Tampa is known for its outstanding beaches and bustling nightlife, but did you know that it’s also home to some great restaurants?

With so many impressive eateries to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to go when visiting Tampa so, to make your job that little bit easier, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best restaurants in Tampa.

Edison: food + drink lab 

Edison: food + drink lab is a world renowned restaurant which changes its menu on an almost daily basis.

Serving an eclectic and truly fascinating combination of ingredients which really shouldn’t work together but somehow do, it’s no surprise that this restaurant has attracted a lot of well-deserved attention.

As well as great food, you’ll also find a wonderful range of craft cocktails on the menu, so this versatile restaurant is a must-visit in Tampa.

On Swann

If you love aesthetics as well as great food, you’ll adore On Swann because the meticulous attention to detail in the presentation makes the dishes look almost as good as they taste.

This restaurant prides itself on ethical and local sourcing of food, so you can rest assured that, when dining here, you’re only being served the best.

The Refinery

This restaurant’s aim is to make good food affordable to everyone, so it’s a great place to go if you’re on a tight budget, and all of the food is ethically produced and grown in Florida.

The Refinery changes it menu three to four times a week, so you’ll always be kept on your toes and everything from the sauces to the sausages are made from scratch in the kitchen daily.

Café Dufrain

Café Dufrain’s seasonal menu features both organic and locally grown food, with highlights including the whole crispy snapper and the coffee rubbed grilled wood grilled pork tenderloin.

Beautifully situated on the waterfront, this modern restaurant prides itself on its boutique wine and beer list and is perfect for a romantic dinner out.

Rooster & The Till

Run by Myles Gallagher and Brian Lampe, Rooster & The Till hosts an extensive menu of high-quality cuisine. This is a great place to visit if you fancy yourself as a connoisseur of wine because you’ll find a wine to match every dish.

This restaurant also hosts events, such as its pop-up brunch, which includes a live DJ, and seasonal specials such as it’s four course Valentine’s day deal.

Square 1 Burgers

Square 1 Burgers’ mission is to change the vision of burgers being cheap, quick, and unhealthy dining choices. The aim is to go back to square one, using only the best ingredients; even vegan burger options are available.

But it’s not just burgers that you can enjoy here. On the menu, amongst other dishes, you’ll also find meatloaf, salmon, and soup.

Yacht StarShip

Ever fancied having a slap up dinner on a three diamond rated yacht? In Tampa, you’ll find Yacht StarShip which sails you past outstanding views of Tampa Bay and the largest port in Florida.

On board, you’ll be given a three course meal and the opportunity to while away the evening dancing the romantic classics played by the Cruise Director on the lounge deck. 

Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi

If you want to pair your food with a great wine, Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi is the place to be. This restaurant has won the prestigious Wine Spectator Award time and time again and is home to 500 different wines.

Jackson’s has a variety of menus: lunch, dinner, bar, dessert, sushi, and brunch, each of which includes high-quality ingredients to ensure that your dining experience is the best it can be.

Ulele

Ulele is open for lunch and dinner and its extensive menu offers delights such as oysters from the Gulf Coast and native soup, which includes alligator, wild boar, venison, and ground chuck.

Ulele also has its own brewery, called Ulele Spring Brewery, which is situated in front of its beer garden. Serving freshly brewed beers, this brewery is award-winning and you can even take a tour of the site.

Restaurant BT

Restaurant BT specialises in French-Vietnamese cuisine and is widely known for its stunning interior design and decor. Chef BT Nguyen is inspired by traditional cuisine but likes to add a unique twist to her dishes.

With a huge choice available for both food and drinks, there really is something for everyone to enjoy; there are even vegan options available.

First Watch

With a seasonal menu, a breakfast/brunch menu, and a lunch menu, First Watch serves you all of the classic dishes and eggs any way you can imagine.

You can also expect to find innovative dishes at this restaurant, such as the sweet honey pecan salad and the lemon ricotta pancakes.

Holy Hog

Holy Hog celebrates all things barbecue with a menu full of choice. With a wide range of meats and an even bigger selection of sides, any meat lover will be able to enjoy this restaurant no matter what their tastes are.

You can even order food from Holy Hog online with pickup and delivery options.

Ava

Ava is an Italian restaurant which serves all of the classics and more on its brunch, lunch, and dinner menus. The popular happy hour menu leaves nothing to be desired, with handmade cocktails and great deals on light snacks.

This restaurant’s shabby-chic, rustic interior gives the place a relaxed vibe - perfect for celebrating an occasion or having after work drinks.

Datz

For the ultimate comfort food, Datz is the restaurant to visit. The menu features twists on the old classics, such as a burger served on glazed donuts instead of bread, and mac n’ cheese stuffed meatloaf.

Datz has a ‘text ahead’ feature, which is an interactive waiting list where you can, from the comfort of your phone, book a place at the restaurant and receive updates about your place on the waiting list.

Al’s Finger Lickin’ Good Bar-B-Que

This Tennessee-style barbecue restaurant started out as concession stand but is now a sit-in restaurant and it’s one of the best places in Tampa for classic barbecue food.

The budget friendly Al’s Finger Lickin’ Good Bar-B-Que serves sandwiches, dinners, and sides centred around barbecued beef, turkey, pork, chicken, and sausage. Here you’ll also find delicious pies and desserts to complement your meal.

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