2 Best Restaurants in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

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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.

Bon Appétit

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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 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.

Café on St. Armands

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Located in St. Armand's Circle, this café, which offers both sidewalk and indoor seating, has a spectacular menu of Mediterranean fare—such as feta-crusted grouper or a Moroccan-spiced crispy duck—with a fresh, modern twist. Stop by with friends and family for lunch to enjoy sandwiches, small plates, and shareable bites while sitting at the veranda tables, which are a great place to watch shoppers and strollers. There's also an excellent wine selection.