dine on the front patio at pet-friendly Café Dufrain, an eatery right on the Hillsborough River across from the Amalie Arena. Creative menu items, which vary by season, include teriyaki-glazed salmon and homemade dim-sum. The bar menu has a nice selection of craft beers and cocktails. In mild weather, opt for the waterfront view of downtown Tampa.
707 Harbour Post Dr., Tampa, Florida, 33602, USA813-275–9701Known For
- Internationally influenced American cuisine, such as a bánh mì–style chicken sandwich
- Excellent water and downtown views
- Large selection of craft beers and cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
18. Cappy's Pizza
$$ | Seminole Heights |Chicago may be the first place you think of when you hear the words "deep-dish pizza," which is why the high-quality pies this local chain...
Chicago may be the first place you think of when you hear the words "deep-dish pizza," which is why the high-quality pies this local chain offers may 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" (pepperoni, ham, onions, green pepper, sausage, and mushrooms)
- Bottled beer selection—grab one yourself from the cooler
- Real-deal vintage decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, No credit cards, Reservations not accepted -
19. Casa Santo Stefano
$$$ | |This inspired new concept pays tribute to Ybor City’s sometimes overlooked Sicilian roots. Appropriately housed in a renovated 1920s macaroni factory, each dish lovingly created...
This inspired new concept pays tribute to Ybor City’s sometimes overlooked Sicilian roots. Appropriately housed in a renovated 1920s macaroni factory, each dish lovingly created at Casa Santo Stefano transports you straight to an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
1607 N. 22nd St., Tampa, Florida, 33605, USA813-248--1925Known For
- Lele’s stuffed artichoke
- House-made pasta
- Colorful, historic decor
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20. Cassis American Brasserie
$$$$ | Downtown |If you drop in for a drink at one of the best places in St. Petersburg for happy hour, it's worth sticking around for the...
If you drop in for a drink at one of the best places in St. Petersburg for happy hour, it's worth sticking around for the French-inspired cuisine for dinner. More casual options include a croque monsieur, but there are also entrées like bouillabaisse and Atlantic salmon, which is served with smashed peas, baby-carrot confit, and an orange-coriander glaze. The wine list is formidable, and the cocktails are a Friday-evening draw for local movers and shakers. Given that the location is on bustling Beach Drive, the people-watching here is second to none. If you're around in the morning, stroll over to the attached bakery for a pastry and some coffee.
170 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA727-827–2927Known For
- Bustling Beach Drive location
- Happy-hour deals, especially on good wine
- Dog-friendly outdoor dining (including a "mutt menu")
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