1. Bern’s Steak House Is a Tastebud Extravaganza
Bern’s Steak House
1208 S Howard Ave (SoHo)
(813) 251-2421
Yelp: 4 Stars
Starting this list with a bang is Bern’s Steak House. Yes, it’s pricey. Yes, it’s fancy. Yes, it’s amazing. Each steak is expertly prepared exactly as you want it. When you order your steak, you can specify how many ounces you want as well as the thickness. When it comes to steaks, there’s no better place in Tampa. That’s not all—you can also take a kitchen and wine cellar tour and have your dessert in the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. While all the desserts are incredible, you must try the Taste of Bern’s: a sample-size portion of their vanilla cheesecake, macadamia decadence cake, banana cheese pie, chocolate cheese pie, and the King Midas. Holy wow.
2. Dive Into Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que
Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que
1609 Angel Olivia Senior St (Ybor City)
(813) 956-0675
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
This Tennessee-style barbecue joint in Ybor City always hits the mark. It’s in a cute little converted house and has an ultra laid back atmosphere—just like a barbecue joint should have. Their smoked meats are tender, flavorful, and will actually make you lick your fingers repeatedly—and no one will judge you because they’ll be busy doing it too. Go for the gusto and get a half slab of ribs with some of their sides: lip-smacking baked beans, spicy collard greens, black-eyes peas, mac and cheese, and always, always get a side of their cornbread. Best barbecue in Tampa.
3. Step Back In Time At Columbia Restaurant
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th Ave (Ybor City)
(813) 248-4961
Yelp: 4 Stars
Established in 1905 and known as “Florida’s Oldest Restaurant,” Columbia Restaurant serves up old-world style Spanish-Cuban food. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside a time machine back to 1920s Cuba… and it will be delicious. While you may have a hard time figuring out what to order from their extensive, busy menu, you can’t go wrong with one of their paellas. They even have a vegan, gluten-free paella, the paella vegetariana, that is as delicious as their traditional ones. They do take 30 minutes to prepare, so order a glass or two from the wine list and grab a couple tapas to make your wait more enjoyable.
4. Tampa Bay Brewing Company Serves a Burger Bomb
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
1600 E 8th Ave (Ybor City)
(813) 247-1422
Yelp: 4 Stars
The Tampa Bay Brewing Company has hand-crafted beers, award-winning cider wings, and a burger that you must try because it’s the bomb. Literally named “the Bomb,” it’s a half-pound burger with cheddar cheese, hickory bacon, and onion straws wrapped in pizza dough instead of a bun, then baked and served with a side of horseradish ale sauce. It’s incredible. It’s unique. It’s like a burger calzone. If burgers aren’t your thing (we’re sorry, what?), then choose from their huge menu of pizzas, calzones, and entrees. The meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, and beer-battered fish and chips will all blow your mind. Finish your meal with their apple crisp, which is definitely big enough for two.
5. Drink Up At Jet City Espresso
Jet City Espresso
318 S. Edison Ave. (Hyde Park)
(813) 541-5048
Yelp: 5 Stars
This is not your typical coffee shop offering quality, organic espresso coffee drinks, this is a traditional coffee house with some of the best coffee you’ve ever tried. Seriously, you might want to try it before you add the sugar or honey, just to get the full experience of how incredible the flavor is. You might not need any sugar. There’s a reason they have near perfect reviews on Yelp with over 100 reviews. Coffee isn’t all they do here, either. They have baked goods, smoothies, teas, quiches, salads, and more. Plus the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, just like the owner, Jessica. It’s the best local coffee shop in Tampa, hands down.
6. Indulge in Apps and Ambiance at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood and Steaks
4400 W Boy Scout Blvd (Westshore)
(813) 877-7290
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
It’s Tampa, so of course you’re thinking about fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, and lobster everything. If that’s true, then there’s no better place to drop some dinero than Eddie V’s. The atmosphere is chic, sophisticated, and hip with swanky live jazz. You’ll feel a bit like Frank Sinatra, for sure. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The oyster bar offers up delicious market oysters, jumbo lump crab, and Hawaiian yellowtail sashimi, but the lobster is where it’s at: lobster tails, lobster bisque, lobster tacos—they have it all. End with the decadent Godiva chocolate cake.
7. Dine on Authentic, Mouth-Watering Mexican at Miguel’s
Miguel’s Mexican Seafood & Grill
3035 W Kennedy Blvd (West Tampa)
(813) 876-2587
Yelp: 4 Stars Take a seat on the gorgeous back patio, order a top-shelf margarita, and graze on chips and salsa while you pore over the menu at Miguel’s. This isn’t your standard, campy Mexican restaurant. This is authentic, home-cooked, mouth-watering Mexican cuisine in an upscale and relaxing atmosphere. Try the USDA prime filet or the Kobe skirt steak fajitas, served with frijoles charros, mexican rice, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and hot tortillas. Everything here is fantastic, from the spicy pinto bean soup to the ceviche. If you’re into brunch, they have the best huevos rancheros in Tampa.
