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. Bella Brava New World Trattoria

    $$$ | Downtown

    This trendy eatery on equally trendy Beach Drive offers imaginative takes on Italian fare. Ravioli Genovese, stuffed with fresh goat cheese and toasted pine nuts, or lobster mac and cheese with black truffle bread crumbs are some of the more decadent dishes; lighter fare includes colorful salads and flatbreads. Specials often feature local seafood. There's almost always a lengthy wait for a table, even on weeknights, so reservations are really a must. Sitting at the bar, which has an inspired beer, wine, and cocktail menu, is also an option.

    204 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, USA
    727-895–5515

    Known For

    • Pasta brava (with wood-grilled chicken, cotto ham, peas, and Asiago cream)
    • Lengthy waits if you don't have a reservation
    • Lively happy hour and people-watching scene

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 2. 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, USA
    813-254–3355

    Known For

    • Hearty Italian classics
    • Homemade pasta
    • Intimate dining environment
  • 3. 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, USA
    813-242–9555

    Known For

    • Trendy atmosphere
    • Cioppino à la Cinzano
    • Good drink specials
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

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