Tampa’s culinary scene is a feast of bold flavors and hidden gems, where every neighborhood has a story to tell on a plate. Cuban heritage, Gulf Coast seafood, and Southern soul come together in ways that feel both timeless and unexpected.
Trendy bistros buzz alongside century-old institutions, each serving something unforgettable. For anyone who eats with curiosity, this guide is your delicious starting point.
1. Bern’s Steak House
Holy cow—literally! This legendary steakhouse has been slinging perfectly-aged beef since 1956, and I’m still not over their 500,000-bottle wine collection. That’s not a typo, folks.
The dimly-lit, red-velvet interior screams old-school luxury, but don’t let that intimidate you. Their dry-aged steaks will make you question every other piece of meat you’ve ever eaten.
2. Columbia Restaurant
Stepping into Columbia is like time-traveling to 1905 when this Spanish-Cuban gem first opened its doors. The oldest restaurant in Florida isn’t just coasting on history—their Cuban sandwich could unite warring nations.
Flamenco dancers stomp and twirl between tables certain nights, adding spice to an already lively atmosphere. The ornate blue and white tiles, stained glass, and fountain courtyard make you forget you’re in Florida and not some Andalusian dream.
3. Ulele
Whoever decided to convert an old water pump station into a restaurant deserves a medal! Perched on the Hillsborough River, Ulele (pronounced You-lay-lee) celebrates Florida’s native ingredients with dishes that would make pre-Columbian ancestors proud.
The charred oysters changed my life—no exaggeration. They’re baptized in garlic butter and finished over a 1,200-degree fire. The outdoor beer garden feels like Tampa’s living room, where locals gather to watch the sunset with house-brewed beers.
4. Datz
Calories don’t count at Datz—I’ve decided this is scientific fact. This gastro-diner throws moderation out the window with creations like the Cheesy Todd, a burger with fried mac-and-cheese buns that’ll make your cardiologist weep.
Brunch here is practically a religious experience. The Bloody Mary bar deserves its own zip code, and their doughnuts are the size of your face. No joke—I needed both hands to hold one.
5. Oxford Exchange
Bookstore? Coffee shop? Restaurant? Yes, yes, and hell yes! Oxford Exchange is what would happen if Hogwarts and a fancy British club had a baby. The black and white tiled floors, glass atrium, and bookshop corners make it Instagram heaven.
Breakfast meetings here make me feel like I’m plotting world domination in the most sophisticated way possible. Their avocado toast isn’t basic—it’s transcendent, topped with watermelon radish and edible flowers that make me feel fancy even in yoga pants.
6. Rooster & The Till
Farm-to-table isn’t just a buzzword at Rooster & the Till—it’s a religion. Chef Ferrell Alvarez (James Beard nominee, casual flex) creates plates so beautiful I’ve actually hesitated to eat them. For about three seconds, anyway.
The menu changes faster than Florida weather, but that’s part of the thrill. One visit featured rabbit tortellini that made me consider raising bunnies in my backyard (don’t worry, I came to my senses). Small plates meant for sharing, but you’ll fight your dinner companions for the last bite.
7. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Jazz piano tinkles through the air as servers in crisp white jackets deliver shellfish towers that make nearby diners gasp audibly. Eddie V’s isn’t just dinner—it’s theater.
Perched on the edge of Tampa Bay, the floor-to-ceiling windows frame sunset views that pair perfectly with their Chilean sea bass. The fish is so buttery it practically melts before your fork makes contact. I’ve embarrassed myself by making inappropriate noises while eating here.
8. Armature Works
Not exactly one restaurant but a food WONDERLAND housed in a former streetcar warehouse. This massive food hall sits on the Hillsborough River with industrial-chic vibes that make me want to quit my job and become a full-time food explorer.
Heights Public Market inside features over a dozen vendors slinging everything from Cuban-Filipino fusion to artisanal donuts. My strategy? Grab empanadas from Empamamas (the Tampa Girl with gooey cheese and Cuban pork is life-changing), ramen from Ichicoro, and finish with a nitrogen ice cream from Astro.
9. La Terrazza
Mama mia! Hidden on the rooftop of a nondescript building in Ybor City, this Italian gem feels like stumbling into someone’s Mediterranean terrace party. The fairy lights, rustic wooden tables, and panoramic views of Tampa’s historic district create pure magic.
The homemade pasta will ruin you for all other carbs. Their pappardelle with wild boar ragu made me briefly consider moving to Tuscany. Or at least asking the chef to adopt me.
10. Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar
Celebrity chef Chad Johnson’s playground inside the Epicurean Hotel is where comfort food gets dressed up for the prom. The restaurant practically screams “food nerd paradise” with its wine bottle chandeliers and open kitchen.
Their duck fat fries should be illegal in at least 12 states. Crispy outside, pillowy inside, and served with a smoked paprika aioli that I’d happily bathe in. The foie gras butter burger haunts my dreams—in the best possible way.
11. Mise En Place
Twenty-five years and still killing it! Mise en Place pioneered fine dining in Tampa before the city had any culinary cred. The restaurant’s name—French for “everything in its place”—perfectly captures the precision of every dish that leaves the kitchen.
Chef Marty Blitz changes the menu with obsessive seasonality. I once had a corn soup there that made me emotional—who cries over soup? This girl, apparently. The dining room feels like a sophisticated living room where you can actually hear your dinner conversation.
12. Cask Social Kitchen
Southern comfort food gets a glow-up at Cask, where the bartenders know your name by your second visit and the patio feels like your coolest friend’s backyard party. The Edison bulbs and reclaimed wood scream “hipster” but the food screams “GET IN MY BELLY!”
Their Nashville hot chicken and waffles deliver that perfect sweet-spicy-savory trifecta that makes your taste buds do the electric slide. The bourbon selection is so extensive it requires its own menu—I’ve made it through approximately 7% of it over multiple “research” visits.
13. On Swann
Nestled in Hyde Park Village, On Swann feels like the sophisticated yet approachable dinner party host we all wish we could be. The bright, airy space with its open kitchen and marble accents makes me want to redecorate my entire house.
The menu focuses on shareable plates with Mediterranean influences. Their charred octopus converted me from tentacle-skeptic to true believer in one bite. Perfectly tender with just the right amount of char—it’s octopus enlightenment.
14. Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar
Sixteen floors up with 360-degree views of Tampa Bay that’ll make your Instagram followers hate you with burning jealousy! This Midtown newcomer brings Riviera Maya vibes to the city with turquoise accents and plenty of tequila.
The tacos aren’t your basic Taco Tuesday fare—think achiote-marinated grouper with pickled red onions that taste like they were flown in from Tulum this morning. I’ve shamelessly ordered three rounds in one sitting.
15. Bella’s Italian Café
Mamma mia! This South Tampa institution has been hand-making pasta since 1986, long before it was cool to Instagram your carbonara. The dining room feels like your Italian grandmother’s house (if your nonna had really good taste in wine).
Family-owned and fiercely independent, Bella’s refuses to compromise on ingredients. The tiramisu is still made from a recipe the owner’s mother brought from Italy, and no, they won’t give it to you no matter how nicely you ask. Trust me, I’ve tried.