8. Feed Your Soul At Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska Ave (Seminole Heights)
(813) 234-1000
Yelp: 4 Stars
Check out Ella’s for a folk art, indie, vintage atmosphere with live music and fantastic food. If you’re not into the whole vintage-retro-hipster environment, don’t be deterred: The food here is out of this world, especially on Soul Food Sundays. Okay, so it’s really just their rendition of brunch, but what a rendition it is—fried chicken and waffles served with bourbon honey, southern cornmeal fried catfish, and biscuits with smoked sausage gravy top the list of fantastic dishes. That’s not all though; no matter what you get, you must get an a la carte side of bacon mac and cheese. It is simply to die for. Why all mac and cheese doesn’t come with bacon is beyond us.
9. Nosh On A Fresh Cubano (Or Everything Else) At La Teresita
La Teresita Restaurant
3248 W Columbus Dr (West Tampa)
(813) 302-7545
Yelp: 4 Stars
La Teresita is not your typical Tampa establishment; it’s kind of a dive with a cafeteria feel, but it’s the tastiest and most affordable Cuban food you’ll find in the area. Of course the cubano is recommended, but by no means is the cubano the only thing on the menu. In fact, it’s hidden down at the bottom under “sandwiches—which aren’t the highlight, but you need to know how heavenly it is. It’s not only fantastic, but it’s huge. If you love a great Cuban sandwich, this is it. If you love all Cuban food, then check out the rest of their menu for terrific steak, puerco asado, arroz con pollo, and more. Don’t forget a side of fried plantains.
10. Datz Is A Foodie Playground
Datz
2616 S MacDill Ave (Palma Ceia)
(813) 831-7000
Yelp: 4 Stars
It really doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a gourmet burger, chicken and waffles, fantastic fish tacos, superb craft cocktails, or a damn fine bloody mary—you’re going to be happy at Datz. Just be prepared for a wait and only visit if you don’t mind a lively atmosphere (read: it can get loud and busy). That goes for lunch and dinner, but especially brunch.
A favorite is their infamous Cheesy Todd—a brisket and short rib burger sandwiched between two fried bacon-jalapeño mac and cheese “buns.” Seriously. Two other things you can’t miss: the Kentucky colonel bowl and the stuffed meatloaf.
11. Feed Your Sweet Tooth Cravings At Dough
Dough
2602 S MacDill Ave (Palma Ceia)
(813) 902-1979
Yelp: 4 Stars
If you’re having dinner (or lunch or brunch) at Datz, then you need to hop on over to Dough to make your experience complete. From pastries, pies, and gelato to fruit tarts, brownies, and fresh apple fritters, Dough has something for everyone’s sweet tooth. The donuts are out of this world, from traditional flavors like glazed and Boston creme to more unique flavors like key lime pie and stuffed birthday cake. Plus, they have a rotating menu of seasonal flavors that have included caramel curry and Sriracha chocolate.
12. Mermaid Tavern Serves Magical Eats And Drinks
Mermaid Tavern
6719 N Nebraska Ave (Seminole Heights)
(813) 238-5618
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
The Mermaid is a self-proclaimed gastro-tavern in Old Seminole Heights. The menu is simple, small, and unique with grass-fed burgers, a salad called ‘f**k Monsanto salad’ with black-eyed pea falafel, and a variety of other magical creations. Everything here is super tasty and original, but definitely try their hand-cut truffle fries because they will be the best truffle fries you’ve had in your life, guaranteed. Also, remember this spot is a tavern, so they have a killer wine list and an array of craft beers on tap.
13. Authentic Southeast Asian Flavors at Thai 5 Fast Food
Thai 5 Fast Food
3424 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. (South Tampa)
(813) 374-2153
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
Don’t let the “fast food” fool you—Thai 5’s dishes are made with care and a commitment to authenticity by its owner and operator Chef Khim. Regularly ranked amongst the best Thai food Tampa has to offer, Thai 5 features favorites like pad thai, drunken noodles, and curries, but try something new with favorites like duck fried rice and the beef bowl noodle soup. It isn’t a trendy fine dining experience like some of the other restaurants on the list, but the flavors will blow you away.
14. For The Pie Of Your Life Head To Eddie & Sam’s
Eddie & Sam’s NY Pizza
203 E. Twiggs St. (Downtown Tampa)
(813) 229-8500
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
OK, just do yourself a favor and get here as soon as you can. They have the best pizza in Tampa. The slices are as big as your head, the toppings are fresh and super flavorful, and the sauce is incredible. If you love New York-style pizza, this is as close as you’re going to get if you’re not in NYC. Plus, you can order by the slice and most are priced at around or under $4, so you can try a ton of different toppings. They usually have at least 15 different types at all times. Go. Eat. Pizza!
15. Have A Transcendent Sushi Experience At Soho
Soho Sushi
3218 W Kennedy Blvd (West Tampa)
(813) 873-7646
Yelp: 4.5 Stars
Light and crispy tempura, super fresh fish, and an amazing array of delicious rolls. Soho is a popular spot for a reason—it’s the freshest and the best. Just be warned: Don’t come during popular times like happy hour and prime dinner hours unless you’re OK with a wait. Regardless, it will be amazing. Try the volcano roll: crab and cucumber wrapped with avocado, topped with baked spicy salmon and crab. It’s beautiful and amazing. Don’t forget to check out the sake menu. The peach sake makes every bite that much more amazing.
