You can grab a great meal just about anywhere in Tampa. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night spot, a late-night snack or a quick to-go bite, the restaurants around Tampa will not disappoint. So strap on your bibs and leave your hotel room: it’s time to eat at the best restaurants in Tampa.
West Tampa Sandwich Shop 💰
In the debate over Tampa’s best Cuban, the West Tampa Sandwich shop is a constant contender, earning the top spot on many local lists. With walls plastered in old photos, tables and chairs scattered about, the daytime-only cafe’s simple decor speaks to its focus on food. When President Obama visited the shop in 2012, he ordered the Tripleta (a pork, steak and ham sandwich) and the restaurant’s specialty, a honey-glazed Cuban. Can’t go wrong there.
Wright's Gourmet House 💰
After fifty-five years, Wright’s remains in the family and offers the most flavorful sandwiches and salads in Tampa. Order a signature sandwich, like the Golden Gate (with roast pork, dill pickles and homemade peach chutney on pumpernickel) or the grilled Paris (with turkey, brie and sliced apples on butter crust white). Arrive on either side of lunchtime to avoid the line.
Saigon Deli 💰
Serving authentic and affordable Vietnamese cuisine this nondescript deli is a case in point for why you shouldn’t judge a restaurant by its blemishes. Yes, your elbows might stick to the table. No, the floor isn’t squeaky clean. But the moment you bite into the grilled pork banh mi, you’ll forgive any hygienic infractions. Order pork pho if you’re a purist. Try the notoriously spicy soup, bun bo hue, if you’re feeling bold.
Big Ray’s Fish Camp 💰
Big Ray’s Fish Camp serves creative takes on seafood favorites from a small shack that looks like it might get swept away in the next hurricane. Often busy, they do offer plenty of seating outside. The specialty here is the grouper Reuben on rye, packed with coleslaw, thousand island dressing, and Swiss cheese. Feeling self-indulgent? Order the blackened shrimp on a bed of yucca and a lobster corn dog.
Bianchi’s Enoteca 💰💰
Bianchi’s does things the European way: Hand-selected wines, delicate portions, and attentive service in an intimate and unpretentious setting. They serve simple dishes done right. The omelet is ungodly, arguably the best in town, and the shockingly simple Bibb salad with shaved fennel and roasted vegetables might make you give up meat forever.
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe 💰💰
Ella’s serves southern comfort food. The atmosphere is unique with scrap metal statues that populate the patio, and local bands that sometimes take the stage inside. Soul Food Sundays are known to serve the city’s best brunch. Order the fried catfish or chicken and waffles with a side of collard greens and cornbread.
Due Amici 💰💰
It’s a cardinal sin to visit Tampa without a night out in Ybor City. This busy pizza joint serves the city’s best slices. And the staff is amazingly friendly. Pizza options range from traditional to unorthodox, pepperoni and mushroom to BBQ chicken. With dollops of fresh ricotta and herbs, the white pizza will convert even the most stubborn cynics.
SoHo Sushi 💰💰
No city is complete without a good sushi restaurant. With rolls as vibrant to the tongue as they are to the eye, Soho Sushi has established itself as the spot for local raw fish lovers and out-of-towners in the know. The menu offers classics and new creations, like the Green Menace (scallops and tempura chips wrapped in avocado) and the Candy Cane (spicy crunchy tuna topped with red and white tuna).
Tampa Bay Food Tours 💰💰💰
If you’re looking to try as many restaurants in a short period of time head out with Tampa Bay Food Tours. Try food and wine from 5 amazing restaurants in 3 short hours.
Ybor City Food Tour 💰💰💰
Your pallets will be delighted on this guided food tour through Ybor City. Expect to visit 5-7 restaurants on the 2-hour food extravaganza. You will stop at The Columbian Restaurant that was established in 1905 and still in existence today!
Bern’s Steak House 💰💰💰💰
Bern’s Steak House is a Tampa tradition, where families and friends go to dine in style. They serve thick steaks and a selection of over 6,800 wines. The windowless building stands like an eyesore, but don't judge a book by its cover. Make reservations for a romantic evening. For a less expensive experience, show up shortly after 5 pm and sit at the bar—order the sliced steak sandwich, French onion soup, and your favorite red.
The Refinery 💰💰💰💰
As Tampa’s favorite farm-to-fork restaurant, The Refinery has had a lot to live up to since 2012 when it received the James Beard nomination. Throughout the years, it has remained a must for fans of the slow food movement. In 2018, The Refinery moved down the street into a warehouse-style venue with tall ceilings and an open floor plan, which can sometimes feel cold, but the rotating, home-cooked menu is sure to keep you comfortable.
Byblos 💰💰💰💰
Byblos has long been a local favorite for Lebanese cuisine, but recent renovations have seen its furnishings mature, prices rise, and menus take on a more generally Mediterranean influence. Classics like falafel, hummus, and kebab still take, but dishes like compressed watermelon salad and striped bass certainly hold their own. If you’re in a group, order a few dishes from the mezeh menu, which come with a healthy plate of pita, and dig in together.
Edison: Food + Drink Lab 💰💰💰💰💰
Edison is one of Tampa’s most decorated restaurants—and for good reason. Every dish on the ever-changing menu is amazing. From the foie gras caramel apple to sesame honey-glazed cobia, each bite performs like a mini circus in your mouth. And, despite the countless awards, Edison isn’t an extremely fancy place. Its beauty manifests as an effortless blend of fine dining in an informal setting.
Pane Rustica 💰💰💰💰💰
Owned and operated by a community-minded husband-and-wife team, Pane Rustica is the kind of restaurant every neighborhood needs. Breakfast to dinner, the friendly space serves its loyal customers from a modest spot in the middle of a strip mall. The food is straightforward and delicious. Try the day’s frittata for breakfast, tuna salad sandwich for lunch and chicken salad-stuffed acorn squash for dinner. Wash it down with some wine, of course.
